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Prior to his work on the DUFF experiment, David Dixon, right, received an award from US Secretary of Energy Dr. Steven Chu, left, for his response service following Japan's Fukushima nuclear plant disaster.

NE grad student helps develop nuclear powered option for space exploration

David Dixon, a PhD student studying with Dr. Ivan Maldonado in the Department of Nuclear Engineering, was quoted in the national science press this week in regards to his work at Los Alamos National Laboratories on a new type of nuclear reactor that could be used on space flights.

Dixon and colleagues demonstrated the first use of a heat pipe to cool a small nuclear reactor and power a Stirling engine at the Nevada National Security Site's Device Assembly Facility near Las Vegas. Titled the "Demonstration Using Flattop Fissions" (DUFF) , the experiment produced twenty-four watts of electricity. The research team included engineers from Los Alamos, the NASA Glenn Research Center and National Security Technologies LLC (NSTec).

News of the test hit the top spot on Google's science-news section that evening. Read more (with video) >>

“Perhaps one of the more important aspects of this experiment is that it was taken from concept to completion in six months for less than a million dollars,” said Dixon. “We wanted to show that with a tightly-knit and focused team, it is possible to successfully perform practical reactor testing.”

"It did not surprise me at all that David Dixon was involved in this rather unique experiment that involved quite a bit of engineering creativity," said Maldonado, who attended the demonstration.
Read more about David Dixon >>

Dr. Jerry Everett's poster

Dr. Jerry Everett presents at travel symposium

Dr. Jerry Everett, research director at the Center for Transportation Research, presented a poster titled "Off-the-Shelf Tracking App — A Viable Survey Tool?" at the Household Travel Survey Symposium on November 8 and 9 in Dallas, Texas. The symposium examined the use of innovative technology for data collection, survey design, cost-effective techniques, sampling methodologies, and other elements of survey research.

Everett's poster detailed a pilot study conducted using a commercially available GPS tracking app for the iPhone. Read more about the symposium's posters >>
(Everett's abstract is under the heading "Technology.")

FACULTY NEWS

Dr. Howard Hall

Dr. Howard Hall named AAAS Fellow

Dr. Howard Hall, Governor's Chair in Global Nuclear Security and a professor in the Department of Nuclear Engineering at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, has been named a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS).

Hall, an internationally respected expert in nuclear security, currently directs a research group at UT whose interests focus on the application of science, technology, and public policy to international nuclear security needs and challenges.
Read more >>

Dr. Leon Tolbert

Dr. Leon Tolbert named IEEE Fellow

The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers has named Dr. Leon Tolbert an IEEE Fellow, effective January 1, 2013, with a citation for contributions to multilevel power electronic converter technology.

Tolbert is the Min H. Kao Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.

Dr. David Icove

Dr. David Icove helps profile arsonists

Dr. David Icove, a research professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, recently helped Knoxville fire investigators identify suspects in a series of arsons in northwest Knoxville.
Read more about the case from WBIR.com >>

Icove has written textbooks on the the science of fire and arson investigation, and co-authored the book "Kirk's Fire Investigation." He worked with the Knox County Sheriff's Office and Knoxville Fire Department to put a stop to the series fires that began in mid-October.
Icove explains the science to WBIR.com >>

Dr. Wes Hines

Dr. Wes Hines receives patent

Dr. Wes Hines, Charles P. Postelle Distinguished Professor and head of the Department of Nuclear Engineering, had a patent issued earlier in November for an invention that provides improved kernel-based model performance with more robust distance metrics for sensor calibration and equipment-health monitoring.

The invention can be used in software for monitoring the health of equipment and sensors.
Read the patent >>

Dr. Steven Skutnik

Nuclear engineers receive notice for Chattanooga event

In September 2012, American Nuclear Society members in the Tennessee Valley area attended a public hearing in order to inform the public and media about the nonproliferation benefits of the mixed-oxide (MOX) fuel program. Department of Nuclear Engineering faculty in attendance included Dr. Steven Skutnik, Dr. Howard Hall, and Dr. Ivan Maldonado. Nuclear-engineering senior Lane Carasik was among UT students at the hearing. These efforts were recognized in several venues at the 2012 ANS Winter Meeting & Nuclear Technology Expo.
Read more >>

Dr. Xueping Li

Dr. Xueping Li collaborates on new health-technology center

Dr. Xueping Li, an associate professor in the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering, will be the co-director of the new Health and Information Technology Simulation (HITS) Laboratory, at the former location of the Student Health Center, 1818 Andy Holt Way.

