 |
 |
If you are having problems viewing this message, click here.
For the week of
January 13, 2012
@COE is published on a weekly basis. The next edition will be sent out on Friday, Jan. 20.
Please send submissions for @COE to Julie Stansberry in the Engineering Communications Office at [log in to unmask] by noon on Thursdays.
Outreach News
College of Engineering Study Abroad Information Sessions
There will be a study abroad information session specifically for engineering students interested in one of our three 2012 faculty led engineering programs (click here): Thursday, Jan. 19 at 4 p.m. in 108 Estabrook. The deadline for application for these programs is Feb. 3, 2012. See you there!
On Wednesday, Jan. 25, the College of Engineering will also be participating in the University Study Abroad Fair from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the University Center Ballroom. Come ask questions about summer and other study abroad programs (click here) from college representatives.
The deadline for College of Engineering Study Abroad Fellowships for Summer 2012 programs is Feb. 6, 2012. Information can be found here. The deadline for the next fall study abroad programs is March 5, 2012.
Student News
MABE Student Wins Best Presentation Award at Conference
Jake LaManna, a Ph.D. student in the Department of Mechanical, Aerospace & Biomedical Engineering, won the "Best Presentation Award" for his talk at The 4th Annual Global Conference on Energy: International Forum on Multidisciplinary Education and Research for Energy Science in Honolulu in December 2011. To win the award, he beat out dozens of other Ph.D. students from Princeton, MIT, Georgia Tech and Drexel among others speaking in fields including fuel cells, batteries, solar energy, nuclear energy, materials, social science and other topics.
The title of his talk was "Isolation of Transport Mechanisms in PEFCs with High Resolution Neutron Imaging," and the authors were J.M. LaManna, S. Chakraborty, F.Y. Zhang, J.J. Gagliardo, J. Owejan and M.M. Mench.
Scholarship Information Available
Information about ACEC and ACEC of Tennessee's scholarships is now available at http://www.acectn.org/Scholar.htm. The deadline for submitting applications is January 20, 2012.
Attention: It's Time Once Again to Fill Out Your Scholarship Application
Scholarship applications are due Feb. 1, 2012, to 115 Student Services Building. Please make sure you have a biography and resume' with your application. Applications can be found online at http://finaid.utk.edu/apply/applications/UGscholarship.shtml. And please write neatly!
AACE Scholarships Available
The Association for Advancement of Cost Engineering (AACE) is dedicated to advancing the study of cost engineering and cost management through the integrative process of total cost management. To promote this objective, AACE awards academic scholarships to full-time students pursuing a related degree in engineering, construction management, building construction, computer sciences, business, quantity surveying, information technology, etc. More information about this scholarship, evaluation criteria and important dates can be found at http://www.aacei.org/awards/scholarships/. You can submit the application electronically through this link.
If you are interested in becoming a tutor for the Educational Advancement Program, contact:
Celeste Brooks, Tutor Coordinator
[log in to unmask]
(865)974-7900
The Educational Advancement Program is a U.S. Department of Education funded TRIO program that provides support services for first-generation, low-income students and students with disabilities.
SOLD Leadership Guides Present the Executive Leadership Academy
The SOLD Leadership Guides are excited to present... The Executive Leadership Academy, an Academy for Executive Boards and officers of student organizations. Register today by clicking here!
The Executive Leadership Academy is an in-depth, interactive learning experience designed to develop and foster the skills of leaders on campus and in organizations. This academy was created to help officers & executive boards of organizations to develop their leadership abilities and learn more about the resources available to them on campus.
Participants will gain a better understanding of what being a leader is all about and how their leadership impacts those in every level of their organizations. Over four sessions, the Leadership Guides will present information that will empower student leaders to thrive in their current roles, and help to connect them to fellow student leaders in similar positions across campus in an effort to improve their synergy, success and sustainability.
For more information, visit http://sold.utk.edu/resources/index.php.
Research Opportunities Available
Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Program opportunities are available with the Tennessee Solar Conversion using Outreach, Research and Education EPSCoR National Science Foundation Cooperative Agreement (NSF EPS-10004083). TN-SCORE is an alternative energy research grant involving nine universities across Tennessee. The three research thrusts are:
• Thrust 1: Advanced Solar Conversion and Innovation
• Thrust 2: Components and Devices for Energy Storage and Conversion
• Thrust 3: Nanostructures for Enhancing Energy Efficiency
Host Universities: In 2012, the host universities include 1) Vanderbilt University (Nashville); 2) University of Tennessee, Knoxville; 3) Tennessee Technical University (Cookeville); and 4) University of Memphis.
