The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa will continue helping develop artificial intelligence (AI) tools that could make it faster and less expensive to design and test everything from airplanes to wind turbines, thanks to a new $20 million federal grant.

Three 糖心视频 Mānoa faculty members—Assistant Professors Chrisy Xiyu Du and Andrei A. Klishin from the , and Associate Professor June Zhang from the —will serve as senior personnel in the . The five-year award supports a multi-university collaboration focused on using AI to better understand and predict how complex physical systems behave.

NSF initially funded the institute for 2021–26. This renewed award will support its next phase of research from 2026 through 2031.

The institute brings together researchers from universities across the country to develop AI methods for engineering challenges, including how air moves around an airplane wing, how industrial systems operate and how engineers can improve the design and manufacturing of complex products.

Unlike general-purpose AI tools such as ChatGPT, which primarily work with text and images, the institute focuses on AI that learns from physical data and the laws of science. These approaches could help engineers test ideas more efficiently, reduce the need for costly computer simulations and improve designs before building expensive physical prototypes.

Long-term opportunities for 糖心视频 researchers

The institute鈥檚 funding gives participating faculty members greater flexibility to pursue research questions over several years, support graduate students and postdoctoral researchers, and collaborate with experts at other universities.

Klishin鈥檚 work at 糖心视频 Mānoa builds on this approach to using AI and physics to better understand complex systems. In a 2025 study, he and fellow researchers developed a method to help AI identify the underlying rules behind noisy, real-world data, with potential applications ranging from engineering and environmental science to economics and medicine.

“AI can help engineers move beyond simply predicting how a system will behave to exploring how to make it work better,” Klishin said. “By combining AI with our understanding of physics, we can develop tools that help researchers test more ideas, improve designs and potentially bring useful technologies to people faster.”

Zhang鈥檚 research aims to teach AI systems to better train themselves in applications where there is a limited amount of data.

Potential real-world benefits

One example developed through the institute is HydroGym, an open-source platform that allows researchers to test AI methods for predicting and controlling fluid flows. Understanding how fluids such as air and water move is important in designing aircraft, ships, wind turbines and other technologies, but accurately simulating these flows can require substantial computing power. By making simulation tools more accessible, researchers can build on one another鈥檚 work and test new approaches to controlling fluid movement.

The institute is led by the University of Washington, and includes 糖心视频 Mānoa as a participating campus alongside institutions such as Harvard University, Columbia University, the University of Michigan and Caltech.

Students from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa spent two days on Maui exploring wildfire recovery through the Bowers + Kubota Interdisciplinary Field Study, held September 17–18. The field study brought together students from architecture, engineering and urban planning to examine recovery, resilient construction, mass timber and community. Through visits with professionals, government officials, community advocates and construction teams, students saw how different disciplines contribute to the complex process of rebuilding.

“The most important thing I learned is how much effort it is taking from all disciplines to help rebuild Lahaina. It isn’t just one type of professional that will help rebuild Lahaina,” said 4th year undergraduate engineering student Eric Christian Aganon.

Learning across disciplines

Students visited the Alexander & Baldwin Sugar Museum, met with American Institute of Architects (AIA) Maui and the Lahaina Town Action Committee, spoke with the County of Maui Department of Housing, toured the Swinerton Maui office and visited the Hawaiʻi Off Grid Bunkhouse with Habitat for Humanity. The experience encouraged students to think about their future roles as professionals working across disciplines and communities.

“Learning how architecture can be useful at the city and county level through very technical aspects of economics, business, etc. was extremely eye opening,” said Nevaeh Angel Nacion, a 3rd Year D.Arch architecture student.

Connecting technical knowledge with recovery

At the Hawaiʻi Off Grid Bunkhouse, students saw mass timber construction firsthand and connected building technology with housing and recovery. A meeting with the Maui County Department of Housing provided another perspective, highlighting the social, economic and environmental complexity of rebuilding.

“Every sector is doing what they know best, and our job is to support their approaches into aligning with the rest,” said Mai Lee, a 1st year graduate urban planning student.

A model for interdisciplinary education

“Recovery is a complex process that cannot be understood from a single professional perspective,” said Ho Kyung Lee, School of Architecture assistant professor and leader of the field study. “By bringing architecture, engineering and urban planning students together, we wanted them to see not only what each discipline contributes, but also where those disciplines intersect.”

The field study was supported by the Bowers + Kubota Fund and organized by Ho Kyung Lee, Eric Peterson from the School of Architecture and Vineeth Dharmapalan from the College of Engineering assisted with planning and accompanied students on the field study.

Special thanks to the trip hosts: Jeremy Stoddart (Past President at AIA Maui, Principal at PILI Design Build), Sne Patel (President at Lahaina Town Action Committee), Remi E. Mitchell (Director of the County of Maui Department of Housing), Duane Kreuger (Project Manager at Swinerton Maui), David Sellers (Principal at Hawaii Off Grid Architecture + Engineering), Matthew Kopp (Project Architect / Lead Designer at Hawaii Off Grid Architecture + Engineering), and Kaylah McHone (Community Engagement & Volunteer Coordinator at Habitat For Humanity Maui).

The University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 has been renewed through 2030 as a (CAE-R), a national designation recognizing universities that conduct advanced cybersecurity research and prepare students for careers in the field.

The designation is part of a federal program led by the National Security Agency recognizing colleges and universities for their contributions to cybersecurity education, research and workforce development.

糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补 was first designated in 2015 and renewed in 2019. Fewer than 20% of institutions in the national program hold the CAE-R designation, which is focused on universities with doctoral-level research programs.

“This renewal recognizes the strength of the cybersecurity and AI research and education at 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补 and the commitment of our faculty and students to addressing important challenges in cybersecurity and AI,” said Yingfei Dong, professor of , who led the university鈥檚 re-designation effort. “It also reflects the important role that research universities play in preparing the next generation of cybersecurity professionals, applying AI for cybersecurity, and securing increasingly important AI systems.”

Increasing importance of cybersecurity

Cybersecurity has become increasingly important as Hawaiʻi鈥檚 residents, businesses, schools and government agencies rely on digital systems for everything from banking and health care to transportation and communication.

The Centers of Academic Excellence program is designed to strengthen cybersecurity education across the country and help develop a skilled workforce. Participating universities are expected to provide strong academic programs, develop cybersecurity skills among students and faculty, and contribute to solutions for challenges facing the field.

