Technology Innovation

CyberSEED 2026 Challenges 129 Teams to Put Cybersecurity Skills to the Test

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Team of four men work on cybersecurity challenge on their laptopsCybersecurity requires more than understanding the theory behind digital threats. It takes analytical thinking, technical skills, and the ability to solve problems under pressure. Those skills were on display October 3 as 129 teams competed in CyberSEED 2026, an online Capture the Flag (CTF) competition hosted by UConn’s Connecticut Advanced Computing Center (CACC).

The annual competition brought together students from 70 colleges and universities across the country for hands-on challenges in cybersecurity, including cryptography, open-source intelligence, password cracking, digital forensics, network traffic analysis, reverse engineering, and web application security.

Teams earned points by solving technical problems and analyzing potential security vulnerabilities. The competition also included an incident response briefing, giving participants an opportunity to practice communicating technical findings and risks to an audience of stakeholders.

Bits For Everyone from the United States Military Academy took first place, followed by cu_kaazmo from Cedarville University in second and CyberLions from Pennsylvania State University in third. Teams from Purdue University, the University of Central Florida, the SANS Technology Institute, and other institutions also finished among the top 10. View the complete list of winners.

Bits for Everyone Logo cu_kaazmo logo CyberLions logo
Bits for Everyone
First Place		 cu_kaazmo
Second Place		 CyberLions
Third Place

For participants, the experience offered more than a leaderboard finish. One team from the Rochester Institute of Technology described how the competition helped deepen its understanding of cybersecurity concepts through practical application. The team also highlighted the incident response briefing as an opportunity to strengthen its ability to communicate technical risks and recommendations.

Hosted by CACC and sponsored by Synchrony, with the competition platform provided by Cyber Skyline, CyberSEED connects students with challenging, practical exercises that complement their academic studies. By encouraging participants to apply their knowledge in a competitive setting, the event helps students develop skills relevant to the evolving cybersecurity field.

The 2026 competition continued UConn’s longstanding involvement in cybersecurity education and research, bringing students together to learn, collaborate, and test their abilities against a diverse set of technical challenges.

Separations Technology Workshop Connects Research with Real-World Challenges

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Six speaker panelists sitting at the front of a conference room.From recovering critical materials to improving water treatment, separations technologies play an important role in addressing industrial and environmental challenges. At the 5th Industrial Workshop on Separations Technology, held October 1–2, 2026, at UConn Tech Park’s Innovation Partnership Building, researchers, industry leaders, startups, and investors came together to discuss emerging technologies and the challenges of bringing them to market.

Hosted by the University of Connecticut, the workshop drew 120 attendees from more than 70 companies and universities. The two-day program combined technical presentations with opportunities to exchange ideas, showcase research, and build connections across the separations technology community.

Two men standing in front of a poster session research poster.The event began with an early career workshop, followed by a networking reception featuring 20 student research posters and a startup pitch competition. Students from UConn, Yale University, MIT, Tufts University, and Clarkson University presented their work, while five startups pitched technologies addressing opportunities in water and critical materials. Hydron Desalination won the pitch competition, receiving a trophy and a cash award sponsored by Xylem.

Friday’s sessions explored applications across energy, industrial processing, critical materials recovery, desalination, water treatment, and water reuse. Presenters from organizations including PolyCera, SLB, Via Separations, ChemFinity Technologies, KMX Technologies, Xylem, Veolia, and NanoH2O shared developments ranging from advanced membranes to new approaches for recovering valuable resources.

The program also looked beyond the technologies to consider what it takes to move innovations forward. Panels on water technology, critical materials and energy, and sustainable technology financing brought together representatives from startups, established companies, and investment organizations. Additional briefings highlighted initiatives from XPRIZE, the Advanced Research Projects Agency–Energy (ARPA-E), and the MEMBRANE Center led by the National Laboratory of the Rockies.

Attendees also toured the Connecticut Center for Applied Separations Technologies (CCAST) at the Innovation Partnership Building, gaining a closer look at the facilities supporting the center’s applied separations research.Professor Jeff McCutcheon speaks to a group of visitors in the CCAST lab at IPB.