Duration: The summer research experience is an 8-10 week program, depending on the host institution. Starting dates for the program are tentatively set for late May-early June but are determined by the availability of the dormitories and may vary by campus.
Financial support: Students will receive a $4,000 stipend, housing and supplies. Depending on the host institution, the stipend may differ and food may be included. Travel for the TN-SCORE annual conference will be included.
Please visit www.tnepscor.org for more information and to apply.
UT Full-Time MBA Program to Host Open House
The University of Tennessee Full-Time MBA program will host its Spring Semester Open House for prospective MBA candidates on Monday, Jan. 23, 2012, from 6-8 p.m. in the James A. Haslam II Business Building, Room 402. Registration begins at 5:45 p.m. Representatives of this innovative, 17-month program will present information on the structure of its integrated, team-based curriculum, the application & admissions process, financial aid and career opportunities. Admission is free, and pre-registration is not required. You may park in the University Center Parking Garage located on Phillip Fulmer Way (please bring your parking ticket to registration for validation). For more information, contact the UT MBA Program Office at 865-974-5033 or [log in to unmask].
Faculty News
CTR presents Traffic Signal Workshop, Launches Traffic Signal Academy
On Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, the Center for Transportation Research (CTR) presented a two-day workshop on Traffic Signal Installation, 
Maintenance and Controller Programming at its Traffic Signal Lab at the National Transportation Research Center. Twenty transportation employees from across Tennessee attended this productive, interactive workshop, using the many types of traffic signal equipment available at the lab. More than that, participants programmed a Virtual Traffic Signal Controller and learned about different controller settings and their implications for traffic control. The offering is part of a series of traffic signal related workshops developed throughout 2011 and is part of the Traffic Signal Academy that will be launched on Feb. 20, 2012.
The Traffic Signal Academy will add to CTR’s recognized continuing education program. It will offer comprehensive information on many aspects of traffic signal operations with the objective of enhancing the design, application and maintenance abilities of the traffic signal community through affordable education. CTR’s Traffic Signal Laboratory is a unique learning environment that provides hands-on experience and innovative learning tools. Classes will be offered as flexible two-, three- and five-day sessions in the weeklong schedule.
Target Audience and Objectives
Government employees, consulting engineers and personnel involved in traffic signal design, operations and maintenance benefit from the program. The academy goal is to create a better transportation system through continuing education of traffic signal professionals at all levels of expertise. The objectives for the participants are as follows:
Consultant Engineers: present current information on standards, state-of-the-art equipment and signal timing practices and promote consistency on design.
Technicians, Contractors: provide guidelines for efficient installation and maintenance of traffic signal equipment, explore alternatives for established practices and educate on fundamentals.
Public Works Directors, City and State Traffic Engineers: describe the relationship between traffic signal timing and transportation policy, demonstrate the importance of continuous funding for maintenance, retiming and capital improvement.
Please visit http://ctr.utk.edu/TrafficSignalAcademy/ for additional information on registration, learning tools, program description and more.
MSE Faculty Member Serves as Lead Guest Editor
Dr. Shanfeng Wang, assistant professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE), served as the lead guest editor for the annual special issue of “Polymeric Biomaterials for Tissue Engineering Applications” for the International Journal of Polymer Science with other guest editors from Mayo Clinic, University of Minnesota, University of Waterloo (Canada) and Zhejiang University (China). This annual special issue for 2011 can be accessed from the following link: http://www.hindawi.com/journals/ijps/si/909245/.
The aim of this annual special issue is to highlight recent significant developments in the synergy between material design strategies and biological evaluations through contributions from active researchers in the field. The first special issue was launched in 2010, and it proved to be very successful. The nine papers in that issue have garnered 10 citations in one year according to Web of Science. This special issue has thus become an annual special issue to be published each year. Such a series can have a long-term impact and, in time, gather a community around it. The 2011 issue covers various topics related to polymeric biomaterials for tissue engineering applications. Five original research articles and four reviews are included to stimulate the continuing efforts in developing novel polymeric systems, which is crucial to improve our fundamental understanding of cell/tissue-material interactions and tissue repair and regeneration. The editors of this annual special issue make every effort to ensure rapid and high-quality review process. The elapsed time for each accepted paper in this issue ranged from 24 to 54 days with an average value of 44.4 days.
MSE Professor Featured in Basic Research SAAET Program Newsletter
Click here to read an article on Dr. Gajanan Bhat, professor in the Department of Materials Science & Engineering!
