Message from the Chair:
The Mechanical Engineering Department is thriving at Vanderbilt.
This year we reached a new high with an undergraduate enrollment of
271 students. Students are attracted to mechanical engineering due
to its breath of technology and the pervasive role of mechanical
engineers in nearly every industry. Our students learn the core
disciplines of mechanical engineering in thermal-fluid sciences,
dynamics and control. In addition, they learn computer science,
statics, electronics and material science allowing them to be
conversant in other engineering disciplines. Immersed in a strong
liberal-arts university, mechanical engineering students learn to
communicate with students from all walks of life. With their broad
background in engineering and communication skills, our students are
prepared to tackle the technical challenges that lie ahead in the
world in the areas of energy, environment, and global
competitiveness.
Our
students continue with their multi-disciplinary approach by teaming
with other engineering students on their senior design projects.
Our seniors team with students from electrical engineering, computer
engineering and bio-medical engineering on projects sponsored by
Nissan North America, Denso Manufacturing Tennessee, NASA Marshall,
Standard Candy, and many others. Many of these projects address
broad technical challenges. By working with other disciplines on
projects, the students learn new technologies, team dynamics, and
project management under the pressure of real deadlines.
Our
department is expanding in its faculty. We were delighted to have
hired two outstanding faculty members. Dr. Haoxiang Luo joined our
department in August 2007. Dr. Luo received his Ph.D. from
University of California – San Diego and is an expert in
computational fluid mechanics applied to micro-fluids and
bio-flows. Dr. Robert Webester joined us in January 2008.
Dr. Webster received his Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins University and his
research is in surgical robotics. These new faculty will strengthen
existing research programs in micro-fluidics and robotics.
Our
research programs are thriving as well. Dr. Deyu Li received the
National Science Foundation (NSF) CAREER award, the most prestigious
award for young faculty members in the U.S. We are also part of a
new NSF research center on Compact and Efficient Fluid Power that
you can read about in the newsletter.
If you
are in Nashville, please come by and see us. We can show you all of
the exciting programs going on in the department. As always we
appreciate your interest, your letters, and support of the
Mechanical Engineering Department at Vanderbilt University
ME Seniors
Win Awards: Vanderbilt mechanical engineering students
win Program, Faculty, Mechanics and Control, Thermal-Fluids,
Leadership, and Design awards for outstanding achievement
during undergraduate study.
(more)
Images of War: Slogging through snow and mud, eating K-rations
in the dark, and
being shot at (albeit with blanks) isn’t everyone’s idea of a
good time. But for engineering professor Joel Barnett and his
fellow World War II reenactors, it’s a passion.
(more)
Driving Ambition:
From cup holders to safe handling, it’s Mark Reuss’ job to
create vehicles you’ll love.
For
some people, cars are just a way to get from
point A to point B— large radios on wheels. But to others, they
are endlessly fascinating machines that are constantly evolving
with each new make and model. Mark Reuss, BE’86, definitely
falls into this category.
(more)
Prof. Li edits new reference book on micro-, nanofluidics: A new reference book on microfluidics and nanofluidics, edited by Dongqing Li,
the H. Fort Flowers Professor of Mechanical Engineering at
Vanderbilt, is scheduled for release in May by Springer
Publishers in New York.
(more)
DENSO gift
powers new biodiesel testing facility: The Vanderbilt
School of Engineering will soon have a new state-of-the art
biodiesel testing facility, thanks to a $100,000 gift from
the DENSO North America Foundation.
(more)
Three Vanderbilt faculty members elected AAAS fellows:
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Two Vanderbilt Engineering faculty
members – Peter T. Cummings and Thomas A. Cruse – along with
Ellen H. Fanning, the Stevenson Professor of Molecular
Biology in Vanderbilt’s College of Arts and Science, have
been elected as fellows of the American Association for the
Advancement of Science (AAAS), an honor bestowed upon them
by their peers.
(more)
