FALL / WINTER 2019

RESEARCH AS RECRUITMENT Summer research experiences help with student skills

GROWTH IN WOMEN FACULTY MEMBERS | 18 ∙ A MORE SUSTAINABLE CUP | 24 and infrared imaging thermography, as well as respiratory physiology and tracing the flow of non-Newtonian fluids using radioactive tracer displacement techniques.

Born in Roanoke, Va., in 1922, she received a B.S. in chemistry from Roanoke College in 1943 and an M.S. in chemistry from the University of Cincinnati in 1947. From 1951 to 1980, she continued as a research associate professor in Engineering Research. From 1980 to 1983, she was associate director of the Engineering Operations Program. She then became associate professor of chemical engineering from 1983 to 1990 before joining the faculty of the BAE department until she retired.

Richardson and the late Professor Kenneth O. Beatty were lifelong professional collaborators in chemical engineering, including the development of the first biomedical engineering course at NC State, which she taught. In BAE, she helped undergird the developing biomedical engineering concentration and set the stage for the first ABET- accredited biomedical engineering program in the University of North Carolina System.

She received the Sigma Xi Research Award in 1959 and the Roanoke College Alumni Distinguished Service Award in 1970. She was also elected a Fellow of the American Institute of Chemists in 1969, and that same year she was RICHARDSON WAS COLLEGE’S FIRST a visiting professor of biomedical engineering at Case WOMAN FACULTY MEMBER Western Reserve University. Richardson was elected the first president of the North Carolina Society of Women Engineers in 1979 and, in 1980, the society named her Plans to build the first nuclear reactor on a university Outstanding Woman Engineer. campus brought Frances Marian (Billie) Richardson to NC State in 1951. She ended up staying for 41 years. Through the years, her love of engineering was Richardson came to NC State as a research associate expressed through mentoring many women in professor in the Department of Engineering Research engineering programs at NC State and in founding the and was the first woman faculty member in the School Student Section of the Society of Women Engineers at of Engineering. She retired from NC State in 1992 as an NC State. emeritus faculty member in the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering (BAE) and passed away in “It has always been important to me to see more women Raleigh in April 2018. enjoy the engineering sciences, just as I have, and I believe strongly that mentoring and supporting women Fresh off graduate studies at Columbia University, is one way to do this,” she said in a 2003 interview. Richardson was drawn to the reactor program because On page 18, learn more about the work of today’s of her interest in nuclear chemistry. Her research and women faculty members in the College and the efforts publications focused on the areas of fluid mechanics being made to increase their presence on campus. contents FALL / WINTER 2019 FEATURES 16 IN OUR LABS Explore the spaces where our engineering faculty members work. In this issue, visit the Virtual and Augmented Reality Lab in the Edward P. Fitts Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering. 18 MAJOR IMPACT The College has increased the number of women faculty members over the last decade and promoted them to leadership positions in departments and centers. 16 24 BREWING UP A SUSTAINABLE COFFEE CUP A student team develops a coffee filtration system that processes wastewater into clean water and fertilizer and is recognized in a global engineering competition. 26 FOG ALERT Researchers in the Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering are leading research on the impact of fats, oils and grease. 30 RESEARCH AS RECRUITMENT Summer research experiences held on campus help strengthen student skills. 26 They also serve as a way for faculty members to recruit top graduate students.

DEAN Dr. Louis A. Martin-Vega OFFICE OF THE DEAN College of Engineering ADVISORY BOARD Campus Box 7901, NC State University Dr. John Gilligan, Executive Associate Dean of Engineering Raleigh, NC 27695-7901 Griffin Lamb, Assistant Dean for Development and College Relations, 919.515.2311 Executive Director of the NC State Engineering Foundation, Inc. www.engr.ncsu.edu Suzanne S. Gordon (BSCSC / MA ‘75, MSST ‘80) President, Board NC STATE ENGINEERING FOUNDATION, INC. of Directors, NC State Engineering Foundation, Inc. Campus Box 7901, NC State University Michael Walsh, Interim Executive Director of Major Gifts and Raleigh, NC 27695-7901 Campaign Planning, NC State Engineering Foundation, Inc. 919.515.7458 www.engr.ncsu.edu/alumni-and-giving/ncsef EDITOR Brent Lancaster CHANGE OF ADDRESS? Send address corrections to ASSISTANT EDITOR Darsee Heath [email protected]; or call 919.515.7458, toll free: 866.316.4057. MAGAZINE DESIGN DIRECTOR Candice Wallace NC State University is an equal opportunity and affirmative action ASSISTANT GRAPHIC DESIGNER Jacob Fremderman employer and is dedicated to equality of opportunity within its CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Nora Brodsky, Lea Hart, Danielle community. Accordingly, NC State University does not practice or Herman, Kathi McBlief, Matt Shipman condone discrimination, in any form, against students, employees, or applicants on the grounds of race, color, national origin, religion, IMAGES Milad Abolhasani; Ralph Edwards; Marc Hall; iStock; Joy sex, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, or disability. NC State Johnson; Rebecca Kirkland; Robert Lasson; NC State High-Powered University commits itself to positive action to secure equal opportunity Rocketry Club; Stuart Nisbet; Stuart Phoenix; Richard Rohrbaugh; regardless of those characteristics. Skanska USA; Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University Libraries; Strata Solar; Alex Stone; U.S. Army. © 2019. This document was produced by the NC State Engineering Foundation, Inc. and Engineering Communications. No state funds ILLUSTRATIONS Jie Sun, Dameon Williams were used; 65,000 copies of this document were printed at a cost of $40,453 on recycled paper.

NC STATE ENGINEERING | 1 QUESTIONS FOR GRIFFIN LAMB Griffin Lamb joined the College in May as assistant dean for development and college relations and executive QA& director of the NC State Engineering Foundation. Please tell us about your background in higher-education development. I started my first job as reunion coordinator at my alma mater, Davidson College, in July 2000. This role provided the opportunity to work with a variety of alumni, from the fifth reunion to the 50th, and to begin learning how to coordinate with leaders across campus in order to plan the reunion programming. I did everything from buy blenders at Target for a fifth reunion Fiesta party to proof the Memorial Service program for the 50th reunion to write instructions for the event the vice president of college relations needed to attend. Best of all, I got my own golf cart for reunion weekend! After Davidson, I held roles in annual and reunion giving at the Harvard College Fund. From there, I returned to my home state and learned about the UNC system during four-and-half years as associate vice chancellor for development at East Carolina University in Greenville.

What interested you in a position within the College of Engineering? First and foremost, the fact that it is about engineering. I was not looking to move, but the job description caught my eye immediately: a chance to scale a fascinating learning curve while continuing to serve my home state. I wanted to apply the fundraising fundamentals I’ve learned over the last two decades in a new setting with endless storytelling possibilities. It was a win-win.

What are the Foundation’s current priorities? We are working hard to cross the finish line of $60 million raised for Fitts-Woolard Hall. To paraphrase Dean Martin-Vega, this project is about providing faculty and staff with the tools they need to be successful. When not focused on Fitts-Woolard, we talk to donors about scholarships, professorships, graduate support, study abroad support and much more. While we have clear priorities to share on behalf of the College, we always begin a gift conversation by asking a donor about his or her interests.

The University launched the Think and Do the Extraordinary capital campaign in 2013. Where does that effort stand? As of June 30, we have raised $182,108,859 toward our total COE goal of $230,000,000. With these gifts as our momentum heading into the next two years and many more alumni and friends to speak to about their support, we have what we need to be successful.

What can alumni and friends of the College do to become more involved? There is no shortage of ways to help: make an annual gift, return to campus during Red and White Week, provide an internship for a student, mentor a young alumnus/a in your field, serve on your departmental advisory board, or, best of all, meet with a staff member to tailor your involvement.

As you have learned more about the College, has anything surprised you? I’m in awe of Centennial Campus. The vision required to see how NC State could expand and what the College could be with the right tools (space, people and partnerships with business) astounds me. ■

2 | www.engr.ncsu.edu College lands two major FROM T HE research projects Engineering faculty members continue to attract new major research funding, with new projects that will advance 5G wireless networking and production of new biotherapeutics. The Norvo Nordisk Foundation will DEANWelcome to the fall 2019 issue of NC State Engineering fund the Accelerated Innovation in magazine. Your College continues to be one of the largest Manufacturing Biologics (AIM-Bio) producers of engineering graduates in the United States. NC effort to accelerate the next generation State engineers are helping to drive the economy in the Research of biopharmaceutical manufacturing, Triangle Park, across North Carolina and around the nation, thanks granting global access to powerful new t o to the ability to solve problems and work collaboratively, a skill biotherapeutics for treating a wide range that they learned during their time on campus. of chronic and potentially lethal diseases. The latest American Society for Engineering Education NC State will administer AIM-Bio LOUIS A. MARTIN-VEGA (ASEE) figures released this summer show that we continue to in collaboration with the Technical rank in the top 20 nationally in the number of annual bachelor’s, master’s and Ph.D. engineering University of Denmark (DTU) in graduates. As the fall semester begins, we are welcoming our largest first year and transfer Copenhagen and will receive $18 million class ever, with 1,752 new undergraduate students. We have also set a new record for new of the $27 million in funding. Ph.D. students, reaching 261 this fall. The Biomanufacturing Training and More than 12 percent of the newly arrived first-year engineering students come from Education Center, part of the College, will underrepresented groups, and the class is more than 30 percent women, both new records for develop and offer new courses to train the the College. The 2019-20 first-year class across the University is more than 50 percent women biopharmaceutical workers of tomorrow. for the first time in NC State’s history. Dr. Ruben Carbonell, Frank Hawkins In this issue, you will be able to read about our efforts to not only recruit and retain more Kenan Distinguished Professor in women faculty members, but also the leadership roles they have attained in our College. They the Department of Chemical and are some of our most prominent teachers and researchers as well as leaders of our academic Biomolecular Engineering (CBE), is the departments and nationally recognized research centers. They are also outstanding role models principal investigator on the grant. Dr. who are making a significant impact on the increase in female student enrollment that we have Stefano Menegatti, assistant professor in been experiencing. CBE, is a co-PI. As we continue to grow, it’s important that we continue to recruit a broad cross section of With $24 million in funding from the students that includes not only women, but more students from groups that are historically National Science Foundation (NSF), NC underrepresented in engineering. This continues to be a foremost priority for the College. State will lead a seven-year effort to build With this in mind, we are very proud to share with you that our College recently received a specialized wireless network covering national recognition by ASEE for our efforts to increase diversity in engineering education. NC North Carolina’s Research Triangle region State was one of 29 universities to be recognized as an “exemplar” recipient of the Bronze so researchers can test new ways of Award for the inaugural ASEE Diversity Recognition Program. increasing wireless speed and capacity. Recipients had to meet several stringent criteria related to our diversity efforts including It’s the third testing platform infrastructure to support diverse populations, K-12 community college pipeline activity and many established by NSF as part of an initiative other initiatives. The impact of our Minority Engineering and Women in Engineering programs to ensure U.S. dominance in Fifth also played a major role in our College receiving the highest level of recognition that this ASEE Generation (5G) wireless networks. program provides at this moment. Dr. Ismail Guvenc, associate professor We trust that these efforts, as well as the many other initiatives shared in this issue, will offer in the Department of Electrical and many reasons for you to be proud as an alumni or friend of NC State’s College of Engineering. Computer Engineering (ECE), is the PI Thank you for your continuing support. on the project. Co-PIs include Dr. Rudra Dutta, professor in the Department of Computer Science; and Drs. Brian Floyd Louis A. Martin-Vega, Ph.D. and Mihail Sichitiu, professors in ECE. ■ Dean

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SUMMER GAMING PROGRAM HELPS what can we do that would be of interest to them,” she said. CAMPERS REALIZE THEIR POTENTIAL She explained that former police sergeant James Kryskowiak and Ronneil Robinson came up with the idea of a LEAD COUNSELOR NASIR JONES numerous groups have joined forces computer gaming camp originally called stands at the front of the class, to keep this camp viable, including the Games Over Gangs. The RPD eventually guiding the campers through coding partnering Raleigh Police Department enlisted NC State as the camp venue. exercises that are part of SNAP, a visual (RPD) and Ronneil Robinson’s Give Back The first year, RPD officers identified programming language. Three other Organization (GBO). Cisco largely funded children and talked to parents, counselors move among them answering the program this year. transported the children back and forth questions. Lt. Barbara Cojocar is with the RPD’s to camp, mentored them and picked up The 12 campers are participating in Southeast District and oversees the food for them provided by GBO through the Bridge to Computing summer camp department’s involvement with the donors and volunteers. Now, they are program for underserved 12- to 15-year- camp. She described how the idea for a out of the food loop but still select the old boys held in the Department of computer gaming camp came about. children, transport them, chat and play Computer Science (CSC) at NC State. “Knowing that there were underserved football with them. Always they mentor According to Dr. Tiffany Barnes, a children in the district and wanting to them, focusing on values such as professor in the department who is make sure they had productive activity courage, fairness and integrity. in charge of the program, the very during the summer to help them not be Barnes said that she saw the camp first camp was held in 2017. She said recruited into gang activity, we thought, as an opportunity to reach out to

