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Ajay Malshe meets with Governor Beebe at the ribbon |
Malshe's NanoMech and Duralor Celebrate Ribbon Cutting
NanoMech and its subsidiary, Duralor, held a ribbon cutting ceremony that was attended by numerous government and regional officials. The opening of the facility marks a milestone in technology based economic development for the state and region.
NanoMech brings an array of nanotechnology innovations to market that can help fuel the global nanomanufacturing engine. NanoMech's subsidiary Duralor has introduced the world's first nanocomposite cubic boron nitride coating. This multiple award winning product can extend the wear life of cutting tools and machine components by 300% or more compared to conventional coatings.
Researchers Use Golden Nanotubes for Imaging Agent to Detect Tumor Cells, Map Sentinel Lymph Node
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| Jin-Woo Kim |
Research teams led by Jin-Woo Kim, associate professor in the department of biological and agricultural engineering at the University of Arkansas, and Vladimir P. Zharov, professor in the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute at UAMS, worked with carbon nanotubes and gold. In a previous study, Kim and Zharov demonstrated that carbon nanotubes held great promise as contrast agents for photoacoustic detection and photothermal killing of individual bacteria in blood system.
AHRMM and the University of Arkansas Release Findings of the Cost and Quality in Healthcare Logistics Survey at AHRMM09
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| Heather Nachtmann |
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| Ed Pohl |
Starting in 2008, Heather Nachtmann and Edward Pohl, associate professors in industrial engineering, partnered with AHRMM to conduct an industry-wide survey of healthcare supply chain professionals to evaluate the current state of the healthcare supply chain. The survey focuses on six areas of the supply chain; readiness and progress towards data standardization, collaboration among supply chain partners, implementation and benefits of strategic initiatives, supply chain-related expenditures, inventory and order management, and supply chain performance. The survey received 1,381 responses. Respondents represented all sectors of the supply chain - healthcare providers, manufacturers, group purchasing organizations, distributors, as well as other healthcare supply chain organizations.
Such an expansive survey has not been conducted in the healthcare supply chain since the mid-1990s, when AHRMM and four other healthcare-focused organizations partnered to conduct a survey which produced the Efficient Healthcare Consumer Response report. The EHCR has become the most oft-quoted report in the industry, but its data is nearly fifteen years old. While not replicating the design of the EHCR, the Cost and Quality Survey covers many of the same key areas.
The initial findings of the Cost and Quality in Healthcare Logistics survey were presented at AHRMM09 Conference and Exhibition in Tampa, Florida in July. The report was provided to all attendees at the conference and is available on the AHRMM, CIHL and College of Engineering websites.
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| Tish Pohl |
Mack-Blackwell Rural Transportation Center Names Assistant Director
Tish Pohl has joined the Mack-Blackwell Rural Transportation Center as the Assistant Director of its National Transportation Security Center of Excellence program. Pohl completed her Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering at the University of Arkansas. She has a master's degree in systems engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology and a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Tulane University. Pohl served as an officer in the U.S. Air Force for eight years. She will work closely with the center's director in project administration, external proposal writing and research execution related to the mission of the program.
Arkansas Power Electronics International, Inc. and the University of Arkansas Win Prestigious R&D 100 Award
R&D Magazine announced that Arkansas Power Electronics International, Inc. and the University of Arkansas National Center for Reliable Electric Power Transmission are co-recipients of the 2009 R&D 100 Award for their high-temperature silicon carbide power module.
A joint development between APEI, the University of Arkansas, Rohm Company LTD, and Sandia National Laboratory, the APEI power module is the world's first commercial high-temperature silicon carbide-based power electronics module. With application in hybrid and electric vehicles, renewable energy interfaces and electric aircraft, the APEI power module reduces size and volume of power electronic systems by an order of magnitude over present state-of-the-art silicon-based solutions while simultaneously reducing energy loss by greater than 50 percent, translating to significant potential energy savings. According to APEI's President and CEO Alex Lostetter, "the performance increases developed from our power module are not incremental, they are revolutionary".
