Category: Research

Greg Odegard leads $5 million Air Force Research Lab (AFRL) project

Professor Gregory Odegard, with his wealth of experience in guiding large multidisciplinary research teams, is preparing to undertake a promising new research project supported by AFRL. Greg Odegard’s team at Michigan Technological University will work with researchers at Florida State University, Columbia University, and Penn State to develop the next-generation of composite materials for hypersonic aerospace vehicles. These composites will have significantly improved manufacturability and thermo-mechanical performance relative to state-of-the-art composites. The material development will be driven by multi-scale computational modeling.

Professor Gregory M. Odegard on the Michigan Technological University campus.

Greg Odegard is John O. Hallquist Endowed Chair in Computational Mechanics in the Department of Mechanical Engineering–Engineering Mechanics at Michigan Technological University. Before joining Michigan Tech in 2004, Odegard was a researcher at NASA Langley Research Center (2000-2004). He has garnered multiple accolades throughout his career, including the Ralph R. Teetor Educational Award (2011), the Ferdinand P. Beer and E. Russell Johnston Jr. Outstanding New Mechanics Educator Award (2008), and the Michigan Tech Outstanding Graduate Mentor Award (2008). In April 2023, Odegard received the prestigious NASA Outstanding Public Leadership Medal, recognizing the impact of his notable leadership accomplishments on the NASA Mission.

Odegard has authored or co-authored over sixty technical journal articles and four book chapters, and has been involved in over one hundred conference presentations. According to Google Scholar, his publications have been cited over 4,000 times in the technical literature. His research has been funded by NASA, the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, Mayo Clinic, Southwestern Energy, General Motors, REL, and Titan Tires. As a PI and co-PI, he has been involved in externally funded research projects totaling over $21 million.

Naber and Worm on Cold Temperature Effect on EVs

Jeff Naber and Jeremy Worm (both ME-EM/APSRC) were quoted by WLUC TV6 in a story about how cold temperatures affect the range of electric vehicles, or EVs. Both researchers work at Michigan Tech’s Advanced Power Research Center. Director Jeff Naber says EV batteries are effective until 0 degrees Fahrenheit.

“Below that temperature, you’re going to have to have the battery heat it somehow.”

Jeff Naber, director of Advanced Power Systems Research Center

Associate Director Jeremy Worm says the center is working with Baraga-based construction equipment manufacturer Pettibone to create a hybrid loader for moving large pipes and lumber.

The machine uses battery and diesel power to maintain its effectiveness in extreme conditions.

Naber and fellow colleagues direct the Advanced Internal Combustion Laboratories (AICE) at the University. His research interests are in IC engines and after-treatment and the development and application of advanced experimental techniques, signal processing technologies, theoretical models, and embedded control to characterize the thermo-physical processes.

Worm’s research interests include high-performance engines, alternative fuels, and hybrid electric vehicles.

Read more at WLUC TV6, by Justin Van’t Hof.

December 14, 2023: Global Composites Experts Webinar by Dr. Gregory M. Odegard

Photo of the Composites Design and Manufacturing HUB logo with photos of a scientist, airplane and astronaut in space. Lower left shows photo of Dr. Gregory Odegard, the featured webinar speaker.

Abstract:
Current state-of-the-art composite materials are not light/strong enough for crewed missions to Mars and beyond. Structural components of deep space vehicles require lighter/stronger materials for fuel efficiency. The NASA Space Technologies Research Institute (STRI) for Ultra- Strong Composites by Computational Design (US-COMP) is focused on developing a new generation of composites for this purpose. US-COMP is using computational simulation to drive the material design in an efficient manner. By developing new simulation tools, experimental methods, and databases of material information, US-COMP is playing a central role in the national Materials Genome Initiative (MGI). The ultimate goals of US-COMP are to design, fabricate, and test composite panels that meet NASA’s requirements; and to train students to enter the advanced composite materials workforce.

