Aching back? You're not alone. Millions of people get treatment for lower back pain every year, and 350,000 undergo lumbar discectomy surgery. Now Dave Cappelleri has developed a tiny soft robot that can make that surgery more effective and less painful.

Shirley Dyke's RETH Institute (Resilient Extra-Terrestrial Habitats) will play a huge role in Purdue's new Cislunar Initiative, establishing Purdue's prominence in the new lunar economy.

Our guy put his boots there first, and now it's time to continue that tradition. Purdue Engineering has launched a new center aimed at taking a leadership role in the development of lunar capabilities and advancing the space-based economy. 

Lava tubes on the Moon could eventually protect future moon explorers from radiation, meteorite impacts, and other hazards. But are they stable enough to build human habitats? Purdue researchers explored lava tubes here on Earth to find some answers.

Chi Hwan Lee, professor of biomedical and mechanical engineering, has teamed up with Georgia Malandraki of speech, language, and hearing sciences to evaluate and treat dysphagia (swallowing disorders) using a wearable device, rather than x-rays. Lee and Malandraki just received $47,000 from the Purdue Research Foundation's Trask Innovation Fund to advance their research.

As part of the Apollo 11 anniversary celebrations, Purdue is hosting a panel of past, present, and future NASA flight directors. Wayne Hale (MSME '78), who supported 41 Space Shuttle missions, will be there, and so should you! Saturday, July 20, 1:00 pm at the Loeb Playhouse. The event is free, but tickets are required.

Andres Arrieta creates robots that are inspired by nature: origami that folds like an insect wing. Drones that sense their surroundings like a spider. Listen to him describe his journey on this podcast.

Two recent recipients of the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) have Purdue ME connections. Abigail Hunter of Los Alamos National Labs in New Mexico got her Ph.D. from Purdue in 2011, studying under Marisol Koslowski. Rebecca Kramer-Bottiglio served as assistant professor at Purdue ME from 2013 to 2017, when she moved to Yale.

Former PECASE award winners include Purdue ME professors Arezoo Ardekani and Shirley Dyke.

Motorsports has a way of testing an engineer's mettle. Sure, you've worked hard and prepared all year for this -- but when everything breaks and is covered in dirt, can you fix it in 30 minutes?

Who knew that the heat transfer properties of denim could be so beautiful?