Materials and Manufacturing

From Kentucky to deep space: UK research supports Artemis II return, future exploration

When NASA’s Artemis II mission sent four astronauts on a path around the moon — farther from Earth than any humans have traveled in decades — the world watched in awe. Yet, one of the most critical parts of the journey remained invisible. For a team of faculty, staff and students in the Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering at University of Kentucky, that unseen work is their expertise.

As NASA’s Artemis II heads to the moon, UK helps power safe return

Materials and Manufacturing, Human Health and Safety

As Artemis II prepares to lift off — marking the first crewed mission to the moon in more than 50 years — researchers at the University of Kentucky are celebrating a milestone years in the making and their role in helping bring astronauts home safely. An Orion capsule seated atop a 322-foot rocket will blast off from Kennedy Space Center in Florida as early as 6:24 p.m. ET Wednesday, April 1. Its mission: carry four astronauts around the moon and back — sending humans the farthest they’ve ever been from Earth.

UK research team awarded $1.9 million NIH grant to combat biofilm

Human Health and Safety, Materials and Manufacturing

Martha Grady, Ph.D., a Lighthouse Beacon Foundation Scholar and an associate department chair in the Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering’s Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, is leading a multidisciplinary team to investigate how 3D-printed titanium can be engineered to resist harmful bacteria.

KREPE-3 Flight: Send Off February 20, 10:00AM - 1:00PM

Materials and Manufacturing, Energy and Infrastructure

The KREPE-3 mission capsule sendoff offers a unique opportunity to view all 12 flight capsules before their delivery to the International Space Station.

Kentucky dream takes flight: UK joins NASA on Arctic space mission

Materials and Manufacturing, National Security

A team of students and faculty from the University of Kentucky Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering will make history in Norway, launching a UK-developed payload as part of NASA’s GHOST spaceflight mission.

Jawahir honored with UK Sustainability award

Materials and Manufacturing

Ibrahim Jawahir, Ph.D., professor of mechanical engineering and director of the Institute for Sustainable Manufacturing, received the UK Sustainability Yanarella Levine Legacy Award at the 2025 Sustainability Showcase. The award recognizes members of the UK community who have contributed a tremendous body of work supporting a legacy of sustainability at the University of Kentucky and beyond.

2026 Lighthouse Beacon Foundation Scholars announced

Human Health and Safety, Materials and Manufacturing, Energy and Infrastructure, Computing, Networks, and AI

Thanks to the generous support of Stanley and Karen Pigman and Kentucky’s Research Challenge Trust Fund (RCTF), engineering researchers are receiving additional annual funding to enhance the research priorities and programs of the Pigman College of Engineering. Established in 2024, the Lighthouse Beacon Foundation Endowment supports faculty, research, graduate students, facilities and research infrastructure in the Pigman College of Engineering. This year, the endowment made $235,000 in funds available for distribution.

UK engineers help NASA improve heat shields for 1st crewed Moon mission in 50 years

Materials and Manufacturing

Researchers in the Stanley and Karen Pigman College of Engineering at the University of Kentucky are at the forefront of advancing space travel safety and reliability by improving heat shields for NASA’s Artemis program.

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