e-Interaction January 2007 News
Features
MARS Launches First of Many Rockets
The Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS), a collaborative project between ODU, local business, and the states of Maryland and Virginia, launched its first rocket, a Minotaur I, from Wallops Island, VA, on Dec. 16.
The Eastern Shore facility features a $3.6 million, 113-foot-tall launch pad and promises low-cost, safe, and reliable space launch services for commercial, government and scientific/academic uses. Directed by ODU Assistant Professor of Engineering Management Billie Reed, MARS was established in 1995 by the University and Virginia's Center for Innovative Technology.
The launch was one of four scheduled over the next 12 months and was contracted by the U.S. Air Force to send a small satellite into orbit. The Air Force has two additional launches scheduled for April and November, respectively. Another launch, scheduled for June, is a NASA Langley spacecraft that will feature a new launch vehicle.
"This validates us as a viable spaceport," stated Reed in a recent interview with the Virginian-Pilot. "Having an orbital launch to your credit makes you real." Reed said that upcoming launches will be used to market the spaceport to other customers as a low-cost, reliable facility.
There are only five other licensed spaceports in the country: Vandenberg Air Force Base and Mojave Spaceport in California, Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, Kodiak Launch Complex in Alaska, and Burns Flat Spaceport in Oklahoma.
-Information compiled from The Courier
BCET invests Batten endowed chairs, named professors
The Frank Batten College of Engineering and Technology held its investiture ceremony on Nov. 2 in the Kaufman Hall atrium. Two new faculty members were formally installed as Batten Chairs: Asad J. Khattak, Batten Endowed Chair in Advanced Transportation Engineering, and Adrian V. Gheorghe, Batten Endowed Chair in System of Systems Engineering.
Khattak, who recently joined the university, is responsible for developing and directing the ODU transportation program. He will conduct research on various types of innovations related to intelligent transportation systems, transportation safety and sustainable transportation.
Gheorghe joined the engineering college last March as professor of engineering management and systems engineering. His research interests include systems engineering modeling for critical infrastructures, system of systems engineering, sustainable development, homeland security and policy science implementation.
Four named professorships were also announced during the ceremony:
Surendra N. Tiwari, the A.D. and Annye Lewis Morgan Endowed Professor, is a professor of mechanical engineering technology and eminent scholar. He has been a member of the ODU faculty for 25 years.
Han P. Bao, Mitsubishi Kasei Endowed Professor, joined the mechanical engineering department in 1997 and taught in ODU's engineering management department prior to that.
Alok K. Verma, Ray Ferrari Endowed Professor, is a professor in the engineering technology department. He serves as the chief technologist for the Lean Institute, MET Program Director and director of the Automated Manufacturing Laboratory.
Helmut Baumgart, Virginia Micro Electronics Consortium Endowed Professor, joined the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering in 2005. His research interests include nanotechnology, microelectronics fabrication, semiconductor device processing, gate stack engineering, silicon-on-insulator technology and germanium-on-insulator technology for high-performance devices.
ODU featured in Mechanical Engineering magazine
Two articles dealing with Old Dominion University's Frank Batten College of Engineering and Technology appeared in the November 2006 issue of Mechanical Engineering magazine.
The magazine's Feature Focus and cover story, "A Step Closer to Mars," by Center for Advanced Engineering Environments (CAEE) director Ahmed Noor, describes current research devoted to realizing a human mission to Mars. Noor outlines issues such as less-costly technologies, local resource utilization and robotic exploration as ways to achieve this goal.
Also in the issue was "Virtual OR," a 3,500-word article detailing medical modeling and simulation research at ODU's Virginia Modeling, Analysis and Simulation Center (VMASC). Hector Garcia, visualization lab manager for VMASC and director of ODU's Cave Automatic Virtual Environment (CAVE), is also quoted in the article.
The article focuses on the evaluation of existing simulation instruments that are commercially available, the development of marketable simulation devices, and the development of room-sized simulations, such as the virtual OR, which can be simulated with CAVE.
