Assistant Professor R. Andrew Swartz (CEE) has received $149,550 from the National Science Foundation for “Collaborative Research: Integrated Wind Turbine Blade and Tower Health Monitoring and Failure Prognosis.”
Professor Brad King (ME-EM) has received $10,000 from the University of Michigan, Michigan Space Grant Consortium, for a project, “CubeSat.”
Professor Noel Urban (CEE) has received $55,560 from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality for “Inventory of Mining Impacted Streams in the Coastal Zone of the Keweenaw.”
From the Center for Water & Society World Water Day, First Place Award Original Research $250: Marcel Dijkstra, Advisor: Marty Auer, Topic of research: “Predicting Ecosystem Changes in Lake Superior Insights Regarding Thermal Structure and the Spring Algal Bloom”
Center for Water & Society World Water Day Third Place Award $100 Coursework/Informational, to Stephanie Tulk for her project: “Management of Hydrological Systems near Alpine Glaciers”
Joan Chadde attended the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) national convention in Indianapolis, for the national book launch of the Family Engineering Activity and Event Planning Guide. More than 15,000 classroom teachers, school adminstrators, curriculum specialists, and nonformal educators at museums and other venues, attend this conference, as well as, science and STEM educators from around the world.
The Center for Technology and Training (CTT), a part of the Michigan Tech Transportation Institute (MTTI), hosted the Michigan Bridge Workshop and Conference in Howell, March 20 and 21.
The conference brought together more than 160 engineers and engineering technicians from Michigan County Road Commissions, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), the Federal Highway Administration, and private firms to learn about bridge design, construction, inspection, funding, and administrative issues related to bridges and new bridge technology.
As part of World Water Day, Professor Alex Mayer (CEE) was recognized for his initiative and dedication in cofounding and leading the Michigan Tech Center for Water and Society (MT-CWS).
Mayer, who received a certificate and a stained glass scene of Lake Superior, cofounded the CWS in 2005. The organization’s mission is to enhance the ability and visibility of Michigan Tech to solve water-related problems of local, regional, and international interest.
Mayer stepped down in August of 2011. “I had a great time for six years,” he said. “I have worked with so many remarkable people who have contributed to the success of the center, but I felt it was time for some new blood and to bring in people with exciting and new ideas.”
Professor Noel Urban (CEE) succeeds Mayer.
Graduate student Kenny Ng (CEE) and Assistant Professsor Qingli Dai (CEE) published a paper, “Tailored Extended Finite-Element Model for Predicting Crack Propagation and Fracture Properties within Idealized and Digital Cementitious Material Samples,” in the Journal of Engineering Mechanics, ASCE, 138 (1), 89-100.
Assistant Professor Qingli Dai (CEE), Associate Professor Theresa Ahlborn (CEE), a colleague, graduate student Kenny Ng (CEE) and graduate student Eric Kreiger (CEE) published a paper,”Damage Investigation of Single-Edge Notched Beam Tests with Normal Strength Concrete and Ultra High Performance Concrete Specimens Using Acoustic Emission Techniques,” in the journal of Construction and Building Materials, Elsevier, 31, 231-242.
The Center for Technology and Training (CTT), a part of the Michigan Tech Transportation Institute (MTTI), hosted the 46th annual Michigan County Engineer’s Workshop in Mount Pleasant, February 13–16.
More than 130 engineers, managers and engineering technicians from Michigan county road commissions, the Michigan Department of Transportation, the Federal Highway Administration and municipal road agencies across Michigan attended the conference to learn about new technology and issues impacting the design, construction and maintenance of local agency-owned roads.
John Ryynanen, editor and technical writer for the CTT, and Melanie Kueber, research engineer for CTT, planned the event with a committee of engineers from the County Road Association of Michigan, including event cochair and Michigan Tech alumnus Lance Malburg (CEE ’92) from the Dickenson County Road Commission.
Associate Professor Stan Vitton (CEE) and Director Tim Colling (CTT) made presentations at the event. Also presenting were Michigan Tech alumni: Brenda O’Brien ’84, MDOT; Brian Gutowski ’88, Emmett County Road Commission; Gerald Fulcher ’80, DEQ; Doug Needham ’95, MITA; and Bruce Kadzban ’77, MDOT. Receiving an award for 23 years of service on the steering committee for the Michigan Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) was Ronald Young ’73, Alcona County Road Commission.
Water is Life, the Winter Newsletter of the Lake Superior Binational Forum (LSBF), includes a feature on Professor Alex Mayer (CEE/GMES), winner of the LSBF 2011 Environmental Stewardship Adult Individual Award. See Superior Forum.