FA L L 2 0 1 2 Vol. 12, No. 2
E
M
THE MAGAZINE OF THE A. JAMES CLARK SCHOOL of ENGINEERING
,000,000 $235 AND CLIMBING!
MAJOR CLARK SCHOOL DONORS LEAD SCHOOL IN SMASHING CAMPAIGN GOAL, URGE MORE TO GIVE
THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND
FA L L 2 0 1 2 | TA B L E O F C O N T E N T S
D E PA R T M E N T S
1 20
Message from the Dean Entrepreneurship Partnership with UM School of Medicine Yields New Start-Up Wachsman Pioneers Transformational Energy Technology A Bicycle Built for Too
22
News of Note New Undergrad Honors Program Will Prepare Cybersecurity Specialists Wireless Sensors Protect Roadways, Save Lives Researchers Discover “Remote Heating” Phenomenon CERSI Day Attracts Leaders in Drug and Medical Device Industry University Fills Two Senior Leadership Positions
STORIES
2 $235,000,000 and Climbing
24
Faculty News Young Researchers Win Prestigious Awards
Join With Us
Faculty Appointments
Help Our Students
Board of Regents Award
Express Your Unique Vision
Minta Martin Professors Named
Transform the Campus
New Faculty Members
Be A Part of What’s Next
Faculty Honors
16 Gamera Soars Again
26
18 Can Your Helicopter Do 300 MPH?
Students + Alumni Steven Chalk, ’83, Leads U.S. Renewable Energy Research Entrepreneur, Researcher, Volunteer Attention All Golden Terps Jones Holds a Top U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Post
ON THE COVER Clark School benefactors A. James Clark, left, and Robert E.
Terrapin Take-Off Program
Fischell appear in this issue of E@M to urge Clark School alumni and friends to give to Great Expectations, The Campaign for
Clark School Welcomes Promising Students
Maryland. Fellow benefactor Jeong H. Kim was out of the country and unable to join them for this photo.
Students Extend Winning Record in Competitions CORRECTIONS In the spring 2012 E@M, page 3, Keith Herold, Clark School faculty advisor for the WaterShed solar house, was incorrectly identified as an assistant professor. His correct title is associate professor. Also, the page 12 caption incorrectly describes Michelle Rosen as seen with high school students. Rosen was pictured with fellow Clark School students.
29
The Rewards of Planned Giving
Dear Friends of the Clark School, It’s nearly over. Great Expectations, The Campaign for Maryland will come to a conclusion in December. If all goes well, the university will reach its historic $1 billion goal.
E
The Clark School has already far surpassed its own goal of $185 million—by the end of June, our generous donors had given or pledged $235 million.
M PUBLISHER
A. James Clark School of Engineering
This remarkable achievement is due to the dedication and commitment of our alumni, friends and corporate supporters, and our outstanding Clark School development staff led by Assistant Dean Leslie Borak. Your contributions to Great Expectations have transformed our college into a premier destination for students, faculty and staff interested in
Darryll Pines Dean
using their skills to make a difference. Your contributions
James F. McMenamin Assistant Dean for Communications
and brightest from around the world to the Clark School;
Missy Corley Communications Coordinator EDITORIAL AND DESIGN STAFF
Nancy Grund Editor Beth Panitz Contributing Writer Laura Figlewski Art Director
have allowed us (1) to use scholarships to attract the best (2) to construct and build the state of the art Jeong H. Kim Engineering Building; (3) to launch the Robert E. Fischell Bioengineering Department; (4) to establish distinguished professorships and chairs to reward the
This is your chance to be part of an incredible success.
scholarly contributions of our faculty; and (5) to expand experiential learning opportunities for students that transform their lives, including Engineers Without Borders, engineering competitions and prizes, and undergraduate research experiences. So, do we declare victory and go home? No. There is still time to increase crucial support for our students, faculty and facilities, and for our exceptional educational, research, entrepreneurship and service programs. Take as your example three of our leading alumni—A. James Clark, Robert E. Fischell and
Engineering @ Maryland is published twice a year for alumni and friends of the A. James Clark School of Engineering and the Glenn L. Martin Institute of Technology at the University of Maryland.
Jeong H. Kim. In this issue of E@M, they ask that you make your first gift to the campaign at the level of giving that is right for you, or add to gifts you have already made. Give to help educate a new generation of engineers. Give to help create new technologies and companies. Give to help our students tackle some of society’s greatest challenges, including clean energy and water, food and famine, and privacy and security. And
Letters to the editor and alumni notes are welcome. Please send them to Engineering @ Maryland Editor, 3214 Kim Engineering Building, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742-2831. Information can be sent by fax to 301.314.6868 or by e-mail to mcorley@umd.edu Please note that Engineering @ Maryland refers to the A. James Clark School of Engineering by that name in all cases, including stories that describe alumni who graduated before the name was established, in 1994, to honor Mr. Clark’s outstanding philanthropy. COVER PHOTO BY Luisa DiPietro
give because it feels good to be part of a great institution like the Clark School, and to say you helped us move forward. This is your chance to be a part of an incredible success. You can target your gift as specifically as you like, to an individual professor, department or program, or you can give to the Dean’s Fund so I can direct support to new opportunities as they arise. Now is the time. For whatever cause you care about, at whatever level makes sense, give.
Darryll Pines Dean and Farvardin Professor of Engineering
,000,000 $235 WHAT CAN WE ACCOMPLISH BY THE 12/12/12 CAMPAIGN CLOSE?
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND GREAT EXPECTATIONS GOAL: $1 BILLION JUNE 30 PROGRESS: $970.5 MILLION
CLARK SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING GREAT EXPECTATIONS GOAL: $185 MILLION JUNE 30 PROGRESS: $234.5 MILLION–127% SCHOLARSHIPS AND FELLOWSHIPS: $46.5 MILLION FACULTY AND RESEARCH SUPPORT: $72.7 MILLION PROGRAM SUPPORT: $27.4 MILLION
2
FACILITIES AND INFRASTRUCTURE SUPPORT: $88.8 MILLION
At the end of the fiscal year on June 30, 2012, the University of Maryland had secured more than $970 million of the historic $1 billion goal set for Great Expectations, the Campaign for Maryland. As of the same date, the A. James Clark School of Engineering had far exceeded its own $185 million portion of the university’s goal: our donors had given, pledged or made planned gifts of more than $235 million–127 percent of our goal and nearly 25 percent of the university’s. The results of that exceptional generosity are already being felt. In the following pages we provide only a few examples of the 95 new scholarships, 26 new fellowships, 13 new professorships, and many innovative programs and campus-changing facilities already enhancing the experiences and capabilities of our students and faculty. Is it time to stop and celebrate our success? Not according to Clark School Dean Darryll Pines. “We have two months before the campaign’s end on December 12. Let’s use that time to contribute still more to the campaign. We’ve already succeeded– let’s show how much more the Clark School can do to help our students and faculty, and help the university complete the campaign.” Dean Pines is not alone. Some of our top donors– people whose names stand behind the school and many of its signature programs–offer their own message of encouragement on page 4. So if you’ve given already, please consider adding to your gift. If you haven’t yet given, you can still become a part of this amazing effort. Please contact Leslie Borak, assistant dean for external relations, at 301-405-0317 or lborak@umd.edu.
THE CLARK SCHOOL IS DEEPLY GRATEFUL TO THE THOUSANDS OF DONORS WHO HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE SUCCESS OF GREAT EXPECTATIONS, THE CAMPAIGN FOR MARYLAND. PROVIDED HERE IS A BRIEF SAMPLING THAT GIVES SOME IDEA OF THE RANGE OF DONORS AND GIFTS: PHOTO CREDITS: HAIWEN DING, ANDREW ECKART, MIKE MORGAN, AL SANTOS
Engineering @ Maryland
■
Fall 2012
AND CLIMBING!
3
CLARK SCHOOL PARTICIPATION TOTAL CLARK SCHOOL DONORS: 7,105 CLARK SCHOOL ALUMNI DONORS: 3,205
HOW MUCH MORE CAN WE DO? THE CLARK SCHOOL CAN DO STILL MORE TO HELP OUR STUDENTS AND FACULTY, AND HELP THE UNIVERSITY ACHIEVE ITS HISTORIC GOAL. JOIN WITH US TO PURSUE THIS INCREDIBLE LEVEL OF SUPPORT!
A. JAMES CLARK SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING BOARD
THOMAS AND BARBARA CRANE SCHOLARSHIP
ROBERT W. DEUTSCH FOUNDATION BIOMEMS
OF VISITORS SCHOLARSHIP FUND
IN CIVIL ENGINEERING
OPERATING GIFT FUND IN BIOENGINEERING
WARREN CITRIN GRADUATE FELLOWSHIPS IN GLOBAL
BARBARA J. DIETER SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT
P. DOUGLAS AND KATHERINE DOLLENBERG: GIFTS TO
SUSTAINABILITY AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP
IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING AND WOMEN IN
THE DOLLENBERG FAMILY ENDOWMENT, ENGINEERING
ENGINEERING
GENERAL SCHOLARSHIPS AND OTHERS
A. JAMES CLARK SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING
■
GLENN L. MARTIN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
JOIN WITH US LEADING DONORS URGE MORE ALUMNI AND PARTNERS TO GIVE
A. James Clark announces the Clark Scholarship Endowment in Annapolis. PHOTO: JOHN CONSOLI
A. JAMES CLARK:
A Deep Commitment to the Clark School and Its Students His friends compare the story of A. James Clark to that of Horatio Alger. Clark attended the University of Maryland on a Maryland state scholarship; he paid only for his books. That investment in Clark’s future and his positive campus experiences inspired a deep commitment to the university. An incredible work ethic fueled Clark’s success in the construction field and led him to become chairman and CEO of Clark Enterprises, which includes the Clark Construction Group, one of the nation’s largest general contractors. Throughout his career, Clark has never forgotten his humble
The following is a joint statement by A. James Clark, B.S. ’50, Robert E. Fischell, M.S. ’53 and Jeong H. Kim, Ph.D. ’91. During Great Expectations, The Campaign for Maryland, Clark has funded the A. James Clark Scholarship Endowment, Fischell has established
4
the Fischell Department of Bioengineering and Robert E. Fischell Institute for Biomedical Engineering, and Kim has supported the construction of the Jeong H. Kim Engineering Building. Clark and Fischell are honorary co-chairs of the campaign.
beginnings at Maryland. In 1994, Clark capped the Engineering Centennial with a $15 million gift in support of undergraduate engineering programs, which led the engineering school to adopt the Clark name. He also endowed the A. James Clark Chair in Construction Engineering and Management. More than a decade later, Clark affirmed his commitment to the school with the $30 million A. James Clark Scholarship Endowment,
“If you’ve been watching the progress of the Clark School over the past few years, you know that this institution has become one of the nation’s and the world’s great sources of 1) talented engineers for industry, government and academia and 2) highly cited engineering research that inspires new products, services and companies. Crucial to this success has been the outstanding leadership of Deans Darryll Pines, Herbert Rabin and Nariman Farvardin, backed by the support of committed alumni and corporate partners in Great Expectations: The Campaign for Maryland. You can be part of this historic $1 billion effort. There is still time to make your first gift at the level that is right for you, or add to the gifts you have already made. Join with us in this important initiative. It’s a great feeling to know you’ve played your part.”
which has provided financial support for thousands of undergraduate engineering students (see p. 6). Clark has received the highest professional distinction accorded an engineer: election to the National Academy of Engineering for the development of project controls and construction equipment, the creation of a major construction firm and support for engineering education. In 2010, he was named Washingtonian of the Year by Washingtonian magazine. Clark is a former member of the University of Maryland Board of Regents, the board of directors of the University of Maryland Foundation, and the University of Maryland College Park Foundation Executive Committee. The university has recognized him with an honorary doctor of engineering degree, the Distinguished Engineering Alumnus Award, and induction into the University of Maryland Alumni Association’s Hall of Fame.
