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Design for Reliability - A Course for Industry Professionals

Reliability is a fundamental pillar of engineering that transcends mere functionality; it is the promise of consistent performance, safety, and trust over a product's entire lifecycle. From preventing catastrophic failures in aircraft and medical devices to ensuring the daily dependability of a car or smartphone, reliability has a direct impact on user safety, brand reputation, financial viability, and environmental sustainability. This class on reliability provides a systematic methodology for building quality in from the start, moving beyond simply fixing failures when they occur.

The course is open to industry professionals (as Advanced Special Students) to attend in person or online.

Contact Dr. Diganta Das if you have any questions regarding the admission and registration process.

January 2026 Webinar: Rapid Detection and Quantification of Microelectronic Degradation

Researchers at CALCE are developing new applications for a test method called side-channel power analysis. CALCE's work combines machine-learning-based data analytics with the advantages of side-channel analysis to enable the rapid testing of electronic products, including both components and assemblies. CALCE is pioneering cutting-edge research on this test method, which has great potential to quickly identify electronic products that deviate from acceptable quality and reliability standards. 

This webinar will explain the fundamental principles of side-channel power analysis and present the results of CALCE's research. Join us as we explore the full potential of this innovative test method and take advantage of the opportunity to learn about the latest developments in electronic testing.

Dr. Michael Azarian and Devon Richman

Tuesday, January 27, 2026
11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. US Eastern Time

Save the Date: Symposium on Counterfeit Parts and Materials : June 23-25, 2026

The Symposium on Counterfeit Parts and Materials is organized by SMTA in conjunction with the Center for Advanced Life Cycle Engineering (CALCE) at the University of Maryland, College Park, MD. The objective of the symposium is to raise awareness about the dangers and consequences of using counterfeit materials and to encourage the implementation of measures to prevent and mitigate the spread of counterfeit parts.

Prof. Michael Pecht Recognized as a 2025 Highly Cited Researcher

Prof. Michael Pecht, Director of the Center for Advanced Life Cycle Engineering (CALCE) at the University of Maryland, has been named a Highly Cited Researcher for 2025 by Clarivate. This prestigious recognition highlights researchers whose work ranks in the top 1% by citations for their field and publication year in the Web of Science Core Collection over the past 11 years, reflecting exceptional influence and broad impact in their discipline. Prof. Pecht’s inclusion underscores his leadership in reliability engineering, prognostics, and life cycle management, with research that has advanced both academic and industrial practices worldwide.

Prof. Bongtae Han Delivers Invited Talk at International Semiconductor Event

Professor Bongtae Han of CALCE was invited as an international expert speaker to the 2025 Incheon Global Semiconductor Workshop held on November 25, 2025. At this high-profile event, organized by Inha University and supported by Incheon Metropolitan City, Professor Han delivered an invited talk titled “New Perspective on Advanced Thermoset-based Manufacturing Process: Can We Design the Process?”, shedding new light on the semiconductor manufacturing process based on thermosetting materials.

Intensive 4-Day Electronics Failure Analysis Course at CALCE

On November 18-21, 2025, CALCE hosted its highly anticipated annual four-day short course on failure analysis of electronics. This limited-enrollment course attracted professionals from prominent organizations in the aerospace, defense, and technology sectors in the U.S. and Europe. The course provided participants with interactive classroom lectures and hands-on training in understanding and resolving failures in electronic products.

Prof. Michael Pecht Explores Energy Storage Collaboration at Saudi University

Prof. Michael Pecht, Director of the Center for Advanced Life Cycle Engineering (CALCE) at the University of Maryland, was hosted by the Interdisciplinary Research Center for Sustainable Energy Systems (IRC-SES) at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM), Saudi Arabia. He was received by Dr. Atif AlZahrani, Director of IRC-SES, and met with Dr. Ali Al-Shaikhi, Vice President for Research & Innovation at KFUPM. Their discussions focused on advancements in reliability, including state-of-the-art testing of batteries and smart grid technologies.