In parts of the world where fresh water is scarce, many people rely on a process called “reverse osmosis” to desalinate seawater — flowing it over a membrane at high pressure to remove the minerals. Purdue University engineers have developed a variant of the process called “batch reverse osmosis,” which promises better energy efficiency, longer-lasting equipment, and the ability to process water of much higher salinity. Their team has been awarded $250,000 as semifinalists in the worldwide XPRIZE Water Scarcity competition, where their prototype will compete for a potential prize pool of $119 million.

Zach Hochhauser is all about going fast! From karting professionally to interning within IMSA to winning the evGrandPrix, this Purdue Engineering student is already making his mark in the motorsports world.

To sustain operations in space, you have to be able to build in space. That’s the idea behind one of the first ever university courses focused on In-Space Manufacturing — hosted by the Cradle of Astronauts, Purdue University.

When NASA’s Artemis II crew successfully slingshotted around the Moon in April 2026, it marked the first time in more than 50 years that humans made such a journey.

But human spaceflight is about more than just rockets and technology. It's about card games. And coping with frozen toilets. And living with others in a tiny capsule for two weeks, having your actions and conversations broadcast live to the world. The person responsible for that side of the experience is NASA's Chief of the Astronaut Office, Purdue graduate Scott Tingle.

3D printing has revolutionized manufacturing, with its ability to design and build unprecedented customizable geometries. But not all materials are suitable for 3D printing — including the aluminum alloy 7075 (AA7075) often used in aerospace because of its high strength-to-weight ratio. For the first time, researchers have successfully demonstrated liquid metal jet printing with AA7075, producing finished pieces that are stronger and lighter than those created with traditional methods.

Six students from Purdue University's School of Mechanical Engineering have been selected for the National Science Foundation’s Graduate Research Fellowship Program (NSF GRFP). The program recognizes and supports outstanding graduate students in NSF-supported science, technology, engineering, and mathematics disciplines who are pursuing research-based master’s and doctoral degrees at accredited United States institutions.

The lithium-ion batteries in our cars, homes, and devices have a secret: the tiny electrochemical reactions creating their power can sometimes produce unwanted gaseous byproducts. Purdue University researchers have devised a method to measure minute amounts of these gases using infrared lasers, helping to improve the durability and performance of future battery designs.

The Purdue Beta chapter of Pi Tau Sigma, the mechanical engineering honors society, hosted the organization’s annual national convention this April, welcoming 122 attendees from 39 chapters across the country.

The three-day event featured networking opportunities, breakout sessions, lab tours and a technical challenge, bringing together students and professionals from around the world.

You can’t spell “Boilermaker” without “maker!” That Purdue spirit of designing and building things carries on in the new Manufacturing Studio in Indianapolis — a haven for students to machine parts, create prototypes, and supercharge their engineering education.

Aaed Musa was like any other mechanical engineering student at Purdue University, using 3D printers to build projects... except his projects were robot dogs, CD slingshooters, infinitely spinning tops, and most importantly, a YouTube audience of millions.