A Small Optical Component Could Change How Telescopes View the Sun

June 10, 2026

A new telescope technology — measuring just six millimeters in diameter — could improve how future space missions study and monitor the Sun while simplifying onboard hardware and reducing costs. The technology is built from a metasurface, which is a device engineered with nanoscale structures that manipulate light in unusual ways. In tests at the Dunn Solar Telescope in New Mexico, the metasurface captured scientifically meaningful data of the Sun's magnetic fields and sunspots. Full Story

Outstanding engineering, computer science undergraduates honored with Awards of Excellence

June 9, 2026

These six students were selected from the more than 1,300 graduating undergraduates in the Jacobs School of Engineering class of 2026 to receive Awards of Excellence from their academic department.  Full Story

Optical Device Uses Humidity to Unlock Hidden Information, Offers New Option for Data Storage

May 27, 2026

Engineers have developed an optical device that reveals hidden images and changes colors in response to different levels of humidity. The technology could lead to the development of new anti-counterfeiting labels, secure data storage, interactive displays and environmental sensors. Full Story

UC San Diego’s Electrical and Computer Engineering Department Celebrates Six Decades of Impact

May 14, 2026

The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) at the UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering celebrated a significant milestone on April 10, 2026, marking six decades of educational excellence, transformative research and technological innovation. Full Story