Led by engineering science and mechanics professor Michael Lanagan, a team at Penn State’s Materials Research Institute is developing a new use for glass that could make future hybrid-electric and plug-in electric vehicles more affordable and reliable.

The team has collaborated with Nippon Electric Glass and State-College based Strategic Polymer Sciences on developing thin and flexible glass customized to store energy at high temperatures and for high power applications, such as electric vehicle power electronics.

Postdoctoral researcher Mohan Manoharan and colleagues reported their findings in a recent paper, titled “Flexible Glass for High Temperature Energy Storage Capacitors,” featured in the journal Energy Technology.

This news short has been adapted from a Penn State News article. Read the full story here.

Postdoctoral opening is available in the Mechanical Properties and Mechanics Group, Materials Science and Technology Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

For more information, access the link:


http://www.esm.psu.edu/students/graduate/extopps/pdf/475-Postdoctoral-Ad-computational-solid-mechanics-FY12.pdf

The National Research Council of the National Academies sponsors a number of awards for graduate, postdoctoral and senior researchers at participating federal laboratories and affiliated institutions. These awards include generous stipends ranging from $42,000 - $75,000 per year for recent Ph.D. recipients, and higher for additional experience. Graduate entry level stipends begin at $30,000. These awards provide the opportunity for recipients to do independent research in some of the best-equipped and staffed laboratories in the U.S. Research opportunities are open to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and for some of the laboratories, foreign nationals. More detailed information and an online application can be found at this website.

Detailed program information, including online applications, instructions on how to apply and a list of participating laboratories, is available on the NRC Research Associateship Programs Website (see link above).

Prospective students and their parents can explore engineering majors available at Penn State at the Engineering Open House on Saturday, Feb. 28. The day's events begin at 8 a.m. and include programs in the College of Engineering, the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences and the College of Information Sciences and Technology. Open house activities include information sessions on special programs, department tours and campus tours. Faculty, staff and students will be on hand to answer questions about advising, financial aid, housing, cooperative education, study abroad and more.

Read the full story on Live.

Dr. Cliff Lissenden, Associate Professor in Engineering Science and Mechanics and Director of the Ben Franklin Center of Excellence in Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) announces the annual fall meeting on November 3-4, 2008.

Keynoting for the meeting, the Center welcomes John Johns from the Office of the Secretary of Defense. To read more about Mr. Johns, click the “read more” link at the end of this entry.

For additional information about the SHM fall meeting, visit their website.

John R. Longenecker has been named the 2006 College of Engineering Outstanding Alumnus.

Mr. Longenecker is currently president of Longenecker & Associates. He received a B.S. in Engineering Science in 1971 and an M.S. in Engineering Science in1973.

John Longenecker, president of Longenecker & Associates, Inc., has over 30 years experience in the energy industry in the areas of project management, strategic planning, regulatory compliance, independent assessment, and quality assurance in various programs including environmental remediation, national defense, nuclear reactor development and operations, waste management, and advanced technology development and deployment. Unique strengths and experience include independent assessment, strategic planning, acquisition support and regulatory compliance.

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."

Dr. Rand German, Director of the Center for Innovative Sintered Products at the Pennsylvania State University has accepted a new position as Director for the Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems and Chaired Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Mississippi State University, effective 1 October 2005. Dr. German will be replacing Professor Donald Trotter, who retired as the CAVS director on 1 July. This is an outstanding opportunity for Professor German, allowing a marriage of his prior emphasis on materials processing with the CAVS strength in computational and systems engineering. Although he will assume the position at CAVS, he will continue to advise his graduate students at PSU through degree completion while finishing out his current research projects.

The Engineering Science and Mechanics Department has developed a formal collaboration with the University of Salerno, Italy. The linkage was developed to promote the development of academic, scientific, technical and cultural relations as well as implement procedures for long-term graduate student enrollment at Penn State.

Prospective students and their parents can learn about engineering programs available at Penn State by attending the engineering open house from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 26, in the Hintz Family Alumni Center, University Park. Participants will have the opportunity to explore majors in the College of Engineering, the School of Information Sciences and Technology, and the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences. In addition, representatives will be on hand to answer questions about admissions, financial aid, housing, advising, cooperative education, career development, student organizations, and special programs and opportunities for engineering students. Open house activities also include tours, demonstrations and student displays. For more information or to register, check the Web at http://www.engr.psu.edu/openhouse

Source: PSU Newswire