The (NSF) has awarded $45 million over three years for phase two of theĚý,Ěýa regional initiative in which Syracuse University is a core partner.

Launched in 2024, the initiative aims to make upstate New York a national hub for battery technology by bringing together researchers, entrepreneurs and workforce trainers to develop the next generation of batteries—the kind that will power electric vehicles, store renewable energy on the grid and strengthen national security. It’s led by and includes partners (RIT), , , and .

“Syracuse University is proud to be a core partner in advancing battery technology research, building workforce pathways and strengthening the upstate New York economy,” says , vice president for research. “The success of the Engine’s Energy Storage Workforce Development Network in the first phase has contributed to a regional innovation ecosystem that connects innovation to talent development and economic growth across upstate New York. We look forward to working with our Engine partners to build on this success in the years ahead.”

In phase two, the Engine will focus on developing safer, more cost-efficient next-generation battery systems; integrating artificial intelligence into materials discovery and manufacturing; and deepening partnerships with regional corporations and the defense sector. A new advanced battery safety testing facility, the first of its kind in the Northeast, is set to open at RIT this summer.

Phase two will also see the expansion of workforce development programs, with a particular emphasis on preparing the next generation of engineers and scientists to meet growing industry demand. The Engine may receive up to $160 million in total NSF funding over 10 years, with an additional $16 million in matching funds from .

Since its launch, the Engine has supported 15 industry-academia research teams, served more than 300 learners through its workforce development network and funded more than 15 high-tech battery startups. Those startups have attracted more than $20 million in follow-on funding in the past year alone.

and the hosted students, researchers, industry leaders and government officials this week for the , putting Central New York’s rapidly expanding semiconductor and quantum technology ecosystem on display.

Held under the theme, “New York State Talent and Technology—Shaping the Future,” the daylong event at Goldstein Auditorium drew participants from NNN partner institutions across the state and from sponsors including , , , , and .

The University has made significant investments to anchor the region’s semiconductor and nanotechnology future. It also leads the for the , a federally designated consortium accelerating semiconductor innovation across Central New York. Together with , the University invested $20 million to build the (CASM) to train the next generation of semiconductor technicians and engineers.

Through the University’s , nearly 500 veterans have enrolled in semiconductor workforce training programs. The University also holds a $1 million NSF ExLENT grant providing adult learners, including mid-career professionals and veterans, with hands-on exposure to semiconductor, quantum and optical technologies. And the University’s now includes 18 faculty across three departments, with the 8,000-square-foot Quantum Technology Center expected to open this summer.

A Major PartnerĚý

“The investments Syracuse has made in facilities and faculty have positioned us to be a major partner to industry,” says University Vice President for Research . “Our faculty and labs allow our students to gain the skills that employers need. Events like the NNN Symposium are where students meet the people who will hire them, where faculty learn what industry needs and where the connections are made that turn research training into careers.”

Keynote addresses came from , chief business officer of GlobalFoundries and a Syracuse University engineering alumnus; , senior vice president and executive director of and , senior director of U.S. expansion programs for Micron. A workforce development panel brought together representatives from , , , and . Student researchers from NNN partner universities across the state presented their work in oral and poster formats, followed by a career fair connecting students directly with hiring companies.

Forefront Future

“The innovation and collaboration on display shows that Central New York is at the forefront of America’s nanotechnology and semiconductor future,” says Ěýinnovation concierge, NY SMART I-Corridor, workforce development pillar lead for the Upstate NY Energy Storage Engine and director of strategic partnerships for Syracuse University’s College of Engineering and Computer Science. He and Yoanna Ferrara, director of technology innovation in the Office of Research, organized the symposium. “We will carry this momentum forward by continuing to deepen partnerships between upstate New York universities, industry leaders and government to strengthen New York’s semiconductor ecosystem.”

Farzana Rahman, associate teaching professor of electrical engineering and computer science in the College of Engineering and Computer Science (ECS), hasĚý received a National Science Foundation (NSF) CSforAll award to expand access to next-generation computing education for high school students across Central New York. Endadul Hoque, assistant professor of electrical engineering and computer science,Ěý serves as co-principal investigator on the project.

The NSF CSforAll program supports initiatives that broaden participation in computer science by increasing access to high-quality, inclusive computing education. This award focuses on addressing persistent challenges faced by high school educators in teaching rapidly evolving computing topics— such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, cybersecurity, algorithmic bias and accessible software design—by providing experiential, classroom-ready learning resources and sustained teacher support.