4 | www.engr.ncsu.edu PACK POINTS children who don’t typically think about The campers build their skills so computing as something they can do. that by the end of camp they have How did two campers Growing up in a poor neighborhood, produced projects with SNAP. They enjoy the experience? she said, “I always saw education as a present the projects on the last day way of not being poor... When I took a to an audience that includes their computer science class in high school, parents. “I really like how they which was required, I was really good at The counselors, in addition to it, and I was like, ‘I can do this,’ but if I keeping the campers on task with put us at NC State. hadn’t had that class, I don’t know what their lessons, take advantage of They could have put I would be doing now.” teachable moments. us somewhere else. We Barnes said that the curriculum has Lee gave an example. During can go outside to play evolved each year to provide the best some free time, the campers were and go to lunch, so this possible experience for the campers. playing a song by YNW Melly called is a very good place to Barnes also realized that the campers “Mama Cry.” Robertson asked how related better to counselors closer in the so-called thug lifestyle appeals to have camp.” age from similar neighborhoods. them through music. Some thought it JONATHAN PITTMAN, 13, Jones comes from such a seemed cool because of the money, Martin Middle School neighborhood in Greenville, N.C. Marnie cars, girls and friends. The counselors Hill, who taught computer science asked them to pay attention to lyrics “(The counselors) to Jones at J.H. Rose High School in — not just the beat — because they lighten the mood. They Greenville and now works for Barnes as often reveal the harsh reality of the work with us when the program manager of a workshop for lifestyle. teachers, told Barnes about the great These camp counselors, RPD we’re doing coding.” job Jones did in her classes. officers, Ronneil Robinson, donors, JAMARI AVERY, 14, Jones worked as a camp counselor Barnes, Hill and more say they care Enloe High School last year and is this year’s lead deeply about the success of this Both expressed an interest in counselor. He’s in his second year at program and are committed to helping coding as a profession. Pittman has North Carolina A&T State University (NC these young men realize their full already started his own game. A&T) and plans to come to NC State as potential. ■ a graduate student in computer science. He had a large role in making this year’s lesson plans and recruited the other counselors. Two of the three other counselors also attend NC A&T: Kalyn Robertson is a sophomore majoring in supply chain management and Nelson Lee is a junior majoring in psychology. Arquavion Page, also taught by Hill, is now in his first year at Pitt Community College majoring in computer science with a full scholarship. Hill mentored the four counselors. The three-week camps are made up of a variety of activities from basic typing to leadership activities. The lessons center around computer science, sometimes in the form of games, but there are also field trips, speakers and breaks for football.

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RESEARCH OVERCOMES KEY OBSTACLES TO SCALING UP DNA DATA STORAGE

NC STATE RESEARCHERS have developed new techniques for labeling and retrieving data files in DNA-based information storage systems, addressing two of the key obstacles to widespread adoption of DNA data storage technologies. “DNA systems are attractive because of their potential information storage density; they could theoretically store a billion times the amount of data stored in a conventional electronic device of comparable size,” says Dr. James Tuck, co-corresponding author of a paper on the work and an associate professor of electrical and computer engineering. “But two of the big challenges here are, how do you identify the strands of an estimated 30,000 of these binding 30,000 to approximately 900 million,” DNA that contain the file you are looking sequences available, which is insufficient Tuck says. for? And once you identify those strands, for practical use. We wanted to find a Once identified, the file still needs how do you remove them so that way to overcome this limitation.” to be extracted. Existing techniques they can be read — and do so without To address these problems, the use polymerase chain reaction (PCR) destroying the strands?” researchers developed two techniques to make lots (and lots) of copies of the “Previous work had come up with a that, taken together, they call DNA relevant DNA strands, then sequence system that appends short, 20-monomer Enrichment and Nested Separation, or the entire sample. Because there are long sequences of DNA called primer- DENSe. so many copies of the targeted DNA binding sequences to the ends of DNA The researchers tackled the file strands, their signal overwhelms the rest strands that are storing information,” identification challenge by using two, of the strands in the sample, making it says Dr. Albert Keung, co-corresponding nested primer-binding sequences. The possible to identify the targeted DNA author of the paper and an assistant system first identifies all of the strands sequence and read the file. professor in the Department of Chemical containing the initial binder sequence. Co-lead author of the paper is Kevin and Biomolecular Engineering. “You It then conducts a second “search” of Volkel, a Ph.D. student at NC State. The could use a small DNA primer that that subset of strands to single out those paper was co-authored by Alexander matches the corresponding primer- strands that contain the second binder Simpson, a former graduate student at binding sequence to identify the sequence. NC State; and Austin Hass and Elaine appropriate strands that comprise your “This increases the number of Indermaur, both undergraduates at NC desired file. However, there are only estimated file names from approximately State. ■

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“This is important, because it gives us a clear understanding of both what we can do to improve tissue performance and what we need to avoid in order to preserve living cells.”

DR. ROHAN SHIRWAIKER

as frequency and amplitude,” Shirwaiker says. To demonstrate the viability of the UAB technique, the researchers created a knee meniscus, with the cells aligned in a semilunar arc — just as they are in a natural meniscus. “We were able to control the ULTRASOUND ALIGNS LIVING CELLS alignment of the cells as they were printed, layer by layer, throughout IN BIOPRINTED TISSUES the tissue,” Shirwaiker says. “We’ve also shown the ability to align cells in ways that are particularly important for COE RESEARCHERS have developed a bioprinting process. This allows us to other orthopedic soft tissues, such as technique to improve the characteristics create a knee meniscus, for example, ligaments and tendons.” of engineered tissues by using that is more similar to a patient’s original The researchers also found that some ultrasound to align living cells during the meniscus. To date, we’ve been able combinations of ultrasound parameters biofabrication process. to align cells for a range of engineered led to cell death. “We’ve reached the point where we musculoskeletal tissues.” “This is important, because it gives us are able to create medical products, To align the cells, the researchers a clear understanding of both what we such as knee implants, by printing built an ultrasound chamber that allows can do to improve tissue performance living cells,” says Dr. Rohan Shirwaiker, ultrasonic waves to travel across the and what we need to avoid in order to corresponding author of a paper on the area where a bioprinter prints living cells. preserve living cells,” Shirwaiker says. work and an associate professor in the These ultrasonic waves travel in one To that end, the researchers have Edward P. Fitts Department of Industrial direction and are then reflected back created computational models that and Systems Engineering. “But one to their source, creating a “standing allow users to predict the performance challenge has been organizing the ultrasound wave.” The soundwaves of any given set of parameters before cells that are being printed, so that the effectively herd the cells into rows, beginning the biofabrication process. engineered tissue more closely mimics which align with areas where the First author of the paper is Parth natural tissues. ultrasound waves and the reflected Chansoria, a Ph.D. student and Provost “We’ve now developed a technique, waves cross each other. Doctoral Fellow at NC State. The paper called ultrasound-assisted biofabrication “We can control the alignment was co-authored by Lokesh Karthik (UAB), which allows us to align cells in characteristics of the cells by controlling Narayanan and Karl Schuchard, who are a three-dimensional matrix during the the parameters of the ultrasound, such Ph.D. students at NC State. ■

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NEW FRAMEWORK IMPROVES PERFORMANCE OF DEEP NEURAL NETWORKS

RESEARCHERS IN THE DEPARTMENT of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) have developed a new framework for building deep neural networks via grammar-guided network generators. In experimental testing, the new networks — called AOGNets — have outperformed existing state-of-the-art frameworks, including the widely used ResNet and DenseNet systems, in visual recognition tasks. “AOGNets have better prediction accuracy than any of the networks we’ve compared it to,” says Dr. Tianfu Wu, an assistant professor in ECE and corresponding author of a paper on the work. “AOGNets are also more interpretable, meaning users can see how the system reaches its DenseNets, ResNeXts and conclusions.” DualPathNets,” Wu says. “AOGNets The new framework uses a also obtained the best model ImageNet is the standard large-scale compositional grammar approach to interpretability score using the network classification benchmark. Similarly, system architecture that draws on dissection metric in ImageNet. object detection and segmentation are best practices from previous network AOGNets further show great potential two core high-level vision tasks, and systems to more effectively extract in adversarial defense and platform- MS-COCO is one of the most widely useful information from raw data. agnostic deployment (mobile vs. cloud).” used benchmarks. “We found that hierarchical The researchers also tested the “To evaluate new network and compositional grammar gave performance of AOGNets in object architectures for deep learning in us a simple, elegant way to unify detection and instance semantic visual recognition, they are the golden the approaches taken by previous segmentation, on the Microsoft COCO testbeds,” Wu says. “AOGNets are system architectures, and to our best benchmark, using the vanilla Mask developed under a principled grammar knowledge, it is the first work that R-CNN system. framework and obtain significant makes use of grammar for network “AOGNets obtained better results improvement in both ImageNet generation,” Wu says. than the ResNet and ResNeXt and MS-COCO, thus showing To test their new framework, the backbones with smaller model sizes potentially broad and deep impacts for researchers developed AOGNets and similar or slightly better inference representation learning in numerous and tested them against three image time,” Wu says. “The results show practical applications. classification benchmarks: CIFAR-10, the effectiveness of AOGNets learning First author of the paper is Xilai CIFAR-100 and ImageNet-1K. better features in object detection and Li, a Ph.D. student in ECE. A patent “AOGNets obtained significantly segmentation tasks.” application is submitted for the better performance than all of the These tests are relevant because work. The authors are interested in state-of-the-art networks under fair image classification is one of the core collaborating with potential academic comparisons, including ResNets, basic tasks in visual recognition, and and industry partners. ■

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to a given mission and its environment. NEW TOOL TACKLES UNCERTAINTY IN For example, a combat operation being conducted in a cold, damp environment MILITARY LOGISTICS PLANNING would have different requirements than a humanitarian mission being conducted in a hot, dry environment. MILITARY DEPLOYMENTS to austere “These models would be particularly The MLNPS also uses two factors environments — whether humanitarian valuable during expeditionary operations, to assess risk and determine how risk missions or combat operations — involve in which the military is seeking to might affect military capacities. The first extensive logistical planning, which is establish its presence — and its supply factor is the likelihood that an event will often complicated by unforeseen events. chain — in an environment that is subject happen; the second factor is what the New research has created a model to to a fair amount of uncertainty. consequences of that event will be. For help military leaders better account for “The model that we’ve developed can example, if the likelihood of two events logistical risk and uncertainty during not only facilitate the military’s ability is identical, the model would give more operational planning and execution. to efficiently determine what will be weight to the event that could have “Every branch of the military now needed where, but can also assess risk a greater adverse impact on military uses an enterprise resource planning in near real time in order to account for personnel and mission performance. (ERP) system that handles everything uncertainty,” says McConnell, a former The paper was co-authored by from requisitions to shipment of supplies infantry captain in the U.S. Army who Drs. Thom Hodgson and James to inventory tracking,” says Brandon served two tours in Iraq. Wilson, professors emeriti in ISE; Drs. McConnell, corresponding author of a The new model, called the Military Michael Kay and Yunan Liu, associate paper on the new model and a research Logistics Network Planning System professors in ISE; Dr. Russell King, the assistant professor in the Edward P. Fitts (MLNPS), draws on three sources of Henry Armfield Foscue Distinguished Department of Industrial and Systems information. First is logistical data from Professor in ISE; Greg H. Parlier, adjunct Engineering (ISE). “These ERP systems the ERP system. Second is operational professor in the department; and Kristin make it possible to create computational data, such as an operation’s mission, Thoney-Barletta, associate professor models that can be used to identify the organization and timeline. Third is data of textile and apparel, technology and most efficient means of meeting the on “mission specific demand,” meaning management in NC State’s Wilson military’s logistical needs. logistical requirements that are particular College of Textiles. ■

