Mechanical Engineering

�鶹��Ѱ��Engineering brings energy experts together to power the future

Alexander Servantez — Wed, 12 Aug 2026 16:09:31 +0000

�鶹��Ѱ��Engineering brings energy experts together to power the future Alexander Servantez Wed, 08/12/2026 - 10:09

Alexander Servantez

AI data centers. Manufacturing facilities. Quantum computing. Local communities.

The future of each depends on a power grid that can deliver electricity quickly, reliably and efficiently. But meeting that challenge will require more than just better batteries—it will take new partnerships and a shared vision.

Sir M. Stanley Whittingham, distinguished professor of chemistry at Binghampton University and recipient of the 2019 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, delivering his keynote talk at the 2026 Battery-Grid Application Workshop.

This summer, those partnerships came to life at �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder’s Battery-Grid Application Workshop. Hosted through the College of Engineering and Applied Science’s (CEAS) Catalyzing Engineering Research Teaming (CERT) program, the all-day event brought academic researchers and professors from universities together with industry leaders, national laboratory experts and other stakeholders to explore the future of battery-enabled power infrastructure.

"We don't want people working in isolation," said Associate Dean for Research Michael Gooseff. "Our goal was to blend different areas of expertise and spark new collaborations that can move technology forward not just for our labs, but for society as a whole."

The event opened with a keynote address by Sir M. Stanley Whittingham, distinguished professor of chemistry at Binghamton University and recipient of the 2019 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. His talk set the stage for discussions on bridging battery science, technological innovation, manufacturing and real-world applications.

From there, the workshop, led by Professor Chunmei Ban of the Paul M. Rady Department of Mechanical Engineering and Professor Bri-Mathias Hodge of the Department of Electrical, Computer and Energy Engineering, focused on four key themes: batteries for emerging technologies, manufacturing pathways, accelerated battery discovery and next-generation technologies.

Conference attendees chatting with each other after a workshop session.

A panel of industry practitioners and faculty representatives discussing the future of battery research and innovation.

Conference attendees, including keynote speakers M. Stanley Whittingham (left) and Dr. Jud Virden (standing), sharing ideas in the lobby during lunch.

Industry representatives from Eaton, Forge Nano, Mana Battery, Peak Energy, Prieto Battery, Solid Power, and Xcel Energy shared insights into current technological needs and commercialization opportunities. Faculty members representing institutions such as the Ohio State University, Texas A&M University and University of California San Diego showcased existing research initiatives and OSU Battery Cell R&D Center facilities.

Dr. Jud Virden, laboratory director at the National Laboratory of the Rockies, giving his keynote address at the workshop.

Researchers from the National Laboratory of the Rockies shared their research expertise and ongoing projects aimed at addressing critical energy challenges. Laboratory Director Dr. Jud Virden delivered a keynote presentation highlighting the government's priorities in applied energy research.

“Thanks to CEAS, this workshop brought together professors, national laboratory scientists and industry experts,” said Ban, who is also affiliated with the Materials Science & Engineering Program. “We are entering a new era with rapidly emerging applications and energy storage is a critical technology for enabling them. Bringing together experts with diverse perspectives in one room is exactly how we can accelerate the process and turn lab research into large-scale manufacturing.”

The workshop highlighted a wide range of applications where next-generation batteries could have a transformative impact, from powering AI data centers to electrifying forklifts in Amazon warehouses. While significant scientific and engineering advances are still needed before many of these technologies reach widespread commercial deployment, Ban and Hodge believe �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder is uniquely positioned to help bridge that gap.

Professor Chunmei Ban (left) and Associate Dean for Research Michael Gooseff (middle) at the workshop.

“We’re hearing from industry practitioners that there is no one energy storage technology that works for every application,” said Hodge. “At �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder, we bring a new design mentality. We have faculty working at the application level all the way down to the fundamental level, ready to develop various technologies for different use cases, rather than applying them as a one-size-fits-all solution.”

Moving forward, CEAS and the CERT program plan to build on the momentum generated by the workshop by advancing a large-scale proposal for a center focused on battery-grid integration. The envisioned center would further support energy research by accelerating discoveries in battery materials, manufacturing, power electronics and grid planning.

But most of all, it would unite researchers, industry partners and national laboratories in one place—something Gooseff says is crucial to ensuring that promising technologies emerge from laboratories and play a role in the systems that power our everyday lives.

“It’s so easy for us all, especially in academia, to put blinders on and focus solely on our own labs, papers and work,” said Gooseff. “But if we do that, who benefits from it besides us? We need to step out, understand each other’s goals and find new ways to leverage each other’s strengths and ideas for one common purpose.