Led in collaboration with Rochester Institute of Technology and the University of Rochester, the project will adapt and evaluate accessible learning labs (ALL). The project will use browser-based, sandbox-style virtual computing labs for effective integration into grades 9–12 curricula. These labs are designed to be easily adopted and customized to fit diverse classroom contexts, lowering technical and resource barriers for teachers and students alike.

At ECS, Rahman and Hoque are leading community-focused efforts that emphasize close collaboration with local schools and districts, including Jamesville-DeWitt, Fayetteville-Manlius, Lafayette, Christian Brothers Academy and the Syracuse City School District, as well as regional Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP) partners. Together, these partners will engage in iterative co-design, classroom implementation and continuous evaluation to ensure the labs align with real instructional needs.

“As computing technologies continue to shape every aspect of society, it is critical that high school students have early, meaningful exposure to these topics,” says Rahman. “This project allows us to work directly with local educators to co-create accessible, hands-on learning experiences, while also strengthening Syracuse University’s relationships with the school districts in our community. By strengthening partnerships with local school districts, this work also helps create a sustainable pipeline for students to pursue undergraduate programs in ECS.”

A key component of the project is teacher professional development. The team will host summer professional development workshops in summer 2026 and summer 2027, providing high school teachers with training, curricular support and implementation strategies to integrate these experiential labs into their classrooms. Ongoing co-curricular engagement will further support sustained adoption beyond the workshops.

“This award enables us to build long-term research–practice partnerships with local schools,” says Hoque. “By supporting teachers and engaging students early, we are helping to create a strong computing ecosystem, one that not only benefits K–12 education, but also builds pathways into higher education and careers in computer science.”

In addition to advancing high school computing education, the project contributes to research on experiential learning in computer science (CS), assessing its impact on student engagement, confidence and instructor readiness. All developed materials will be made open-access, supporting broader adoption nationwide and advancing the goals of the national CS for All movement.

Syracuse University is accepting through Wednesday, Jan. 28, for its I-Corps Regional Course for Startups, a month-long virtual program designed to help research-driven teams accelerate the commercialization of their tech innovations. The virtual course runs from Feb. 23 through March 25, and is targeted at teams affiliated with community-based incubators or innovation ecosystems.

Teams that want to collaborate with the University or other National Science Foundation I-Corps Northeast Interior Hub partner institutions or other regional universities are strongly encouraged to apply. This program is ideal for teams already working with university researchers in community-based or university-based incubators. University faculty and student researchers who are commercializing technology are encouraged to apply. Space is limited.

NSF I-Corps courses are designed for teams from academic institutions, research organizations and innovation hubs to empower researchers with the tools, skills and strategies needed to bring technological innovations to market. Eligible projects must be beyond the idea stage and can range from validated scientific discoveries to prototype or early manufacturing efforts.

Syracuse University’s program is part of the National Science Foundation’s I-Corps ecosystem, a nationally recognized network that helps researchers bridge the gap between laboratory discoveries and real-world applications. Through hands-on activities, live virtual sessions and one-on-one mentoring, participants engage in intensive customer discovery, learning how to identify the strongest product–market fit for their technology or research project. Teams will test assumptions, refine their value propositions, assess the commercial potential of their technologies and receive feedback and guidance from NSF-trained instructors.

Participation in the program positions eligible teams for potential nomination to the national I-Corps Teams program and for NSF I-Corps lineage. It can also serve as a pathway to federal grant opportunities such as NSF SBIR/STTR, which provide up to $2 million in non-dilutive funding to help bring research-based innovations to market, as well as to private investment.

The Syracuse University–hosted course is offered through the Interior Northeast I-Corps Hub (IN I-Corps), funded by the NSF and led by Cornell University in collaboration with partner institutions including Dartmouth College, Rochester Institute of Technology, the University at Buffalo, Binghamton University, the University of Pittsburgh, the University of Rochester, the University of Vermont and West Virginia University. The NSF I-Corps program at Syracuse is led through a cross-campus collaboration by Syracuse University Libraries, the Whitman School of Management and the Center for Advanced Systems and Engineering (CASE).

, assistant professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (CEE), has been awarded a grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to design an AI-enabled robot that can conduct safe, efficient roof inspections.

A hybrid drone that can land on and navigate around a building roof, the robot is designed to switch seamlessly between flight mode and legged mode. This technology allows for safe and detailed roof inspections, an often hazardous construction task that can lead to falls, injuries, and even fatalities.