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NANOCRYSTAL ‘FACTORY’ COULD REVOLUTIONIZE QUANTUM DOT MANUFACTURING

A MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAM of manufacturing techniques. Additionally, “Because the NC Factory can NC State researchers has developed the chemistry we have developed precisely control both chemical a microfluidic system for synthesizing in this work allows the perovskite composition and processing parameters, perovskite quantum dots across QD processing to take place at room it can be used to continuously the entire spectrum of visible light. temperature.” manufacture perovskite quantum dots The system drastically reduces The fluorescence color of QDs is a in any color with the highest quality,” manufacturing costs, can be tuned on result of the chemical composition, the Abolhasani says. demand to any color and allows for size, and the way the nanocrystals are The NC Factory system consists of real-time process monitoring to ensure processed. The original QD synthesis three “plug and play” modules. The quality control. strategy utilized in the NanoRobo system researchers developed a pre-mixing Over the last two decades, colloidal allowed for the room temperature module to expedite the mixing of halide semiconductor nanocrystals, known as synthesis of green-emitting perovskite salts and quantum dots, in order to quantum dots (QDs), have emerged as QDs, which are made using cesium lead improve product quality. novel materials for applications ranging bromide. NC Factory starts with cesium Co-first authors on the paper are from biological sensing and imaging lead bromide perovskite quantum dots, Kameel Abdel-Latif and Robert Epps, to LED displays and solar energy but then introduces various halide salts Ph.D. students in CBE. The paper harvesting. The new system can be to precisely tune their fluorescence color was co-authored by Corwin Kerr, an used to continuously manufacture high- across the entire spectrum of visible undergraduate student at NC State; quality QDs for use in these applications. light. Anions in these salts replace the Christopher Papa, a Ph.D. student in “We call this system the Nanocrystal bromine atoms in the green-emitting chemistry at NC State; and Dr. Felix (NC) Factory, and it builds on the dots with either iodine atoms (to move Castellano, the Goodnight Innovation NanoRobo microfluidic platform that toward the red end of the spectrum) or Distinguished Chair of Chemistry at NC we unveiled in 2017,” says Dr. Milad chlorine atoms (to move toward blue). State. ■ Abolhasani, an assistant professor in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (CBE) and corresponding author of a paper on the work. “Not only can we create the QDs in any color using a continuous manufacturing approach, but the NC Factory system is highly modular,” Abolhasani says. “This means that, coupled with continuous process monitoring, the system allows modifications to be made as needed to eliminate the batch-to-batch variation that can be a significant problem for conventional QD

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STUDENTS INTERACT WITH NC STATE ASTRONAUT THROUGH LIVE DOWNLINK

inspired her to pursue her dreams in STEM and her favorite pastimes on board the ISS. The event, held on August 30, 2019, and co-hosted by NCSSM, included a panel discussion with engineering and sciences faculty members, a keynote address and student exhibits. When asked by a student about the biggest challenge to the future of space exploration, Koch mentioned NASA’s Artemis program, which is building toward a return trip to the moon and laying the groundwork for a mission to Mars. “I’m so excited about the Mars ASKED BY A STUDENT ON EARTH And with that, Koch floated up and out mission because I think not only is it a about the hardest things for her to do of the view of the video feed as students great example of human exploration and on the International Space Station (ISS), from NC State, the North Carolina School pushing the frontiers, but it also gives NC State engineering alumna and NASA of Science and Math (NCSSM) and us a chance to answer a question that I astronaut Christina Koch decided to other schools around NC State’s Raleigh think is hugely important philosophically demonstrate. campus cheered. and for the question of our age really,” Koch, who was participating in a live Koch blasted off for the International she said. “And that is, ‘are we alone?’ downlink from orbit, showed an audience Space Station on March 14, 2019. It And I think going to Mars with people can assembled in the Talley Student Union was the culmination of a journey that answer that question.” on campus and watching live online how began with dreams of space growing Asked about being a role model for easy it is to lose items that you need up in Jacksonville, NC, and studying at young women interested in STEM, when you try to set something down NCSSM; bachelor’s and master’s degrees Koch pointed to the inspiration that she for a second and soon realize that it has in electrical engineering and a bachelor’s received from women in her family and floated away. She talked about how degree in physics from NC State; and leaders of the civil rights movement. astronauts drink liquids and where they nearly six years of astronaut training. “I look around at basically any sleep. Then there was something else. During the 19-minute downlink, she woman who was strong that believed in “And then finally, the one thing that answered questions including how hard themselves and that wasn’t afraid to take I find challenging is moving around in it will be to return to the moon, lesser on their own dreams full speed ahead. microgravity,” Koch said. “So let me known skills or abilities that are common Those are the types of people that really show you an example of that.” among astronauts, which women inspired me,” Koch said. ■

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Environmental Engineering (CCEE). car; 11 percent would have taken a bus; ARE E-SCOOTERS “We wanted to look broadly at the and seven percent wouldn’t have taken environmental impacts of shared the trip at all. These results were similar POLLUTERS? e-scooters — and how that compares to to those of a larger survey done by the other local transportation options.” city of Portland, Ore. To capture the impact of e-scooters, In order to compare the impact of PEOPLE THINK OF ELECTRIC researchers looked at emissions e-scooters to that of other transport SCOOTERS, or e-scooters, as associated with four aspects of each options, the researchers looked at environmentally friendly ways to get scooter’s life cycle: the production of previously published life cycle analyses around town. But a new study from the materials and components that go of cars, buses, electric mopeds and an environmental engineering faculty into each scooter; the manufacturing bicycles. Researchers looked at four member finds it’s not that simple: process; shipping the scooter from the types of pollution and environmental Shared e-scooters may be greener than manufacturer to its city of use; and impact: climate change impact, most cars, but they can be less green collecting, charging and redistributing nutrient loading in water, respiratory than several other options. the scooters. health impacts related to air pollution “E-scooter companies tout The researchers also conducted a and acidification. The performance themselves as having little or no small-scale survey of e-scooter riders to results were similar for all four types of carbon footprint, which is a bold see what modes of transportation they pollution. statement,” says Dr. Jeremiah Johnson, would have used if they hadn’t used an “A lot of what we found is pretty corresponding author of the study e-scooter. The researchers found that complicated, but a few things were and an associate professor in the 49 percent of riders would have biked or clear,” Johnson says. “Biking — even Department of Civil, Construction, and walked; 34 percent would have used a with an electric bike — is almost always more environmentally friendly than using a shared e-scooter. The sole possible exception is for people who use pay-to-ride bike-share programs. Those companies use cars and trucks to redistribute the bicycles in their service area, which can sometimes make them less environmentally friendly than using an e-scooter.” By the same token, the study found that driving a car is almost always less environmentally friendly than using an e-scooter. But some results may surprise you. For example, taking the bus on a route with high ridership is usually more environmentally friendly than an e-scooter. First author of the paper is Joseph Hollingsworth, a former graduate student in CCEE. The paper was co-authored by Brenna Copeland, an undergraduate in the department. ■

12 | www.engr.ncsu.edu PACK POINTS

FREEDM RESEARCHERS RECEIVE FUNDING FOR WORK ON GRID RESILIENCE TOOLS

RESEARCHERS IN THE FREEDM Center on the campus of NC State, will several tools on the PARS platform, SYSTEMS CENTER led by NC State partner with the NC Cleantech Center, including: have received a $3.1-million research Pacific Northwest Laboratory, OPAL-RT ▪▪ An operations modeling tool that award from the U.S. Department of Corporation, Strata Solar, New York will incorporate new grid support Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office Power Authority, Electricities of North functions (SETO) to advance solar energy’s role in Carolina and the City of Wilson — Wilson ▪▪ A model parameterization tool to strengthening the resilience of the U.S. Energy and Roanoke Electric Cooperative update power grid operation models electricity grid. to develop grid management tools to ▪▪ A real-time situational awareness tool The project will develop a Photovoltaic enhance power system resilience. ▪▪ An optimal response tool that (PV) Analysis and Response Support “PARS can be used to develop optimal incorporates distributed energy (PARS) platform to provide real-time response plans for hybrid PV systems resources like PV and customer situational awareness and optimal located at the transmission or distribution storage response plan selection for electric levels,” says Dr. Ning Lu, principal ▪▪ A cost benefit tool for addressing utilities. investigator for the project. “And when the value proposition of the newly Grid management is becoming more running off-line using historical data, it developed grid support functions. complex with the addition of distributed will be a planning tool to design and test Linking these tools creates a seamless renewable energy resources, and PV-based grid support functions and interface for users with multiple benefits. electric utilities require new tools to perform cost-benefit studies.” Real-time situational awareness that optimize a more complex system. In PARS will use a new approach to includes prediction of future operation addition, extreme weather events and complex grid management by linking allows for early detection of anomalous malicious cyber-attacks are becoming steady state and dynamic elements behavior like that seen during a cyber- more frequent. PARS will allow hybrid together and performing real-time attack. Optimal response selection allows PV systems to operate similarly to simulations and faster-than-real-time utilities to include distributed resources to conventional generation resources in simulations in the same environment. participate in grid restoration. terms of visibility, dispatchability, security The platform will also incorporate PV Additional project team members and reliability. A team of researchers systems at any level of the grid in include Dr. Mesut Baran, Dr. David and faculty members from the FREEDM both normal and emergency operating Lubkeman and Dr. Wenyuan Tang, all Systems Center, a National Science scenarios. faculty members in the Department of Foundation (NSF) Engineering Research The team will develop and deploy Electrical and Computer Engineering. ■

NC STATE ENGINEERING | 13 FACULTY HIGHLIGHTS

Huang receives award for young scientists and engineers

Dr. Hsiao-Ying Shadow Huang, mathematics education and to the associate professor in the Department of community through scientific leadership, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, education and community outreach. has been named a recipient of the 2019 Huang is the fourth faculty member in Presidential Early Career Award for the College to receive the award. Scientists and Engineers (PECASE). Her research focuses on investigating The PECASE acknowledges the degradation mechanisms in lithium contributions made by scientists and battery materials via experimental, engineers to the advancement of theoretical and computational

science, technology, engineering and approaches. ■ DR. HSIAO-YING SHADOW HUANG

Bourham, DeCarolis and Montoya named Outstanding Teachers

and Environmental Engineering (CCEE); and Dr. Brina Montoya is an assistant professor in CCEE. The award recognizes excellence in teaching at all levels and is a prerequisite for being considered for the Board of Governors Award

DR. MOHAMED BOURHAM DR. JOSEPH DECAROLIS DR. BRINA MONTOYA for Excellence in Teaching and the Alumni Distinguished Three faculty members in the College Distinguished Graduate Professor Professor Award. Recipients become were recognized with Outstanding of Nuclear Engineering; Dr. Joseph members of the Academy of Teacher Awards for 2018-19. DeCarolis is an associate professor in Outstanding Teachers for as long as they Dr. Mohamed Bourham is an Alumni the Department of Civil, Construction, are NC State faculty members. ■

Martin-Vega named AAAS Fellow

Dr. Louis A. Martin-Vega, dean of Martin-Vega was recognized for the College, has been elected as a his outstanding contributions to Fellow of the American Association for industrial and systems engineering, Advancement of Science (AAAS). manufacturing, industrial innovation Fellows are nominated by their peers and engineering education, and and are elected by the AAAS council, a for unconditional support for the policymaking body of the society, and advancement of Hispanic professionals. elected for having shown “scientifically He is one of eight active faculty or socially distinguished efforts to members in the College who are AAAS advance science or its applications.” Fellows. ■ DR. LOUIS A. MARTIN-VEGA

14 | www.engr.ncsu.edu FACULTY HIGHLIGHTS

Rabiei, Williams receive 2019 Alcoa Foundation Awards

The 2019 Alcoa Foundation Engineering foams, which Research Awards were presented as a lightweight to Dr. Afsaneh Rabiei, professor material capable in the Department of Mechanical of high energy and Aerospace Engineering, and Dr. absorption has Cranos Williams, associate professor outstanding in the Department of Electrical and properties as Computer Engineering. Rabiei received armors, car the Alcoa Foundation Distinguished bumpers and Engineering Research Award, made to biomedical DR. AFSANEH RABIEI DR. CRANOS WILLIAMS a senior faculty member for research implants. achievements over a period of at Additionally, she least five years at NC State. Williams has made unique contributions to her His breakthrough research has led to was awarded the Alcoa Foundation field through the development of multiple the development of computational Engineering Research Achievement novel materials such as metallic bubble approaches that use high-throughput Award, which recognizes young faculty wraps and smart coatings for biomedical data to identify regulators of plant members who have accomplished implants. stress responses. His contributions outstanding research achievements Williams is leading an interdisciplinary have improved understanding of the during the preceding three years. research effort merging plant sciences interactions of biomolecular, physiological Rabiei is known internationally as a and engineering, single-handedly and structural processes that affect plant leader of research on composite metal creating a new research discipline. growth, development and adaptation. ■

Bitzer, Kim win Holladay Medal

Engineering, production. He is the inventor of received the plasma panel displays used for flat Alexander panel televisions. A member of the Quarles Holladay National Academy of Engineering, Medal for Bitzer received the National Academy of Excellence. Television Arts and Sciences Emmy for Named for Scientific Development and Technical NC State’s Achievement for the development of first professor plasma displays.

