Mechanical Engineering Seminars

Winter Seminar: Monday, March 11, 2013

ohenderson@scu.ecu (Peta Henderson) — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 15:26:00 PST

Nanoscale strain engineering for energy

Marina S. Leite

CNST, National Institute for Standard and Technologies

Maryland Nanocenter, University of Maryland

Date: Monday, March 11^th Location: Bannan Hall 238 Time: 4:00 ? 5:00

ABSTRACT: The ability of controlling strain at the nanoscale governs numerous materials? properties, from structural morphology of solid-state batteries to band gap engineering for photovoltaic devices. Depending on the mechanical strain between a substrate and an epitaxially grown material, different morphologies can be achieved ranging from strained planar films to 3-dimensional nanocrystals. In this talk, I will discuss how strained nanoarchitectures can be used for improved energy generation and storage applications. First, I will discuss the driving forces for alloying in quasi-equilibrium Ge-Si nanocrystals, which results primarily from entropy. I will describe experiments in which we tailored adatoms diffusion mechanisms to achieve both open and closed thermodynamic systems at the nanoscale. Second, I will discuss the role of strain engineering in thin films to achieve >50% multjunction solar cells with optimized bandgap energies. I will also discuss how we can resolve the photo-electronic properties of thin film solar cell technologies using near field scanning probe techniques. Such measurements help elucidate the main limitations of these devices, which currently dominate the PV market. Lastly, I will discuss design alternatives for tailoring the anode structural properties of solid-state thin film batteries to extend their lifetimes and improve their performance.

BIO: Marina Leite is a CNST/UMD Research Associate in the Energy Research Group. She received her B.S. in Chemistry in 2003 and her Ph.D. in Physics from Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Brazil, in 2007. She was a postdoctoral scholar in the group of Harry Atwater in the departments of Applied Physics and Materials Science at Caltech until 2011 when she moved to NIST. Her research interests include multijunction solar cells, nanoscale-resolution measurement techniques for photovoltaic materials, epitaxial quantum dots for solar cells, and solid-state batteries. Marina has published in journals such as Phys. Rev. Lett., Adv. Mat., and Appl. Phys. Lett., and received a number of recognitions, including from The International Union of Pure and Applied Physics (IUPAP).

Winter Seminar: Wednesday, February 13, 2013

ohenderson@scu.ecu (Peta Henderson) — Tue, 12 Feb 2013 14:43:00 PST

You are cordially invited to the Mechanical Department Seminar Series

Speaker Aaron Weast

Date: Wednesday, February 13, 2013
Location: EC 326

Time: 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Topic:
A theme of how my SCU engineering education has led to success within Nike, talking about the Nike+, FuelBand, Back to the Future shoe, etc. Also touching on unique factors and qualities that help engineers become successful within non-engineering organizations and leadership—talking through my interaction with our Nike's CEO and Exec teams (communication skills, learning the audience, conciseness, etc.). Things that resonate with SCU's mission and unique breadth of content for an engineering degree.

Bio:
Aaron Weast (BSME '99) is one of the original founders of the underwater robotics programs at SCU. He has most recently taken his talents to form the engineering team for Digital Sport (the team responsible for Nike+ FuelBand, Nike+ Basketball/Training, etc) where he led all engineering disciplines including the development of the science of NikeFuel. Aaron also helped create the Nike Air Mag 2012, which raised over $11 million dollars for the Michael J. Fox Foundation. Most recently Aaron joined Nike's innovation team as the innovation lead for Nike Basketball and Brand Jordan.

Winter Seminar: Wednesday, February 6, 2013

ohenderson@scu.ecu (Peta Henderson) — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 09:21:00 PST

You are cordially invited to the Mechanical Engineering Department Seminar Series

Speaker: Timothy Hight
Location: EC 326
Time: 4:00 - 5:00

Topic: SCU Solar Decathlon Design and Technology

Abstract: SCU has participated in the Department of Energy Solar Decathlon intercollegiate competition in 2007 and 2009, and is preparing our design for the 2013 competition. This talk presents an overview of our past entries and competition results, as well as a look ahead at our 2013 design. I will highlight some of our design innovations in the context of our overall approach to the contest, and our successes.

Bio: Tim Hight has been at SCU since 1984, and was chair of the mechanical engineering department from 1998 to 2011. He has his MS and PhD from Stanford University, and BS from CalTech. His major teaching interest is in mechanical design, and he developed and supervises the senior design project program for the department. Dr. Hight has been the faculty project manager for SCU’s 2007, 2009, and 2013 Solar Decathlon projects.