UTK Faculty Senate Information
Dr. Doug Birdwell, chair of the Engineering Caucus in the UTK Faculty Senate, is encouraging COE faculty to consider running for the UTK Faculty Senate. The Faculty Senate is only as strong and effective as the faculty members who are part of this body. Over the past several years, we have built a strong system of shared governance and play a central role in academic policies (through the Undergraduate and Graduate Councils), in preserving due process (through the Appeals Committee) and in helping to guide budgetary priorities (through the Budget and Planning Committee). There are many other ways that the Faculty Senate is at the table to work with the campus and system administration in helping to move the university forward while advocating for core values of academic freedom and excellence. I welcome you to become involved.
The Engineering Caucus is comprised of nine senators. We currently have three senators who are concluding their terms of service. They are:
• Doug Birdwell, EECS
• Lee Han, CEE
• Lynne Parker, EECS
To fill these seats we need at least six candidates willing to stand for elections for the (three-year) 2012-2015 term. Terms begin on Aug. 1 of each year. Continuing members of the Senate (and of the Engineering Caucus) include:
• Itamar Arel, EECS
• Seddik Djouadi, EECS
• Baoshan Huang, CEE
• Paul Crilly, EECS
• Alberto Garcia, IIE
• Bruce MacLennan, EECS
• Stephen Paddison, CBE (alternate)
• Tse-Wei Wang, CBE (alternate)
Due to a faculty leave of absence, we may need additional candidates.
It is of critical importance that departments without any representation field two or more candidates on the ballot. If you are interested in putting your name forward for election or wish to suggest someone who might be good in this regard, please contact Dr. Doug Birdwell by Feb. 1, 2012. Candidates should submit a brief statement of less than 100 words outlining issues they hope to see the Faculty Senate address.
Submissions Accepted for 2012 Outreach Scholarship W.K. Kellogg Foundation Engagement Award
Submissions are currently being accepted for the 2012 Outreach Scholarship W.K. Kellogg Foundation Engagement Award. One of these projects will be selected to be submitted by the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, for the regional Outreach Scholarship W.K. Kellogg Foundation Engagement Award; the winners of the five regional awards are celebrated at two national conferences and also become finalists for the national C. Peter Magrath University Community Engagement Award.
For more information, visit http://research.utk.edu/pd/magrath.shtml.
Engineering Professional Practice Announcement
Stay up-to-date with Engineering Professional Practice information and events by clicking the “Like” button on the program’s Facebook page, following the program on Twitter, visiting its website at www.coop.utk.edu or calling 865-974-5323.
Students, please note: If you receive a co-op or internship offer, please contact Engineering Professional Practice for help with paperwork and any preparations you may need – [log in to unmask], 865-974-5323 or 310 Perkins Hall.
Engineering Professional Practice Student Feature
Featured Student: James Clark McAdoo
This week’s student is James Clark McAdoo, a chemical engineering major who is on a co-op assignment with Flint Group in Arden, N.C.
“I worked in the Technology department, which is essentially Research and Development," McAdoo said. "I was mainly responsible for the making of test samples, testing these samples on an interesting machine called the High Speed Tester, then analyzing the results in order to help promote the marketing of a new product. Ultimately this product was sent to one of our accounts.”
McAdoo said the "vast amount of work that had to be done" was a challenge for him at the beginning. "I was rushing to finish everything in a small amount of time," he said. "After talking to some of the other engineers, I was able to better prioritize and became much better at using the time I had at work. After that, my assignment became very successful.”
He said the most valuable benefit to this co-op assignment was “learning how to communicate in an office/facility setting in order to accomplish goals.”
Students may read more about their peers’ co-op/internship experiences by logging into their Engineering Professional Practice profile via www.coop.utk.edu, clicking “Resource Library” (on the left margin) and selecting “Students at Work – In Their Own Words.”
For information on engineering co-op and internships, contact Engineering Professional Practice at [log in to unmask] or 865-974-5323.
Seminar Announcements
Howard H. Baker Jr. Center for Public Policy Interdisciplinary Group on Energy and Environmental Policy to Restart
The Howard H. Baker Jr. Center for Public Policy Interdisciplinary Group on Energy and Environmental Policy on the UT campus is scheduled to restart on Thursday, Feb. 2 at 3:30 p.m. The new dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, Dr. Theresa Lee, will open this first session and introduce the speaker for the day, Dr. Rob Jackson, director of the Center on Global Change at Duke University. Jackson will give a talk and lead a discussion on “Shale Gas and Its Environmental Footprint."
The provisional line-up of all spring speakers along with recordings of the talks from Fall 2011 can be found here.
