Engineering Ideas and Milestones: 2025 USFOE Symposium and FOE 30th Anniversary Gala

Hosted by the University of Pennsylvania School of Engineering and Applied Science, The Grainger Foundation Frontiers of Engineering (FOE) 2025 Symposium brought early-career engineers together for 2.5 days of cross-disciplinary discussions on topics from brain-machine interfaces and next-generation computing to fusion energy and sustainable aviation. A separate gala at the Penn Museum celebrated FOE’s 30th anniversary.

The Grainger Foundation Frontiers of Engineering (FOE) program of the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) held its 2025 U.S. Symposium at the University of Pennsylvania, where NAE President Tsu-Jae Liu opened the meeting and welcomed participants to 2.5 days of focused presentations and discussions, breakout sessions, and networking. “FOE brings together emerging engineering leaders to discuss challenges and opportunities at the cutting edge of technology, make new connections, and leave with new ideas for collaboration to accelerate progress,” said Liu. “The frontiers of engineering are breathtaking, from decoding the brain to reimagining human flight.”

The inspiring presentations covered a range of topics. In “Advances in Neural Engineering,” speakers showcased flexible, transparent brain interfaces that allow optical measurement for high-density recordings, ultra-flexible endovascular probes that navigate micrometer-scale vasculature, and spinal cord neurostimulation that improved strength, endurance, and gait in adults with spinal muscular atrophy.

Presentations on “Quantum and Neuromorphic Computing Technologies” explored application–hardware co-design, novel materials that enable memory-enhanced and neuromorphic devices, and the state of qubit hardware with strategies to understand and suppress noise.

“Fusion Energy” speakers mapped the engineering path from recent ignition milestones to future power plants, highlighting axisymmetric magnetic mirror concepts, fuel-cycle innovations, reduced-order modeling, and opportunities beyond ignition at the National Ignition Facility.

“Sustainable Aerial Mobility” presentations examined distributed electric propulsion for quieter, more efficient regional aircraft, a system-of-systems perspective of aviation environmental impact, techno-economic pathways for new energy carriers, and NASA’s far-term concepts across the speed spectrum.

NAE thanks the University of Pennsylvania School of Engineering and Applied Science for graciously hosting 2025 USFOE and all the presenters and attendees for their active engagement, making for an inspiring and energizing week of technical discussions leading to new connections. In addition to the financial contribution of Penn Engineering, the NAE is also grateful to the Grainger Foundation, the National Science Foundation, Cummins, Dow and individual donors who generously supported the USFOE meeting.

FOE’s 30th Anniversary Gala on September 17 at the Penn Museum brought together FOE alumni, partners, and friends to celebrate three decades of collaboration and impact. The evening featured master of ceremonies Samitha Samaranayake (FOE ’24) and a fireside chat with John Wall (FOE ’95) and NAE Executive Officer Al Romig (FOE ’95), moderated by Jackie Cha (FOE ’24).

The program recognized The Grainger Foundation for its long-standing and transformative support of the Frontiers of Engineering (FOE) program. Since their initial $3 million pledge in 2008, The Grainger Foundation has been instrumental in sustaining and growing FOE. Their landmark $10 million naming gift in 2022 further strengthened FOE’s future and expanded opportunities for rising engineers. In total, The Grainger Foundation has contributed $20.9 million to the National Academy of Engineering, making a profound and lasting impact on the engineering community.

A commemorative video marking the 30-year milestone premiered at the gala. The occasion was made even more special by the presence of Janet Hunziker, FOE’s founding director, who led the program for nearly three decades.

Special thanks to sponsors The Grainger Foundation, Amazon, IBM, The Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation, Oregon State University, The University of Alabama, and The University of Texas at Austin Cockrell School of Engineering for making this celebration possible.