School of Engineering, University of Connecticut www.engr.uconn.edu Summer 2006

A Lesson in Fun for 140 Young Women see page 9

Also In this Issue: Wilson Chiu Receives ASME Bergles-Rohsenow Young Investigator Award see page 7

Engineering Goes to School: the Galileo Project see page 10

Engineering Faculty Garner NSF CAREER Awards see page 15

Photo courtesy of Cloe Poisson, The Hartford Courant Dean’s Welcome Erling Smith, Ph.D., P.E. Interim Dean, School of Engineering Professor, Civil & Environmental Engineering

uring the summer, a national search Dwas launched for a new permanent Dean for the School of Engineering. The search The Engineer of 2020 committee includes faculty, students, alumni and industry representatives, and will be assisted by a higher education executive n its groundbreaking 2004 report, Engineering Education to the New search firm, Korn/Ferry International. IThe Engineer of 2020: Visions of Century,* the National Academy of We anticipate that by this time next year, Engineering in the New Century,* Engineering recommended that the new dean will be installed. the National Academy of Engineering engineering programs endorse research Meanwhile, I have been appointed Interim noted that, to enhance the nation’s into engineering education as a valued and Dean to lead the School of Engineering during economic productivity and improve the rewarded activity for engineering this transition. During my 30 years on the quality of life worldwide, engineering faculty and develop new standards for UConn faculty, I have served more than 10 education in the United States must faculty qualifications; teach students years in administrative capacities, most anticipate and adapt to the dramatic how to be lifelong learners; introduce recently as Head of the Civil & Environmental changes of engineering practice expected interdisciplinary learning and explore Engineering (CEE) Department, but previously in the coming decades. Technologies the use of engineering case studies of as an Associate Dean for the School, and as developed by engineers have helped successes and failures as learning tools; Interim Head of CEE. I have served on several lengthen the human life span, enabled negotiate agreements with two-year university-wide committees and also served people to communicate nearly instanta- colleges for transfer of engineering credits nationally on the executive committee of neously anywhere on Earth, and created to four-year institutions; encourage the civil engineering department heads’ tremendous wealth and economic domestic students to earn advanced council elected as the North East regional growth. The report projects that the degrees; and foster greater public representative. next several decades will offer more technological literacy and understanding My primary area of technical expertise, opportunities for engineers, with exciting of engineering, and help to improve for more than two decades, has been on the possibilities expected from nanotechnol- science/math/engineering/technology progressive collapse of structural systems, ogy, information technology, and (SMET) education throughout the which I have been studying with National bioengineering. K-12 levels. Science Foundation funding. I have a passion The report’s authors envisioned vari- Industry, educators and researchers for both teaching and research—I enjoy ous scenarios, such as new breakthroughs must work together to adopt a new being in the classroom and working with my in biotechnology, natural disasters vision for the future that ensures graduate students. However, I also enjoy triggered by climate change, and global engineers are broadly and continually administration and leadership—strategic conflicts driven by an imbalance in educated, become leaders in the public planning, consensus-building, working with resources among nations, which could and private sectors, and represent all stakeholders and constituents, managing affect the world in 2020 in dramatic segments of society—and that they are resources, decision-making, and advocating— ways. By then, they concluded, engineers capable of acquiring new knowledge so I feel very fortunate to be called to these must be prepared to accommodate new quickly, adapting and engaging emerging responsibilities at this important juncture of social, economic, legal, and political problems, and informing public policy. the School’s history. constraints when planning projects. During this transition, as our profession In a companion report, Educating and educational institutions reflect upon the the Engineering of 2020: Adapting

Continued on page 4 *National Academies Press

2 FRONTIERS SUMMER 2006 IN THIS ISSUE

Dean’s Welcome 2

The Engineer of 2020 2

UConn Steel Bridge Team Captures Regional Crown 4 4

John DeWolf Named 2006 University Teaching Fellow 5

UNIVERSITY OF 5 CONNECTICUT Promotion & Tenure Decisions Advance Seven SCHOOL OF School Hosts Northeast Regional Science Bowl 6 ENGINEERING New Heads in Two Departments 7 Wilson Chiu Receives ASME 5 Interim Dean Bergles-Rohsenow Young Investigator Award 7 Erling Smith Friends Organize Lipsky Colloquium 6 Associate Deans to Honor 40+ Year Career 8 A.F.M. Anwar, Research and Graduate Education John C. Bennett, Jr., Academic Affairs Engineering Students Fêted 8

Assistant Dean New England Scholars 8 Marcelle Wood, Undergraduate Education A Lesson in Fun for 140 Young Women 9 Director of Development William Kissick, Jr. Engineering Goes to School: the Galileo Project 10

Writer/Editor New Diagnostic Machine for Nan R. Cooper Connecticut Transportation Institute 12

Graphic Designer/Illustrator In Memoriam: Spyridon Boikos 12 Chris LaRosa Focus on Alumni: Mark Vergnano 13 9 Photo Credits Chris LaRosa, University Communications, UConn’s Fuel Cell Center Hosts Secretary of Energy 14 Sue Marie Lipsky, Cloe Poisson, Liang Pei, A. John DaDalt, Noreen Slater, Roy Slater, Engineering Faculty Garner NSF CAREER Awards 15 and Jim Lussier School Honors Distinguished Alumni and Scholars 16 Frontiers is published twice yearly by the Office of the Dean, School of Engineering Seniors Demo Senior Design Projects 19 at the University of Connecticut. Faculty News 20 19 261 Glenbrook Road, Unit 2237 Storrs, Connecticut 06269-2237 Young Inventors Redefine Their Environment 22 Telephone: (860) 486-2221 22 Alumni News 23 Published for the alumni, faculty, students, corporate supporters, and friends of the Engineering Sponsors Chess Match, School of Engineering at the University of Engineering Scholarships 24 Connecticut. Suggestions are welcome. Send correspondence and address corrections to the Editor at the above address or e-mail to [email protected] SUMMER 2006 FRONTIERS 3

Dean’s Welcome continued from page 2

changing role of engineers in the global society, it is vital that our School examine its part and begin thinking anew, exploring different modes, building consensus, pressing in new directions and seeking new collaborations—all the while continuing to do those things at which we excel. In The Engineer of 2020: Visions of Engineering in the New Century, the National Academy of Engineering highlights the changing needs of society and projects how the engineering profession can not only remain relevant but also assume greater leadership in steering the nation’s future. The report proposes specific ways in which to properly train and educate the engineer of the future and to expand our educational focus to convey technological literacy to the greater non- engineering community while advancing the leading edge of technology. Such an evolution demands that industry, the research community and educational institutions coordinate efforts. We in the School of Engineering are fortunate to have national caliber faculty, excellent support staff, and engaged alumni. We attract the highest quality students. We continue to broaden and diversify our student pool through several UConn Steel Bridge Team outreach programs. We work hard to ensure student success and graduation. Captures Regional Crown The abilities and creativity of our School of Engineering alumni and faculty are the he UConn Steel Bridge team captured top honors in the 2006 New England Regional backbone and driving force of Connecticut’s TStudent Steel Bridge Competition held March 4th at the University of Maine, Orono. advanced technology economy. In the The team, made up of members of the student chapter of the American Society of Civil following pages you will see a sampling of Engineers (ASCE), beat out 10 other New England engineering schools to claim the our many activities. Our achievements rest championship. In so doing, the group earned a spot in the national competition in on the individual and collective efforts of Salt Lake City that took place in May. faculty, staff, students and alumni, together In addition to taking first place, the team garnered two additional first-place awards for with industrial and public-sector engage- structural efficiency and stiffness. The categories on which entries were judged included ment and partnership. Certainly, I encourage aesthetics, construction speed, construction economy (a cost-based calculation), lightness, you to contact me if you wish to have a stiffness, structural efficiency and overall performance. deeper involvement in the success of the Members of the winning team are: Benjamin Cote, Adam Frosino, George Ives, School: there are many opportunities for Erin Wilkinson, Alison Galasso, Ken-Taro Plude, Ethan Cote, Kyle Halvordson, impact. If you have achievements that Kelly McCartney, Chris Wall, Dan Veronesi, Brian Kinsley, Ben Szymanski, Mathew Henion, you would like to share, please contact us. Ryan Scrittorale and Nick Keenan. The regional competition pitted UConn against teams In closing, the success and contributions from the universities of Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine, Northeastern University, of the School will continue in the technolog- Norwich University, Tufts, Merrimack College and Wentworth Institute of Technology. ical advances we make and the human The competition simulated a full-scale bridge scenario; all entries were made of steel, resources we develop for Connecticut. I look had to span a mock river and hold up under a weight of 2,500 pounds. Most bridges were forward to yet another productive year in about 20 to 25 feet long. the School. Advising the group, and committing countless hours to the venture, was School of Engineering alumnus (B.S. Civil Engineering, M.S. Structural Engineering, ‘83, ‘86) Michael Culmo, a professional engineer and director of transportation for CME Associates of Woodstock. Erling Smith, Ph.D., P.E. Interim Dean, School of Engineering Professor, Civil & Environmental Engineering 4 FRONTIERS SUMMER 2006

John DeWolf Named 2006 University Teaching Fellow

rofessor of Civil & Environmental modern structural engineering: calculus and PEngineering John DeWolf was named engineering mechanics. He asserts, “The early one of four 2006-07 University of Connecticut cathedrals were magnificent structural Teaching Fellows. The award was formally engineering accomplishments. The cathedral announced at a gala banquet in April 2006. builders sought to have large open spaces, Up to four Teaching Fellows are honored each requiring both large spans and high ceilings year by the University’s Institute for Teaching with lots of windows for light. They required and Learning, and only four Engineering faculty great insight, and it is fun to introduce have previously received the award since its students to engineering ideas using these inception in 1993. examples.” structures behave, and use short back-of-the- Dr. DeWolf was delighted by the University “If I can help my students become envelop calculations to focus on key elements laurel, which honored his novel teaching enthusiastic about what they do,” he says, in the structural design. approach, contributions as a textbook “I can help them become engineers. Through Dr. DeWolf is co-author, with E.R. Johnston co-author and support to students as a faculty real examples, I encourage students to explore and the late F.P. Beer, on the widely acclaimed Mechanics of Materials (3rd and 4th editions), It is in the evaluation of alternatives that one fully which is used by engineering students at appreciates the art of engineering, and it is at this Carnegie Mellon University, Georgia Institute of Technology, the University of Illinois, the level that one truly finds design exciting. University of Michigan, Purdue University, the University of Wisconsin and Roger advisor. As a teacher, he said, “I strive to make why the engineer followed specific paths, Williams University “my students enthusiastic about structural I encourage them to explore how construction Dr. DeWolf was previously presented the engineering. I know that if I can get them to influences the actual design and I encourage C.R. Klewin Award for Excellence in Teaching think critically about structures, they will focus them to learn how to critically evaluate (1995, 1999, 2000 and 2004) and the 2005 on what is most important, and through this designs. It is in the evaluation” of alternatives Educator Career Teaching Award from the they will feel how structures behave.” that one fully appreciates the art of engineer- American Institute of Steel Construction. Among the most innovative courses ing, and it is at this level that one truly finds The latter award is presented to just one offered students under the First Year design exciting.” collegiate educator yearly and entails a Experience (FYE) program is one developed Writing is another novel element $20,000 grant over two years. It is meant to by Dr. DeWolf, which centers on gothic cathe- Dr. DeWolf has introduced in his civil engineer- bring national recognition and confer seed drals. As design subjects, gothic cathedrals ing classes. In his Steel Design course, he money for establishment of new instructional hold great complexity and mystery, making explains, “I have been using written assign- programs in steel education. He is a member them well suited to the FYE format. Dr. ments as a way to further develop concepts of the State of Connecticut Board of Examiners DeWolf comments that gothic cathedrals related to structural design.” The idea behind for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors were built prior to the two key components of this approach, he says, is to introduce students and the Connecticut Academy of Science to real structures, help them examine how and Engineering. Promotion & Tenure Decisions Advance Seven The School of Engineering is pleased to announce the following promotions:

Mark Aindow (University of Liverpool), Engineering Department, was awarded tenure and promotion to the rank of Associate Professor in the Chemical, Materials promotion to the rank of full Professor Associate Professor & Biomolecular Engineering Department, was awarded promotion to the rank of full Professor Monty Escabi (University of California – Richard Parnas (UCLA), Associate Professor Berkeley and San Francisco), Assistant in the Chemical, Materials & Biomolecular Amvrossios Bagtzoglou (University of Professor in the Electrical & Computer Engineering Department, was awarded California – Irvine), Associate Professor Engineering Department, was awarded permanent academic tenure in the Civil & Environmental Engineering permanent academic tenure and promotion Department, was awarded permanent to the rank of Associate Professor Alexander Shvartsman (Brown University), academic tenure Associate Professor in the Computer Science & Allison MacKay (MIT), Assistant Professor Engineering Department, was awarded Can Erkey (Texas A&M), Associate Professor in the Civil & Environmental Engineering promotion to the rank of full Professor in the Chemical, Materials & Biomolecular Department, was awarded permanent academic SUMMER 2006 FRONTIERS 5 School Hosts Northeast Regional Science Bowl

xhilaration and tension were the dominant Warwick, RI took third-place honors. Team Eemotions as more than 200 high school stu- members were Patrick Hanly (captain), Amudha dents representing 31 teams from Connecticut, Panneerselvam, Nicole Slaughter and Kevin Rhode Island and New Hampshire participated in Vincent, with Devin Blau serving as alternate. the Northeast Regional Science Bowl, which The model fuel cell car race took place in took place March 18th in Storrs. The School of the afternoon, concurrent with the Science Bowl, Engineering organized and hosted the day-long and culminated in a late afternoon race for the event, with sponsorship from the College of championship. Teams assembled their vehicles in Liberal Arts & Sciences and SUBWAY®. The stu- advance, using parts provided by the School of dents converged on campus for the main Engineering. While some entries failed to leave Jeopardy! style competition, and 14 teams the finish line—due primarily to excess weight participated in a model fuel cell car race. relative to power generation—about half Kevin McLaughlin, Director of the successfully maneuvered at least partway down Engineering Diversity Program; Marty Wood, the 10-meter race track. Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Education; and First place went to Hamden High School’s a host of faculty, staff and more than 100 stu- David Moroniti and Jeffrey Lipton; second place dent volunteers from the School of Engineering went to Rachael Zickefoose and Hardeep Singh ensured the program proceeded flawlessly. of Crosby High School, Waterbury, CT; and The four-member teams, hailing Jonathan Wickliff of South Windsor High primarily from Connecticut, were joined by seven School took third place. Rhode Island teams and the 2005 championship During a post-lunch hour, participants (northeast) team from New Hampshire. enjoyed a number of activities, including a visit Throughout the day, teams competed in game to the Connecticut Global Fuel Cell Center and show-style quizzes. Each round pitted two teams various demonstrations and hands-on activities in a game of wits and speed, with contestants hosted by faculty from several engineering and pressing a buzzer for the opportunity to correctly science programs. Attendees also were treated answer up to 25 math, engineering and science- to a presentation by famed UConn professor of based questions. During the morning, all teams theoretical physics Dr. Ronald Mallett, whose competed five times. The top 16 teams from the discoveries led to his design of a theoretical time morning rounds competed against each other machine that bends laser light into a during the afternoon double elimination champi- circle, effectively warping space-time. onship while the other teams competed against Winning teams received award trophies, each other in a “wild card” round-robin tourna- and all participants received a commemorative ment for fun. Science Bowl T-shirt. In addition, 19 members By late afternoon, three teams emerged at of the first, second and third-place science bowl the top. First-place honors went to the team from and fuel cell car teams were awarded renewable Edwin O. Smith High School in Storrs, whose scholarship certificates to UConn’s School of team members were Kyle Shin (captain), Andrew Engineering. The scholarships ranged from Yang, Atif Rakin and Ian Campbell. Yan Zhou $2,000/student/year to $250/student/year. was team alternate. The win was particularly The winning E.O. Smith team from Storrs poignant for the University community: Kyle Shin went on to the national competition in is the son of Computer Science & Engineering Washington, DC in late April, where they professor Dong-Guk Shin; Atif Rakin is the son competed against 64 other teams at the national of Electrical & Computer Engineering professor Science Bowl championship. The team placed Mehdi Anwar; and Andrew Yang is the son of second in the Department of Energy’s National internationally renowned cloning researcher, Science Bowl Hydrogen Fuel Cell Model Car professor Xiangzhong “Jerry” Yang of “speed race” challenge, and after a few early ei Animal Sciences. losses battled back to place in the top 32 teams Second-place honors were awarded in the Science Bowl. iang P to the team from Cheshire High School, whose members included Sarah Esty (captain), Radhika tesy of L Nakrani, Monica Liu and James Zhang, with Nathaniel Parsons serving as alternate. A Cranston West High School team from hotos cour P 6 FRONTIERS SUMMER 2006 New Heads in Two Departments Wilson Chiu Receives ASME Bergles-Rohsenow Young n early summer, the School of IEngineering welcomed new Department Investigator Award Heads in two departments. Erling Smith, formerly Head of Civil & Environmental Engineering, and Robert Magnusson, r. Wilson K.S. Chiu, associate formerly Head of Electrical & Computer Dprofessor of Mechanical Engineering, Engineering, each elected to return to was awarded the 2006 ASME Bergles- regular academic duties. Rohsenow Young Investigator Award Following an intra-departmental in Heat Transfer for “research in computa- search, Michael Accorsi was appointed tional and experimental heat transfer, Head of the Civil & Environmental particularly chemical vapor deposition Engineering Department. Dr. Accorsi systems.” The award recognizes young earned his Ph.D. in Applied Mechanics engineers who are committed to pursuing at Northwestern research in heat transfer, with the poten- University, tial to make significant contributions to Evanston, IL. the field. Dr. Accorsi Dr. Chiu joined the University of began his career at Connecticut in 1999 after completing his UConn in 1986 Ph.D. at Rutgers University. During his and currently has seven years at UConn, he has established Warfare Center works with Dr. Chiu on a joint appoint- a reputation for excellence in heat transfer, this project. His NSF CAREER award ment with the Mechanical Engineering mass transfer, and chemical reactions used supports his research into enhanced Department. He performs research in the for the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) coatings for optical fibers that will be general area of computational solid synthesis and processing of nanostructured used primarily in telecommunications and mechanics with specific application to materials. In 2001, he was awarded a pres- sensing. He is co-inventor on U.S. patent composite materials, structural acoustics, tigious NSF Early Career Development filings for a laser-induced chemical vapor and recently, parachute mechanics. (CAREER) Award and an Office of Naval deposition coating method and This research has been supported by the Research (ONR) Young Investigator for carbon nanotube synthesis using an Army Research Office, the Air Force Award. In 2005, he received a three-year open-air direct laser-writing method. Office of Scientific Research, the Office of Army Research Office (ARO) Young Dr. Chiu has published 33 journal Naval Research, and NASA, as well as by Investigator Award for his work in the papers and 57 conference articles and various industries. Dr. Accorsi received area of optimization of solid oxide fuel abstracts; and he has three U.S. patents the Commander’s Educational Award for cells (SOFCs) for field use by Army pending. In addition to his federal honors, Excellence from the U.S. Army Soldier personnel. He has garnered more than Dr. Chiu has received the Department of Systems Command in 1998 for his $1.7 million in external funding from Mechanical Engineering Outstanding research on parachutes. He is co-inventor NSF, ONR, ARO and industry. Faculty Award (2004), the School on one U.S. patent. Dr. Chiu’s research into heat transfer of Engineering Outstanding Junior Peter Luh, the SNET Professor of in reactive flow systems holds important Faculty Award (2002) and a U.S. Communications and Information promise for applications involving chemi- Navy/ASEE Summer Faculty Research Technologies, was appointed Head of cal vapor deposition, such as manufacture Fellowship (2001). the Electrical of thin films and semiconductors, Established by the ASME Heat & Computer small-scale devices, photonics, fuel cells Transfer Division in 2003, with the first Engineering and photo-voltaics. In particular, his work awards announced in 2004, the Bergles- Department has focused on reactive flow systems for Rohsenow Young Investigator Award was following an photonics, fuel cells and semiconductor funded through the efforts of Arthur internal search. applications. His three-year ONR Young Bergles and Warren Rohsenow, who are Dr. Luh served as Investigator Award supports research into well known for their accomplishments Director of the the development of optical fibers used in heat transfer research and for their Booth Engineering Center for Advanced in underwater acoustic arrays that can mentoring of young researchers. Technology (BECAT) from 1997-2004. survive in the harsh conditions of the At the University level, he played a ocean environment. The Naval Undersea key role in winning support from the National Science Foundation to link

Continued on page 12 SUMMER 2006 FRONTIERS 7

Friends Organize Lipsky Colloquium to Honor 40+ Year Career

n May 8, 2006, the School of Engineering professor Sharad Seth of the University of Osponsored a colloquium on Queueing Nebraska and professor Aby Tehranipour of Theory and Interdisciplinary Perspectives in Eastern Michigan University. honor of Dr. Lester Lipsky, emeritus professor After receiving his bachelor’s degree in of Computer Science & Engineering. The Mechanical Engineering from City College of program celebrated Dr. Lipsky’s distinguished New York, Dr. Lipsky spent three years at career and included presentations by friends, United Technologies Corporation’s Nuclear mentors and former students, primarily on the Engine Laboratory. He then earned his Ph.D. topic of queueing theory. in Theoretical Physics from the University of Among the speakers were professor Imad Connecticut in 1965. Dr. Lipsky spent one Photo courtesy of Sue Marie Lipsky Antonios of Southern Connecticut State post-doctoral year at the National Bureau of University, professor Søren Asmussen of Standards, Washington, DC (now the National atomic physics, and theoretical aspects of Aarhus University (Denmark), Drs. Jeff Buzen Institute of Standards and Technology), and queueing theory, particularly non-steady and Yiping Ding of BMC Software, professor two years at the University of London before state phenomena, using a linear-algebraic Micheal Conneely of the National University of joining the Department of Computer Science at formulation. He is the author of the 1992 Ireland, professor Pierre Fiorini of the the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, in 1968. book, Queueing Theory: A Linear Algebraic University of Southern Maine, Dr. Manfred He remained there until 1987, when he Approach, published by McMillan and Jobmann and professor Eike Jessen of returned to UConn and joined the Computer Company, New York. The second, expanded, Technische Universität Muenchen (Germany), Science & Engineering (CSE) Department. edition will be published by Springer in spring professor George Nagy of Rensselaer Dr. Lipsky’s research interests include the 2007. Now an emeritus professor (2005), Polytechnic Institute, professor Hans Peter analytical modelling of the performance of Dr. Lipsky remains an active member of the Schwefel of Aalborg University (Denmark); computer systems and networks, theoretical CSE faculty.