Bio:
Prof. Gregory Odegard is the John O. Hallquist Endowed Chair in Computational Mechanics in the Department of Mechanical Engineering – Engineering Mechanics at Michigan Tech. He is the Director of the NASA Institute for Ultra-Strong Composites by Computational Design, which
is focused on development the next generation of composites materials for manned deep- space missions. Before joining the faculty at Michigan Tech, Greg was a researcher at NASA Langley Research Center from 2000-2004. He received his PhD at the University of Denver in 2000. His research is focused on computational modeling of advanced material systems. He is the recipient of the NASA Outstanding Public Leadership Medal, is a Fellow of ASME, and an Associate Fellow of AIAA.

Tania Demonte Gonzalez receives Best Presentation Award at INORE’s 2023 European Symposium

Photo of Tania Demonte Gonzalez, who conducts research on wave energy converter nonlinear control.

Tania Demonte Gonzalez (PhD candidate, ME-EM) conducts research on wave energy converter nonlinear control and is part of the graduate student team using MTU Wave, the campus-based wave tank. She was awarded Michigan Tech’s Topping Teaching Fellowship in the Fall of 2022 and is a remote intern at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Colorado.

Tania recently attended the International Network on Offshore Renewable Energy’s (INORE) 2023 European Symposium, a five-day meeting for researchers specializing in offshore renewable energy. The symposium provides many opportunities for early-stage researchers to come together, learn from one another, and establish new relationships that can greatly benefit their research and career journeys.


As part of the attendee research presentations, Tania gave a talk on “Time-Varying Hydrodynamic Modeling of a Variable Geometry Oscillating Surge Wave Energy Converter” and received one of two Best Presentation Awards. The presentation was a collaboration with NREL’s Dr. Nathan Tom and discussed the methods used to find a time-varying model for variable geometry surge wave energy converters. More details will be available in an upcoming publication.

Congratulations on this achievement, Tania.

Paul van Susante Named to Lou and Herbert Wacker Professorship in Mechanical Engineering

Paul van Susante (ME-EM) recently accepted an endowed appointment as the Lou and Herbert Wacker Professor in Mechanical Engineering. Van Susante joined Michigan Tech in 2012 as a lecturer (a role now called assistant teaching professor) before accepting an appointment as an assistant professor. Not only does Dr. van Susante meet or exceed all the criteria for this professorship, he also has a vested interest in teaching.

This endowed position was established to retain and attract high-quality faculty who are at the top of their profession, can excite students to think beyond classroom material, and who can effectively integrate their research into the classroom.

Involving students in his research is vital to van Susante. He’s been recognized in the Dean’s Teaching Showcase and as one of the Department of Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics’ (ME-EM’s) Teacher of the Year finalists four times. Paul is also the faculty advisor for the Multiplanetary Innovation Enterprise (MINE) team, solving challenges in the mining industry.

In addition to obtaining over $3 million in funding as a principal investigator, Dr. van Susante leads Michigan Tech’s Planetary Surface Technology Development Lab (PSTDL) team. The lab, also known as HuskyWorks, includes several students who advanced to the final round of NASA’s Watts on the Moon Challenge in both 2022 and 2023. As part of these competitions, researchers from NASA and other robotics companies travel to Michigan Tech to meet with van Susante and his team.

Other projects include:

