Auburn Research & Economic Development

09/01/2026

The ribbon has been cut, but the work is just beginning. Join the Momentum → https://research.auburn.edu/auari/

08/27/2026

Auburn researchers are joining a new $30 million National Science Foundation center focused on understanding, predicting and controlling turbulence.

The TEMPEST center brings together experts from eight universities, three national laboratories and industry partners to study turbulent systems with applications ranging from astrophysics and fusion energy to hypersonic flight.

Auburn physicists Evdokiya (Eva) Kostadinova and Saikat Chakraborty Thakur will lead research using complex, or “dusty,” plasma, while creating hands-on opportunities for students to help design experiments, build instruments and contribute to scientific discovery.

Learn more about Auburn’s role in this national research effort: https://wire.auburn.edu/content/cosam/2026/08/261600-nsf-turbulence-center.php

08/24/2026

Auburn's recent 6-week Customer Discovery Series helped researchers and innovators learn how to take their inventions from idea to impact. Participants developed the skills to discover, validate and communicate the value of their work, with a curriculum aligned with the national NSF I-CORPS model to strengthen pathways toward research translation and funding opportunities.

Participating teams were awarded prizes based on their ability to apply customer discovery learnings to validate their business or product value proposition hypotheses and pivot when needed.

Winners included
▪ 1st place: Aquatic Health Catalysts - Mark Liles, Tim Bruce, Taryn Garlok, John Williamson
▪ 2nd place: My Friend Hazel - Josh Sahib, Sarah Jane German
▪ 3rd place: Minotaur Mapping - Bob Sesek, Rich Sesek, Chelsea McMeen
▪ 4th place: BioCoat - Zainab Olomowewe, Kate Handel, Jimena Hernandez.

Congratulations!🎉

08/21/2026

08/18/2026

Today marks a momentous milestone as we celebrated the next chapter for Auburn in Huntsville. Surrounded by hundreds of our friends, partners and national leaders, we opened the new Applied Research Institute Laboratory to significantly expand Auburn University's ability to support our military and industry partners.

Our sincere appreciation for the attendance and remarks of support:
-Asst. Secretary of War for Science and Technology, the honorable Dr. Joe Jewell, U.S. Department of War

-Maj. Gen. Jason Cothern, Deputy Director of the Missile Defense Agency

-Senator Tommy Tuberville

-Congressman Mike Rogers

-Representative Dale Strong

-Congressman Robert Aderholt

07/31/2026

Turning underutilized farmland into a bio-based ecosystem…
That’s how the BRIDGES Engine aims to make a major impact on Alabama's rural economy.

🎧 Listen to Troy Public Radio's InFocus with Carolyn Hutcheson to hear why Dr. Steve Taylor says this project is a perfect match for Auburn University's land-grant mission→ https://www.npr.org/podcasts/946279880/in-focus-with-carolyn-hutcheson

07/28/2026

Leaders from Auburn University and Air University at Maxwell Air Force Base are exploring new opportunities to advance our shared national security mission. During a recent meeting, university leaders discussed new ways to collaborate on professional military education, expand applied research partnerships and prepare the next generation of leaders in support of United States Air Force and United States Space Force readiness. Keep Reading → https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/News/Display/Article/4550440/air-university-hosts-auburn-leaders-for-partnership-discussion/

📸: Stefan Alvarez

Air University leaders hosted a delegation from Auburn University July 10, 2026, to discuss how Auburn’s academic and research capabilities could support professional military education and future

07/21/2026

LONDON, England – At GE Aerospace’s display at the Farnborough InternationalAirshow, a large digital map displays the company’s investments in Alabama.About 750 employees between its Auburn and Huntsville facilities. Investments of more than $100 million last year alone. Sixty in-state supplie...

07/21/2026

Exciting news for Auburn! 🚀 DPC Holdings PLC (Doncasters), a leading U.K.-based manufacturer of superalloys and high-precision components for the aerospace, energy and automotive industries, has announced that it will open a new superalloy manufacturing facility right here in Auburn.

This $50 million investment will create about 70 new jobs over the next three years, strengthening our local economy and expanding opportunities for our community.

Doncasters’ expansion into Auburn will help meet growing demand for advanced materials used in aerospace and industrial gas turbine engines.

We’re proud to welcome Doncasters to Auburn and look forward to the innovation and growth this partnership will bring!

Learn more about what this means for Auburn at openline.auburnalabama.org/article/9783/

07/15/2026

Auburn University will co-lead a National Science Foundation-funded project called BRIDGES Engine, receiving up to $160 million over 10 years to convert underutilized farmland into high-value biobased products.