To earn the title of New England Scholar, a student Engineering New England must earn a 3.7 or higher GPA based on at least 12 calculable credits each semester for both the spring Students Fêted Scholars and fall terms. Fifty-four engineering students qualified for the distinction:

ixty-three engineering students were Stephen Ambrogio Justin Giorlando Joshua Pinnolis Donville Riley Shonored for academic merit during the Bruce Bassi Kevin Golebieski Benjamin Ports Daniel Roehrig University of Connecticut’s Scholars Day on Philip Batista Kristen Haldeman Emily Pribanic Andrea Ryan April 4th. . The afternoon event, which took Alison Biercevicz Michelle Hamrin San Quach Paul Ryvkin place in the Jorgensen Center for the Justin Billard Tristan Heinmiller Matthew Ranando Raj Shaw Performing Arts, recognized students whose Aparna Boddapati Brendan Krueger Adam Rauwerdink Matthew Shapiro performance during 2005 earned them plaudits Jennifer Bruno Matthew Kyprianides Ricardo Rhone Joshua Sherwood as Babbidge Scholars and New England Christopher Brunquell Brian Lasko Corey Sickinger Scholars. Beth Cheney Andrew Lysaght Andres Teran To qualify for the title of Babbidge Scholar, Michael Delfanti Ashley Martin Kevin Tyler a student must earn a 4.0 GPA based on at Mariusz Duda Gayende Martin Nathaniel Vacanti least 12 calculable credits each semester for Christine Endicott Paul McCullough Boris Vaisman both spring and fall semesters. Babbidge Christopher Fagan Emanuel Merulla Christopher Wall Scholars from the School of Engineering were: Daniel Fain Alejandro Mesa Jeffrey Wroten Joshua Faustman Eric Migiano Matthew Benedict Gregory Magoon Adam Frosino Szymon Olesiak Matthew Crowley Daniel Roehrig Michael Gemmell Alon Dagan Robert Wakefield Pawel Herman Jason White Emily Heuer

8 FRONTIERS SUMMER 2006

SoEEvents A Lesson in Fun for 140 Young Women

How do you make a battery from a lemon and two metal rods? Are magnetism and electricity related? Can vehicles be powered by chemical reactions?

n April 7th, over 140 female eighth- an asphalt-like mixture that shared many Ograde students from 15 area middle properties with the asphalt used in surfacing schools learned the answers to these and and repairing roadways. Propulsion was the other burning questions—along with an subject of another workshop, during which important lesson: applying scientific, students assembled race cars from plastic technological, engineering and math water bottles, model wheels, Legos®, (STEM) principles to everyday items is fun electrical tape and corks; poured vinegar and fulfilling. The girls were on campus for and then baking soda into the bottle and the annual Multiply Your Options (MYO), quickly placed the worthy vehicles on a a one-day workshop begun by the School flat surface. Fueled by the explosive carbon of Engineering in 1994 to introduce dioxide produced by a chemical reaction, young women to engineering and scientific the vehicles were propelled quickly as their principles at a time when they are begin- corks and fluids were expelled behind them ning to think seriously about college and as “exhaust.” career options. Other workshops included the green National Science Foundation statistics square game, an exercise in reducing materi- indicate that women remain underrepre- als waste during production of an industrial sented in the nation’s science and widget; an electricity/magnetism workshop engineering workforce, comprising just that introduced students to the relationship 25%. Yet time and again, studies of between these two physical phenomena; elementary school students suggest that and a chemical rainbow lab in which girls are on par with boys in terms of inter- students examined chemical reactions and est and performance in math and science. observed the tell-tale color changes that Mr. McLaughlin said “As the nation’s Sadly, many fewer female students remain distinguish these reactions. competitiveness in math, science and interested by the eighth grade. MYO targets During the afternoon, attendees engaged engineering has plummeted in recent years, this very age group and presents STEM in Tool Clues, a deductive game in which programs such as MYO offer young women subjects in an engaging manner, with female role models offered hints about their successful role models for pursuing their female practitioners as workshop leaders. occupations and the students attempted education in these very subject areas.” The 2006 MYO began with students to correctly deduce their careers. Pfizer Participating students hailed from and their teachers engaged in a day of electron microscopist Gretchen Beckius, Ashford, Brooklyn, Columbia, Coventry, hands-on, problem solving workshops placed career clues in paper bags; each Ellington, East Hampton, East Hartford, presented by female engineering and student team inspected the contents Hebron, Mansfield, Plantsville, Somers, science students and practitioners. of every bag before posing one question Tolland, Vernon and Willington. The workshops blended solid learning, intended to shed further light on the “The primary purpose of Multiply question-and-answer sessions, and a mystery occupation. The groups were unan- Your Options,” said Marty Wood, Assistant genuine educational experience while imous in correctly deducing Ms. Beckius’ Dean for Undergraduate Education, “is to maintaining an undercurrent of fun occupation, which involves studying the enlighten students, with female-led hands- and excitement. characteristics and effects of certain disease on projects, on how important high school In one workshop, participants learned states so that Pfizer can design safe and mathematics and science courses are in the fundamental elements of a battery and effective pharmaceutical solutions. Other opening so many opportunities. To become assembled their own unit using a lemon, Tool Clues groups followed the same outstanding scientists, mathematicians or copper and nickel rods, wire and a formula, with similar success. engineers, students must have a passion for voltmeter. In another, the girls blended MYO is an outreach initiative of the math and science and a ‘gatekeeper’ who baking ingredients: cocoa, nuts, oatmeal, Engineering Diversity Program and is enables them to experience, first-hand, sugar, butter and other ingredients to make overseen by director Kevin McLaughlin. the various professions open to women.” Commenting on the importance of MYO, SUMMER 2006 FRONTIERS 9

Engineering Goes to School: the Galileo Project

n June 13, 14 seniors from Somers High outreach program begun in 2002 with and composite layering to construct their OSchool brought three electric cars to Lime $1.5 million in support from the National vehicle body of primarily carbon fiber, with the Rock Park in Lakeville, CT for an endurance Science Foundation. The Galileo Project is a rear composed of tubular aluminum and the race in which they competed against 15 other two-pronged program that exposes high school front fashioned of cast magnesium alloy. vehicles for the top laurels in the Connecticut students to engineering fundamentals while Commenting on the challenge to engage Electrathon Challenge. Unlike some introducing engineering graduate students high school students in engineering subjects, contenders, the Somers team both designed to classroom instruction. Now in its fourth Mr. Bohnenkamp said “I learned a lot about and built their vehicles, which are battery- year, the program has garnered a total of how to use hands-on learning to allow engi- powered and—by Electrathon America $1.8 million in grants and amassed an neering concepts to really sink in…I did some rules—limited to two batteries from a specific impressive record of successes. Dr. Kazem classroom-style teaching in October and list, with each vehicle carrying a total driver’s Kazerounian, professor of Mechanical November, but very few students really took to weight of 180 lbs. The Electrathon Challenge, Engineering, is principal investigator on the what I was teaching. But most of them made 1 executed on a closed /4 mile track, confers top program. His collaborator until spring ’06 was connections to my classroom lessons as soon honors to the team whose vehicle travels the Robert Vieth, former director of the School of as I pointed things out on a physical piece in greatest distance around the track within one Engineering’s da Vinci Project. the shop.” hour’s time. The race features three competi- As the in-class Galileo Fellow, tive classes: novice, composite and classic, Mr. Bohnenkamp worked weekly with and the team registered entries in both the the instructor, Roy Slater, to teach the composite and classic divisions, earning sec- students basic engineering principles ond-place laurels in the composite race with and techniques, including force, their newest entry, which completed 112 laps torque, free-body diagram- and also won “best in show” plaudits. ming, stress, strain, The opportunity to compete in the material properties, Connecticut Electrathon Challenge is the cul- energy and efficien- minating activity of a two-semester “Research cy. After learning and Development” course at Somers High the core principles, School. In October 2005, UConn Mechanical the class designed their Engineering M.S. graduate student Peter electric car on paper and Bohnenkamp was embedded in the class then discussed the correlation as a so-called “Galileo Fellow” introducing between their design and the engineering engineering concepts into the curriculum. concepts they learned in class. Next, the class It’s part of an innovative School of Engineering took their design from mere concept to solidity, using techniques such as welding, casting,

10 FRONTIERS SUMMER 2006 Photos courtesy of Jim Lussier, Noreen Slater, and Roy Slater The Somers High teacher, Mr. Slater, Project Scope system. At Stafford Middle School, the Galileo has been pleased with the Galileo Project Fellow worked with an eighth grade science experience in his classroom, which he said The Galileo Project was conceived as a means teacher to develop and deliver a unit on bridge has benefited his students in numerous ways. to enhance the number of high school students building that culminated in each student build- “It provides our seniors the opportunity to put enrolling in engineering programs at UConn. ing a model bridge from toothpicks and glue. into practical use all of their experiences with- As the U.S. seeks to increase the number of Two of the participating school districts in technical education, provides each student graduating engineers to meet industry demand, developed pre-engineering courses, based on the opportunity to experience their field of educators are looking for ways to entice more modules developed by the Galileo Fellows, concentration under real-world conditions, pre-college students to pursue an engineering which were successfully piloted in spring and brings the world of engineering to the stu- education. The Galileo Project is a collabora- 2005. The Somers school district also lever- dents from design through development. It tive effort of the School of Engineering and the aged its participation in the Galileo Project to also empowers students to function as a team Neag School of Education; seven Connecticut win an $18,000 grant from the Connecticut with a task and deadline procedures, chal- school districts; the Connecticut Academy for DEP to study the Scantic River Watershed. lenges them to select and experience new Education in Mathematics, Science and The program has met with impressive technologies and processes, brings their Technology; the Greater Hartford Academy for success. “Anecdotally, we are hearing that academic learning (math, science, etc.) to a Math and Science; and local industry. students exposed to the Galileo Project level of understanding through application, Now in its fourth year, the Galileo Project are gaining an appreciation of the role of and – finally – challenges them to become has trained approximately 10 graduate fellows engineers in society, a better understanding independent lifelong learners. Having yearly and involved 1,400 students primarily in of how engineers solve problems, and greater Mr. Bohnenkamp in the class room brought grades 9-12. Each Galileo Fellow spends 8-12 interest in engineering as a career,” said a critical and exciting element to the hours weekly in the classrooms of participating Dr. Kazerounian. engineering process as students attacked schools/classes assisting teachers with devel- The Galileo Project investigators and their design with greater insight into the opment of engineering lesson plans and mod- Fellows also conducted several studies to problems that needed to be addressed than ules that use and teach engineering principles. assess engineering creativity and previous classes.” The participating schools include Bloomfield technical/engineering literacy included in High, Bolton High, Lyman Memorial High state curriculum standards. The first study (Lebanon), Manchester High, Montville High, concluded that identifying and removing E.O. Smith High in Storrs, Somers High and barriers to creativity in engineering curriculum Stafford Middle School. will produce exceptional, rather than merely The modules cover subjects such as design competent, engineers. The second study con- of a crane, a remote manipulator, or a calcula- cluded that many states include engineering tor using (Microsoft) Visual Basic; surveying education frameworks in their standards, as a mathematics application; Scrabble® and employ the term “technology,” but fail to statistics; and an engineer’s view of the solar identify the context of engineering concepts as relating to science disciplines. The Galileo Project may just be the elixir necessary to bridge this gap.

