Dean's Summer 2012 E-Letter

A Newsletter for Alumni and Friends | Summer 2012

Dean's Message

The end of the school year was filled with many changes in our College. I attended graduation ceremonies in Boise, Idaho Falls, and Moscow last month where our graduating students celebrated their accomplishments. It was gratifying to witness their excitement and hear the many exciting changes that lie ahead. Some are off to graduate school, while others are off to a new career. We have many graduate students earning graduate degrees and certificates at a distance through our engineering outreach program as they continue to advance in their careers. Of our continuing students, many are heading off for summer internships at companies and public institutions around the world. Still others are staying in Moscow and working on research projects. Whatever the situation, we are proud of our students and the contributions they are making to society at home and abroad.

On April 27 we hosted the 19th Annual Engineering EXPO. EXPO is the longest running showcase of student innovation and achievement in the northwest. We had a wide array of projects this year, from sensors to a pumpkin cannon and everything in between. As usual there were many industrial sponsors of our students. Christopher Norris, our EXPO Distinguished speaker, provided an inspiring review of his journey from growing up in Howe, Idaho to graduating from U-Idaho with a bachelor of science in electrical engineering in 1984. He described his current challenges as CEO of Alta Devices in Santa Clara, California, a company focused on improving the efficiencies of photovoltaic systems. Our EXPO Honorary Chair was Dr. Richard Jacobsen, professor and Executive Director for Research and Technology Transfer at Idaho State University, and former dean of our college.

We inducted 14 new members into the Idaho Academy of Engineers. The purpose of the Academy is to honor eminent engineers who are University of Idaho alumni or those engineers deeply connected to Idaho’s strong legacy of global engineering impact. The Academy recognizes individuals for their personal contributions to engineering achievement, leadership, engineering education, and service to the profession and society. The Academy members are an inspiration to our students and faculty, providing examples of engineering innovation throughout the world. I’m proud to announce that Dr. Richard Jacobsen was selected as the first President of the Academy of Engineers.

Finally, I’m humbled by the opportunity to serve as dean of the College of Engineering. I am committed to providing our students with an exceptional educational experience, and advancing the research and outreach mission of the college. I am excited about our future.

Sincerely,
Larry Stauffer

Student News

U-Idaho Engineering Students Receive National Recognition

Thirteen University of Idaho students attended the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) 38th Annual National Convention. Nine students from the U-Idaho NSBE chapter participated in the oral and poster competition of the Technical Research Exhibition and two brought home the first and second prize for the oral and poster presentation.

Ahmed Abdelnaby, Ph.D student of mechanical engineering was the 1st place winner of the oral presentation, while Shams Arifeen, master’s student also of mechanical engineering was the 2nd place winner of the poster presentation. The students will receive prizes of $2000 and $800 respectively.

The Technical Research Exhibition is designed to showcase NSBE members' skills in technical writing, theoretical research, and oral presentation. The competition provides an opportunity for undergraduate students, graduate students, and technical professionals to present their research findings while encouraging undergraduate students to showcase their research and pursue graduate degrees.

Two U-Idaho NSBE students were also recipients of scholarship awards at the event. Dennis Oriero, Ph.D student of chemical engineering was the recipient of the NSBE-BCA (Board of Corporate Affiliate) scholarship, while Shams Arifeen was awarded the NSBE Major scholarship award. The students will receive cash prizes of $3000 and $1500 respectively.

Congratulations to our NSBE team!

For more information about student activities in the college, contact Maria Pregitzer
mpregitzer@uidaho.edu | (208) 885-9700

Research/Faculty News

U-Idaho Researchers Develop Flywheel Energy Storage Solutions for NASA

A recent Steckler Grant awarded to the University of Idaho seeks to establish the scientific and technical merit and feasibility of using flywheel energy storage systems in support of human long-term exploration and colonization of the lunar surface. This program is led by Dr. Joe Law in the department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and is developing sustainable partnerships between the University of Idaho, NASA and The Boeing Company.

