Two UConn professors ventured on an unfamiliar journey that took them from the depths of their science labs to the complexities of technology entrepreneurship. One of these professors was Thanh D. Nguyen!
In March, they learned their perseverance paid off: Raman Bahal, Pharmaceutical Sciences associate Professor, and Thanh D. Nguyen, Mechanical and Biomedical engineering associate professor, were among 124 emerging academic entrepreneurs in the U.S. named as 2024 Senior Members National Academy of Inventors (NAI).
They also fit the NAI’s category of underrepresented academic inventors.
“The underrepresented category includes all of our Senior Members that identify as non-white, female, and/or disabled,” says Rebekah Rittenhouse, assistant director of communications at NAI.
Dr. Wajid Chishty joined our school as an in-residence Full Professor in January 2023. In the realm of academia, Dr. Wajid Chishty has consistently demonstrated exceptional accomplishments. He earned his MBA in Finance from The University of Karachi in 1991, followed by an MS degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Michigan in 1996. In 2005, he obtained his PH.D in Mechanical Engineering from Virginia Polytechnic & State University.
With over three decades of engineering experience under his belt, Dr. Chishty brings a wealth of expertise to our department. His primary areas of expertise include “gas turbine maintenance”, where he applies his skills to aerospace engines, and combustion research which is a study about how things burn; a field crucial for enhancing the environmental efficiency of aerospace engines.
Beyond his professional achievements, Professor Chishty is an active contributor to academia. Chishty is an educator who has authored numerous publications in topics surrounding engineering mechanics, with a portfolio of more than 50 research papers.
Dr. Chishty is a respected member of several esteemed organizations, including the American Society of Mechanical Engineering (ASME) who are dedicated to promoting “the art, science and practice of multidisciplinary engineering and allied sciences” (asme.org) worldwide. He is also affiliated with the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE), a non-profit founded in 1893 aimed at advancing engineering and its education practices. Additionally, Dr Chishy is a member of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), a U.S representative of the International Astronautical Federation and the International Council of Aeronautical Sciences.
Mishu Duduta‘s academic journey is truly remarkable. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Material Science from MIT in 2010, demonstrating his early passion for science. Dr. Duduta graduated in 2019 with an Engineering Sciences PhD degree from Harvard University, with a thesis titled “Dielectric Elastomer Actuators as Artificial Muscles for Soft Robotic Applications.” His outstanding research earned him the prestigious Gold Award from the Materials Research Society in 2018 and a nomination for Best Paper at ICRA. Dr. Duduta’s list of awards and grants is extensive, with support from foundations both nationally and internationally. His contributions to research have led to multiple publications and citations, solidifying his presence in the academic world.
Prior to joining UConn in August 2023 as an Assistant Professor, Professor Duduta enriched his academic and professional journey with diverse experiences. After completing his post-doctoral studies at the University of Minnesota, Medical Devices Innovation Fellow where he developed a soft robotic tools for neurointervention. He served as an Assistant Professor at The University of Toronto. His pioneering work in developing the biomedical tool showcases his dedication to innovation in the field. Currently, he leads the Duduta Research Group, known for its pioneering work in biomedical robotics and its global recruitment of Ph.D. students.
Chang Liu joined our school as an Assistant Professor in August 2023. Dr. Liu’s educational journey commenced at Shanghai Jiao Tong University in 2017, where he earned not one, but two Bachelor’s degrees in Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering as well as Computer Technology and its Applications. However, Liu’s desire for knowledge did not end there. He continued his educational pursuit, obtaining a Master’s in Mechanical Engineering in 2020 and a Master of Science in Applied Mathematics and Statistics in 2021 at Johns Hopkins University. In a testament to his dedication and scholarly prowess, Liu successfully completed his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering also in 2021 at JHU.. Subsequently, he embarked on postdoctoral research at the University of California, Berkeley from 2021 to 2023.
Liu’s research centers on unraveling and harnessing the complex dynamics of fluids and gasses, such as the flow of water in rivers or the turbulence, when the water gets choppy. His primary objectives are to decipher methods for controlling these intricate forces and forecasting their behaviors.
UConn’s team of Mechanical Engineering Graduate students achieved a remarkable victory, securing first place at the national hackathon event hosted by The Computer & Information in Engineering (CIE) Division of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). This annual competition featured 34 participants from 18 institutions and took place from August 20 to 23, 2023, at the Boston Park Plaza in Boston, MA.
From left: PhD students Leidong Xu, Zihan Wang, and Prof. Hongyi Xu
The dynamic duo of Leidong Xu and Zihan Wang, both PhD students affiliated with Prof. Hongyi Xu’s Computation Design for Manufacturing Laboratory, earned the grand prize of $1,400 for their outstanding performance. The second-place team received $700, while the third-place team received $350.
The ASME-hosted hackathon presented an invaluable opportunity for participants to immerse themselves in the practical applications of data science and machine learning techniques to solve real-world engineering challenges. The primary objective of this competition was to develop realistic textures for solid objects created using computer-aided design (CAD) software. These textures were expected to mimic the behavior of real-world materials like metals and alloys across various scales.
