Tanmaee Ledalla, a senior in mechanical engineering, came to Purdue hoping to create a future for herself. Originally from India, she took her giant leap and moved to the United States on her own to earn an engineering degree at Purdue. Now in her senior year, she reflects on the impact she’s made over the past three years.

Autonomous cars have hit the roads, and drones fly in the skies. But what about the water? Marine vehicles have a host of challenges that make maritime autonomy extremely difficult. That’s why Purdue University researchers have teamed up with Saab to design algorithms enabling autonomous boats to conduct station-keeping, obstacle avoidance, and docking under dynamic conditions.

Some experiences have a lasting impact. For Garrett Sondgeroth (BSME’23/MSME’24) and Jennifer Ascher (BSME’22), the Purdue ME alumni mentorship program was one of them. In a full circle moment, the former mentees became mentors, eager to pay it forward to the next class of Boilermakers.

Lithium-ion batteries power our phones, cars, and even homes; ensuring their safe and efficient behavior has become incredibly important. Using a simple optical technique, Purdue University researchers have observed a battery's individual particles lighting up as they charge - enabling a more complete picture of the battery's overall health and performance.

Kelly Song, a sophomore in motorsports engineering in Indianapolis, was recently named a recipient of this year’s STEAM Sports Foundation scholarship. Along with the award, Song was invited on a trip to Charlotte, North Carolina to meet with executives from the National Hot Rod Association, NASCAR’s Hendrick Motorsports operation, and the GM Tech and Research Center for Motorsports.

Purdue University proudly announces the launch of the Center for In-Space Manufacturing (CISM), the nation’s first dedicated hub for developing resilient, adaptive, and certifiable in-situ manufacturing capabilities for space. This milestone announcement coincides with the month of October for the National Manufacturing Day 2025 and World Space Week 2025, highlighting Purdue’s leadership at the intersection of advanced manufacturing, aerospace, and national security.

As the largest mechanical engineering school in the country, Purdue University has a unique place in history. On the occasion of the Mechanical Engineering Building’s renovation and grand re-opening, let’s look back at what makes Purdue ME such a historic and unique institution.

Purdue University researchers have developed a low-cost, large-scale fabrication method using roll-to-roll manufacturing to print smart bandages that can monitor wounds for signs of infection.

Fidget poppers are an example of “bistability,” as the popped circles rest in one of two stable states. Purdue University researchers have taken this idea to its extreme, building robots that can be preprogrammed and controlled using just the physical properties of these fidget poppers.

Congratulations to seniors Tanmaee Ledalla and Sofia Velarde, named Purdue Engineering Fellows. These best-of-the-best students will receive $25,000 upon graduation.