OU Engineering

University of Oklahoma engineering researcher Reza Foudazi, Ph.D., has been selected to receive a $600,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Defense under the Defense Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research, or DEPSCoR. The highly competitive grant was awarded to only 28 academic teams nationwide.  An associate professor in the School of Sustainable Chemical, Biological and Materials Engineering, Foudazi’s research centers on the exploration of electrochemical energy storage systems that incorporate multivalent ions. He says the systems are of interest due to their potential for higher energy density when compared to conventional lithium-based systems.  “We are dedicated to advancing the field of electrochemical energy storage. The primary goal of this research is to understand the fundamental design principles behind nanostructured thermoresponsive electrolytes for multivalent ions,” Foudazi said.  Foudazi's team will produce ionogel electrolytes by using block copol

OU Engineering has welcomed 14 new faculty members for the 2023-24 academic year. This marks a milestone in the college's growth journey, with faculty numbers increasing from just over 100 in 2017 to 175 in 2023. OU Engineering is committed to expanding its faculty ranks, aiming for over 200 faculty members by the 2025-26 academic year, says OU Engineering Dean John Klier. To achieve this goal, the college has initiated more than 20 faculty searches. The State of Oklahoma continues to acknowledge the need for more engineers. They recently responded to OU Engineering’s request for additional recurring funding. The funding will play a crucial role in offering undergraduate student tuition waivers, supporting graduate students and helping recruit new faculty and staff. These positions will be phased in over the next three years. "OU Engineering extends its gratitude for the ongoing support from the State of Oklahoma as it continues to address the growing demand for engineers,&quo

From left, Lucia Torres, OU Engineering dean John Klier and Hamilton Young.   Two University of Oklahoma engineering students, Hamilton Young and Lucia Torres, have been recognized by the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation as part of the Astronaut Scholars program during Innovators Week and Gala held from Aug. 16-19 in Orlando, Florida. The Astronaut Scholarship is a highly competitive award granted to undergraduate students nationwide pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM. This year, Young and Torres were among 68 students from 46 different universities selected for the recognition. “Hamilton Young and Lucia Torres exemplify the caliber of students we are proud to have at OU Engineering. Their selection as Astronaut Scholars shows their dedication and commitment to advancing the field of engineering. We are thrilled to see them recognized on a national stage and look forward to witnessing their contributions to the world of STEM,” said John Klier,