Power electronic modules are the core components of all power electronic systems. They are required to drive electric motors such as those utilized in all electric or hybrid vehicles, but are also necessary to convert energy from renewable sources such as solar arrays and wind generators. Power electronic systems convert electrical energy from one form provided by a source to another form consumed by a load. One byproduct of this energy transformation is heat, which can be destructive to some silicon-based electronics. Because the APEI power module utilizes silicon carbide, it can operate at much higher energy efficiencies and at temperatures up to 250 degrees Celsius, which are considered major breakthroughs in power electronics.
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Roy McCann works with the 2009 Solar Splash team at Lake Fayetteville. |
Engineering Team Receives John A. White Award for Faculty-Student Collaboration
Engineering students and faculty members who comprised the 2009 Solar Splash intercollegiate solar boating team have won the 2009 John A. White Award for Faculty-Student Collaboration. The students and faculty designed and built two solar boat entries, competing with teams from around the world.
The College of Engineering team includes 28 students from the mechanical engineering department and 14 students from the electrical engineering department. Faculty collaborators include Alan Mantooth, professor in electrical engineering; Roy McCann, associate professor in electrical engineering; and William Springer, associate professor in mechanical engineering. Solar Splash teams are responsible for designing their own boats and power systems. Boats are scored on appearance, how well they are built and how well they operate, in addition to their performance on the lake. Each boat is required to operate on a combination of natural and stored solar power.
"Although most of the teams in the competition purchased commercially produced panels, our students bought individual cells and designed and built their own panels and power tracker. This resulted in our winning the outstanding solar system design award," said McCann.
The prestigious John A. White Award for Faculty-Student Collaboration was established in 2006 and named in honor of the former chancellor in 2008. This award is designed to highlight for incoming freshmen the academic research and other projects that can be done via collaboration between faculty and students.
The students and their faculty advisers will receive a $1,000 grant and be recognized at the 2009 Academic Convocation on Aug. 23 in Bud Walton Arena. During the convocation ceremony, the Solar Splash team will be featured in a video that is meant to inspire incoming freshmen to embrace team research and other out-of-classroom experiences.
University of Arkansas Appoints Gattis as Associate Dean of the Honors College
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| Carol Gattis |
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Gattis, who moved into her new position on July 6, will oversee the Honors College Fellowship program, serve as the college's liaison with the six college-based honors programs, and lead and develop other programs and initiatives of the college.
Gattis will report to Dean Bob McMath, and she succeeds Suzanne McCray, who recently became vice provost for enrollment management and dean of admissions.
Dean's Office Announces Staff Changes
The following changes were made within the dean's senior staff effective August 1.
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| T. C. Carter |
Thomas (T. C.) Carter will now serve as the assistant dean for student services and student affairs. He will be responsible for all student welfare and campus life issues, all student groups and societies, for awarding all college-wide scholarships while working with the various departments and the development office, for ECAP post-recruitment programs, for approving any change of major and other duties as assigned by the associate dean of academic affairs. Carter will also work with the assistant dean of recruitment on all pre-college summer programs.
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| Bryan Hill |
Hill's work with international programs will involve the processing of MOUs between the University of Arkansas, the College of Engineering and all international universities. He will work closely with the UA international program director on programs relating to the college and will recruit and advise undergraduate students for available study-abroad opportunities. In addition, he will serve as the primary contact in case of emergencies for students studying abroad and will be prepared to travel to those countries as needed.
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| Shannon Davis |
In addition, her responsibilities will also include the supervision of the director of the Engineering Research Center, and all staff who report to the director. Davis will also serve as a resource for staff and faculty on diversity related issues for the college. As part of this role, Davis will represent the college on diversity related committees and activities at the university level.