STEVE AND MIRIAM DUBIN: THE DUBIN FAMILY
ANTHONY EPHREMIDES CHAIR IN INFORMATION
FM GLOBAL: SUPPORT FOR FIRE PROTECTION
ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP AND GIFTS TO THE
SCIENCES AND SYSTEMS
ENGINEERING
DEAN’S FUND EMILIO AND OFELIA FERNANDEZ: GIFTS TO THE
WILLIAM AND CONNIE FOURNEY: GIFTS TO THE
THE HONORABLE GORDON ENGLAND ENDOWED
DEAN’S FUND, KIM BUILDING EQUIPMENT FUND AND
FOURNEY SCHOLARSHIP FUND, GEORGE E. DIETER
MERIT SCHOLARSHIPS
WABTEC ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP
ENDOWED FUND AND OTHERS
Engineering @ Maryland
■
Fall 2012
Robert E. Fischell establishes the Fischell Department of Bioengineering and Robert E. Fischell Institute for Biomedical Engineering. PHOTO: AL SANTOS
Jeong H. Kim speaks at the dedication of the Jeong H. Kim Engineering Building. PHOTO: LISA HELFERT
ROBERT E. FISCHELL: Establishing
JEONG H. KIM: Building a Symbol of the
Bioengineering at the Clark School
Clark School’s Progress
Robert E. Fischell is dedicated to improving the quality of
With the completion of the engineering building bearing
life for millions of people through his life-saving medical
his name, Jeong H. Kim, Ph.D. ’91, described the facility as a
inventions. Fischell turned his attention to this goal following
tangible symbol of the Clark School’s growth. “It is a visual
a 36-year career at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics
cue of our rapid progress,” described Kim, Clark School
Laboratory, where he obtained 15 patents for aerospace
professor of practice, who generously supported construction
innovations. Today, Fischell holds more than 200 U.S. and
of the building.
international patents and is responsible for important medical
Kim currently serves as president of Bell Labs and chief
breakthroughs that include the first implantable insulin pump
strategy officer of Alcatel-Lucent. Kim also is a member of
as well as a rechargeable pacemaker and highly flexible stents
the Alcatel-Lucent Management Committee. He originally
for placement in coronary arteries.
joined Lucent Technologies in May 1998 when Lucent acquired
Fischell founded Angel Medical Systems Inc., where his son
Yurie Systems, Inc., a high-tech communications equipment
David is CEO, to promote a pacemaker-sized implantable
company, which he founded in 1992 and served as its chairman
computer that provides the earliest possible warning of
and chief executive officer. During his tenure at Lucent, Kim
impending heart attack. Since 1969, he has developed more
initially served as the president of Lucent’s former Broadband
than a half-dozen companies, including Pacesetter Systems,
Carrier Networks. In 1999 he was named chief operating officer
Isostent, NeuroPace and Neuralieve. NeuroPace is developing
and later president of Lucent’s Optical Network Group.
an implantable device for ending epileptic seizures, and
He left Lucent in 2001 to join the Clark School faculty, with
Neuralieve is developing a magnetic pulse device to stop
joint appointments in both the Department of Electrical and
migraine headaches.
Computer Engineering and the Department of Mechanical
In 2006, Fischell’s $31 million gift to the Clark School
Engineering. He rejoined the company in April 2005 as presi-
established the Fischell Department of Bioengineering and
dent of Bell Labs. Kim’s early career encompassed computer
the Robert E. Fischell Institute for Biomedical Devices at the
design and satellite systems design and data communications,
Clark School. Fischell is a member of the National Academy
and included seven years as a nuclear submarine officer in
of Engineering and has received numerous awards and
the U.S. Navy.
recognitions, including induction into the Space Technology
A member of the National Academy of Engineering, Kim
Hall of Fame. He is also a member of the Clark School
was previously named as one of the top 10 most influential
Innovation Hall of Fame and received Maryland’s 2001 Major
Asian Americans in business by the U.S. Pan Asian American
F. Riddick, Jr. Entrepreneurship Award. He has served on the
Chamber of Commerce.
University of Maryland Foundation’s Board of Visitors and the Clark School’s Board of Visitors.
ROBERT M. GAGNON SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT
RODNEY A. HARRILL ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP
CHARLES A. IRISH, SR., SCHOLARSHIP ENDOWMENT
PAUL AND ELLEN GASKE: GIFTS TO THE DEAN’S FUND
HILLMAN FAMILY FOUNDATION: THE HILLMAN
L-3 COMMUNICATIONS CORP. FELLOWSHIPS,
AND UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATION SUPPORT
ENTREPRENEURS PROGRAM
SCHOLARSHIPS AND SUPPORT FOR DIVERSITY AND
HANKINS AND ANDERSON, INC. SCHOLARSHIP IN
BRIAN HINMAN: HINMAN CEOS PROGRAM
STUDENT COMPETITIONS FIRE PROTECTION ENGINEERING
A. JAMES CLARK SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING
■
GLENN L. MARTIN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
5
HELP OUR STUDENTS LAURA MILES, B.S. ’13 AEROSPACE ENGINEERING
6
A. JAMES CLARK SCHOLARSHIP PRESIDENT’S SCHOLARSHIP L-3 COMMUNICATIONS CORP. SCHOLARSHIP GLENN L. MARTIN AEROSPACE ENGINEERING SCHOLARSHIP
Laura “Liz” Miles equates her scholarship assistance to freedom—freedom to participate in extracurricular activities that have enriched her academic experience. Miles has been an active member of the Clark School chapter of Engineers Without Borders (EWB), a nonprofit that partners with disadvantaged communities worldwide to improve lives through sustainable engineering projects. She helped lead an EWB project to construct a bridge that could withstand the rainy season in the small Ethiopian town of Addis Alem. “After planning on paper for 18 months, it was rewarding and life changing to travel to the site and get the work done,” explains Miles, who helped to
Scholarships and fellowships are among the most meaningful ways to support the Clark School. Many donors are motivated to give back to the school in return for the scholarship assistance they once received, or to help ensure a steady supply of highly trained engineers for their companies. In addition, scholarship and fellowship support relieves the financial burden of financing a college education for students and their families; makes the Clark School a more attractive option for highly recruited students; and ensures a mix of diverse students who enrich the educational experience with their multiple perspectives and backgrounds.
CLARK SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS LEAD THE WAY In 2005, a revolution was launched when A. James Clark, B.S. ’50, chairman and chief executive officer of Clark Enterprises, Inc. and the man for whom the Clark School is named, committed $30 million to undergraduate scholarships–the school’s single largest fund for student support. As Clark noted in a previous issue of E@M, “What we are seeing today is an unbelievable transformation in the excellence of education and the quality of the student body at the Clark School. These scholarships will help many potential engineers who could not afford an education and will attract many of the nation’s finest students to the Clark School.” (See related story, p. 4.) A. James Clark Scholarship recipient Javier Vandeyar, B.S. ’14, major in chemical engineering and minor in sustainability, met Clark at a recent JAVIER VANDEYAR
collect building materials and construct the bridge deck. As a recipient of the L-3 Communications Scholarship—a new model for corporate support— she receives not only funding but opportunities for
THOMAS M. LI: GIFTS TO THE THOMAS AND
an internship and even employment at the company.
CRISTINE LI ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP FUND RON AND KAREN LOWMAN: GIFTS TO THE DEAN’S FUND AND KIM BUILDING FUND
Engineering @ Maryland
■
Fall 2012
BEN JONES, B.S. ’13 scholarship luncheon. “It was inspiring to hear how he struggled when he began his career and how he persevered and became successful,” says Vandeyar, who recalls the advice Clark offered: Always be ready when an opportunity appears. “Mr. Clark is giving me a unique opportunity, and his gift has motivated me to reach my full potential,” says Vandeyar, a member of the Primannum Honor Society for first-year students. He has parlayed his academic interests into volunteer efforts, participating in conservation trips to New Orleans, the Chesapeake Bay and the Bahamas as part of the University of Maryland Alternative Breaks Program. A. James Clark Scholarship Recipient Andrea Ng, B.S. ’14, electrical and computer engineering (ECE), has been involved with the Clark School since her junior year at Blair High School in Montgomery County, Md., when she worked with ECE Professor Bruce Jacobs in his memory systems lab. “I was interested in research on computer memory systems, and the campus was close to home, making it a perfect fit. Knowing someone is investing in me and providing financial support pushes me to get more involved in the engineering community,” says Ng, who represents her department at schoolwide events as an ECE Leader. In addition, the scholarship gave her more freedom in choosing job options. “I had more wiggle room in pursuing what I truly wanted to do instead of worrying about financial ramifications,” adds Ng, who continues to work in Jacobs’s research lab and as part of the university’s information technology help desk.
MATERIALS SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
A. JAMES CLARK SCHOLARSHIP
For Virginia native Benjamin Jones, the out-of-state cost of a Clark School education prompted him to pursue other engineering schools. When he was accepted at Maryland and offered an A. James Clark Scholarship, the decision was made for him. “Without the Clark Scholarship, I probably would not be here,” says Jones. For the last three years, Jones has worked as an undergraduate research assistant in the lab of Material Science and Engineering Chair and Professor Robert Briber, where he has gained valuable experience synthesizing and analyzing polymer-thin films. For the last two summers, he has held an undergraduate research fellowship at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). “I enjoy the atmosphere and the experience at NIST, and I can see myself pursuing a career at a national lab,” he describes. On campus, Jones has made valuable contacts through the Materials Engineering Club, and joined fellow Astronomy Club members at the campus observatory and stargazing around campus. At a scholarship luncheon in fall 2011, Jones was inspired further by his benefactor. “Mr. Clark talked about the engineering field and how he built his company. He amazed me with his knowledge of the Clark School and the industry.”