Research with co-director Tami Wyatt, associate professor of nursing, will include a study using new smart-home technologies to assist with independent living for elderly people.
Read more >>

EVENTS

MATLAB seminar coming to UT

MathWorks will present complimentary MATLAB seminars for educators, academic researchers, and students on December 11, 2012, in the Shiloh Room of the UT University Center. The event features two technical sessions presented by MathWorks engineers:

10:00–11:30 a.m.: The Evolution of MATLAB
Learn about the origins and evolution of MATLAB from Cleve Moler, chairman and chief scientist at MathWorks.

1:00–4:00 p.m.: Image Processing and Computer Vision with MATLAB
Participants will discuss a technical computing workflow involving the analysis of a series of images and then learn how computer vision uses images and video to detect, classify, and track objects or events in order to understand a real-world scene.
Register here >>

Voting opens soon for Worker Safety and Health App Challenge

Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering professor Dr. Xueping Li and graduate student Alison Yu Huang collaborated with the Construction Industry Research and Policy Center (CIRPC) in the Worker Safety and Health App Challenge, a national competition created by the Department of Labor.

Public voting for the challenge competitors opens on Monday, December 3.
To cast a vote, visit workersafetyhealth.challenge.gov/submissions.

The goal of the challenge is to make data relating to safety more accessible and user-friendly. The UT team's submission is an interactive website with the theme "Working Safely Is No Accident." The site offers a game to teach workers ages 13-24 about factors that increase workplace safety.

Tennessee Science Bowl seeks volunteers

The 2013 Tennessee Science Bowl needs volunteers for its state competition on Saturday, February 23, 2013.

Volunteer positions include moderators, scientific judges, rules judges, scorekeepers, and timekeepers. Training for volunteers is scheduled for 4:00-5:30 p.m. Tuesday, February 12, at the Pollard Technology Conference Center in Oak Ridge.
Click here for volunteer information >>

The 2013 Science Bowl will be on Friday, February 22, at Hilton Knoxville Airport, and on Saturday, February 23, at the Pellissippi State Community College Blount County Campus, 2731 W. Lamar Alexander Parkway, Friendsville.

STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES

Tennessee Engineering Foundation offers scholarships

The Tennessee Engineering Foundation (TEF) awards scholarships on an annual basis. The scholarship fund is supported by contributions from members of the American Council of Engineering Companies of Tennessee and the Tennessee Society of Professional Engineers.

As a result of a successful fundraising luncheon at the ACEC, ASCE, and TSPE Annual Meeting, the Foundation will give three scholarships in 2013. The scholarships are open to any rising junior or senior in an accredited engineering school in the state of Tennessee. The award may be used for tuition, books, room and board, or any other charges related to registration for the fall or spring semester in the year it is awarded. The recipient must certify that this scholarship, plus the sum of all other scholarships, grants, or gifts, does not exceed the cost of the items listed above  This scholarship will be reduced appropriately if the sum of all other scholarships, grants, or gifts exceeds the cost of the items listed above.

Scholarships available are:

• Dorothy and Arthur Crouch Memorial Scholarship: funded by the Ladies Auxiliary and the TSPE Nashville Chapter, for applicants meeting the qualifications above - $4,000
• TEF Scholarships (2): for applicants meeting the qualifications above - $3,500

Applications will be accepted until February 1, 2013. Selection by the TEF Scholarship Committee will be done in March. The application is available on TSPE's website here.
Read more about the Tennessee Engineering Foundation Scholarships >>

Resident Assistant selection process accepting applications

Applications are being accepted for the Resident Assistant (RA) recruitment/selection process. Important dates regarding the RA application/selection timeline:

• RA applications will be available online during the first week of December.
• RA applications must be submitted online by 5 p.m. on January 18, 2013.

For students who want to find out more about what the RA job entails, there are three meetings in January that they can attend:

• January 10, 9:00 p.m. – Reese West Multipurpose Room
  
• January 14, 7:00 p.m. – Massey Hall
• January 15, 8:00 p.m. – Morrill Hall

Read more about the RA job description >>

What else can you do with your major? You can now receive your degree and a secondary education teaching license with VolsTeach. The VolsTeach program is available to Math and Science majors who wish to expand their career options by earning a secondary education teaching license. Given the current economy VolsTeach offers one degree with two career paths which will make you more competitive in the future job market.