SUMMER 2006 FRONTIERS 11

SOEResearch In Memoriam New Diagnostic Machine for Spyridon Boikos Connecticut Transportation Institute he School of Engineering was saddened Tby the untimely death of Spyridon Boikos, 29, a graduate student in the eavy traffic, foul weather and road throughout the state. The mechanical portion Environmental Engineering Program, composition all influence the durability of the unit is linked to an automated data who was killed in an auto accident on H rd and life of an asphalt road surface. With its acquisition system that collects rutting depth January 23 . combination of temperature extremes and measurements continuously throughout the Mr. Boikos, a native of Corfu, Greece, weather types, Connecticut is designated a duration of the test. Two types of tests may be came to the U.S. to pursue his graduate “moist and cold” climate—meaning state conducted within the unit’s environmentally studies under professor Emmanouil roads are subjected to greater environmental controlled chamber: dry specimen and wet Anagnostou, whose work in foul weather distresses in a shorter period of time than specimen, in which samples are immersed in prediction has earned him international many states. The Connecticut Transportation water. Wet road conditions cause the water acclaim. Mr. Boikos, who was just one Institute (CTI), a center affiliated with the pressure in roadways to increase as traffic year into his doctoral program at UConn, School of Engineering, has received a powerful moves over the asphalt pavement, resulting in was working in the area of land surface new tool in its quest to ensure long-lasting breakage of aggregate-asphalt bond within modeling, atmospheric interactions and and safe Connecticut roadways, an asphalt the asphalt pavement and producing greater hydrology and was a graduate research pavement analyzer (APA). The APA allows deterioration of the roadways, according to assistant. Dr. Anagnostou said Mr. Boikos researchers to rapidly test the durability of Mr. Mahoney. The APA unit features a control- was working on a fellowship proposal to alternative roadway surfaces. lable wheel load and contact pressure (up to NASA at the time of his death. Developed by Pavement Technology Inc. 200 psi) to simulate actual road conditions. of Georgia, the APA unit uses a loaded wheel The APA allows researchers to glean New Heads continued from page 7 tester to evaluate the deformation of asphalt valuable performance data within hours that surfaces that results from wheel rutting, accurately simulates actual traffic and weather UConn with the Internet II network. cracking, and exposure to moisture. Purchase conditions. The regular dry deformation test, In addition, he currently is Founding 1 of the APA was made possible by a substan- for example, takes just 2 /4 hours to complete Editor-in-Chief of IEEE Transactions on tial grant from the Connecticut Department of 8,000 cycles. Both cold and hot asphalt mixes Automation Science and Engineering Transportation and the Federal Highway may be tested. (T-ASE, launched in 2004), Associate Administration, plus additional matching Mr. Mahoney expects to inaugurate the Editor of Discrete Event Dynamic Systems, funds from CTI and the office of the Dean of new APA shortly after performing special Associate Editor of IEE Transactions on Engineering. More than 35 states are equipped calibrations to ensure the machine accurately Design and Manufacturing, and Associate with APA units. simulates Connecticut temperature, weather Editor of ACTA Automatica Sinica. He According to James Mahoney, Program and traffic conditions. To submit asphalt is a Fellow of IEEE, a member of the Director and head research engineer with the samples for testing on the APA, or to learn Council of the Connecticut Academy of Connecticut Advanced Pavement Laboratory more about the CAP Lab, please call Science & Engineering; and formerly (CAP Lab) at CTI, the asphalt pavement analyz- Mr. Mahoney at (860) 486-9299 or by email Technical/Associate Editor (1990-94), er will be used to conduct research as well as at [email protected]. Editor (1995-1999) and Editor-in-Chief to test alternative asphalt aggregate mixes (1999-2003) of IEEE Transactions on developed by commercial consultancies Robotics and Automation. His areas of expertise include planning, scheduling, and coordination of design, manufacturing and service activities; schedule and bid optimization and load/price forecasting for power systems; and decision making under uncertain, fuzzy, or distributed environments. Dr. Luh received his Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics from Harvard University. He has received several professional service awards, including the Distinguished Service Award presented by the IEEE Robotics and Automation Society. The School of Engineering welcomes Drs. Accorsi and Luh to their new positions and wishes to thank Erling Smith and Photos courtesy of A. John DaDalt Robert Magnusson for their departmental 12 FRONTIERS SUMMER 2006 leadership.

Focus on Alumni: The Safety and Protection division is home to some of the DuPont’s strongest Mark Vergnano brands, including Kevlar®, Nomex®, Tyvek®, Corian® and Zodiaq®. The division has a wide range of business applications, or alumnus Mark Vergnano, who has Mr. Vergnano served as marketing manager including cleaning and disinfecting Fbuilt an enviable 26-year career with for Typar® carpet backings. solutions for human and animal health; chemical giant E.I. DuPont de Nemours “My assignment in Switzerland was one personal protective equipment for both Co., Inc., his UConn Chemical of the highlights of my career from both a industrial protection and first responders— Engineering education honed his analytical personal and professional perspective,” he including police, fire personnel, EMTs, acumen and helped him succeed in a said. Switzerland afforded the Vergnanos an military and hazardous materials teams; career blending engineering and business idyllic place to raise children and to explore building and architectural products target- leadership. “I believe that an engineering all of Europe. From a business perspective, ing the building envelope and building background gave me the advantage to Mr. Vergnano observed, “It was great interiors; life protection for civilian and approach problems in a very logical and learning how different both business and military uses; industrial products, consumer disciplined way,” he remarked. engineering practices are in Europe versus safety products and safety consulting. In June 2006, he was named Group the U.S. Europe is not a homogeneous Though his high profile engineering Vice President of DuPont Safety & region…Each country has its own culture, career has given Mr. Vergnano a sense of Protection after serving as Vice President including its own business and technology fulfillment and commitment, when he and General Manager of DuPont Building culture. It is important to understand the entered UConn, he was enrolled as a liberal Innovations since October 2005. DuPont unique aspects of each country’s culture to arts and sciences major. After a semester Safety and Protection is a $5.2 billion succeed in business within that country.” of boredom and unease about his future— revenue business for DuPont and one of During his years in Switzerland, he was and the grades to reflect these sentiments— the fastest growing and most profitable sets appointed European regional business he contemplated switching to engineering of businesses in the company. It consists manager with responsibility for all business but was worried that mediocre grades of five strategic business units: DuPont activities for the Tyvek, Typar and Sontara® would prevent the switch. “During that Advanced Fiber Systems, DuPont products. In 1996, the Vergnanos returned time I was invited to play basketball in the Nonwovens, DuPont Building Innovations, to the U.S., where Mr. Vergnano progressed Field House at lunch each day with a DuPont Chemical Solutions and DuPont through administrative roles overseeing group of guys I had recently met. One was Safety Resources. As Group Vice President, global business for the Teflon® fiber, an experienced regular with a mean hook he oversees all aspects of the business Nomex® and Tyvek/Typar products. shot. The player turned out to be including sales, marketing, technology, He was appointed Vice President and G. Michael Howard, [formerly] Associate and operations at facilities located at 29 General Manager of DuPont different sites throughout four continents. Nonwovens in 2003 and then Continued on page 14 In his management position, Mr. Vergnano appointed Vice President and no longer practices engineering on a daily General Manager of DuPont basis; nonetheless, he finds that the Building Innovations in 2005. disciplined approach he learned as an Mr. Vergnano has enjoyed his engineer helps him solve complex years with the chemicals giant. strategic business issues. “DuPont is a science Since 1980, when he first joined company. I have always DuPont, Mr. Vergnano has moved five had an interest in, and times and served in positions of increasing fascination with science, managerial authority. After earning his B.S. so developing solutions in Chemical Engineering, he began to our customers’ working as a process engineer in the former greatest issues based Fibers Department of DuPont located in on science is a Richmond, VA. He was involved in very exciting and manufacturing and technical assignments energizing occupation,” for the Kevlar® and Tyvek® products he explained. while also earning his MBA through an executive program offered by Virginia Mark Vergnano is pictured Commonwealth University. Over the with a ‘kitchen counter of next decade, Mr. Vergnano and his wife, the future’ made of DuPont Betsy (formerly Elizabeth Reddington, Corian® and designed by CLAS ‘81), relocated to Wilmington, DE the renowned architect, and then to Geneva, Switzerland, where Zaha Hadid.

SUMMER 2006 FRONTIERS 13 researchers that he expected them to quickly UConn’s Fuel Cell Center refocus their efforts away from pure research and into applications. A chemical engineer Hosts Secretary of Energy by training, Secretary Bodman expressed impatience as he charged the roundtable On the morning of June 2, the Connecticut During his two-hour visit, Secretary participants to quickly transform their fuel cell Global Fuel Cell Center (CGFCC) hosted U.S. Bodman—joined by Congressman Simmons know-how into practical use in consumer and Secretary of Energy Samuel Bodman, Under and Under Secretary Orbach— toured the industrial products. He alluded to various Secretary of Science Dr. Raymond Orbach, CGFCC, met with representatives from factors that demand more immediate action and U.S. Congressman (CT) Rob Simmons. Connecticut’s leading fuel cell companies by alternative energy companies, including Founded in 2001 and operated by the School of and CGFCC personnel, and announced a new global warming and the continued rise in Engineering, the CGFCC is the largest $34.6 million federal initiative to support fossil fuel costs. university-based hub for fuel cell research, energy efficiency enhancements in offices and During his press conference remarks, design and development in the nation. residences nationwide. The state of Connecticut Secretary Bodman expressed optimism that Secretary Bodman toured the center to gain is slated to receive $514,000 under the the nation’s economy will continue to improve an understanding of fuel cell related activities Department of Energy initiative. despite rising energy costs. He commented that within the state and to highlight hydrogen as Amid tight security and the pervasive the U.S. is becoming less dependent on oil and a fuel source for the future. The visit to UConn presence of Secret Service agents throughout fossil fuels than it once was, but that the U.S. was arranged by former Dean of Engineering, the event, the visit was well attended by must find ways to develop alternative sources Dr. Amir Faghri, United Technologies Endowed University officials, members of the media, of energy, including fuel cells. Chair Professor in Thermal-Fluids Engineering. fuel cell business leaders and faculty. Secretary Dr. Faghri, Dr. Reifsnider and CGFCC Dr. Faghri welcomed Secretary Bodman and Bodman and Congressman Simmons also met— Associate Director Tricia Bergman hosted the offered opening remarks at the commencement and presented a Congressional Certificate of event and participated in the tour and round- of the visit. Merit—to sixth grader Kyle Hoyt of Durham, a table discussion. Secretary Bodman viewed a young inventor who won honors at the 2006 number of fuel cell-related demonstrations and Connecticut Invention Convention for his poster presentations by CGFCC faculty during innovative design of a mini solar heater. his tour. He was keenly interested in under- During an invitation-only roundtable discus- standing the core technology underlying sion, Secretary Bodman spoke with officials each demonstration, and in learning the from the CGFCC, CL&P, FuelCell Energy, UTC technological barriers to widespread applica- Power, Distributed Energy Systems Corp. and tion, according to Dr. Reifsnider. Among the the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund. CGFCC demonstrations and posters presented during Director Kenneth Reifsnider, the Pratt & Secretary Bodman’s visit were: Whitney Chair Professor in Design & Reliability, said Secretary Bodman was uncompromising in • Hydrogen storage for PEM fuel cells— informing Connecticut’s fuel cell companies and Leon Shaw, a professor in the Chemical, Materials & Biomolecular Engineering Pictured from left to right, U.S. Congressman Department Rob Simmons, Kyle Hoyt, and U.S. Secretary Continued on page 21 of Energy Samuel Bodman.

