Faculty news

Vladimir J. Lumelsky (23K JPG)

Professor Vladimir Lumelsky, a researcher in robotics and automation, and an instructor in the master of science degree program in Manufacturing Systems Engineering, retired from the department in May.

John J. Moskwa (11K JPG)

Professor John Moskwa has been named a fellow of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) International. The highest grade of membership in SAE, fellowship status is conferred on individuals whose outstanding engineering and scientific accomplishments have resulted in meaningful advances in automotive, aerospace and commercial vehicle technology. Moskwa was recognized for his pioneering efforts to develop high bandwidth transient engine test systems, and his research accomplishments in the dynamic modeling, diagnosis and control of powertrain systems. Under his leadership, researchers in the Powertrain Control Research Laboratory have developed powertrain system models that are used globally.

Tim A. Osswald (15K JPG)

Professor Tim Osswald has been named the Kuo K. and Cindy F. Wang Professor in Mechanical Engineering, a professorship established in 2001 by Kuo and Cindy Wang to attract or retain world-class faculty in the field of manufacturing processes. Osswald is an expert in the area of polymers and polymer processing. He is part of the Polymer Engineering Center and played an instrumental role in creating a master's program in polymer science.

Lih-Sheng (Tom) Turng (21K JPG)

Professor Lih-Sheng (Tom) Turng and his research group have received a $280,000 grant from the National Science Foundation for a proposal entitled "Study of Microcellular Injection Molding of Bio-based/Biodegradable Plastics." The group will advance the fundamental understanding of lightweight, high-performance bio-based/biodegradable components via microcellular injection molding, including processing technology for mass production. The research could lead to the mass production of environmentally benign, bio-based/biodegradable plastic components with complex geometries. It could also enable a larger processing window, create improved material properties, and reduce material costs, which will broaden applications in many industrial sectors.

Yuri M. Shkel (75K JPG)

Professor Yuri Shkel (left) has received his third renewal of the 3M Nontenured Faculty Award, which he will use to study the electroactivity of nano- and micro-polymeric composites. Sponsored by 3M Worldwide, the Nontenured Faculty Awards provide unrestricted funds to promising young faculty for basic research in the physical and biological sciences, and are renewable for up to three years. Shkel and Professor Robert Rowlands have also received a $65,500 grant from the U.S. Department of Defense to purchase instrumentation for thermal stress analysis, which they need to further their joint research program on multifunctional composites.