Federal Project Grant Award Summary

The National Science Foundation (NSF) Division of Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental, and Transport Systems awarded $269,822 to the University of Wisconsin-Madison on February 15, 2026, under the Engineering program (CFDA 47.041) to support a Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) project focused on advancing Bayesian optimization methods for expensive function evaluation under uncertainty. The primary deliverables include the development of novel algorithms that exploit known problem structures within the Bayesian framework to overcome computational efficiency barriers inherent in traditional black-box optimization approaches. These research products will advance the efficiency and practical applicability of machine learning-based optimization across multiple domains.

The funded research will produce applications of the developed optimization methodologies to three high-impact problems: identifying unknown mechanisms in cellular decision-making for biomanufacturing, discovering new sustainable and economical lithium-ion battery electrode materials, and enabling real-time energy minimization in industrial heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. Additionally, the project integrates educational components through the development of interactive workshops and educational materials, reflecting NSF's emphasis on combining research innovation with workforce development. The project extends through July 31, 2028, providing an approximately 2.5-year performance period for completion of research activities and educational deliverables.