For 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补, the CAE-R designation highlights the university鈥檚 role in conducting advanced research while educating students who can help meet the growing need for cybersecurity expertise in Hawaiʻi and beyond. The university has also been involved in other national cybersecurity education efforts.

The ranked in nearly 20 academic subjects in the released in September 2026, including four subjects that placed among the top 16 in the country and another six placed in the nation鈥檚 top 27.

Oceanography ranked No. 4 in the U.S. and No. 6 globally, while atmospheric science ranked No. 9 in the U.S. and No. 15 worldwide. Geography tied for No. 14 in the U.S. and No. 51–75 tier in the world, and hospitality and tourism management ranked No. 16 in the U.S. and No. 43 globally.

糖心视频 Mānoa also ranked across a broad range of science, engineering, social science and other academic and research fields. In the U.S., public administration tied for No. 21, civil engineering tied for No. 23, Earth sciences tied for No. 24, agricultural sciences tied for No. 26 and ecology and food science and technology tied for No. 27. Public administration, Earth sciences and ecology placed in the No. 76–100 tier globally, civil engineering and agricultural sciences ranked in the No. 151–200 tier worldwide, and food science and technology placed in the No. 301–400 tier globally.

The rankings were released by the ShanghaiRanking Consultancy and are considered one of the most comprehensive and objective assessments of university performance by discipline.

“Rankings like these reflect the breadth and quality of the work being done by our faculty and students at 糖心视频 Mānoa,” Chancellor Vassilis L. Syrmos said. “Their important contributions through research, teaching and innovation across a wide range of disciplines, further strengthens our place as Hawaiʻi鈥檚 flagship campus—where access meets excellence.”

Additional 糖心视频 Mānoa subjects recognized in the 2026 rankings include:

• Water resources: Tied No. 44 U.S., No. 201–300 world
• Environmental science and engineering: Tied No. 56 U.S., No. 301–400 world
• Political science: Tied No. 69 U.S., No. 201–300 world
• Sociology: Tied No. 69 U.S., No. 201–300 world
• Biological sciences: Tied No. 75 U.S., No. 301–400 world
• Education: Tied No. 79 U.S., No. 201–300 world
• Management: Tied No. 110 U.S., No. 401–500 world

糖心视频 Mānoa was evaluated alongside approximately 2,000 universities from nearly 100 countries and regions, selected from a global pool of more than 25,000 institutions. The rankings are based on measures such as world-class faculty, world-class research output, high-quality research, research impact and international collaboration.

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Announced on August 15, ShanghaiRanking Consultancy ranked 糖心视频 Mānoa in the No. 95—111 tier in the U.S. and No. 401—500 tier worldwide in the 2026 Academic Ranking of World Universities.

Recent rankings

糖心视频 Mānoa also received these notable rankings:

• 2027 U.S. News and World Report Best Colleges ranking, September 22, 2026
• 2027 The Princeton Review “The Best 392 Colleges” guide, August 19, 2026
• 2026–27 Global University Visibility Rankings, July 23, 2026
• 2027 Quacquarelli Symonds World University Rankings, June 17, 2026
• 2026–27 U.S. News and World Report Best Global Universities rankings, June 16, 2026

For more information, visit the .

The University of Hawaiʻi鈥檚 three 4-year universities earned national recognition in the released September 22, with 糖心视频 West Oʻahu earning two second-place regional rankings and two additional top-10 rankings.

, and were ranked among the country鈥檚 top 4-year institutions by U.S. News and World Report out of based on nearly 20 categories (depending on program ranking), including graduation and retention rates, peer assessments, academic and financial resources and student excellence.

“Recognition from U.S. News and World Report reflects the many ways the University of Hawaiʻi is serving students and the state,” 糖心视频 President Wendy Hensel said. “From academic programs and student support to opportunities that help students move into careers and build better lives for themselves and their families, these results highlight the strength and value of a University of Hawaiʻi education. We are proud of the work happening across our universities, community colleges and learning centers, and remain committed to providing opportunities for students at every level of higher education.”

The in the 糖心视频 Mānoa ranked No. 23 among the best programs in the nation. Shidler College also came in at No. 129 (tied) among the best undergraduate business programs out of 535 ranked undergraduate business programs.

The flagship campus of the 糖心视频 System ranked No. 96 (tied) as a top U.S. public university; No. 128 for best colleges for veterans; No. 186 (tied) overall in the country; and No. 196 (tied) in social mobility, which measures how well schools graduated students who were federal Pell Grant recipients. 糖心视频 Mānoa was ranked among the national universities category—featuring institutions that offer a range of undergraduate majors, plus master’s and doctoral programs, and emphasize faculty research.

The is the No. 94 (tied) best undergraduate nursing program among 671 ranked undergraduate nursing programs.

The ranked No. 140 (tied) for best undergraduate economics programs in the nation, and the ranked No. 189 (tied) out of the top 676 best undergraduate psychology programs in the nation. Both departments are housed in the .

The placed No. 146 (tied) among the best undergraduate engineering programs that offer doctoral degrees in the country.

The in the ranked as the No. 173 (tied) best undergraduate computer science program out of 587 ranked programs.

“糖心视频 Mānoa鈥檚 strong showing reflects the depth and breadth of a flagship institution that combines outstanding undergraduate education with nationally recognized research and professional programs,” said 糖心视频 Mānoa Chancellor Vassilis L. Syrmos. “Our faculty, staff, and students should all take pride in their hard work and dedication that led to these results, which can also be attributed to the many unique opportunities we are able to provide to students across our campus and in the field. I’m very pleased to see the fruits of our labor reflected in these rankings by U.S. News and World Report.”

糖心视频 Hilo ranked among the top national liberal arts colleges—a category that compares institutions across the country, rather than within a single region—that focus almost exclusively on undergraduate education and that tend to award most of their degrees in the arts and sciences. In that category, 糖心视频 Hilo ranked No. 17 as a top public school, No. 77 (tied) for social mobility and No. 153 overall.

糖心视频 贬颈濒辞鈥檚 is the No. 195 (tied) best undergraduate nursing program in the country among 671 ranked undergraduate nursing programs, the ranked No. 255 (tied) out of the top 676 undergraduate psychology programs in the nation, and the placed No. 301 (tied) out of 535 ranked undergraduate business programs.

