UConn Tech Park

Eversource Energy Center Faculty Receive Prestigious NSF CAREER Awards

Posted on by

The Eversource Energy Center at UConn is celebrating the achievements of two of its leading researchers, Diego Cerrai and Junbo Zhao, who have each received the National Science Foundation’s highly competitive Faculty Early Career Development (NSF CAREER) Award.

 

Diego-Cerrai-Photo
Diego Cerrai, Ph.D.

Dr. Diego Cerrai, Interim Director of the Eversource Energy Center and Assistant Professor in the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, is advancing the science behind power outage prediction and restoration. His research focuses on improving how utilities forecast outages caused by snow and ice storms — and how they respond. By combining detailed observations of snow density with improved weather models, Cerrai’s work will refine the UConn Outage Prediction Model, already used by major utilities. His project also includes developing a new restoration model that factors in road conditions during winter weather, with the aim of reducing inequities in power restoration for rural communities. Read more about Cerrai’s research.

Junbo-Zhao photo
Junbo Zhao, Ph.D.

Dr. Junbo Zhao, Associate Director of the Eversource Energy Center and Assistant Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, is tackling the challenges of keeping our power grid stable and secure in an era of rapid growth in renewable energy. Zhao’s CAREER project will improve grid operators’ ability to monitor and control power systems in real time, helping prevent large-scale blackouts like the 2003 Northeast blackout. His integrated research and education plan also includes hands-on training, industry collaboration, and outreach to inspire the next generation of energy innovators. Learn more about Zhao’s research.

Congratulations to both faculty for their exceptional contributions to grid reliability and resilience — and for strengthening the Eversource Energy Center’s role as a leader in energy research.

Leadership Horizons Workshop Empowers UConn Engineering Grad Students

Posted on by

UConn Tech Park was pleased to host the Leadership Horizons: Exploring Paths Beyond Graduation leadership workshop from the UConn Engineering – John Lof Leadership Academy on May 13. The workshop was designed to educate graduate students from the UConn College of Engineering about leadership opportunities in various career sectors (industry, academia, and entrepreneurship).

Attendees heard from guest speakers from both industry and academia, who discussed the opportunities and hurdles students may face as they move forward in their careers. Thank you to all speakers for your invaluable expertise and guidance!

Supporting Small Businesses in CT – Manufacturing Leadership Roundtables at UConn Tech Park

Posted on by

Mfg Roundtable March 2025 AttendeesUConn Tech Park’s collaborations with the State of Connecticut and Chief Manufacturing Officer Paul Lavoie aim to introduce Tech Park resources to Connecticut’s small manufacturers. “Supporting CT’s small businesses is a key mission for UConn Tech Park,” says Tech Park business development manager Mike DiDonato. “Through outreach like this, we connect with businesses that can leverage Tech Park resources to innovate new products and improve existing ones. We want businesses to know that Tech Park can help them stay competitive. UConn is here to support you.”

That objective was set in motion on March 20 with the kickoff of the 2025 Manufacturing Leadership Roundtable series at UConn Tech Park. This ongoing, invitation-only series brings together C-level leaders from manufacturing companies across the state to network, share challenges, and explore how UConn’s research and innovation capabilities can support their growth.

Participating manufacturers represented a range of specialties—from aerospace and electronics to precision engineering and metal fabrication. The roundtable format allows these leaders to see firsthand how UConn can provide support in areas like advanced manufacturing, materials testing, energy management, data science, and more.

Tech Park offers:

  • Advanced manufacturing and automation services such as machining validation, 3D prototyping, and process optimization

  • Materials science support including failure analysis, microscopy, and chemical analysis

  • Energy and sustainability assessments including free energy audits and renewable integration strategies

  • Data science resources from cybersecurity assessments to AI-driven diagnostics

  • Training and consulting tailored to business needs, along with access to engineering senior design teams for small-scale projects

“Many small and mid-sized manufacturers don’t realize how accessible and practical UConn’s resources can be,” says DiDonato. “Whether you’re troubleshooting a process, validating a design, or looking to explore AI or automation, UConn Tech Park can help.”

Interested in participating in a future roundtable?
> If you are the General Manager, President, or CEO of a Connecticut manufacturing company, please reach out to Paul Lavoie. Participation is by invitation only.

Want to learn more about Tech Park support for small businesses?
> View the flyer with detailed resources and services.
> Contact Mike DiDonato, Business Development Manager, UConn Tech Park

UConn Tech Park – Powering Innovation for Connecticut’s Small Businesses.

Exploring the Future of Digital Twins in Manufacturing

Posted on by

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

Posted on by

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.