COE Staff Council Announces New Officers
The College of Engineering Staff Council has announced new officers for the coming year:
Officers
Cindy Pickney, President
Linda Pate, President-Elect
Carmen Hamilton, Treasurer
Luke Gabbard, Secretary
General Members
Cheryl Nimmo
Gigi Secuban
Jason Hall
Jennifer Ross
Stacy Sanchez
Susan Huskey
Colleen Briney
City of North Little Rock Becomes a Member of National Center for Reliable Electric Power Transmission
The electric department of the City of North Little Rock recently was named a member of the National Center for Reliable Electric Power Transmission. The City of North Little Rock's electric department joins other NCREPT members Electric Cooperatives of Arkansas, Electric Power Research Institute, Arkansas Power Electronics, Southwestern Electric Power, conEdison, Southwest Power Pool, Rohm and Oklahoma Gas & Electric.
Nominations Open for 'I Love My Librarian' Award
Nominations are now open for the 2009 Carnegie Corporation of New York "New York Times I Love My Librarian Award." Administered by American Library Association's Public Information Office and Campaign for America's Libraries, the award invites library users to recognize the accomplishments of librarians in public, school, college, community college and university libraries for their efforts to improve the lives of people in their community. Nominees will be judged by a selection committee based on quality of service to library users, demonstrated knowledge of the library and its resources and commitment shown in helping library users. Nominations will run through Oct. 9 and are being accepted online. Complete details, including information on eligibility and the nomination form, are available on the award web site.
Please consider nominating Patricia Kirkwood, the College of Engineering librarian, for this honor. Up to 10 librarians will be selected. Each will receive a $5,000 cash award, a plaque, and a $500 travel stipend to attend an awards ceremony and reception in New York, hosted by "The New York Times" in December. In addition, a plaque will be given to each award winner's library.
CSCE Department Announces Skeith's Retirement
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| Ron Skeith |
Engineering Student Named Student Employee of the Year in National Contest
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| Debby Chou, biological engineering student, was named as the national student employee of the year by the National Association of College and University Food Services. Jack Lim, director of the Arkansas Union Food Court & Catering, left, congratulates Debby. |
The National Association of College and University Food Services selected Debby Chou as the national winner for Student Employee of the Year. Chou, an associate of Chartwells Campus Dining Services, was nominated by Jack Lim, director of the Arkansas Union Food Court & Catering.
"Just weeks after hiring Debby, we felt as if we had actually added five people to our staff," Lim said. "She began her work with translating daily sales figures into franchise reports, menu engineering, and assessing purchase reports against invoices. She streamlined every report she touched. Because of her extreme focus and analytical mind, she has saved an incredible number of work hours, allowing managers more time to interact with customers and fine-tune kitchen processes."
Once her new reports were in place, Chou began looking beyond the office door for more ways she could help. She started with inventories and moved on to organizing supplies and even cleaning preparation areas. She continues to go above and beyond every day.
Chou is a student of biological engineering who artfully balances work, study and home responsibilities while maintaining an admirable grade point average.
Operations Management Graduate Program Celebrates 35th Anniversary
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| Nancy Sloan and Jane Cromhout celebrate the Operations Management program's 35th anniversary during a curriculum review meeting with instructors from across the country. |
The College of Engineering's operations management graduate program is celebrating its 35th year of educating students in Arkansas and around the world.
The curriculum emphasizes practical knowledge in areas such as project planning, quality management, economic decision-making, supply chain management, human behavior analysis, operations research and many other subjects for managers and professionals. The program serves students living in all areas of Arkansas, as well as in multiple locations around the United States. Military personnel serving abroad can work toward a master's degree even while stationed in countries such as Iraq and Afghanistan. Program coordinators work with students to ensure that textbooks and class sessions are available via the Internet or DVD.
Founded in August of 1974, the program was developed by John Imhoff, who served as chair of the industrial engineering department at the time. Originally offered on three military bases in Arkansas and Tennessee, program sites are now supported at the Fayetteville campus; Blytheville and Camden Ark.; Little Rock Air Force Base in Jacksonville, Ark.; Naval Support Activity/Mid-South in Millington, Tenn.; and Hurlburt Field, Fla. This graduate program has grown to be the largest offered by the University of Arkansas.
