Dana Andre, graduate student in Engineering Science and Mechanics, under the advising of Dr. Corina Drapaca, Assistant Professor in Engineering Science and Mechanics, will attend and present a poster at the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society 2009 meeting. Dana’s poster is entitled, “Mechanisms Determining Safety and Performance of Brain Stimulating Electrodes.” The conference is scheduled for September 2 – 6, 2009 in Minneapolis, MN. For more information, please visit this website.

Amy Miller, undergraduate student in engineering science and mechanics, participated in a 10-week DREAM (Drexel Research Experience in Advanced Materials) REU program, funded through the National Science Foundation (NSF). Amy worked in a soft matter research lab under Principle Investigator Dr. Christopher Li.

Amy’s research, "Characterization of P3HT/CNT composites", was centered on crystallizing the polymer P3HT onto carbon nanotubes and to examine the properties of this composite for possible future use an organic photovoltaic. Some of the processes and characterizations she used were differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, SEM, TEM, AFM, annealing, UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy, 4-point probe testing, sonication, and spin-coating. Amy was able to work on the project independently with the assistance of two doctoral student mentors who helped her understand theory and equipment use. The experience was such a success, she is now thinking of minoring in nanotechnology and going to graduate school for her doctorate.

Jia Hua, a graduate student in engineering science and mechanics, has received a fellowship award from the American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT). Jia's project is titled "Defect Characterization Potential in Buried Pipe with Ultrasonic Guided Waves." The award will be presented at the ASNT's Fall Conference and Quality Testing Show on Oct. 21 in Columbus, Ohio.
Jia is advised by Joseph Rose, professor of engineering science and mechanics.

Read the full story on Live: http://live.psu.edu/story/41078/nw54

Congratulations to Ms. Miranda Hitchcock who will represent the engineering science class of summer 2009 as the engineering science student marshal.

Ms. Hitchcock has chosen Akhlesh Lakhtakia, Charles Godfrey Binder Professor in Engineering Science and Mechanics to be her faculty escort.