News/Events
Purdue launches inaugural Robotics Day to advance innovation and industry collaboration
April 15, 2026
Purdue University launched its inaugural Robotics Day on March 26, bringing together nearly 300 students, researchers and industry leaders for a campus-wide showcase of emerging technologies and collaboration shaping the future of robotics.
Purdue National Defense Society Philly 250 Hackathon
April 10, 2026
The Purdue National Defense Society participated in the Philly 250 Hackathon in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The team was able to develop a multi domain (surface and air) swarm for maritime defense. A single “blue drone” with a gimbaled camera was developed to launch from a box. A computer vision model was developed to recognize a “red boat.” For the demonstration, the gps location of the red boat was sent to a swarm of smaller faster boats to intercept. The team had a close miss on their intercept and, overall, we are extremely proud of the results of their hard work.
Purdue Engineering faculty spearhead semiconductor ecosystem
April 10, 2026
Semiconductors have emerged as the heartbeat of technology, powering everything from smart phones and transportation to GPS navigation, weather prediction, energy, healthcare, defense, digital agriculture and the compute heft underpinning the most advanced AI learning and inference data centers on Earth.
Purdue National Defense Society Cybersecurity Team Competes in Sandia National Laboratories' Tracer FIRE Competition
April 06, 2026
The Purdue National Defense Society Cybersecurity Team had the opportunity to compete in Sandia National Laboratories' Tracer FIRE competition, earning 9th place out of 20 teams.
Brain-inspired AI hardware helps autonomous devices operate efficiently and independently
March 26, 2026
The human brain constantly makes decisions without us noticing. It requires minimal power to move our bodies in the desired direction or avoid an object. A Purdue University engineer uses the brain’s efficiency as inspiration to help autonomous vehicles, such as drones and robots, make crucial, time-sensitive decisions while operating in the field.
Mechanical engineering researcher Monique McClain develops state-of-the-art processes to tailor-make energetic materials
February 28, 2025
Additive manufacturing — commonly known as 3D printing — has become a staple area of study across engineering disciplines because of its potential to revolutionize the design and production of a variety of materials and structures. Monique McClain, assistant professor in Purdue’s School of Mechanical Engineering, has dedicated her career to more efficiently developing high-quality and high-performing 3D-printed energetic materials, such as explosives, pyrotechnics and propellants, that can be fine-tuned for performance and safety.
Purdue Air Force ROTC program receives DODs prestigious ROTC and Educational Institution Partnership Excellence Award
November 21, 2024
Purdue University has been awarded the U.S. Department of Defense's prestigious ROTC and Educational Institution Partnership Excellence Award for 2022-23, citing the university as a premier institution for military education and training; and Purdue's Air Force ROTC program as a beacon of excellence.
Research scientist uses 3D printing to make energetic materials safer and more efficient
November 14, 2024
At the Purdue Energetics Research Center (PERC), the world's preeminent academic research laboratory focused on energetic materials, it's not just faculty who are making a difference in the field. Research scientist Diane Collard is working toward improving the efficiency, effectiveness and safety of energetic materials, such as explosives, propellants and pyrotechnics, through 3D printing.
New solid fuel developed by Purdue researchers set to improve stability, efficiency of rotating detonation engines
October 07, 2024
Purdue researchers are developing a safer, more energy dense fuel for rotating detonation engines (RDE), a new type of jet engine used in military and space applications that is designed to be more powerful and efficient than traditional versions.
Purdue Engineering extends streak of most-ever top 10 undergraduate rankings, enhancing reputation for excellence in highly competitive landscape
September 26, 2024
Purdue's College of Engineering has scored its highest number of undergraduate rankings in the top 10 for the third consecutive year in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey of Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs.
Celebrating 150 years of Purdue engineering excellence
September 10, 2024
Ben O'Brien, Takaharu Igarashi and Anika Bhoopalam are among the 16,000 current students who will extend the Purdue College of Engineering's tradition of excellence.
Defense Innovation PEI to meet national security challenges on the world stage
September 10, 2024
Purdue is strengthening its endeavors as a thought leader for national security and defense by announcing Defense Innovation, its newest Purdue Engineering Initiative (PEI).
New Purdue energetics faculty member uses lasers to capture high-speed particles in motion
August 01, 2024
Daniel Guildenbecher, associate professor of mechanical engineering, studies the behavior and evolution of energetic particles as they move and collide with each other.
First energetics talent showcase attracts students and defense professionals from across the U.S.
June 28, 2024
The Purdue Energetics Research Center (PERC) hosted a first-of-its-kind energetic materials talent showcase that connects students and postdoctoral researchers interested in energetics careers with employers across the defense community.
Purdue's graduate programs continued their elevation in latest U.S. News & World Report rankings
June 18, 2024
In the U.S. News & World Report’s 2024-25 Best Graduate School Rankings, 15 programs earned top 10 placements as Purdue continues to elevate its graduate education and research across the board.
New quantum materials promise unimagined innovations in computing, memory
June 06, 2024
To build something fantastic, you need fantastic building blocks. Which is exactly what physicists are creating: new materials, with qualities undreamed of in our current world.
Purdue, IU, Notre Dame join to create statewide consortium for national defense research
June 05, 2024
The Indiana Research Consortium will advance tech, promote economic growth and attract top talent and industries to the state of Indiana.
Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Regional Network headquartered at Purdue University
June 01, 2024
AFRL Regional Network – Midwest is a science and technology ecosystem comprised of universities, large and small businesses, other government agencies and venture capitalists. The Midwest Network supports the AFRL by cultivating strategic collaborations to drive innovative research, translation and workforce development opportunities that bolster the critical technology needs of the U.S. Air Force (USAF).
Spafford to chair external board for $45M Sandia Labs digital assurance campaign
May 17, 2024
Eugene H. Spafford, professor of computer science in Purdue University’s College of Science and internationally recognized authority on cybersecurity, has been chosen to help Sandia National Laboratories in its campaign to manage digital risks to high-consequence systems.
Trust is at center of all cybersecurity work, DOD's Shyu tells CERIAS crowd
April 18, 2024
Cybersecurity in defense comes down to one word: trust. That was the message from Heidi Shyu, undersecretary of defense for research and engineering, the fireside chat guest at the annual Center for Education and Research in Information Assurance and Security (CERIAS) Security Symposium April 2 at Purdue University’s Stewart Center.