Throughout the workshop, discussions connected technical advances with the needs of the industries that could put them to use. Understanding those needs can help researchers and emerging companies identify opportunities for further development and more effective solutions.

By bringing together people working across research, industry, and investment, the annual workshop creates opportunities to share expertise, explore common challenges, and strengthen connections that can help move separations technologies toward practical application.

Interested in attending or participating in future workshops? Click here to join the mailing list.

Exploring the Future of Digital Twins in Manufacturing

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Group of scientistsOn November 12–13, 2024, UConn’s Pratt & Whitney Institute for Advanced Systems Engineering (PW-IASE) brought together researchers, industry leaders, and practitioners for the Workshop on Digital Twins for Manufacturing, held at the Innovation Partnership Building at UConn Tech Park. Hosted in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy (DoE) and the National Science Foundation (NSF), the event served as a global platform to explore the transformative potential of Digital Twin (DT) technologies in modern manufacturing.

Participants engaged in a dynamic exchange of ideas through keynote presentations, interactive panels, and collaborative working sessions. The workshop’s agenda was designed to address pressing challenges and opportunities in manufacturing, with a focus on the development and application of DTs—virtual models that mirror physical systems to optimize products, processes, and production throughout their lifecycle.

Digital Twin technologies are revolutionizing how manufacturers approach design, production, and maintenance. By enabling real-time data integration and predictive analytics, DTs support informed decision-making and proactive solutions, critical for industries navigating the complexities of modern supply chains and innovation demands. “As the manufacturing sector evolves, DTs provide critical tools for innovation, enabling real-time data integration, predictive analytics, and proactive decision-making,” noted Dr. George Bollas, associate dean of Research for UConn’s College of Engineering and director of PW-IASE.

The workshop tackled key themes, such as improving system efficiency, enhancing resilience, and leveraging DTs for sustainability in manufacturing. Notable speakers and panelists represented a wide array of expertise, from academic research to practical applications in aerospace, defense, and energy sectors. Participants worked toward actionable outcomes, including drafting a strategic roadmap to guide the future development of DT technologies and fostering collaborations across academia, industry, and government.

By hosting this event, UConn reaffirmed its position as a leader in advancing cutting-edge manufacturing technologies. The workshop highlighted Connecticut’s rich industrial heritage, particularly in aerospace, defense, and shipbuilding, while showcasing how innovations like DTs will shape the future of these sectors.

The Workshop on Digital Twins for Manufacturing not only provided a forum for sharing knowledge but also underscored the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in driving technological progress. As digital twins continue to mature, they hold the promise of transforming manufacturing into a more agile, efficient, and sustainable industry.

Fostering Innovation at UConn: The Nursing and Engineering Innovation Center

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Physiotherapist adjusting prosthetic leg of patient in hospitalThe Nursing and Engineering Innovation Center at UConn Tech Park is spearheading transformative healthcare solutions through interdisciplinary collaboration. By uniting the expertise of the School of Nursing and the College of Engineering, the center aims to drive the creation and commercialization of evidence-based healthcare technologies.

One of the center’s notable initiatives was showcased during the Spring 2024 Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship (TIE) course, led by co-Director Dr. Leila Daneshmandi and Professor Sam Nanayakkara. For the first time, the TIE courses included nursing students, emphasizing the center’s mission to integrate diverse fields for innovative outcomes. This collaboration resulted in student venture presentations including Green Grid Farms, Puppy Palace, Transplant Rescue, KLAD, eKardia, and Alevia Pharma OraSpray.

The final pitch day on April 22 highlighted these projects, judged by a panel of faculty, staff, and students professionals, including Engineering Associate Dean Leslie Shor and Nursing Visiting Professor and Nursing & Engineering Innovation Center co-director Tiffany Kelley. Dr. Daneshmandi commended the students for their dedication in building technology-enabled ventures aimed at driving significant change.

The event also featured presentations from young inventors in the K-12 space, courtesy of the Connecticut Invention Convention, and showcased top student ventures like ParticleN, Genesist, and Toribio Labs Zemi Platforms. These presentations underscored the continuous impact of the TIE courses and the broader entrepreneurial initiatives at UConn.