DR. DONALD BITZER DR. RICHARD KIM of history Kim’s research interests include and its first the laboratory and field aspects Dr. Donald Bitzer, Distinguished president, the medal is the highest of the performance evaluation of University Professor in the Department honor bestowed by NC State and the asphalt materials and pavements. He of Computer Science, and Dr. University’s Board of Trustees. has received more than $18 million Youngsoo (Richard) Kim, Jimmy Bitzer’s scholarship focuses on in research funding from national D. Clark Distinguished University computer systems, computer displays, and international agencies and has Professor in the Department of Civil, data communications, voice analysis published more than 300 papers in Construction, and Environmental and genetics to amplify protein technical journals and proceedings. ■

NC STATE ENGINEERING | 15 FEATURES IN OUR LABS THESE ARE THE SPACES THAT ENABLE GROUNDBREAKING RESEARCH

VIRTUAL AND AUGMENTED REALITY LAB EDWARD P. FITTS DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL AND SYSTEMS ENGINEERING

DR. KAREN BORU CHEN’S WORK in Today Chen, an assistant professor participant. The CAVE uses a rear- the field of human factors engineering in the Fitts Department of Industrial projection system with mirrors so that explores how people interact with and Systems Engineering, is studying the research participant does not see different types of systems — and how how VR can provide expanded access shadows cast over the visuals in the to make those systems safer and more to healthcare services and workplace virtual environment. efficient. training. “I really have a passion for studying Chen’s CAVE (that’s Cave Automatic and helping humans from a healthcare Virtual Environment) is a four- and safety perspective,” Chen said. sided (that’s three walls and a floor) Her Ph.D. work in biomedical screened enclosure with a digital engineering at the University of projection system that creates an Wisconsin-Madison aligned with immersive virtual environment with an emergence of interest in virtual the capability for a researcher to track reality (VR) systems, based in part on a participant’s movements. advances in processing speed and Markers on 3-D glasses worn by a screen resolution in commercially research participant allow cameras available systems. lining the structure to track the

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CHEN SEES THE FIELD in two IN THE FUTURE, VR could allow categories — VR systems that are patients to perform therapeutic entirely contained in a device that goes exercises at home rather than in a over a patient’s head or larger systems medical facility. The hope is that this like a CAVE. While a CAVE might help a will provide a more cost-effective researcher draw more data on face-to- treatment and expand access to face interactions and collaborations, patients who have trouble traveling to using an over-the-head device like the an office because of mobility issues commercially available Oculus Rift or inconvenient office locations. The headset is more cost-effective and same technology can be used to accessible. provide job-related training or serve Chen has used a headset to conduct as a fill-in virtual personal trainer for research in a large-scale research clinic patients who need to exercise. with patients undergoing physical The technologies aren’t intended therapy for neck pain. to replace one-on-one interactions “It made more sense to bring the with a human professional, Chen said, equipment to a clinic,” she said. “It but rather to supplement it. Patients doesn’t make sense to bring a CAVE to who need physical rehabilitation an office or to ask these patients who are often sent home with a sheet of are already in pain to come to my lab.” paper listing exercises. The hope is that a virtual program could motivate them to push further by making the movements more engaging, similar to a kind of game. The 3-D environment also can give a patient a better sense of whether the movements are being done correctly. And because a patient at home using a headset system relies on a virtual avatar to see what she is doing, the feedback may be altered slightly to make that patient think she is doing less movement than she really is in order to push her a little further or help overcome fear of more injury. But first, baseline research that compares how research participants perform in a virtual world compared to the physical world must be conducted to evaluate VR-based therapy’s feasibility. One of Chen’s graduate students is using the CAVE to conduct research that compares how first responders perform a lifting task using virtual weights with how they make the same lift using an object in the real world. ■

NC STATE ENGINEERING | 17 FEATURES

MAJOR IMPACT

Dr. Christine Grant Dr. Laurie Williams Dr. Veena Misra Dr. Nancy Allbritton

The College has made important strides in recruiting outstanding women faculty members

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Dr. Julie Swann

IN THE LAST 10-PLUS YEARS, hiring members in the College as well as of the search committee process. She and retaining the best women faculty more than 20 non-tenure track women often met with faculty candidates during members and enabling their success has teaching and research faculty members. campus visits, providing insights to the been a major priority for the College. They are some of the College’s most importance of broadening participation in When Dean Louis Martin-Vega joined prominent teachers and researchers the faculty realm. the College in 2006, there were but a as well as leaders of the College’s When Grant, who is now the handful of women tenured or tenure- academic departments and nationally associate dean for faculty advancement track faculty members, no women recognized centers. They are also for the College and professor in department heads and even academic outstanding role models who have the Department of Chemical and departments that had no women faculty made a significant impact on the Biomolecular Engineering, agreed to members at all. increase in female student enrollment serve as a resource for the committees, While it was clear that the College that the College has been experiencing. it helped solidify that hiring and would never be a preeminent The College took its first step in enrolling more women was a high engineering leader unless it markedly 2006 by ensuring that women faculty priority. Additionally, Grant has served increased the number of women members were part of the search as a leader for three grants awarded faculty members, this effort was process for new faculty hires, even if to NC State by the National Science also motivated by the need to gain they were not part of that academic Foundation’s (NSF) ADVANCE program different perspectives and viewpoints department. Dr. Christine Grant — which included the NSF ADVANCE from a group that has often been — the first African-American female Women of Color Engineering Faculty underrepresented in engineering. faculty member hired by the College, Peer Mentoring Summits. Currently, there are more than 61 in December 1989 — was the first “It is about institutional change,” tenured or tenure-track women faculty person Martin-Vega asked to be part shared Grant. “Initiatives such as the

NC STATE ENGINEERING | 19 FEATURES

INDUSTRIAL AND SYSTEMS ENGINEERING GRADUATE STUDENTS KIMIA VAHDAT, LEFT, AND PRISCILLE KOUTOUAN ARE PART OF AN EFFORT TO ATTRACT MORE WOMEN STUDENTS TO THE DEPARTMENT.

NSF ADVANCE program that were MOVING TOWARD FULL supported by the dean and provost’s REPRESENTATION “You want the faculty office were and continue to be to be familiar to the instrumental to the College.” Dr. Laurie Williams, Distinguished Grant asserts that having a more Professor and previous interim head of student population not diverse faculty available for students the Department of Computer Science only in appearance, helps prepare them to work in a more (CSC) was the third female hire in but in background — diverse engineering setting in the future. the department. Since she joined the students like to see “They can learn different perspectives, faculty in 2000, she has seen a huge and the faculty incorporate different change in environment and attributes someone like themselves experiences into their interactions with that success to the efforts of Martin- and see where they can the students.” Vega and to Dr. Mladen Vouk, former be in years’ time.” In the first year of this priority action, CSC department head. eight new women faculty members According to 2018 American Society DR. LAURIE WILLIAMS were hired, representing one-third of for Engineering Education (ASEE) the total faculty hires that year. “It was a figures, the department is now ranked great start — but still well below where first nationally in female tenure / we needed to be,” said Martin-Vega. tenure track faculty members among

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departments of computer science. retaining and promoting women in the degrees and 14th in Ph.D. degrees Williams, who is also the co-principal faculty plays a critical role in enrolling awarded to women, according to ASEE investigator of the National Security more female undergraduate and figures. The College’s fall 2019 first-year Administration Science of Security graduate students. “Making sure that class is 30 percent female, an increase Lablet at NC State, finds that having a women and other minorities have from 12 percent in 2004. diverse faculty provides students with sufficient mentors and champions is In BME, the undergraduate student role models. important because their social networks body is 48 percent women and 43 “You want the faculty to be familiar may be smaller in a STEM field,” percent women at the graduate level. In to the student population not only Swann said. ISE, the fall 2019 class Ph.D. class is 50 in appearance, but in background — Dr. Morton Barlaz, Distinguished percent women. students like to see someone like University Professor and head of the “We did this by encouraging women to themselves and see where they can be Department of Civil, Construction, and apply who had not thought about doing in years’ time,” she said. Environmental Engineering (CCEE), it or who needed a little extra nudging or The women faculty members in the has made increasing faculty diversity a encouragement,” Swann said. College are a diverse and distinguished priority. Seven women faculty members Priscille Koutouan in ISE is one of group that includes two National have been hired in the 10 years in which those graduate students who noticed Academy of Engineering members, he has led CCEE. the efforts being made by the College a National Inventors Hall of Fame Barlaz said that he believes every and department to recruit women into inductee, distinguished professors, faculty member to be a unique person their programs. fellows of professional societies with individual needs and it is important “I was a part of a group that came and department heads. Dr. Veena to help them navigate the early years in for a visit and got to talk to some of the Misra, Distinguished Professor in the their career to help them succeed. amazing women faculty members. I had Department of Electrical and Computer “In recruiting and retaining women heard of many of them before joining Engineering, is director of the Advanced faculty, I believe it’s about conveying the department, and these brilliant Self-Powered Systems of Integrated excellence, highlighting the department, researchers played a key role in me Sensors and Technologies (ASSIST) the atmosphere of the College and deciding on NC State for my graduate Center, a National Science Foundation working with everyone individually,” work.” Engineering Research Center led by NC Barlaz said. “Everyone has a unique As the College continues to grow, State. situation — it could be a spouse / Martin-Vega is optimistic that the Two of the College’s nine academic partner who needs assistance looking number of women in the faculty will also departments are led by women — the for a job, the need for the candidate to increase. He sees no reason why half of UNC / NC State Joint Department of defer until they complete a post-doc, or the College’s faculty couldn’t be women. Biomedical Engineering (BME) led by Dr. perhaps waiting to move to NC State “I think that our College and the Nancy Allbritton, Kenan Distinguished until a child finishes the school year. University has been greatly enriched Professor of Biomedical Engineering Exhibiting flexibility is important and by the fact that we now have a much and Chemistry, who will leave in fall helps set a tone.” stronger representation of women on 2019 to be the dean of engineering at our faculty. Our College in particular is a the University of Washington, and the MEASURING THE IMPACT much better college because of it,” he Edward P. Fitts Department of Industrial said. “The environment that we have and Systems Engineering (ISE) led The impact of the College’s efforts for students — and in particular women by Dr. Julie Swann, A. Doug Allison can be seen in current rankings and students — is providing more women Distinguished Professor. the number of female students in the mentors for our students, and the work Swann, the first woman department College. The College ranks 18th in that is being done by these faculty head in ISE, feels that recruiting, bachelor’s degrees, 21st in master’s members is extraordinary.” ■

NC STATE ENGINEERING | 21 NC State, Duke and UNC-Chapel Hill may be fierce rivals on the basketball court, but the three universities are partners in an effort to enable innovative nanoscience and nanotechnology research, discovery, workforce development and education.

22 | www.engr.ncsu.edu R E S E A R C H A B O U T T RIANGLE RTNN To support and expand the growth of nanotechnology, the N ANOTECHNOLOGY National Science Foundation (NSF) established the National N ETWORK Nanotechnology Coordinated Infrastructure (NNCI) in 2015, a network of 16 sites across the U.S. PROGRAM The RTNN is one of these sites HIGHLIGHTS and a dynamic project involving NC State, Duke and UNC-Chapel The Kickstarter Program Hill. Collectively, these institutions supports initial use of the house nine core nanotechnology facilities by new, non-traditional fabrication and characterization users by providing access to facilities and more than 100 principal facilities for work valued at up faculty members whose research to $1,000 in RTNN member encompasses broad aspects of facilities. To date, 64 projects nanotechnology. The RTNN aims have participated in the to be a national focal point for program, equating to >1,000 enabling innovative nanoscience RTNN’s goal is to dramatically enhance access hours in free facility access. and nanotechnology research. to university nanotechnology resources, such as fabrication and characterization facilities as well as expert research personnel, by lowering barriers Nanotechnology, A to access such as distance, cost and awareness. Maker’s Course, a free online course hosted on Learn more at rtnn.org Coursera, gives an overview of nanotechnology tools and techniques and shows demonstrations within RTNN BY THE NUMBERS facilities. Since the course launch, more than 56,000 More than people have visited the course 230 major fabrication and website, more than 12,600 characterization tools have enrolled and more than 1,600 have completed all course components. More than 65 technical staff members

The RTNN’s Community Engagement Programs >1,300 unique users include immersive lab access facilities annually experiences, where students work in RTNN facilities, and portable scanning electron More than 55,000 annual hours of collective use microscopes at schools, libraries, and museums. Through these types of Through all programs activities, the RTNN has >10,000 people reached annually engaged more than 8,000 people.

