They will move on to San Diego, California, May 19-23 for the second stage of the competition. They will give final presentations from the technical, business and communications teams.

Fourteen Purdue students and three faculty are representing the EcoMakers team at the competition. Gary Bertoline, dean of the College of Technology, visited the team and watched some of the competition unfold late this week.

Purdue University is one of 15 North American schools participating in EcoCAR 2: Plugging in to the Future, a three-year competition sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and General Motors (GM), that offers students real-world experience in an effort to educate the next generation of automotive engineers. EcoCAR 2 challenges university students to reduce the environmental impact of a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu, donated by GM, without compromising performance, safety and consumer acceptability.

Purdue’s competitors include: California State University – Los Angeles, Colorado State University, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Mississippi State University, North Carolina State University, The Ohio State University, Pennsylvania State University, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, University of Tennessee – Knoxville, University of Victoria, University of Washington, University of Waterloo, Virginia Tech and Wayne State University.

Keep up with the competition with updates from:

• Purdue ecoMakers Facebook page
• EcoCAR2 Green Garage blog
• EcoCAR 2 Twitter updates (#ecocar2)

The 2013 student leadership honors were awarded to Erika Healy and Jennifer Kirschner.

Outstanding Undergraduate Student Leadership award

Associate Dean Jamie Mohler congratulates Erika Healy on receiving the Outstanding Undergraduate Student Leadership Award.

Erika Healy, a junior from Hammond, Ind., is majoring in manufacturing engineering technology. She has been a member of the CoT Ambassadors, vice president of the Minority Technology Association and a member of the Dean’s Undergraduate Advisory Council. She served as a tutor in the BEST program and was mentor chair for Women in Technology. Outside of Purdue, Erika volunteers at the YWCA.

Outstanding Graduate Student Leadership award

Associate Dean Jamie Mohler congratulates Jennifer Kirschner on receiving the Outstanding Graduate Student Leadership Award.

During her time as a Purdue graduate student in the Department of Aviation Technology, Jennifer Kirschner, from Windsor, Conn., has established herself as an effective teacher and researcher. She has produced high quality publications and presentations, taught classes that have received very favorable end of course critiques, and provided leadership for a wide variety of student, university and professional organizations. Jennifer is focused on a tenure-track academic career with an active research agenda.

by Joseph Fuehne, director, Purdue College of Technology at Columbus

May 20 is observed annually around the world as World Metrology Day and commemorates the anniversary of the signing of the Metre Convention in 1875. This treaty provides the basis for a coherent measurement system worldwide. Because the Purdue College of Technology at Columbus has a well-equipped metrology lab that serves as a resource for students and local industry in our region and state, we will be celebrating World Metrology Day.

Most of us don’t recognize the importance that metrology plays in our lives. First of all, it has nothing to do with the weather. Metrology is the science of measurement, and most of us rely on measurement devices every day. We make decisions based on measurement results, such as pushing the brake pedal when the speed is over the limit or cutting down on sweet food if our blood sugar level is too high. The price of much of what we buy is calculated from measurements — electricity, water, food, fuel, to name a few.

When you buy gas, how do you know for sure that you’re actually receiving the volume of gas indicated on the pump? Each state has a division or bureau of weights and measures. In Indiana, the Weights and Measurements program is under the auspices of the Indiana State Department of Health. Every county in Indiana has a weights and measures inspector whose job is to ensure that when a gas pump indicates that it has pumped 12.4 gallons of gas that it actually has pumped that amount. Every gas pump in the state should have a sticker from the Indiana Weights and Measures division that indicates the last time it was calibrated and approved. These checks should occur on a regular basis, usually annually, but possibly more frequently especially if there are complaints. With the rising costs of gasoline, this service by the state is critical. Each country also has a National Measurement Institute (NMI) and in the USA that official organization is the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST).