7
ANDREA NG
STUDENT SUCCESS TIED TO RANGE OF SCHOLARSHIPS Many students have received scholarships from multiple sources to fund their Clark
School education. In coming to the Clark School, Massachusetts native Christine Pongratz, B.S. ’13, major in fire protection engineering (FPE) and minor in international engineering, faced out-of-state tuition rates nearly triple that faced by Maryland students. To offset her education costs, Pongratz garnered a number of scholarships, including the A.L. Brown Award through the New England Chapter of the Society for Fire Protection Engineers; the Sarah H. Bryan Award, in honor of Sarah Bryan, the late wife of the founding FPE chair Professor John L. Bryan; the Edwards Scholarship sponsored by UTC Fire & Security; the Honeywell Fire Solutions Group Scholarship;
and the RJA Group Award created by Rolf Jensen & Associates to support undergraduate FPE students. “Thanks to my scholarships, I could focus my efforts on academics and extracurricular activities that were important to me,” says Pongratz, who earned a 4.0 grade point average last year and was recently elected president of the FPE Salamander Honor Society. After interning at ARUP, a firm that designs Olympic facilities, Pongratz’s dream is to design fire protection systems for innovative athletic facilities and ultimately join the CHRISTINE PONGRATZ
(CONTINUED ON P. 8)
ARIS AND MARIANNE MARDIROSSIAN: GIFTS TO THE
MICHAEL P. MURAD PRESIDENT’S SCHOLARSHIP
FOURNEY DISCRETIONARY FUND AND FARVARDIN PROFESSORSHIP
JAMES N. NEWTON SCHOLARSHIP NORTHROP GRUMMAN ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS
TOW AND ROSE MOY: GIFTS TO THE TOW H. MOY
MARILYN BERMAN POLLANS AND ALBERT A. POLLANS: GIFTS TO THE STANFORD BERMAN SCHOLARSHIP,
MARDIROSSIAN ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP, WILLIAM
MARILYN BERMAN POLLANS FUND FOR FUTURE WOMAN ENGINEERS AND OTHERS
FELLOWSHIP IN ELECTRICAL AND COMPUTER ENGINEERING
CIVIL ENGINEERING SCHOLARSHIP
PHOTO CREDIT: LUISA DIPIETRO
A. JAMES CLARK SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING
■
GLENN L. MARTIN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
Olympic engineering design team. As a member of the world record-breaking Gamera human helicopter team, Cody Karcher, B.S. ’14, aerospace engineering, explains, “I have had a great time working on Gamera. I can hardly believe the various accolades that surround the project including a nomination for the Robert J. Collier Trophy, one of aviation’s highest honors.” The Clark School’s rankings and its proximity to the Washington, D.C., area drew Karcher to the university, but the cost for out-of-state students almost ended his plans to attend the school. To afford his Clark School education, Cody relies on scholarships and loans. Karcher has received several scholarships, including a NASA Aeronautics Scholarship, the University’s Banneker Key Scholarship, a scholarship from
CODY KARCHER
the Department of Aerospace Engineering, and the U.S.S. Houston Survivors Association Scholarship. Karcher, who is from a small town in western Pennsylvania, states, “I am very thankful to be here at the Clark School. I have enjoyed meeting people from a variety of backgrounds and working together to accomplish great things.” GRADUATE FELLOWSHIPS FILL CRITICAL NEED Throughout Great Expectations, The Campaign for Maryland, alumni and friends have created graduate student research fellowships in the areas of greatest interest to them throughout the Clark School. By attracting outstanding graduate students, these fellowships in turn help attract and retain the most talented faculty members. Together, students and professors create a rich environment for scientific inquiry that leads to important engineering advances and fills the
PEDRO PENA, B.S. ’12 ELECTRICAL AND COMPUTER ENGINEERING
8
IGOR SIKORSKY SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM L-3 COMMUNICATIONS CORP. SCHOLARSHIP TRANSFER ASSISTANCE GRANT As a first-generation U.S. citizen and a firstgeneration college student, Pedro Pena knew early in life that he wanted to follow a different path than many of his peers. While attending a series of public high schools in Washington, D.C., Pena decided to study engineering. Understanding his family’s financial constraints with four siblings, Pena enrolled at Montgomery College, a twoyear institution in Montgomery County, Md., before transferring to the Clark School. His potential and drive did not go unnoticed, and scholarships funded by two major companies have supported his Clark School education. The young father has held a series of internships at Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation in Stratford, Conn. In summer 2012,
pipeline with future researchers and teachers. Establishing a fellowship is one of the best ways to spur progress in a targeted area of research. The late Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) Professor Jimmy Lin, a graduate of Shanghai Jiao Tong University in Taiwan, wanted to forge a partnership between his alma mater and the Clark School. Through the Jimmy H. C. Lin Graduate Scholarships, outstanding doctoral students from Shanghai Jiao Tong are now pursuing degrees at the Clark School. Xiangyang Liu, Ph.D. ’16, ECE, says, “With this award, I have the time I need to successfully develop my research interests,” which include wireless communications decision and control systems, with an emphasis on improving network security. “We want to develop networks that make better operating decisions so that when malicious or unexpected activity occurs, network performance is still guaranteed.” A number of Clark School fellowship recipients are making great strides tackling the renewable and sustainable energy challenge. Entrepreneur and engineer Warren Citrin established the Warren Citrin Graduate Fellowships in Global Sustainability and Entrepreneurship to promote commercially viable research in the broad area of sustainability. Citrin Fellow Andrew Stephen Oles, who is working toward his Ph.D. in mechanical engineering, is researching alternative energy and storage. “My long-term goal is to develop the architecture to enable solar thermal storage to run a utility-scale power plant or longer-term chemical storage to drive a fuel production cycle,” says Oles. “The Citrin
XIANGYANG LIU
ANDREW STEPHEN OLES
he was assigned to the avionics department, simulating and testing software and hardware for a military helicopter currently in development. “I hope to inspire others to work hard to achieve
RICHARD N. REED, JR. AND ELEANOR H. REED:
their goals,” says Pena. “I want to be a role model
GIFTS TO THE RICHARD N. REED JR. SCHOLARSHIP, ENGINEERING GENERAL SCHOLARSHIP AND OTHERS
for other young people and for my son, and my scholarships have pushed me to work even harder.”
Engineering @ Maryland
■
Fall 2012
ANTHONY MELCHIORRI PH.D. CANDIDATE
Fellowship makes it easier to conduct autonomous research and rely less on mandates dictated by federal grants. It also gives me access to the awesome resources of Mtech, including mentoring from a successful adviser who has helped me immensely in developing my ideas for a solar thermal technology company.” William T. Gibbons, who is pursuing a Ph.D. in chemical engineering, is a John and Maureen Hendricks Energy Research Fellow. This funding supports the efforts of graduate students in the University of Maryland Energy Research Center to advance the frontiers of energy science and technology, particularly forward-looking approaches to alternative energy generation and storage. Gibbons is developing low-cost, efficient materials that can be used in solar thermal cycles to produce renewable fuels from carbon dioxide, water and concentrated sunlight. “At the Clark School we are employing a novel ceramic fiber production technique to create the materials,” says Gibbons. “The Hendricks Fellowship lets me explore the materials and take greater research risks, push my work forward more quickly, and travel to major conferences to present my work.” Raphael K. Mandel, Ph.D. ’14, mechanical engineering, holds a Hulka Energy Fellowship, which supports graduate students in selected fields of alternative energy research. Mandel’s research focuses on ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC), a renewable energy technology that utilizes the natural temperature difference between cold, deep seawater and the hot surface water to drive a power generation cycle. “My research is on the development of next generation, thin-film heat exchangers,” says Mandel, who notes that the project has connected him with industry leaders in the field and led to
FISCHELL FELLOWSHIP IN BIOENGINEERING WARREN CITRIN GRADUATE FELLOWSHIP IN GLOBAL SUSTAINABILITY AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION GRADUATE RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP
Anthony Melchiorri, who earned a B.S.E. in biomedical engineering and a B.A. in English from the University of Iowa in 2011, chose to attend the Clark School because “the Fischell Department of Bioengineering offers so many opportunities to graduate students.
WILLIAM T. GIBBONS
The department’s collaborations with and proximity to the Food and Drug Administration and the National Institutes of Health provide great benefits for a student like me, who is interested in research and the commercialization of medical therapies.” Another factor influencing his decision: the Mtech program. “I saw how the Mtech programs support students in creating viable companies from their ideas and research,” adds Melchiorri, who holds the Fischell Fellowship, endowed by inventor Robert E. Fischell, B.S. ’53, physics (see related story, p. 5) to support talented and innovative graduate students in applying research and product design in the biomedical industry. The fellowship has given Melchiorri the freedom and external funding to pursue his own research interests, leading to a collaboration with the Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, D.C. “I am working to develop artificially engineered blood vessels that could help address cardiovascular deficiencies, among the most common congenital defects in children. Without the fellowship, I would not have the financial resources to pursue this project,” he says.
networking opportunities. “The Hulka fellowship has boosted my productivity and my reputation in the field. Fellowships reward students and encourage them to produce higher-quality work, which enhances the reputation of the school and the entire university.” RAPHAEL K. MANDEL
SALZBERG FOUNDATION: RUTH AND SAM SALZBERG
SAUL AND SYLVIA SELTZER: SUPPORT FOR THE
SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION: SUPPORT OF
FAMILY ENDOWMENT (MECHANICAL ENGINEERING)
DEAN’S FUND
UNDERGRADUATE AND GRADUATE STUDENTS IN
SCHOLL FAMILY FOUNDATION: GIFTS TO ENGINEERS
JAN AND ANNEKE SENGERS FELLOWSHIP FUND
AEROSPACE ENGINEERING PATRICK AND MARGUERITE SUNG PROFESSORSHIP
WITHOUT BORDERS, THE FARVARDIN PROFESSORSHIP AND TOM AND SUSAN SCHOLL STUDENT LOUNGE
SHAPIRO AND DUNCAN ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
A. JAMES CLARK SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING
■
GLENN L. MARTIN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
AND DISTINGUISHED PROFESSORSHIP IN CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
9
EXPRESS YOUR What aspects of the Clark School’s mission are you passionate about? Do you believe entrepreneurship is a key area for engineering students to understand and pursue? Do you want to encourage students or faculty members to explore a particular engineering discipline? Do you want to create a pipeline of highly trained students for your company? The donors below are some of the many who have used their gifts to further their own unique visions for the school. If you have an idea that will introduce a new program or support work in a specific area, please contact Leslie Borak at 301-405-0317 or lborak@umd.edu.
UNIQUE
VISION
THE HINMAN CEOS LIVING-LEARNING PROGRAM Remembering his strong entrepreneurial ambitions as a Clark School student, highly successful entrepreneur Brian Hinman, B.S. ’82, electrical engineering, has made a series of gifts to fund the nation’s first living-learning entrepreneurship program for juniors and seniors, the Hinman CEOs, and to provide a new international component to the program. Through the program, Hinman has inspired hundreds of students to develop new product ideas and launch startup companies.
10
The school recently introduced a new Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program for freshmen and sophomores, which a future donor could support and name.
PHOTO: JOHN CONSOLI
THE CITRIN IMPACT PRE-SEED FUND A serial entrepreneur, Warren Citrin has invested in Clark School undergraduate entrepreneurs through his Impact Pre-Seed Fund, which supports the product development process in start-up companies in fields from education to the environment and healthcare. The Warren Citrin Graduate Fellowships in Global Sustainability and Entrepreneurship support students who have a desire to pursue research in the broad area of global sustainability. PHOTO COURTESY OF MTECH
RICH AND STEPHANIE VOGEL: GIFTS TO THE VOGEL
CHARLES E. WAGGNER: DEBORAH J. GOODINGS
G. RONALD WEISGERBER: GIFTS TO THE WEISGERBER
GRADUATE STUDENT AWARD FUND, RICHARD AND
PROFESSORSHIP FOR GLOBAL SUSTAINABILITY
UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP AND DEAN’S FUND
STEVEN T. WALKER: GIFTS TO THE DEAN’S FUND
HARRY K. WELLS GRADUATE FELLOWSHIP IN THE
STEPHANIE VOGEL ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP AND FARVARDIN PROFESSORSHIP
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND ENERGY RESEARCH PEDRO E. WASMER PROFESSORSHIP IN CIVIL AND
CENTER
ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING
Engineering @ Maryland
■
Fall 2012
THE HILLMAN ENTREPRENEURS PROGRAM Through the David H. and Suzanne D. Hillman Family Foundation, the Hillmans wanted to support students from historically disadvantaged backgrounds who, with the right education, could successfully promote change in their own community. The Hillman Entrepreneurs Program fosters entrepreneurship in ambitious students who transfer from Prince George’s Community College and are often the first in their families to attend college.
PHOTO: MIKE MORGAN
THE L-3 COMMUNICATIONS CORP. SCHOLARSHIPS L-3 Communications Corp., the sixth largest defense company in the U.S., has forged a strong partnership with the Clark School, creating a powerful model for employers concerned about filling the pipeline of highly prepared engineers. The company supports a number of initiatives, including fellowships, scholarships, diversity and various student competitions.
11
THE DEBORAH J. GOODINGS PROFESSORSHIP FOR GLOBAL SUSTAINABILITY Charles E. “Chuck” Waggner, B.S. ’54, chemical engineering, is committed to helping disadvantaged communities and finding sustainable solutions through engineering. His commitment is shared by the university’s chapter of Engineers Without Borders (EWB), a nonprofit that partners with disadvantaged communities worldwide to improve lives through sustainable engineering projects. That shared interest led Waggner to fund The Deborah J. Goodings Professorship in Engineering for Global Sustainability to honor the initial Clark School EWB faculty advisor.
