College of Engineering News • Iowa State University

Professor dedicates ice bucket challenge to students’ father

The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge that has captured the nation’s attention made its way to Iowa State again. Gloria Starns, senior lecturer of mechanical engineering, dedicated her challenge to the deceased father of two former students. “Two of my former students’ father was a victim of ALS,” Starns said. “I’ll be dedicating this challenge and …Continue reading “Professor dedicates ice bucket challenge to students’ father”

Lisa Garrett: An engineer with diverse interests

Mechanical engineering alumna awarded Tau Beta Pi Laureate award Marching band, Dance Marathon, Tau Beta Pi and study abroad were just a few things Lisa Garrett participated in during her undergraduate career at Iowa State. Because of her diverse interests and excelling beyond engineering, Tau Beta Pi named her a Laureate. In October, Garrett will …Continue reading “Lisa Garrett: An engineer with diverse interests”

Hanna receives awards for applied research

Mark Hanna, an agricultural engineer with ISU Extension and Outreach, was presented the Dean Lee R. Kolmer Award for Excellence in Applied Research at the college’s fall convocation. The award is named for a former college dean and honors faculty or staff who have made significant contributions to improving the welfare of Iowans by the application …Continue reading “Hanna receives awards for applied research”

Mingyi Hong: Interacting with students and developing better ways of life

New IMSE professor brings interdisciplinary background and optimization research to ISU “Joining the faculty of ISU,” answered Mingyi Hong about the best part of his career so far. Hong was recently hired as assistant professor in the IMSE department. He decided to join Iowa State’s faculty because of the university’s strong engineering college and partnerships …Continue reading “Mingyi Hong: Interacting with students and developing better ways of life”

Aerospace alum business spotlight: Firetrucker Brewery

The building at 716 S.W. Third St. in Ankeny was once a fire station. So it was only fitting that the owners of Firetrucker Brewery chose a name that reflects the building’s past. “We had different names we’d come up with, but then we found this old fire station property. We had 200 names and …Continue reading “Aerospace alum business spotlight: Firetrucker Brewery”

Center for Nondestructive Evaluation joins College of Engineering

In an effort to streamline research and economic development units at the university, the Center for Nondestructive Evaluation (CNDE) is one of three centers that will now report directly to the College of Engineering. Originally founded with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Ames Laboratory, CNDE moved to the Institute for Physical Research and Technology (IPRT). …Continue reading “Center for Nondestructive Evaluation joins College of Engineering”

Martin Thuo: Discovering the knowledge of teaching and problem solving

Materials engineering department hires assistant professor “Was there another option? I don’t think so. There is just something special about learning something and passing it on to those coming after you,” Martin Thuo said about becoming a professor. Thuo recently joined Iowa State as an assistant professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering. …Continue reading “Martin Thuo: Discovering the knowledge of teaching and problem solving”

Identical twins + engineering ≠ identical careers

They look the same, sound the same and possess the same thirst for knowledge and adventure. They even studied engineering for their undergraduate and graduate degrees at Iowa State University. Despite these similarities, identical twins Erik and Luke Goetzke chose to pursue different career paths – albeit in the engineering industry. “We’re not the inseparable …Continue reading “Identical twins + engineering ≠ identical careers”

New professor crosses the ocean to join aerospace faculty at Iowa State

Coming all the way from his home country of Iceland, Leifur Leifsson is excited to begin his career at Iowa State University this fall. He will teach a class on aerodynamics—his favorite subject—and continue his research in surrogate-based optimization. Leifsson earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mechanical engineering from the University of Iceland in …Continue reading “New professor crosses the ocean to join aerospace faculty at Iowa State”

Yue Wu: Ignited by a passion in chemistry and nanomaterials

Chemical and biological engineering department hires associate professor researching nanomaterials A small fire on Yue Wu’s apartment balcony when he was a child created a spark in chemistry and research for Wu that has kept burning ever since. The fire, which he started after trying to make a rocket with different chemicals found in his …Continue reading “Yue Wu: Ignited by a passion in chemistry and nanomaterials”

Mysterious forces make this asteroid ‘blast-proof’

This near-earth asteroid may pass close to our planet within this millennium, and attempting to blast it to pieces may not be the wisest thing to do. Unknown forces apart from gravity That’s because asteroid (29075) 1950 DA, a “rubble-pile” asteroid, is held together by cohesive forces apart from gravity, according to a report on …Continue reading “Mysterious forces make this asteroid ‘blast-proof’”

NSF grant supports simulator studies of tornado winds and impacts on buildings

The Iowa State University Tornado Simulator kicked up a thick and slowly spinning funnel cloud over a model of a small town, overwhelming the miniature streets, buildings and homes. Partha Sarkar turned from the laboratory vortex and announced, “That’s an EF3.”

Harmon named interim director of Iowa Pork Industry Center

Jay Harmon has been named the interim director for Iowa State University’s Iowa Pork Industry Center. Harmon, a professor of agricultural and biosystems engineering and an extension livestock housing specialist, brings expertise in pork production systems to the position, which promotes efficient pork production technologies in Iowa. His goal is to increase awareness of the …Continue reading “Harmon named interim director of Iowa Pork Industry Center”

Grand opening set for first large cellulosic plant

A new era of ethanol fuel production will begin in the next few months as Iowa refineries begin full operation using materials other than corn kernels. Iowa, the nation’s top ethanol producer, has two major cellulosic plants under construction and nearly ready for production using corn plant leaves, stalks and cobs to make ethanol. The …Continue reading “Grand opening set for first large cellulosic plant”

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