NC STATE ENGINEERING | 23 FEATURES

SILVANA ALFIERI

receiving a £7,500 prize. Other U.S. BREWING UP A teams were from Dartmouth University, Oklahoma State University, UC San Diego, University of Southern California SUSTAINABLE CUP and University of Rochester. Even before the students knew they’d Students’ coffee filtration system earns go to London, they decided together that they wanted to continue growing Peak second-place finish in global competition Coffee Processing. All five are members of the National Academy of Engineering (NAE) Grand ON TOP OF CLASSES, extracurriculars engineering and environmental policy; Challenges Scholars Program at NC and day-to-day student life, it would be Kevin Duke, a junior majoring in civil State, a curricular and extra-curricular difficult to find time to develop a business engineering; Rachel Figard, a junior program that helps prepare students to plan and create a product design in just majoring in industrial and systems solve the NAE’s 14 Grand Challenges two months — with the added stress of engineering; Grant Jordan, a junior for Engineering in the 21st century. Their vying for a chance to represent the United majoring in industrial and systems mentor, Dr. David Parish, assistant dean States at an international competition. engineering; and Pippin Payne, a of academic affairs, sent out the call for But five engineering students made it senior double-majoring in mechanical an NC State team to go to D.C. happen, creating the start-up Peak Coffee engineering and religious studies — With a wide range of disciplines both Processing and developing a filtration didn’t know each other well prior to the within and outside of engineering, the system for coffee production wastewater. project, but in the time they’ve spent group approached sustainability by trying They presented their business plan in brainstorming, developing and practicing, to find a solution that would benefit April in Washington, D.C., along with they’ve become a cohesive unit. both the individual and society. They more than 30 other student teams and “I think we’ve all become really close, researched water, food and energy, each earned one of six spots to represent the and that has contributed to it not feeling coming to the table with their own ideas, U.S. in September in London at the 2019 like work because we all share this vision, before settling on coffee. Global Grand Challenges Summit, which and we share the same goals,” Alfieri “By narrowing the scope, we found is hosted by the U.S., U.K. and Chinese said. ways to combine our talents and academies of engineering. The NC State team finished second perspectives for a project that is not only The students — Silvana Alfieri, a overall in London and first among impactful to others but very feasible as senior double-majoring in environmental teams from the United States, well,” Figard said.

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which makes better-tasting coffee. The team is applying for an international patent for their filtration system, which they currently estimate would cost about $2,000 and would be capable of filtering water from 500-gallon drums. Alfieri and Duke worked on the technical side of the project, talking to professors in the Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering and in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. During the fall semester, Alfieri will conduct research on a small-scale prototype, making her own coffee wastewater based on PIPPIN PAYNE chemical composition. KEVIN DUKE Meanwhile, Figard, Jordan and Payne focused on the business plan, assisted by professors in the Poole College of Management. After being selected as one of 30 schools to compete in D.C., the five students took an intensive entrepreneurship immersion course taught by two professors from the National Science Foundation. Throughout the process, the students also reached out to local coffee shops to learn more about where they sourced their beans and contacted dozens of coffee bean producers in South and GRANT JORDAN RACHEL FIGARD Central America to gauge interest for the filtration device. Coffee is the second most traded waterways. It can also infiltrate drinking Once they had their design and commodity in the world, surpassed only water, and according to some studies, plan developed, the group practiced by oil. Coffee beans grow inside a small up to 90 percent of people living in areas their presentation to anyone who fruit similar to a cherry, and are processed near coffee-producing areas experience would listen, including deans in the using either the dry or wet method. Peak health problems. College, engineering professors and Coffee Processing’s filtration system To decrease the amount of harmful entrepreneurship professors. is designed for wet processing, which waste, Alfieri explained, the students In the spring, they plan to apply for starts with using water to sort the coffee developed a filtration system that outputs entrepreneurship competitions like the cherries by density. The denser coffee clean water that can be reused in the Lulu eGames at NC State, as well as cherries sink to the bottom, and the coffee production process or can be other funding sources. They’re looking cherry is removed from the bean in a released into the environment without forward to seeing their idea take off, and process known as de-pulping. The bean causing harmful effects. This system they want this technology to one day be is then fermented in water. The process leads to a cleaner and safer environment implemented at every coffee farm. creates large amounts of wastewater that while also allowing coffee producers to “We were invested in the idea more contains solid particles and has a low pH, produce more coffee, as it generates a than the outcome,” Jordan said. “We which is harmful to environmental and fertilizer that increases crop yields and want the project to succeed, and that’s human health when released into local improves the density of the coffee bean, where we’re focused.” ■

NC STATE ENGINEERING | 25 FEATURES FOG ALERT CCEE researchers lead the way on fats, oils and grease problem

ON THE SURFACE, it might seem advancement and faculty enrichment in processes that can be used to treat and harmless enough: hot fats, oils and the College. “It’s a problem that will only remove existing FOG blockages and grease from cooking are poured down grow unless people stay on top of it.” damage, and whether there are benefits the drain in liquid form and disappear It’s been more than a decade since to be had from these pollutants — even just as water does, right? CCEE’s Ducoste; Dr. Francis de los proving they can instead be converted to Wrong, say three researchers in the Reyes, III, professor and University energy. department of Civil, Construction, and Faculty Scholar; and Dr. Tarek Aziz, Environmental Engineering (CCEE). assistant professor and coordinator THE SYSTEM Fats, oils and grease (often shortened of undergraduate advising, began to FOG) become hardened deposits in researching this topic of what they call The food service industry produces pipes and sewer systems. Even worse, an often under-recognized pollutant. the largest amounts of FOG, thus they can trap non-biodegradable solids, It began when an employee of the urban areas tend to see the brunt of such as wet wipes, creating a mass over nearby town of Cary, NC, approached the problems, however, suburban areas time that can cause backups and spills. the researchers. The town was seeing are not immune, the researchers say. These so-called “fatbergs” have problems with its sewer lines related From the time fats, oils and grease made headlines in recent years. In to fat cells and grease, and couldn’t get leave the stove, there are a number of 2013, a fatberg weighing roughly 17 academics to pay attention to the issue, mechanisms in place to keep FOG out of tons was discovered in drains under a Ducoste said. the sewers, but they don’t always work road in London. In 2017, one discovered “We started looking at it and found perfectly, de los Reyes said. under the streets of Baltimore caused a there was not much research out there,” In the food service industry, there’s sewage spill totaling 1.2 million gallons. he said. often a grease trap to catch FOG as it “Because of the revitalization of The group began investigating and goes down the drain, or a larger tank cities, this problem is getting worse in the years since, has performed underground called a grease interceptor, as urban environments grow,” said Dr. comprehensive research on everything which serves as the last line of defense Joel Ducoste, professor in CCEE and from potential ways to stop FOG from before the sewer line, he said. Usually, assistant dean of graduate student getting into the collection system, to trucks extract the FOG from these

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NC STATE ENGINEERING | 27 FEATURES

interceptors and haul it away, but FOG and fatty acids still get through into the sewer pipes. There’s also the issue of what to do with the substance when trucks do haul it away, Aziz said. For example, they found it is sometimes driven to a rural area and sprayed back out onto the land. That information led the three to begin exploring whether biology could be used to convert FOG into fuel.

FAR-REACHING RESEARCH AND RESULTS

Research reached across the sciences, from chemistry to physics to biology. Among their projects, the three examined the biology of FOG and whether there are microbial ways to break it down. They’ve looked at the concept of anaerobic co-digestion and whether methane, a gas that can be used for energy, could be created from the pollutants. It turns out it can, which presents the possibility of using this “pollutant” as a biofuel, Aziz said. They’ve researched structural changes as well — whether there are ways to stop grease from flowing through the grease traps and grease interceptors — as well as ways to “clean” the FOG from the pipes to which it can adhere. For years, the three have been leaders in this area of research. Fatbergs pillars of change: improving education, WORKING TOGETHER YIELDS prompted some research in the United educating food service workers about GREATER RESULTS Kingdom and other locations, however, the problem; changes to technology, Ducoste said those research projects such as improvements to grease Collaboration has been the key to have traditionally been smaller and more interceptors; and more vigilant attention success, the three say. While there specialized. paid to the maintenance of sewer pipes. has been empirical and anecdotal “NC State has been the primary The three continue to offer education information over the years that explains bearer of what’s going on,” he and training, often receiving requests to what leads to FOG deposits, or states said. “We’ve set the tone as far as educate the engineers who are out there that additives will make the problem challenges, potential solutions and dealing with the issue. Today, they serve go away, the NC State researchers are energy use strategies.” as advisors to town and city officials, focused on the science of the problem. Drawing from their research, the three receiving calls from all over the United They say they’re asking the questions faculty members are focused on three States. that will help understand how FOG

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behaves so that the engineering can be improved in the future. Rather than one research project, the “NC State has been the primary bearer three have approached the issue as one of what’s going on. We’ve set the tone phenomenon around which there are many aspects, de los Reyes said. as far as challenges, potential solutions “This research speaks to the power of and energy use strategies.” collaboration that NC State does well,” DR. JOEL DUCOSTE Ducoste said. “It builds off the idea that a complex solution requires multi- disciplinary thinking.” ■

NC STATE ENGINEERING | 29 FEATURES

RESEARCH AS RECRUITMENT Summer research experiences strengthen student skills, help recruit graduate students

EACH SUMMER, students throughout (REUs) funded by the National Science the United States pack up their field Foundation. The College of Engineering clothes and put on their lab equipment hosted several REU sites in 2019, to conduct research with NC State including: the FREEDM Systems Center faculty members. and PowerAmerica REU, the Advanced For students, these summers are Self-Powered Systems of Integrated an important time to learn more about Sensors and Technologies (ASSIST) potential graduate programs and to REU, the Socially Relevant Computing improve their research skills, culminating and Analytics REU and the Joint in a poster presentation at the NC State Engineering Research Center REU. Summer Undergraduate Research and Students from NC State and other Creativity Symposium. And for faculty universities can apply to these programs,

KATIE BERKOWITZ members, it’s a chance to further their and in addition to their research, research, recruit future students and participate in labs and other activities spread the word about the innovative that improve their understanding of the work happening at NC State. research process. These REUs have Many students participate in Research been so successful that the College Experiences for Undergraduates has created similar programs, such

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“The knowledge gained and the support I’ve received from all of the people I’ve interacted with at NC State was unlike anything I’d experienced before.”

KATIE BERKOWITZ

as the Research Internship Summer University of Puerto Rico-Mayagüez and Reyes said. “It’s important for NC State Experience (RISE) with the Department will be applying to Ph.D. programs for to have our name out there, and it’s also of Civil, Construction, and Environmental 2020. important for students to go back and say Engineering (CCEE). “I like to do REUs because of the they had a really good experience.” In the FREEDM Systems Center and knowledge I’ll gain and because I’ll get In some cases, a student’s involvement PowerAmerica REU program this summer, exposed to a different environment, so I’ll with summer research is what seals junior Hampton Moore conducted have more diversity within my academic their decision to come to NC State for research while also participating in career,” she said. graduate school. Katie Berkowitz said technical labs and meeting local industry This summer, she worked with CCEE she was thrilled when she learned that professionals — and he began to feel professor Dr. Francis de los Reyes on she was accepted to an REU in NC more settled at NC State. Moore, who using molecular methods to evaluate State’s Department of Mechanical and is majoring in mechanical engineering, the microbial communities of pit Aerospace Engineering (MAE) in 2017, transferred from Johnston County latrines through fecal sludge analysis. and she started her Ph.D. in mechanical Community College in August 2019. Her research has ties to public health, engineering at NC State this fall. His summer research focused as it could help improve researchers’ Berkowitz, who has a B.S. in on a magnetic core characterizing understanding of prevailing infections in mechanical engineering from the device, which tests the core of power specific communities. Similar analysis University of Maryland, Baltimore transformers to see how much power has been done for chemicals in sewer County, first came to NC State for the is being lost by an electronic device’s samples, but there isn’t much existing Composites for Extreme Environments magnetic core. The research’s ultimate research specific to pathogens in pit REU because she was seeking a program goal is to determine the best waveform to latrines. that emphasized research on materials minimize core loss in electronic devices. For de los Reyes and other faculty within a mechanical engineering While Moore won’t be continuing members, RISE and similar programs department. At NC State, she worked with his current research, he said the allow current graduate students to under two PIs, Dr. Mark Pankow and Dr. program has helped clarify how to gain more mentoring experience, Landon Grace, who are both assistant pursue research at NC State. and principal investigators (PI) are professors in MAE. She studied the “It definitely gives me an idea of the sometimes able to assign research effects of impact damage on the relevance of undergraduate research,” projects that might not fit with a current dielectric properties of bismaleimide, he said. “If I had an idea I wanted to student’s thesis or dissertation. a composite used in the radome — a develop further, I would know where to “If a PI had a wild idea, it’s possible a weatherproof enclosure that protects reach out to for funding or a mentor.” RISE student might test it out,” he said. an antennae — of a B1 aircraft, and she For other students, these summers “There’s also additional manpower for returned during the summer of 2018 to allow them an in-depth experience at research projects that are ongoing, so it continue her research. NC State while they are deciding on pushes the research forward.” “The knowledge gained and the graduate schools. These programs are also great support I’ve received from all of the Yashira M. Valentín-Feliciano recruiting tools for future graduate people I’ve interacted with at NC State participated in CCEE’s eight-week RISE students and help with getting NC State was unlike anything I’d experienced program, which is open to graduate more national recognition. before,” she said. “I could not imagine students. She is in her final year of an “It’s a good program, and I’m glad going any place else to continue my engineering master’s program at the we have it in our department,” de los education.” ■