Winter Seminar: Wednesday, January 30, 2013

ohenderson@scu.ecu (Peta Henderson) — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 16:18:00 PST

You are cordially invited to the Mechanical Engineering Department Seminar Series

Speaker: Pete Woytowitz, Sr. Manager Lam Research Corp.

Topic: Computational Modeling in Semiconductor Manufacturing Equipment

Date: Wednesday, January 30th
Location: EC 326, Bannan Engineering
Time: 4:00 - 5:00

Abstract:

The name "Silicon Valley" was coined as a reflection of the prowess of the the Santa Clara Valley and surrounding regions in the area of semiconductor electronics research, design and development. Originally all major electronics firms manufactured their own integrated circuits, mostly on silicon, and also designed the processes and equipment needed to build and manufacture the microelectronic circuits. Today only the largest and leading edge electronics firms continue to manufacture their own chips in closely guarded fabrication facilities or fabs. Also today almost all major electronics firms purchase the processing equipment from companies that specialize in wafer processing equipment. Silicon Valley continues to have a high density of semiconductor equipment manufactures including several major players along with many smaller companies and start-ups specializing in a particular applications and processes.

This talk will outline the electronics food-chain showing how consumers drive the electronics economy. We will then talk about the typical design goals for semiconductor processing equipment. Finally examples of Computational Modeling analyses that are used to help achieve the design design goals and speed time to market will be presented.

Biography:

Pete Woytowitz, Ph.D., P.E. is Sr. Manager of Computational Modeling and Reliability at Lam Research Corp. He has worked in the semiconductor manufacturing equipment area for over 12 years and has in the past worked for companies including Exponent Failure Analysis, Ford Aerospace and Communications (now Loral Space Systems) and Boeing Commercial Airplane company. He is an adjunct professor in Mechanical and Civil engineering at SCU and teaches courses in finite element analysis, advanced vibrations and related areas.

Winter Seminar: Wednesday, January 23, 2013

ohenderson@scu.ecu (Peta Henderson) — Fri, 18 Jan 2013 12:50:00 PST

Please mark your calendar for speaker T. Calvin Tszeng

Location: EC 326

Time: 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Date: 1/23/13

Topic: Residual stresses in engineering components

Abstract:

Residual stresses in engineering components originate from irreversible, non-uniform changes, like inelastic (plastic) deformations or structural changes (phase transformation). Uncontrolled residual stresses always appear in components due to manufacturing processes. Desirable compressive residual stresses, on the other hand, are implanted in critical components through various surface modification techniques for enhanced resistance to fatigue and stress corrosion. While sub-surface residual stress is critical to fracture resistance, bulk residual stress is responsible for excessive distortion during machining processes or during thermal loading. Knowledge of residual stress distribution in engineering components shall greatly improve predictions of component performance and geometrical stability. This talk is to give a brief look at state of the art in the following topics pertaining to residual stresses: processing techniques, thermal and mechanical stability, and measurement methods, including a very recent research on non-destructive measurement method for full-field 3D bulk residual stresses.

Bio:

Dr. Tszeng is a Academic Year Adjunct Lecturer with Mechanical Engineering Department. He earned his Ph.D. degree from UC Berkeley. Dr. Tszeng used to be a faculty member at Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago. Dr. Tszeng was the Principal Investigator of several research projects funded by US Department of Defense.

Winter Seminar: Wednesday, January 16, 2013

ohenderson@scu.edu (Opeta Henderson) — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 15:06:00 PST

Please mark your calendar to hear guest speaker: Jeremy Munday

Location: EC326

Time: 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.

Abstract: When light interacts with matter, a rich variety of phenomena can occur leading to both energy generation and mechanical motion under appropriate conditions. In this talk, I will present our recent results on two fronts: (i) energy generation from photons (quanta of light) and (ii) mechanical motion of microscale objects using either photon pressure or nanoscale quantum mechanic forces. In the first part, I will discuss how we can design and implement small-scale optical components in order to greatly improve the amount of absorption possible in thin photovoltaic devices—leading to significant efficiency improvements. We will also discuss new energy generating concepts that take advantage of so-called ‘hot electrons’ that are usually lost to heat. In the second part, I will discuss our work using both photon pressure and the Casimir force (a quantum mechanical phenomenon) to manipulate nano- and microscale objects. I will describe experiments in which we tailored these interactions between solid materials to achieve both attractive and repulsive nanoscale forces. While these projects are scientifically challenging, the graduate, undergraduate, and high school students in our lab have made great progress. I will highlight our team’s future directions for advanced energy generation.

