Research
Duke University’s Pratt School of Engineering is home to groundbreaking research. In the past decade, our external research funding has more than doubled, and the school has launched seven major externally funded research centers.
What sets Duke Engineering apart
Duke Engineering is a leader in defining and advancing high-impact fields that tie to grand challenges for engineering and society. The highlights below provide a snapshot of our signature efforts. For a comprehensive list of research efforts, see our research areas.
Highlights
Overview
See our latest research innovations from biomedical engineering, civil and environmental engineering, electrical and computer engineering, and mechanical engineering and materials science.
Noteworthy
$31.9 million award: Error-corrected Universal Reconfigurable Ion-trap Quantum Archetype (EURIQA) – Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity. Led by Professor Jungsang Kim.
$14.4 million award: Center for Environmental Implications of NanoTechnology (CEINT) – the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Led by Professor Mark Wiesner.
Recent News
May 16, 2018 | WRAL Tech Wire
Duke, NCSU Research Could Lead to Designing Artificial Muscles, Reconfigurable Computers
Engineering physics
Overview
Many of today’s grand challenges must be met by merging fundamental laws that govern the universe with engineering ingenuity to develop devices that bend physics to their will. Examples: New types of materials can interact with and bend waves in useful ways; quantum physicists take advantage of the “spooky” properties of matter at the smallest scales to create more powerful computers.
Featured Centers and Programs:
- Center for Metamaterials and Integrated Plasmonics (CMIP)
- Shared Materials Instrumentation Facility (SMIF)
- Duke Imaging and Spectroscopy Program (DISP)
- Error-corrected Universal Reconfigurable Ion-trap Quantum Archetype Program (EURIQA)
See what faculty members are doing in this area:
Noteworthy
Major Research Awards
$31.9 million award: Error-corrected Universal Reconfigurable Ion-trap Quantum Archetype (EURIQA) – Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity. Led by Professor Jungsang Kim.
$7.5 million: Acoustic Metamaterials - Department of Defense Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative. Led by Professor Steven Cummer.
$6.25 million: Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative – Transformational Optical Metamaterials funded by the Army Research Office. Led by Professor David Smith.
Recent News
May 16, 2018 | WRAL Tech Wire
Duke, NCSU Research Could Lead to Designing Artificial Muscles, Reconfigurable Computers
Aeroelasticity
Overview
Duke engineers are developing new methods to model airflows and understand their more complicated behaviors to improve the computational design process of many technologies.
Featured Centers and Programs:
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Recent News
April 20, 2016 | AIAA Momentum
Momentum Member Spotlight – April 2016: AIAA Congratulates Earl H. Dowell
Biomaterials
Overview
Advances in stem cell technology and biocompatible materials are opening research into engineered materials that can be used to improve human health. Duke engineers are working on projects that include growing new tissues, repairing damaged organs, delivering drugs and improving gene therapy techniques.
Featured Centers and Programs
- Center for Biomolecular and Tissue Engineering (CBTE)
- Triangle Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC)
See what faculty members are doing in this area:
Recent News
April 30, 2018 | New Atlas
CRISPR Study Reduces Cholesterol in Mice without 'Editing' DNA
Environmental Nanotechnology and Chemistry
Overview
Nanomaterials are becoming ubiquitous in consumer products ranging from sunscreens to antimicrobial coatings. Because these materials have novel properties, there is concern that they may also have new, unexpected effects on ecosystems. Duke engineers are testing many different types of nanoparticles to determine their potential effects.
Featured Center:
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Noteworthy
Major Research Awards
$14.4 million award: Center for Environmental Implications of NanoTechnology (CEINT) – the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Led by Professor Mark Wiesner.
Recent News
May 18, 2018
Predicting Weather with Big Data
April 16, 2018 | American Scientist
Dirty Rainbows
Data Analytics
Overview
The world we live in produces more data than at any point in human history. These oceans of information can provide valuable insight into fields ranging from individualized medicine to energy-saving technologies. Duke is creating a centralized hub for big-data scientists to work, mingle and collaborate on new algorithms and improved analysis techniques.
Featured Program:
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Recent News
April 23, 2018
Sapiro Elected to American Academy of Arts & Sciences
April 05, 2018
Liu Wins ACES Award for Work in PSTD Method
Biophotonics
Overview
Duke engineers are using the full electromagnetic spectrum to diagnose and treat people in innovative ways. Examples: Advancements in optical coherence tomography are changing eye surgery; altered genes allow can be controlled with a mere flash of light.
Featured Centers and Programs:
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Recent News
April 18, 2018
Imaging Inventions
December 12, 2017
Three Duke Biomedical Engineers Elected to National Academy of Inventors
October 31, 2017
The $10 Ultrasound Upgrade
Computational Materials Genomics
Overview
We need to develop new materials to spur the invention of new and make existing technologies cheaper. Duke engineers are searching for these new materials by computationally building them atom-by-atom.
Featured Center:
See what faculty members are doing in this area:
Noteworthy
Major Research Award
$8.6 million: Center for Materials Genomics - Department of Defense Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative. Led by Professor Stefano Curtarolo.
Recent News
February 27, 2018
Rico Friedrich Receives Feodor Lynen Research Fellowship
June 02, 2017
D.I.Y. Crystal-Makers Get Refurbished Online Cookbook
April 17, 2017 | Engadget
Computer Models Help Form New Magnetic Materials
Collaborate with Us
If you have a research opportunity, contact a faculty member or center directly. If you're not sure where to start, contact us.
Industry Partners
Interested in a private industry-academic partnership? Learn how our Corporate and Industry Relations office can help.