Focus on Alumni continued from page 13

Dean of Engineering and professor of experience feel more intimate. He recalled Mr. Vergnano was inducted into the Chemical Engineering. After hearing my that his graduating class in Chemical UConn School of Engineering’s Academy desire to transfer schools, Dean Howard Engineering had just 40 students, and of Distinguished Engineers in 2005 and invited me to his office and said he would “everyone in the class knew each other serves on the Board of Directors for the allow me to take the engineering curricu- very well, which provided the ability to Delaware Council for Economic Education, lum in my second semester: if I was able develop great relationships and friendships.” a non-profit outreach group that educates to maintain a 3.5 GPA for the semester, Two fellow students in his college study K-12 students in the intricacies of business he would admit me to the School of group, Ray Gansley and Chris Siemer (both and economics. This year, Mr. and Engineering for my sophomore year. B.S. Chemical Engineering ’80), remain his Mrs. Vergnano will be establishing the To this day I remain extremely grateful closest friends. Importantly, it was at Vergnano/Reddington Family Scholarship to Dean Howard.” UConn that he met his wife, Betsy, during to be awarded to an incoming Chemical His years at UConn hold fond a fortuitous football game. The couple has Engineering student to the University. memories for Mr. Vergnano. Despite the two teenage daughters: Elise, an economics University’s large size, he was able to find major at Franklin and Marshall College, “small pockets” that made the college and Haley, a high school senior.

14 FRONTIERS SUMMER 2006

SoEFaculty Engineering Faculty Garner NSF CAREER Awards

wo engineering faculty members solving two major challenges in the puzzle: T were selected to receive the National (a) development of accurate, economical Science Foundation (NSF) Early Career methods for rapid genotyping, and Development (CAREER) Award in 2006: (b) development of computational methods assistant professor of Computer Science for analyzing the genetic sequences of & Engineering Ion Mandoiu and assistant different individuals to discover those genes professor of Civil & Environmental linked with disease susceptibility and Engineering Jeong-Ho Kim. individual responses to medications and Dr. Mandoiu was awarded a five-year environmental factors. $554,500 National Science Foundation He anticipates that the research will Early Career Development (CAREER) lead to decreased data collection costs in award for his research into methods for large-scale association studies, permitting quickly processing high volumes of researchers to conduct a greater number genomic diversity data. of studies at lower cost. Dr. Mandoiu also The 13-year Human Genome Project, foresees that his CAREER research will completed in 2003, produced a blueprint enable additional applications of genomic of the DNA present in the cells of each technologies, such as genomics-based human. Genomics research focuses on point-of-care medical diagnosis and large- variations that occur between individuals, scale species identification. He comments Pictured above, Ion Mandoiu and Jeong-Ho Kim with the objective of understanding how that the direct beneficiary of his rapid these variations determine elusive traits genotyping methodology will be the biotech such as susceptibility to diabetes, industry, which manufactures and commer- Fuel cells are increasingly seen as a Parkinson’s disease and other disorders cializes genotyping assays. In addition, he future solution to the nation’s energy and diseases. says, “Biomedical researchers from academic dependence on nonrenewable fossil fuels. Human cells contain two copies of each institutions and pharmaceutical companies SOFCs are particularly promising, thanks chromosome, with the exception of sex would indirectly benefit from reduced to their high power density, fuel flexibility, chromosomes. Humans inherit one genotyping costs by being able to conduct and potential for generating electricity and member of each chromosome pair from larger/more genomic variability studies heat for industry and auxiliary power in their fathers and the second from their within the same budget. These studies vehicles. Despite their many advantages, mothers. But with each new generation, are expected to have a broad impact says Dr. Kim, the power output of SOFCs the chromosomes are altered in a process on human health.” Possible long-term can be hampered by interfacial delamina- known as recombination, in which mem- benefits may include customized medical tion. “This condition results from residual bers of each chromosome pair unite and treatments and gene therapies to modify stresses produced when the cell components exchange pieces. The result is a hybrid faulty chromosomes. —anode, electrolyte, and cathode—ther- chromosome containing pieces from both After earning his Ph.D. from the mally expand at different rates, and also members of a chromosome pair, and this Georgia Institute for Technology in 2000, from thermal stresses generated during hybrid chromosome is passed on to the Dr. Mandoiu conducted post-doctoral operational thermal cycling,” he explains. next generation. The same process is research and was a Research Scientist at The Department of Energy, through its repeated over the course of many genera- the University of California at Los Angeles Solid-state Energy Conversion Alliance tions, producing genetic variants that and at San Diego. He joined the University (SECA) program, sets a required SOFC are catalogued in the International of Connecticut in 2003. service life of more than 40,000 hours with HapMap Project. Dr. Jeong-Ho Kim, assistant professor hundreds of thermal cycles for stationary Genomic diversity analyses of large-scale of Civil & Environmental Engineering, was systems, and 5,000 hours with 3,000 ther- control and population studies hold prom- awarded a five-year, $400,000 CAREER mal cycles for transportation systems. ise for clarifying the genetic basis of disease award to conduct modeling and experi- Dr. Kim seeks to overcome the factors that susceptibility and uncovering the pattern of ments in functionally graded solid oxide limit SOFC performance so these fuel cells historical population migrations. However, fuel cells. The focus of his research is to can meet the stringent SECA standards. many technological and computational improve the performance of solid oxide fuel His CAREER research pivots on challenges must be overcome before cells (SOFCs) by applying the concept of developing functionally graded electrodes researchers can begin such substantial functionally graded materials (FGMs). studies. Dr. Mandoiu will focus on Continued on page 21 SUMMER 2006 FRONTIERS 15 Timothy School Honors Scott Case (B.S. Computer Distinguished Alumni Science & and Scholars Engineering, ‘92) Timothy “Scott” Case is co-founder of priceline.com, the “Name Your Own leven outstanding alumni were inducted Northeast Utilities Corporation, Pitney Price” Internet service. As Chief Technology Einto the Academy of Distinguished Bowes, Inc., Pratt & Whitney, Rogers Officer, he was responsible for building the Engineers on the evening of April 20, Corporation, Sikorsky Aircraft, Travelers technology that enabled priceline.com’s during the School of Engineering’s annual Insurance/Citigroup, TRUMPF, Unilever hyper-growth. Moving beyond technology, banquet and awards ceremony. As in previ- Home and Personal Care, United he successfully launched several ous years, the event took place in Rome Technologies Corporation, UTC Power, priceline.com businesses, including Hall on the UConn campus, where nearly Westinghouse Electric Company, and Priceline for Gasoline, by far the firm’s 700 alumni, corporate friends, faculty, Yankee Gas Services Company. fastest growing business. At the Walker and scholarship awardees and their parents Other sponsors included the ASM Digital Invention Laboratory, Mr. Case convened. University of Connecticut International Hartford Chapter and ASM helped build a portfolio of intellectual Provost Peter Nicholls welcomed guests International Southern Connecticut property, and he is a named inventor on and presented opening remarks. Chapter, American Society of Mechanical dozens of U.S. patents, including the Former Dean Amir Faghri, joined by Engineers – Hartford Section, Engineering underlying portfolio for priceline.com. Provost Nicholls, presented the new Alumni Society, and Plant Engineers’ During his final year at UConn, Mr. Case Academy inductees with commemorative, Association. co-founded Precision Training Software, engraved plaques and medallions bearing New inductees to the Academy of a software company that developed the the Academy seal. In addition, during the Distinguished Engineers included the world’s first PC-based simulated flight evening the School awarded more than following individuals. instructor and photo-realistic flight $600,000 in academic merit scholarships to simulator. continuing students and offered another Derek J. Mr. Case currently serves as the $866,000 to entering engineering students. Blazensky Chairman of Network for Good, a national The scholarships are funded by corporate (B.S. Computer nonprofit that has distributed $86 million friends and generous alumni. Science & to 20,000 nonprofits. Network for Good Corporate sponsors who contributed Engineering, ‘81) provides online fundraising and communi- money and time toward the School of cations services to over 4,000 nonprofit Engineering were recognized, including Derek Blazensky organizations. Accenture, Aetna Information Services, is a founder Alstom Power, the American Screw and General Partner of Cardinal Venture Bassel Daoud Company, ASML, AT&T Connecticut, Capital, a $125 million private equity (B.S., M.S. the Barden Foundation, Inc., Bayer fund that invests in early stage software Mechanical Corporation, Canberra Industries, Cantor companies. Prior to forming Cardinal, Engineering, Colburn LLP, the Connecticut Association Mr. Blazensky managed venture investments ‘83, ‘85) of Street and Highway Officials, for Adobe Ventures. Connecticut Innovations – Clean Energy Before Adobe Ventures, Mr. Blazensky Bassel Daoud, P.E., Fund, Connecticut Association of Street & was a marketing director at Adobe Systems. is a Consulting Highway Officials, Inc. (CASHO), Dapco Earlier in his career, he held engineering Member of Technical Staff at Lucent Industries, Demsey Manufacturing positions at Teknowledge Inc., an early Technologies Corporation. He holds the Company, Dominion Nuclear Connecticut, pioneer of artificial intelligence, and Grid distinction of being the fourth most prolific Electric Boat Corporation, Ensign-Bickford Systems, developer of the first laptop inventor in the world in 2000, with 270 Foundation, Fuss & O’Neill, Inc., General computer. He serves on the Board of U.S. patents, according to a press release Electric Advanced Materials, GE Consumer Directors of three private California prepared by Lucent. He joined Lucent/Bell & Industrial, Gilbane Building Company, companies: GuardianEdge Technologies, Labs in 1986 as a Member of Technical LDE Foundation, Lenard Engineering, Nimblefish Technologies and Telcontar. Staff and has held positions of increasing Northeast Utilities, O&G Industries, Pitney responsibility. In October 2005, Bowes, The Moles, The Stanley Works, Mr. Daoud was named a Bell Labs Fellow—the company’s highest honor—

