In The News

Extreme winter weather can strain power systems, stall electric vehicles and leave backup batteries unable to deliver energy when it is most needed. Researchers, led by Dr. Jodie Lutkenhaus, professor of chemical engineering and associate dean for research in the College of Engineering, have developed a battery design that continues operating through the coldest conditions.

Polymer-based EV battery that won’t freeze even at −40°C

E+T Engineering and Technology • Feb 13, 2026

A polymer-based battery chemistry could enable electric vehicles (EVs) to keep working in freezing conditions, according to a study led by Dr Jodie Lutkenhaus, professor of chemical engineering and associate dean for research at Texas A&M University.

A new tissue-adhesive biosensor has been developed to detect gum disease, which researchers say will ‘shift care from reactive to proactive.’ Developed by researchers at Texas A&M University, the sensor detects inflammatory biomarkers in the mouth with molecular precision. It is unaffected by the moisture of the oral environment and remains attached while eating and talking.

2021 SPE President Tom Blasingame Elected to National Academy of Engineering

Journal of Petroleum Technology • Feb 11, 2026

Tom Blasingame, 2021 SPE President, has been elected to the National Academy of Engineering (NAE). Blasingame is one of 158 new members elected to the 2026 NAE class, which honors engineers’ contributions in research, innovation, and academic leadership.

“It’s probably the largest research explosion and detonation tube like this in the world,” said Elaine Oran. Oran is a professor of aerospace engineering at TAMU, helping oversee the tests and research done at the detonation facility for just over a year.

Drones and Waves Offer a Smarter Way to Track Currents

Environment+Energy Leader • Feb 3, 2026

Researchers at Texas A&M University are showcasing a wave-analysis method that uses short drone videos to calculate current velocity and direction, providing a lower-cost, mobile alternative.

Most of the failures across natural gas networks, refineries and petrochemical plants are due to a lack of pipeline insulation and winterization, said Faisal Khan, chemical engineering department head and director of the MKO Process Safety Center at Texas A&M University.

Flights canceled, states of emergency declared as winter storm forecast to bring dangerous weather across U.S.

CBS News • Jan 24, 2026

"Once we get more than about a quarter inch of ice on those lines, the lines either start sagging and failing, or more likely, you actually get the vegetation above it, the trees, to fall on the lines, and that causes potentially a larger number of outages," said Thomas Overbye, a professor of electrical and computer engineering at Texas A&M University.

Are plastic cutting boards useful kitchen tools or a breeding ground for microplastics? Here’s what to know

NBC News • Jan 7, 2026

As a knife’s blade scratches a plastic cutting board’s surface, tiny pieces of plastic get released that stick to your ingredients — they’re too small to see, so you may ingest them, says Dr. Manish Shetty, an assistant professor of chemical engineering at Texas A&M University.

Ocean engineering researchers at Texas A&M University are developing a smarter system to combat these collisions and their costs. By combining raw radar imaging data with advanced machine learning, researchers have created SMART-SEA, a system that gives seafarers real-time guidance on how and when to maneuver their vessel.