Where a Clean Energy Future Meets the Brain Economy

On October 9, 2026, the Semel HCI Center teamed up with the Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science to co-host The Hydrogen Frontier: Engineering a Clean Energy Future. The event gave students and community members an up-close look at how cutting-edge hydrogen technology is shaping the next generation of clean energy, and the impact these engineering breakthroughs have on human and planetary health.

Clean energy isn’t just an engineering feat; it’s a vital public health achievement. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions directly protects our bodies and our minds. It is a crucial component in the work the Center is engaged in with the Semel Institute on the Brain Health Innovation Initiative. From lowering transportation emissions to reimagining farm equipment which can power a more sustainable food system, clean hydrogen offers a path toward a healthier, more resilient future for humans and Mother Earth.

The afternoon kicked off in Mong Auditorium with presentations, a panel and a Q&A session featuring speakers from Bruin Racing, Chem-E, Mote, JCB, the Samueli School, and the UCLA Anderson School of Management. Panelists shared how these engines are built, unpacked the potential of hydrogen as the fuel of the future, and illustrated the full continuum of innovation, from student-led research to industry-scale technology. Afterward, attendees moved outdoors to the Court of Sciences for an interactive vehicle showcase. Participants took turns sitting in the cockpit of JCB’s world-record-breaking Hydromax racecar (which recently clocked a speed of 406.32 mph), explored a hydrogen-powered JCB excavator, and cheered as Bruin Racing’s Baja car took a spin around the courtyard. It was an inspiring afternoon bridging complex engineering with core human values. Thank you to our partners, speakers, and everyone who joined us.