Category: Students

ME-EM Students Excel at Global Forum

PACE Warren 2018 buildingMichigan Tech was well represented at the Partners for the Advancement of Collaborative Engineering Education (PACE) Global Annual Forum July 22-25, 2018, at the GM WarrentTech Center.

Five graduate students in mechanical engineering-engineering mechanics were a part of TEAM 3 which did well in competitions at the forum. The team took:

  • First place in Manufacturing Engineering
  • Second place in Product Engineering, and
  • Third place in Customer Insight.
  • The team also won the Siemens Award for Excellence in PLM.

The Michigan Tech grad students participating were; Manjo Balabadhruni, Karan Gundre, Aniket Jadhav, and Mayuresh Kange.

Nancy Barr Presents at IEEE ProComm

ProComm2018 logoNancy Barr, founding director of the ME-EM Engineering Communications Program, recently presented a paper titled, “‘Helpful,’ ‘Irritating,’ and ‘Smart,’: Student Perspectives on Teams in a Mechanical Engineering Program,” at the annual conference of the IEEE Professional Communication Society (IEEE ProComm2018) in Toronto, Ontario, on July 23-25, 2018.

The paper, co-authored by James P. DeClerck (ME-EM), highlighted three problems that commonly hinder undergraduate engineering teams and suggested possible solutions. Barr was also co-chair of the proceedings committee for the conference.

Faraday Future Internship for Sai Rajeev Davaragudi

Sai Rajeev Devaragudi
Sai Rajeev Devaragudi

“Once I got the telephone interview, it was all on me. I had to rely on my own capabilities to convert this opportunity into an offer,” says Sai Rajeev Davaragudi after landing a summer internship at Faraday Future in Los Angeles, California.

Sai Rajeev Devaragudi is a tenacious graduate student at Michigan Technological University studying mechanical engineering-engineering mechanics.

Read more at the Career Services blog.

Nancy Barr on Reflective Essays by Undergraduates

Nancy Barr
Nancy Barr

Nancy Barr (MEEM) presented at the International Writing Across the Curriculum Conference 2018 on the campus of Auburn University in Alabama, June 4-6. Her presentation, “Connecting the Dots: Engineering Students Connect Concepts via Reflective Essays,” focused on an effort to incorporate reflective portfolios into the undergraduate degree program. Barr is the founding director of the Engineering Communications Program in the Department of Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics.

The conference theme, “Making Connections,” emphasizes how writing across the curriculum fosters connections within and across institutions and programs, between people and positions, and among ideas and practices.

ONR Graduate Traineeship Award

Acoustic Propagation in the Arctic graphic from a related paperAndrew Barnard (MEEM/GLRC) is the principal investigator on a project that has received a $59,405 research and development grant from the Office of Naval Research.

The title of the project is “ONR Graduate Traineeship Award: Multi-Modal, Near-Shore, Ice-Covered Arctic Acoustic Propagation Measurements and Analysis.”

This is a one-year project.

By Sponsored Programs.

Related:

Acoustics in Arctic Ice Sheets

Jacob Hubert Interns at NASA

Senior Mechanical Engineering Student Jacob Hubert
Senior Mechanical Engineering Student Jacob Hubert

The title “Reverse Engineering and Simulation Intern” may sound confusing — or even impossible — but NASA intern Jacob Hubert proudly assumed that role in fall 2017 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The senior mechanical engineering student from Michigan Technological University put his classroom knowledge to the test when he began working with the Design Visualization Group. This team supports Ground Systems Development and Operations for NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS), which will boost the Orion spacecraft beyond low Earth orbit.

It was such an amazing opportunity to work with Kennedy Space Center’s Design Visualization team in the fall.Jacob Hubert

Jacob has clear plans for his future and credits his internship as the reason why. “I believe I have really found my calling after this internship and know what I want in a career,” he said. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and a minor in aerospace engineering from Michigan Technological University in Houghton, Michigan, Jacob plans to pursue a career involving 3D laser scanning and reverse engineering, just like his project at Kennedy.

Read more at NASA Intern Stories, by Leah Cheshler.

ME-EM Senior Recognition Banquet April 24, 2018

Banquet and Program

The ME-EM Senior Recognition Banquet and Order of the Engineer Program was held on April 24, 2018.

VIEW THE PHOTO GALLERY

Keynote Speaker

Jolyn Russell at the podium
Keynote Speaker Jolyn Russell

Jolyn L. Russell

Deputy Program Manager
Satellite Servicing Projects Division
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center
Greenbelt, MD

Jolyn Russell graduated from Michigan Tech with a BS degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1998. She received her MS degree in Engineering Science and Mechanics from Virginia Tech in 2000.

After receiving her MS degree she was selected for the 2- year Ford College Graduate Rotational Program. In 2003 she became a Brake Integration Engineer and the program management lead for the implementation of Roll Stability Control on the E350, completing it in a record 18 months from kick-off to production launch. In 2005 she become Roll Stability Control Algorithm Engineer and algorithm module expert responsible for code development, vehicle tuning and production approval of wheel lift detection logic on all worldwide platforms including Ford, Volvo, and Land Rover.

