MechE News 
MechE faculty Professor Tom Peacock studies Langrangian coherent structures - Nov 21, 2009Prediction and modeling of fluids and gasses has always been a challenge for researchers. With the assistance of modern supercomputers and the application of Lagrangian mathematics, scientists have uncovered possible new answers to this age old problem. MechE Professor Tom Peacock has been studying the effects of Lagrangian coherent structures that exist in the ocean and fluids. This field of research will have applications in everything from airport safety to oil spills and even the lives of jellyfish. Read the full story: The Economist.
Sounds good: new 3D imaging technique may lead to improved hearing aids - Sep 21, 2009
A new 3D imaging process developed by MechE Professor Douglas Hart holds the potential to make hearing aids both easier to produce and more effective. The process, which involves inserting a tiny, liquid filled balloon containing a camera into the patient's ear, makes it possible to record detailed information about the shape of the ear canal in real time. The inspiration for the new technique came out of left field, while Professor Hart was studying the thickness of engine oils using a process called emission reabsorption laser induced fluorescence (ERLIF). For more in-depth coverage of Professor Hart's work, you can read about it in both Fast Company and Technology Review.
MechE students battle it out in Japan at Robocon 2009 - Aug 20, 2009
A group of students led by Professor Dan Frey recently traveled to Tokyo Denki University, where they participated in the 2009 International Design Contest event known as Robocon. MechE undergrads Matthew Udomphol, Elvine Philip B. Pineda, Edward Michael Grinnell, Arielle Gabriella Fischer, and Pablo Bello teamed up with students from around the globe to take part in the annual robotics competition. Congratulations go out to Elvine Pineda, whose Orange Team took home the top prize. To learn more, visit the Robocon web site, or you can check out online news coverage (in Japanese) from Tokyo MX News.
MIT team helps uncover secrets of ulcer-causing bacteria - Aug 17, 2009
A group of MIT-based mechanical and biomedical engineers, including Professor Gareth McKinley, Professor Peter So, and Randy Ewoldt, has teamed with scientists from Boston University and Harvard Medical School to challenge long-held assumptions about the bacteria responsible for causing stomach ulcers. According to their findings, Helicobacter pylori changes the acidity of its environment, allowing it to penetrate the protective mucus that lines the stomach wall. The researchers hope their findings will lead to better treatment and prevention strategies for dealing with ulcers. you can find the full story online on the National Science Foundation website at http://www.nsf.gov.
Cariplo Foundations funds faculty exchange program between MIT MechE and University of Brescia in Italy - Jun 12, 2009
The Department of Mechanical Engineering is pleased to announce the establishment of a Faculty Exchange Program with the University of Brescia in Italy. The program will be funded by the Cariplo Foundation, and is aimed to promote technical collaborations between MechE faculty and the faculty of UniBS. This program will support a number of projects proposed jointly by one faculty member from each school, and will fund their travel to the other location and their local expenses. The Scientific Directors of the program are Professor Ahmed Ghoniem at MIT and Professor Gian Paolo Beretta at UniBS.
MIT Ocean grad, astronaut Chris Cassidy ready for launch - Jun 12, 2009
NASA astronaut Chris Cassidy is the latest MechE alumnus to be heading into space. Cassidy, an Ocean Engineering graduate in 2000, will be embarking upon his first-ever space mission on Saturday, June 13th, on board the Space Shuttle Endeavor. He will be part of NASA mission STS-127, tasked with delivering necessary components to the International Space Station (ISS). Upon docking with the ISS, Cassidy will become one of 13 astronauts present there - the most at any one time in the space station's history.
MIT MechE 2009 Student Award Winners - Jun 05, 2009
The recipients of the 2009 Student Awards for MIT MechE have been announced. This annual tradition celebrates the creativity, innovation, and performance of students in the Mechanical Engineering department throughout the past year. Congratulations to all of the MechE students who have been recognized for their outstanding contributions to the department and the MIT community.