“We鈥檙e proud to see 糖心视频 Hilo recognized among the nation鈥檚 leading liberal arts colleges,” 糖心视频 Hilo Chancellor Bonnie D. Irwin said. “This recognition reflects the dedication of our faculty, staff and students and the high-quality education and experiences we provide. It鈥檚 a testament to the strong community we鈥檝e built at 糖心视频 Hilo and our commitment to student success.”

糖心视频 West Oʻahu ranked No. 2 (tied) for top public colleges in the West and best colleges for veterans among regional colleges in the West, No. 8 for social mobility for regional colleges in the West and No. 9 (tied) overall among regional colleges in the West.

“These rankings are a reflection of the outstanding work happening every day at 糖心视频 West Oʻahu,” 糖心视频 West Oʻahu Interim Chancellor Carlos Peñaloza said. “Our faculty and staff are dedicated to providing students with a high-quality education and the support they need to succeed. We鈥檙e proud of our students and grateful to everyone who contributes to their success.”

Ranking categories

糖心视频 Mānoa was ranked in the national universities category, which featured institutions that offer a range of undergraduate majors, plus master’s and doctoral programs, and emphasize faculty research.

糖心视频 Hilo was ranked in the national liberal arts colleges category, which featured institutions that focus almost exclusively on undergraduate education and tend to award most of their degrees in the arts and sciences.

糖心视频 West Oʻahu was ranked in the regional colleges in the West category, which includes schools that focus on undergraduate education and grant fewer than 50% of their degrees in liberal arts disciplines.

To help protect 贬补飞补颈ʻ颈鈥檚 vulnerable coastal highways from erosion and rising seas, the Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation (HDOT) is launching the Kalaeloa Hybrid Reef Project. Developed by Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) via its Reefense Program and the University of Hawaiʻi alongside academic, community and industry partners the project is an example of nature-based coastal engineering—an emerging approach that combines engineered infrastructure with natural ecosystems to protect vulnerable coastlines. The hybrid reef system integrates engineered reef structures with living coral to reduce wave energy, strengthen shorelines and improve coastal resilience. The deployment marks the first large-scale ocean demonstration of the technology, following four years of research and development.

“Success at Kalaeloa could provide a model for protecting vulnerable coastlines throughout Hawaiʻi and beyond,” said HDOT Director Edwin Sniffen. “We鈥檙e not just defending our shorelines, we鈥檙e building a resilient, self-sustaining ecosystem. By partnering with DARPA and 糖心视频, we are helping position Hawaiʻi as a global leader in nature-based coastal engineering.”

Funded by DARPA, the hybrid reef structures were researched, developed and deployed in collaboration with 糖心视频, Makai Engineering, Kuleana Coral Restoration and other partners. Following deployment, ownership of the structures will transfer to HDOT.

The first year of monitoring and maintenance of the project is funded by the State鈥檚 Green Fee program, which supports conservation and environmental initiatives that protect and restore 贬补飞补颈ʻ颈鈥檚 natural resources. The investment supports the first large-scale demonstration of a nature-based alternative to seawalls that aims to reduce coastal erosion, wave damage and storm surge while enhancing marine habitat.

“The Green Fee is about investing in innovative solutions that protect 贬补飞补颈ʻ颈鈥檚 people, natural resources and economy for generations to come,” said Governor Josh Green. “The Kalaeloa Hybrid Reef Project is exactly the kind of forward-thinking partnership we envisioned, bringing together science, innovation and environmental stewardship to strengthen our coastlines while preserving the natural resources that make Hawaiʻi unique.”

“Through Reefense, DARPA is reimagining coastal defense by combining cutting-edge materials science with adaptive biology to protect vital infrastructure and personnel from wave damage, erosion, and severe storms,” said Catherine Campbell, DARPA Reefense Program Manager. “Our collaboration with the University of Hawaiʻi, state leadership, and local partners at Kalaeloa translates high-risk, high-reward defense research into a scalable, real-world solution that safeguards critical transportation corridors while strengthening the surrounding marine ecosystem.”

A 鈥榣iving鈥� breakwater

The Kalaeloa Hybrid Reef is a 糖心视频-developed living breakwater designed to reduce wave energy while improving the natural habitat. The system consists of 60 engineered, porous concrete reef mimicking structures manufactured in Hawaiʻi that dissipate wave energy while allowing water to flow through the reef. Coral settlement modules attached to the structures will support the recruitment and growth of native corals while specially developed biomaterials will repel competing algae and accelerate coral growth. These and other technologies being tested will allow the reef to develop into a healthy, self-sustaining ecosystem over time.

The project site is a degraded area with a hard rock bottom south of Kalaeloa Harbor. Although there is minimal live coral in the project site, work at Kalaeloa will begin with the careful removal of any coral fragments present and preservation of that coral on growing tables near the project area. Next will be installation of the reef structures, attachment of live coral fragments to the structures, and continued scientific monitoring to evaluate their performance.

The deployment is the result of four years of research and development by the Rapid Resilient Reefs for Coastal Defense (R3D) consortium. Led by the 糖心视频 and the , the initiative brings together researchers from five 糖心视频 laboratories, partner universities and local organizations, including Makai Ocean Engineering and Kuleana Coral Restoration.

“Kalaeloa will become a living laboratory where we can evaluate how nature-based coastal engineering performs under real-world ocean conditions,” said Ben Jones, R3D principal investigator and director of ocean science and technology at the 糖心视频 Applied Research Laboratory. “Our goal is to demonstrate that living breakwaters can provide an effective alternative to traditional shoreline hardening and to collect the scientific data needed to guide future coastal resilience projects in Hawaiʻi and around the world.”

Community helps guide long-term stewardship

Once deployed, the Kalaeloa Hybrid Reef will serve as a living laboratory for the emerging field of nature-based coastal engineering, which integrates engineered infrastructure with natural ecosystems. Long-term monitoring will be guided by the newly established Kalaeloa Hybrid Reef Monitoring Hui, a partnership of researchers, agency representatives, community organizations and cultural practitioners that will assess the reef’s environmental, engineering and cultural impacts. This local partnership includes community stakeholders such as the Makakilo-Kapolei-Honokai Hale Neighborhood Board, and the mālama kai organization Hoʻola Hāniʻo.