  • NASA Lunar Surface Technology Research (LuSTR 2020)
  • NASA Breakthrough Innovative and Game-changing (BIG) Idea Challenge 2020: “Tethered permanently shaded Region Explorer (T-REX)” –power and communication delivery into PSR
  • NASA Break the Ice Challenge – the latest centennial challenge from NASA designed to develop technologies aiding in the sustained presence on the Moon
  • NASA ESI (Early Stage Innovation) to excavate rock gypsum for water production on Mars
  • NASA GCD MRE – Molten Regolith Electrolysis, or MRE, uses an electric current in a reactor to separate oxygen from lunar dust, also known as regolith. The scope of the project is to provide a regolith feeder and transportation system for the MRE reactor. Research into regolith properties, here on Earth, and in extreme environments like lunar gravity and vacuum are being conducted. Results from these experiments will be vital in choosing and developing these feeder and transportation technologies.
  • HOPLITE (Heavy Onboard Platform for Lunar ISRU and Terrain Excavation) is a modular robotic system built at Michigan Tech that enables the field testing of IDSRU technologies. Many payloads are currently being designed and implemented for lunar applications and there is a need for accurate, reliable, and safe mobility of these payloads during filed testing. Using a large sensor array, fine tuned control and autonomy, HOPLITE is designed to provide a solution to this need.

The success in his research has translated to van Susante publishing 82 papers while at Michigan Tech and giving 37 invited talks. He is currently an associate editor for In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) and the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Journal of Aerospace Engineering.

(reprinted from October 25, 2023 Tech Today.)

Research Opportunity in Applied Computational Fluids: Vortex Genesis in Uranus’s and Neptune’s Atmospheres

Composite of three images of the surface of Nepture, with one feature boxed.
Figure 1: left: Neptune’s Dark Vortices GDS-89 and DS-2, Voyager-2 Flyby 1989. right: Uranus Dark Spot 2006. bottom: Neptune Dark Spot 2018.

Summary of Project – POSITION CLOSED

Dr. Shawn Brueshaber (ME-EM) is seeking applications for 1 PhD student interested in researching the fluid dynamics of Uranus’s and Neptune’s atmospheres starting as early as Spring 2024 if the right candidate is found. Uranus and Neptune, the ‘Ice-Giants,’ are the least explored planets of our Solar System yet thought to be one of the most common types of planets in the Galaxy. The National Academies has recently identified Uranus as the highest priority destination for a new “flagship” class spacecraft mission. Atmospheric science will undoubtedly be a major component of such a mission. The atmospheres of the Ice Giants are quite unlike those of Earth and similar ‘terrestrial’ planets (Venus, Mars, and the moon, Titan), and also unlike those of its larger cousins, the Gas-Giants (Jupiter and Saturn). Uranus, and especially Neptune, occasionally form large dark vortices (Fig.1) but what causes them is unknown.

The successful candidate will dive ‘under the hood’ to modify and use the EPIC General Circulation Model (a type of computational fluid code; Dowling et al. 1998) to determine how dark anticyclonic vortices are formed. This NASA funded project seeks to test the hypothesis that deep moist convection (e.g., thunderstorms) is the primary mechanism that forms these enigmatic vortices. An alternative hypothesis is that a non-convective hydrodynamic instability is responsible. Dr. Brueshaber has funding available to support the PhD student for a minimum of three years.

Your Qualifications

  • A strong interest in fluid mechanics and meteorology. A strong interest in planetary science is a plus.
  • Coursework in fluid mechanics, atmospheric dynamics, or similar. Coursework in computational fluid dynamics (previously, or planned).
  • Good programming skills (e.g., Python and/or Matlab, C is a strong plus). Experience with Linux commands are a plus.
  • A willingness to learn, modify, and apply a General Circulation Model (GCM).
  • Good written and verbal communication skills.
  • A Masters of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Atmospheric Science, Physics, or other closely-related field. Graduate standing in any of the above disciplines will be considered.
  • Strong oral and written communication skills.
  • US Citizenship is NOT a requirement.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should send their CV (2 pages max) and a cover letter explaining how the candidate’s qualifications match to the research project description to srbruesh@mtu.edu.

This position is closed.

Cross-disciplinary Research Team and Carbon Nanotube Forests

Two carbon nanotube substrates with a nanotube zoom and a sterilization step.
Detail from a schematic illustration of the process from CNT forest growth to cell seeding.

A cross-disciplinary research team of MTU undergraduate students, graduate students and professors are co-authors of an article published in the Journal of Materials Research.

