A multilayer film that reflects heat while letting through light needed for photosynthesis could make greenhouse agriculture more energy- and water-efficient. Such a film has been developed by engineers at the University of California, Davis, and is described in a recent paper in Advanced Energy & Sustainability Research.
Presented at the American Chemical Society’s Fall 2025 meeting, jelly ice is a reusable, compostable cooling material made from gelatin that stays solid without meltwater. Developed by UC Davis engineers, it offers sustainable potential for food, medicine and biotech applications.
Inspired by math, construction and the rainforest, Nicolas Almeida built a path in biological systems engineering rooted in purpose and a future in sustainable impact.
Five UC Davis students are among the finalists in the NASA-sponsored 2025 Gateways to Blue Skies Competition. Their project? RoboBees, a swarm of autonomous drones that mimics natural pollination to help modernize capabilities in agriculture.
Biological and agricultural engineers are creating workshops to introduce students, teachers and industry professionals to cutting-edge advancements in agtech at the University of California, Davis.
by Alireza Pourreza, Assistant Professor of Cooperative Extension for the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, and Kristin Singhasemanon, AIFS Communications and Marketing
Researchers at UC Davis are using drone imagery and advanced modeling to track nitrogen levels in almond orchards — a step toward more efficient farming. This approach could help growers optimize fertilizer use, protect water quality and improve sustainability in California agriculture.
by Matt Marcure | Engineering Progress Magazine 2024-25
Assistant Professor of Biological and Agricultural Engineering Shamim Ahamed leads a technical assistance and educational effort for the soilless approach to agriculture in the Golden State. The method lets farmers get more out their water and put less pressure on the state water budget.
This summer, a multidisciplinary group of undergraduate students participated in a biomanufactured foods research challenge. Now, they are taking their project — turning agricultural waste into food using fungi — to Washington, D.C.
A new chatbot developed by UC Davis researchers will help the public and industry identify, manage and treat weeds thanks to a robust set of training data, including papers, books and journals on invasive plants.
Assistant Professor Yi Wang is part of a new NSF-funded engineering research center using biomanufacturing as a means to shift the manufacturing industry toward zero or negative emissions by converting carbon dioxide into environmentally friendly chemicals and products.