Interested graduate students can also enroll in for-credit reading groups associated with the discussion series – please contact one of the following professors for more details:
Paul Armsworth (Ecology & Evolutionary Biology), Jake LaRiviere (Economics), Becky Jacobs (Law) and Chris Clark (Agricultural and Resource Economics).
Career Services Announcements
Get Ready for Spring 2012 Recruiting Dates!
Summer Job & Internship Fair
Wednesday, Feb. 8, 2012, 2-5 p.m., UC Ballroom
Interact with employers to find out more about summer part-time jobs/short-term experiences and non-academic credit internships. A list of employers attending is available online at www.career.utk.edu.
College of Engineering Etiquette Dinner for Engineers Workshop
Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2012, 5:30-8 p.m., University Center Hermitage Room
Students enjoy a free 4-course meal and interact with employers in a less formal networking environment while learning more about dining in a professional or business setting. Registration will be available via HIRE-A-VOL in mid-January 2012. Seating is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Employer Sponsors: ConAgra Foods, Inc., DENSO Manufacturing, Eastman Chemical & Mechanical Resource Group
Student Organization Co-sponsors: National Society of Black Engineers, Society of Women Engineers & Theta Tau
Diversity Job Fair
Tuesday, March 6, 2012, 3-5 p.m. UC Ballroom
Meet with employers interested in recruiting students with diverse backgrounds and experiences. A list of employers attending is available online at www.career.utk.edu.
Spring 2012 Job Fair
Wednesday, March 7, 2012, 2-6 p.m., Thompson-Boling Arena
Meet with employers recruiting for full-time post-graduation, part-time summer experiences and non-academic credit internships. A list of employers attending is available online at www.career.utk.edu.
SAVE The Date for On-Campus Recruiting Dates!
American Accessories International, Employer Information Session, Date: 1/25, Time: 5-7 p.m., Location: University Center 226, Recruiting engineers for 2-3 full-time positions and 4-6 internship opportunities.
Bechtel Corporation, Employer Information Session, Date: 2/7, Time: 6-7:30 p.m., Location: University Center 226, Recruiting for summer internships.
Walt Disney World, Employer Information Session, Date: 2/8, Time: 4-5 p.m. or 5:30-6:30 p.m., Location: University Career Center, 100 Dunford Hall, Recruiting for the Disney College Program (internships/co-ops).
Unilever, Employer Information Session, Date 2/8, Time: 6-8 p.m., Location: University Center Hermitage Room, Internships and Full-Time Opportunities.
Siemens, Engineering Leadership Development Program-Internship, Interview Date: 2/10, Application Deadline: 1/31
Caterpillar Parts Distribution and Logistics, Employer Information Session, Date 2/15, Time: 5-6 p.m., Location: University Center 226, Full-time and Internships in Supply Chain and Logistics.
Schneider Electric, Sales Engineering Development Program, Interview Date: 2/16, Application Deadline: 1/31
Eastman Chemical Company, Integrated Global Supply Chain Entry Position, Interview Date: 2/17, Application Deadline: 2/7
Eaton Electrical, Eaton Multicultural Summer Program-Operations for Engineers, Interview Date: 2/21, Application Deadline: 2/10
Reckitt Benckiser, Manufacturing Engineer Intern, Continuous Improvement Co-op, Project Engineer, Interview Date: 3/1, Application Deadline: 2/20
Gerdau, Employer Information Session, Date: 3/6, Time: 5-6:30 p.m., Location: University Center 220, Full-time and Internship Opportunities.
Bechtel Corporation, Employer Information Session; Date: 3/6, Time: 6-7:30 p.m., Location: University Center 226, Full-time and Internship Opportunities.
Johnson & Johnson, Employer Information Session, Date: 3/6, Time: 7:15-8:15 p.m., Location: University Center 221, Full-time and Internship Opportunities.
Schlumberger, Employer Information Session, Date: 3/13, Time: 6:30-8 p.m., Location: University Center 221, Field Engineer Positions.
Schlumberger, Research, Engineering, Manufacturing and Sustaining Engineers, Interview Date: 3/14, Application Deadline: 3/8
Schneider Electric, Energy Solutions Rotational Program & Sales Engineering Development Program, Interview Date: 3/15, Application Deadline: 2/29
AND MORE! To view the complete list or the job descriptions, please log onto your HIRE-A-VOL account and search under JOBS for On-Campus Interviews or EVENTS for Information Sessions.
If you have submissions for @COE, the college's electronic newsletter, please send them to Julie Stansberry at [log in to unmask] by noon on Thursdays.