Recent News
Cal Poly Universities’ 2020 Tournament of Roses Float Dives into Ocean Exploration
Aug 14, 2019
SAN LUIS OBISPO — The Cal Poly universities’ 2020 Tournament of Roses Parade float will feature an underwater exploration scene that would have made Jacques Cousteau proud.
The entry, as shown in an artist’s rendering, will feature a submarine navigating around a sunken shipwreck that has become home to colorful marine wildlife. The title of the float, “Aquatic Aspirations,” was announced over the weekend, though it was actually decided a few months ago.
Cal Poly’s Efforts Help Planetary Society’s LightSail 2 “Sail on Sunbeams,” Reaching a Milestone
Aug 1, 2019
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. — The man who co-created CubeSats at Cal Poly said he’s proud to see the Planetary Society take his technology to new heights with solar sails.
“It is a huge score for CubeSats and for the team at Cal Poly,” said Jordi Puig-Suari, a retired Cal Poly aerospace engineering professor. “It is the beginning of a new way to travel in space.”
The Planetary Society’s LightSail 2 — a CubeSat, or miniature satellite — was prepared with student assistance at Cal Poly’s College of Engineering, which also acted as mission control last week during the deployment of the CubeSat’s Mylar sail. On Wednesday, Aug. 1, the Planetary Society announced that LightSail 2 has successfully raised its orbit in space solely on solar power.
Cal Poly to Bring Learn by Doing to Global Hacker Convention in August
Aug 1, 2019
California Cybersecurity Institute Designs Immersive Training Environment for Biohacking Village at DEF CON 27
SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. — Cal Poly’s California Cybersecurity Institute (CCI) and global healthcare company Abbott will bring a hands-on experience to this year’s Biohacking Village at DEF CON, one of the world’s largest hacker conventions, Aug. 8-11 in Las Vegas.
Cal Poly Student Donations Distributed to SLO County Nonprofit Organizations
Jul 31, 2019
Zero-waste student initiative collects and diverts tons of packaged food, used clothing and other items from the landfill
SAN LUIS OBISPO — Cal Poly University Housing donated more than 8 tons of food, clothing and other goods to San Luis Obispo County nonprofit organizations — items that were collected from residents in student housing during the end-of-school move-out in mid-June.
That includes more than 6,600 pounds of prepackaged food that was donated to four nonprofits, according to housing officials.
Cal Poly Engineering Professors Plan to Expand CubeSat, Programming Education with Lockheed Endowments
Jul 29, 2019
SAN LUIS OBISPO — Two assistant professors at Cal Poly were recently granted Lockheed Martin Endowed Professorship Awards, which will help increase accessibility to space with mini satellites, among other endeavors.
Cal Poly’s College of Engineering Ranks Among Nation’s Best in Diversity and Inclusion Efforts
Jul 24, 2019
SAN LUIS OBISPO — Cal Poly’s College of Engineering was recognized recently by the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) as a national leader in inclusive excellence.
The ASEE, a nonprofit association dedicated to promoting and improving engineering and engineering education, launched the National Diversity Recognition Program in April with the support of over 200 engineering schools and colleges. After reviewing Cal Poly’s application, an ASEE committee rated Cal Poly at the Bronze level, the highest ranking issued during the first round of ratings.
Planetary Society Scientists Plan LightSail CubeSat Deployment for July 23 at Cal Poly
Jul 19, 2019
What: Cal Poly students will assist a team of scientists from The Planetary Society for the long-anticipated solar sail deployment of the LightSail 2 CubeSat, a citizen-funded project to test the concept of harnessing photons from the sun to propel a spacecraft. After a successful launch in June from the Kennedy Space Center, aboard SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy, LightSail 2 has been cleared for a possible sail deployment attempt Tuesday, July 23. The solar sail is set to deploy during its Cal Poly ground station pass, starting at roughly 11:22 a.m. (with a backup pass starting around 1:07 p.m.).
Cal Poly Rodeo Coach Named National Coach of the Year; Poly Royal Rodeo Named Regional Rodeo of the Year
Jul 18, 2019
SAN LUIS OBISPO – Cal Poly Rodeo Coach Ben Londo was named the 2019 National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association (NIRA) Coach of the Year at College National Finals Rodeo in June. In addition, the Poly Royal Rodeo was named the Regional Rodeo of the Year.
“It is truly an honor to be named national coach of the year,” said Londo, who was selected by his peers and the NIRA board. “It is a humbling experience, to say the least, as many other coaches are equally deserving. I am very thankful to be recognized.”
Cal Poly Professor’s Device Could Provide Light to Millions Living in the Dark
Jul 17, 2019
SAN LUIS OBISPO — A Cal Poly electrical engineering professor said his soon-to-be patented device could provide light to the more than 1.6 billion people living far off the grid.
The “Multiple Input Single Output DC-DC Converter with Equal Load Sharing on Multiple Inputs” — or MISO — makes it possible to combine the input of multiple low-power electricity sources into one stronger output source. It was developed by the professor, Taufik, and former student Owen Jong, who earned an electrical engineering bachelor’s degree in 2012.
Cal Poly Hosts UC Merced Upward Program for Cyber Training Day July 15
Jul 11, 2019
SAN LUIS OBISPO — Cal Poly’s California Cybersecurity Institute (CCI) will host 50 students from Sunnyside and Hoover high schools of Fresno, California, on Monday, July 15, for a cybersecurity training day through the UC Merced Center for Education Partnerships (CEP) Upward Bound Program.
During the cyber day, the students will gain exposure to team-building games, coding and computer science, and learn how cybersecurity can impact their futures. The day will conclude with an immersive, cyber medical challenge in the CCI’s digital range.