NC STATE ENGINEERING | 31 FOUNDATIONS

The College needs your help to complete Fitts-Woolard Hall FILLING

RELOCATING THE THE COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING to NC State’s Centennial Campus has been a University priority for years, and by 2010, six of the its nine academic GAP departments had made the move. A on Centennial so that we could take alone could accomplish and realizing the fourth engineering building seemed just advantage of everything that the campus dream of the next engineering building,” over the horizon. has to offer.” said Griffin Lamb, assistant dean for But with a shift in the long-established Today, construction of Fitts-Woolard development and college relations and state funding model for university Hall is going full steam ahead. The director of the NC State Engineering facilities and the effects of a recession future home of the Department of Foundation. “The finish line is in sight, that began in 2008, plans for a fourth Civil, Construction, and Environmental but we still need the help of the collective building were delayed. Engineering (CCEE); the Edward P. Fitts engineering community. Every gift counts So, the College took a bold step, Department of Industrial and Systems and puts us one step closer to our goal.” making a commitment to help finance Engineering (ISE); and the dean’s construction of the fourth building administrative offices is on track to open ENGINEERING ON DISPLAY through private fundraising, a new model in summer 2020. Thanks to generous for North Carolina but one that NC commitments from more than 300 The $154 million project received $75 State would need to adopt to further its alumni donors, the College has fulfilled million from the voters of North Carolina academic mission. 80 percent of its commitment of $60 through a 2016 bond referendum. The NC “It was imperative that we carry on million. Legislature provided $2 million and the with this momentum,” said Dr. Louis But there is still a fundraising gap University is providing $17 million. The Martin-Vega, dean of the College. “To of $11.7 million to fill. Now, more than fundraising effort received a substantial reach our full potential as a preeminent ever, those who have benefitted from boost when industrial engineering alumni public college of engineering, we needed the College’s research, education and Edward P. Fitts and Edgar S. Woolard to continue the process of unifying extension programs are being asked to made a transformative $25 million gift to help ensure that NC State Engineering support it. The University broke ground remains strong for on Fitts-Woolard Hall and named it for the decades to come. two donors in April 2018. GET INVOLVED “Our alumni and Fitts-Woolard Hall will allow ISE and friends have risen to the CCEE to move out of buildings that Contact Erica Fuller with the NC State Engineering occasion, accepting the are more than 50 years old and leave Foundation at [email protected] or 919.515.9958 challenge of securing behind the constraints of limited space to learn more about how you can contribute to the private support to and outdated facilities. Students and fundraising effort or help host an informational event. fill the gap between faculty members will take advantage of what public funding a uniquely collaborative environment,

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LEAD WITH A GIFT

Donors who support the College’s Fitts- Woolard Hall project receive recognition and exclusive benefits as part of their important gift. Along with recognition in this iconic new engineering building, members will receive regular insider updates on the construction and will be invited to exclusive events, including hard hat tours of the space and the building dedication.

CORNERSTONE SOCIETY For gifts beginning at $100,000 Your name will be permanently associated with the space of your where leading companies share real money from scholarships and programs choosing, and your gift will be estate with classrooms and lab spaces that enhance the educational experience recognized in a central location in and the beneficial collisions that result for students. Fitts-Woolard Hall along with a special can lead to groundbreaking ideas. The College has created three recognition biography and photo. Fitts-Woolard Hall was designed by exclusive giving societies (see sidebar) architecture and engineering firm Clark that offer donors insider access to the DEAN’S OVAL CLUB Nexsen with “engineering on display” project. Tours of the facility are planned For gifts of $50,000 to $99,999 as a theme. The building will showcase for Friday, November 8, 2019, during You will receive permanent recognition the two departments’ labs to give homecoming festivities. The Engineering with a donor profile in a central location visitors a glimpse of research being Foundation is continuing its information in Fitts-Woolard Hall. conducted in areas of great societal sessions on the building across the impact including additive manufacturing, state, with upcoming events planned in DEAN’S YOUNG ALUMNI smart infrastructure and environmental Greensboro and Charlotte. OVAL CLUB engineering. The building’s location NC State Engineering research is For gifts of $25,000 over five years on the south side of Centennial’s improving lives both at home and by young alumni up to 15 years after Engineering Oval next to the Hunt Library abroad and helping to drive the state’s graduation will make it a prominent through point economy. Engineering students engage You will receive permanent recognition and put engineering achievements front in hands-on educational experiences with a donor profile in a central location and center. that prepare them for work in industry, in Fitts-Woolard Hall. The building should be ready for entrepreneurship and leadership, giving occupancy in July 2020, with a goal of them a solid foundation for future having both departments moved in when success. the fall 2020 semester begins. The College has made tremendous will continue that upward trajectory in an strides in the last decade, growing environment in which no peer colleges of MAKING AN INVESTMENT its research, elevating its national engineering are standing still. prominence and improving its “Support for Fitts-Woolard Hall represents Meeting its fundraising obligation will recruitment of the most-sought-after an investment in NC State and in our College allow the College to continue to grow students and faculty members. Fitts- of Engineering,” Martin-Vega said. “With and improve in a fiscally sustainable way. Woolard Hall is the next step in that your help, the College will continue to grow, Having to borrow to meet that obligation progression and is part of a $250- continue to achieve and continue to make means debt service that would take million investment by the College that our alumni and friends proud.” ■

NC STATE ENGINEERING | 33 FOUNDATIONS

Alumni give to Fitts-Woolard Hall to invest in North Carolina’s future

RICHARD ROHRBAUGH, CE ‘81

“To me, it’s just a no-brainer because the facilities have got to keep up with the type of instruction we’re trying to give.”

RICHARD ROHRBAUGH

IN THE MORE THAN A YEAR since the University broke ground on the new Fitts-Woolard Hall on Centennial Campus, construction is more than 70 percent complete, with an opening date expected for June 2020. This state- of-the-art structure will house the Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering (CCEE); the Edward P. Fitts Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering; and the dean’s administrative offices. Upon completion, the College will be closer to its goal of being fully united on Centennial Campus. Get to know more about two alumni who have supported the project and why they see supporting the building as a priority. STUART PHOENIX, ESM ‘76

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STUART PHOENIX In addition to witnessing some historic work. He credits his courses with helping NC State basketball moments, Phoenix him to become a problem solver, which Returning to his home state made sense says that his time at NC State was influenced much of his career. to Stuart Phoenix when he was deciding on when he learned valuable skills that “I felt invigorated that I got to learn colleges as a high school senior in Florida. have served as a base education for him about how stuff worked,” he said. “As His parents, who were both Raleigh throughout his career. I sat with professors, especially in my natives, had moved around for his father’s “I learned how to think and how to junior and senior years, that was when job, and when his family was relocating to analyze things, how to do things right and you really started to get into some of the New York just as he was going to college, be a lifelong learner,” he said. technical aspects of civil engineering, he decided to come back to his family’s To Phoenix, that was part of what it’s almost like somebody had given me home state. made NC State a great university. He permission to learn more about how “NC State was one of the schools I says it’s exciting to see the impact NC things work, and I just loved that.” applied to because I was interested in State is having on North Carolinians Today, Rohrbaugh believes that the math, science and technology,” Phoenix and the state’s economy. For him, an value of his diploma is greater than it said. “I was a math and science guy in important part of ensuring NC State was in 1981 — which is why he wants school.” continues to effect positive change in the to give back to the University to ensure Phoenix graduated from NC State in state is by recruiting the best students that legacy continues. He saw supporting 1976 with a B.S. in engineering science and professors — and facilities like Fitts- Fitts-Woolard Hall as a way to do that and mechanics. In 1987, he began Woolard Hall help with that. with a tangible result. working with FMI Corporation, a firm “You just can’t depend on the state and “To me, it’s just a no-brainer because that was started in Raleigh by Doc Fails, tuition dollars for that — you need the the facilities have got to keep up with the an NC State professor, and provides alumni to support those things that make type of instruction we’re trying to give,” investment banking and management a difference to make a great university. he said. consulting services for construction Fitts-Woolard Hall is a world-class facility. While Rohrbaugh will miss Mann firms, engineers and others serving the Being right next to Hunt Library and Hall, longtime home for civil engineering built environment. He currently serves as on Centennial Campus, it helps recruit located on North Campus, he’s excited chairman emeritus and is assisting with professors and students, and it helps about the new opportunities Fitts- FMI’s newest venture, FMI Investment recruit industry to invest in the University Woolard Hall will provide for students. Partners, and he is a former member of and ally with the University,” he said. “It It was when he was serving on the the NC State Engineering Foundation’s sets the stage for the future.” CCEE advisory board and spending board of directors. more time in Mann Hall that he realized As a student, Phoenix remembers RICHARD ROHRBAUGH how important it was for the College to enjoying his classes and the opportunity construct new facilities. to take a wide range of courses outside Growing up in North Carolina, Richard Rohrbaugh said he thinks the CCEE of engineering, including constitutional Rohrbaugh would often help his father, faculty members have done a great job law, ancient history and finance. He who was a professional engineer and managing the constraints in the facility also remembers nights spent watching land surveyor. they have, and he’s looking forward to basketball. NC State won its first national “Engineering seemed to be the thing I students and faculty members having a championship in men’s basketball during wanted to do,” he said. “I was half-decent better facility where they don’t have to his freshman year. at physics and math, and it seemed like a worry about those limitations. The new “I remember going to the NCAA really natural fit.” facilities at Fitts-Woolard Hall will improve tournament game against Pittsburgh Rohrbaugh’s interest led him to apply students’ learning environments, as well in Reynolds Coliseum when David to NC State, and he graduated with a as help with recruitment. Thompson tripped over Phil Spence’s degree in civil engineering in 1981. He “So many students who come here shoulders and really hurt his head. I is a senior vice president and principal learn about North Carolina and come to also remember running to the (North at the consulting firm Kimley-Horn and love it, and when they graduate from Carolina State) Capitol building when we Associates. He also served on the CCEE NC State, a lot of them want to stay,” he beat UCLA in the Final Four, and again Industry Advisory Board for several years. said. “I think we’re going to benefit a lot when we beat Marquette for the national At NC State, Rohrbaugh quickly realized from the people who take what they’ve championship,” he said. how much he enjoyed learning how things learned and apply it.” ■

NC STATE ENGINEERING | 35 FOUNDATIONS

GLOBAL GROWTH

Alumnus and donor Ralph Edwards has a passion for the impact of study abroad

RALPH EDWARDS WAS AN the young Salisbury, NC, native a love INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE UNDERGRADUATE student in industrial of travel (and of photography) that engineering in 1959 when Dr. Clifton A. would serve him well during a career in Olivetti was the world’s leading Anderson, the department head, called international real estate and become a manufacturer of typewriters at the time. him into his office. It was a meeting personal passion. Edwards spent his six weeks with the Edwards would never forget. “That experience changed me,” said company’s executives and engineers Anderson, who did consulting work Edwards, who settled in Atlanta, Ga., seeing every aspect of the operation. In with Italian typewriter manufacturer with his wife, Ree. between, he ate a lot of fine pasta and Olivetti, had an opportunity to send an The Ralph and Ree Edwards spent his off time in Paris, Rome and the engineering student to the company’s Study Abroad Scholarship the couple Riviera. headquarters in the town of Ivrea as a established within the College and Today, Edwards is chairman and CEO summer intern. Edwards said yes, but it recently furthered with a significant of EBS Property Investments, a private was a daunting assignment. gift helps engineering undergraduate real estate company that invests in and “I didn’t know where Italy was and students take the kind of impactful spring provides asset management services I certainly didn’t have a passport,” or summer study abroad trip that Ralph for U.S. office, retail and industrial Edwards said. Edwards took. properties. Over the years, he has built He didn’t have a camera, either. But All they ask of the scholarship a number of relationships with European Anderson loaned him his Leica camera recipients is that they try to attend an investors. Edwards says that traveling and gave him simple instructions: write annual dinner in the fall with the couple internationally gave him the confidence a story for the student newspaper when in Raleigh to share their experiences and to do that kind of work, and it all started you return. And have fun. that they have fun. with that first trip to Italy. With that invitation, Anderson gave And take pictures. For Charles Blum, a junior in industrial