“This workshop is just the first step on a long journey towards making that happen.”

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ME outreach program brings big engineering dreams to small rural towns

Alexander Servantez — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 21:56:29 +0000

ME outreach program brings big engineering dreams to small rural towns Alexander Servantez Wed, 04/01/2026 - 15:56

Associate Research Professor Daniel Knight and Professor Michael Hannigan are leading an outreach program that connects �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder students with rural high schools to introduce hands-on engineering experiences in the classroom. The initiative, known as the Science and Engineering Inquiry Collaborative (SCENIC), serves 12 schools and nearly 700 high school students across rural Colorado each year, turning local questions about air and soil quality into real-world research projects.

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ME senior project turns waste heat into clean energy savings

Alexander Servantez — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 20:53:21 +0000

ME senior project turns waste heat into clean energy savings Alexander Servantez Wed, 03/25/2026 - 14:53

Many industrial facilities rely on cryogenic gases for processes such as cooling, materials testing or energy transport. But before those gases can be used, they must be vaporized with electricity-intensive equipment that can cost companies tens of thousands of dollars each year. A team of seniors are working to address that problem by developing a heat-exchange device for their senior capstone project that captures waste heat circulating through refrigeration systems.

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Why do we get a skip in our step when we’re happy? Thank dopamine

Alexander Servantez — Fri, 27 Feb 2026 20:21:34 +0000

Why do we get a skip in our step when we’re happy? Thank dopamine Alexander Servantez Fri, 02/27/2026 - 13:21

Professor Alaa Ahmed is leading a study that highlights the central role that dopamine, a brain chemical associated with reward, seems to play in making people move faster when they want something. The findings could one day help scientists understand and even diagnose a range of human medical conditions, including Parkinson’s disease and depression.

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Global collaboration to limit air pollution flowing across borders could save millions of lives

Alexander Servantez — Fri, 13 Feb 2026 18:04:48 +0000

Global collaboration to limit air pollution flowing across borders could save millions of lives Alexander Servantez Fri, 02/13/2026 - 11:04

A first-of-its-kind study, led by Professor Daven Henze and collaborators at Cardiff University in the United Kingdom, assesses how health benefits of aggressive climate policy travel across international borders. The researchers say that ambitious climate action to improve global air quality could save up to 1.32 million lives per year by 2040.

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Chip Bollendonk (MechEngr'17, MS'17)

miwi9607 — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 18:33:29 +0000

Chip Bollendonk (MechEngr'17, MS'17) miwi9607 Mon, 02/02/2026 - 11:33

Chip Bollendonk, 2026 Alumni Engagement Medal Recipient

Engineering Alumni Awards

2026 Alumni Engagement Medal Recipient

Paul M. Rady Mechanical Engineering Recipient

Chip Bollendonk graduated from �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder in 2017 with his BS and MS degrees in mechanical engineering and a minor in leadership. He works at the Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP) at �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder, where he designs and builds spaceflight instruments to enable cutting-edge space, earth and climate science. Prior to his time at LASP, Bollendonk worked in consulting and contributed to various missions including United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan, Blue Origin’s New Glenn and Sierra Space’s Dream Chaser. He is a passionate �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder alum and previously served on the �鶹��Ѱ��Alumni Association Board of Advisors, in addition to mentoring senior design teams for many years. Most recently, Bollendonk has joined the Paul M. Rady Department of Mechanical Engineering as an adjunct lecturer, where he enjoys bringing important course concepts to life by leveraging a decade of engineering design and analysis experience. Bollendonk spends his free time running, telemark skiing, playing in a band and working on vintage MG cars.

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Kevin Martin (MechEngr'16)

miwi9607 — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 17:47:42 +0000

Kevin Martin (MechEngr'16) miwi9607 Mon, 02/02/2026 - 10:47

Kevin Martin, 2026 Recent Alumni Award

Engineering Alumni Awards

2026 Recent Alumni Award recipient

Kevin Martin is the founder & CTO of unspun, a certified B Corp transforming apparel manufacturing through automated and localized production. unspun develops industrial 3D weaving technology that enables on-demand manufacturing for apparel, dramatically reducing waste, excess inventory and the carbon footprint inherent in traditional global supply chains. By shifting apparel production closer to the consumer, unspun aligns speed, sustainability and scalability in a single manufacturing platform. The company’s north star is creating a 1% reduction in global human carbon emission.

Martin graduated from the �鶹��Ѱ�� in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering. During his undergraduate years, he founded his first company, Airworx, focused on robotic camera motion systems and early drone-based video production—an experience that first sparked his interest in entrepreneurship. Shortly after graduating, Martin joined co-founders Beth Esponnette and Walden Lam to build the next generation of local manufacturing for textiles.