PHOTO: WAYNE BOGOVICH
THE CHARLES AND HELEN WHITE SYMPOSIUM
FAYE ROSEN WOLF: GIFTS TO THE FAYE AND
WOMEN IN ENGINEERING OPPORTUNITY SCHOLARSHIP
SEYMOUR WOLF SCHOLARSHIP IN BIOENGINEERING, WHITING-TURNER CONTRACTING COMPANY
SEYMOUR WOLF ENGINEERING SCHOLARSHIP AND
SCHOLARSHIP-INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
A. JAMES CLARK SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING
KIM ENGINEERING BUILDING FUND
■
GLENN L. MARTIN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
DR. AND MRS. ERIK B. YOUNG: THE WILLIS H. YOUNG JR. FACULTY FELLOWSHIP IN AEROSPACE ENGINEERING
FM GLOBAL WELCOME CENTER/J.M. PATTERSON BUILDING Prospective students and visitors get an impressive introduction to the Department of Fire Protection Engineering (FPE) at its FM Global Welcome Center, which includes a reception area, a conference room and office space. Other facilities include the FM Global Fire Phenomena Laboratory for sophisticated laboratory-scale fire experiments and the UL (Underwriters Laboratory, Inc.) Laboratory with workstations for fire modeling projects. “We have expanded our lab space by 50 percent and outfitted labs with the equipment required to conduct high-level testing,” says FPE Professor and Chair Jim Milke. “Gifts from our long-time industry supporters were critical to this expansion.”
TRANSFORM THE CAMPUS J.M. PATT ER
SON
12
BUIL
DING
DONORS ENHANCE CLARK SCHOOL LANDSCAPE WITH NEW AND UPDATED FACILITIES The Clark School has come a long way since Joe Conroy, B.S. ’03, M.S. ’05, and Ph.D. ’10, aerospace engineering, attended his first class in 1999. “I was pre-Kim Building and my classes were scattered in different buildings, often in outdated labs and classrooms,” says Conroy (pictured in the middle of page 13). What a difference a decade has made. One need only walk the halls of the Jeong H. Kim Engineering Building and the surrounding campus to feel the energy and excitement and to witness the dramatic improvements: state-of-the-art laboratories and classrooms, student-centered lounges and welcome centers, updated libraries and learning centers—all designed to create a vibrant learning environment. “Highly functional, beautiful facilities enhance your productivity and the quality of your work and make it a pleasure to study at the Clark School,” says Conroy, who now works for the U.S. Army Research Lab in Adelphi, Md., where he improves the navigation and perception abilities of micro-vehicles.
GLEN
N L.
MAR TIN H
ALL
There are many opportunities to improve the Clark School’s facilities, from funding a building (see Be a Part of What’s Next) to improving the equipment in a lab. To learn how you can help, please contact Leslie Borak at 301-405-0317 or lborak@umd.edu.
THE CLARK SCHOOL CORPORATE PARTNERS ARE COMPANIES THAT MAKE GIFTS TO THE SCHOOL, SPONSOR ACTIVITIES, AND DEVELOP
AFCEA (ARMED FORCES COMMUNICATIONS AND ELECTRONICS ASSOCIATION), BETHESDA CHAPTER
EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS. THEY ARE:
Engineering @ Maryland
■
Fall 2012
MAN
UFA CTU
RING
BUIL
DING
NEU RESETRAL B ARC UOYA H FA NCY CILIT Y
FISCHELL DEPARTMENT OF BIOENGINEERING/ KIM BUILDING ADDITION In spring 2008, the second floor of the Kim Building was expanded to create a 6,000 square foot wing, including laboratories and administrative office space, for the Fischell Department of Bioengineering. The new space was added adjacent to the Fabrication Laboratory, which is part of the Maryland NanoCenter and a close partner in bioengineering research.
TECH
NOL OGY ADV ANC
EME
NT B
UILD
ING
DESIGN SYSTEMS SOFTWARE Each year the Clark School receives generous gifts-in-kind to support faculty research and student learning. Over the last decade, Cadence Design Systems, Inc. has donated industry-standard systems software used by thousands of Clark School students. The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering’s Very Large Scale Integration Design Automation Lab uses Cadence software as an integral part of senior-level and digital systems design courses.
JEONG H. KIM ENGINEERING BUILDING
CHEM
ICAL
& NU
CLEA
R EN
GINE
Many people associate the Clark School’s recent rapid progress with the completion of the Jeong H. Kim Engineering Building in 2005. The 160,000 square foot building features state-of-the-art laboratories with modifiable utility and data service, formal and informal discussion areas, advanced presentation and communications systems and even structural and environmental components that teach construction and control concepts. ERIN
ENER
GY R E
JEON
G H.
KIM
ENG
INEE
RING
SEAR
CH F ACILT Y
BUIL
DING
G BU
ILDIN G
A.V BUIL . WILLIAM DING S
EN IN E ANNG EX ERING POT OMA C BU
ILDIN
ENG
INEE
RING
LABO
13
G
RATO
RY B U
ILDIN
G
THE MIDDLETON LIBRARY/A.V. WILLIAMS BUILDING
DEWALT CONFERENCE SUITE/GLENN L. MARTIN HALL In 2009, the Department of Mechanical Engineering unveiled its DeWALT Conference Suite, which provided updated seminar and conference rooms, including new flooring, furniture, lighting, and audio and video equipment. The suite was funded by DeWALT Power Tools, a subsidiary of Stanley Black and Decker.
WIN
D TU
NNE
L BU
ILDIN
G
Students in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) and others have access to a host of new resources at The Middleton Library in the A.V. Williams Building. The library was funded by ECE Professor Anthony Ephremides to recognize distinguished researcher and pioneer in modern statistical communication theory David Middleton and the 900-volume book collection he donated to ECE.
SHOWN HERE ARE THE CLARK SCHOOL’S MAJOR FACILITIES ON THE CAMPUS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE PARK. IN THE A.V. WILLIAMS BUILDING, THE CLARK SCHOOL SHARES SPACE WITH THE COLLEGE OF COMPUTER, MATHEMATICAL AND NATURAL SCIENCES.
ATK (ALLIANT TECHSYSTEMS, INC.)
BECHTEL CORPORATION
BOOZ ALLEN HAMILTON
BAE SYSTEMS
BGE (BALTIMORE GAS AND ELECTRIC COMPANY)
CISCO SYSTEMS, INC.
PHOTO CREDITS: LUISA DIPIETRO, AL SANTOS
A. JAMES CLARK SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING
■
GLENN L. MARTIN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
BE A PART OF Great Expectations, The Campaign for Maryland has been an unqualified success, providing crucial support for our students and faculty members, our programs and physical plant. Even so, it is always important to think about what’s next for the Clark School. Here are two initiatives that, when backed by inspired donors, will help us realize our full potential as one of the world’s top engineering schools.
BUILDING THE IDEA FACTORY
14
The Jeong H. Kim Engineering Building has become a Clark School landmark. Yet there is still room to expand this wonderful facility and further develop its value for the Clark School. One example is the “Idea Factory,” a new facility designed to promote innovation in engineering. The wedge-shaped, three-story addition (preliminary rendering shown below) would extend from the Kim rotunda to the corner of Paint Branch and Stadium Drives. It would provide students and faculty members resources to help them explore current trends in a specific field; develop their own innovations in that field, from basic concept to refined proposal; obtain professional evaluations of their proposals, with selected proposals receiving seed money for further development; and access entrepreneurship/incubator programs from Mtech to take their ideas to the next level. Facilities would include virtual design labs, immersive design environments, workshops with rapid prototyping systems, testing and demonstration areas, materials and supplies, and meeting rooms with video and Internet communications support. The Idea Factory would inspire and enable students and professors, further the Clark School’s standing as a center for innovation and entrepreneurship and link a donor’s name to a unique facility and vision. To learn more, please contact Leslie Borak at 301-405-0317 or lborak@umd.edu.
CLARK CONSTRUCTION GROUP, LLC
L-3 COMMUNICATIONS CORP.
LOCKHEED MARTIN
HUGHES NETWORK SYSTEMS, LLC
LGS INNOVATIONS
NORTHROP GRUMMAN
Engineering @ Maryland
■
Fall 2012
WHAT’S
NEXT
EXPLORING NEW FRONTIERS Can engineers help scientists develop drugs that are more effective, have fewer side effects and cost less? One possibility is to improve drug testing using “chips” that can simulate an individual patient’s internal physical environment and permit scientists to test new compounds within it. At the Clark School’s Fischell Department of Bioengineering, we have talented engineers working on this important challenge right now. But what if we didn’t? Finding a way to acquire important new capabilities in future-oriented disciplines like personalized medicine is an important factor in the growth of an engineering school. The most efficient means to acquire those capabilities is to convince top academic engineers who work in those disciplines to join our faculty. The best way to do that is to find donors who believe in the importance of those disciplines and will fund New Frontiers Professorships and Chairs to bring them here. A New Frontiers Professorship or Chair would provide several million dollars as a start-up package for the researcher and his or her team, plus several thousand square feet of lab space supporting core facilities for advanced technologies pertinent to the discipline. The donor will see immediate progress as the Clark School, through the new professor, wins major grants we could not otherwise capture, is selected for major awards, becomes the site for national conferences, attracts the best post-docs and graduate students and the interest of venture capitalists, and overall sees its capabilities and profile rapidly improve. To learn more about New Frontiers Professorships and Chairs, please contact Leslie Borak at 301-405-0317 or lborak@umd.edu.
SAIC (SCIENCE APPLICATIONS INTERNATIONAL CORP.)
SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION TEXAS INSTRUMENTS
THE SI ORGANIZATION, INC.
A. JAMES CLARK SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING
■
GLENN L. MARTIN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
WHITING-TURNER CONTRACTING COMPANY
15
Gamera student team members study flight footage.
RECORD-BREAKING FLIGHTS MAKE HISTORY FOR CLARK SCHOOL STUDENTS 16
Left to right: NAA judge Kris Maynard, Gamera team faculty advisor Inderjit Chopra and Clark School Dean Darryll Pines.
Gamera student team members make adjustments to the vehicle’s cockpit.
Engineering @ Maryland
■
Fall 2012
They’ve done it again. The 40 Clark School graduate and undergraduate students who designed, built and flew the Gamera II human-powered helicopter (see E@M, Fall 2011), set a new record for flight duration at 49.9 seconds, bettering the team’s 2011 Gamera I world record of 11.4 seconds by more than 400 percent. The National Aeronautic Association (NAA) announced the national record on August 9 and has submitted the flight to the Fédération Aéronautique Internationale for consideration for a world record. But the team wanted more than world records. It continued to pursue two key goals: to exceed the 60-second flight duration requirement of the American Helicopter Society’s (AHS) Sikorsky Human-Powered Helicopter Competition and to climb to a significant altitude, perhaps even approaching the three-meter AHS Sikorsky Competition elevation requirement. It now looks like those goals are within reach. On August 28 the team achieved an unofficial flight duration of 65 seconds. If validated by the NAA, the flight will set new U.S. and probably world flight duration records. Just days later, on September 1, having repaired the craft after a major crash, the team flew Gamera II to an elevation of over nine feet, far higher than any team in history.
Clark School Dean Darryll Pines is thrilled, but not surprised, at the team’s success. “You need smart students, inspirational mentors, innovative design and dogged determination. But you also need professional practices–to test and refine your design and pass on what you’ve learned to the next students coming in. That’s how you create a record-setting program.”
WHAT’S NEXT FOR GAMERA? • Look for another flight of Gamera II later this year or early 2013. • The team will further refine the design, exploring options for reducing drift during flight and improving performance of the helicopter.
FOR THE LATEST INFORMATION ON GAMERA’S PROGRESS, VISIT www.agrc.umd.edu/gamera/.
17
PHOTO CREDITS: EARL ZUBKOFF AND ANDREW RIVERS
A. JAMES CLARK SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING
■
GLENN L. MARTIN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
PHOTO CREDIT: SIKORSKY AIRCRAFT CORPORATION
Sikorsky X2 Technology™ demonstrator shown from aft, with six-blade push propeller.