“This project would not be possible without the partnership of the local community,” said Sniffen. “We are grateful to the organizations and cultural practitioners who have helped shape this effort and will continue to guide its long-term stewardship. Their knowledge and commitment are essential to the project’s success.”

The findings will be shared with regulators, engineers and coastal managers to help inform future shoreline protection projects in Hawaiʻi and elsewhere. If successful, the Kalaeloa Hybrid Reef could provide a scalable, nature-based approach to protecting vulnerable coastlines while advancing the growing field of nature-based coastal engineering.

Building a living reef

The Kalaeloa Hybrid Reef is an example of nature-based coastal engineering, integrating coastal engineering, marine biology and innovative deployment techniques to create a living coastal protection system. 糖心视频 has partnered with University of California San Diego (UCSD) and the Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO), Florida Atlantic University and Ohio State University on its development.

Engineered reef structures: The foundation relies on specifically designed concrete reef structures designed by Ocean and Resources Engineering at 糖心视频 cast by Kapolei-based firms Jensen Infrastructure and GPRM Prestress, located less than two miles from the deployment site. In large-scale wave-flume tests, these model breakwaters successfully reduced incoming wave energy by more than 80% while remaining stable during extreme conditions.

3D-printed coral habitat: To kickstart the living reef, the Hawaiʻi Institute of Marine Biology developed 3D-printed ceramic modules featuring small, spiral-shaped shelters called “helix recesses.” Experiments in Kāneʻohe Bay showed that these crevices yielded an 80-fold increase in baby coral settlement and up to a 50-fold increase in survival rates compared to flat surfaces.

Biomaterials: Researchers at the UCSD have developed novel materials that reduce algae competition while allowing for coral to grow on the structures. Other materials provision the juvenile coral with nutrients needed in their early life stages.

Acoustic Enrichment: Researchers at UCSD–SIO have recorded sounds of healthy reefs that will be broadcast near the living breakwater to encourage algae-grazing fish to the site.

Low-impact deployment: To minimize disruption to the marine environment during deployment, Makai Ocean Engineering has developed a shallow-water catamaran, eliminating the need for heavy crane barges. Additionally, the structures will be anchored using a novel rotary micropiling system, which significantly reduces the anchoring footprint and sound pollution compared with traditional pile drivers.

A novel wastewater treatment solution currently undergoing evaluation at the Wahiawā Wastewater Treatment Plant on Oʻahu could offer a crucial, cost-effective path forward as Hawaiʻi faces a massive statewide infrastructure overhaul.

The Hawaiʻi Onsite Wastewater Technology Evaluation Program (HOWTEP) was officially launched during the Wastewater Innovation Tech Showcase on August 26, at the Wahiawā Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Executed by the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (WRRC), HOWTEP is a three-year pilot testing program funded by companion bills and . WRRC evaluates innovative systems and provides evaluation reports to the Hawaiʻi Department of Health to support their decision-making and certification process. This directly accelerates the commercialization and approval of affordable wastewater technologies.

The initiative advances accessible, decentralized wastewater solutions to help property owners meet the mandate requiring the replacement, conversion or closure of nearly 88,000 cesspools across the state by January 1, 2050. Beyond system certification, HOWTEP serves as a multi-purpose hub for WRRC to conduct research, offer hands-on student training and perform community outreach.

Honu Hub

Honu Hub, which is supported by a $5 million National Science Foundation grant, is the first technology to be evaluated under the HOWTEP platform. It is led by Assistant Professor Zhiyue Wang (WRRC and Department of Civil, Environmental and Construction Engineering), Professor and Director Tao Yan (WRRC and Department of Civil, Environmental and Construction Engineering) and Professor Daniel Yeh (University of South Florida).

Honu Hub is a decentralized wastewater treatment system designed to process sewage completely above ground. By packing its technology into a compact 52-square-foot space—roughly the size of a standard garden shed—the unit eliminates the need for expensive heavy machinery, extensive excavation and costly landscape restoration.

For many homeowners, replacing a cesspool with a conventional septic system costs between $30,000 and $50,000—a financial burden amplified by difficult terrain, high water tables and tight lot boundaries. Honu Hub was engineered as an affordable alternative designed to drastically lower these conversion costs.

“The WRRC team鈥檚 role in this is to help with research and development to improve the technology and study the fate and transport of emerging contaminants in this system,” Wang said.

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The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa has received a $2 million award from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to lead a multi-institutional effort to develop artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled tools that can help detect environmental threats to food production systems before they become major problems. The effort comes as public health officials continue to investigate foodborne illness outbreaks tied to cyclospora, underscoring the need for faster, more proactive approaches to identifying potential threats in the food supply.

The $4 million NSF Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) Track II Focused EPSCoR Collaboration (FEC) award is led by 糖心视频 Mānoa in partnership with the University of Nebraska鈥揕incoln. 糖心视频鈥檚 portion of the award is $2 million, with the four-year project starting September 1, 2026. This marks only the second time 糖心视频 has received an NSF EPSCoR Track II FEC award.

Team of experts to cross variety of fields

The project will combine AI, environmental sampling, advanced genetic analysis and high-resolution chemical analysis to identify and monitor potential risks to aquaculture, livestock and agricultural systems.

Led by principal investigator Tao Yan, director of the (WRRC) and professor in the , the project brings together researchers from across 糖心视频, including WRRC, College of Engineering, 糖心视频 Cancer Center, School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology and College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience.

“Food production systems are increasingly challenged by microbial pathogens and chemical contaminants that can threaten animal health, food safety and economic sustainability,” Yan said. “By combining environmental surveillance with AI, we aim to develop early-warning technologies that can identify emerging risks before they reach critical levels. This collaboration will strengthen Hawaiʻi鈥檚 and Nebraska鈥檚 research capacity while preparing the next generation of scientists and engineers to address complex challenges in food security.”

Creating a proactive approach

Current monitoring methods often identify problems only after disease outbreaks occur or contaminants have reached harmful levels. The project aims to create a proactive approach by continuously analyzing environmental data to detect warning signs earlier.

Researchers will develop new AI models capable of interpreting complex biological and chemical data, including information from metagenomics (the study of genetic material collected from environmental samples) and high-resolution mass spectrometry, which identifies chemical compounds.

