ESM doctoral student Li Zhang will present her thesis defense titled "Guided Wave Focusing Potential in Hollow Cylinders" on October 5, 2005, at 1:00 .m. in 216 EES Building. Ms. Zhang has conducted her research under the direction of Professor Joseph L. Rose.

For additional information, Ms. Zhang has prepared an abstract of her research.

ESM doctoral student Wei Luo will present his thesis defense titled "Long Range Ultrasonic Guided Wave Inspection of Coated Pipes" on October 5, 2005, at 9:00 a.m. in 216 EES Building. Mr. Luo has conducted his research under the direction of Professor Joseph L. Rose.

For additional information, Mr. Luo has prepared an abstract of his research.

Engineering Science (E SC) 433H provides E SC students with hands-on experimental laboratory research. Students take part in campus-wide laboratory tours that illustrate the variety of experimental practice.

This week the students worked in Engineering Science and Mechanics Fourier Optics Laboratory where they measured light scattering through a data storage CD under the direction of graduate student Joe Geddes (more photos). From their measurements, they will determine how many bytes are stored on a single CD. The experiment also provides a fundamental understanding of diffraction.

If you would like additional information about ESc 433H, please contact Professor Michael Lanagan.

The Fourier Optics Laboratory is under the direction of Professor Akhlesh Lakhtakia.

Governor Edward G. Rendell announced Friday (9/22/05) more than $6.5 million in investments by the Ben Franklin Technology Development Authority (BFTDA) to support his technology-focused economic development strategy and the creation of advanced technology and high-tech jobs. "Today we are funding ground-breaking initiatives and programs to support our strong commitment to the advancement of technology across the commonwealth." Governor Rendell said. "Not only will these programs support the commonwealth's emerging small businesses, but also our univesities and communities where new ideas and new technologies are emerging."

Stephen J. Fonash, Bayard D. Kunkle Professor and Director of the Center for Nanotechnology and Education Utilization, has been awarded a $612,334 NSF grant for the continuation of the Advanced Technology Education Regional Center for Nanofabrication Manufacturing Education. The continuing grant was awarded based on scientific and technical merit and is expected to continue through 2007 for a total of $1.7M.

The ESM department held its annual Fall Picnic on Friday, September 16th.

Despite some early rain, the event was a success with more than 100 students, faculty, staff and family members in attendance. Photos from the event can be found by clicking this link.

Ms. Shyamala Subramanian, engineering science and mechanics doctoral student, will present a paper titled "Manufacturing Methods Employing Molecular Ruler Lithography" at the International Microelectronics and Packaging Society (IMAPS) 2005- 38th International Symposium on Microelectronics, to be held September 25-29, 2005 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, PA.

Mr. Vivek Verma, engineering science and mechanics doctoral student, will present a paper titled "Approaches for Hybrid Biological and Synthetic System Integration" at the International Microelectronics and Packaging Society (IMAPS) 2005- 38th International Symposium on Microelectronics, to be held September 25-29, 2005 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, PA.

Mr. Vivek Verma, engineering science and mechanics doctoral student, has won the American Academy of Mechanics (AAM) Founders Prize and Grant for 2005. The award recognizes a doctoral candidate in the field of mechanics.

Mr. Verma's work links his interests in mechanics with the biological and nanoscience and engineering realms by using nanofabrication techniques to pattern arrays of protein molecules that act as bio-motors in such a way that they can be integrated into bio-nano-electro-mechanical system devices (BIO-NEMS) and their micro-equivalents (BIO-MEMS). His work has broken new ground in showing the compatibility of the proteins with the pattering techniques and their integration into manufacturable, switchable devices.

Ravindra Akarapu, engineering science and mechanics graduate student, has announced that ESM graduate students are collecting needed supplies to be shipped through the United Methodist Committee for Relief (UMCOR) to residents affected by Hurricane Katrina. A carton has been placed next to the departmental fax machine.

Please provide only these items in this box as other items although donated with the best of intentions will be unusable.

5-gallon bucket with resealable lid
Bleach, 1 quart or 82 oz bottles
Scouring pads
7 Pack Sponges
Scrub brushes
Cleaning towels (reusable wipes)
Liquid laundry detergent (25oz or 50oz. bottles)
Household cleaner, 12-16 oz. bottle
Disinfectant dish soap, 16-28 oz. bottle
Clothes Pins
Clothes line (50ft or 100ft.)
Dust masks
Latex gloves
Work gloves
Heavy-duty trash bags, 33-45 gallon
Insect repellant spray, 6-14 oz. can
Air freshener, 8 or 9 oz. can

Jaan Kiusalaas, professor emeritus of engineering science and mechanics, has authored two texts. "Numerical Methods in Engineering with MATLABŪ" and "Numerical Methods in Engineering with Pythos" have been written for engineering students and as references for practicing engineers. The texts have been published by Cambridge University Press.

Professor Kiusalaas has taught numerical methods, including finite element and boundary element methods for over 30 years. He is also the coauthor of three other works, "Engineering Mechanics: Statics", "Engineering Mechanics: Dynamics", and "Mechanics of Materials".

Gaurva Aggarwal, doctoral student in engineering science and mechanics, will present a paper titled "Development of niobium powder injection moulding", at the 46th General Assembly and International Symposium on Tantalum and Niobium to be held October 16-20, 2005, in Pattaya, Thailand.

Mr. Aggarwal's work was done in collaboration with Penn State's Center for Innovative Sintered Products (CISP). The paper was co-authored with S. J. Park, CISP Research Associate, and I. Smid, Associate Professor of Engineering Science and Mechanics and interim director of CISP.

Ms. Kelly Owens, Engineering Science and Mechanics staff assistant, has been selected to participate in a new certification program offered at Penn State. The ACOR Certification and Education Series (ACES) program ACES is a two-year; four-semester certification program. The 80 classroom hours learning experience is a combination of workshops, online education, mentoring, and competency assessment -- all leading to certification.

The ACES program will cover topics such as: Proposal Preparation, Budget Building, Advanced Budget Building, F & A Costs, Purchasing Equipment and Other Direct Costs, Travel, Effort Certification, Payroll, Subcontracting, Matching Funds and Cost Sharing, Conflict of Interest, Program Income, Account Set-Up and Pre-Award Costs, Cost Transfers, Internal Service Organizations, No-Cost Extensions, Closeout and Property management and Disposal, Research Compliance and Integrity, and Record Retention.