University of Arizona Electrical and Computer Engineering

A solar-powered balloon built by UA students has circled the globe – twice. 🎈🌍

The K7UAZ Amateur Radio Club launched StratoCat on March 22, and it's been riding the jet stream ever since, tracked in real time by amateur radio operators around the world.

After a failed attempt last fall, the team did a full failure analysis, redesigned key components, and came back stronger. The result? Two laps around the Earth on a shoestring budget.

"Projects like this teach you more than engineering," said club treasurer and ECE student Briana Curley. "They teach you how to solve problems, trust your team and keep going when things don't work the first time."

Read more about the launch: https://ece.engineering.arizona.edu/news-events/student-built-radio-transmitting-balloon-circles-globe-twice?publication=20260610&utm_campaign=University+of+Arizona+Electrical+and+Computer+Engineering&utm_content=A+solar-powered+balloon+b&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook

Technology startup Ampira, co-founded by ECE student Kian Sadat and Franke Honors College classmate Safiya Tarazi, took part in the western regional finals of the Hult Prize competition at the University of Arizona on April 17 and 18. Ampira develops hearing aids designed for use in underserved communities.

"Our goal is to create a new, basic product that incorporates aspects of modern technology like automatic calibration and remote fitting," said Sudat.

Read more about their startup: https://ece.engineering.arizona.edu/news-events/ece-student-co-founded-startup-competes-1m-hult-prize?publication=20260526&utm_campaign=University+of+Arizona+Electrical+and+Computer+Engineering&utm_content=Technology+startup+Ampira&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook

The AI-HDL Awards Ceremony is right around the corner! Join us next Tuesday for a celebration of innovation, talent, and the future of AI hardware design.

📅 Tuesday, May 12 | 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
📍 Grand Challenges Building, University of Arizona

Join us for a morning of:
📢 Welcome remarks and keynote speech
🧑‍💻 Industry-academia panel discussion
🏆 Awards presentations and social hour

With student participants showcasing cutting-edge research, this is an incredible opportunity to connect with the next generation of AI hardware designers. Whether you're a sponsor, researcher, student, or industry professional, we'd love to see you there!

🔗 RSVP now: https://uarizona.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8pMEDEljEZtvYkm