The research team will test the technologies in aquaculture and beef cattle production systems, with the goal of improving food safety, protecting animal health and increasing the resilience of food production systems.

The collaboration will support STEM education and workforce development by providing research opportunities for junior faculty members, graduate and undergraduate students, and K–12 participants. Outreach efforts will engage industry partners, regulators and communities to encourage adoption of new technologies.

The partnership builds research capacity in two EPSCoR jurisdictions (Hawaiʻi and Nebraska) while establishing a long-term collaboration focused on using AI and biotechnology to address food system challenges.

A new project led by the University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 will use artificial intelligence (AI) to help predict how rising seas and stronger storms could threaten coastal freshwater supplies and ecosystems.

Associate Professor Jonghyun “Harry” Lee of the 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补 and has been awarded a under its Collaborations in Artificial Intelligence and Geosciences program. 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补 will serve as the lead institution on a three-year, nearly $1 million collaborative project, alongside the University of Texas at Austin, to advance AI applications in geoscience.

Rising seas, stronger storms, saltwater contamination of freshwater resources and coastal ecosystem degradation pose increasing threats to coastal communities. These environmental pressures impact drinking water supplies, agriculture, infrastructure, local economies and daily life for millions of people.

To address these challenges, the joint project will develop fast, accessible AI models to better understand how water exchanges between coastal aquifers and the ocean. By combining recent advances in AI with traditional environmental modeling, the team aims to predict critical coastal risks鈥攕uch as seawater intrusion into freshwater aquifers and freshwater flowing from land into the ocean鈥攆aster and more accurately.

“This project will improve our understanding and prediction of how groundwater and the ocean interact in Hawaiʻi鈥檚 coastal aquifers, helping communities better protect freshwater resources and coastal ecosystems from challenges, such as seawater intrusion and coastal inundation,” principal investigator Lee said.

Advancing coastal science through next-gen AI

The researchers will develop a new system that combines AI with proven physics models to better understand coastal water systems. This approach creates high-speed 鈥渟urrogate models鈥� capable of running complex simulations of groundwater and ocean interactions at a fraction of the cost, while preserving essential physics laws at the land-sea boundary.

Key features and goals of the project include:

• Flexible AI architecture: Combining different AI tools to analyze both long-term ocean patterns and short-term events, such as storm surges.
• Real-world testing: Validating models on benchmark applications in Hawaiʻi and Texas coastal systems.
• Near-real-time forecasts: Enabling rapid assessments of seawater intrusion and coastal groundwater discharge to support digital twin models of complex ecosystems.
• Practical decision tools: Providing actionable insights to guide water management, infrastructure planning and long-term coastal resilience.
• Open science and education: Developing open-source software, interactive visualization tools, and interdisciplinary training for students and early-career researchers.

“Students and postdocs working on this project will be supported by hands-on research and training at the intersection of groundwater hydrology, coastal science, computational modeling, and artificial intelligence, preparing them for careers addressing Hawaiʻi鈥檚 water and environmental challenges,” Lee stated.

The University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 has reached the highest undergraduate enrollment in its history, with 525 students registered for fall 2026. As of the first day of classes of the semester, enrollment had increased by 106 students from 419 in fall 2025—a 25.3% increase in a single year.

The record enrollment represents a major milestone in a growth strategy adopted by the department in November 2022. The department鈥檚 strategic plan established a five-year goal of more than 450 undergraduate students and a 10-year goal of more than 600. With 525 students enrolled for fall 2026, the department has already exceeded the five-year goal.

“We are excited to welcome so many students to the educational experiences in our program,” said Joseph J. Brown, chair of the 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补 Department of Mechanical Engineering. “We are working to help our faculty, courses, laboratories, shops and student-support resources step up to that demand.”

Growing national interest in mechanical engineering

Mechanical engineering growth at 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补 comes amid evidence of rising national interest in the field. National Student Clearinghouse data shows that undergraduate mechanical engineering enrollment at four-year institutions increased approximately 11.4% in fall 2025.

Mechanical engineers design, build and maintain physical systems that keep the world working, contributing to fields that include aerospace, robotics, advanced manufacturing, energy, transportation and biomedical technologies.

In Hawaiʻi, mechanical engineering contributes to power generation and storage, water and wastewater management, ports and shipyard operations, aircraft and spacecraft maintenance and design, medical devices, and other manufacturing technologies.

“Mechanical engineering has always been a highly adaptable discipline, and I think that this is becoming even more important,” Brown said. “As artificial intelligence, computation, and automation advance, the world needs people who can bridge the digital world and the physical world. Mechanical engineers use models, algorithms, and data to create machines, materials, structures, devices and systems that work safely and effectively.”

Investing to support demand

The department has been expanding its educational capacity as enrollment has grown. Since January 2023, mechanical engineering has hired six new faculty members, adding expertise in computational modeling and data science, experimental aerospace engineering, robotics, materials and manufacturing. The department has also expanded teaching assistant support, increased capacity in existing courses, increased summer course offerings and invested in expanding ME 213, its hands-on sophomore engineering design course.

A 17-year-old Pepeʻekeo teen living with leukemia is preparing to begin his first semester at the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo after Make-A-Wish® Hawaiʻi and the university celebrated his wish for college tuition assistance.

During a special wish reveal on the 糖心视频 Hilo campus on July 22, Rancin presented a $10,000 check from Make-A-Wish Hawaii to the university’s cashier’s office, taking an inspiring step toward his future. Rancin was recently accepted into a new pre-engineering pathway between 糖心视频 Hilo and 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补, where students begin their engineering studies at the Hilo campus before transferring to 惭腻苍辞补 to complete a bachelor’s degree.

“We are so honored to welcome Rancin into our Vulcan ʻohana. His resilience, curiosity, and unwavering determination perfectly embody the spirit of the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo,” said 糖心视频 Hilo Chancellor Bonnie Irwin. “It is our privilege to play a part in his journey, and we look forward to supporting him every step of the way as he strives for success in our pre-engineering program and beyond.”

A University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa researcher is developing a new kind of flying robot that could one day explore caves on Saturn鈥檚 largest moon.

