Advancing national priorities through engineering and computer science

At the University of Delaware, we are advancing engineering research, shared infrastructure and workforce development in areas central to federal science and technology priorities.

We deliver public returns on federal investment.

Why federal investment matters

Sustained federal support allows public universities like ours to strengthen U.S. competitiveness, prepare the technical workforce, accelerate discovery to deployment and deliver broad public return through shared infrastructure and partnerships.

Artificial intelligence and data-enabled systems

We are integrating artificial intelligence and data science across engineering, health, materials and environmental systems. Our work applies machine learning, sensing and large-scale analytics to accelerate discovery, improve reliability and support real-world decision-making, while preparing students to deploy AI responsibly in applied settings.

To strengthen and coordinate this work, UD is investing in initiatives to advance responsible AI and accelerate data-driven discovery across disciplines.

First State AI Institute: This initiative seeks to advance an open, human-centered vision of AI — one rooted in transparency, accountability and the public good. The institute will develop practical tools to help researchers analyze data and streamline complex tasks, while also exploring how AI can improve campus operations.

Data Science Institute (DSI):  The interdisciplinary DSI aims to accelerate research in data science, serving as a nucleating effort to catalyze research collaborations across fields from health sciences, physical sciences, environmental sciences, to behavioral and social sciences and public policy.

Quantum science and next-generation materials

We are building capability at the intersection of quantum science, materials and engineering systems. Our researchers are advancing quantum materials and devices that support future computing, sensing and communications technologies, with an emphasis on translating discovery into engineered systems.

UD’s Quantum Science and Engineering (QSE) program facilitates collaboration and training for researchers interested in understanding and exploiting the unusual behavior of particles and excitations governed by the laws of quantum mechanics.

Semiconductors, microelectronics and fabrication

We support federally funded research in semiconductors and microelectronics through advanced materials growth, nanofabrication and device-scale engineering. Our shared facilities enable collaboration with government and industry partners and provide hands-on training for engineers entering critical technology fields.

Central to this work are shared facilities that provide advanced infrastructure for nanofabrication, materials growth and materials characterization.

UD Nanofabrication Facility (UDNF): UNDF enables researchers from academia, industry and government to create devices smaller than a human hair, supporting scientific advances in fields ranging from medical diagnostics to environmental sensing to solar energy harvesting.

Materials Growth Facility (MGF): This facility provides infrastructure, equipment and staff support to enable faculty and academic and corporate partners to undertake cutting-edge research in fields ranging from biomedical diagnostics to quantum computing.

Advanced Material Characterization Lab (AMCL): This facility operates dozens of high-caliber scientific instruments under a fee-for-service model, allowing users to characterize materials faster and make analytically informed decisions.

Advanced communications and intelligent networks

We are advancing wireless systems, sensing and intelligent communications networks that support resilient, adaptive and secure connectivity. This work spans theory, experimentation and deployment, with relevance across civilian and defense applications.

The Center for Wireless Intelligent Systems Engineering (UD-WiSE) advances next-generation wireless and sensing technologies by combining antenna and metamaterials research, photonic chip-scale design and fabrication, and AI-enabled signal processing.

Future computing and advanced manufacturing

We are advancing data-centric and AI-enabled computing approaches that support engineering research, modeling and accelerated discovery, with these capabilities embedded in work spanning bioinformatics, materials design and systems engineering to enable faster iteration from data to insight. We are bridging discovery and production through applied research in advanced manufacturing, biomanufacturing and materials processing that strengthens domestic manufacturing capacity and prepares engineers for modern production environments.

This work is supported by campus resources that provide high-performance computing infrastructure and drive applied research in advanced manufacturing, materials processing and circular production systems.

Bioinformatics Data Science Core: This initiative provides computational infrastructure support, including access to high-performance computing hardware, to empower biomedical and life science researchers to pursue bioinformatics and data science-enabled research.

National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals (NIIMBL): This public-private partnership, headquartered on UD’s STAR campus, focuses on accelerating biopharmaceutical manufacturing innovation, enabling more efficient and rapid manufacturing capabilities, and educating and training a world-leading biopharmaceutical manufacturing workforce.

Center for Composite Materials (CCM): CCM is an internationally recognized center of excellence for interdisciplinary research, education, and technology transfer in materials and synthesis, multifunctional materials, processing science, mechanics and design, sensing and control, and simulation.

Center for Plastics Innovation (CPI): CPI advances energy-efficient catalytic and biocatalytic processes to convert diverse plastic waste streams into higher-value materials.

Engineering with purpose and momentum

Engineering inhaled medicines

Engineering inhaled medicines

UD chemical engineer Catherine Fromen honored with DDL’s Emerging Scientist of the Year award for advancing aerosol drug delivery