“Materials matter. Everything’s made of something.” Materials science and engineering’s new associate professor, Peter Collins, knows exactly why his field is important. “So many economic sectors depend upon advanced materials, including the automotive and aerospace industries, as well as applications for cell phones and devices. Materials science is the act of getting down to the …Continue reading “Peter Collins: Diverse applications to engage students”
VRAC and HCI alumni Jane Karpinsky was recently recognized by SME Mechanical Engineering magazine with their annual “30 under 30” award that recognizes the future leaders in manufacturing. Jane earned the award for her work at Boeing. Jane worked as an undergraduate research assistant in VRAC. Her assistantship was funded through a National Science Foundation Research Experiences …Continue reading “SME magazine recognizes Jane Karpinsky with a “30 under 30” award”
This was written in partnership with the Ames Laboratory. Long-time MSE professor and Ames Laboratory scientist John (Jack) F. Smith died Sept. 26, 2015. Smith began a 40-year career at Iowa State University and Ames Laboratory in 1948, where he was a professor of metallurgy and a senior scientist. He served as chairman of ISU’s …Continue reading “Professor emeritus and Ames Lab associate scientist Jack F. Smith passes away”
Harvest is historically the most dangerous time of year for agriculture. During National Farm Safety and Health Week, Sept. 20 to 26, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach wants to remind everyone to regularly read instruction manuals about potential dangers of farm equipment and to be diligent in preventing farm injuries. Reading and following the …Continue reading “Take precautions now for safe fall harvest”
J. Brownlee Davidson, a founder of agricultural engineering and organizer of the first professional agricultural engineering curriculum at Iowa State University would know what the individuals in Davidson’s Dream are doing, although they are accomplishing their tasks in a way that can only be described as peculiar or fantastical. This is not to say the …Continue reading “Artists’ Statement: Davidson’s Dream”
The company that helped Iowa State install a couple of 8 X 60-foot solar panel arrays on the east side of campus has ties to the university’s Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering. CB Solar, the state’s biggest solar contractor, designs and installs turnkey solar power systems for residential, commercial and agricultural uses. Two …Continue reading “IE alums add solar power to campus”
Something unique was in the Parks Library lobby Saturday — a 64-square foot chessboard with 25-inch kings. Chess to Impress is part of a campus-wide campaign with a goal of raising $415,000 this year for the United Way, a local branch of a nationwide relief program.
The Office of the Senior Vice President and Provost has selected Lisa Larson and Surya Mallapragada for faculty fellowships for 2015-17. “Lisa and Surya are highly respected faculty leaders who will do an outstanding job serving their colleagues,” said Dawn Bratsch-Prince, associate provost for faculty. “Their efforts to enhance faculty development and recognition will have a significant impact on the university.”
Support during graduate school opened path to career in teaching A big part of being an undergraduate student involves new experiences that help you decide where you’ll end up next. For Tim Cullinan, a new lecturer for Iowa State’s materials science and engineering department, tutoring and serving as a teaching assistant got him thinking about …Continue reading “MSE lecturer builds on experiences at Iowa State”
The Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering has welcomed two new additions to its staff. Michelle Stotts has joined the department in the role of operations manager and Adam Dane has come aboard as an academic advisor. An Iowa State employee since 1990, Stotts brings a wealth of prior management experience at the university to …Continue reading “New operations manager, advisor join Chemical and Biological Engineering”
The Faculty Senate met Tuesday for the first time this semester and focused on discussions surrounding the new University of Iowa president, as well as hearing a presentation related to Information Technology security on campus. Before the minutes from the last meeting were even voted on, the senate voted to suspend its rules and talk …Continue reading “Freeman, Faculty Senate approves letter to Board of Regents”
Matt Helmers, an Iowa State University biological system engineer, said studies show crops in a corn-soybean rotation grown without applied nitrogen fertilizer also lose nitrates, although it’s about 40 to 50 percent less than when fertilizer is applied. Iowa loses nitrates — naturally found in the state’s rich organic soil — to its waterways with …Continue reading “Helmers: How do we fix Iowa’s nitrate problem?”
Daniel Andersen, Iowa State University assistant professor in the College of Engineering and College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, says the sulfur levels in hog manure have increased due to hog farmers becoming better at water conservation, thus not as much manure is being created, but he points to a larger culprit in the introduction …Continue reading “Andersen: Hydrogen sulfide the invisible killer in hog manure”
Professor Emeritus Richard Pletcher passed away September 12, 2015 at the age of 80. Dr. Richard (Dick) Pletcher was born in 1935 in Elkhart, Indiana. He graduated from Purdue University with a B.S. degree in mechanical engineering in 1957. He married Carol Robbins on June 9, 1957 in Elkhart, and from there the couple left …Continue reading “Professor Emeritus Richard Pletcher passes away”
A fundamental of planting, good downforce management is a critical aspect of operating a planter well. “It has equal advantage in terms of pushing variety selection,” notes Matt Darr, associate professor, Iowa State University. Yet, planters are one of the more complex pieces of machinery in agriculture. “As the size of planters has grown and …Continue reading “Darr: Planting perfection- Using hydraulic downforce”