Energy available on demand is absolutely necessary for long-term exploration and colonization of the moon. Energy generation is likely to be dominated by capture of solar energy and by nuclear energy sources. These and other sources of energy require storage to enable them to meet demand that varies with time of day and level of activity. Flywheels provide a reliable, efficient, and low-maintenance way to obtain continuous energy on demand. They have minimal shielding and require lighter payload for installation than batteries (NASA’s current alternative) in the atmospheric vacuum, extreme temperature, and lunar surface’s moderately elevated radiation levels.

The project will focus on developing, verifying, and determining the characteristics of an idling iron energy loss reduction algorithm applied to an integrated open-core flywheel and motor-generator design. Phase I provided analytical and experimental proof that rotor iron energy losses can be reduced during idling periods. In Phase II a low speed integrated open-core flywheel and motor-generator design will be built and used to verify and compare degaussing algorithms and evaluate the open-core design. In Phase III we will design and build a prototype low idling iron energy loss open-core high speed flywheel energy storage system, adapted to the expected extreme environment of the lunar surface.

This project also produces knowledgeable students skilled at working on interdisciplinary teams and motivated to help achieve NASA’s strategic goals. It will enhance student learning by financially supporting graduate students and by supporting interdisciplinary senior engineering design teams with materials, mentoring, and interaction with NASA and The Boeing Company personnel.

From the Mar's Hopper to Small Satellites, the NASA ISGC Helps Propel Research to New Heights

As the voice of NASA in the state of Idaho, the Idaho Space Grant Consortium (ISGC) provides and supports numerous unique and exciting opportunities for the general public, K-12 students, educators, undergraduate and graduate students, faculty and industry in areas related to NASA’s initiatives.

Researchers working through the NASA ISGC are provided with competitive opportunities to secure grant-based funding to initiate and support cutting edge research and to secure and maintain partnerships with NASA centers. Ultimately, ISGC-supported research generates multiple benefits that residents of Idaho, the region, and the nation enjoy every day.

Read more about current NASA ISGC research projects.

For more information about research in the college, contact Fred Barlow
fbarlow@uidaho.edu | (208) 885-7263

Donor Spotlights/Alumni News

The College of Engineering is grateful to Idaho Power for their $100,000 leadership gift to help support the John C. Wahl thinkTANK (JCW thinkTANK). One of the most important projects the college will establish this decade is the JCW thinkTANK, a center that is all about students, ideas and innovation and a place where creativity and learning flourishes.

"Many of the engineers at Idaho Power are graduates of the University of Idaho. I truly appreciate the support they have shown to our college," says Larry Stauffer, College of Engineering dean. "This gift propels us toward our goal for the JCW thinkTANK."

"Giving students the best learning opportunities is important as the demand for engineers in the U.S. increases, particularly as it modernizes the aging power grid," says Lisa Grow, Senior Vice President of Power Supply at Idaho Power, who graduated with a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering from the University of Idaho in 1987 and received her executive masters of business administration from Boise State University in May 2008.

She serves on the College of Engineering Advisory Boards at University of Idaho and Boise State University. She also chairs of the University of Idaho Utility Executive Course Advisory Board.

"This donation allows us to continue a strong relationship with the University of Idaho, encourage advancement of future engineers, and provides an educational experience that is unique and innovative."

The JCW thinkTANK Campaign Chair Ron Olson and committee continue to work toward the $2 million goal. We’re more than half way there and are now focusing on creating endowments that will provide funds for our students in perpetuity.

For more information about giving to the college contact Mary Lee Ryba
mryba@uidaho.edu | 208-755-4916

In Your Words

"My induction into the 2012 class of the Academy of Engineers was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I was humbled by the accomplishments of these talented men and women. The University of Idaho educators, advisers, and administrators should swell their chests, because they educated and prepared these folks for the challenges they met and conquered. Another feather in the caps of all—thank you.

University of Idaho graduates are known to be well prepared young people, and although not boastful, they compare with the country's best because they are very well educated in the basics as well as the advanced essentials. A parameter that is also part of a professional person is their secondary pursuit of making this wonderful country function more smoothly, securely, efficiently and effectively. Creativeness, innovation, durability, management, and communications are worthy skills for leadership in communities, civic organizations, churches, political parties, charities, etc. If you want a job done, give it to a busy engineer."

Joe Rumble, 2012 Academy of Engineers member