Assistant Professor Daniel Drew from 糖心视频 Mānoa鈥檚 Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering has received a NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) Phase I award to study the idea. His project is one of 18 innovative concepts selected by NASA for early stage research. The project, called SPARK (Solid-state Propulsion for Autonomous Reconnaissance of Karst), envisions small, roughly 3-foot-wide flying robots that could enter caves and other difficult-to-reach areas on Titan.

Titan is one of the most intriguing places in the solar system. It has a thick atmosphere, a landscape shaped by methane and other chemicals, and features that may include caves and underground formations. Exploring those areas could give scientists new clues about Titan鈥檚 geology and climate history.

Moving without moving parts

The SPARK robots would be designed to float and maneuver through Titan鈥檚 atmosphere without traditional propellers. Instead, they would use electric fields and charged particles to create thrust. The propulsion system has no moving parts and could allow the robots to move in different directions with very little disturbance to their surroundings. Conditions on Titan are uniquely beneficial for this type of propulsion; preliminary calculations show that it could drastically outperform alternatives. Unlike conventional ion thrusters, it does not require carrying propellant gas onboard, as the air itself is ionized during operation.

“If we can make this technology work, it could open up an entirely new way to explore places on Titan that are too difficult or risky for a larger spacecraft,” Drew said. “It鈥檚 exciting to see our university and our state contributing to the future of space exploration and showing that important ideas for exploring other worlds can come from right here in Hawaiʻi.”

Next steps

The $175,000 award will support a nine-month initial investigation. Drew鈥檚 team will test the propulsion system under conditions similar to Titan鈥檚 atmosphere, study the robot鈥檚 potential performance, and explore the overall system design. The project is being conducted in partnership with researchers at NASA鈥檚 Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Blue Marble Space.

Four University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 students put their skills to work this summer, developing solutions to challenges ranging from invasive species to disaster response through .

The students were among eight interns who completed the 12-week program, which culminated in the 2026 Oceanit Intern Innovation Summit on August 12 in Honolulu. Each intern presented an individual project and received feedback from judges Jeff Hui, entrepreneur-in-residence at 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补鈥檚 (PACE), and Sherry Menor, president and CEO of the Chamber of Commerce Hawaiʻi.

Representing 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补 were engineering students:

• Jacob Bergeron
• Kristen Chang
• Jason Yee
• Shelby Dixon

Engineering solutions to real-world challenges

Dixon developed TRACE-CRB, a low-cost acoustic sensing system designed to detect coconut rhinoceros beetle activity hidden inside mulch. The project explores whether contact vibrations and signal processing could help field crews narrow down where beetle larvae may be located before digging.

“The most rewarding part was watching an idea go from something I was sketching out and questioning to an actual working prototype that I could put in front of people and explain,” Dixon said.

Chang developed MITE, a concept for a swarm of small devices that could be deployed into inaccessible rubble following disasters. The devices could help search-and-rescue teams detect signs of life, map voids and relay information back to rescuers.

“The experience changed my perspective on what I鈥檓 capable of contributing as a young engineer and made me much more confident to keep pursuing ideas of my own,” Chang said.

Bergeron, a mechanical engineering graduate student, developed a new type of jack stand designed to address stress caused by uneven surfaces during home vehicle repairs.

Yee developed a water-bottle filtration concept for humanitarian aid.

Building skills beyond the classroom

Both Chang and Dixon credited their experiences at 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补 with preparing them for the internship. Chang pointed to her technical background, involvement in projects and clubs, and conversations with professors. Dixon said her coursework helped her work across hardware and software while learning how to approach unfamiliar problems.

“One of the biggest things I learned is that engineering is not just about getting something to work, but it is about understanding why it works well enough to explain it, defend your decisions, test your assumptions, and improve it,” Dixon said.

University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补 researchers are working to determine whether Hawaiʻi-grown eucalyptus could become a reliable source of lumber for construction, helping reduce the state鈥檚 reliance on imported building materials while supporting healthier forests.

The project, led by Jun Wang, an assistant professor in the , received a $300,000 USDA Forest Service Wood Innovation Grant to establish the engineering standards needed for eucalyptus to be used in structural applications.

Establishing construction possibilities

Although Hawaiʻi has more than 34,000 acres of managed eucalyptus plantations, the wood is rarely used in construction because engineers and builders lack the design data needed to certify it for structural use. If successful, the research could create new opportunities for Hawaiʻi鈥檚 forestry and wood products industries while reducing shipping costs, supply chain risks and carbon emissions associated with importing lumber. Researchers also say putting more eucalyptus to use could encourage better forest management by reducing excess wood that can contribute to wildfire fuel.

The research team will work with state agencies, forest landowners and industry partners to harvest trees, produce lumber and test its strength and durability. The findings will help establish engineering design values needed for commercial construction and could lay the groundwork for future engineered wood products made in Hawaiʻi.

“Our goal is to determine whether a resource that鈥檚 already growing in Hawaiʻi can safely be used to build the homes, schools and infrastructure our communities need,” Wang said. “If we can provide the engineering data the construction industry needs, we can help create a more resilient local building supply while giving our students the opportunity to solve real challenges facing Hawaiʻi.”

Student involvement

The research also will benefit students. Wang鈥檚 team received an $8,000 American Society for Engineering Education grant to incorporate Hawaiʻi-grown eucalyptus into civil engineering courses. The new curriculum will give students hands-on experience evaluating sustainable building materials by comparing locally grown eucalyptus with conventional construction materials.

Students will examine factors such as structural performance, carbon emissions and local sourcing while participating in research that addresses Hawaiʻi鈥檚 unique environmental and construction challenges. Many members of the research team are 糖心视频 students from Hawaiʻi who are helping develop solutions that could benefit the state鈥檚 future infrastructure and economy.

The University of Hawaiʻi at 惭腻苍辞补’s (RoSE) is celebrating one of the most successful years in the student engineering organization’s history after earning international recognition, competing on the world stage and expanding its portfolio of aerospace projects.

Over the past spring and summer, the student-led team represented 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补 at several 2026 events:

• University Rover Challenge World Finals (27th out of 116 teams) International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE) Foundation Excellence in Systems Engineering Award (finalist)
• Project PETAL at NASA’s Revolutionary Aerospace Systems Concepts鈥揂cademic Linkage (RASC-AL) Forum

“Our team has grown tremendously in size, number of projects and student ambition throughout the past year,” said Micah Tajiri, project manager for the University Rover Challenge team. “We’re proud to represent 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补 and excited to keep building on this momentum.”

