Photobioreactors, the production systems used to grow algae, seem to operate on a simple concept: place photosynthetic microorganisms in a liquid growth medium and add light. But Dennis Vigil, associate professor of chemical and biological engineering at Iowa State, and his research partner, Michael Olsen, professor of mechanical engineering, know that photobioreactors are much more …Continue reading “Iowa State photobioreactor research could speed biofuels development”
A new algae production facility at Iowa State University makes use of an innovative design that’s attracting interest from other universities and private industry. The algal production facility, which was built inside a greenhouse on the BioCentury Research Farm in rural Boone, went online in January and has been filling orders for algae researchers ever since. The …Continue reading “New ISU production facility delivers made-to-order algae”
Update: June 29 Adding 78 laps to its run on Saturday, Team PrISUm made an extreme comeback on the final day of the Formula race to land in third place. Only two laps short of first, Iowa State’s solar car completed 191 laps at the F1 race track in Austin, Texas. Even dealing with the …Continue reading “Heatwave works to Team PrISUm’s advantage”
Boeing has again committed to support a 2013 senior design project, which will be a year-long project that spans AerE 461 and 462. We will need 12 students from ISU, paired with 12 from NCA&T and the project will be supervised by Thomas Gielda, adjunct professor in the aerospace department. The two inter-school teams will …Continue reading “Students applications needed for second Boeing sponsored design collaboration”
Sweeping changes could be coming to Iowa’s energy grid. President Obama recently announced limits on carbon emissions, as he encouraged the use of alternative energy under a proposed plan. James McCalley, a professor of electrical and computer engineering at Iowa State, says energy companies in Iowa have been investing in renewable energy for close to ten …Continue reading “Iowa in good shape under Obama energy plan”
Leslie Potter, senior lecturer in industrial and manufacturing systems engineering, is part of a project that received an award from the Presidential Initiative for Interdisciplinary Research program created by President Steven Leath. The project, called “The Language of Writing in STEM Disciplines”, was awarded a proof-of-concept grant for up to $100,000 for one year. Carol A. Chapelle …Continue reading “Potter receives Presidential Initiative for Interdisciplinary Research award”
Daniel Attinger, associate professor of mechanical engineering, and Reza Montazami, assistant professor of mechanical engineering, both received awards from the Presidential Initiative for Interdisciplinary Research program created by President Steven Leath. Attinger received a proof-of-concept award of up to $100,000 for one year. He is the principal investigator of a project titled “Computationally Engineered Plant …Continue reading “ME faculty receive Presidential Initiative for Interdisciplinary Research awards”
When Doug Jacobson joined the computer engineering faculty at Iowa State University in 1985, no one talked about security. “Then, we spend most of a decade trying to convince people it was a problem,” he said. Farming has changed in that time, too, moving data from notebooks strewn around a pickup’s cab to computer programs …Continue reading “Safe and Secure: Doug Jacobson talks computer security”
Successful Farming Advanced Technology editor Laurie Bedord takes an in-depth look at drone technology and what it could mean for the future of precision agriculture in a special edition of The Machinery Show. Parts of the show were filmed at ISU’s Agricultural Engineering and Agronomy Research Farms in Boone. More: http://www.agriculture.com/successful-farming/machinery-show/drone-technology-on-machinery-show_540-ar31838
Iowa State alumnus Robert Brayton says his engineering education laid a foundation for a “dream job” as a mathematics researcher at IBM when the computer industry was in its infancy. Brayton graduated from Ames High School in 1951, and it was clear to him then that he would be attending Iowa State’s engineering college. It …Continue reading “ISU alum’s career a lifetime of contributions to microchip design”
Since 2006, Iowa State has been an affiliate of Project Lead The Way (PLTW), a leading provider of programs used in STEM education in middle and high schools all around the United States. Students involved in PLTW are given an in-depth look into the world of engineering. PLTW students are also exposed to professionals in …Continue reading “Project Lead The Way introduces students to engineering”
The Fluid Power Educational Foundation (FPEF) Board of Trustees awarded Brad Kruse of Dyersville, Iowa a $2,000 scholarship. Kruse is a senior majoring in agricultural systems technology. Brian Steward, faculty coordinator of the ISU Fluid Power Laboratory and professor in agricultural and biosystems engineering, wrote a letter recommending Kruse for the award. “I am …Continue reading “Kruse awarded Fluid Power Educational Foundation scholarship”
Sweeney Hall, home to the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, has been undergoing some significant renovations over the past couple of years. From upgrades in research and computer laboratories to a new multimedia classroom, each update will help the department facilitate enrollment growth as well as make new discoveries. Progress over time Focused on …Continue reading “Renovations, upgrades address growth and advancement in CBE”
The Bremer County Independent featured an article about Leslie Potter, senior lecturer in IMSE, and Brandon Moeller, MSIE’13. Both have ties to Waverly and Wartburg: Moeller received his BA from Wartburg in Engineering Science and Business Administration in 2011, and Potter lives in Waverly. Among their honors, Potter received the Faculty of the Year award …Continue reading “Potter and Moeller featured in Waverly news for recent honors”
Sven Swanson, 1980 electrical engineering alumnus, spent four years each at Iowa State and the University of Iowa. He has fond memories of both, but when asked which one is his favorite—which he hears a lot—he only has one answer. “I like both of them. But one is like a friend, and the other is …Continue reading “From engineering to pathology: An uncommon career path for a life-long Cyclone fan”