ASHISH BAGAI HELPS SIKORSKY TEAM WIN COLLIER TROPHY, ENTERS CLARK SCHOOL’S INNOVATION HALL OF FAME From his boyhood days in Mumbai and New Delhi, watching the world-touring Concorde SST soar overhead or making and flying model gliders, Ashish Bagai had dreamed of a career in aeronautics. In 1987 he took a major step toward that dream by transferring into the Clark School’s Department of Aerospace Engineering from Delhi University. While working in the department’s renowned Alfred Gessow Rotorcraft Center, he obtained his bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees (’90, ’92, ’95) then continued on into post-doctoral research. After a stint at Boeing, Bagai joined Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation in 1998 to work on the Sikorsky X2 Technology™ demonstrator aircraft (X2). It
Can Your Helicopter Do 18
300 MPH? was a dream come true—to join a team he describes as “tack-sharp experts” determined to achieve revolutionary rotorcraft performance advances. “There are those who say rotorcraft technology is mature and hovering flight performance cannot be improved upon other than incrementally,” states Bagai, who became principal engineer in Preliminary Design, Systems Engineering at Sikorsky. “Such proclamations are disappointingly naive at best and ignorant at worst. There is much room for improvement and it doesn’t have to be at exorbitant costs.” In building the coaxial-rotor, compound X2 helicopter, the Sikorsky team–with Bagai leading the aerodynamic design of the main rotor blades–proved his claim. In September 2010, the X2 flew at a speed of 290 MPH (252 knots) in level flight, an unofficial helicopter speed record 100 MPH faster than current production models, and 300 mph in a shallow dive. Achieving high speed, while maintaining or improving capabilities such as high-altitude flight and maneuverability, were the key objectives for the aircraft. X2 technologies will change the way production helicopters operate, enabling them not only to attain higher speeds but also
Engineering @ Maryland
■
Fall 2012
PHOTO CREDIT: A. BAGAI
radically improved performance in medical, search and rescue, and military applications, while maintaining the efficient hovering and low-speed attributes of conventional rotary-wing aircraft. In 2011, the X2 earned Bagai and the Sikorsky team the National Aeronautics Association’s Robert J. Collier Trophy–one of aviation’s highest honors–as “the greatest achievement in aeronautics or astronautics in America.” For his work on the aerodynamic design of the main rotor blades, the Clark School will induct Bagai into its Innovation Hall of Fame on November 8, 2012.
A FUNDAMENTALLY NEW ROTOR BLADE
THE IMPORTANCE OF MENTORS
The design of the X2 differs from helicopters that use single rotors or articulated coaxial or intermeshing rotors. As an “advancing blade concept” design, the X2 does not require the retreating blades to produce lift at high speeds. Instead, the advancing-side blades of the rigid rotor system balance each other. While conventional helicopters generate propulsive thrust via the forward tilt of the rotor tip-path-plane, the X2 uses a six-blade pusher propeller for propulsion. To do this efficiently, and minimize drag and power losses, the Sikorsky team designed a fundamentally new rotor blade that enables high-speed flight from a single-engine aircraft. Characteristics of Bagai’s novel rotor design include a non-uniform planform, positive and negative twist gradients, and a complex distribution of modern airfoils along the span of the blades–a radical deviation from the prior state of the art. Bagai holds two patents on the design of the X2’s main rotor blades.
Bagai, now program manager in the Tactical Technology Office at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, cites as a primary mentor his Clark School advisor, internationally recognized rotorcraft aerodynamics expert and Minta Martin Professor of Engineering J. Gordon Leishman, plus Professors Alfred Gessow, James Baeder, Roberto Celi and Inderjit Chopra. “I had the privilege of attending one of the finest schools for rotary-wing education and research,” Bagai states. “This brought very significant advantages: use of some of the best research facilities, unlimited access to information, and exposure to and interaction with world-class experts. Faculty members were constantly pushing new areas of research and then rolling their findings into the curriculum. Ultimately, it was the combination of calculated independent thinking fostered by the Clark School, plus the guidance of exceptional people at Sikorsky, that helped lead to the X2 design.”
YOU’RE INVITED: THE INNOVATION HALL OF FAME INDUCTION CEREMONY AND WHITE SYMPOSIUM ON ENGINEERING INNOVATION THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 4:30 P.M. JEONG H. KIM ENGINEERING BUILDING Join alumni, students, faculty members and guests for the induction of Ashish Bagai, B.S. ’90, M.S. ’92, and Ph.D. ’95, aerospace engineering, program manager in the Tactical Technology Office at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. The 5 p.m. White Symposium, on the impact of rotorcraft technology in society, will feature Bagai and military and rescue helicopter pilots. FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT MISSY CORLEY AT 301-405-6501 or mcorley@umd.edu PHOTO CREDIT: JOHN T. CONSOLI
A. JAMES CLARK SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING
■
GLENN L. MARTIN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
19
ENTREPRENEURSHIP Partnership with UM School of Medicine Yields New Start-Up STUDENTS’ WESK MEDICAL LLC TO IMPROVE DRUG DELIVERY It’s a winning combination: teams of talented Clark School bioengineering students working closely with physician-mentors from one of the nation’s leading healthcare institutions to solve pressing medical problems. A partnership between the Clark School’s Fischell Department of Bioengineering and the University of Maryland School of Medicine is
From left, Wesk Medical team members Stephen Robinson, Esmaeel Paryavi, Kaiyi Xie, Bernard Wong and Walter Beller-Morales celebrate capturing first place in the Fischell Department of Bioengineering 2012 Capstone Design Competition.
pairing undergraduates with physicians in a two-semester Senior Capstone Design course in which students must create innovative engineering solutions to problems that impact patient care.
School of Pharmacy Professor and Associate Dean Richard Dalby, whose
Hasday, M.D., professor of medicine and the head of pulmonary and criti-
lab specializes in evaluating aerosol-based drug delivery systems. “There
cal care at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, five bioengi-
is real value in these types of collaborations,” says Dalby. “The engineers
neering students have created a patent-pending device to deliver drugs
bring the ability to design devices, while the medical school and pharmacy
to patients with respiratory failure, the third leading cause of death in the
school bring a sensitivity to patient-use issues.”
United States. Their invention led to the launch of Wesk Medical, LLC, a
HINMAN AND CITRIN PROGRAMS HELP STUDENTS
start-up company specializing in medical device development.
20
The students also are collaborating with University of Maryland
The partnership is yielding impressive results. Mentored by Jeffrey
“Bioengineering and medicine are so intricately and inexorably tied together that it makes for a natural collaboration,” says team member Kaiyi Xie, B.S. ’12, bioengineering. “Through the partnership, we were able to identify a real medical problem and take off from there.”
AEROSOL CATHETER TO IMPROVE PATIENT CARE
Hasday, a member of Wesk Medical’s management team, describes the start-up as “the perfect example of bioengineers creating and implementing ideas with clinical solutions. As we move through the product development phase, our long-term goal for this product and others is to reach the marketplace and improve the quality of care for patients.” The team relied heavily on the entrepreneurial experience of members
Drawing on his 26 years of critical care experience, Hasday helped the
Esmaeel Paryavi and Bernard Wong, both B.S. ’12, bioengineering, who
students identify the need: Patients experiencing respiratory failure are
were enrolled in the Hinman CEOs program, the nation’s first living-
often
learning entrepreneurship program. The program, which is part of the
intubated—an
endotracheal placed
tube
through
is
their
mouth or nose, bringing them oxygen from a respirator.
When
those
patients require inhaled medications, the endotracheal
tube
“The engineers bring the ability to design devices, while the medical school and pharmacy school bring a sensitivity to patient-use issues.”
poses
Clark School’s Maryland Technology Enterprise Institute (Mtech), gives entrepreneurially-minded students from all disciplines the tools for launching a new venture. “We were passionate about starting this company,” says Walter Beller-Morales, B.S. ’12, bioengineering. “While we were working out the engineering aspects of the device, we were going through the steps of getting the company off the ground.” The bioengineering capstone course also gave the students a basic
physical obstacles, making drug delivery to the lungs inadequate and
primer on how to bring a medical device to market, covering such topics
unpredictable. “Academic studies show that only one to four percent of
as obtaining Food and Drug Administration approval, seeking venture
drugs reach patients’ lungs, and we are not sure how much is absorbed,”
capital, and addressing legal concerns. In addition, the team was inspired
says Xie.
and motivated by bioengineering department benefactor and namesake
With Hasday’s guidance, the students developed a solution: the endotracheal aerosol-generating catheter (ETAG). The tiny catheter—
Robert E. Fischell, who offered advice on biomedical entrepreneurship as a guest lecturer for the course.
only a couple millimeters wide—is threaded down the endotracheal tube,
A $5,000 grant from the Warren Citrin Impact Seed Fund and a $500
delivering droplets of liquid drugs to a microchip at the innermost tip of
prize in the 2012 University of Maryland $75K Business Plan Competition
the tube. The chip uses surface acoustic waves to vibrate the droplet,
are helping to fund the start-up. “We look forward to licensing our invention
nebulizing it into consistently and optimally sized aerosol particles for
and producing a revenue stream that will help us design other life-changing
delivery to patients’ lungs.
biomedical devices,” says Xie.
■
Engineering @ Maryland
■
Fall 2012
Wachsman Pioneers Transformational Energy Technology
new power generation technology is based on
helped Redox gain entry into the university’s
solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), which are fuel-
Technology Advancement Program (TAP).
TAP-BASED REDOX POWER SYSTEMS OFFERS FUTURE ENERGY SOLUTIONS
flexible and capable of converting any kind of
TAP is providing the facility to manufacture
fuel into electricity—not just hydrogen. “They
the prototype and take the company to the next
can operate on both conventional fuels and
stage. Wachsman’s greatest technical challenge
future alternative fuels,” explains Wachsman.
is reducing the high operating temperatures of
“Through their development, we can attain
SOFCs. Wachsman and research colleagues
Eric Wachsman, director of the University of
improved fuel economy, greater gas mileage,
published an article last year in Science describ-
Maryland Energy Research Center, has a lofty
and reduced emissions with less impact on the
ing SOFCs that operate at temperatures as low
goal in mind for his start-up company, Redox
environment.”
as 350 degrees Centigrade with a new design that features high-conductivity electrolytes
Power Systems, LLC: Produce and market a
In the next two decades, the International
viable energy technology that can help
Energy Agency predicts that global electricity
reduce the world’s long-term dependency on
usage will triple from its 1990 base. With no
“When cells operate at such high tempera-
fossil fuels.
other energy technology demonstrating the
tures, there are strong restrictions on the mate-
and a specially nanostructured electrode.
“The rate at which we are consuming fossil
versatility of SOFCs, Wachsman believes they
rials you can use. Below 600 degrees, you can
fuels has a significant impact on our environ-
can play a major role in deploying renewable
use conventional materials, which improves
ment,” says Wachsman, the William L. Crentz
power generation into today’s energy grid.
both cost efficiencies and durability,” explains
Centennial Chair in Energy, who holds appoint-
Earlier this semester, the technology earned
Wachsman, who sees SOFCs as the future of
ments in material science and engineering and
Wachsman and colleague Bryan
power systems for distributed
chemical and biomolecular engineering. “Fossil
Blackburn a $7,500 prize at the
generation and transportation.
fuels produce pollutants that contribute to
University of Maryland $75K
“Distributed generation brings
greater weather variations, causing more
Business Plan Competition along
extreme storms and disrupting power grids
with a Warren Citrin Social Impact Award. The
less disruption if power lines are down. In the
and access to electricity. It is all interrelated.”
power closer to consumers with
award moved development of the technology
future, you could have power generation within
“We are developing a transformational
forward in two ways: It gave Wachsman an
your own home, independent of the power grid.”
technology that can address every energy sector
opportunity to meet Citrin, an advocate for sus-
from transportation to stationary power plants
tainable engineering solutions, who now serves
to private residences,” says Wachsman. The
as chief executive officer for the start-up, and it
For more information, visit www.redoxpowersystems.com.
■
21
A BICYCLE BUILT FOR TOO MIPS FUNDS RESEARCH ON HYBRID BIKE WITH PEDAL AND POWER OPTIONS Imagine a beautiful fall afternoon, perfect for a long, leisurely bike
School. “Working through MIPS,
ride. You begin an ambitious 20-mile trek, only to find that the return
we have made more progress in
trip is more strenuous than expected. Not a problem if you are riding
the last six months than we made
the BIKETOO. Simply flip a switch, and cruise at up to 30 miles per
in the previous two years,” attests
hour to your destination.