“As part of this project, we’re developing a new aerial-legged robot that can both fly and walk,” says Liu. “The idea is that the robot can take off like a drone, land on a roof and then switch into legged mode to carefully navigate around obstacles. By combining multiple sensing technologies – cameras for vision, LiDAR for mapping and tactile feedback for surface contact – the robot can build a rich understanding of its environment and make intelligent decisions in real time.”

Liu, an expert in construction robotics and human-robot interaction, joined the College of Engineering and Computer Science (ECS) in 2024 after completing a Ph.D. in architectural engineering at the Pennsylvania State University. He also holds master’s degrees in electrical engineering, robotics and civil engineering.

“Roof inspections are one of the riskiest jobs in construction, and our aim is to reduce the hazards workers face while also making the process faster and more accurate,” Liu says. “Instead of having a person climb onto a roof, the robot can do the job autonomously and provide detailed inspection data.”

“We’re also partnering with construction companies to test the robot in actual worksites, which will give us valuable feedback on how it performs outside the lab. Beyond the technical side, we’re planning workshops and outreach programs to introduce students to AI and robotics in civil engineering. We hope this project inspires the next generation of engineers to see how advanced technologies can make construction both safer and smarter.”

“Dr. Liu’s research exemplifies our department’s commitment to both rigorous scholarship and practical application,” says CEE Department Chair Andria Costello Staniec. “This project not only advances our understanding of AI technologies, it also delivers real-world impact that will protect workers and has the potential to transform construction industry safety practices.”

This collaborative three-year grant was awarded through NSF’s Foundational Research in Robotics program. Liu will serve as principal investigator, working with collaborators from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, as well as ECS mechanical and aerospace engineering professors Amit Sanyal and Zhenyu Gan, who will serve as co-principal investigators.

G’05, G’08, assistant teaching professor in the , a National Science Foundation (NSF) Experiential Learning for Emerging and Novel Technologies (ExLENT) award for quantum and semiconductor upskilling. Hasanovic will develop an education program to give adult learners hands-on preparation for semiconductor, optics and quantum technology careers.

NSF’s ExLENT program is designed to support experiential learning opportunities in emerging technology fields. The program is especially focused on eliminating barriers to STEM education for adult learners by providing training programs that lead to new career pathways.

Professor Hasanovic’s program, Quantum and Semiconductor Upskilling for Career Change through Experiential Education Deployment in Central New York (Q-SUCCEED-CNY), will span six semesters and offer training on specific technologies, interactive demonstrations, industry talks and mentorship. Workshops will take place in the evenings and on weekends to accommodate working adults. Each semester-long cohort program will conclude with a five-day immersive bootcamp covering topics like clean room protocols, semiconductor processes, optical measurements and laser applications.

“This was truly a collaborative effort, and I express my deepest gratitude to all the internal and external partners who contributed to this proposal,” says Hasanovic. “I look forward to working with them—not only on this project, but on future efforts that aim to build a stronger regional tech workforce. By connecting adult learners with emerging technologies and real industry pathways, we’re not just preparing individuals for new careers—we’re investing in the long-term economic strength and innovation potential of Central New York.”

“This award strengthens Syracuse University’s growing leadership in semiconductor and quantum education and research,” says Alex Jones, Klaus Schroder Endowed Professor and the chair of electrical engineering and computer science. “Alongside our increasingly recognized activities in areas such as artificial intelligence and wireless communications, Professor Hasanovic’s program further positions the University at the forefront of innovation in the nation’s most critical technologies.”

Hasanovic has extensive experience in teaching and program development for quantum-enabled technologies, as well as a long career in radio-frequency engineering and design. Q-SUCCEED-CNY builds on the success of EdQuantum, an NSF-funded curriculum Hasanovic created for photonics technicians, and other Syracuse University programs for semiconductor workforce training.

In addition to creating the EdQuantum program, Hasanovic has authored several electrical engineering textbooks and manuals. With both a Ph.D. in electrical engineering and an MBA from Syracuse University, he is uniquely equipped to develop collaborations between industry and academia.

Hasanovic will lead Q-SUCCEED-CNY as Principal Investigator (PI), with support from Jones and Professor Prasanta K. Ghosh as Co-PIs. The program is an interdisciplinary effort, integrating career coaching through the College of Professional Studies, and will also leverage partnerships with Onondaga Community College, the Manufacturers Association of Central New York, Jubilee Homes, Westcott Community Center and other regional businesses and community-based organizations.

