Duffield Hall, named for Cornell Engineering alumnus David Duffield ’62 Electrical Engineering, is one of the country’s most sophisticated research and teaching facilities for nanoscale science and engineering
Category: Our History
The first American headquarters and student chapter for Engineers for a Sustainable World was established in 2001 at Cornell Engineering. The organization aims to engage engineers in reducing poverty by improving environmental, social and economic sustainability worldwide
In 2000, Christopher Ober, a professor of Materials Science and Engineering, created Alpha-Terp, a thermoset epoxy used to hold computer components together. It melts at high temperatures, allowing components to be sorted and recycled when the computer’s life is over. This innovation has saved millions..Read More
William Jewell, professor emeritus in the Department of Biological and Environmental Engineering, developed a nationally recognized initiative that employs animal manure in anarerobic digestion systems to produce electricity and heat on a farm
In 1997, The New York Times hailed Cornell assistant professor of Electrical Engineering Yu-Hwa Lo’s work with the potential to “revolutionize the industry.” Dr. Lu’s patent for a compliant universal substrate for growing pure, single crystals was seen as a major turning point in manufacturing..Read More
Jeffrey C. Hawkins (Electrical Engineering, B.S., 1979) invented the Palm Pilot, one of the first successful handheld personal digital assistant devices. The Palm Pilot’s form and function impacted the design of future smartphones. He is pictured here with Professor Robert Constable.
“Bill Nye the Science Guy” (Mechanical Engineering, B.S., 1977) popularized science for children (and their parents) with a PBS kids show from 1993-1998. Still enjoying widespread popularity today, Nye remains a staunch advocate for science education and appears frequently on television and radio programs
Multiphoton microscopy was developed in 1990 between Winfried Denk (Physics, Ph.D., 1989) and Watt Webb, Professor of Applied and Engineering Physics. This innovation was first used in biological studies, where it produced high-resolution, three-dimensional images without damaging living tissues
Hwa C. Torng (M.S. 1958, Ph.D. 1960), Patent for the first Intel Chip. The patent in question— US patent No. 4,807,115, “Instruction issuing mechanism for processors with multiple functional units”— was granted in 1989 to Cornell Research Foundation, covering a technique invented by Hwa C…Read More
The research of Paul Kintner, professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, has made significant contributions to the understanding of space environments. His plasma wave interferometer was developed in 1986 and launched into space with the Viking satellite. He was head of the Global Positioning Systems..Read More