Luke Auburn

Director of Communications, Hajim School of Engineering & Applied Sciences

luke.auburn@rochester.edu

RECENT POSTS

Five different colored vials holding seawater, Great Salt Lake water, nickel sulfate, copper chloride wastewater, and desalinated water standing next to a pile of salt.

Science & Technology

New method turns ocean water into drinking water, without waste

The energy-efficient desalination system produces fresh water without chemical additives and transforms leftover salts into useful materials.

Meg Farinsky, Matthew Ahn, and Majd Tabsi hold up their award-winning pieces of art.

Campus & Community

From mushrooms to molecules, science becomes art

The annual Ed and Barbara Hajim Art of Science Competition showcases how scientific discovery takes visual form across disciplines.

Robot hand preparing to lift a flask of blue liquid with beakers and tubes of other liquids in the background.

Science & Technology

Researchers use large language models to discover recipes for novel materials

The LLMs can discover optimal, step-by-step instructions to accelerate the discovery of new materials.

Close-up of a nanoparticle in a phonon laser beam.

Science & Technology

Quantum researchers engineer extremely precise phonon lasers

Novel lasers utilize individual particles of vibration or sound to measure quantum mechanics and gravity.

Group photo of the 17 or so people who comprise the NSF STELLAR team at URochester, including government and industry partners.

University News

NSF explores Rochester as a potential national hub for laser research and development

The URochester-led STELLAR project is a finalist in the NSF’s Regional Innovation Engines competition.

Close up of a rainbow-hued photonic chip coupled to a clear and metallic nonlinear crystal and fiber array unit.

University News

URochester, RIT receive federal funding to expand experimental ways to communicate using individual particles of light

February 12, 2026

The funding for the experimental quantum network RoQNET was secured by Senator Schumer, Senator Gillibrand, and Representative Morelle.

Young woman deeply engaged with her smartphone, seen through a distorted, swirling blur effect to illustrate the concept of social media echo chambers.

Society & Culture

Your social media feed is built to agree with you. What if it didn’t?

February 10, 2026

A new study points to algorithm design as a potential way to reduce echo chambers—and polarization—online.

Five unsinkable metal tubes bound together and seen from above floating in water with bubbles nearby and an overall blue cast.

Science & Technology

Scientists engineer unsinkable metal tubes

January 27, 2026

The superhydrophobic design could lead to resilient ships, floating platforms, and renewable energy innovations.

Science & Technology

Engineering a low-cost alternative catalyst for producing sustainable petrochemicals

January 22, 2026

Newly identified methods to harness the properties of tungsten carbide could yield viable substitutes for precious metals like platinum.

Close-up portrait of Kevin Parker looking at the camera with a whiteboard filled with equations behind him.

University News

Kevin Parker, a pioneer in ultrasound imaging, remembered

January 6, 2026

The William F. May Professor of Engineering and Dean Emeritus of Engineering and Applied Sciences leaves a legacy of innovation and inspiration.

Steve Lim and Walter McDonald smile while seated in chairs against a bright yellow background.

Science & Technology

Undergraduates launch affordable AI receptionist service

December 19, 2025

Walter McDonald ’27 and Stephen Lim ’27 created OrbitPhone to help small businesses manage calls and appointments.

Students test AR/VR smart glasses in a classroom, with one gesturing while others watch and discuss the experience.

Science & Technology

Student-created AR/VR tools help everywhere from the classroom to the operating room

December 18, 2025

Transdisciplinary class empowers emerging technologists to develop AR/VR solutions using AI and the latest hardware from Meta and Snap Inc.