LFST featured in Aerospace America article
The Langley Full-Scale Wind Tunnel (LFST), operated by the Old Dominion
University Department of Aerospace Engineering, Frank Batten College of
Engineering and Technology, was recently featured in Aerospace America's
October 2006 issue. The article provided an in-depth look at wind tunnel
testing of the X-48B, a 21-foot span remotely piloted vehicle model of the
Boeing Blended Wing Body (BWB). The BWB is a departure from standard "tube
and wing" designs, blending a single wing and fuselage together for
aerodynamic and structural gains. The tests performed helped to validate
previous small-scale model static stability and control data in preparation
for flight testing at NASA Dryden.
ODU prepares for wind energy research
The Batten College of Engineering will be a partner in a wind energy initiative spearheaded by the University of Houston, providing personnel and facilities, including the Langley Full-Scale Wind Tunnel (LFST) and a smaller, subsonic wind tunnel, the Virginia Modeling, Analysis, and Simulation Center (VMASC), and the Virginia Coastal Energy Research Center, which is housed at ODU.
Virginia 's geography allows for a potential benefit from local Class 3 wind resources, which have the power to create utility-scale wind development. In regard to the new initiative's positive impact, Batten College of Engineering Dean Oktay Baysal stated, "Renewable energy is critical to our nation to reduce our dependence on oil and it is a commitment to future of our environment. Our faculty and students will welcome the opportunity to contribute to both."
The Lone Star Wind Alliance, the formal name for the initiative, includes, among others, the University of Houston, Texas A&M University, Texas Tech University, Old Dominion University, Stanford University, Montana State University, and New Mexico State University. An official proposal outlining the program was submitted to the federal government on Nov. 13.
Baysal guest edits Journal of Aerospace Engineering
Oktay Baysal, Dean of the Frank Batten College of Engineering and Technology and professor of Aerospace Engineering, guest edited a special issue of ASCE's Journal of Aerospace Engineering in October 2006.
Baysal guest edited, solicited essays from colleagues, and wrote the preface for the issue, a festschrift honoring Dr. Ahmed K. Noor, director of the Center for Advanced Engineering Environments.
In the issue's editorial, Baysal states his intention, "We wanted this issue to be an archival classic with a collection of articles by some of the pioneering researchers, who had profound impact on aerospace engineering research."
ODU, PVCC sign guaranteed admissions agreement
Old Dominion University and Piedmont Virginia Community College (PVCC) recently signed a guaranteed transfer agreement between the Frank Batten College of Engineering and Technology and the engineering program at PVCC.
Qualified students who obtain an associate's degree in engineering from PVCC will be able to transfer into the Batten College of Engineering, allowing these students to earn a bachelor's degree in engineering.
"PVCC is committed to opening doors for our engineering students to achieve their higher-education and career goals," PVCC President Frank Friedman said in a news release, "this guaranteed admissions agreement with ODU� provide[s] PVCC students with excellent, affordable opportunities."
-Information compiled from the Charlottesville Daily Progress
RADM. Brooks guest lectures in MET class
Rear Admiral Jeffrey A. Brooks, director of Fleet Maintenance U.S. Fleet Forces Command and president of the Tidewater Chapter of the American Society Naval Engineers (ASNE), was a guest lecturer for a BCET marine engineering class on Nov. 9, 2006.
The event, arranged by Dr. Anthony Dean of the Engineering Technology department, was aimed at giving students a chance to communicate directly with a leading expert in marine engineering. Among the guests were members of the College's chapter of ASNE.
NATO Presentation at VMASC
The NATO Modeling & Simulation Task Group MSG-027 met at the Virginia Modeling, Analysis & Simulation Center (VMASC) on Nov. 7-9, 2006, to present the results of a two-phase study to the NATO Allied Command Transformation (ACT) and US Joint Forces Command (JFCOM).
The first federation, presented by Dr. Andreas Tolk, associate professor in engineering management, displayed the application of composable web service ideas to set up a live transatlantic federation of a variety of countries' modeling and simulation databases.
Under the leadership of Dr. Tolk, VMASC has supported MSG-027 for the last two years, providing technical assistance for the integration and demonstration of information, as well as capturing knowledge obtained from experiments in a web portal.
VMASC to play major role in homeland security project
ODU's Virginia Modeling, Analysis and Simulation Center (VMASC) was granted a major role in a homeland security project that will focus largely on Hampton Roads. A $1.75 million grant from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security will fund a Critical Infrastructure Resiliency Project designed to help community leaders and emergency managers better understand the effects of disasters on the distribution of power and water, on systems of communication and on transportation. VMASC will receive $400,000 of the funding.