16 FRONTIERS SUMMER 2006 for “pioneering and implementing innova- tive design and manufacturing principles for cost reduction optimization which has resulted in him being awarded the highest number of patents in the history of Bell Labs and the fourth highest in the world (2000). For developing cost reduction business processes and tools that delivered phenomenal margin improvements.” In his current position, he coordinates Stephen N. Heath the cost-reduction efforts of the cross-func- (B.S. Mechanical tional Network Solutions Group’s Mobility Engineering, ‘73) team, comprising members of the R&D design group, product management and Stephen Heath supply chain network groups. was most recently President of Pratt Anthony “Tony” & Whitney’s W. DeSio Commercial Engines business. He was During his career, Dr. Howard was respon- (B.S. Electrical responsible for the company’s world-wide sible for introducing many new courses and Engineering, ‘57) Commercial Engines operations, including curriculum innovations in the department overseeing a fleet of 15,000 engines, and the School. As an administrator, he Tony DeSio is the new and developmental engine program served as Associate Dean of Engineering for co-founder and initiatives, customer and technical support, undergraduate programs (‘74-‘88); Acting former Chairman, sales and marketing, new and serviceable Department Head; long-term member of President, and CEO of Mail Boxes Etc.® spare part sales, and the airplane manufac- the University Senate and its executive (currently known as The UPS STORE). turer liaison offices located in Toulouse, committee; and member and chair of the He launched the company’s franchising France and Seattle, WA. University Athletic Advisory Committee. business in 1980 and built the company Mr. Heath progressed through a variety He received the Outstanding Teacher Award from a single store into the world’s largest of leadership positions since joining the from the University Student Government non-food franchise with almost 4,000 company in 1973, including President of and, twice, the Rogers Outstanding stores in 30 countries at the time of his International Aero Engines (IAE), a joint Teaching Award in Chemical Engineering. retirement in 1998. venture company with which Pratt & Nationally, Dr. Howard chaired the Earlier in his career, he was an aerospace Whitney is a leading partner, which American Institute of Chemical Engineers executive with Hughes Research and produces the V2500 engine for the Airbus (AIChE) National Program Committee on Development Labs, Lockheed Martin, A320 family of aircraft. Prior to this current Education and the Liaison Committee GE, and Western Union. He held several assignment, he was Vice President of between AIChE and the ASEE Chemical key management positions with Lockheed Commercial Engines Programs. Mr. Heath Engineering Division. He remains active in Missiles & Space Company during the also has served as Vice President of teaching the senior lab course and advising initial stages of the U.S. Space Exploration Customer Service, Vice President of students. In his honor, colleagues and for- program. In 1971, he was nominated to Marketing and Sales, and Director of Pratt’s mer students established the Mike Howard participate in the President’s Executive V2500 program. He serves on the Board of Educational Excellence Fund in Chemical Interchange Program and served for two Directors of IAE; the Engine Alliance (EA), Engineering. years as a staff assistant to the Aeronautics another joint venture company with Pratt & and Space Counsel in the Executive Office Whitney; and the P&W Institute of John Lenard of the President. Collaborative Engineering (PWICE). (M.S. Civil Mr. DeSio has received an outstanding Engineering, ‘61) achievement award from the President of G. Michael the United States (1972), and Entrepreneur Howard John Lenard is of the Year awards from the International (Ph.D., Chemical the founder and Franchise Association (1996), Inc. magazine Engineering ’67) former President (1989), and Franchise Times magazine of Lenard (2001). Dr. G. Michael Engineering, Inc., a consulting civil Howard, professor engineering firm headquartered in Storrs, emeritus, has been CT with offices in Winsted, CT and a driving force within the University of Auburn, MA. Prior to establishing Lenard Connecticut since 1961, when he joined the Engineering, Inc. he managed international newly-formed Chemical Engineering Continued on page 18 Department as a faculty member. SUMMER 2006 FRONTIERS 17 projects for TAMS and Hydrotechnic Corp. Advisory Board of the Connecticut on developing innovative structural in New York City. He served as President of Microelectronics/Optoelectronics engineering solutions for building projects. the Connecticut chapter of the American Consortium and the Department of His work includes the United States Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) from Electrical & Computer Engineering at Embassy, Beijing; the NBC Tower, Chicago; 1979-80. Mr. Lenard received a Dipl. Ing. the University of Connecticut. The Cathedral of Christ the Light, degree from the Budapest Institute of Oakland; and the Jin Mao Tower, Shanghai Technology. He taught at the University of Sharon L. Nunes – currently the fourth tallest building in New Haven and was an adjunct instructor (M.S., Ph.D. the world. Mr. Sarkisian also holds a in the University of Connecticut’s Civil Materials Science, U.S. patent for The Pin-Fuse JointTM, Engineering Department. Mr. Lenard is a ‘80, ‘83) a structural seismic device for building Diplomate of the American Academy of frames. He is licensed to practice civil/struc- Environmental Engineers. Dr. Sharon Nunes tural engineering in 14 states. He is the recipient of numerous awards, is Vice President including the Benjamin Wright Award from of Business Douglas C. Shidler the Connecticut Society of Civil Engineers; Development and Productivity in IBM’s (B.S. Electrical the Edmund Friedman professional recog- Systems & Technology Group (STG). Engineering, ‘83) nition award from ASCE; and the Civil In this role, she works with technical and Engineering Alumni Award, the Civil & business leaders in STG to identify Douglas C. Shidler Environmental Engineering Senior Project opportunities for revenue growth through is Vice President, Award, and the Distinguished Service external relationships, including venture BLACK HAWK Award from the University of Connecticut capital companies and IBM business part- Programs at School of Engineering. He established the ners. She was previously Vice President of Sikorsky Aircraft, a position that he has John Lenard Endowed Scholarship. Technology, working with IBM’s Chairman held since 2002. He is responsible for all and the senior executive team to set the domestic and international ongoing Army Tom A. Martin technical agenda for the company. Earlier, and Air Force programs, including the (M.S., Ph.D. Dr. Nunes was the Vice President of upgrade version of the BLACK HAWK. Electrical Emerging Business at IBM’s Thomas J. Mr. Shidler led a successful development Engineering, Watson Research Center in Yorktown program that culminated in a commitment ‘71, ‘74) Heights, NY. Dr. Nunes was responsible by the U.S. Army to procure over 1200 for the launch of IBM’s Computational new UH-60M BLACK HAWKS over the Dr. Tom Martin Biology Center in 1997 and played a next 15 to 20 years. Annual BLACK is co-founder, key role in developing IBM’s business HAWK production is expected to increase President and Chairman of the Board of opportunities in the Life Sciences market. to levels up to 100 aircraft per year by Phonon Corp., a manufacturer of high She is a member of the Advisory 2008, representing revenues of approxi- performance surface acoustic wave (SAW) Council of the Whitaker Biomedical mately $1 billion per year for Sikorsky. devices and subsystems for the military Engineering Institute at Johns Hopkins Mr. Shidler has been with Sikorsky Aircraft and space electronics marketplaces. The University in Baltimore, MD and a member for 22 years and joined them immediately Simsbury, CT company did $10 million in of the Board of Directors for the Center for after graduating from the University of sales in 2005. He is responsible for strategic Security Technologies at Washington Connecticut School of Engineering. direction and business development and University in St. Louis. She was a National In addition to his work at Sikorsky, remains actively involved in engineering Academy of Engineering (NAE) “Frontiers Mr. Shidler is a co-founder and mentor for and marketing aspects of the operation. of Engineering” fellow in 2000 and has the Cheshire High School FIRST Robotics Before co-founding Phonon Corp. in 1982, been a member of the NAE “Engineer of program. The program is developed to he was Vice President and Technical 2020” advisory board. encourage high school students to pursue a Director of NAPCO Division of Thermo technical field, as well as to learn to design Electron Corporation and, prior to that, Mark P. Sarkisian and develop in a team environment. Vice President and Technical Director (B.S. Civil of Andersen Laboratories Division of Engineering, ‘83) Andersen Group, Inc. At Andersen, he played a major role in building the Mark P. Sarkisian, company’s ultrasonic device business. PE, SE, is a struc- He has published six scholarly archival tural engineering journal publications and holds two U.S. partner with patents. Dr. Martin serves on the Industrial Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP, one of the world’s leading architectural/engineering design firms. His career has focused

18 FRONTIERS SUMMER 2006

Seniors Demo Senior Design Projects

ore than other occupations, engineering Senior Design Expo, Mis the art and science of problem solving. where they demonstrated Every day, engineers combine theories with and discussed their design concrete know-how to develop new products, projects and delivered oral refine and improve existing ones, and over- presentations. With activi- come challenges. The metamorphosis from a ties centered in four engineering buildings, The cable is used in telecommunications. smart student to a confident, successful engi- the expo drew a large number of attendees The team of John Duge, Thomas Mealy and neer is a process that 1,600 undergraduates including fellow students, faculty, industry Mario Varvatsis placed second for their project undergo every four years. The peak experience representatives and proud parents. involving development of a pressurized thrust for most engineering students is the culminat- Twenty-five teams participated in the bearing test stand for Electric Boat (EB). EB ing senior design experience. Mechanical Engineering (ME) design competi- engineers Dawn Barasso and Stewart Piel The Senior Design course is generally a tion, including one interdisciplinary team that advised the team in designing and building a two-semester capstone course that provides included Electrical Engineering seniors. The test stand to test the performance of thrust students hands-on learning trials and exposes projects are judged by a panel of practitioners bearings under extreme pressure. The stand’s them to the challenges and satisfactions of from industry. For the first time, pharmaceuti- results will be compared against performance solving real-world dilemmas, from the problem cal giant GlaxoSmithKline, sponsored a project predictions made by EB modeling software. definition stage to prototype development. It involving development of an apparatus Third-place honors went to Christopher typically begins in the fall, when seniors are that will help the firm better understand how Fernald, Raed Gadelsayed and Jeffrey Malash, given an array of potential design projects medications are dissolved and absorbed within who studied the effect of outlet nozzle geome- from which to choose. Team members confer the human body. Such interdisciplinary try on air gauge measurement sensitivity for with a participating corporate consultant and research projects involving the pharmaceutical sponsor ASML, a lithography developer. The faculty advisors, affording them a unique and medical firms are expected to grow in company sought a more accurate air gauge, learning opportunity to thoroughly examine future years. which is used in the production of computer and solve genuine manufacturing problems, In the ME design competition, winning chips from blank silicon wafers. ASML engi- develop performance-enhancements or solve teams receive awards of $1,500, $1,000 neers Steve Roux and Jim Walsh consulted ergonomic challenges. The 2006 design proj- and $500. This year, the top-winning team with the team, which used FLUENT software ects involved a significant amount of analysis of Kevin Kearon and Arkadiusz Szablowski, to model the fluid dynamics behavior. using appropriate software programs. sponsored by the Siemon Company and Ten Electrical & Computer Engineering On April 28, dozens of teams from the advised by Randy Below (Vice President, teams demonstrated their projects, departments of Mechanical Engineering, Industrial & OEM Sales), developed a cable including a number of company-sponsored Electrical & Computer Engineering, Computer assembly process that documents alternative projects. The Phonon Ultrasonic Bonder devel- Science & Engineering, and the Biomedical configurations possible during assembly, oped for the Phonon Corp. by Steven LaBarre, Engineering Program participated in the annual provides continuity and transmission testing, Eric Carlson and Thomas Carignan, is a and packages the final product in a way calibration product that lets the user attain that assures the cable remains untwisted. optimal wire bonds on products that do not exhibit normal wire bonding conditions. The team of Manny Merulla, Peter Lofaro and Christopher Mouta designed an automated wideband antenna testing system for MegaWave Corp., a maker of radio telecom- munications antennas. With the objective of eliminating vibrations in motors for Qualtech Vibration Sensor, the team of Wellicor Sorsor, Ernesto Suarez and Filmson Alexander designed an accelerometer-based circuit board to measure vibrations, a device to measure where the vibration occurs, and a system for determining the nature of the counterweight to counteract the vibration. The Biomedical Engineering program hosted 13 teams whose projects targeted devices to improve the lives of handicapped Continued on page 23