The article, titled “Conductive 3D nano-biohybrid systems based on densified carbon nanotube forests and living cells,” appears in the journal’s Early Career Scholars in Materials Science issue, 2024.

The research team worked with carbon nanotube (CNT) “forests,” groupings of carbon nanotubes on which conductive biohybrid (cell-material) systems can be developed. Working with fibroblasts or cardiomyocytes, the researchers integrated the cell cultures with the CNT forests coated with gelatin. The novelty of the work lies in the use of the 3D structure of CNT forests as the main part of the scaffold and the development of a conductive, porous, and 3D cardiac scaffold with high cytocompatibility. The results show that the scaffold could be used in applications ranging from organ-on-a-chip systems to muscle actuators.

Congratulations to the research team:

Bagheri, R., Ball, A.K., Kasraie, M. et al. Conductive 3D nano-biohybrid systems based on densified carbon nanotube forests and living cells. Journal of Materials Research (2023). https://doi.org/10.1557/s43578-023-01163-x

The original article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Jeff Naber Receives 2023 ASME Internal Combustion Engine Award


Jeffrey D. Naber is the 2023 recipient of the prestigious Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) Award, presented annually by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME).

Naber is the Department of Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics’ (ME-EM’s) Richard and Elizabeth Henes Professor in Energy Systems and director of the Advanced Power Systems Research Center (APSRC/APS Labs) at Michigan Technological University. He was honored with the award at the ASME’s 2023 ICE Forward Conference, held Oct. 8-11 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

The ASME ICE Award recognizes eminent achievement or distinguished contribution over a substantial period of time, which may result from research, innovation or education in advancing the art of engineering in the field of internal combustion engines; or in directing the efforts and accomplishments of those engaged in engineering practice in the design, development, application and operation of internal combustion engines.

Naber, the recipient of Michigan Tech’s 2022 Research Award, was nominated for ASME ICE Award recognition by Seong-Young Lee (ME-EM).

By Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics.

New Faculty Spotlight: Shawn Brueshaber

Shawn Brueshaber comes to Michigan Tech from Western Michigan University, where he earned his MS and PhD in Mechanical Engineering. He earned his BS in Aerospace Engineering at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida. After graduating, he spent several years in industry, eventually earning his Master’s degree while working full time. His research at Western focused on the polar atmospheric dynamics of the giant planets—Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. And that’s just for starters. Welcome, Dr. Brueshaber!

What drew you to Michigan Tech?

I like the climate—cool and snowy.  Seriously, I applied to multiple universities and when I interviewed here, I found it to be a good fit.  

What is your primary area of research and what led you to it?

I’ve always had an interest in weather and planetary science. Once I discovered I could combine them with my formal education of mechanical and aerospace engineering to conduct research, I was off and running!

My primary area of research is basically figuring out how weather works on other planets. 

Dr. Shawn Brueshaber

Can you share a little more about your research and what you like about it?

At first glance, atmospheric planetary science doesn’t seem to hold a lot of everyday, practical problem-solving here on Earth, which is what many engineering students tend to do.  However, because our understanding of weather and climate is a subset of fluid dynamics, and, in turn, is a huge area of physics that is still not fully understood, atmospheric planetary science provides another rich field of science that may eventually lead to a more complete understanding of fluid mechanics. 

My ultimate goal is to develop a comprehensive theory of weather and climate applicable to all planetary bodies with an atmosphere. Perhaps along the way, we will gain a better understanding of turbulence, which can help with generating sustainable fusion power production.

What do you consider an important long-term goal for your research, teaching, or outreach?

I am working towards developing a deeper understanding of how planetary atmospheres work.  I intend to do this by continuing my current research plans, as well as conducting new research focusing on clouds and precipitation in the Keweenaw Peninsula. 

