Sue Hill is the Digital Content Manager for the College of Engineering.
Caryn Heldt (ChE) and her collaborators Christian Nwamba and Barbara Radecki from Wayne County Community College were awarded second place in the Best Paper Competition at the 2018 ASEE North Central Section Conference at the University of Akron on March 24. This work was based on Heldt’s NSF CAREER Educational Plan.
Heldt’s group presented “Environmental research to engage community college students.”
Extract: In order to better serve the students that desire a four-year degree and to increase their knowledge of job opportunities with different four-year degrees, a research project was created between a university and a community college. The community college students take weekly water samples over the course of a summer project and test the water for biological and chemical components. This is the first time these students have been exposed to an open-ended laboratory without known results.
Lei Pan (ChE/ASISC) is the principal investigator on a project that has received a $15,000 research and development grant from the Environmental Protection Agency. The project is “Separation and Recovery of Battery Components.”
This is a one-year project.
By Sponsored Programs.
Several Michigan Tech faculty members will be on hand this week at a forum in Iron Mountain to discuss the future of the paper industry.
The Kraft Lignin Innovation Forum takes place Wednesday and Thursday (Oct. 11/12, 2017) at the Verso Quinnesec Mill, just outside of Iron Mountain. The event is coordinated by the Michigan Forest Biomaterials Institute (MIFBI). Mark Rudnicki (SFRES), executive director of MIFBI, says the forum intends to bring researchers and companies from across Michigan, and beyond, to learn first hand the availability and opportunities surrounding residual black liquor from Michigan’s largest pulp producer.
Among the Tech faculty presenting are Rebecca Ong (ChE), David Shonnard (ChE), Michael Mullins (ChE), Xingeng Xie (SFRES) and Wen Zhou (ChE).
For more information and for a complete schedule of the conference, visit here.
Assistant Professor of Chemical Engineering Rebecca G. Ong is named in a proposal for the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center. The center is one of four to receive part of the estimated $40 million in Department of Energy awards.
DOE SELECTS GREAT LAKES BIOENERGY RESEARCH CENTER FOR NEXT-PHASE FUNDING
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has selected the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center (GLBRC) for an additional five years of funding to develop sustainable alternatives to transportation fuels and products currently derived from petroleum. The past recipient of roughly $267 million in DOE funding, the GLBRC represents the largest federal grant ever awarded to UW–Madison.
Established by the Biological and Environmental Research program in DOE’s Office of Science in 2007, GLBRC is based at the University of Wisconsin–Madison’s Wisconsin Energy Institute and includes a major partnership with Michigan State University (MSU).
Read more at GLBRC News, by Krista Eastman.
Department of Energy Provides $40 Million for 4 DOE Bioenergy Research Centers
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Secretary of Energy Rick Perry today announced $40 million in Department of Energy awards for the establishment of four DOE Bioenergy Research Centers (BRCs), which will provide the scientific breakthroughs for a new generation of sustainable, cost-effective bioproducts and bioenergy.
The centers—each led by a DOE National Laboratory or a top university—are designed to lay the scientific groundwork for a new bio-based economy that promises to yield a range of important new products and fuels derived directly from nonfood biomass. Initial funding for the four centers will total $40 million for FY 2018, with plans for a total of five years of funding.
Michigan Tech’s Department of Chemical Engineering inducted four members into the Distinguished Academy of Chemical Engineering. All of this year’s inductees are alumni of Michigan Tech.
The 2017 Inductees are:
R. Dyche Anderson is a native of Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. He received is BSChE in from Michigan Tech in 1981, where he was active in such organizations as Alpha Phi Omega and the AIChE student chapter. In 1996, Dyche was hired by Ford Motor Company to work on electric vehicle batteries and in 2008, he moved into research, taking lead of the newly established research group for battery controls in Ford Research & Advanced Engineering. His present position is Technical Expert for Battery Controls & Safety. This role also involves significant consulting with product teams on battery controls, battery systems, and diagnostics. Dyche is the recipient of Ford’s highest technical award, the Henry Ford Technology Award, for the development of model-based battery controls.
Glenn F. Lawrence earned a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Michigan Technological University in 1975. While at Michigan Tech, he was an active member of both the band / Pep band. Returning home to NJ after graduation, he achieved his goal to work for Merck & Co., a major pharmaceutical company. He held many challenging positions with increasing responsibilities at Merck & Co. within manufacturing and chemical and biologics /vaccine process engineering. In the early 1990’s, Mr. Lawrence was selected to lead the process design of a very promising drug (CRIXIVAN®) for the AIDS epidemic. Mr. Lawrence has retired from Merck & Co. after 37 years of service and now is with a life science consulting firm, advising large and emerging pharmaceutical and biotechnology firms. Glenn continues to stay connected with Michigan Tech by serving on the Industry Advisory Board of Chemical Engineers and was recently inducted into the Distinguished Academy of Chemical Engineers.