Bio: Jeremy Munday is currently an Assistant Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Maryland with affiliate appointments in the Institute for Research in Electronics and Applied Physics (IREAP) and the Chemical Physics Graduate Program at UMD. He received his PhD in Physics from Harvard in 2008, under the supervision of Federico Capasso, and his BS in Physics and Astronomy from Middle Tennessee State University in 2003. He was a postdoctoral scholar in the group of Harry Atwater in the departments of Applied Physics and Materials Science at Caltech until 2011 when he moved to UMD. His research endeavors range from near field optics, photonics, and plasmonics for energy harvesting to quantum electromechanical phenomena (such as the Casimir effect) for manipulating micro- and nano-mechanical devices. He has received a number of recognitions, including the NASA Early Career Faculty Space Technology Research Award.

Winter Seminar: Wednesday, March 14, 2012

ohenderson@scu.edu (Peta Henderson) — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 16:48:00 PST

Wednesday, March 14

Speaker: Chelsey Simmons

Topic: Dynamic Cell Culture Systems for Stimulation and Assessment of Cardiovascular Cells

Abstract: The heart and blood vessels are dynamic, active tissues subject to a variety of mechanical stimuli like tensile strain, positive pressure, and shear flow. Researchers are beginning to examine the impact of these mechanical factors on cardiovascular physiology, and sophisticated tools can advance our understanding of these interactions to improve medicine and healthcare. I have developed a variety of tools to replicate aspects of the cardiovascular system in vitro, specifically, a silicone and acrylamide system to modulate strain and stiffness parameters independently. This presentation will also describe image processing tools I have developed to assess heart cell contractility and applications of this system to a cure for inherited heart disease.

Bio: Chelsey is currently finishing her PhD at Stanford University in Mechanical Engineering as a member of Beth Pruitt's Microsystems Lab. She graduated from Harvard cum laude with a B.S. in Mechanical and Materials Engineering, completing a Co-Op with DePuy Spine, a Johnson and Johnson Company, along the way. Chelsey has received a number of competitive grants, including a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship. In addition to her research, Chelsey has developed and led a recurring summer seminar series for high school math and science teachers. She is also a founding officer and the current President of Stanford's American Society for Engineering Education.

Winter Seminar: Wednesday, March 7, 2012

ohenderson@scu.edu (Peta Henderson) — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 16:47:00 PST

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Speaker: Panthea Sepehrban

Topic: Computational Modeling for Tomorrow's Technologies

Abstract:

Computational materials modeling is one of the fastest growing areas within the field of materials science. It has been developed with the goal of pushing theories and experiments beyond the limits of manageable mathematics and practicable experiments. This talk addresses the role of computational modeling in design of new materials through tailoring structural properties at various length scales. To elaborate the subject, a recently developed computational
technique for microstructural simulation is described. This model has been developed to simulate microstructural evolution during thermomechanical processing of precipitate hardenable alloys. It specifically aims to enhance fabrication of aluminum sheets with advanced properties that are required in light energy-efficient vehicle. The simulation algorithm is generated based on a Monte Carlo technique. At each stage of the process, microstructural properties are simulated on the basis of a competition between recovery and recrystallization for reduction of system’s
energy. To obtain reliable results, the effects of deformation-induced and pre-existing inhomogeneities, precipitates, and grain boundary pinning on the competitive recoveryrecrystallization process are included in the simulation algorithm. The developed technique is implemented to predict the microstructural evolution during processing of fine grained Al-Mg-Si sheets. The good quantitative agreement found between the model predictions and the results from the experimental investigations validates the modeling approach.

Biography: Dr. Panthea Sepehrband earned her B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Materials Science and Engineering from The University of Tehran, and Sharif University of Technology, respectively. She received her PhD in Mechanical Engineering from The University of Waterloo in 2010, and followed her research as a postdoctoral fellow at the same university. Her research is mainly focused on development of new generation of materials with specific properties through a synergy of multi-scale computational modeling and experimental analysis. She has authored 23 journal and conference publications in the area of materials modeling and microstructural development.