One year after participating in �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder’s mechanical engineering capstone program himself as an undergrad, Martin and his co-founders sponsored their own student project to build an early unspun prototype. That prototype helped unspun secure its first National Science Foundation development grant, followed by the company’s first venture investment from hardware accelerator HAX. unspun has since gone on to raise over $70 million in additional funding and is headquartered in Emeryville, California.

Martin was named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in 2021—the same year unspun was recognized by Time Magazine’s Best Inventions and Fast Company’s World Changing Ideas. unspun has also been featured by leading global media and industry organizations for its impact on sustainability, advanced manufacturing, and the future of apparel.

Martin remains actively engaged with �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder, where he regularly guest lectures and participates in alumni programming. He has served on the College of Engineering & Applied Science Graduates of the Last Decade (GOLD) Board and as a Regional Network Ambassador for the college. He attributes a major factor in his entrepreneurial journey to the encouragement and support he received as an undergraduate at �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder, particularly from his mentors Jacob Segil, Daria Kotys-Schwartz and Julie Steinbrenner.

Kevin Martin is the founder & CTO of unspun, a certified B Corp transforming apparel manufacturing through automated and localized production. Martin graduated from the �鶹��Ѱ�� in 2016 with a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering.

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Anthony Pigliacampo (MechEngr'02)

miwi9607 — Mon, 02 Feb 2026 15:58:43 +0000

Anthony Pigliacampo (MechEngr'02) miwi9607 Mon, 02/02/2026 - 08:58

Anthony Pigliacampo, 2026 Distinguished Engineering Alumni Award Recipient

Engineering Alumni Awards

2026 Distinguished Engineering Alumni Award recipient

Anthony Pigliacampo is a mechanical engineer, entrepreneur, and business leader whose career spans product design, consumer brands, food service, and advanced manufacturing.

After graduating from CU, Pigliacampo began his career as a product designer at IDEO before founding Venture Design Works in 2005, a product development studio serving the outdoor and cycling industries that was acquired in 2008. In 2009, he co-founded Modern Market Eatery, a fast-casual restaurant concept built around scratch-made food that grew to over 30 locations across four states before its 2018 acquisition, eventually becoming part of a platform of more than 800 restaurants nationwide.

He currently serves as CEO of Joseph Machine Company in Pennsylvania, manufacturing automated CNC machinery for companies including Tesla and Andersen Windows. Pigliacampo maintains strong ties to �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder through guest lectures and student engagement in advanced product design courses. He resides in Boulder with his wife and two children.

Anthony Pigliacampo (MechEngr'02) is a �鶹��Ѱ��Boulder alumnus and entrepreneur whose career spans product design, consumer brands, and advanced manufacturing. He co‑founded Modern Market Eatery, helped grow it into a national restaurant platform, and now serves as CEO of Joseph Machine Company.

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Donated blood has a shelf life. A new test tracks how it's aging

Alexander James Servantez — Wed, 21 Jan 2026 17:20:27 +0000

Donated blood has a shelf life. A new test tracks how it's aging Alexander Jame… Wed, 01/21/2026 - 10:20

Associate Professor Xiaoyun Ding and medical collaborators at �鶹��Ѱ��Anschutz have created a new chip device to help give blood centers and hospitals a reliable way to monitor the quality of red blood cells after they sit for weeks in storage.

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Wind tunnel research could help predict how wildfires spread

Alexander James Servantez — Fri, 05 Dec 2025 18:35:37 +0000

Wind tunnel research could help predict how wildfires spread Alexander Jame… Fri, 12/05/2025 - 11:35

PhD student Laura Shannon, alongside Professors Greg Rieker and Peter Hamlington of the Paul M. Rady Department of Mechanical Engineering are setting fires inside wind tunnels to gain a better understanding of how fire spreads across different terrain. The team says their findings could help keep communities safer in a world where climate-driven wildfire is becoming more common—and more dangerous.

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Mechanical Engineering

�鶹��Ѱ�����Engineering brings energy experts together to power the future

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ME outreach program brings big engineering dreams to small rural towns

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ME senior project turns waste heat into clean energy savings

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Why do we get a skip in our step when we’re happy? Thank dopamine

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Global collaboration to limit air pollution flowing across borders could save millions of lives

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Chip Bollendonk (MechEngr'17, MS'17)

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Kevin Martin (MechEngr'16)

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Anthony Pigliacampo (MechEngr'02)

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Donated blood has a shelf life. A new test tracks how it's aging

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Wind tunnel research could help predict how wildfires spread

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�鶹��Ѱ��Engineering brings energy experts together to power the future