Mark M. Mleziva has worked in various research and operations roles at Kimberly-Clark Corporation for 25+ years contributing towards K-C’s vision to lead the World in Essentials for a Better Life. Mark earned a Michigan Tech Chemical Engineering bachelor degree in 1992, attained a Certificate in Business Administration from University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh in 2005, and is an alumni of University of Cambridge Business and the Environment Program from 2008. Most recently as Senior Research Manager responsible for leading longer range Corporate Research & Engineering Environmental Sustainable Technology programs, innovative sustainability focused research solutions were explored, developed, and commercialized. Mark served as Chair of the Michigan Tech Chemical Engineering Department External Advisory Board, participated on Michigan Tech’s Sustainable Futures Institute External Advisory Board, and was named liaison promoting important ongoing Kimberly-Clark and Michigan Tech partnership activities.
Scott Moffatt attended Michigan Tech from 1986 to 1993 where he earned a B.S. in Chemical Engineering and a M.S. in Metallurgical Engineering. Scott began his career as a metallurgical engineer in Mining Chemicals Research and Development for American Cyanamid/Cytec Industries, which was acquired by Solvay in 2015. Over the course of his 24-year career he has held different positions within Mining Chemicals R&D, Sales, and currently manages the global Research and Innovation Applications Technology Group within the Industrial Minerals business. Scott has worked in a wide range of applications in mineral processing plants and in approximately 20 countries, including regions such as Australia, South America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia.
Ceremonies were held April 19, 2017, at the Miscowaubik Club in Calumet. Remarks were made by Komar Kawatra, Chair of the Department of Chemical Engineering, and Academy Member James Brozzo.
VIEW THE PHOTO GALLERY
Julia King (ChE) and Joshua Pearce (MSE/ECE) along with alumni, John Laureto (MSE) and Julie Tomasi (ChE) published Thermal properties of 3-D printed polylactic acid-metal composites in Progress in Additive Manufacturing.
DOI 10.1007/s40964-017-0019-x
Kimberly-Clark Communication Award
Mark Mleziva presented the award to Julia Zayan.
This award recognizes the winner of the Award for Excellence in Communication from the Department of Chemical Engineering for the academic year.
Dow Chemical Mariott W. Bredekamp Award
Dr. Julie King presented the award to Johnathan Coroneos, Dylan Johnsonj, Jeanette Kussow, and Magdaline Urben.
This award recognizes outstanding technical skills in the laboratory, outstanding teamwork and professionalism, effective oral and written communication, and strong adherence to process safety practices as recognized by your peers and supported by the faculty of the department. This award is in memory of Dr. Mariott W. Bredekamp.
UOP Davis W. Hubbard Plant Design Team Award
Mr. Chris Cosling presented the award to Caleb Korson, Whitney Niedzielski, Ryan Smith, and Guy Smith.
This award recognizes an outstanding team in Chemical Engineering Plant Design during the academic year. Also, this award recognizes technical ability, consideration of the safety and environmental aspects of process design, outstanding written and oral communication skills, and overall teamwork and professionalism. This is awarded in memory of Dr. David W. Hubbard.
Prevent Accidents with Safety (PAWS) Award
Dr. Julie King presented awards to Mary Kate Mitchell, Whitney Niedzielski, Austin Nyenhuis, Gregory Thelen, and Jason Saliga.
The Upper Peninsula Local Section of the American Chemistry Society invites you to the 2017 Student Research Symposium. This year’s research symposium will be held on Northern Michigan’s campus within the atrium of the New Science Facility on Saturday, March 25. The event starts at 9:30 a.m.
The purpose of the event is to provide a venue for students to present their research in chemistry, chemical engineering and related fields. This symposium is an excellent opportunity for students, faculty and the community at large to learn about the interesting research being conducted in the UP. More details can be found online.
You can also check out our Facebook page for more information.
All are welcome. There is no charge to attend. RSVP here.
By Robert Handler, Chemical Engineering.
The Society of Women Engineers highlighted the teaching and research efforts of Caryn Heldt (ChE) in their Winter 2017 issue of SWE Magazine.
RECOGNIZED FOR TEACHING AND RESEARCH
Caryn L. Heldt, Ph.D., associate professor of chemical engineering at Michigan Technological University, was named the recipient of the James and Lorna Mack Endowed Chair in Bioengineering. Her endowed chair is named for James Mack, a Michigan Tech alumnus and retired president and CEO of Cambex Corp., a developer of specialty chemicals. His company has successfully combined biology with engineering — especially in the rapidly emerging field of tissue engineering and cell therapy and the development of small molecule therapeutics.