SUMMER 2006 FRONTIERS 19 FacultyNews

During the spring, six faculty Professor of Civil & Environmental Associate professor of Civil & members were inducted into the Engineering John DeWolf was Environmental Engineering Connecticut Academy for Science elected to a one-year term as John Ivan, P.E., was interviewed & Engineering (CASE): associate Chair of the Senate Executive by WTIC-AM 1080, the Ray & professor Eric Donkor, professor Committee effective July 1. The 10-member Diane Show. Dr. Ivan was interviewed Krishna Pattipati, and professor committee organizes and coordinates the concerning traffic problems on Rt. 44 in Avon, Geoff Taylor—all of Electrical & business of the Senate and its committees. the site of several fatal multi-vehicle accidents. Computer Engineering; professor In addition, the fourth edition of a text that Dr. Ivan expressed his expert opinion that the Leon Shaw of the Chemical, Dr. DeWolf co-authored with F.P. Beer and E.R. road was originally designed to handle low Materials & Biomolecular Johnston, Mechanics of Materials, has been volume, high-speed rural traffic but that— Engineering Department; professor translated into Italian. The Italian-language due to intensive development on Avon and Department Head Reda fourth edition, published by McGraw-Hill, Mountain—now carries a significant volume Ammar of Computer Science & will be available during 2006. of low-speed suburban traffic. Engineering; and Distinguished Professor of Engineering and Professor of Electrical & Computer Allison MacKay, associate Department Head Ranga Engineering John Enderle, who professor of Civil & Environmental Pitchumani of Mechanical directs the School’s Biomedical Engineering, was an invited Engineering. CASE identifies and Engineering program, was award- speaker at the 2006 Gordon studies issues and technological ed one of two AAUP (American Association of Research Conference on Environmental advances of concern to University Professors) 2006 Excellence Awards Sciences (Water) June 25-30 in Holderness, Connecticut residents and in Service. The award was presented at the NH. Her talk focused on the link between provides unbiased, expert advice State Capitol in Hartford on April 26. lab and field studies in determining the on science- and technology-related environmental fate of pollutants. issues to state government and Gerald L. Engel, the Leonhardt other Connecticut institutions. Professor of Computer Science Ramesh Malla, associate & Engineering at the UConn professor Civil & Environmental Rajeev Bansal, professor of Stamford campus, was named Engineering, served as the General Electrical & Computer Engineering, a CSAB Fellow in June 2006. CSAB is the Chair of the Earth & Space 2006 is editor of a newly published Computing Sciences Accreditation Board, conference, which took place March 5-8 in 400-page text, Fundamentals of the agency that accredits computer science, Houston, TX. Engineering Electromagnetics, ISBN: 0-8493- software engineering, information systems and 7360-3. The book contains selected chapters information technology academic programs. Assistant professor of Computer extracted from the 2005 Handbook of Science & Engineering Ion Engineering Electromagnetics, also edited by Amir Faghri, United Technologies Mandoiu was appointed to the Dr. Bansal. The Fundamentals text provides a Endowed Chair Professor in editorial board of the International more focused view for specialists in areas Thermal-Fluids Engineering Journal of Bioinformatics Research and such as medicine, communications and remote and formerly Dean of the School Applications in May 2006. In addition, sensing who need to understand and apply of Engineering, has co-authored (with Yuen Dr. Mandoiu and two co-investigators, Mazhar electromagnetic principles but who lack Zhang) a new 1,012-page textbook, Khan (UConn Department of Pathobiology and fundamental training in this area. Both texts Transport Phenomena in Veterinary Science) and Bhaskar DasGupta are published by CRC Press. Multiphase Systems. The 2006 (University of Illinois at Chicago) were awarded book is published by Elsevier a three-year, National Science Foundation A paper co-authored by Doug and may be purchased under grant of $400,000 to develop bioinformatics Cooper, professor of Chemical, ISBN: 1-12-370610-6. tools that enable large-scale species Materials & Biomolecular identification using a recent genomic Engineering, was selected to Assistant professor of Mechanical technology called DNA barcoding. receive one of three “Best Paper” awards at Engineering Horea Ilies was Dr. Mandoiu is the co-inventor (with A.B. the ISA Expo 2005 conference. The conference awarded a $320,000 grant by the Kahng, C. Albrecht and A. Zelikovsky) of a was held October 25-27, 2005 in Chicago. National Science Foundation to patent for “Floorplan Evaluation, Global Dr. Cooper’s paper, co-authored with doctoral conduct research in “constrained geometric Routing, and Buffer Insertion for Integrated student Jeffrey Arbogast and Robert Rice, morphing of product families of mechanical Circuits,” U.S. Patent No. 7,062,743, which Ph.D., was entitled “A Review of Model based designs.” In addition, he serves as an invited was awarded in June 2006. Tuning Methods for PID Controllers” and associate editor for the new ASME Journal of was presented in the Automation & Control Medical Devices, which will debut in fall ‘06. Division track.

20 FRONTIERS SUMMER 2006 NSF CAREER continued from page 15

and on providing SOFC design guide- lines, permitting fast start-up times and longer service and thermal cycle life. An international symposium entitled “Fatigue awarded a U.S. patent for their Dr. Kim explains that his “investigations and Fracture of Traditional and Advanced work involving “Duplex Coatings will address three-dimensional transient Materials” co-sponsored by ASM International and Bulk Materials, and Methods thermal fracture analysis of functionally and The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society of Manufacture, Thereof,” U.S. graded SOFCs using cohesive zone (TMS) was held in March 2006 in San Antonio, Patent No. 6,974,640, issued models and interaction integrals along TX in honor of emeritus professor Arthur J. December 13, 2005. Dr. Shaw also with microstructure-based stochastic McEvily’s 80th birthday to highlight his was elected a Fellow of the World fracture modeling and coupled seminal contributions to theoretical and experi- Academy of Materials and thermo-mechanical sensitivity analysis.” mental aspects of fatigue and fracture over the Manufacturing Engineering This research is expected to improve last 50 years. In conjunction with this honorary (AMME) in November 2005, which the electrochemical and mechanical event, an endowed student-scholarship named bestows Fellow status on usually performance of SOFCs. “Arthur J. McEvily Scholarship” has been 1-3 researchers per country annual- The results of Dr. Kim’s CAREER established at the University of Connecticut. ly for exceptional scientific achievements in research will be introduced to high This fund will benefit academically talented materials and manufacturing engineering. school students participating in the undergraduate students from the Material Emerald Group Publishing Ltd. presented residential Engineering 2000 summer Science & Engineering program. Dr. Shaw and his former graduate students, program—as well as high school Drs. X. Li and J. Wang, a “Highly Commended science, math and technology teachers Doctoral student Lance E. Miller was Award 2006” for their paper, “Optimization of participating in the residential da Vinci awarded a prestigious 2006-07 IBM Doctoral the Cross-Section Geometry of Laser-Densified Project. Dr. Kim joined the Civil & Fellowship and a summer internship with IBM’s Dental Porcelain Bodies for Rapid Prototyping Environmental Engineering Department Cambridge, MA location, where he will work Processes” which appeared in Rapid in January 2004 after receiving his on the IBM Blue Gene L class architecture Prototyping Journal. Ph.D. from the University of Illinois supercomputer. Mr. Miller is earning dual at Urbana-Champaign. Dr. Kim has doctoral degrees in Computer Science & Bob Weiss, professor of developed strong research expertise in Engineering (advised by Dr. Thomas Peters) Chemical, Materials & numerical modeling and simulation for and math (advised by Dr. Eugene Spiegel). Biomolecular Engineering, functionally graded materials (FGMs). was named a Fellow of the UTC Professor of Computer American Chemical Society’s Division of Science & Engineering (CSE) Polymeric Materials: Science & Engineering Secretary of Energy continued from page 14 Sanguthevar Rajasekaran, (PMSE). He is one of just five individuals along with assistant professor of inducted in 2006. • Air passive 25 watt PEM fuel cell— CSE Chun-Hsi Huang and other Distinguished Professor of Engineering colleagues from the Computer The School of Engineering sadly and Department Head of Mechanical Science & Engineering; Genetics & reports that professor emeritus of Engineering Ranga Pitchumani Developmental Biology; Molecular, Civil Engineering Wilbur J. • Membrane durability lab for PEM Microbial and Structural Biology; and Widmer passed away April 2nd. fuel cells—Pratt & Whitney Chair Neuroscience departments at the University He served on the faculty from 1948 until his Professor in Design & Reliability of Connecticut, have developed a new website retirement in 1988 and also contributed his Kenneth Reifsnider tool, the Minimotif Miner, which allows time to the World Health Organization as • Tubular solid oxide fuel cell— researchers to search a given protein for hun- Sanitary Engineer and Consultant in Pakistan, design technician Peter Menard dreds of amino acid motifs that may be associ- Brazil and Egypt. He is survived by his widow, • Direct methanol fuel cell—United ated with diseases such as Creutzfeldt-Jakob Pearl Gilmore Widmer and three sons. Technologies Endowed Chair Professor in disease. The site (http://mnm.engr.uconn.edu) Thermal-Fluids Engineering Amir Faghri was profiled in the Netwatch portion of Carlos Carvallo, a graduate student in • Poster presentations by Monty Shaw, a Science magazine (Feb. 17, 2006), and the the BME program, was awarded a Best professor in the Chemical, Materials & methodology is described in the March 2006 Paper/Poster Award at the 32nd Northeast Biomolecular Engineering Department, issue of Nature Methods. Bioengineering Conference for his presentation and professor of Chemistry Steven Suib entitled “Design, Implementation and Professor of Chemical, Materials & Validation of a Quality Assurance Process for Secretary Bodman also viewed a number Biomolecular Engineering Leon Shaw— Medical Displays.” The paper was presented of ongoing research and demonstration along with professor of Mechanical at Lafayette College, Easton, PA. projects that currently reside within the Engineering Eric Jordan, Research Specialist CGFCC and are operated by FuelCell Energy, Maury Gell, T.D. Xiao and X. Jiang—were GenCell, UTC Power and Distributed Energy Systems Corp.