Adkins.
“BIKETOO feels and functions like a conventional, pedal-powered
Through a $100,000 MIPS
bicycle with single or multiple speeds, but has a two-speed automatic
grant, a team of mechanical
transmission,” explains Phil Adkins, a former computer consultant and
engineering students under the
co-owner of the company with Drew Phillips, who designed the bike
direction
and developed the prototype. “When pedaling the cycle, there is no
Engineering Associate Professor
drag from the separate motor drive-train,” he adds. Classified as a
Chandrasekhar
motor-driven cycle, the vehicle requires an automobile driver’s license
refining the design of the trans-
to operate and can be fueled for up to 60 miles by a one-pound bottle
mission and reducing the bike’s weight to an optimum 70 pounds or
of propane or for up to 100 miles on a single tank of gas.
less. “Chandra and his students are providing the final piece to the
of
Mechanical Thamire
are
University of Maryland student Lindsay Djuhadi prepares to take a spin on BIKETOO as the bike’s creator Drew Phillips looks on.
“This invention has been 15 years in the making,” says Adkins, who
puzzle,” describes Adkins. “They have tested the engine, transmission
began contacting major companies with the idea about two years ago.
gears and housing in a number of ways, assessing stress and vibration
“Everyone agreed it was a good idea, but there were no funders even
levels, and are helping us move toward a production-ready casting.”
though we had secured two U.S. patents.” With the help of Maryland State Delegate Norman Conway, the business partners connected with Renee Stephens, the Eastern Shore
The next step: The company expects to begin manufacturing and assembling the bikes in early 2013 in a production facility just south of Salisbury, Md. The first bikes should be ready to roll in spring 2013.
representative for the Maryland Department of Economic and Business Development. She pointed them in the direction of Maryland
If you are interested in learning more about BIKETOO, please visit
Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO) and the university’s
the website at www.biketooinc.com, usercode biketoo and password
MIPS program (Maryland Industrial Partnerships), based in the Clark
bubber2.
A. JAMES CLARK SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING
■
GLENN L. MARTIN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
■
WIRELESS SENSORS PROTECT ROADWAYS, SAVE LIVES PHOTO: MN. DEPT. OF TRANSPORTATION, INSET MEHDI KALANTARI
NEWS OF NOTE
New Undergrad Honors Program Will Prepare Cybersecurity Specialists In partnership with Northrop Grumman Corporation, the university is creating a new undergraduate honors program to prepare students to meet the growing demand for cybersecurity professionals. The Advanced Cybersecurity
A wireless sensor (inset photo) developed by Mehdi Kalantari can be placed on bridges to help prevent tragedies like the 2007 Minneapolis collapse.
Experience for Students (ACES) is designed to attract students from a range of majors, including engineering, computer science, business, public policy, and the social sciences, in a living-learning environment that focuses on all aspects of cybersecurity and develops team-building skills. ACES is also an inaugural Regional Workforce Project of The BusinessHigher Education Forum (BHEF), the nation’s oldest organization of senior business and higher education executives dedicated to advancing innovative solutions in education and workforce challenges. “We are fully committed to
22
developing solutions to help eliminate the nation’s shortage of critical STEM-educated talent. By partnering with the university, we will address workforce challenges in the increasingly important field of cybersecurity,” says Wes Bush, chairman, chief executive officer and president of Northrop Grumman and BHEF chair. Slated to begin in fall 2013, ACES will offer students an advanced crossdisciplinary curriculum developed in collaboration with industry leaders that will include such topics as cybersecurity forensics, reverse engineering, secure coding, criminology, and law and public policy. Northrop Grumman will provide guest lecturers, participate in an industry advisory board, pose real-world problems for students to solve and provide advisors and mentors for capstone projects. ACES also offers students the option of interning with Northrop Grumman and preparing for security clearance. “The need for STEM professionals throughout the United States is critical and partnerships with industry leaders represent one of the most effective approaches we can take to enhance STEM education while meeting workforce needs,” says William E. “Brit” Kirwan, University System of Maryland chancellor and BHEF chair. Clark School Dean and Farvardin Professor of Engineering Darryll Pines, who has testified before the U.S. House of Representatives on the importance of STEM programs and early engineering education, agrees this type of program can help build a more competitive, STEM-prepared workforce while establishing the university and Clark School role in producing the next generation of leaders in the cybersecurity field. “The ACES program has the potential to be a national model for industry-higher education partnerships as well as providing an innovative solution to a critical manpower need,” says Pines.
■
In the five years since the disastrous collapse of the roadway on Minneapolis’s I-35W Bridge, which killed 13 and injured 145 people, major advances in wireless sensor technology are making roadway warning systems more affordable and practical, according to University of Maryland Research Engineer Mehdi Kalantari. “We no longer need to roll the dice when it comes to the structural integrity of the nation’s highway bridges,” says Kalantari, who leads one of two engineering teams at the Clark School addressing the safety need. Through the Mtech incubator, Kalantari is developing a system of tiny, long-lasting, energy-efficient, low maintenance wireless sensors and software that analyzes real-time data. His startup company, Resensys, has manufactured systems for use in the private sector and for Maryland State Highway officials, including current tests on a Maryland interstate bridge along the Capital Beltway in suburban Washington, D.C. Kalantari also has adapted the sensors to monitor cracks on bridge piers 120 feet underwater. Another Clark School team is working on a total “smart bridge” package with multiple technology innovations. Key elements of this system are being tested by Maryland
State
Transportation
Highway
Authority
officials, and
the
the
Maryland
North
Carolina
Department of Transportation. “Wireless technology definitely makes bridge structural health monitoring more efficient and more effective,” says Environmental Engineering Research Professor Chung Fu, director of the Clark
School’s
Bridge
Engineering
Software
and
Technology Center and team leader. Fu believes that as system hardware and software prices are reduced and standardized, the technologies may have more widespread applications over the next decade. Both Fu and Kalantari concur that real-time remote sensing will supplement limited, in-person inspections that currently are not sufficient to provide highway maintenance authorities with an adequate margin of safety. Engineering @ Maryland
■
■
Fall 2012
Researchers Discover “Remote Heating” Phenomenon Picture a toaster that burns bread without getting hot, an electric stovetop that warms your dinner but remains cool to the touch, a laptop that heats the table it sits on, but does not overheat. Two Clark School scientists have made an analogous discovery at the nanoscale that is completely contrary to the widely accepted scientific phenomenon called “Joule heating,” the process by which the passage of an electric current through a conductor releases heat. “This new phenomenon runs directly counter to our intuition and knowledge of Joule heating at larger scales,” explains Kamal Baloch, former graduate student researcher, who made the
Jesse Goldman, M.D., Chief Scientist, FDA
discovery with Assistant Professor John Cumings, materials science and engineering, who
CERSI DAY ATTRACTS LEADERS IN DRUG AND MEDICAL DEVICE INDUSTRY
oversaw the research project. The two researchers used a technique called electron thermal microscopy, which maps where heat is generated in nanoscale electrical devices, to observe the effect of current on a nanotube.
Business and industry leaders joined federal
The heat produced did not travel through metal
agency and university researchers at CERSI Day,
contacts attached to the nanotube, but jumped
the annual showcase event for the university’s new
directly onto a silicon nitride substrate beneath, heating it up while leaving the nanotube relatively cold. “The effect is a little weird,” admits Cumings, who has dubbed it “remote Joule heating.” The
Artist’s depiction of the remote Joule heating effect. On the left and right are metal contacts to a carbon nanotube in between. As an electric current flows through the nanotube, the substrate beneath is heated directly (as indicated by the color scale), while the nanotube itself remains cold.
Center for Excellence in Regulatory Science and Innovation (CERSI) at the Jeong H. Kim Engineering Building on September 5. Funded by a grant from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), CERSI is a collaborative initiative between the University of
pair published their findings in the April 8 online issue of Nature Nanotechnology. “We believe
Maryland, College Park, and the University of Maryland
that the nanotube’s electrons are creating electrical fields due to the current, and the sub-
in Baltimore that focuses on modernizing and
strate’s atoms are directly responding to those fields. The transfer of energy takes place
improving the ways drugs and medical devices are
through these intermediaries.”
reviewed and evaluated. The day’s events included
The researchers’ next steps are to determine if other materials can produce the effect, and, if
talks by FDA Chief Scientist Jesse Goldman, M.D.,
so, what properties they must have. “If we can understand how this phenomenon works, we could
pictured above, and industry representatives, as well
start engineering a new generation of nanoelectronics with integrated thermal management.” ■
as poster presentations by university researchers. ■
University Fills Two Senior Leadership Positions The University of Maryland has announced the appointment of two senior-level administrators, who bring a wealth of experience to their respective campus positions. RANKIN NAMED SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT AND PROVOST Mary Ann Rankin has been named senior vice president and provost. She joins the university from the National Math
chair of biological sciences and for nearly 17 years as dean of the College of Natural Sciences at the University of Texas at Austin.
and Science Initiative (NMSI), where she served as chief
During her deanship, she raised more than $800 million in private
executive officer of this public-private partnership head-
funding, oversaw hiring that doubled the number of women science fac-
quartered in Dallas. She will continue to serve on the board
ulty, and was a leader in the development of a campuswide health sci-
of directors of NMSI, whose partners include the U.S.
ences initiative. She received her Ph.D. in physiology and behavior from
Department of Education, the College Board, ExxonMobil
The University of Iowa, and held an NIH post-doctoral fellowship at
Foundation,
Harvard University before joining UT Austin and becoming a professor of
Dell
Foundation,
Lockheed
Martin
and
Northrop Grumman. Previously, she served for six years as
zoology. She replaces interim provost Ann Wylie, professor of geology.
WEILER APPOINTED VP FOR UNIVERSITY RELATIONS Peter Weiler has been named vice president for university relations and president of the University of
helped design and lead the university’s current $2.5 billion comprehensive capital campaign.
Maryland College Park Foundation. Weiler has worked
Weiler had a long career at The Pennsylvania State University, where
for 25 years in the field, most recently as vice president
he managed a 300-member fundraising staff and oversaw completion of
for advancement at the University of New Hampshire
Penn State’s $1.3 billion campaign. Weiler replaces Brodie Remington,
and president of the UNH Foundation. He previously was
who served as vice president for university relations for the past 12 years
senior vice president for development at The Ohio State
and designed and led the $1 billion Great Expectations, The Campaign
University and president of its foundation, where he
for Maryland now coming to a successful close.
A. JAMES CLARK SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING
■
GLENN L. MARTIN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
■
23
FACULTY NEWS FACULTY APPOINTMENTS
Young Researchers Win Prestigious Awards
Associate Professor THOMAS E. MURPHY, electrical and computer engineering (ECE), is the new director of the Institute for Research in Electronics and Applied Physics (IREAP). His research explores
Assistant Professor JEFFERY KLAUDA, chemical
new devices and techniques that
and biomolecular engineering, has received a
improve the speed, sensitivity,
National Science Foundation Early Faculty Career
resolution and efficiency of optical communication
Development Award for his research on how second-
and sensor systems.
ary active transporters interact with cell membranes, using a new method called implicit-explicit membrane simulation. The research could lead to a better understanding of protein transport in the cell membranes of mammals, plants and single-celled organisms. As part of the grant, Klauda will develop instructional aids to help interest high school students in molecular biology.
Professor REZA GHODSSI, ECE, and director of the Institute for Systems Research, has been named the Herbert Rabin Distinguished Chair in Engineering. The chair honors former Clark School Dean Herbert Rabin.