However, there are other places where measurement impacts our daily lives. Grocery stores often sell vegetables, fruits, meats, and other produce by weight. All check out scanning stations have scales that weigh the bananas or apples you’re buying and then the store associate will code that information into the register to determine the overall price. Again, these balances must be calibrated frequently to ensure that they’re weighing objects accurately and consumers are being charged the proper amount.

Health services are another area of frequent measuring. Doctors, nurses and hospitals depend on devices that measure blood pressure, cholesterol, body temperature, blood sugar, and weight as well as many other more sophisticated measurements. These measurements are critical to the good health and well being of consumers. In the middle 1970s, a hospital in Ohio failed to calibrate an instrument that measured radiation being applied to cancer patients; over 400 patients received significantly more radiation than was necessary. This is just one example, albeit a tragic one, where measurement mistakes have been significant.

In the manufacturing industry, there’s a common saying that “If it can’t be measured, it can’t be built.” Manufacturing companies rely heavily on accurate and reliable measurement systems to design, inspect, and build their products. Many of these systems, however, are measuring distances at the nanometer level, smaller than the diameter of a human hair. Metrology is critical to our technological advancement but is seldom recognized by the general public.

The Purdue College of Technology at Columbus has begun to offer classes and provide services to local industry in metrology. The metrology lab at the Advanced Manufacturing Center of Excellence is climate controlled (20°C ±0.5° and less than 35% humidity) and has a wide range of tools for dimensional and mass measurement. For more information about the lab,  contact Joe Fuehne at 812-348-2040 or jfuehne@purdue.edu.

Hank Kraebber, professor of mechanical engineering technology, was honored by the Indiana Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) during its statewide conference in April for his service as a mentor to students at Purdue and Ivy Tech and for facilitating LSAMP workshops.

Toni Munguia, adviser to Women in Technology and Minority Technology Association, has been named one of two Outstanding Advisers of the Year for Purdue University. She shared the honor with Robert Proctor, a professor of psychological sciences.

Matt Turner, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering technology (New Albany) presented “Building a Smart Grid Roadmap for the Commonwealth of Kentucky through Stakeholder Engagement” at the System and Optimization Aspects of Smart Grid Challenges 2013 Conference at the University of Arizona.

Faculty in the news:

• Bedrich Benes, associate professor of computer graphics technology, talked with the Purdue Exponent about the increased popularity and use of 3-D printing.
• Gary Bertoline, dean of the college, delivered an address titled “The Fatal Flaw in Engineering Higher Education in the U.S.” at The Automation Conference May 15, which was covered by Automation World.
• Brent Bowen, professor of aviation technology, was all over the media in April with the release of the annual Airline Quality Rating in conjunction with Wichita State University.
• Bill Hutzel, professor of mechanical engineering technology, talked with the Indianapolis Star about solar farms in Indianapolis.
• Sam Liles, associate professor of computer and information technology, talked with Fox 59 News about the Associated Press Twitter account being hacked in April.

Award recipients included:

• Academic Advisor Award: Linda Young, Computer and Information Technology
• Customer Service Award: Michelle Arthur, systems engineer for ECN; Beth Helton, administrative assistant for the Office of Advancement
• Leadership Award: Jeff Holewinski, system technologist for Mechanical Engineering Technoogy
• Statewide Excellence Award: Christy Snip, student services coordinator, College of Technology, New Albany
• Staff Equity, Inclusion and Advocacy Award: Fran Misch, administrative assistant for Building Construction Management
• Faculty Equity, Inclusion and Advocacy Award: Brandeis Marshall, assistant professor of computer and information technology
• Outstanding Faculty in Learning: Nathan Mentzer, assistant professor of technology leadership and innovation (other nominees: John Davis, Aviation Technology; Brad Benhart, Building Construction Management; Ray Hassan, Computer Graphics Technology; Ray Hansen, Computer and Information Technology; John Denton, Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology; Nancy Denton, Mechanical Engineering Technology)
• Dwyer Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching: Nathan Mentzer, assistant professor of technology leadership and innovation (other nominees: Tim Ropp, Aviation Technology; James Benkins, Building Construction Management; David Whittinghill, Computer Graphics Technology; Eric Matson, Computer and Information Technology; John Denter, Electrical and Computer Engineering Tehcnology; Mark French, Mechanical Engineering Technology)
• Outstanding Faculty in Discovery: Eric Matson, assistant professor of computer and information technology (other nominees: Mary Johnson, Aviation Technology; Yi Jiang, Building Construction Managmement; Mihaela Vorvoreanu, Computer Graphics Technology; Athula Kulatunga, Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology; Qingyou Han, Mechanical Engineering Technology; Jenny Daugherty, Technology Leadership and Innovation)
• John P. Lisack Early-Career Engagement Award: Jeffrey Richardson, assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering technology
• Outstanding Faculty in Engagement: Daphene Koch, associate professor of building construction management (other nominees: Chien-tsung Lu, Aviation Technology; Clark Cory, Computer Graphics Technology; William Hutzel, Mechanical Engineering Technology; Rodney Vandeveer, Technology Leadership and Innovation)

Faculty promotions:

• To clinical associate professor: Tim Ropp, Aviation Technology
• To associate professor: Bryan Hubbard, Building Construction Management; Todd Kelley, Technology Leadership and Innovation; Eric Matson, Computer and Information Technology; Henry Zhang, Mechanical Engineering Technology

Faculty research poster awards:

• Research category: “Smart Mammogram:  A Smart App for a Second Opinion of the Mammogram”, Raji Sundararajan, Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology
• Learning category: “Curriculum Development:  Food Supply Chain Management Systems”, Chad Laux, Technology Leadership and Innovation

• 45 years: Robert Grundman, assistant professor of aviation technology
• 35 years: Loretta Lonz, academic advisor in Building Construction Management; Mike Jacob, professor of electrical and computer engineering technology; Kay Solomon, academic advisor in Mechanical Engineering Technology; and Linda Young, academic advisor, in Computer and Information Technology
• 30 years: Bradley Harriger, professor of mechanical engineering technology; James Lane, lab supervisor in Mechanical Engineering Technology; Dennis Short, professor of computer graphics technology; and Steven Widmer, associate professor of mechanical engineering technology.
• 25 years: Thomas Brelage, lab supervisor in Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology; Robert Bruce, associate professor of mechanical engineering technology; and Richard Allen, maintenance technician in Aviation Technology.
• 20 years: Maria Drake, data manager; Jeffrey Honchell, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering technology; Denver Lopp, professor of aviation technology; Kathryne Newton, professor of technology leadership and innovation; Phillip Rawles, associate professor of computer and information technology; and David Stanley, associate professor of aviation technology.
• 15 years: Beverly Davis, associate professor of technology leadership and innovation (Lafayette); Brian Dillman, associate professor of aviation technology; James Jenkins, associate professor of building construction management; Nghia Le, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering technology (New Albany); Jan Lugowski, associate professor of mechanical engineering technology; Kyle Lutes, associate professor of computer and information technology; Carlos Morales, associate professor of computer graphics technology; Mathias Sutton, associate professor of technology leadership and innovation; Nancy Tucker, department head secretary in Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology.
• 10 years: Rene Bailey, Project Lead The Way program assistant; Jacqueline Brown, academic excellence coordinator; Julia Carson, student services secretary, Columbus; Joseph Dues, associate professor of mechanical engineering technology (New Albany); Jeffrey Evans, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering technology; Debbie Frantz, account clerk; Gene Harding, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering technology (South Bend); Nathan Hartman, associate professor of computer graphics technology; Douglas Keith, clinical assistant professor of building construction management; Marcus Rogers, professor of computer and information technology; Anthony Smith, associate professor, computer and information technology; Jennifer White, academic advisor in Technology Leadership and Innovation.