UConn’s triumph at this national event is a testament to the exceptional talent and dedication of its Mechanical Engineering students, showcasing their ability to harness cutting-edge technology to address complex engineering problems. The students and Prof. Xu delved deeper into their journey leading up to and during the hackathon below.
What were the key challenges you and your team encountered during the hackathon, and how did you overcome them?
The hackathon event has a tight timeframe, and it is a huge challenge for us to develop a complete and polish project. To overcome it, we allocate time wisely and finally get all results done in one week.
Could you provide insights into the innovative solution you developed for the hackathon challenge?
Zihan and Leidong enhanced an existing system that utilized 2D microstructure images to recreate 3D microstructures that are statistically equivalent. Our advanced framework employs a Transfer Learning model to capture essential features from the granular microstructures of alloys. Notably, we’ve augmented computational efficiency through
parallel computing, which also allows our generated microstructures to be incorporated into intricate 3D volumes like tubes, helical gears, and turbo blades. Our methodology integrates transfer learning via VGG-19, style transfer techniques for texture synthesis, and a multi-GPU parallel approach. Beyond its technical prowess, our framework addresses a crucial design hurdle, bridging the gap between microstructures and designers’ vision seamlessly.
What lessons or takeaways do you think other aspiring participants can learn from your experience?
With the rapid evolution of machine learning methodologies in recent times, it’s imperative for researchers to first understand the inherent characteristics of their data before selecting an approach. From there, adapting and tweaking existing frameworks or strategies can be pivotal in optimizing results.
How did your preparation and training beforehand impact your performance during the hackathon?
We are very familiar with the programming and visualization tools we used during the hackathon. Additionally, we possess sufficient expertise in pre-trained deep learning models, image-processing methods, and style transfer techniques. This proficiency greatly expedited our problem-solving process throughout the hackathon.
Were there any unexpected twists or turns during the competition that forced you to adapt your approach?
With the limited time at hand, we realized that we needed to capitalize on the advantage of using pre-trained deep learning models to tackle the challenge effectively. Initially, we had planned to build our solution from the ground up, training our own models and optimizing them for the specific problem we were addressing. However, given the tight timeframe, this approach would have consumed a substantial portion of our available time. Upon evaluating our situation, we recognized that leveraging pre-trained models could provide us with a significant head start. These models were already trained on vast amounts of data and had learned complex patterns, making them well-suited for our problem as well. This shift in strategy allowed us to save precious time on training and focus more on adapting the model to our specific needs.
Looking ahead, what are your aspirations or goals in the field of technology and innovation after your victory at the ASME 2023 CIE Hackathon?
Our victory at the ASME 2023 CIE Hackathon has reinforced our drive to further refine and innovate our current framework. We see a multitude of avenues for enhancement. Specifically, we’re eager to develop a fully automated system for image analysis and labeling, which would drastically streamline the process. Another focus is to fine-tune our parallel algorithm to produce microstructure images with even greater resolution. Moreover, in a bid to consolidate our findings and methods, we’re excited about our upcoming collaboration with Sandia National Laboratories. Our joint effort aims to encapsulate our hackathon project into a comprehensive journal paper, sharing our innovations with the broader scientific community.
How do you envision leveraging the skills and experiences gained from the hackathon in your future projects and endeavors?
IDETC/CIE hackathon is an opportunity to engage with real-world engineering problems, moving beyond academic theory. This setting will allow me to apply my technical knowledge in a practical context, enhancing my understanding of the mission and challenges of national labs and leading industry companies. Participating in the hackathon in a team will serve as an excellent opportunity for honing my teamwork and cooperative abilities. The exchange of ideas, innovation, and sense of camaraderie within such events play a critical role in my future career.
Can you provide insights into your background in coding? How long have you been coding, and what initially sparked your interest in this field?
We started on our computational research journey during our undergraduate years. For us, coding transcends mere functionality; it is an art form. We firmly believe that the elegance and precision of the code play a pivotal role in determining the quality of the final research output. Consequently, we always strive to craft our code with extra care and refinement, ensuring that it not only fulfills its intended purpose but also stands as a testament to our dedication and passion.
Were there any specific coding languages or technologies that played a crucial role in your solution for the hackathon challenge?
We heavily relied on the PyTorch package, which is based on the Python programming language, to implement our innovative idea. Beyond that, deep learning methods and image analysis techniques are both very important to contribute to our success.
How do you plan to continue developing your coding skills and staying updated with the latest advancements in technology?
To ensure sustained progress in our coding capabilities and awareness of cutting-edge developments, we’ve mapped out a multi-faceted approach. This includes actively participating in tech competitions, which challenges our problem-solving abilities and exposes us to diverse perspectives. Furthermore, attending conferences allows us to gain firsthand insights from industry leaders and pioneers. Finally, keeping abreast of the latest
A new, biodegradable piezoelectric device far more powerful than previous devices could make brain cancers more treatable, a team of Mechanical Engineering researchers report in the June 14 issue of Science Advances.
The research team. From left to right: Kazem Kazerounian, Thanh Nguyen, Feng Lin, Thinh Le, Meysam Chorsi, and Horea Ilies.
The group, developed a novel sensor from electrospun crystals of glycine, an amino acid that is a common protein in the body, and has been recently found to be strongly piezo-electric.
This year’s Phononics Young Investigator Award goes to our own ME Prof. Osama Bilal. “The Phononics Young Investigator Award (YIA) is presented by the International Phononics Society to an early-career researcher who demonstrates research excellence in the field of phononics (including phononic crystals, acoustic/elastic metamaterials, nanoscale phonon transport, wave propagation in periodic structures, coupled phenomena involving phonons, topological phononics, and related areas).” As a recipient, Prof. Bilal will deliver the 2023 Phononics Young Investigator Award Lecture during the upcoming conference in Manchester, UK.
NSF Early Career Development (CAREER) Program awards are highly prestigious, offered to early-career faculty members who demonstrate the potential to serve as academic role models in research and education.
Three ME faculty members have received this prestigious award in 2022. Congratulations to all three recipients!
Hongyi Xu
Anna Tarakanova
George Matheou
Prof. Xu’s award will support his group’s research on design of mixed stochasticity structural systems. The award received by Prof. Tarakanova will support fundamental research to understand complex changes to elastin that occur in aging and disease. Prof. Matheou’s grant will focus on large scale computational models of low could transitions in the atmosphere to support a better understanding of their impact on climate change.
With these three awards, the total number of NSF CAREER or DoD Young Investigator Awards won by ME faculty since 1996 increases to 25 with seven of these awards having been received in the last three years!
UCONN has been selected as one of six universities to participate in NASA’s 2022 Moon to Mars eXploration Systems and Habitation (M2M X-Hab) Challenge. NASA’s selection, in partnership with the National Space Grant Foundation, will develop innovative design ideas that will help NASA advance and execute its Moon to Mars exploration objectives.
This year’s winning M2M X-Hab Challenge teams will design, manufacture, assemble, test, and demonstrate functional prototype subsystems and innovations that enable increased functionality for human space exploration missions.
Profs. Vito Moreno and Jason Lee are leading the charge at UCONN in collaboration with Jorge Paricio Garcia and Ed Weingart, the Co-Directors of the UCONN Krenicki Arts and Engineering Institute, Patrick Kumavor (Biomedical Engineering), and Christopher Sancomb (Art/Industrial Design). The multidisciplinary concepts that they submitted will be developed into proof of concept 1/6-G suited prototypes to be applied in field environments. The first design will use weather balloons and drones and associated control and feedback software with a wearable harness. The weather balloon will offset the analog astronaut’s weight, while the drone and sensors will fine-tune responses to movements, produce a lifting force needed to simulate reduced gravity, and keep the balloon hovering above the astronaut. The second design, using the NASA ARGOS concept as a base, will incorporate a mobile platform that moves with the individual, and a counterweight system to simulate reduced gravity. Both projects will be an important element of the Senior Design projects for the departments of Mechanical Engineering as well as Biomedical Engineering in collaboration with the Industrial Design and Fine Arts programs. A diverse student team will also work with Aquiline Drones (Hartford) and Wallingford K-12 Public School’s Center for Innovation and Design: An Aerospace Experience to Mars.
Dr. David M. Pierce, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Biomedical Engineering, has been named Associate Editor of the ASME Journal of Biomechanical Engineering. This archival journal reports research results involving the application of mechanical engineering principles to the improvement of human health. The scope of relevant topics ranges from basic biology to biomedical applications and includes theoretical, computational, experimental, and clinical studies.
The driving interest of his research is to understand and predict the mechanics of soft tissues and engineering materials. His current work employs theoretical, computational, and experimental tools to explore the interplay of form and function in cartilage, specifically the multiscale and multi-phase mechanics and how these evolve in health, damage, and disease. Dr. Pierce is a 2017 NSF CAREER awardee and a United Technologies Corporation Professor in Engineering Innovation in the College of Engineering. He also serves as a Journal Referee for over 50 peer-reviewed, academic journals.
We are proud to announce that Mechanical Engineering Professor Tianfeng Lu has been recognized as one of the 2021 Class of Fellows for The Combustion Institute.
Prof. Lu joins a class of 32 accomplished international scholars from industry, academia, and the public sector, and was recognized for “the development of computationally efficient and accurate methods for the systematic, efficient and massive reduction of large reaction mechanisms.”
Dr. Lu received his B.S. and MS degrees in 1994 and 1997 respectively, both in Engineering Mechanics and both from Tsinghua University, followed by his Ph.D. degree in 2004 from Princeton University in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. He joined UConn as an Assistant Professor in August 2008 after spending 4 years in research positions at Princeton. His research focuses on computational combustion with special interests in reduced chemical kinetics, stiff chemistry solvers, and computational diagnostics of laminar and turbulent flames.