FIVE FACULTY MEMBERS NAMED FULL PROFESSORS Assistant Professor JEREMY MUNDAY, electrical and computer engineering, has received a NASA
24
Space Technology Research Opportunities for Early Career Faculty Award for his research on the working principle behind solar sails, a form of propulsion for deep-space exploration. Munday is one of only
The following faculty members have been pro-
10 researchers selected nationwide in the inaugural
moted to full professor (shown left to right above):
year for this award, which is intended to accelerate
JOHN FISHER, bioengineering; STEVEN
the development of technologies originating from
GABRIEL, civil and environmental engineering;
academia that support the future science and
KENNETH KIGER, mechanical engineering;
exploration needs of NASA, other government
ELISE MILLER-HOOKS, civil and environmental
agencies and the commercial space sector.
engineering; SRINIVASA RAGHAVAN, chemical and biomolecular engineering.
Associate Professor SANTIAGO SOLARES, mechan-
EIGHT PROMOTED TO ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR
ical engineering, is the first faculty member in his
The following faculty members have been pro-
department to receive the U.S. Department of
moted to associate professor: CINZIA CIRILLO,
Energy’s 2012 Early Career Award, now in its third
civil and environmental engineering; JOHN
year. Focusing on anion alkaline fuel cell membranes,
CUMINGS, materials science and engineering;
his research could provide insight into how they
TENG LI, mechanical engineering; SILVIA MURO,
degrade and guide the development of new polymer
bioengineering and Institute for Bioscience
backbones with increased mechanical and chemical
and Biotechnology Research; DEREK PALEY,
stability. The proposed testing protocols will provide
aerospace engineering; SANTIAGO SOLARES,
a standard procedure for the prediction of fuel cell
mechanical engineering; EDO WAKS, ECE and
component life.
IREAP; and CHUNSHENG WANG, chemical
■
and biomolecular engineering.
■
Engineering @ Maryland
■
Fall 2012
The University System of Maryland has recognized Program Management Specialist PAT BAKER, fire protection engineering, with a 2011-2012 USM Board of Regents Staff Award for Outstanding Service to Students. She is the only recipient of this award on the College Park campus this year. The awards recognize staff members who have made exceptional contributions to their organizations, students and the university community.
■
NEW FACULTY MEMBERS
BOARD OF REGENTS AWARD
Assistant Professor AMY KARLSSON has joined the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (ChBE). Karlsson, who received her Ph.D. in chemical engineering from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 2009, specializes in the engineering of proteins and peptides used to study and improve the diagnosis and treatment of human diseases caused by fungal pathogens. She will initially work to combat a fungal pathogen called Candida albicans, the culprit behind common human ailments, such as vaginal yeast infections and diaper rash, that can be fatal to immunocompromised patients. Previously, she was a postdoctoral fellow at Cornell University, where she was a member of the research group of Associate Professor Matthew Delisa, Ph.D. ’00, ChBE. Assistant Professor CHRISTOPHER M. JEWELL has joined the Fischell Department of Bioengineering. Jewell, who received
MINTA MARTIN PROFESSORS NAMED
his Ph.D. in chemical and biological engineering from the University of Wisconsin–Madison in 2008, specializes in “immunomodulation,” a new field of study that explores
Six Clark School professors have been selected as Minta Martin
directing the body’s immune system response to target a
Professors in recognition of significant scholarly contributions in
specific disease. Understanding how and why biomaterials
their areas of research. The newly selected professors include:
interact with different types of immune cells could lead to
NORMAN WERELEY, aerospace engineering chair; CHRIS
new, biomaterial-based treatments for autoimmune disorders
DAVIS, electrical and computer engineering; BALAKUMAR
such as type I diabetes, multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid
BALACHANDRAN, mechanical engineering (ME) chair; AMR
arthritis. Previously, he was a postdoctoral research fellow in
BAZ, ME and Smart Materials and Structures Research Center;
the Departments of Materials Science and Biological
MOHAMMAD MODARRES, ME and Reliability Engineering
Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Program director; and REINHARD RADERMACHER, ME and
and served as a healthcare practice analyst at the Boston
Center for Environmental Energy Engineering director.
Consulting Group.
■
■
25
FACULTY HONORS
Electrical and Computer Engineering Chair and
Fischell Department of Bioengineering Professor
Professor of Mechanical Engineering and former
Minta Martin Professor of Engineering RAMA
and Chair WILLIAM E. BENTLEY was a featured
University of Maryland President C.D. (DAN)
CHELLAPPA has been awarded the 2012 King-
speaker at enGENEious, a student and postdoc-
MOTE, JR., is the sole nominee for the presidency
Sun Fu Prize, which honors the memory of
organized conference held at Christ Church,
of the National Academy of Engineering (NAE)
Professor King-Sun Fu, an instrumental founder
Oxford University in June. The enGENEious
beginning July 2013 for a six-year term. The
of the International Association for Pattern
conference highlights the newest advances in the
Clark School has seven NAE members among
Recognition, who sat on Chellappa’s master’s
engineering of microbial “factories” designed
its tenure-track faculty and another 10 non-
and Ph.D. committees. Many of Chellappa’s
to create new materials, fuels, drugs and even
tenure-track faculty also are NAE members.
mentors also are recipients of the award.
biologically-based information storage.
A. JAMES CLARK SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING
■
GLENN L. MARTIN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
■
STUDENTS + ALUMNI Steven Chalk, ’83, Leads U.S. Renewable Energy Research
ENTREPRENEUR, RESEARCHER, VOLUNTEER: Khalid Wins Prizes, Publishes, Helps Others
When a deadly tornado struck Greensburg, Kan., in 2007, Steven Chalk, B.S. ’83, chemical engineering, was among the first to survey the damage. “It was total devastation,” recounts
When Bioengineering Professor Peter Kofinas
Chalk, deputy assistant secretary for renewable energy at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).
and Chemical and Biomedical Engineering Graduate
“Nothing was left standing. Commercial buildings, homes and power lines were all destroyed.”
Student Aaron Fisher had to attend
Amid the destruction, Chalk saw opportunity. He quickly assembled a team to educate
a professional conference in South
the Greensburg community on how to rebuild using the latest research on clean energy.
Korea in late spring, they had no
Five years later, Greensburg is powered completely by renewable energy resources.
qualms sending undergraduate
Chalk’s quest to develop new clean-energy technologies continues today as he directs
research team member Mian Khalid,
DOE’s annual investment of $800 million in renewable energy research and development,
B.S., B.A. ’14, bioengineering and
focusing on wind, solar, geothermal, hydro, biomass and hydrogen technologies. His public
English, to Washington, D.C., at the
sector career began nearly 30 years ago at the Department of Defense as a process chemical
same time, to present the trio’s
engineer. In 1990, he moved to DOE, specializing in tritium,
start-up company, SafeLiCell, in
a hydrogen isotope for nuclear bombs. When the Cold
the American Chemical Society’s
War ended, he transferred his hydrogen expertise to the
Green Chemistry Institute Inaugural
development of fuel cells and has focused on clean-
Business Plan Competition. Their confidence in Khalid
energy technology ever since.
was well-justified as his presentation won second
Mian Khalid
“In the last 20 years, we have gone from thinking of
place and a $10,000 prize. The win followed the
renewable energy as an idealistic concept that could make
company’s $15,000 prize in the Department of
a difference, to developing realistic, cost-competitive
Energy Atlantic Coast Conference Clean Energy
options,” says Chalk, pointing to 75 to 80 percent drops in
Challenge and $500 prize in the University of
the price of solar power and fuel cells over the last decade.
Maryland $75K Business Plan Competition.
The DOE Office of Efficiency and Renewable Energy
SafeLiCell’s product, Lithium Flex, is a light,
also oversees the DOE-sponsored Solar Decathlon, a
flexible novel polymer electrolyte that can be
biannual collegiate competition to design and build a
wrapped or bent into a variety of shapes. Unlike
solar-powered house. Maryland’s WaterShed entry placed
current lithium battery electrolytes, it is not com-
first in the 2011 competition. “University and Clark School students not only demonstrated that
bustible and prevents dangerous pressure buildup,
a solar-powered house is economically viable,” says Chalk, “but showcased water-conservation
making it a safer energy alternative.
26 Steven Chalk
features, drawing inspiration from the school’s proximity to the Chesapeake Bay.”
The co-author of three published papers, Khalid
Chalk is now leading the effort to develop bio-fuel alternatives to fossil fuels, with a national
was awarded a Howard Hughes Medical Institute
goal to produce 21 billion gallons by 2022. Also on his agenda: making America more globally
Fellowship beginning this summer based on his
competitive in renewable-energy manufacturing and integrating new technologies into current
research accomplishments. “The batteries we are
power grids.
developing can be optimized for biomedical
His rigorous Clark School education taught him the meaning of persistence, a critical attribute
applications,” he explains. “My fellowship will focus
in his ongoing search for renewable energy options. “Chemical engineering courses at the
on finding appropriate mechanisms to tailor our
Clark School taught me endurance and prepared me for real-world problems and setbacks,” says
product specifically for biomedical devices such
Chalk. “Throughout my career, we have been on the cusp of a renewable-energy discovery
as pacemakers and implantable defibrillators.”
many times. When it does not pan out, you move on, find another pathway, and forge beyond those early hurdles.” ■
Khalid’s desire to have a broader impact on the world led to his receipt of a Global Public Health Citation from the College Park Scholars Program in the spring for his involvement in a campus-based
ATTENTION ALL GOLDEN TERPS Continue the Tradition, Join the Spring Commencement Celebration If you are celebrating your 50th, 55th, 60th, 65th or greater reunion in 2013, mark your calendar now to attend the Clark School Commencement on Monday, May 20, 2013, as a Golden Terp Engineer. You can enjoy a special luncheon with senior leaders of the Clark School and receive a gold medallion. Wearing a gold robe and your medallion, you can lead the procession and be introduced by name to the Clark School family.
community service focused program. He served as a program representative to the Student Advisory Board, a body representing leaders from the Scholars community. “I have always had an interest in the public health aspect of my research. If we can develop this technology more cost effectively, it could positively impact the lives of thousands of patients,” he says. Khalid’s family moved to the United States from
As you make plans for your reunion, be sure to mention this special commencement opportunity to your fellow Golden Terp Engineers. For more information, please contact Josey Simpson, director of Clark School alumni relations, at josey@umd.edu ■
Pakistan in 2007 to give him and his three younger siblings better educational opportunities. Khalid Engineering @ Maryland
■
Fall 2012
Jones Holds a Top U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Post Although she always loved high school math and physics, Cynthia
degree from the Clark School as her greatest accomplishment.
Jones, M.S. ’96 and Ph.D. ’01, nuclear engineering, began her college
“The Clark School gave me the education I needed to focus on specific
career as a music major. When a fractured wrist ended her clarinet-
questions and formulate grounded technical answers. Just as important,
playing days in her sophomore year, Jones enrolled in a physics course
it gave me the confidence I needed to succeed,” says Jones, who recently
and fell in love with the field.
was elected as one of 100 scientific experts worldwide to serve on the
This fall, some 31 years later, Jones began her new assignment as the U.S.
U.S. National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements, the
Nuclear Regulatory Commission’s (NRC’s) nuclear safety attaché at the U.S.
nation’s pre-eminent scientific body that provides recommendations on
Mission to International Organizations in Vienna, Austria. The appointment
radiation protection and nuclear fields. “Undoubtedly my Clark School degree was instrumental in my election
is but the latest accomplishment in a highly successful career. After completing her undergraduate degree—in three years while
to this council,” says Jones, who most recently was senior technical advisor
holding down three jobs—Jones worked at the Oak Ridge Institute for
for nuclear safety in the Office of Nuclear Security and Incident Response,
Science and Technology as a health physics laboratory instructor before
responsible for providing technical expertise and policy guidance on
becoming a reactor and medical physicist in the Radiation Safety
nuclear security, safeguards, and radiological
Department at the University of California, Los Angeles.
protection issues.
