SAN ANTONIO — March 30, 2026 — Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) is home to the first full-scale system showcasing a novel and commercially scaled method of industrial heat production, the Joule Hive™ Thermal Battery. The project is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy and led by Electrified Thermal Solutions. SwRI designed key support systems and oversaw construction of the system on its San Antonio campus.

Dan M. Frangopol, the inaugural Fazlur R. Khan Endowed Chair of Structural Engineering and Architecture Emeritus and professor emeritus of civil and environmental engineering at Lehigh University, has been selected to receive the 2026 Raymond C. Reese Research Prize from the Structural Engineering Institute of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE).

Red soil exhibits a high susceptibility to geological disasters and engineering instability owing to its significant dispersibility and substantial strength attenuation upon exposure to water. Consequently, there is an urgent necessity to enhance its engineering properties. As an environmentally friendly and cost-effective industrial by-product, building gypsum powder demonstrates significant potential in improving the mechanical properties of red soil. It not only reduces the burden of landfilling and lowers material costs but also achieves efficient waste utilization and resource recycling, substantially cutting expenses related to soil stabilization and improvement. It is expected to provide a scientific basis for the analysis of geological hazards such as debris flows, landslides, and collapses in red soil regions, as well as offer guidance for selecting appropriate types and dosage of soil modifiers in practical engineering projects.

Los Angeles, CA – March 30, 2026 – The Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation is proud to announce that Dr. Yangzhi Zhu has been received a prestigious Career Development Award from the American Heart Association (AHA). The award will provide a total of $231,000 over three years to support his research in translational biosensing and organ health assessment.

Concrete harbors distinct microbial zones whose signatures survive the heat of routine core sampling, a discovery researchers say could one day put structural health diagnostics within reach of general maintenance staff and even residents.