State emergency management officials said the project should help emergency personnel to better prevent, respond to and recover from acts of terrorism, as well as to be better prepared for major accidents and natural disasters such as hurricanes.
Adrian Gheorghe, Batten Chair of Systems Engineering, is an international expert in critical infrastructures will also be one of the project's investigators.
In Memoriam
Dr. Leon R.L. Wang, 73, former chair and emeritus professor of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering passed away on Oct. 25, 2006. Wang's funeral was held on Oct. 26, 2006, at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Chapel. Friends and members of the community celebrated his life on Nov. 11, 2006 at the Chinese Community Center in Virginia Beach. Those who were here during his tenure at ODU were honored to be Dr. Wang's colleague. He was a true scholar and leader.
Contributions may be made in memory of Dr. Leon R. L. Wang to the Eastern Virginia Chapter of the Organization of Chinese Americans (OCA/EVC), P.O. Box 924, Yorktown, VA 23692, where he served as president for many years.
Student News
SWE Pumpkin Drop!
Society for Women Engineers (SWE) members Felicia Farrow, Alicia Farrow, Cynthia Shepheard and Morgan Smith entered the Society of Physics Students annual pumpkin drop event on Oct. 31. Building a cradle with cardboard, pillows, water and air balloons, the device successfully caught a 10lb. pumpkin without breaking it. Congratulations, SWE!
ODU-ASNE student chapter reactivated
The ODU BCET chapter of the American Society of Naval Engineers was recently reactivated, with the first meeting since its reactivation held on Oct. 31, 2006.
The chapter will meet bi-monthly on every second and fourth Tuesday of the month in Kaufman Hall room 105 from 12:00-12:40pm. Students interested in joining the group should make arrangements to attend an ODU-ASNE meeting or contact Dr. Anthony Dean at adean@odu.edu.
The Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers honored
The Society of Hispanic Engineers (SHPE) received recognition at the Eastern Technical and Career Conference (ETCC) in Philadelphia, PA on Oct. 26-29, 2006. Nelson Delgado was recognized for Outstanding Commitment to the Organization and the chapter was awarded for the being most improved young chapter in sub-region 4.
The chapter, only 2 years old, has established a high school partnership bond with Tallwood High School in Virginia Beach, VA and has commenced various initiatives uncommon for such a young chapter.
Student groups awarded for CANstruction entry
Twenty-six students in the Batten College of Engineering and Technology, including members of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) and Automotive and Manufacturing Engineers, participated in the annual CANstruction event on Nov. 8-9, 2006, receiving an award for Best Structural Ingenuity .
ODU's structure, titled "'PAC' Hunger Away," featured Pac-Man, a 1980s video game character famous for chomping a variety of fruits in order to sustain energy, and a ghost from the game. Each of the entries was approximately six feet tall and four feet in diameter. Pac-Man consisted of 7,000 cans of fruit and the ghost required 5,926 cans of soup and vegetables, bringing the total number of cans used to nearly 13,000.
CANstruction is a yearly event aimed at heightening awareness of the global fight against hunger. All cans used in the contest were donated to the Food Bank of Southeastern Virginia.
Aerospace graduate students attend conference at John Hopkins University
A team of 5 aerospace engineering graduate students traveled to John Hopkins University in Laurel, Maryland, on November 10-11, 2006, for the annual AIAA (American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics) Regional Young Professional Conference. Omer San, Kursat Kara, and Bedri Yagiz presented in the session of Computational Fluid Dynamics, while Mehti Koklu presented in the Active Flow Control session and Ilteris Koc in the Experimental Fluid Dynamics session.
The conference was a two-day event, with Friday being devoted to parallel technical sessions by young professionals (age 35 and younger), as well as an evening keynote speaker; Student and educational presentations were held on Saturday. The topics for the technical sessions covered science, engineering, analysis, economics, robotics, and more.
Faculty Kudos
Joshi receives University Professor designation, SCHEV nomination
Ravindra Joshi, professor of electrical and computer engineering, was designated with the University Professor status, effective at the beginning of the 2007-08 academic year.