Competing among the world’s best

From May 27 to 30, Team RoSE competed at the University Rover Challenge World Finals at the Mars Desert Research Station in Hanksville, Utah.

The team’s rover featured a robotic arm, autonomous navigation system, science payload and communications platform designed and built by students.

The rover team’s work also earned recognition beyond the competition. Team RoSE was named one of just 13 finalists from more than 100 teams worldwide for the inaugural INCOSE Foundation Excellence in Systems Engineering Award, recognizing its systems engineering approach and performance during the competition.

Building Beyond the Rover

Team RoSE‘s success extended beyond the rover program.

Project PETAL was selected as one of 14 finalists from more than 150 applicants nationwide for NASA‘s RASC-AL Forum, where students presented a scalable lunar power management and distribution system to NASA engineers and industry professionals.

Project PETAL became the first multi-campus student-led engineering project involving students from 糖心视频 惭腻苍辞补 and 糖心视频 Hilo, while the organization established new business and marketing training opportunities for students.

Team RoSE also completed the latest iteration of the 糖心视频 Advanced Balloon Satellite, which now features autonomous recovery capabilities, and launched CapM74, a new student project focused on developing a low-cost astrophotography telescope in partnership with the Institute for Astronomy.

Team RoSE is one of more than 20 (VIP) housed in the . VIPs connect undergraduate students with faculty-led research teams, giving students hands-on experience through long-term, project-based work alongside graduate researchers and faculty mentors.

The team’s work is supported by the College of Engineering and the , whose support helps provide students with opportunities to design, build and compete on national and international stages.

Two University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa research projects have been selected for the inaugural , placing 糖心视频鈥檚 flagship research campus among a select group of universities and research institutions nationwide using artificial intelligence (AI) to accelerate scientific breakthroughs.

In the , the DOE said the projects were selected to develop and demonstrate AI-enabled tools and workflows designed to accelerate breakthroughs in energy, science and national security. Each project is eligible for Phase I awards of $500,000–$750,000 over nine months, providing investigators with the opportunity to develop innovative AI-driven research while positioning them to compete for future Phase II awards of up to $15 million.

“The selection of not one, but two 糖心视频 Mānoa projects for this highly competitive DOE mission reflects the strength of the 糖心视频 research community and the creativity of our faculty in pursuing solutions to some of the most complex challenges facing society,” said 糖心视频 Interim Vice President for Research and Innovation Chad B. Walton. “At 糖心视频, we are committed to fostering an environment where bold ideas, interdisciplinary collaboration and emerging technologies can come together to create meaningful impact not only in Hawaiʻi, but across the nation, and around the world.”

The two 糖心视频 Mānoa projects selected are led by researchers in the and the .

AI security for critical infrastructure

One project, led by Assistant Professor Liuwan Zhu from the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, focuses on improving the security and reliability of AI systems used in critical infrastructure. The project, called STRATOS (Security and Trust Runtime Architecture for Time-critical Operational Science), will develop an AI security platform designed to detect and respond to cyber threats targeting AI systems used in real-time operations, such as electrical grid management and forecasting.

The research team will test the technology using a dual-site platform that includes the 糖心视频 Mānoa campus microgrid and real-time computing systems at Argonne National Laboratory. The project includes collaborators from Old Dominion University and Argonne National Laboratory.

AI advances the search for extremely rare decay processes

The second project, led by Professor Zepeng Li from the Department of Physics and Astronomy, will develop an AI foundation model to support searches for neutrinoless double beta decay, one of the most important unanswered questions in nuclear and particle physics. Neutrinoless double beta decay is an extremely rare nuclear process that, if observed, could help scientists better understand the nature of neutrinos, the mysterious “ghost particles” that are abundant in the universe and are constantly passing through us without interacting. In particular, this rare decay process could tell us whether the neutrino is its own anti-particle.

Researchers around the world are searching for this phenomenon using different types of detectors, but each experiment typically relies on its own specialized software and analysis methods. Li鈥檚 project aims to create a shared AI framework that can learn from data across multiple detector technologies, helping researchers identify patterns, analyze results and improve collaboration among experiments studying this rare event. The project will develop a unified AI framework that streamlines data analysis across the diverse detector technologies used in neutrinoless double-beta decay experiments, accelerating the search for this rare process.

The Genesis Mission brings together DOE laboratories and universities to combine advanced AI, high-performance computing and scientific expertise. 糖心视频 Mānoa was among 168 universities selected for the first round of Genesis Mission projects, which included a total of 278 research efforts involving more than 340 institutions across the country. Through these projects, 糖心视频 researchers will contribute to emerging applications of AI in fundamental physics, energy systems and national security, while strengthening Hawaiʻi鈥檚 role in cutting-edge scientific research.

A team of seven students from the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College recently proved their mettle in aerospace engineering. Competing under the name “Team Hoʻomau,” the students traveled to Virginia in June to participate in the 2026 International CanSat Competition, organized by the American Astronautical Society.

The event challenged participants to design, build and operate a small-sized satellite capable of surviving a rocket launch to a peak altitude of approximately 735 meters. Out of 81 university teams and 700 students worldwide, 糖心视频 Maui College was one of only 36 teams invited to the final competition. Team Hoʻomau was also the only squad composed entirely of two-year college students, competing alongside four-year universities and graduate-level programs.

A high-stakes free fall

The 2026 mission was complex: the CanSat was designed to separate mid-air, navigate via a paraglider guidance system, and safely deliver an intact, egg-shaped instrument to the ground, all while recording video and transmitting live data.

Team Hoʻomau faced major hurdles during the launch process. Communication with the ground station was lost on the launch pad, and a parachute deployment failure sent the satellite container into a 2,400-foot free fall. The drop resulted in the total destruction of the payload, and added a moment of intense stress as the falling satellite narrowly missed a parking area during its descent.

Educational payoff

Despite the dramatic finish, the educational payoff of the mission was a success.

“Although the final launch results were not favorable, this project provided invaluable, real-world learning opportunities in mechatronics, mission operations and aerospace system design,” said Jung Park, professor of electronic and computer engineering technology. “Our team faced immense technical constraints, yet their advancement to the finals proves unequivocally that community college students can compete successfully on an international engineering stage.”