VolsTeach provides:

• early and frequent field experiences
• personal guidance by Master Teachers and program advisors
• the opportunity to have paid exclusive internships during regular and summer terms
• a comfortable learning environment that will further enhance your professional skill set

This is your opportunity to be a part of the program. VolsTeach is open to freshmen, sophomores and juniors who are ready to start a journey that will give them a chance to connect with the community. Become a part of this exciting venture by signing up for the Fall Step 1 course now.
Click on the flyer at left for registration information.
For more information contact VolsTeach Coach, Jada Johnson at [log in to unmask] or visit the program's Facebook page, VolsTeach, for current events, and the program's website, http://volsteach.utk.edu.

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.

Featured co-op student: Greg Meinweiser

Our student this week is Greg Meinweiser, pictured at right, a sophomore in the nuclear engineering program. He accepted a co-op position with the Tennessee Valley Authority.

"I am currently working for TVA in the Policy and Oversight Department's Technology Innovation group on the Small Modular Reactor project," said Meinweiser. "I was tasked with supporting the project manager and license manager with the project by keeping the action item list, risk matrices, and budgets for presentations up to date. I was also tasked with internally making visual presentation material for future use. Also, I was assigned in helping to shape the project management plan."

Meinweiser has gained experience in professional conduct by participating in company meetings.

"I've also learned about the aspect of management, and how integral it is to the shaping of policies, procedures, and contracts that will shape how the companies will proceed with work scope, scheduling, and cost," he explained.

Meinweiser encourages fellow students to investigate the co-op experience.

"I can say working a co-op assignment through the Professional Practice Office is something every engineering student should look into doing at some point in their time at UT," he said.

Students may read more about their peers' co-op 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 [log in to unmask]
or 865-974-5323.

Career Services News

Attention: Seniors & Graduate Students Graduating in December 2012:
Don’t forget to complete the Post-Graduation Survey.

Congratulations from all of us in the UT Career Services Office upon your upcoming graduation!  It has been my pleasure to work with many of you, and I wish you the best in your life and new endeavors! In order to keep Career Services’ records up-to-date and provide the best service to you, please take a moment to fill out the Post-Graduation Survey via HIRE-A-VOL. 

To complete the survey log in to your Hire-A-Vol student or alumni account:
*Log into MY UTK at www.utk.edu and search under Academic Links for the HIRE-A-VOL link
*Under Your Profile on the HIRE-A-VOL Homepage, click on View/Edit your Profile
*Click on Employment & Continued Education

On the survey page, please click on Add A Employment Reporting or View Details under Continued Education and fill out your placement information.**  Your submitted information will be anonymously included in our Annual Report as well as shared with College of Engineering, prospective students and employer interested in recruiting at the University. All of individual information will remain confidential and will only be reported in aggregate form.  

**If you have any difficulties accessing our survey, you may also e-mail your placement data to [log in to unmask]. Please include your name, e-mail address, employment status (Still seeking, Graduate School, Internship/Summer Job, Out of Job Market, Employed), Company or Grad School, Salary/Wage, Location of new job or Grad School.

Again, congratulations and thank you for completing the Post-Graduation Survey.

EF 301 – Career Services for Engineers
Planning your class schedule for Spring 2013?
Don’t forget to register for EF 301 – Engineering Career Planning!
This class is offered each Spring and Fall semester and is taught 1:25–2:15 p.m. Mondays at Career Services, 100 Dunford Hall. This class is a perfect fit for all Juniors and Seniors and will equip students with the right tools to land that great job. Sophomores and Graduate Students may also register for the course as well. The class is offered on a 1-hour Satisfactory/No Credit basis and is taught by Career Services Consultant for the College of Engineering, April Gonzalez. Expect visits from company representatives, tips and tricks from HR Recruiters, advice on resumes, cover letters, interviewing and salary negotiation and learn the ways you can stand out and get noticed at the job fairs.

Here’s what students are saying about the class:
“This is the most useful non-engineering class I have ever taken.  It gave me insider information about what employers are looking for during interviews and I have a resume that I feel great about!”

“Well thought out and put together course. I feel much more confident about job searching.”

“This class exceeded all my expectations – it really works!”

Don’t wait to sign up as space is limited and the class will fill up fast.

For more information, contact April Gonzalez , Career Services Consultant, College of Engineering at [log in to unmask] or 865-974-5435.

Check out www.career.utk.edu for a list of all upcoming events.