I have some nascent research ideas applicable to biological sciences, too. Through all this, I want to create industry- and graduate school-ready engineers with a love of learning and appreciation for the natural world–and how we can move humanity forward in a more sustainable and compassionate path to the future.

What do you hope to accomplish, as an educator and as a researcher, over the next few years?

The Flammarion engraving is a wood engraving by an unknown artist that first appeared in Camille Flammarion’s L’atmosphère: météorologie populaire (1888).

I want to set up a more comprehensive suite of meteorology instrumentation for the Keweenaw area, while continuing my current research inquiries on the giant planets. Additionally, I have a strong interest in branching into researching meteorology on Saturn’s giant moon, Titan.  

As for education, I want to develop a new course that teaches engineering students the basics of planetary science, for those that wish to work in the space industry. Understanding why scientists impose a set of instrument requirements for engineers to figure out is an important component in making more efficient and less expensive space exploration missions. In turn, we will get more science return per dollar. 

And, of course, I desire to improve my teaching abilities. I have taught on and off since 1995. I started out by teaching a graduate course (developing a fluids class from scratch), and then undergrad courses (Thermodynamics, Introduction to Mechanical Engineering, and Material Science), and Developmental Algebra. 

Where are you from? What do you like to do in your spare time?

Originally, I’m from Maryland. I like hiking, cross-country skiing, SCUBA diving, backpacking, and running (although I need to start from scratch again). Also reading—history and science fiction—and gaming (both computer and board games).  I enjoy astronomy, cooking, and spending time serving my three cats.

What’s your favorite book, movie, or piece of art?

That is a very difficult question. How can one have only ONE favorite book, movie, or piece of art?  ;-). I’ll answer by saying one of my favorite recently-read books was “Sleepwalkers, How Europe went to War in 1914,” by Christopher Clark.  This book goes into a deep analysis of the situation in Europe and the Near East in the late 19th century and how Europe’s leaders avoided a number of potential flashpoints into the 20th century, but infamously and not at all inevitability, stumbling into the catastrophe of World War I, the Great War. This war, perhaps every bit as the Second World War, shapes much of our geopolitics today. 

As for movies, I can’t really single out a favorite.  But I have been very pleased with the recent Star Trek TV series “Strange New Worlds.”  I’m also a big fan of The Expanse, Star Wars, and Battlestar Galactica. If it is science fiction, I’m going to pay attention.   

As for art, the Flammarion engraving is probably my favorite piece. It first intrigued me as a four-year old. I couldn’t stop looking at it and trying to understand it.

In September of 2022, I attended a planetary science conference in Granada, Spain.  I visited the Alhambra complex and fell in love with the architecture of the Nasrid dynasty, and in Cordoba, the Grand Mosque-Cathedral. The use of thin tall columns, arches, color, use of light, water features, and the elaborate application of geometric patterns on tile, and natural, and astronomical themes was breathtaking. 

“Be open to new ideas and new experiences. You get a finite number of orbits around the Sun so make the most of them.”

Dr. Shawn Brueshaber’s advice to incoming students

Any favorite spots on campus, in Houghton, or in the UP?

I’m new to the area so I don’t really have a truly  favorite place yet. However, on previous trips to the UP, I really enjoyed Munising and hope one day to hike part of the long trail above Pictured Rocks. 

Any advice for incoming students?

Learn to organize your day, week, and semester. Establish a healthy and energetic lifestyle, and engage in intellectual interests beyond your major.  I became a huge history buff in college and took several additional history courses as electives. I read many a book on ancient and military history and it has provided me with useful lessons and a sound understanding of how the world really works. If you are an engineering student, simply sticking to engineering courses is a severe detriment, both as a citizen and as an employee. So, find or rejuvenate your intellectual curiosity. Be open to new ideas and new experiences. You get a finite number of orbits around the Sun so make the most of them. 

A view from the hiking trail above the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore on Lake Superior. Photo by Richard Hurd, Flickr.