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French spoken on the streets and seeing the country’s most historic sites was different than learning from a textbook. “History came alive. That’s the most important thing for me about study abroad,” Teran said. “I was experiencing history instead of simply reading it.” A NEW The College’s annual CONFIDENCE study abroad trip to Zhejiang University in Hangzhou, Savannah Abel had traveled overseas China, was a kind of homecoming for with her family growing up. But her Sandy Lin and Anna Davis. Students can and systems engineering, a study abroad study abroad trip to Segovia, Spain, the take classes in engineering, international trip to London offered a more dynamic summer before her senior year was relations and Mandarin during their educational experience that went beyond different. stay and have a chance to work on a the normal coursework completed at a The industrial engineering major knew design project for heavy equipment university. He studied business writing none of the other 25 students on the manufacturer Caterpillar at one of the and economic analysis from a European trip. After a long flight and then a bus company’s Chinese facilities. perspective during nearly two months ride, hers was the first name called by Lin’s family is from China, and she had overseas in summer 2018. From facility the NC State faculty member leading the not been to the country in 10 years. She analysis at the BMW Mini Plant and trip. An older Spanish gentleman who described the Hangzhou trip as “a good Coca-Cola European Partners facility, to didn’t speak English grabbed her bags cultural identity trip for me.” She was participating in focus groups at IBM, to and headed to the apartment he shared able to brush up on her Mandarin, learn Blum, “this experience made the world with his wife. It would be her home for about how China uses its resources in a my classroom.” the next four weeks. course titled “Geographies of Energy” That kind of experience, and the kind The 2018 graduate, who now works and spend time exploring. of confidence that it builds, is what the for Ernst & Young in Charlotte, NC, Davis is an aerospace engineering Edwardses want for the engineering figured things out after a few days and major who was adopted from China students who take advantage of their came out stronger because of the trip. at eight months old. Her experience scholarship. Six years of the program “After going through that, I feel was similar to those described by has produced 60 seasoned travelers, comfortable that I can do almost other beneficiaries of the Edwards each with their own life-changing stories anything,” she said. Scholarship. The students returned with to share. As a Benjamin Franklin Scholar, a finer appreciation of travel, plenty of “If we could give an experience to Rebeca Teran is pursuing a double photos of their adventures and a new someone reminiscent of mine and have major in computer science and French confidence. it have a similar impact, what a great language and literature. She spent a “I learned that I’m a lot more legacy that would be,” Ralph Edwards spring semester on a study abroad trip adaptable than I thought I was said. in Lille, France. Speaking and hearing previously,” she said. ■

NC STATE ENGINEERING | 37 GIFT IN A WILL OR TRUST Create your personal legacy by including PLANNED the NC State Engineering Foundation, Inc. in your will or trust.

GIVING CHARITABLE GIFT ANNUITY ENGINEERING FOUNDATION Provide fixed income for yourself or a loved one. Have you included the NC State Engineering Foundation in your will, trust or other estate plans? It’s a great way to make sure the CHARITABLE REMAINDER TRUST opportunity that meant so much to you is there Create life income for you and your spouse. for future generations.

If you have already included the NC State RETIREMENT PLAN BENEFICIARY Engineering Foundation in your estate plans Name the Foundation to receive part or all of please let us know. your IRA, 401(K) or 403(B).

Call Mike Walsh at 919.515.7237 to discuss any of these charitable options or visit www.engr.ncsu.edu/alumni-and-giving/ways-to-give for more information.

ENGINEERING ONLINE

Engineer Your Future with 16 Online Graduate Degrees Available from NC State’s College of Engineering

Visit engineeringonline.ncsu.edu to learn more

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CHARITABLE REMAINDER TRUST Engineering Foundation hosts 21st annual Endowment Dinner

FROM LEFT, SHOSHANNA CONWAY, OLIVIA GARTZ, HANNAH FLETCHER, SHREYAS ASHOK, EVAN YOUNGBERG AND BRIAN WU AT THE COLLEGE’S 2019 ENDOWMENT DINNER.

EACH SPRING, Shoshanna Conway bands while on campus and was named generous donors who support the travels to the NC State campus to spend the Outstanding Aerospace Student at College in this way and introduced many time with the engineering student who NC State. of them in attendance. is benefitting from the scholarship “Although his life was cut short, he Suzanne Gordon, whose family has named for her late husband. The annual contributed much during his time at endowed the Gordon Family Scholarship, Endowment Dinner hosted by the NC NC State, to his work environment, is one of these donors. Gordon, who State Engineering Foundation makes it his family and friends, his church, serves as president of the Engineering possible. Scholar Cantorum, and in particular Foundation, spoke at the event sharing This event allows donors of endowed to me,” Shoshanna Conway said. “In her thoughts on why people choose to scholarships, fellowships and John’s untimely death, there was a give. There are so many reasons — to professorships to meet the recipient(s) determination that something good pay it forward, to pay it backward (give of their award for the current year or would come out of it. I get to see as you were given to), to support the semester. Both donors and students that every spring at the Engineering school you love, to support the growth alike enjoyed sharing stories of their Scholarship dinner.” and opportunity of others or to honor lives and their love of the Wolfpack and Evan Youngberg, a senior in MAE, has someone you care about. the College of Engineering. The 21st received the Conway scholarship and Carmen Davis, a student recipient, also annual Endowment Dinner was held on was able to spend time with Shoshanna spoke at the event. She described how April 4, 2019 at the Talley Student Union Conway at this year’s Endowment meaningful receiving a scholarship was Ballroom. Dinner. to her and her family, not only financially, The John Estes Conway Memorial “It means a lot to me to become a part but also as a motivator for her success. Scholarship established by his family of this scholarship’s continuing story,” Davis, who received the Garwood Family has benefitted more than 50 students Youngberg said. “I am more thankful Scholarship Endowment, plans to one in the Department of Mechanical and than words can say for the financial day offer a scholarship to an NC State Aerospace Engineering (MAE). John support this scholarship has given me undergraduate student herself. Conway, who passed away in 1977 at the to continue working on my aerospace There are many types of endowments age of 27, earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering degree.” — scholarships, fellowships, aeronautical engineering and a master’s At this year’s event, Dean Louis professorships and general funds that degree in mechanical engineering, both Martin-Vega spoke of the importance of support research and special programs from NC State. Conway was a member endowments to the College, its students for students and faculty members. The of music and engineering honor societies and its faculty. He acknowledged and College has 313 endowed scholarships and the University concert and marching gave heart-felt thanks to all of the and 56 endowed professorships. ■

NC STATE ENGINEERING | 39 FOUNDATIONS

STUART NISBET, CS ‘87 Meet the DEAN'SCIRCLE

STUART NISBET business intelligence R&D; and senior succeed,” Nisbet said. “Giving back is vice president, head of R&D. not an obligation, but a way to contribute When Stuart Nisbet was looking at Nisbet credits the education he to the amazing work being done by the colleges, he felt drawn to NC State, but received at NC State for his success in university for the community, the state of not just for the academic offerings. life and business. North Carolina and the country.” “I had an affinity to NC State because “There’s a lot to be said for learning of the athletics — thanks to people the theory of how things work — but EVAN ARNOLD like (NC State men’s basketball stars) the application of technology and how to Kenny Carr, Dereck Whittenburg,” apply it is greater. At NC State I not only Growing up with parents who are both shared Nisbet. “But, I was also drawn to went through the process of studying the alumni of NC State meant there was fields of computer science and applied how, but was also taught to think more no shortage of Wolfpack pride for Evan sciences. There was so much NC State broadly.” Arnold. was doing in those fields that I wanted to For Nisbet, supporting the College is “I grew up going to football games and be a part of it.” not an obligation, it is a small way to give watching NC State sports on TV,” shared After graduating from NC State in 1987 back to the university that gave so much Arnold, who earned his B.S. in aerospace, with a B.S. in computer science, Nisbet to him. aeronautical and astronautical engineering began his career at SAS as a software “When I was a student, NC State gave in 2015 from NC State. “It meant so developer. Over the last 32 years, he so much to me — in opportunities, in much to me to attend NC State.” has held multiple positions at SAS, learning, and experiences. So as an alum, As a student, Arnold interned at the including R&D manager; R&D director; you have the opportunity to give back Institute for Transportation Research and senior R&D director; vice president of and help current and future students to Education (ITRE), located on NC State’s

40 | www.engr.ncsu.edu FOUNDATIONS

Biomolecular Engineering (CBE) faculty member Dr. Ron Rousseau mentored me in his role as department chair while we were both at Georgia Tech. He even had career discussions with my mother in his office,” said Grant, now a professor EVAN ARNOLD, AAA ‘15 DR. CHRISTINE GRANT in CBE and associate dean for faculty advancement. “As a result, NC State was the only university I applied to, and I got STUDENT SUPPORT AND PROVIDING SCHOLARSHIPS and the call they wanted me to join right after fellowships to the next generation of engineers and computer I completed my degree. I have been here scientists is vital to the College’s mission. Through the generosity ever since.” of alumni, friends and faculty members, the Dean’s Circle helps Grant felt at home at NC State and provide support to the College’s outstanding students. The Dean’s was impressed with the scope of the Circle is a comprehensive society for all unrestricted gifts of $1,000 College. or more to the College and its departments. Meet three Dean’s “There was also a great deal of Circle donors and learn why they give. promised growth. When I started, there was only one main building on Centennial Campus — look at us now.” As a Dean’s Circle member, Grant believes that giving back to the College Centennial Campus. After graduation, As a young alumnus, Arnold felt it was makes donors feel that they are part of he continued his work with ITRE as time to support the College in more than something larger than themselves. an unmanned systems engineer and just attending football games. “Initially, I thought it a bit strange research associate. “I wanted a way to interact with my for an employee to donate, then I saw His work with ITRE focuses on alma mater that had a lasting impact colleagues contributing to ‘the cause.’ It aviation and furthering drone technology and to support those in the same helped me to see that if I really believed — including maintaining small UAV degree program,” said Arnold. “My in what we were doing that I could fleets for flight readiness, performing hope is to help create a legacy for future contribute to the College of Engineering airworthiness inspections and reports students — to give them opportunities to initiatives,” shared Grant. to the FAA for flight readiness, and succeed.” In her position as an associate dean managing flight operations. and as a faculty member, she feels that Arnold said that his time at NC State DR. CHRISTINE GRANT passion is a major factor in giving back. not only helped him with his career, but “I am passionate about the success of in cultivating lasting friendships. Working in academia was a long-term our faculty — there are some really great “The sole reason I am where I am in goal for Dr. Christine Grant when she colleagues (and students) that I wanted my career is due to NC State and the graduated with her Ph.D. in 1989 from to indirectly support.” work I did as a student,” Arnold said. the Georgia Institute of Technology. Grant said that different life seasons “As a student, I also met some of the “My plan after getting my Ph.D. result in different donor capabilities, so greatest people in my life and cultivated was to work in industry, then make no matter the amount, large or small, relationships that I am forever thankful the transition to academia. But, former support for the College is welcome. for.” NC State Department of Chemical and “The main thing is to contribute.” ■

NC STATE ENGINEERING | 41 FOUNDATIONS

“He was the kind of father and businessman who for undergraduate minority students fought for what was right.” to conduct research and increase their awareness of research opportunities. DR. JOY JOHNSON, ECE ‘07 When Johnson was preparing for her first year at NC State, she hadn’t yet taken some of the physical science courses required of an engineering major. So, when a spot opened up in the summer programs, she jumped on it. That summer, Johnson took physics, chemistry and calculus III, helping her get a head start on coursework while making connections with other engineering students. Young alumna endows scholarship “Having the opportunity to take the coursework that you weren’t offered in honor of father or did not have in high school before is golden,” she said. “Starting off right is so helpful, and so is having a network of people who are pursuing engineering basements and design and review final and who look like you.” construction plans. Johnson built on her early Her father was one of her greatest accomplishments and continued to be supporters, and he encouraged Johnson successful at NC State and beyond. to consider an engineering degree. She interned at Intel, participated in a “He was the kind of father and summer research program at Cornell businessman who fought for what was University and was a Park Scholar. right,” said Johnson, who earned her After graduating from NC State, she dual B.S. in computer and electrical earned her master’s and Ph.D. degrees engineering in 2007. “I don’t think I in electrical engineering from the would have ever been at NC State if it Massachusetts Institute of Technology. wasn’t for him.” She now works at Apple in the special In her father’s honor, Johnson projects group for hardware engineering. DR. JOY JOHNSON didn’t grow up endowed the Kenneth T. Johnson STP, she said, made her realize dreaming about becoming an engineer. Minority Engineering Award to fund that she would be able to survive and But she did grow up with a father who two students per year in the College’s thrive at NC State, and she wants other taught her to give back what she can to Minority Engineering Programs — one students to have the same opportunity other people. in the Summer Transition Program to get an early start on course work Johnson’s father, Kenneth T. Johnson, (STP) and one in the Minority Summer or build up a support group before the left school after sixth grade. He later Research Program (MSRP). STP helps semester begins. went to trade school and went on incoming students build a network of “To me, it’s a no-brainer. I was to build a successful waterproofing other minority engineering students and privileged enough to get this company in Greensboro, NC, through introduces them to alumni and industry opportunity, and there’s a responsibility word of mouth. In a way, Joy Johnson partners while they live and take there,” she said. “My dad was the kind said, his work involved engineering — classes on campus through Summer of person who was always giving. I think he had to draw schematics of client’s Start. MSRP is a six-week program if you have it, you should give it.” ■

42 | www.engr.ncsu.edu FOUNDATIONS Young alumni spotlight

Hometown Raleigh, NC

Graduation Year 2015, Valedictorian ALEX STONE

Degree B.S., Mechanical Engineering

Current Job Title Mechanical Engineer Hipp Engineering & Consulting, Inc.