There are currently 32 faculty members at ODU with the University Professor distinction, which was created to recognize outstanding teachers. Only tenured professors are considered for the honor.
Dr. Joshi was also nominated for the 2007 SCHEV (State Council for Higher Education in Virginia) Outstanding Faculty Awards program. Joshi is one of nine ODU faculty members nominated. Statewide winners will be announced next month.
Verma attends conferences in Bangalore and Mumbai, India
Dr. Alok Verma, Ray Ferrari Professor of engineering technology and Chief Technologist of the Lean Institute, addressed faculty and students of the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, India on Dec. 21, 2006, about the status of Lean Implementation in US industries. He also discussed research and development work being done at the Lean Institute. Dr. Verma was invited by the Center for Product Design and Manufacturing at IISc.
While in India, Professor Verma also visited the National Institute of Industrial Engineering (NITIE) in Mumbai on Dec. 23-25 to seek collaboration in research and training.
Faculty Publications
Arnaout, J-P, Rabadi, G., and Mun, J. "A Dynamic Heuristic for the Stochastic Unrelated Parallel Machine Scheduling Problem", Special Issue on Scheduling in Manufacturing, Information, and Service Industries, International Journal of Operations Research, Vol. 3, No.2, P. 136 - 143.
Baumgart, H., K.D. Hobart, S. Bengtsson, T. Suga, H. Moriceau, C. Colinge. "Semiconductor Wafer Bonding 9: Science, Technology, and Applications," ECS Transactions, vol. 3, no. 6. The Electrochemical Society, Inc. 2006.
Baysal, Oktay. "Gathering Momentum into the New Millennium: 21st Century as the Foundation," Journal of Aerospace Engineering, Vol. 19, Issue 4, p. 203 (October 2006).
Gheorghe, Adrian. "Another tool in the business of spatial framing of illicit/lost from account radioactive material: helping the AT (Anti-Terrorism) paraphernalia thrive," International Journal of Critical Infrastructures. Pp. 347-356, issue 4, Vol. 2. 2006.
Gheorghe, Adrian. "Risks in business design for critical infrastructures: the 'DASHBOARD' concept," International Journal of Critical Infrastructures. Pp. 70-82, Issue 1, Vol. 2. 2006.
Morgan, H. and Andres Sousa-Poza. "A Sociotechnical Cultural Literacy Review," Project Management Journal. Pp. 5-14, issue 2, vol. 36. 2006.
Muguira, James and Andreas Tolk (2006). Applying a Methodology to identify Structural Variances in Interoperations. Journal for Defense Modeling and Simulation 3(2) 77-93, April.
Noor, Ahmed K., Robert Zubrin, Douglas Stanley. "A Step Closer to Mars," Mechanical Engineering magazine. Feature focus. (November 2006).
Rabadi, G., Moraga , R., and Al-Salem, A. (2006),"Heuristics for the Unrelated Parallel Machine Scheduling Problem with Setup Times", Journal of Intelligent Manufacturing, Vol. 17, p. 85 - 97.
Thitsa, Makhin, Feng Wu and Sacharia Albin, "Optical Properties and Band Structures of Heterogeneous Photonic Crystals Formed by Localized Oxidation" paper presented at the Optics in The Southeast conference, September 6-8, 2006, Charlotte, NC.
Thitsa, Makhin and Sacharia Albin, "Tuning Silicon Photonic Crystal Band Gap by Oxidation and Etching" paper presented at the 73rd Annual Meeting of the Southeastern Section of the American Physical Society (SESAPS), November 9-11, 2006, Williamsburg, VA.
Tolk, Andreas. "Composable M&S Web Services for Net-Centric Applications," Journal for Defense Modeling and Simulation (JDMS). Pp. 27-44, issue 1, vol. 3. 2006.
Wright, Neal T. and Jaewan Yoon. Application of GIS Technologies in Port Facilities and Operations Management. American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Publications, 2007.
Faculty Awards
Dr. Andreas Tolk, associate professor in engineering management, recently received a certificate of appreciation for his "valuable contribution and outstanding support to the Advanced Information Systems Technology (AIST) program and the NASA Earth Science Division.
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