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ME-EM
Alumni NewsBrief
December
2006
ME-EM NewsBrief, Vol. 2, No. 4, Dec. 2006
Greetings from William (Bill) W. Predebon, Chair, Department of Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics.
For the latest news and information about our faculty, students,and staff - please visit our web site news pages:: Department News -- Research News -- Alumni News -- Student News
Upcoming Events
7th Annual ME-EM Alumni Winter Carnival Hockey Social on Saturday, February 10th, MTU versus Denver (Winter Carnival), 5:07 PM start time in the MacInnes Skybox of the Student Development Complex (SDC). RSVPs are requested to Kathy at kagoulet@mtu.edu or 906-487-2911. Space is very limited, please RSVP early. See photos of a recent past Hockey Social
The ME-EM Department will be hosting an alumni reception in Orlando FL at the SEM-IMAC Conference. The tentative date is Wednesday, February 21st. For more information, please call Kathy at (906) 487-2551 or email at kagoulet@mtu.edu .
The Department of Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics and the Keweenaw Research Center at Michigan Technological University will host the 2007 SAE Clean Snowmobile Challenge (CSC) on March 19-24, 2007. Pictures and movie clips from last year's event can be seen at the MEEM Snowmobile Challenge page.
A MEEM Alumni Reception will be held at the 2007 SAE World Congress in Detroit, MI the week of April 15th. Tentatively to be held at Cobo Hall. The date is not yet finalized. For more information please call Kathy at (906) 487-2551 or email at kagoulet@mtu.edu
The Department of Mechanical Engineering - Engineering Mechanics 2006 Annual Report should be completed and in the mail by the end of February. If you do not receive one and would like one, please contact the office at (906) 487- 2551. See the previous reports
Past Events
More than 15,000 high school and middle school students from across Southeast Michigan packed Ford Field in Detroit Thursday November 2, 2007 to get exposed to the possibilities of a technology career at the YES! Expo, hosted by Michigan Tech in partnership with Innovation Emporium Inc. Special emphasis on the sold out event was placed on attracting under-represented groups, including students from greater Detroit.
The feature attraction was Bill Nye, the Science Guy, who amused and inspired the next generation of college-bound students. Nearly 100 companies, educational institutions and organizations were on hand to show these students careers in technology and sciences Department Chair, Dr. William Predebon was there to represent the ME-EM Department.
MEEM Department Chair Travel
When on travel for the Department, Dr. Predebon visits with alumni to get their feedback on our programs and their career and to give an update on the Department and University. Please let the Department know if you would be available for a visit when he is in your area. (906) 487-2911.
*Dr. Predebon will be traveling to the following cities this coming winter and spring:
Week of January 21, 2007 - Detroit, MI for a ME-EM Building for the Future, Endowing Excellence Committee meeting
Week of February 18, 2007 - Orlando, FL for the Society for Experimental Mechanics - IMAC Conference.
Week of March 11, 2007 - Dorado, Puerto Rico for the 2007 International Mechanical Engineering Education Conference
Week of April 15, 2007 - The SAE World Congress in Detroit, MI. The ME-EM Department will again be holding an alumni reception. More details will be available later.
Alumni Accomplishments & Awards
Michelle L. Boven (Stevens) (BSME'99) has received the 2006 Distinguished New Engineer Award from the Society of Women Engineers, Detroit Section. The award is presented to members who have shown great leadership through SWE and the industry. It recognizes past accomplishments as well as future potential in the field of engineering. Boven was also featured as a 2006 "New Faces of Engineering" winner in the SWE magazine. Michelle is a Dow Automotive Development Specialist.
University News/Awards
Legendary Michigan Tech basketball and tennis coach Verdie Cox passed away Nov. 22, in Oshkosh, Wis., after an eight-month battle with cancer.
Michigan Tech has become the first university in the state to endorse "25x'25-America's Energy Future," a grassroots initiative calling for increased reliance on clean, renewable energy sources. Michigan Tech research centers and programs that mesh with 25x'25 include the Biotechnology Research Center, the Ecosystems Science Center, the Sustainable Futures Institute and Wood-to-Wheels (W2W) Dr. John Sutherland (professor, MEEM) co-chairs the SFI . Drs. Carl Anderson (professor, MEEM), Jeffrey Naber, and John Beard (associate professors, MEEM) are the lead MEEM faculty working in conjunction with the Wood-to-Wheels program to improve the fuel economy and engine life of engines that use ethanol, biodiesel, and green diesel fuels. View the 25x'25 - America's Energy Future website
Michigan Tech has been ranked number seven among PC Magazine's 2007 Top 20 Wired Colleges according to PC Magazine and The Princeton Review. Michigan Tech, the only university in the state to make the list, was cited for involving undergraduates in information technology and system administration at the earliest stages of their careers. Lucky 7 Tech Story
Faculty/Staff Awards/Accomplishments
Dr. Jeffrey Allen, Assistant Professor (MEEM), has been named the Professor of the Month by the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity. The award was given because "extraordinary dedication to teaching helps your students realize the education they need to excel beyond graduation, and into their respective careers."