In 2007 she joined SAIC at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center as a Lead Mechanical Systems Engineer responsible for planning, mechanical operations, mechanism testing and issue resolution for the Geostationary Operational Environmental Weather Satellites (GOES O and GOES P). One of the projects involved the implementation a new filter design on the sun telescope. In 2010 she advanced to Lead Mechanical Systems Engineer for the DESDynl, which involved leading efforts to coordinate the design and Engineering Tech Unit build for the instrument during the pre-Phase portion of the program.

In 2011 she was the Senior Mechanical Engineer for the Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS) Free Flyer, responsible for development of requirements supporting the satellite procurement, including mechanical inputs for the Statement of Work, Systems Requirements Document, and launch services interface requirements document. In 2013 she was the Raven Mechanical Lead in which she led a team of mechanical engineers, designers, analysts and technicians to design, integrate, and test the Raven Tech Demo experiment from preliminary design through launch in 18 months.

Since 2015 she is the Deputy Robotics Program Manager, Satellite Servicing Projects Division, at Goddard Space Flight Center where she manages a multi-disciplined team of Mechanical, Electrical, System, and Software Engineers supporting multiple programs in the division, focused primarily on the Restore Lower Earth Orbit mission. This includes maintaining the robot systems schedule and budget, responsible for initial cost estimates and several million dollars of procurements for the flight robot.

WATCH THE KEYNOTE ADDRESS

Spring 2018 Outstanding Student Awards

Senior Capstone Design Team 14

Advisor Jaclyn Johnson

SCD Team 14, consisting of Carter Davis, Nathan Goering, Jesse Lassila, Benjamin Maat, Nick Monette and Jacob Pardy, has, as a whole, exhibited outstanding performance over the course of this project. The team has worked cohesively together to achieve the combined goal of creating a Trailed Agricultural Equipment Braking System. Team 14 has harnessed and leveraged each member’s unique strengths and areas of expertise, exhibiting impressive team dynamics, professionalism and respect. This includes the use of AMESIM modeling to validate the engineering feasibility of their design, extensive machining and manufacturing work for an effective prototype, and testing for validation. Many teams can deliver a successful prototype, however, few work as well together as Team 14 has over these two semesters, motivating each other to do better and be successful, with the end result being a superior team experience and a quality prototype which has significant potential for future success and implementation. Overall, this team has been successful due to their ability to use each individual’s skills to capacity, while exercising impressive team dynamics to meet their common final goal.

Senior Capstone Design Team 6

Advisor Fei Long

Kayla Buczkowski and Ryan Usimaki worked on Senior Capstone Design Team 6, which developed  the Next Generation Vehicle Entry/Exit Technology for Jeep. Kayla stands out for her excellent team management, customer communication as well as project planning skills. Team 6 has two student athletes with a lot of travelling throughout the academic year, which makes the team coordination and project planning very challenging. Kayla makes great efforts to keep the project moving forward with the contribution of all team members.  Ryan stands out for his excellent technical skills on both electronics and mechanics. Inspired by Ryan’s idea, team 6 decided to design a motion/gesture controlled vehicle door without a door handle, which is very innovative and challenging. Ryan takes the lead in the electronic system design and testing, and complete the prototype with the help of all other team members.

Enterprise Team Formula SAE

Advisor Jim De Clerck

Each one of the 12 graduating Formula SAE members has made significant contributions during their time on the team. Three members have made outstanding contributions:

Jayson Allison demonstrated outstanding skill and determination when he designed and machined the differential carrier and housing. Jayson continued to design and fabricate parts while he was on co-op.

Andrew Aerts outstandingly applied engineering skills from his classes to design, optimize, and fabricate two generations of differential brackets. Andrew’s latest innovative design uses cams to eliminate the need for a separate chain tensioner.

As the Chief Engineer, Conor Berndt has taken a personal responsibility to ensure that the car will be ready for competition in two weeks. Conor has worked tirelessly this year to define target performance requirements and work with team members to develop a car that meets these requirements.

TECAID Video Submission to 2018 NSF Showcase

TECAID Diversity Equity Inclusion tree graphicMichigan Tech through the Department of Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics is one of five universities selected to participate in the National Science Foundation (NSF) Diversity Training Program. The NSF program is called Transforming Engineering Culture to Advance Inclusion and Diversity (TECAID).

TECAID participants share their funded work as part of an online STEM for All Video Showcase. Short videos address access to high quality STEM experiences, innovative practices, partnerships, and research. TECAID’s program goal is to diversify mechanical engineering education, making it more inclusive of women and under-represented minorities.

Last year the program participants submitted “Transforming Engineering Culture to Advance Inclusion and Diversity (TECAID) Project Overview,” winning the Facilitator’s Choice Award for the 2017 NSF STEM for All Showcase: Research and Design for Impact.