Led by team captain Forrest Stolmeier, who sacrificed sleep to support his peers until the very end, the students walked away with valuable systems engineering experience and a newly expanded global professional network.

A University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa faculty member has received a $660,000 National Science Foundation (NSF) Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Award to study how fuel contamination can affect drinking water during the treatment process.

Emily Marron, an assistant specialist in the and cooperating graduate faculty and instructor in the , will lead the five-year project, which runs through June 2031.

The research focuses on what happens when chlorine—commonly used to disinfect drinking water—reacts with fuel that has entered water supplies after spills or leaks. While chlorine is regularly added to drinking water systems to help control bacterial growth and eliminate harmful pathogens, it can also react with fuel-related chemicals to create unintended byproducts that may pose health risks.

Marron and her research team will use advanced analytical chemistry techniques, such as high-resolution mass spectrometry, to identify the compounds formed during these reactions, measure how quickly they develop and better understand how fuel changes over time affect water treatment. The findings could improve how contaminated drinking water systems are evaluated and treated following fuel releases.

Clean drinking water, complex contamination

“Clean drinking water is something every community depends on,” Marron said. “I hope this research gives scientists and water professionals better tools to understand complex contamination events and make informed decisions that help protect public health.”

The project could also provide new insight into the types of chemical compounds people might have been exposed to in drinking water following the Red Hill fuel contamination in 2021. Rather than recreating the specific conditions of the Red Hill incident, the research will use controlled laboratory experiments to build a scientific framework for studying fuel-contaminated water. The research could also help inform public health decisions and improve response strategies during contamination events.

In addition to the research, the project includes education and community outreach. Marron will develop an undergraduate teaching module in partnership with local water professionals, including the Honolulu Board of Water Supply, to give students hands-on learning opportunities in environmental chemistry and drinking water treatment.

The project will also establish a community-centered laboratory that expands access to low-cost drinking water testing. The effort is designed to help residents better understand water quality, environmental chemistry and the science behind keeping drinking water safe.

The NSF CAREER program is among the foundation鈥檚 most notable awards for early-career faculty, recognizing researchers who integrate innovative research with education and community engagement.

As the nation invests $52.7 billion to strengthen domestic semiconductor design and manufacturing, research and workforce development, University of Hawaiʻi students are gaining a direct pathway into one of the country鈥檚 fastest-growing and most strategically important technology sectors.

糖心视频 Mānoa has joined the (PINES), a regional coalition of 30 universities and colleges, industry partners and workforce organizations working together to prepare students for careers in semiconductor design, manufacturing and research. PINES is led by the SEMI Foundation and supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation in partnership with the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Semiconductors, often called the “brains” of modern electronics, power technologies used every day, including smartphones, computers and automobiles, as well as artificial intelligence, satellites, medical devices, renewable energy systems and national defense technologies.

professors Boris Murmann, Jeff Weldon and Jennifer Ott led 糖心视频鈥檚 successful effort to become part of the network, which spans nine western states and Hawaiʻi. The initiative aims to better connect students with educational opportunities, hands-on training, internships and industry partnerships while aligning university programs with the needs of employers.

“This partnership gives our students the chance to receive training in technologies that are shaping the future while building careers in a rapidly expanding industry,” said 糖心视频 Mānoa Dean Brennon Morioka. “By connecting Hawaiʻi with a broader regional ecosystem, we can help develop homegrown talent, strengthen innovation across the islands and ensure our graduates are prepared to make an impact wherever their careers take them.”

The effort comes as demand for skilled workers continues to outpace supply. A May 2026 analysis by the SEMI Foundation and McKinsey projected a shortage of between 127,000 and 157,000 semiconductor workers nationwide by 2030, highlighting the need for expanded education and workforce development programs.

糖心视频鈥檚 participation builds on its growing leadership in microelectronics. In 2024, the university joined a Stanford University and University of California, Berkeley-led initiative that gives students experience with the complete chip development process, from circuit design to manufacturing and testing. For more on 糖心视频鈥檚 microelectronics internship, .

By joining PINES, 糖心视频 students will have greater access to regional collaborations and career pathways while helping strengthen Hawaiʻi鈥檚 role in the nation鈥檚 expanding semiconductor ecosystem. The partnership will also give 糖心视频 faculty access to shared curriculum, educational resources and best practices developed by universities and industry leaders across the network.

Related 糖心视频 News stories:

• 糖心视频 microelectronics program builds pipeline of homegrown talent, October 9, 2025
• $15.3M funding fuels microelectronics innovation, August 27, 2024
• 糖心视频 professor aims to develop microchips for future, diversify economy, March 25, 2024

A University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa research team has received advanced computing hardware through the to support work on artificial intelligence (AI) and next-generation wireless communication technologies.

Led by Assistant Professor in collaboration with Associate Professor , the team was selected to receive four NVIDIA RTX PRO 6000 Blackwell graphics processing units. The high-performance computer processors will support research on AI, next-generation wireless networks, cybersecurity and other emerging communication technologies. The computing resources will strengthen 糖心视频 Mānoa鈥檚 research capabilities while expanding opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience in AI and wireless networking technologies.

“Our goal is to build wireless systems that are not only faster but also smarter and more adaptable to real-world environments,” Xue said. “These new computing resources will accelerate our research while giving students valuable experience with the tools that are shaping the future of communications and AI.”

Practical solutions, wireless networks

The project is part of 糖心视频 Mānoa鈥檚 growing efforts in communications, cyber-physical systems and networked infrastructure. Through collaborations with academic and industry partners, the research team aims to develop practical solutions for future wireless networks while addressing challenges relevant to Hawaiʻi鈥檚 transportation, logistics and critical infrastructure sectors.

Part of the team鈥檚 research focuses on creating digital models of smart ports that combine wireless sensing, AI-powered radio access networks and real-time infrastructure monitoring. The technology could help improve operations at ports and other large transportation hubs, where moving vehicles, shipping containers and changing conditions can interfere with wireless signals.

The research also supports broader efforts to improve connected infrastructure with potential applications in transportation systems, logistics and other environments that rely on dependable communication networks.

Beyond advancing research, the NVIDIA award will provide new opportunities for workforce development by allowing students to work directly with cutting-edge computing technology used in industry and academia.