Dr. Carl Anderson has accepted a half time appointment as an Associate Dean in the College of Engineering with a focus on research. Dr. Anderson will continue as Associate Chair and Director of Graduate Studies on a half time basis also.
Dr. Jason R. Blough (MEEM faculty), Justin Keske, and Brandon Dilworth (MEEM Ph.D. students) had their article "Subjective Characterization of Snowmoble and ATV Vibration" featured in the November, 2006 Sound & Vibration magazine. The article can be viewed at http://www.sandv.com/home.htm then clicking on Current Issue and then on the 0611kesk.pdf link under Features.
Dr. Jason R. Blough has earned the 2007 SAE Ralph R. Teetor Educational Award. He will receive the award in Detroit in April 2007. The award recognizes excellence in engineering education, student mentoring, and research.
Dr. Abhijit Mukherjee, Assistant Professor (MEEM), and V. K. Khir have been awarded an ASME 2006 Best Paper Award in the Heat Transfer Division for their paper "Study of Lateral Merger of Vapor Bubbles During Nucleat Pool Boiling", Journal of Heat Transfer, Vol. 126, Dec. 2004, pp. 1023-1039.
Dr. William Shapton, Professor Emeriti, will be honored at the IMAC-XX Conference and Exposition on Structural Dynamics (February 19-22), Tuesday, February 20, 2006, in Orlando, FL. for his outstanding contributions to the field of modal analysis to both the IMAC conferences and the community.
Dr. John W. Sutherland has been appointed to serve on the ASME Research Committee on Sustainable Products and Processes.
Student Competitions and Team Awards
The Michigan Tech ASME Student Section representatives Daniel Vanderhoff (Section VP & junior), Daniel Michalski (ME sophomore), and Nick Dumler (Section President & senior) took first place at the ASME's Strategic Diversity Workshop. The title of their of entry was "Envisioning the Future of Engineering". For earning first place they were selected to present their paper at the ASME's International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition in Chicago, IL, on November 7, 2006. The ASME Student Section faculty advisor is Dr. Roshan D'Souza. Read the ASME article at http://www.asme.org/Communities/Diversity/Envisioning_Future.cfm
Michigan Tech's Challenge X Competition hybrid vehicle team attended an engine control training workshop sponsored by Mototron, a subsidiary of Mercury Marine in Oshkosh, WI to learn how to use computer controls and machinery to solve unique problems. Mototron recognized the need for advanced engine control training for the teams and agreed to host multiple workshops for them. According to Mototron Business Development Director Rich Swortzel there were "43 of the best students in our country who want to make a difference in solving energy problems." Michigan Tech students Ryan Solberg (ME), Jason Socha (ME Tech), David Daavettila (ME), Scott Sladek (ME Tech), and Anthony Gancer (ME) attended. Dr. John E. Beard is the Michigan Tech team's advisor. More information can be found on Challenge X at http://www.me.mtu.edu/advanced_motor_sports/challenge-x.html
The ME Senior Design Project titled "A Dynamic Test Stand" sponsored by Whirlpool Corporation earned first place in the International category at the Second International Student Capstone Design Fair at the Seoul National University of Technology (SNUT), Korea, in November 2006. The team members were Jeff Van Karsen, Karen Hauch, Brad Rush, Kelly Willett, and Richard Bellenbaum. Jeff Van Karsen and Dr. John Gershenson represented the team and department at the competition. Both met briefly with the Minister of Industry, Commerce and Energy and Jeff was interviewed for Korean television. The faculty advisor for the senior design project was Dr. Nels Christopherson.
The fair had 313 entries with 10 international universities invited form the U.S., Singapore, China, and Japan. Dr. Gershenson was asked to organize and select most of the U.S. entries and his role will expand at next year's competition. Dr. Peck Cho, who is on leave at SNUT, did much of the original liaison work for the event. This is the second straight year that a MEEM Senior Design team has been asked to exhibit at the Fair.
Please e-mail me at wwpredeb@mtu.edu with your feedback and suggestions on the NewsBrief.
William W. Predebon, Ph.D.
Professor and Chair
Department of Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics
Michigan Technological University
1400 Townsend Drive
Houghton, MI 49931-1295
Phone No.: 906-487-2551
Fax No.: 906-487-2822
E-mail: wwpredeb@mtu.edu
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