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James Fairbanks, Ph.D.

Drones and decisions: UF optimizing communication among autonomous units

April 29, 2026

A University of Florida engineering research team is working to optimize communications among autonomous units — drones and self-driving vehicles, for example — in a project funded by an Air Force Research Lab University Center of Excellence Award.  

Read more: Drones and decisions: UF optimizing communication among autonomous units »
Earth seen from space

How space-based sensors can detect nuclear activity

April 24, 2026

Researchers at the University of Florida are advancing new technologies to detect nuclear activity from space, positioning the university at the forefront of a rapidly evolving area of national security and space research.

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Residential street with one houses affected by a large sinkhole, showing ground collapse and structural damage.

UF researchers creating AI models to detect sinkhole trouble

April 8, 2026

UF researchers are developing AI models that combine satellite imagery, soil data and weather patterns to detect early indicators of sinkholes and improve risk prediction across Florida.

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A student in a lab working on a human head dummy to set up a system for recording brain waves during human walking

From athletes to everyday health: UF Engineers unveil bold vision for the future of human performance

March 24, 2026

The UF Center for Engineering Human Performance and Wellness brings together experts from the Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering and the College of Health and Human Performance to study how wearable sensors, robotics and advanced data analysis can be used to monitor, understand and optimize how people move, recover and live. 

Read more: From athletes to everyday health: UF Engineers unveil bold vision for the future of human performance »
Concrete is poured into framing for a sidewalk.

Taking concrete steps towards sustainability

March 24, 2026

In a $5 million project funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation, a team of researchers from UF, Rutgers University, Oregon State University and the New Jersey Institute of Technology are exploring the viability of using steel slag as an ingredient in cement and concrete. ESSIE associate professor Christopher Ferraro, Ph.D., is one of the project’s principal investigators. 

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A thermal camera image of several people on a city street in oranges and purples

Thermal cameras used in drones and robots can be tricked by heat sources, study finds

March 17, 2026

As thermal cameras become commonplace on autonomous drones and vehicles, a University of Florida engineering professor is working to make sure they can’t be maliciously tricked into “seeing” things that aren’t there. 

Read more: Thermal cameras used in drones and robots can be tricked by heat sources, study finds »
An image being put through facial recognition technology

Machines spot deepfake pictures better than humans, but people outperform AI in detecting deepfake videos

February 26, 2026

Artificial intelligence may be better than people at spotting fake faces in photos — but humans still have the upper hand when those fakes start moving.

Read more: Machines spot deepfake pictures better than humans, but people outperform AI in detecting deepfake videos »
A concept image of AI.

Breaking AI on purpose: How researchers are helping make artificial intelligence safer

February 20, 2026

University of Florida researcher Sumit Kumar Jha, Ph.D., is focused on strengthening the security measures built into AI tools to ensure they are safe for all to use.

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Researchers unveil gigahertz resonances in nanoscale drumheads at room temperature 

February 13, 2026

From smartphones to quantum computers, modern technology depends on moving information quickly and efficiently. Now, scientists have found a way to control vibrations at gigahertz (GHz) speeds to serve as ultra-fast bridges between mechanical, microwave and optical signals. 

Read more: Researchers unveil gigahertz resonances in nanoscale drumheads at room temperature  »