Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering News

Noise-Canceling Project Funding for Andrew Barnard

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Andrew Barnard
Andrew Barnard

Andrew Barnard (MEEM/GLRC) is the principal investigator on a project that has received a $200,000 research and development grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF). The project is titled “PFI-TT: Using nanotechnology to create a proof-of-concept prototype for noise-canceling in building ventilation systems.”

The is a one-and-a-half-year project.

By Sponsored Programs Office.

Extract

Ventilation noise in hospitals is detrimental to patient recovery, in schools is detrimental to student learning outcomes, and in communities is detrimental to restful sleep leading to increased stress.

The proposed project will develop a prototype for a coaxial active noise cancelation device in ventilation ducts using carbon nanotube (CNT) thermophones.

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Nancy Barr Presents at IEEE ProComm

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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.

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Brad King on Space Tech and Space Law

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L. Brad King
L. Brad King

Reliable estimates indicate that within the next 5-7 years, the inhabitants of the Earth will launch more satellites into space than have been launched in the history of our planet up until now.

The current system in place involves getting permission from the FCC, which is strange because when you think “satellites” I highly doubt that the FCC comes to top-of-mind as the appropriate expert agency.

The problem is that the FCC now becomes the gatekeeper for all things related to satellites, extending to many checkboxes that have nothing to do with radio frequencies.

An interesting alternative exists: a company can try to export their satellite to another country and try their hand in that country’s space permitting process.

In any case, we are in dire need of a forward-thinking approach to space policy and regulation that includes and goes beyond just Earth-orbiting satellites.

Read the full story at TechCrunch, by L. Brad King.

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Faraday Future Internship for Sai Rajeev Davaragudi

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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.

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Nancy Barr on Reflective Essays by Undergraduates

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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.

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Dennis Martin ’98 Leads Sales and Marketing for Enstrom Helicopter

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Enstrom employees in front of a helicopterMichigan Tech alumnus Dennis Martin ’98, has taken over leadership of the Sales and Marketing Department of Enstrom Helicopter Corporation, of Menominee.

The story was reported in Airframer, Vertical, Aviationpros and WLUC TV6.

New leadership for Enstrom Helicopter Corp

Tracy Biegler, CEO & President of Enstrom Helicopter Corporation is announcing that he is stepping down from his position at Enstrom in order to pursue other opportunities. Biegler will be replaced by Matthew Francour, who will be taking the position of Interim CEO & President while a replacement is sought.

In addition, Dennis Martin has taken over leadership of the Sales & Marketing department. Martin graduated from Michigan Tech University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. After working in the auto industry, and in retail, he joined Enstrom in 2007 as a salesperson for the company. At Enstrom he worked various positions in the Sales & Engineering departments before being elevated to the Sales Manager in 2015. Martin is a commercial fixed wing pilot and a rotary wing pilot, as well as an FAA licensed A&P Mechanic.

Read more at WLUC TV6.

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Brad King on Democratizing Space Science

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Orbion Space Technology showing a hand held instrumentAt a time, space technology, satellites, used to be concentrated among the developed nations and some rich corporations. But in recent times space has become more democratized due to the exploration in this area by new age companies like Orbion Space Technology, Virgin Galactic, SpaceX and some other players.

“Within a few years, we will witness a number of competitive rocket companies vying to attract customers who want to launch their data collecting platforms into orbit”, says Lyon Brad King is CEO and Co-founder of Orbion Space Technology and the Ron and Elaine Starr Professor in Space Systems. “This type of true market competition has never happened in space tech until now.”

Read the interview at TechGenYZ.

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Jacob Hubert Interns at NASA

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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.

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