Winter Seminar: Wednesday, February 15, 2012

ohenderson@scu.edu (Peta Henderson) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 10:10:00 PST

Please mark your calendars to hear guest speaker - Will Anderson

Location: EC 326

Time: 4:00 - 5:00 PM

Title: "Wave Glider"

Abstract
The Wave Glider is a new type of ocean going autonomous vehicle that is unique in that it is propelled
by the ocean’s waves. Developed at Liquid Robotics, a Silicon Valley start?up, the vehicle harvests wave
energy using a mechanical mechanism, converting it into thrust. Since no motor or fuel is required, the
Wave Glider can stay on the water for a year or more at a time and cross entire oceans unattended,
exploring the sea along the way. This talk will briefly review the development history of the vehicle,
discuss how it works and illustrate the concept using underwater video of an actual vehicle, and explain
the motivations for developing the vehicle. A few of the accomplishments and missions to date will be
described along with some of the challenges a vehicle of this type encounters while conducting long
endurance missions. Finally, the presentation will provide a brief glimpse into the future of the Wave
Glider, where the vehicles are going and what is hoped to be achieved.

Biography
Will Anderson earned his BSME degree from San Jose State University and spent the first 10 years of his
career designing missiles and satellites at Lockheed Missiles and Space Company in Sunnyvale. He left
aerospace to work on commercial products and spent the next 10 years engineering audio and video
conferencing devices, graphic supercomputers, and optical networking equipment at such companies as
Plantronics, Polycom, and Silicon Graphics as well as various start?ups. Since then he spent 7 years in the
consulting field working on a variety of projects including robotic power tools, cooling systems for laser
TV’s, ultra?low flow toilets, and novel solar array technology. During this latter period he went back to
school and earned a MSME in mechatronics from Santa Clara University. He is currently a Principle
Engineer at Liquid Robotics where he is working on the next generation of the Wave Glider, a wave
powered autonomous ocean going vehicle.

Winter Seminar: Wednesday, February 8, 2012

ohenderson@scu.edu (Peta Henderson) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 10:57:00 PST

Please mark your calendars to hear guest speaker - Dante Zeviar

Location: EC 326

Time: 4:00 - 5:00 PM

Title: "Electric Vehicle Technology"

Abstract:

KleenSpeed Technologies Inc. is a local company focused on the development of innovative and advanced technologies and intellectual properties that will revolutionize the Electric Vehicle (EV) industry and create systems and vehicles that truly realize the full potential of electric vehicles. The company is currently focused on three core competencies – ESS, Energy Storage Systems; EPS Electric Propulsion Systems; and EVI, Electric Vehicle Integration – which they combine to develop complete EV Systems and EV Platforms. As a means of accelerating their technology development process, they have taken on the challenge of developing the world’s fastest EV race car, and they have built several record-setting EVs. In this talk, company CTO Dante Zeviar will present an overview of Kleenspeed's vision, technology and systems, to include their line of EV products and their EV-X11 Race Car.

Bio:

EVP / CTO / Director

Dante has several years of automotive experience, including leading numerous teams through the automotive development process and building formula style race cars. A graduate from the University of California at Berkley, he has a B.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering, a M.Sc. in Automotive Engineering from Technical University of Munich, and a Professional Automotive Technology degree from Universal Technical Institute. During his time in Germany, he has worked in BMW’s R&D department and developed ground breaking aluminum electrical connectors for high current applications in hybrid and electric vehicles. Dante’s passion and mission is to establish the electric vehicle as a superior mode of transportation in the 21^st century.

Winter Seminar: Wednesday, February 1, 2012

ohenderson@scu.edu (Peta Henderson) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 09:50:00 PST

Please mark your calendars to hear guest speaker - Dave Wyland

Location: EC 326

Time: 4:00 - 5:00 PM

Title: "The Field Robotics Age"

Abstract:

Great engineering opportunities are opening up in field robotics.
Like factory robots, these are pick-and-place machines that move things around.
Unlike factory robots, they move things around in open, changing environments.

Robotic vacuum cleaners were the first commercial examples of field robotics.
These were enabled by laser distance sensors and new algorithms.
Example: Simultaneous Location and Mapping (SLAM).
These products also made use of mechatronics, an interdisciplinary area of engineering that combines mechanical and electrical engineering with computer science.

Field robotics is a fast growing market with huge potential.
The US military wants to have one-third of its vehicles autonomous (robotic) by 2015, and commercial applications are equally important. Instead of humanoid forms, we should expect to see a wide variety of very different machines for different environments and tasks.

Bio: