College of Engineering News • Iowa State University

Senegal native, new Cyclone Engineer sets sights on sustainable energy

Mouhamad Diallo moved to Iowa from Senegal in 2013. Six years later, he’s graduating from Iowa State University with a dual degree in mechanical engineering and materials science. After graduation, he’ll pursue a Ph.D. in materials science, studying sustainable energy to improve lives not only in Senegal, but around the world.

Civil engineering student Carissa Moyna named Udall Scholar

Carissa Moyna, a junior in civil engineering, has been named a Udall Scholar for 2019, selected from among 443 candidates nominated by 227 colleges and universities. The Udall Foundation awards scholarships for leadership, public service and commitment to issues related to the environment or Native American nations. Moyna’s passion is sustainable construction practices and plans to one day launch and environmentally focused design-build firm. She’s a current member of Iowa State’s Green Energy Challenge Team, Engineers for a Sustainable World, Honors Program and Women in Science and Engineering.

CBE’s Brent Shanks to receive inaugural catalysis award from Midwest organization

The Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering’s (CBE) Dr. Brent Shanks has been announced as the recipient of the inaugural Great Plains Catalysis Society Award. The award, created by the society to recognize an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the advancement of catalysis, will be presented to Shanks April 19 at the …Continue reading “CBE’s Brent Shanks to receive inaugural catalysis award from Midwest organization”

Adding polymer will boost rubber use in pavement: Research led by CBE grad student

The ecological practice of using ground tire rubber (GTR) in paving products is not new. But the technique of adding a polymer to the mix to address a problem is – and it is yielding some promising results, as demonstrated in a just-published research paper authored by four researchers in Iowa State’s College of Engineering …Continue reading “Adding polymer will boost rubber use in pavement: Research led by CBE grad student”

ME’s Hu develops low-cost, energy efficient method for separating hydrogen from water

Hydrogen is a promising future fuel source for cars and this could become even more feasible because of a new, low-cost hydrogen procurement technique developed by a mechanical engineering researcher. Shan Hu, an assistant professor of mechanical engineering, and a team of Iowa State University researchers have developed a new catalyst to drive the separation …Continue reading “ME’s Hu develops low-cost, energy efficient method for separating hydrogen from water”

ME’s Bai partners with industry to develop sustainable, low-cost carbon fiber

A mechanical engineering professor is collaborating with industry on a research project that aims to develop the technology to produce environmentally sustainable, low-cost carbon fiber using lignin. Xianglan Bai, an assistant professor of mechanical engineering, is working with Attis Industries, a diversified innovation and technology holding company based in Milton, Georgia, on a project with …Continue reading “ME’s Bai partners with industry to develop sustainable, low-cost carbon fiber”

ME student designs solar-powered backpack

A dying cell phone or laptop battery can be a source of anxiety for an already busy college student, but a project by a mechanical engineering senior aims to alleviate that. Courtney Beringer, a senior in ME with a minor in energy systems, has spent the past three years working with Eulanda Sanders, Donna R. …Continue reading “ME student designs solar-powered backpack”

Cyclone Energy brings home fifth first-place finish in GEC

For the fifth year in a row, Iowa State University’s (ISU) Cyclone Energy team has earned a first-place finish at the Electri International/NECA Green Energy Challenge (GEC), held in Philadelphia on Sept. 29. The six-member team is comprised of civil and construction engineering students from ISU’s Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering (ISU CCEE). Cyclone Energy …Continue reading “Cyclone Energy brings home fifth first-place finish in GEC”

ISU’s Bio-Polymer Processing Facility featured in global publication

Iowa State University’s Bio-Polymer Processing Facility, which involves research by Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering educators and students, has received worldwide news coverage in a recent article published by CEP magazine, a publication of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE). CEP is AIChE’s flagship magazine and reaches more than 30,000 readers globally. “Catalyzing …Continue reading “ISU’s Bio-Polymer Processing Facility featured in global publication”

CBE’s Tessonnier gets research funding from NSF Catalysis program

Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering (CBE) faculty member Jean-Philippe Tessonnier has been awarded research funding through the National Science Foundation (NSF) Catalysis program. The program is part of the NSF’s Division of Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental and Transport Systems. Tessonnier’s project is entitled “Tailored Carbon-Supported Catalysis for the Conversion of Biomass in the Condensed Phase.” …Continue reading “CBE’s Tessonnier gets research funding from NSF Catalysis program”

Find community at Iowa State – Engineer at ISU CCEE

On campus and in Ames community, construction engineering senior shares ways to give back Julie “JP” Penton’s day is made when she can help someone else. “If you can make someone else feel better, then that in itself is the best thing that you can do,” she says. It’s a defining part of her ISU …Continue reading “Find community at Iowa State – Engineer at ISU CCEE”

New year, new team, same goal

Submitted by Julie “JP” Penton, Cyclone Energy member It’s springtime, and Cyclone Energy is ready! After winning last year’s ELECTRI International Green Energy Challenge (GEC), the team is working hard to get another win for the books. If they bring home first place this year, it would be the fifth consecutive win. One of the …Continue reading “New year, new team, same goal”

Li Group research advances bioderived products from renewable electricity

Iowa State engineers are exploring new approaches to produce biobased chemicals and fuels through electrochemistry. Molecules derived from biomass are typically highly oxygenated, and require chemical transformations before they can be used as fuels or for the production of chemical products. One common transformation is hydrogenation – that is the addition of hydrogen – which …Continue reading “Li Group research advances bioderived products from renewable electricity”

ISU NECA wins Green Energy Challenge for fourth year running, finds volunteer calling

While working to win the Electri International/NECA Green Energy Challenge, students discover ways to give back Can a competition be something more? Beth Hartmann’s answer is “yes!” “It’s a learning curve,” she says. Hartmann is a faculty advisor for the Iowa State University Chapter of the National Electrical Contractors Association, or ISU NECA. This month, …Continue reading “ISU NECA wins Green Energy Challenge for fourth year running, finds volunteer calling”

Loading...