The Graduate School Excellence in Teaching Award is the highest honor Purdue gives to a graduate student. Selected students must show excellence in mentoring and teaching undergraduate and/or graduate students, and have proven leadership and accomplishments outside of the classroom in service and outreach as well as scholarly presentations and publications.

College of Technology recipients of the award were:

• Andrew Kennedy, Computer Graphics Technology
• Jennifer Kirschner, Aviation Technology
• Sara Panahkhahi, Mechanical Engineering Technology
• Steven Schaffner, Building Construction and Management
• Kevin Teng, Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology

In addition, two students earned the CIE Graduate Teaching Certificate: Cristina Arauco Escobar, Building Construction Management, and David Koelle, Building Construction Management.

Isaiah Butler and Hector Mena took in something extra during their spring break trip to Germany: behind-the-scenes tours at Germany manufacturers.

They combined their undergraduate research as part of the LSAMP undergraduate research program and the course MFET 49900 (Technology Innovation and Culture in Bavaria) during the weeklong trip to Germany over the spring break.

Butler and Mena are researching differences in the manufacturing practices in the United States and in Germany. Butler is conducting a comparison of each country’s manufacturing histories and best practices, from Henry Ford to the practices of Mercedes-Benz and BMW. Mena is focusing on the modeling programs automotive manufacturers use, such as IronCAD or CATIA.

“I’m studying logistics and how they manage logistics sequence and production,” Butler said.

This semester’s project is Butler’s second LSAMP undergraduate research project. “I got so much out of the first one,” he said, “ I decided to see how I could take it further.”

Mena gained good insights during the tours.

“I learned that larger companies like BMW tend to stick to CATIA for their models, as it is one of the leading CAD packages,” he said. “It isn’t a standard though. While visiting KUKA robotics, I noticed that they used their own private software. It was a great experience to go from handling KUKA robot models, to seeing them built, to finally seeing them on the assembly line at MAN automotive and BMW.”

Butler will graduate in May with a degree in industrial technology and organizational leadership and supervision. Mena is a sophomore majoring in mechanical engineering technology.

The students’ research mentor is Henry Kraebber, Ph.D., professor of mechanical engineering technology. Kraebber has led 10 student trips to Germany, exposing 138 students to international manufacturing.

(Photo: Prior to their trip to Germany, Hector Mena and Isaiah Butler show off models of the Kuka robots they hoped to see in action during manufacturing plant tours in Germany.)

Michael Kane, associate professor of computer and information technology, is one of four authors of a new textbook titled Pharmacogenetics, Kinetics, and Dynamics Personalized Medicine. The book is available from Jones and Bartlett Learning.

Alejandra Magana, assistant professor of computer and information technology, and Eric Nauman, director of the College of Engineering Honors Program and associate professor of mechanical engineering, have been awarded a $40,000 grant from MathWorks for a project titled “Integrating Computation into Mechanical Engineering Core.”  They will create undergraduate honors course — open to juniors and seniors in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and computer and information technology — to the increase their disciplinary computational literacy by developing computational simulation tools for an undergraduate statics course.

Vahid Motevalli, professor of mechanical engineering technology, has been reappointed to the National Academies, Transportation Research Board committee. In January he served as Session Chair for the board’s 92nd annual meeting, which focused on Checkpoint of the Future, an international initiative led by the International Air Transport Association. He serves as a member of the Checkpoint of the Future’s Technology Expert Group, and he was an invited panelist for AVSEC World Conference in March where he discussed “Technologies for the Checkpoint for the Future.” He also was a panel member for mechanical engineering for the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program in January.

Karl Perusich, associate professor of electrical engineering technology in South Bend, has been named a reviewer for the IEEE 2012/2013 President’s Change the World competition. The IEEE Presidents’ Change the World Competition recognizes and rewards students who identify a real-world problem and apply engineering, science, computing, and leadership skills to solve it. Perusich evaluated papers on originality, quantitative aspects and qualitative aspects to produce a pool of finalists.