Staff Senate Accepting Nominations for Part-Time Employee Award
The Staff Senate is accepting nominations for the Part Time Employee Award. This newly created award recognizes outstanding service to the university by employees who are not 100-percent appointed. All part-time and hourly staff, student workers, non-student workers and graduate assistants, are eligible for nomination. Nominees must be currently employed by the University of Arkansas at the time of nomination and employed at least six cumulative months (consecutive months not required) prior to nomination.
Deadline for nominations is Sept. 4. Guidelines and nomination forms can be found here. Please submit nominations to Melynda Hart at WCOB 302.
Fifteenth International Meeting on DNA Computing and Molecular Programming
The Fifteenth International Meeting on DNA Computing and Molecular Programming, held in June, was a great success. Conference participants from around the globe presented the results of their latest research in the area of biomolecular computing.
If you would like more information about the research discussed at this event, contact Russell Deaton, professor in computer science and computer engineering.
New Staff
 Sandy Sehon |
Sandy Sehon Industrial Engineering Administrative Specialist II |
Joshua Wilson Mechanical Engineering Administrative Staff |
Faculty and Staff Promotions
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Tamara Ellenbecker, of industrial engineering, has been promoted to administrative support supervisor. Her new duties will include overseeing the front office staff, as well as the work study students. She will also assume responsibility for graduate student recruitment as she supports Manuel Rossetti in his new role as graduate studies chair. |    Suzanne Kenner April Martin Julie Watson | |||
 Manuel Rossetti |
Manuel Rossetti, associate professor in industrial engineering, will now serve as the graduate studies chair for the industrial engineering department | Suzanne Kenner, April Martin and Julie Watson have been promoted to project/program specialists within the Operations Management program. The program specialists are the backbone of the success of the program, as they recruit and retain students through their initiative, creativity and high quality student service. | |||
 Karen Standley |
Karen Standley, of industrial engineering, will step into the role of assistant to the department head, which will also entail responsibility for overall industrial engineering staff support. Karen will transition from her role with CELDi over the next few months. | ||||
Faculty and Staff Awards and Honors
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| Brady Cox |
Brady Cox, assistant professor in civil engineering, will conduct testing this August in Alaska with his earthquake simulating truck.
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| Findlay Edwards |
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| Ernie Heymsfield |
Ernie Heymsfield, assistant professor in civil engineering, gave an invited presentation regarding airport runway safety in Taiwan in July.
 Heather Nachtmann |
Mack-Blackwell Rural Transportation Center director, Heather Nachtmann, and MBTC executive director, Kevin Hall, were recently appointed by Dan Flowers, director of Arkansas Highways and Transportation Department (AHTD), as members of the Advisory Council for Transportation Research. The Advisory Council was created to assist the Transportation Research Committee by providing direction to the Department's Research Program and to meet annually to review and propose areas of needed research. |  Kevin Hall |
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| Otto Loewer |
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| Kim Needy |
Kim Needy, department head and professor in industrial engineering, was recently awarded the Bernard R. Sarchet Award of Lifetime Achievement from ASEE Engineering Management Division of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. The award, named after one of the founding fathers of the academic discipline of engineering management, is awarded annually to an individual who has made significant contributions over an extended period of time to the discipline and the Division and who exemplifies the highest standards of the professorate in engineering management.
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| Joseph Rencis |
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| Doug Spearot |
 Ajay Malshe |
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| Kaiming Ye |
Kaiming Ye,assistant professor in biological and agricultural engineering, will receive $1.32 million over four years from the National Institute of Health for his grant entitled "HA Surface Presented Yeast Flu Vaccine and Its Enhancement by CD154 Codisplay". The project focuses on developing a new format of influenza vaccine against potential global flu pandemic virus such as avian influenza virus H5N1 and swine flu H1N1.
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| Vijay Varadan |
Vijay Varadan, distinguished professor in electrical engineering and professor of neurosurgery, wrote a book entitled Handbook of Smart Systems and Materials, which was published this month by Taylor and Francis Group.
Student Awards and Honors
Joseph Aldrich, mechanical engineering student, was named the 2009 MEEG Outstanding Freshman of the Year.Debby Chou, a biological engineering student, has been selected by The National Association of College and University Food Services as the national winner for Student Employee of the Year. Chou, an associate of Chartwells Campus Dining Services, was nominated by Jack Lim, director of the Arkansas Union Food Court & Catering.
Valliappa Kalyanasundaram, mechanical engineering student; Doug Spearot, assistant professor in mechanical engineering; and Ajay Malshe, professor in mechanical engineering, have been published in the prestigious Langmuir, an American Chemical Society journal. The paper presents findings of the research work studying assembly of molecules at sub 10 nanometer scale confined under physical boundary conditions. The work was partly sponsored by the National Science Foundation. This work partially forms the foundation for answering process mechanism for nanoscale electro machining (nanoEM). The nano electro machining is listed under the 'Discoveries' section of the NSF homepage.
Julius Morehead, mechanical engineering student, received a 2009 Graduate Engineering degrees for Minorities (GEM) Fellowship. Morehead worked over the summer with the Stanford Linear Accelerator (SLAC) National Laboratory for his 2009 GEM Summer Internship.
Julius Morehead, received the 2009 Major Sponsors Scholar award and the Academic Pyramid of Excellence (APEX) award from the National Society of Black Engineers.
Michael 'Brock' Schulte, a graduate student in mechanical engineering, was named the 2009 MEEG Outstanding Teaching Assistant of the Year. This is the first year this award has been given.
Katie Soerens, daughter of Tom Soerens, associate professor in civil engineering, has been named a Sturgis Fellow for the incoming 2009 freshman class at the University of Arkansas. The Sturgis Fellowship is the university's oldest and one of the most prestigious fellowships awarded to incoming students.
Sachin Terdalkar, mechanical engineering doctoral student, received a travel award for the 10th U.S. National Congress on Computational Mechanics in Columbus, Ohio.
Calendar
Thursday, Sept. 3 Carol Gattis Reception
You are invited to attend a reception for Carol Gattis in recognition of her service to the College of Engineering.
Refreshments will be served.
Location: Imhoff Study Center (4th floor of Bell Engineering Center)
Time: 3-4 p.m.
Tuesday, Sept. 15 InfoBreaks: INSPEC searching for a platform
Database providing access to bibliographic citations and abstracts of the scientific and technical literature in physics, electrical engineering, electronics, communications, control engineering, computers and computing and information technology. Material covered includes journal articles, conference proceedings, reports, dissertations, patents and books published around the world.
Walk-ins are welcome!
Location: Mechanical Engineering Building, Room 217 (Computer Lab)
Time: 5-6 p.m.
Tuesday, Sept. 16 InfoBreaks: INSPEC searching for a platform
Database providing access to bibliographic citations and abstracts of the scientific and technical literature in physics, electrical engineering, electronics, communications, control engineering, computers and computing and information technology. Material covered includes journal articles, conference proceedings, reports, dissertations, patents and books published around the world.
Walk-ins are welcome!
Location: Engineering Hall, Room 209
Time: 5-6 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 24 Infobreaks: Refworks Basics for Engineers
Writing research papers? Citing sources for other projects? Learn how to generate bibliographies with RefWorks bibliographic manager software to make working with citations easier. RefWorks allows you to save citations for books, articles, and other publications in your own personal database, and then to export those citations in hundreds of formats including IEEE, ACM, ASCE, and ACS. Learn how to save citations from Engineering Village, Ebsco, and ProQuest as well as how to manage your citations, and how to export citations in reference or works cited lists.
Location: Bell Engineering Center, Room 4128 (Foust Computer Lab)
Time: 5-6 p.m.