Young Alumni College Relations Advisory Board Committee

ALEX STONE grew up with NC State One of the things Stone finds time management is key to finishing in his blood. “My grandfather, a College interesting about his job is seeing the projects on time, on budget and with your alumnus, uncle, and mom all attended different facilities that manufacture work-life balance still in check.” State. My wife is an NC State alumna, various medicines and learning the He is grateful for all that he learned at my father-in-law a College alumnus, and different processes used for each. NC State and for the engineering degree my brother-in-law a current student. I For example, the process used to that was instrumental in providing him was born in Raleigh and rooted for the manufacture acetaminophen is with the tools needed to propel him into Wolfpack my whole life.” When it came vastly different than the process for a career that is both challenging and time to decide on a university, Stone manufacturing insulin — meaning each fulfilling. “During school, I learned how to applied early to NC State and decided requires its own highly specialized facility. think critically, solve problems and work to only apply to NC State. “I was ‘one “Being an engineering consultant, I have collaboratively to accomplish bigger goals and done’ when it comes to college the opportunity to interface with many than are possible for any single individual. applications. I loved the campus and its different clients and learn many different These skills have proved to be crucial in proximity to the heart of Raleigh, and let’s manufacturing processes. I have the the short time I’ve been out of school, be honest, the State Fair.” opportunity to see a lot of cool things at a both from a personal and professional Post graduation, Stone is a mechanical bunch of different facilities — some even standpoint.”■ engineer with Hipp Engineering & being a few million square feet in size. Consulting, Inc. — an engineering Every day is a learning opportunity.” consulting firm in Raleigh specializing Thinking back on his time as an Please join the Young Alumni in the design of manufacturing facilities engineering student, he shares that the Advisory Board (YAAB) at its in the life sciences sector. According to most important thing he learned was Homecoming event, Stone, there are no typical days for him time management. In college, he says, Thursday, November 7, 2019 in the consulting engineering business. there are many things that always need 6-8 p.m. at Raleigh Times. “There are days spent at different to be done for classes and clubs, with pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities it still being important to maintain an For more information about the doing field work, days spent doing appropriate school-life balance. “It takes YAAB, please contact Erica A. Fuller, calculations and selecting equipment for effective time management to organize, assistant director of development various projects and days spent drafting prioritize and complete all tasks at hand,” for the NC State Engineering in AutoCAD (2D) or Revit (3D). It’s a great said Stone. “The same can be said in the Foundation, Inc. at 919.515.9958 or mix of being in an office and getting out consulting business — there are always [email protected]. in the field. There is no such thing as a multiple projects that must progress boring day at work.” simultaneously. Being proficient with www.engr.ncsu.edu/alumni-and-giving/ya

NC STATE ENGINEERING | 43 FOUNDATIONS NC STATE ENGINEERING FOUNDATION, INC. Foundation Year in Review BOARD OF DIRECTORS Bruce Baldwin, MAE ‘92 Fueled by strong support for Fitts- GIFTS AND NEW COMMITMENTS BY GIFT SOURCE, Ashley Barnes, IE ‘95 FISCAL YEAR 2018-19 Suzanne Beckstoffer, CE ‘82 Woolard Hall and the Think and Do Ashok Bhatnagar, NE ‘79 Robert (Bob) Brooks, EO ‘69 the Extraordinary campaign, the NC Linda Butler, NE ‘86 STATE ENGINEERING FOUNDATION Alumni 53% Calvin Carter, Jr., MSE ’77, ’80, ‘83 W. H. Clark, Jr., IE ‘56 had another excellent fundraising year Corporations 25% Mike Creed, CE ’73 ‘84 Heather Denny, CE ‘95 with giving totals to the College at Foundations 10% Casey Dean, EE ‘67 $19,090,566. Friends / Faculty / Staff 7% David Dove, AE ‘69 Ralph Edwards, IE ‘61 Endowments to the College generally Other organizations 5% John Freeman, MSE ‘57 Suzanne Gordon, CSC ’75, MA ’75, ST ‘80* fall into one of three categories: Len Habas, EE ’66 Rashida Hodge, ISE ’02, ‘03 scholarships, named professorships Jake Hooks, MSE ‘78 and fellowships. There are now 313 GIFTS AND NEW COMMITMENTS BY GIFT USE, Seneca Jacobs, CE ‘99 FISCAL YEAR 2018-19 Rob Loftis, EE ‘02 permanently endowed scholarships Helene Lollis, CHE ‘87 Samuel (Sam) McCachern, CE ‘85 in the College and 56 permanently Tom McPherson, Jr., EE ‘76 endowed named professorships. Total Mark Norcross, FMM ‘65 Chi Nguyen, AE ‘92 endowment support for the College Endowments 38% V. Nelson Peeler, Jr., EE ‘88 Scott Stabler, MAE ‘82 is $139.7 million as of Dec. 31, 2018, Current Operations 52% Carl Stutts, Jr., CHE ‘68 including directly owned assets as well Facilities 10% Alvin Sumter, ISE ‘87 Pam Townsend, CE ’84, ‘87 as endowments held outside of the Hannibel (Hans) Warren, Jr., CE ‘84 Greg Washington, ME ’89, ’91, ‘94 Engineering Foundation. David Whitley, EE ‘92 The annual giving program for the Robert (Bob) Womack, MAE ‘59 Mark Wyatt, CSC ‘80 COE raised a total of $1,504,343 for the Deborah B. Young, CE ‘77 *President College of Engineering Leadership Fund in 2021. The College of Engineering’s and all nine department enhancement goal is $230 million and thus far has FOUNDATION STAFF Griffin Lamb funds. The Dean’s Circle, the leadership raised $182,108,859. Assistant Dean for Development and College Relations Executive Director of the NC State Engineering annual giving society, grew by 17 The NC State Engineering Foundation Inc. members, bringing our total membership Foundation, Inc., established in Michael Walsh Interim Executive Director of Major Gifts to 504 alumni and friend donors, 1944, is the fundraising arm of the and Campaign Planning representing a 3-percent increase from College of Engineering. For more Nora Brodsky the previous year. These gifts often information on the Foundation, including Business Services Coordinator represent our “pipeline” for major gifts financial statements, audits and tax Carissa Burroughs Lead Event and Alumni Relations Coordinator and an important part of the College’s identification number, please visit

Erica Fuller overall advancement plan. foundationsaccounting.ofa.ncsu.edu/ Assistant Director of Development and Alumni Engagement The Think and Do the Extraordinary foundations/nc-state-engineering- Shawnda Hill Campaign began in 2013 and concludes foundation-inc. ■ Business Officer

Angela S. Martin Associate Director of Annual Giving and Prospect Development GRIFFIN LAMB SARA SELTZER Chris Price Assistant Dean for Development and College Relations and Director of Development Director of Development Executive Director of the NC State Engineering Foundation Inc. Department of Materials Science and Engineering and Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering [email protected] | 919.515.9956 Department of Computer Science [email protected] | 919.515.3730 Sara Seltzer MICHAEL WALSH Director of Development Interim Executive Director of Major Gifts and Campaign Planning LINDSAY SMITH Department of Materials Science and Engineering Department of Computer Science [email protected] | 919.515.7237 Director of Development Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Lindsay Smith ERICA FULLER Engineering Director of Development Assistant Director of Development and Alumni Engagement [email protected] | 919.515.7738 Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Contact for Young Alumni and Annual Giving Engineering [email protected] | 919.515.9958 TRUDI BROWN Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering DEPARTMENT REPRESENTATIVE ANGELA S. MARTIN [email protected] | 919.513.2251 Associate Director of Annual Giving and Prospect Development Trudi Brown Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering [email protected] | 919.513.1714 RUSS O’DELL Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Russ O’Dell CHRIS PRICE [email protected] | 919.513.2071 Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Director of Development Kenneth M. Tate Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering KENNETH M. TATE Department of Computer Science [email protected] | 919.513.1338 Department of Computer Science [email protected] | 919.513.4292

44 | www.engr.ncsu.edu HIGH- P O W ER ED R O C K E T RY Alumni 53% C LU B W I N S Corporations 25% Foundations 10% A LT I T U D E Friends / Faculty / Staff 7%

Other organizations 5% AWARD AT N A S A During the club’s test launches, Center and other facilities, learning COMPETITION when winds hit the rocket, it would about the latest space exploration lean slightly in that direction rather developments. than adjusting back to center, “I went from zero to a fair making it apparent that their rocket understanding of rocketry in a whole was slightly over-stable, explained year,” McBride said. “I would not be

Endowments 38% Frances McBride, safety officer for where I am without this club.” ■

Current Operations 52% AS THEIR ROCKET CLIMBED the club and a sophomore majoring

Facilities 10% TOWARD THE SKY outside in aerospace engineering. Because NASA’s Marshall Space Flight of the over-stability, the rocket fell Center in Huntsville, Ala., the NC short of the predicted altitude during State High-Powered Rocketry Club test launches. But it all worked out members watched it go up — and on the day it mattered, and with that up, and up. first-place finish, NC State finished “It went straight up, and we eighth overall. thought it went really high,” said “We’re really proud of our Ashby Scruggs, president of the club accomplishment,” Scruggs said. and a senior majoring in aerospace “That’s the best we’ve done in a engineering. “We thought, ‘Wow, couple of years.” that must be so much over our The club attends the NASA expected altitude.’” competition every April after eight It wasn’t. The rocket went just months of preparation. NASA issues 12 feet above the team’s projected a request for proposal in August, altitude of 4,090 feet. As the team and the assignment is based on one whose rocket was closest to the of NASA’s current projects. This predicted altitude, NC State won year, because NASA is developing first place in the altitude award unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to section of the NASA Student Launch collect soil samples from Mars, the Competition. The second- and third- students also developed a UAV that place teams were 35 and 48 feet off deployed when the rocket landed. their respective predicted altitudes. The club, which has between 45 “We were all so shocked because and 60 members each year, works in our last couple of test launches, together on the reports for NASA we were off by several hundred and on the design and construction feet,” said Joseph Taylor, media of the rocket and its payload. The officer for the club and a senior club is comprised mostly of NC majoring in plant biology and State engineering students but is environmental science. As part of open to students in other colleges the payload operations team, he was and majors. one of the first to hear the results About 20 members travel for the from the altimeters, the instrument competition, where they have a that measures altitude. chance to tour Marshall Space Flight NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID NC State University RALEIGH, NC PERMIT NO. 2353 College of Engineering Campus Box 7901 Raleigh, NC 27695-7901

@ncstateengr

NC State Engineering

@ncstateengr

NC State Engineering Alumni www.engr.ncsu.edu

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING HOMECOMING CELEBRATION

Visit go.ncsu.edu/homecoming to learn more. ▪▪ BBQ lunch with fellow alumni NOVEMBER 7-8, 2019 ▪▪ Tours of Fitts-Woolard Hall ▪▪ Connect with other young alumni at a happy hour social