Always the over-achiever, Jones then obtained her master’s degree in
As she assumes her new post in Vienna,
health physics from Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta, and
Jones identifies a tremendous need for nuclear
became a physicist in the Center for Radiation Research at the National
security specialists. “When the public hears
Institute of Standards and Technology. In 1988 she joined the NRC and
‘nuclear engineering,’ they think about nuclear
held positions of increasing responsibility as a senior health physicist
weapons and exposure to radiation. They need
and manager. In 1994 she received one of the highest technical honors
to be educated about the field,” says Jones,
in the federal system, the NRC Meritorious Award for Health Physics
noting career opportunities in research and
Excellence, and two years later she was selected as the NRC’s first
development, energy and national security. She advises today’s students to reach for the
senior-level advisor for health physics. Still, as a woman in a predominately male field, Jones felt that she
Cynthia Jones
stars in the classroom and the work world. “If
wanted to expand her knowledge to remain competitive with her col-
students are willing and able to open their minds to new activities, there
leagues, which led her to the Clark School. “With a Ph.D., you quickly
are unlimited opportunities,” says Jones, who has built a successful
realize that you are the expert,” recalls Jones, who considers her doctoral
career doing just that. ■
27 A group of incoming Clark
member of his family to attend college, Khalid
School students, pictured
has worked part time in high school and college
at the Great Wall of China,
and received a host of scholarships to help finance his education, including the H. Russell Knust Memorial Scholarship and the Asian and Pacific Islander American/FedEx Scholarship. Fluent in three languages, Khalid has always enjoyed reading and writing, which led to his double degree in engineering and English. “Whenever I have been personally touched by a novel, poem or play, I have analyzed it and written about it. I enjoy discussing and thinking about literature,” says Khalid, who feels the double degree will make him more adept in communicating his engineering research to investors and other stakeholders. Outside the classroom Khalid is equally busy. He volunteers at the Muslim Community Center Medical Clinic in Silver Spring, Md., has worked with the Maryland chapter of Engineers
TERRAPIN TAKE-OFF PROGRAM
certainly is not disappointing them. The first
participated in a three-credit course this summer to explore
visit key industries there. Pictured left side, top to bottom: Sahil Kulgod, Ryan Chow, Jamel Pinder, Demetra Tzamaras, Kevin Chao, John Murphy, Mathew Jennings, Abigail Henningsgaard, Marta Cherpak and Amanda Filie. Right side, top to bottom: Joshua Sackstein, Jason Rubin, Allen Kao, Boheng Ma, Kathleen Gilder, Rachel Grafman, Caroline McCue and Emily Love.
Without Borders, and serves as a Clark School Ambassador. “The Clark School has surrounded me with wonderful people and unparalleled opportunities. For me, every day is a new learning experience,” says Khalid. ■ A. JAMES CLARK SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING
■
the engineering
challenges facing China and
GLENN L. MARTIN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
■
STUDENTS + ALUMNI
CONTINUED
Clark School Welcomes Promising Students With each incoming Clark School class of undergraduate and graduate students comes hopes and dreams for successful engineering careers and potential discoveries that could change the world. Following is a sampling of students joining the Clark School this fall:
COURTNEY BLUMENTHAL, B.S. ’16, CHEMICAL AND BIOMOLECULAR ENGINEERING, already has an invention under her belt. The Worcester (Md.) Technical High School summa cum laude graduate participated in Project Lead the Way pre-engineering courses, completing a high school capstone course in which her team designed a new ergonomic student desk-chair. Their design placed 11th in the SkillsUSA National Competition, a partnership between students, teachers and industry to ensure a skilled U.S. workforce. A native of Maryland’s Eastern Shore, Blumenthal hopes to use her degree to preserve the beauty of places like Assateague Island National Seashore through work in the renewable energy and resources field. CARLOS BIAOU, B.S. ’16, ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING, received his associate of science degree in electrical engineering from Prince George’s Community College. His academic record earned him a Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship as well as a university Transfer Academic Excellence Scholarship. Biaou, who grew up in Benin, West Africa, where access to electric power is sporadic, is interested in exploring ways to give developing countries access to sustainable energy. He is well on his way to accomplishing that goal: Through an internship at the Lurie Nanofabrication Facility at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Biaou worked on zinc-oxide based, thin-film transistors that can be used to produce flexible, robust electronics. KELLES GORDGE, B.S. ’16, ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING, is a National AP Scholar and was the 2012 salutatorian of the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Academy at Great Mills (Md.) High School. In both her junior and senior years, Gordge participated in the International Science and Engineering Fair, winning six special awards and a third-place category award in electrical and mechanical engineering. Gordge presented her research at the International Council on Systems Engineering Conference in Rome earlier this summer. Outside the classroom, Gordge was a member of the high school marching band, which captured a Maryland state championship last year. MICHAEL FAHRNER, B.S. ’16, CIVIL ENGINEERING, joined the United States Marine Corps Reserve in 2007 after he completed high school. In 2010, while a student at Anne Arundel Community College, he was deployed as an intelligence analyst to Afghanistan. When he returned, Fahrner completed his associate of science degree in engineering and, with the help of a university Transfer Academic Excellence Scholarship, will attend the Clark School this fall. After assessing the infrastructure challenges facing Afghanistan, Fahrner would like to acquire civil engineering skills to help other developing countries prepare for the future.
28
BRIAN BEISEL, B.S. ’12, COMPUTER ENGINEERING, who is pursuing a graduate degree in electrical engineering, has worked as an intern for the last two years with Electrical and Computer Engineering Professor Gil Blackenship at his firm, TRX Systems, which builds technology to track first responders in GPS-denied environments. He now works full time at TRX as a computer engineer focused on the development of algorithms and embedded devices. Beisel earned the highest grade point average among graduating computer engineering students. He credits Blankenship with inspiring him to continue his education and looks forward to advancing his career in robotics and computer architecture. CHRISTA ROGERS, who received her bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University, will pursue her master’s in electrical engineering with a concentration in controls. Rogers, who has worked in the simulation, test and instrumentation division of the Scientific Research Corporation in Atlanta, chose the Clark School for the quality of its graduate programs and “its perfect location near Washington, D.C.” A dean’s list student throughout her undergraduate career, Rogers was supported by an undergraduate scholarship from the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals. A licensed pilot at age 19, Rogers anticipates earning her doctoral degree and working in sense-and-avoid technology to help aircraft avoid collisions.
■
STUDENTS EXTEND WINNING RECORD IN COMPETITIONS Clark School aerospace engineering graduate students recently won the
nine countries, participated in the contest. The Maryland team designed
American Helicopter Society (AHS) Student Design Competition for the 11th
a combined heat, hydrogen and power (CHHP) plant for the College Park
time in 14 competitions for their design of a lift and thrust compounded
campus, using locally available waste resources for primary energy input.
vertical take-off and landing aircraft. The competition challenges students to
The team traveled to the World Hydrogen Energy Conference in Toronto
design a vertical lift aircraft that meets specified requirements, providing a
to receive the award.
practical exercise for engineering students worldwide.
Members of the award-winning Hydrogen Education Foundation’s 2011-2012 Hydrogen Student Design Contest Team
A group of Clark School students, known as Team Thirsty Turtles, took
In early June, a University of
second place in the American Institute of Chemical Engineers’ mid-
Maryland team, including Clark
Atlantic regional Chem-E-Car competition and also won the Best Poster
School graduate and undergradu-
design award. The contest challenges students to design and construct
ate students, received the grand
a small, chemically-powered vehicle whose chemical reaction will drive
prize in the Hydrogen Education
the vehicle a travel distance—this year, 60 feet—revealed only when the
Foundation’s 2011-2012 Hydrogen
competition begins. Team Thirsty Turtles’ zinc-air, battery-powered car,
Student Design Contest. Students
The Pride of Maryland, traveled 64 feet, 10 inches, coming closer to the
from 28 universities, representing
distance than all competitors except University of Pittsburgh.
■
Engineering @ Maryland
■
Fall 2012
The Rewards of
PLANNED GIVING Charitable Gift Annuity Funds Scholarships to Develop Innovative Engineers
It is no surprise that inventor and Sirius Satellite Radio co-founder Robert D. Briskman, M.S. ’61, electrical engineering, believes that future economic growth in the United States and abroad is directly linked to continued innovation. Impressed with how the A. James Clark School of Engineering is preparing the next generation of innovative engineers, Briskman has taken steps to ensure that students have opportunities to pursue their education and bring their innovative ideas to life. Briskman and his wife, Lenore, recently established the Robert Briskman Scholarship Fund for undergraduates in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering through a $100,000 charitable gift annuity. “This annuity allows us to make a continuous contribution to the Clark School long after we are gone,” says Briskman. “And it allows us to contribute in a way that does not impact our current lifestyle.” Briskman, who earned his master’s degree at the Clark School while working full time and supporting his young family, cites the value of a Clark School degree. “A Clark School education teaches students to apply their engineering skills to find improved solutions to the world’s most challenging problems.” Briskman credits Electrical Engineering Professor Henry Reed with h helping him solve major challenges in satellite technology and advance his career at NASA and industry giants such as Communications Satellite ellite Corporation (COMSAT). Briskman created innovative technologies logies that enable successful satellite transmission of continuous inuous radio programming, formally known as Satellite Digitall Audio Radio Service (SDARS), across enormous geographical aphical areas. To build and implement that service, he co-founded o-founded Sirius Satellite Radio. The 2010 inductee into the Clark School Innovation vation Hall of Fame has closely followed the progress of the Clark School. “I’ve watched the Clark School rise in the engineering school rankings to its status now w as one of the best engineering schools in the world,” ,” offers Briskman. “If our students can discover how to innovate, that is the greatest gift we can give them.”
To learn how you can make a charitable bequest today and make a significant difference in the future of the Clark School, or to explore other planned giving options, contact Leslie Borak, assistant dean for external relations, Clark School of Engineering. E-mail: lborak@umd.edu | Phone: 301.405.0317
Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID
Permit No. 10 College Park, MD
3214 Kim Engineering Building University of Maryland College Park, Maryland 20742-2831
Join the Clark School’s Fall Events Whiting-Turner Entrepreneurial Lecture Series “Up in the Ivory Tower or Down in the Trenches: What You Need to Know Before Taking the Leap to Start Your Own Business” Thursday, October 4, 5 p.m. Kim Engineering Building, Kay Boardrooms Alex Mehr, M.S. and Ph.D. ’03, mechanical engineering, is the co-founder and co-CEO of Zoosk, the romantic social network with 15 million monthly active users from 70 countries. Zoosk’s 2011 revenue surpassed $97 million— doubling year over year. To date, the company has raised over $40 million in venture funding. Prior to starting Zoosk in 2007, Mehr worked as an engineer for NASA and collaborated on several manned and unmanned space flights. “The Plight of the Innovator— How to Get Out of It” Thursday, October 18, 5 p.m. Kim Engineering Building, Kay Boardrooms Thomas J. Fogarty, M.D., is an internationally recognized cardiovascular surgeon, inventor, entrepreneur and vintner. Fogarty has served as founder/co-founder and chairman/ board member of more than 33 companies based on medical devices designed and developed by Fogarty Engineering, Inc. He has acquired 135 surgical patents, including the “industry standard” Fogarty balloon catheter and the widely used Aneurx Stent Graft. A recipient of the Jacobson Innovation Award of the American College of Surgeons and the 2000 Lemelson-MIT Prize for Invention and Innovation, Fogarty is an inductee of the Inventors Hall of Fame and the National Academy of Engineering.
Baltimore Alumni Networking Reception Thursday, November 15, 6 p.m. National Electronics Museum Linthicum, Maryland Enjoy an evening of networking with alumni and friends, and learn about the Clark School’s latest accomplishments from Dean Darryll Pines.
Clark School Commencement Reception and Ceremony Thursday, December 20 Reception, 12:30 p.m. Kim Engineering Building Ceremony, 3:30 p.m. Cole Student Activities Building The Clark School Commencement Reception is sponsored by the Clark School’s academic departments and the Clark School Alumni Chapter of the University of Maryland Alumni Association. A special luncheon will be held for Golden Terps before the ceremony (see page 26).
For more information on any of the events, contact Josey Simpson, B.S. ’84, director of Clark School alumni relations, at 301-405-2150 or josey@umd.edu
Follow Us! www.twitter.com/ClarkSchool www.facebook.com/ClarkSchool