New Faculty Spotlight: Chad Walber

Dr. Chad Walber

Chad Walber recently joined the faculty as an Associate Teaching Professor. He earned a BS in Electrical Engineering and a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Michigan Tech, then went to work for PCB Piezotronics for several years as a technical support engineer. He returned to Michigan Tech in 2007 to earn an MS and PhD in Mechanical Engineering. After that, he returned to PCB, working as a research and development engineer for 12 years. He joined Michigan Tech as a Visiting Professor of Practice in January, before joining the ME-EM Department full time this fall.

“I like to tell people I have the Michigan Tech Grand Slam.”

Dr. Chad Walber

What drew you to Michigan Tech?

I’m originally from Wisconsin. I’ve loved the Houghton-Hancock area from the first moment I saw it, when I came up for a tour as a prospective undergrad. After living here and making some of the best friendships of my life during college, I knew I always wanted to end up back up here. To me, the Keweenaw is one of the most beautiful places in the world.

What is your primary area of research and what led you to it?

My background is in Dynamic Systems, Noise and Vibration, Acoustics, and specifically the test and measurement of those quantities. I was very interested in the Signal Processing aspect of all of this from my electrical engineering classes, and really dug into it more when I started to work for PCB. At PCB I helped develop not only new sensors, but new calibration methods for microphones and accelerometers. I am also very involved in microphone and accelerometer calibration standards through the IEC.

Can you share a little more about your research and what you like about it?

As a teaching professor, I’m not really focused on research. For my other professional activities though, I am involved in international standards with respect to microphones and accelerometers. I’ve helped develop both specification and calibration standards around microphones and sound level meters. I’m also involved in the sensors and instrumentation technical committee for the Society of Experimental Mechanics. This coming year at the International Modal Analysis Conference, I will also be teaching Modal Theory at the New/Young Engineer Workshop. 

When it comes to collaboration, I’m happy to help people with various measurement requirements. I’ve got a lot of experience in measurements of dynamics systems, but I’ve done a fair amount of destructive testing as well.

What do you consider an important long-term goal for your teaching, research, and outreach?

I’d like to get more people talking about Metrology. Part of almost every type of research that’s done here has a measurement component, but sometimes we don’t really think about how accurate our measurements really are, or if there might be a better way to measure that phenomena we look at. I worked a lot in calibrated dynamic transducers, and showing how different calibration methods can give you a slightly different answer as to the performance of the particular device.

“Ask for help on anything you have questions on. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, it’s the best way to learn something.”

Dr. Chad Walber’s advice for incoming students

What do you hope to accomplish over the next few years?

The Starry Night (1889) by Vincent Van Gogh

I’d like to get to know my students better and help them figure out how best they learn. I feel like when folks come to MTU, they don’t realize that they can and should adapt their learning processes. The way a student learned things in high school may not be the best way for them to learn things going forward. 

I also want to make them all more curious about the world around them. I want my students to be okay with questioning things as well as understanding that it’s alright to not know all of the answers the first time.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I’m very much a tinkerer, and I’ve gotten into 3-D printing, carpentry, programmable electronics, and photography. Astrophotography is a hobby of mine. I also enjoy board games, computer games, and LEGOs. If you come by the ME-EM Department front desk, and my office, you’ll see some of the models I’ve built. I also enjoy camping and all forms of outdoor cooking. Grilling, smoking, and open fire foods are high on my list of favorites.

What’s your favorite book, movie, or piece of art?

My favorite book is “The Martian,” by Andy Weir. My favorite movie is WALL-E. My favorite piece of artwork is The Starry Night by Vincent van Gogh. I just received the LEGO version of this painting today and will be putting it together in the coming week.

Any favorite spots on campus, in Houghton, or in the UP?

Anywhere along the Portage “canalside” is a great place to just sit and collect your thoughts. On campus I do enjoy the green space between the EERC and Rehki Hall. It’s a great place to relax in some shade, and enjoy the day.