SUMMER 2006 FRONTIERS 21 remarks by quoting author and child-rearing Young Inventors Redefine iconoclast Joseph Chilton Pearce, who said “To live a creative life, we must lose our fear of being wrong.” Mr. Martin went on to inform the Their Environment audience that countless visionaries, who revo- lutionized the world with their technological breakthroughs, failed to accurately predict the n Saturday, April 29, over 550 youthful key. A person could use the extender to insert public’s acceptance of innovation. He quoted a Oinventors demonstrated that an inventive the key in the ignition without reaching around number of technology leaders whose predic- mind can change the world. The young people, the steering wheel, thereby avoiding the painful tions were far off the mark, for example, students in grades K through 8, were competing wrist-turn normally associated with inserting “There is no reason anyone would want to in the annual Connecticut Invention Convention the key in the ignition. The Power Shade, own a computer in their home,” attributed to (CIC) at Gampel Pavilion in Storrs. Now in its developed by seventh grader Rachel Teti of Ken Olson, former president, chairman and 23rd year, the Connecticut event is one of the Torrington Middle School, allows elderly and founder of Digital Equipment Corporation; and longest continuously operating invention handicapped people to close their window “No flying machine will ever fly from New York competitions in the nation. The 2006 CIC was shades from a distance. Rachel’s unit included to Paris,” attributed to Orville Wright, co-inven- hosted and co-sponsored by the UConn School a Nintendo remote control device and an tor with his brother, Wilbur, of the world’s first of Engineering. automotive motor to lower and raise a window successful airplane. shade from up to 63 feet away. “The nation’s quality of life depends on our Among the inventions illuminating “These young inventors are our future, expertise in science and engineering,” he com- the 2006 convention were: and the Connecticut Invention Convention is an mented. Yet, he cautioned, the nation is falling insurance policy on our future competitiveness behind technologically: 67% of college students An answer to that nagging problem of missing as a nation,” commented the School of in Singapore are studying engineering versus socks in the laundry: Sock-netic, invented by Engineering’s Assistant Dean of Undergraduate 15% of American college students, and Japan fourth grader Emily Barker of the Polk School Education, Marty Wood. graduates twice as many engineers as does the in Oakville, CT. This device uses two magnets The Connecticut Invention Convention (CIC) U.S. The U.S., he said, graduates twice as enveloped in plastic strips to clip matching is the culminating competition where children many lawyers as engineers. Yet it is engineers, socks together during their voyage through the who won top honors in their school contests vie Mr. Martin suggested, who will move the dryer. The Auto Dog Groomer, created by fourth for top state laurels. A number of these young nation forward technologically and ensure grader Ashley Lynn Perry of the Cook Hill Thomas Edisons have appeared on the Tonight our national defense and health. School, Wallingford, combines a battery Show with Jay Leno, Ellen DeGeneres, PBS’s Dr. Ramesh Malla, associate professor powered screwdriver and a round hair brush to ZOOM, and the Martha Stewart Show. of Civil & Environmental Engineering, is a quickly detangle and brush a beloved pet’s fur. CIC was conceived as a fun way to entice member of the CIC Board of Directors and The Bookbag 3000, invented by sixth grade children to apply critical, creative thinking served as the Convention Coordinator at UConn. student DaVaune Carr of Thomas Edison Middle in both recognizing and solving everyday The “EDDY” award winning Connecticut School in Meriden, solves the vexing problem problems. Each year, the process begins at Invention Convention is produced each year, faced by school children everywhere: getting 95 participating schools, where students are courtesy of local teachers and the volunteer caught in the rain without an umbrella. encouraged to identify a vexing problem they efforts by the many generous School of DaVaune developed a school backpack-umbrella encounter regularly. The children then consider Engineering exhibitors, the organization’s combo that ensures every child is prepared for possible solutions, select one and refine it into governing board, and more than 150 judges. foul weather. a working prototype. On the path to discovery, CIC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit program underwrit- The Anti-Arthritic Car Starter, developed the young inventors also document the ten by grants and in-kind support from commu- by Collin Sembler, a sixth grader at Our Lady of scientific process by which they developed nity, educational institutions, businesses and Mercy School. Collin wanted to help his grand- their solution. charitable organizations, including the UConn mother, who has severe arthritis, start her car “Applying their intellect and creativity to a School of Engineering, United Technologies without pain. He developed an extender that challenge, children demonstrate they can trans- Corporation, GE Consumer & Industrial, CL&P uses an L-shaped piece of wood to hold the form concepts into real problem solutions,” said Energy Efficiency Team, AT&T Connecticut, Charlie Baumgartner, CIC president and The Stanley Works, Connecticut Space Grant NPI Purchasing Program Manager, GE College Consortium, Microsoft and the Consumer & Industrial. “It is the most Connecticut Center for Science & Exploration. gratifying experience imaginable, for For details on this year’s award winners, the children themselves, of course, pictures of the event, sponsorship opportuni- but also for the adults involved in ties, steps for implementing the CIC making this happen: the teachers, curriculum in your school, and judging, parents and judges.” visit www.CTInventionConvention.org. Paul Martin, Senior Vice President of Sikorsky Aircraft, delivered opening remarks on the theme “Invention is the Key to Your Future.” He opened his

22 FRONTIERS SUMMER 2006 Senior Design continued from page 19 individuals, improve diagnostic techniques AlumniNews and improve medical treatment. Three projects were sponsored by the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center (RERC) on Mark Allyn, Jr. (B.S., M.S. Civil Engineering, Biao Chen (Ph.D., Electrical Engineering, ‘99), Accessible Medical Instrumentation. The ‘96, ‘98), P.E., was promoted to Project Manager assistant professor of electrical engineering and team of David Price, Matthew Bularzik with BVH Integrated Services, Inc., Bloomfield, computer science at Syracuse University, and Michael Rivera developed a “gPod CT. He is a member of the American Institute of won a National Science Foundation Faculty Accessible Blood Glucose Meter” to Steel Construction and the Precast Prestressed Early Career Development (CAREER) Award communicate diabetic blood glucose results Concrete Institute. to conduct research in signal processing and communications. visually and audibly, thereby ensuring that Stephen Altschuler (B.S. Electrical hearing- or vision-impaired diabetics can Engineering, ‘54), president of the Altek Co., Mary Fazio (M.S., Biomedical Engineering, ‘06) easily, accurately learn their blood glucose was presented the Northwest Connecticut received the ACCE (American Society of Clinical levels. The problem of patients forgetting or Chamber of Commerce “Business Leader” Engineering) Best Student Paper Award for unable to take their medication on a regular award in recognition of his success in running 2006. Ms. Fazio was presented the award basis was attacked by Kevin Villani, Eva “a small business in a community and region during the ACCE Annual Membership Meeting Marie Suarez and Jackie Masse. The team that is needing jobs,” according to the group’s held in June. developed an automated medicine dispensing president. Mr. Altschuler was a 2004 inductee (AMD) device that may be used by those who to the University of Connecticut’s Academy of Douglas C. Shidler (B.S., Electrical have limited mobility or are vision impaired to Distinguished Engineers. Engineering, ‘83), who was elected to UConn’s mechanically dispense pills and even pill Academy of Distinguished Engineers in segments on a timed basis. Another RERC- G. Clifford Carter spring 2006, recently was appointed the sponsored team, comprising members Ashley (M.S., Ph.D. Electrical Vice President for Marine Corps Programs Reeners, Bhavin Patel, Christen Thomsen and Engineering, ‘72, ‘76), was with Sikorsky Aircraft. Andrew Harris, developed a positioning awarded the prestigious apparatus that adjusts a disabled patient to IEEE USA Harry Diamond The School of Engineering is saddened to Award for exceptional pro- report the passing of two valued alumni: the proper position for imaging procedures. fessional achievements in Stanley Bockstein (B.S., M.S. Mechanical In a national RERC on Accessible Medical coherence and time delay Engineering, ‘55, ‘59), and Frank Zimmerman Instrumentation Senior Design Competition, estimation, which have provided the military (B.S. Mechanical Engineering, ’45). these same Biomedical Engineering program with innovative solutions to the most challeng- Mr. Bockstein passed away on January 2, 2006 teams took honors among a total of 22 ing signal processing systems issues. Dr. Carter and leaves behind his widow, Sylvia Bockstein. teams. The overall winner, which also took currently works in the Signal Processing He was retired at the time of his death, top honors in the Accessible Medication Algorithm Development Branch of the Naval following a career with General Dynamics. Dispensing Device competition, was the team Undersea Warfare Center. Mr. Zimmerman, who was profiled in a fall of Jackie Masse, Eva Marie Suarez and 1999 issue of Frontiers, died March 6, 2006. Kevin Villani. In the Accessible Blood Glucose Franklin R. Chang-Diaz, Ph.D. (B.S.E. He worked in sales and marketing at the Ford Monitor Interface area, the UConn team of Mechanical Engineering, ‘73), who flew seven Motor Co. for nearly 32 years, primarily in Matthew Bularzik, David Price and Michael shuttle missions as a NASA astronaut, left Dearborn, MI. After retiring in 1977, he moved Rivera took top honors for their unit. And the NASA in July to form his own rocket company, to Hilton Head, SC and was a founding director team of Andrew Harris, Bhavin Patel, Ashley Ed Astra Rocket Company with a goal of of Sea Pines Associates. Reeners and Christen Thomsen won a continuing development of the VASIMR engine. second-place tie in the Patient Positioning Dr. Chang-Diaz serves as Chairman of the Board and CEO. He is a 2003 inductee to the Aid area. University of Connecticut’s Academy of Sponsoring organizations for the Distinguished Engineers. 2006 senior design projects included Pratt & Whitney, Pitney Bowes, Rogers Corporation, Hamilton Sundstrand, Gerber Technology, Electric Boat, The Siemon Company, Westinghouse Electric, Unilever, Class of '56 alumni of the School of Engineering attended a June 2 reception Otis Elevator, ASML, OSIM International Ltd., at the Storrs campus. Among those Miracle Industries, Pioneer Aerospace, attending the event were (left to right): Sikorsky, GlaxoSmithKline, Wiremold Clive D. Barnsbee (B.S.), Edward W. Legrand, D. Flannigan, DDS, the U.S. Army Chase III (B.S.), Stuart E. Gadbois Research Office, the National Science (B.S., M.S., Ph.D.), Val C. Buonaiuto Foundation, Quantum Leap Technology, the (B.S.), William E. Cramer (B.S.), Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center Mario Casarella (B.S., M.S., Ph.D.) on Accessible Medical Instrumentation, and Sarah Casarella. All majored in Phonon Corp., MegaWave Corp., NUWCNPT, Mechanical Engineering. GE, and Qualtech Systems. SUMMER 2006 FRONTIERS 23 24 FRONTIERS SUMMER 2006

Engineering Sponsors Chess Match, Engineering Scholarships

he University of Connecticut was named Building on the UConn-Storrs campus The second-place winner will garner a Tthe Chess College of the Year by the from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday $1,000 annual scholarship to the UConn U.S. Chess Federation in June. Among the and Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to noon. School of Engineering, renewable for four critical factors considered by the College The tournament is open to students years. The third-place player in open Chess Committee in awarding the honor to enrolled in grades 9-12 and offers sections competition will receive a $500 annual UConn is a new School of Engineering for open and reserve competition. Top per- scholarship to the UConn School of scholarship program for top high school formers in the open competition are eligible Engineering, renewable for four years. chess players. to receive renewable scholarships to the Prior to September 9, the fee to Numerous studies have concluded UConn School of Engineering plus tro- participate in the open competition is that playing chess enhances creativity, phies. The scholarships are redeemable only $45, and participation in the reserve concentration, critical thinking, reasoning to individuals who meet the School of competition is $40. skills, problem solving and even verbal skills Engineering’s admittance criteria, enroll in For additional details, contact (Dr. Robert Ferguson, Johan Christiaen the UConn School of Engineering, Tom Hartmayer (860-989-5394 or and others). These skills are also important and maintain a 3.4 GPA as a full-time via e-mail at [email protected]. for success in engineering education and student. The top six competitors in the practice. With this link in mind, the School reserve play will receive trophies. of Engineering will sponsor a high school The first-place winner in the open chess tournament the weekend of competition will receive a $2,000 annual September 23-24, 2006. The tournament scholarship to the UConn School of will take place in the F.L. Castleman Engineering, renewable for four years.

Non-Profit Org. US Postage Paid Permit 3 Storrs, CT 06269

261 Glenbrook Road, Unit 2237 Storrs, CT 06269-2237