Baobao Zhang, associate professor of political science and Maxwell Dean Associate Professor of the Politics of AI, has received a National Science Foundation Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) Award for $567,491 to support her project, “Future of Generative Artificial Intelligence for Current and Future Workers.”

The NSF CAREER Award is one of the most prestigious early‑career recognitions from the foundation, supporting faculty who integrate outstanding research and education. Zhang’s study will explore how generative AI is transforming American workplaces—examining its effects on worker productivity, job satisfaction and skill development.

Zhang joined the faculty in 2021. She serves as a senior research associate with the and the Campbell Public Affairs Institute. Her research focuses on trust in digital technology and the governance of AI, studying public and elite opinions toward AI, and how institutions adapt to technological change.

She received earlier recognition for her contributions to AI governance, including the Public Voices Fellowship on Technology in the Public Interest (2023-24) and the Schmidt Futures AI2050 Early Career Fellowship (2022). Her work has been published in journals such as Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and Nature Human Behavior, and she co‑edited the volume, The Oxford Handbook of AI Governance.

“Professor Zhang’s work on the governance of artificial intelligence exemplifies the Maxwell School’s strength in addressing timely, real‑world issues,” says Dean David M. Van Slyke. “This NSF CAREER Award not only acknowledges her exceptional early‑career scholarship but also furthers our mission to equip future policymakers with tools to navigate an economy that is increasingly shaped by AI.”

When materials are forced into new shapes, a tipping point can shift them from flexibility and resilience to failing or breaking. Understanding that tipping point is at the core of Jani Onninen’s research. He has received a three-year grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to explore challenging mathematical problems of predicting how materials change under stress.

, a professor in theĚý, is drawing on two fields of mathematics—geometric function theory and non-linear elasticity—to understand how and why materials fail under certain conditions.

“Imagine a blacksmith shaping hot metal,” Onninen says. “Each hammer strike creates a small deformation. Early on, each deformation is reversible. You can undo it and return to the original shape. But as the blacksmith continues hammering, the sequence of deformations approaches a limit where this reversibility breaks down. This signal tells us something critical. The blacksmith should stop—before the material reaches conditions conducive to forming a crack.”

Materials in the Real World

Traditional mathematical models use “Sobolev homeomorphisms” to describe a material when it deforms and collapses. These models assume two things. One, the material can return to its original shape (it’s “invertible”). Two, the deformation follows the path that uses the least energy. When these models show that a deformation can’t do these two things, it’s a warning signal that the material could fail.

In real life, however, materials don’t always behave according to these ideal mathematical models.

Materials tend to use the least amount of energy possible when they change shape. But sometimes the most efficient or “energy-saving” ways a material might deform don’t fit current math equations. So, researchers are trying to learn the most energy-efficient ways for a material to go from one shape to another.

Warning Signs Before Failure

At the heart of this research is the challenge of understanding and modeling more complex elastic deformations, as well as identifying warning signals in mathematics before materials reach their breaking point.

Onninen, in collaboration with former University postdoctoral researcher Ilmari Kangasniemi, has developed a new framework—the theory of quasiregular values—and achieved breakthroughs, including solving the Astala–Iwaniec–Martin uniqueness problem and providing fresh insights into Picard’s theorem, a foundational result in mathematics from the 1870s.

Onninen’s work is theoretical, studying what happens beyond the boundaries of current mathematical models. But basic research can lead to practical advances years or decades later. Eventually it could have applications in engineering, manufacturing and other fields to learn how much stress a material can handle. This could have implications for understanding wear and tear in infrastructure, like roads and bridges, clothing materials, such as cloth and plastics, and vehicle materials, like metals and plastics.

Building the Next Generation

The NSF grant will also support the training and mentorship of graduate students and early-career researchers, ensuring the continuation of this cutting-edge research.

“Some of the most exciting progress I’ve made has come from working closely with colleagues—sharing ideas, challenging each other and building something new together,” Onninen says, emphasizing the collaborative nature of mathematical discovery.

This latest grant marks Onninen’s seventh standard NSF award since joining the University.

“The mathematics department is thrilled that Professor Jani Onninen has received this prestigious NSF award, recognizing his groundbreaking work,” saysĚý, professor and department chair. “His research continues to elevate the department’s profile and provides outstanding opportunities for our graduate students to participate in cutting-edge research, fostering their development as the next generation of scholars.”

Story by John H. Tibbetts