Rodney Vandeveer, professor of technology leadership & innovation, will be the featured instructor for the Society of Broadcast Engineers three-day 2013 Leadership Development Course in August. It is the fourth year he has led the course.

Several College of Technology faculty and staff have written or edited books available in the 2013 catalog of Purdue University Press:

• Understanding the Global Energy Crisis, Eugene D. Coyle and Melissa J. Dark, editors. Coyle, a professor at Dublin Institute of Technology, was a Fulbright Scholar in the college in 2012-13; Dark is the Furnas Professor of Technology in the Department of Computer and Information Technology.
• Manufacturing Facilities Design and Material Handling, fifth edition, Matthew P. Stephens, professor of technology leadership & innovation, co-editor
• Methods of IT Project Management, second edition, Jeffrey L. Brewer and Kevin C. Dittman, both associate professors of computer and information technology
• Project and Program Management, A Competency-Based Approach, second edition, Mitchell L. Springer, executive director for operations and strategic initiatives and of the Center for Professional Studies in Technology and Research
• Construction Site Planning and Logistical Operations, Site-Focused Management for Builders, Randy R. Rapp, associate professor, and Bradley L. Benhart, clinical assistant professor, both in the Department of Building Construction Management, editors

Faculty in the news:

• Jeffrey Griffin, director of the College of Technology at Kokomo, talks about how his location will help education new Chrysler employees in Kokomo with Fox 59 news.
• Robert Moser, contenting lecturer of aviation technology, and the Department of Aviation Technology’s simulatetor center was featured in a Purdue feature titled “Did you Know?: Holleman-Niswonger Simulator Center.”
• Vahid Motevalli, professor of mechanical engineering technology, talks about the Hoosier Heavy Hybrid for a story posted by the College of Engineering.
• Motevalli was also quoted in the Feb. 26 edition of Air Cargo World in a story about a diamond heist in the Brussels Airport.

Faculty who received funding (all are principal investigators unless otherwise noted) were:

• Melissa Dark, Computer and Information Technology, IPA between Purdue and NSA/ADET, Center for CNO, Cyber and Information Assurance, $79,822
• Stephen Elliott, Technology Leadership & Innovation, Stanley Black and Decker Data Mining, Stanley Security Solutions Inc., $2,957
• Jose Garcia, Technology Leadership & Innovation, Continuously Variable Hydraulic Transmission for a Small Wind Power Drive Train Simulator, National Fluid Power Association, $5,000
• Jose Garcia, Technology Leadership & Innovation, Phase I Option: Application of Switching Valves to Improve Reliability of Fueldraulic Systems, Dynsan LLC, $21,114
• Thomas Hacker, Computer and Information Technology, U.S. CMS Operations at LHC, Princeton University, $19,865
• Qingyou Han, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Microstructure Characterization of Casting, Hans Tech, $9,999
• Qingyou Han, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Ultrasonic Vibration Assisted ECAP for the Fabrication of Bulk Nanostructured Metals and Alloys, Purdue University, $99,766
• Nathan Hartman, Computer Graphics Technology, Product Lifecycle Management Center of Excellence, General Motors Foundation, $15,000
• Daniel Leon-Salas, Electrical and Computer Engineering Technology, CAREER:Toward Hybrid Energy-Harvesting Image Sensors, National Science Foundation, $263,726
• Eric Matson (PI), Jeffrey Brewer (Co-PI), Brandeis Marshall (Co-PI), NIPA Junior Capstone Program, National IT Industry Promo Agency, $100,000
• Vahid Motevalli, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Center for Technology Development Consortium, Multi-Sponsored Industrials, $50,000
• Marcus Rogers, Computer and Information Technology, Forensic Seminars, Multi-Sponsored Industrials, $1,000

The amounts listed are disbursements in a specific month and may not reflect the entire amount of a project’s funding.