Read More...MIT Announces Leaders for Global Operations Program - Jun 01, 2009
CAMBRIDGE, MA -- The MIT Leaders for Manufacturing (LFM) program announces its new name: Leaders for Global Operations (LGO). This new identity reflects the expansion from LFM's historically broad understanding of manufacturing to encompass all aspects of operations. The program will continue to build on its strengths in production and logistics, as well as on the consistent #1 rankings given to MIT School of Engineering and MIT Sloan’s Operations Management Group in U.S. News & World Report’s annual evaluation of graduate programs.
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Astronaut, MechE grad Michael Massimino part of successful Hubble repair mission - May 19, 2009
Nearly twenty years after it was first released into orbit, the Hubble Space Telescope has received one final tuneup thanks to a skilled team of NASA engineers, including telescope repair expert and Mechanical Engineering grad Michael Massimino. The seven-person crew of the Atlantis space shuttle is set to return to earth on Friday after completing a series of delicate adjustments. This is the fifth repair mission overall on the famous telescope, whose deep-space images have captured the public's imagination since it was launched in 1990. The work of this most recent mission, which included five spacewalks over the past week, is expected to extend the lifespan of the Hubble for another five to seven years. Learn more about the Hubble Space Telescope at http://hubble.nasa.gov/MIT Professional Education - Short Programs Provide Opportunities to Learn Directly from MechE Faculty - May 13, 2009
This summer MIT Professional Education – Short Programs is offering a number of 2-5 day short courses taught by MIT faculty, including several by members of the Mechanical Engineering Department. These courses provide an opportunity to learn crucial knowledge and skills from some of the top experts in their respective fields, in areas of MIT expertise. For complete details on all of the available courses, visit the Short Programs web site at http://web.mit.edu/professional/short-programs/index.html
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Igo Krebs' research in robotic therapy highlighted in new video - Apr 30, 2009
In the video "Robotics: a new hope in Cerebral Palsy", MechE Principal Research Scientist Igo Krebs discusses his history with robotic research, and its application in different types of physical therapy. Building off past successes with recovering stroke patients, research is now underway to study children with cerebral palsy, and the ways in which robotic therapy techniques can be used to improve basic motor skills. You can watch the video online by visiting the MIT TechTV web site.
de Florez Awards competition to recognize outstanding students in Course 2 - Apr 27, 2009
The de Florez Invention and Innovation awards in design are given annually to students in Course 2 who demonstrate "outstanding ingenuity and creative judgment". Each year, four awards are given to students in Course 2 - two for graduate students, and two for undergraduates. Award-winning entries will receive a prize of $4,500 each. Students interested in applying for a de Florez award must submit a preliminary application to Professor Martin Culpepper no later than 5pm on Monday, May 4th. For complete details on the de Florez awards and how to apply, please visit http://pcsl.mit.edu/deFlorez.html
MIT MechE named #1 graduate program by U.S. News and Report - Apr 24, 2009
U.S. News and World Report has released their rankings of Best Grad Schools, and once again Mechanical Engineering at MIT has topped the list. MIT MechE was recognized as the top graduate mechanical engineering program in the United States - one of six engineering disciplines at MIT to be so honored. In addition, the School of Engineering as a whole was recognized as best in the nation, a spot it has held every year since the rankings began in 1990. The recognition for the MechE graduate program comes on the heels of similar accolades for the MechE undergrad program, which took the top spot in last fall's rankings. To learn more, read the MIT News Office story online.
Tish Scolnick honored as 2009 Truman Scholar - Mar 27, 2009
Congratulations to MechE undergrad Natasha (Tish) Scolnik on being named a Truman Scholar for 2009. Scolnik, who is pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering with a focus on International Development, has spent the past two years working with the physically disabled in Tanzania, collaborating with local workshops to improve the quality of mobility aids. The Truman Scholarship Foundation recognizes college juniors with exceptional leadership potential who are committed to careers in government, the nonprofit or advocacy sectors, education or elsewhere in the public service. To learn more about Tish Scolnik and her work to help others, read the MIT News Office story online.
Orian Welling named Gates Cambridge Scholar - Feb 18, 2009
Congratulations to MechE grad Orian Welling '08, who has been chosen to receive a 2009 Gates Cambridge Schorlarship - one of 37 American students so honored. Welling, who is orignially from Custer, Wisconsin, spent his time at MIT working on sustainable energy technologies through research of high efficiency diesel engines and inexpensive manufacturing techniques for silicon solar cells. He is a winner of the MIT Ideas Competition Yunus Challenge, and a recipient of the Henry Ford II Scholarship, among other honors. He plans to pursue a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering at Cambridge University.
Innovative RoboClam inspired by nature - Dec 10, 2008
MechE Professor Anette "Peko" Hosoi and graduate student Amos Winter are digging into clams, as they develop a new robotic underwater anchor system. In doing so they have drawn attention to a seemingly simple sea creature with some rather remarkable talents. The RoboClam project is based on the razor clam - specifically its ability to dig into the sea floor quickly and efficiently, and then attach itself with a strength greater than any existing mechanical anchor. The project has drawn plenty of attention, including a Boston Globe article and a podcast on Scientific American's 60-Second Science. You can learn more about RoboClam, and check out video of a razor clam in action, at the MIT News Office web site.
Nathaniel Sharpe wins Marshall Scholarship - Dec 01, 2008
Four MIT students have been awarded Marshall Scholarships - the most awarded to any U.S. college or university this year. Among the winners of the prestigious award, which provides students the opportunity to study for up to two years at a British university, is Mechanical Engineering student Nathaniel Sharpe. Sharpe has proved adept at solving problems, as evidenced by his success in robotic competitions both at MIT, where he finished third in a field of 135, and abroad, where his team took second place in the 2007 International Design Competition. In the future Sharpe aims to tackle the challenges of sustainable energy at Cambridge University. To read more, visit the MIT News Office online.
Greg Schroll '08 Takes Top Honors in Collegiate Inventors Competition - Nov 26, 2008
MIT MechE grad Greg Schroll was recently honored by the Collegiate Inventors Competition, taking first place in the Undergraduate division for his project "Spherical Vehicle with Flywheel Momentum Storage for High Torque Capabilities". Inspired by the principle of gyroscopic precession, Schroll developed a spherical robot which generates angular momentum to overcome obstacles such as hills or stairs. Schroll, who is currently a graduate student at Colorado State University, studied under Professor Alex Slocum at MIT. To learn more visit the Collegiate Inventors Competition website.
MechE PhD candidate Vijay Shilpiekandula wins R.V. Jones Memorial Scholarship - Nov 10, 2008
Vijay Shilpiekandula, a PhD candidate in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, was awarded the 2008 R.V. Jones Memorial Scholarship by the American Society for Precision Engineering (ASPE) for his paper titled, "A Flexure-based Mechanism for Precision Angular Alignment at Large Loads," co-authored with his academic advisor Professor Kamal Youcef-Toumi. The award, which includes a $1,000 honorarium, was presented at the Annual Meeting of ASPE and the 12th ICPE at Portland, Ore., in October. Read More...
Grads in Space - Four MIT Alumni will Orbit Earth in November - Oct 29, 2008
There will be a heavy MIT presence above the earth's atmosphere this November, as four MIT graduates will be in orbit at the same time. On November 14th, Mechanical engineering grad Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper '84 and ocean engineering grad Stephen Bowen '93 will head to the International Space Station (ISS) to deliver equipment that will enable larger crews to reside there. Stephanyshyn-Piper and Bowen will be joining fellow MIT alums Michael Finke '89 and Gregory Chamitoff PhD '92 in space, marking the first time that as many as four graduates of MIT will be orbiting the earth simultaneously. To learn more about this MIT milestone, read the October 29th issue of TechTalk online.