The Nursing and Engineering Innovation Center aims to foster healthcare, workforce, and economic development through research, education, community engagement, and technology transfer. By combining clinical nursing knowledge with engineering expertise, the center is poised to create healthcare technologies that address clinical unmet needs and improve healthcare quality. The involvement of registered nurses, the largest group of healthcare professionals, is pivotal in developing and evaluating new technologies.

The Nursing and Engineering Innovation Center, led by Tiffany Kelley and Leila Daneshmandi, exemplifies UConn’s dedication to interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation. For more information about the center’s initiatives visit the Nursing and Engineering Innovation Center website. To learn more about the TIE courses, visit the Entrepreneurship Hub (eHUB) website.

UConn and Yale Drive Quantum Innovation with State Support

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The Quantum Initiative at UConn, in partnership with Yale University, is a dynamic and collaborative effort dedicated to advancing quantum science through interdisciplinary collaboration. By fostering a community through joint seminars, workshops, and outreach events, QuantumCT is working towards establishing a premier quantum center in Connecticut.

A futuristic glowing quantum computer unit, 3d render

Program Highlights and Recent Developments

QuantumCT has been making significant strides, particularly with the recent announcement from the Governor of Connecticut. In a bold move to position Connecticut as a leader in innovation, the Governor announced a $100 million investment aimed at bolstering research and development in cutting-edge technologies, including quantum science. This substantial investment underscores the state’s commitment to fostering advancements in this transformative field.

A key development for QuantumCT is the introduction of Quantum Seed Grants, which are funding innovative solutions to real-world problems. Nine Connecticut-based research groups have received one-year seed grants to tackle challenge problems issued by corporate partners. These projects aim to develop algorithms for simulating molecular drug actions, invent accurate sensors for extreme environments, and address other critical needs in industries like aerospace and biotech.

Yale brings world-renowned expertise in quantum science and technology to the table, complementing UConn’s strengths and facilitating a robust exchange of ideas and resources. This partnership is vital in addressing the complex challenges in quantum research and development. Yale’s Vice Provost for Research, Michael Crair, highlights the importance of these collaborations, stating, “These grants are fertilizing creative, potentially transformative projects in quantum science and technology across several key industries, all of which are central to Connecticut’s present and future economy.”

QuantumCT has been active in hosting events that bring together leading minds in quantum science. For instance, Josiah Sinclair from MIT-Harvard CUA presented a colloquium at UConn on a new platform for quantum science in early 2024, featuring programmable arrays of single atoms. Events like this highlight the initiative’s dedication to cutting-edge research and collaboration.

Looking ahead, QuantumCT aims to position Connecticut as a global hub for quantum education, job training, and research innovation. The collaborative efforts of UConn, Yale, and industry partners are paving the way for a faster pace of quantum innovation. Pamir Alpay, UConn’s Vice President for Research, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship, notes, “These seed grants will fuel not only quantum discovery but also career opportunities in a high-demand STEM field.”

With the recent $100 million investment from the state, QuantumCT is well on its way to driving forward the next wave of technological advancements, transforming industries, and creating new economic opportunities. For more information about upcoming events and the latest research from QuantumCT, visit QuantumCT.org.

New England Security Day 2024

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Poster session with four students.On March 15th, the Innovation Partnership Building hosted New England Security Day 2024 (NESD), featuring cutting-edge cybersecurity research by experts from academic and professional backgrounds. Participants included industry professionals and academic institutions such as Boston University, Brown, Harvard, UMass, MIT, Northeastern, WPI, and Yale. Attendees had the opportunity to learn about the latest advancements in technology and network for potential collaboration and employment prospects. The conference welcomed a diverse audience of professionals, academics, and graduate and undergraduate students interested in cybersecurity, regardless of their familiarity with advanced concepts like fuzzers, machine learning methods for intrusion detection, or efficient post-quantum cryptography.

Visit the NESD 2024 web page for additional information and to view the NESD 2024 video, complete event program and additional photos.