Category: News

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

Leslie Kilgore ’95 Honored by SAE International

Leslie Kilgore and Rodica Baranescu
Leslie Kilgore (left) and Rodica Baranescu (right)

Michigan Tech Alumna Leslie Kilgore ’95, vice president for engineering for Thomas Built Buses, was honored with the Rodica Baranescu Award for Technical and Leadership Excellence by SAE International. The article “Thomas Built Buses VP Honored for Engineering Excellence” appeared in Schoolbusfleet.com.

Thomas Built Buses VP Honored for Engineering Excellence

Thomas Built Buses executive was recognized on Tuesday for her leadership and her technical contributions to the automotive industry.

Leslie Kilgore, vice president of engineering for Thomas Built Buses, was honored with the prestigious Rodica Baranescu Award for Technical and Leadership Excellence in Automotive Engineering by SAE International (formerly the Society of Automotive Engineers). The award honors and celebrates the successes of women in the engineering profession and their contributions as leaders and technicians in commercial engineering.

Kilgore holds a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from Michigan Technological University, a Master of Science in mechanical engineering from Purdue University – West Lafayette, and a Global Business certificate from Thunderbird School of Global Management.

Read more at Schoolbusfleet.com.

Kimberly Foster ’94 is a New Dean at Tulane

Kimberly Foster
Kimberly Foster

The naming of Michigan Tech Alumna Kimberly Foster ’94, as the new dean of Tulane University’s School of Science and Engineering was covered by several media outlets including the Times-Picayune and New Orleans City Business.

Tulane hires new dean for School of Science and Engineering

Tulane University has hired Kimberly Foster, a mechanical engineering professor from the University of California at Santa Barbara, as the new dean of the School of Science and Engineering. A university news release stated her first day is August 1.

Foster has been a part of the UCSB faculty since 1999, according to Tulane. She has a Ph.D. in theoretical and applied mechanics from Cornell University, as well as a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Michigan Technological University. She said in a released statement that she “knew Tulane was special” from the moment she set foot on campus.

Read more at the Times-Picayune, by Wilborn P. Nobles III.

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

TARDEC Contract for Engines and Transmissions Modules

Jeremy Worm
Jeremy Worm

Jeremy Worm (MEEM/APSRC) is the principal investigator on a project that has received a $23,945 contract from the US Department of Defense, Army, Tank Automotive Research Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC).

Chris Morgan (MEEM) and Darrell Robinette (MEEM) are co-PIs on the project “Delivery of Hands-on Professional Development Modules in Engines & Transmissions.” This is a five-month project.

2017 Best Paper Award of ASCE Journal of Aerospace Engineering Goes to Michigan Tech Collaborators

Fernando Ponta
Fernando Ponta

Xiao Sun (CEE, research assistant), Qingli Dai (CEE), Muraleekrishnan Menon (MEEM, research assistant) and Fernando Ponta (MEEM) co-authored “Design and Simulation of Active External Trailing-edge Flaps for Wind Turbine Blades on Load Reduction.”

The paper received the 2017 Journal of Aerospace Engineering Best Paper Award. An award banquet will take place at the 2018 Earth and Space Conference on April 9-12 in Cleveland.

https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)AS.1943-5525.0000771

Chuck Van Karsen Receives the D. J. Demichele Award

Charles Van Karsen at the podium receiving the award.
Charles Van Karsen at the podium receiving the award at the SEM IMAC XXXVI Conference, February 12-15, 2018 at Orlando, FL.

Charles D. Van Karsen is a recipient of the D. J. Demichele Award from the Society for Experimental Mechanics. Van Karsen has been a member of the Michigan Tech Department of Mechanical Engineering – Engineering Mechanics since August 1987. Prior to this he had a twelve year career as a practicing engineer in the Machine Tool, Automotive, and Software industries. He specializes in Experimental Vibro-Acoustics, NVH, and Structural Dynamics. His research efforts have concentrated on experimental noise and vibration methods related to automotive systems and subsystems, large home appliances, machine tools, and off-highway equipment.

This award, established in 1990 in honor of Dominick J. DeMichele (1916-2000), recognizes an individual who has demonstrated “exemplary service and support of promoting the science and educational aspects of modal analysis technology.” This award is presented annually at the International Modal Analysis Conference.

Read more at the Society for Experimental Mechanics.

Andrew Barnard is a Distinguished Teaching Award Finalist for 2018

Andrew Barnard
Andrew Barnard

The William G. Jackson Center for Teaching and Learning seeks input for its annual Distinguished Teaching Awards, which recognize outstanding contributions to the instructional mission of the University.

Based on more than 50,000 student rating of instruction responses, 12 finalists have been identified for the 2018 awards. The selection committee is soliciting comments from students, staff, faculty and alumni to aid in its deliberation process.

Among the finalists in the Assistant Professor / Lecturer / Professor of Practice Category is Andrew Barnard.

Comments on the nominees are due by Monday, March 26, and can be completed online. The process for determining the Distinguished Teaching Award recipients from this list of finalists also involves the additional surveying of their spring classes.

The selection committee makes the final determination of the award recipients. The 2018 Distinguished Teaching Awards will be formally announced in May.

For more information, email Nancy Seely or call 7-1896.

Solar Powered Scooter by Alumnus Brett Belan

Brett Cameron Belan
Brett Cameron Belan

Ashland (Wisconsin) Daily Tidings reported on a solar-powered scooter built by mechanical engineering alumnus Brett Belan.

Sun powers Ashland man’s scooter

It’s a small, standup scooter with a can’t-be-missed 100-watt solar panel bolted to its handle bars. It has a battery but you don’t plug it in. The energy comes directly from the sun and will briefly store in the scooter’s battery.

It’s called the solarolla. Inventor and inveterate tinkerer Brett Cameron Belan put it together in his Ashland shop in a couple weeks, using a drill, chopsaw and a bag of bolts, quickly realizing that it’s unique for one-simple reason: You carry the charging system with you.

Belan, who previously built a large solar panel atop his Volkswagen bus, is a graduate of Michigan Tech, a public research university, where he got his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in 1997. He went on to work for Ford in Detroit and Jaguar in England.

Read more at Ashland Daily Tidings, by Andy Atkinson.