WATCH THE 2017 VIDEO

For the 2018 NSF STEM for All Showcase: Transforming the Educational Landscape, the TECAID participants have submitted the follow-up video.

WATCH THE 2018 VIDEO

The 2018 showcase will take place May 14-21. Presentations are from projects that address STEM and CS learning and receive federal funding from NSF and other federal agencies.

Event visitors are encouraged to watch videos, post questions, and provide feedback to presenters during the week of May 14 – 21. Videos can be recognized as Facilitators’ Choice, Presenters’ Choice, and Public Choice. Visitors are encouraged to vote for their favorite videos to determine those recognized as Public Choice. It’s free to watch, discuss, and vote for videos.

PARTICIPATE

Related:

Free Webinar for Engineering Department Chairs, Faculty, and Change Leaders

Michigan Tech 1 of 5 Universities Chosen to Help Improve Diversity in Mechanical Engineering Education

A Conversation with Professor Greg Odegard on Diversity, Michigan Tech, and TECAID

Project-Based Learning Leading Diversity, ME-EM 2015-16 Annual Report

ME-EM Senior Recognition Banquet December 12, 2017

Banquet and Program

The ME-EM Senior Recognition Banquet and Order of the Engineer Program was held on December 12, 2017.

VIEW THE PHOTO GALLERY

Keynote Speaker

Denise Rizzo
Keynote Speaker Dr. Denise Rizzo

Dr. Denise M. Rizzo

The speaker was Dr. Denise M. Rizzo, Senior Research Mechanical Engineer, Powertrain Modeling & Simulation Team at US Army Tank Automotive Research, Development, and Engineering Center (TARDEC).  Rizzo is a 2014 alumna with a PhD in Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics.

WATCH THE KEYNOTE ADDRESS

Fall 2017 Outstanding Student Awards

Colette Boileau
William Endres and Colette Boileau

Colette Boileau

Colette Boileau has taken Formula SAE Business and Marketing to the next level. She has been diligent about processing orders and budget tracking. Colette was a key driver to improve the team’s approach to Cost and Business Presentations events at the annual competition. Because of her leadership, Michigan Tech FSAE has connected with sponsors, alumni, and fans through social media. Colette’s team published weekly Facebook posts featuring team member profiles; created promotional videos; and sent newsletters to team sponsors.

Brett Michaud
William Endres and Brett Michaud

Brett Michaud

Brett Michaud has been a Formula SAE member during the entire time he has been at Michigan Tech. Brett was almost always at the Formula shop where he worked on the cars, helped other members develop skills, and occasionally did some homework. Brett was the FSAE Chief Engineer last year and he led the team through a successful competition. Brett’s dedication and “can-do” attitude serve as a model for other team members.

Erica Jacobson
William Endres and Erica Jacobson

Erica Jacobson

Erica Jacobson SCD 58 – Ask any successful engineer what one quality is most important in an engineer and they will respond, “Persistence”. The ability to stay engaged when project difficulties arise and thoughtfully work through those difficulties until a solution is achieved will make you successful. Erica Jacobson exhibited that quality as she led SCD Team 58 in the design of An Inertia Measurement Device. Erica’s persistence helped Team 58 overcome many design challenges and setbacks. As a result they were able to deliver an excellent product to their sponsor.

Aaron Mead

Aaron Mead (Senior Design Team 65) has shown mature perseverance when faced with a project of scale larger than what is dealt with in the classroom. Besides having keen technical acuity, he has a precocious understanding of the broader impact of a design decision on their team’s project.  Buoyed by his proactive team members, he emerges as a strongly motivated individual with the ability to apply himself to key technical aspects of the project for their customer. He works well with members of his team and this has produced several moments of positive synergy in their design process.

Logan Sheffield
William Endres and Logan Sheffield

Logan Sheffield

Logan Sheffield (Senior Design Team 57) has been nominated for the outstanding student award because of his team leadership and perseverance. Logan has been an exceptional leader for team 57, making sure the team was on top of all tasks and keeping to the schedule. He also stepped up to make sure things were completed on time. He put in the extra effort to complete the controls and electrical in order to finish the project. He also was determined to design the best product he could and put the extra time and effort in designing additional features to improve the final product.

2018 Q1 Meeting of the APS LABS Advanced LD Engine Consortium

APS LABS logoThe 2018 1st Quarter meeting of the APS LABS Advanced Light Duty Engine Consortium was held last week at the BorgWarner Technical Center in Auburn Hills, Michigan. Ten Michigan Tech faculty, staff and students were in attendance. The consortium, led by APS LABS, and now in its second year, is focused on continuing to advance the state of the art in light duty combustion engines, increasing efficiency, performance and reducing emissions. Consortium members include GM, FCA, Ford and this years host, BorgWarner.

Related:

Tech Students, Research Expertise Impress Automakers