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For the week of September 6, 2013
@COE is published on a weekly basis. Please send submissions to Randall Brown in the Engineering Communications Office at
[log in to unmask] by noon on the Thursdays before distribution.
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Dr. Steve Zinkle
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Zinkle named Governor's Chair Professor
Dr. Steve Zinkle, an authority on the effect of radiation on materials in fission and fusion nuclear reactors, has been named the thirteenth University of Tennessee-Oak Ridge National Laboratory Governor’s Chair.
Zinkle will serve as Governor’s Chair for Nuclear Materials, based in the
Department of Nuclear Engineering at UT with a complementary appointment in materials science and engineering. He begins at UT on October 1.
Zinkle comes to UT from ORNL, where he was a UT-Battelle Corporate Fellow and chief scientist for the laboratory’s Nuclear Science and Engineering Directorate.
Read more >>
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Dr. Ivan Maldonado
Maldonado and his host Dr. Jan Rataj, from the Czech Technical University in Prague, visit the Temelin Nuclear Power Plant.
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Maldonado lectures in Czech Republic
Dr. G. Ivan Maldonado, associate professor in the
Department of Nuclear Engineering, was recently invited by the Czech Technical University in Prague to provide lectures in the subject of reactor physics and small modular reactors. He spoke at there on August 25-27.
In addition to visiting the university, Maldonado also lectured at one of their summer schools held in the small town of Pocatky, where selected top undergraduate students from the Czech Republic are invited to explore the field and opportunities in nuclear
science and engineering.
While with the summer school group, Maldonado also visited and lectured at the Temelin Nuclear Power Plant. This facility hosts two Russian-made VVER-1000 reactors that became operational in the early 2000s and generate 2000 MW of electricity as the largest
single power source in the country.
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Dr. Kevin Tomsovic
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CURENT director featured on radio show
CURENT director
Dr. Kevin Tomsovic, a professor in the
Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, was recently featured on a half-hour segment of
American Variety Radio. The station, which is broadcast in Tennessee and Florida, hosted Tomsovic to discuss the challenges of renovating the nation's power grid in a show titled
"A Look at the Present and Future of the Nation's Electric Power Grid."
Tomsovic spoke on modernizing the grid and incorporating reliable and renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power, all of which are topics being studied in CURENT.
The show can be heard at
American Variety Radio's website.
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Dr. Joe Majdalani, shown here
with the portrait of UTSI founder
Dr. B.H. Goethert
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Majdalani named Chair of Aerospace Engineering at Auburn University
After ten years at the University of Tennessee Space Institute (UTSI),
Dr. Joe Majdalani, professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering, has accepted the appointment as the Chair of the Aerospace Engineering Department at Auburn University. His last day at UTSI was August 31, 2013.
Since 2003, Majdalani coauthored 150 papers, graduated 24 masters-degree and PhD students, and attracted numerous awards and accolades. He also developed several new courses in his time at UTSI.
Read more >>
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Kuykendall wins Garmin GPS during Engineering Cookout
Kyle Kuykendall, a mechanical engineering major from Knoxville, was the winner of the Garmin Geocaching Event
held during the annual Engineering Cookout.
He is pictured at right receiving his Garmin Dakota GPS unit from Suzanne Sawicki, a co-op advisor with the
Engineering Professional Practice office.
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Dr. Hash Hashemian, at right, talks with students during the Bazinga event.
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"Bazinga" party a success for EECS
Systers, a group formed to recruit, mentor, and retain women in the
Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS) at the University of Tennessee, hosted the
"Bazinga!" building party on Tuesday, August 20, on the sixth floor of the Min H. Kao Building. The party featured food, robot demos, team games, and prizes including iPad and Xbox items.
Almost 400 engineering students attended and the event was covered by local print and TV news. COE alumnus
Dr. H.M. "Hash" Hashemian donated the seed funding to kick off the group through a $10,000 contribution from his company
AMS. Systers will hold meetings every two weeks to discuss professional development, networking, and communication practices within each member's respective field.
Read more about Systers >>
Read the Knoxville News Sentinel article about the event >>
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COE students enjoy Volkswagen Distinguished Scholars Program at ORAU
Five College of Engineering students participated in the Volkswagen Distinguished Scholars Program Internship at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in summer 2013. Participating students were:
Andrew Messing and his project team are in the process of applying for a patent as a result of their summer research.
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COE students travel to Peru; upcoming trip to Costa Rica
Six students from the College of Engineering traveled to Peru August 10-20, 2013. The trip was concentrated in the city of Cuzco and in the Manu Biosphere Reserve.
The host organization, Conservation Research and Environmental Education towards Sustainability (CREES), asked for help in the design and construction of an observation platform to be used by researchers collecting data at an oxbow lake.
Read more >>
The next planned trip is an "Alternative Winter Break" trip to San Miguel, Costa Rica, is planned for December 13-20, 2013. Students will stay with a local host family and participate in a service project to build a "non-traditional" sidewalk
alongside members of the local community. Side-trip opportunities offer additional cultural experiences. Approximate cost of the trip is $875 plus air fare. A limited number of scholarships are available. For information, call
Judith Mallory at 865-974-9234 or visit
http://www.engr.utk.edu/global/upcoming_trips.html.
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Graduate students speak in 2013 Fall Seminar Series
Graduate-student research highlights from the
Department of Materials Science and Engineering will be presented Friday, September 6, in Room 622 of the Min Kao Building.
Lindsey VanBebber, of Dr. Veerle Keppens research group, will present "Resonant Ultrasound Studies of Mo3Sb7" 2:30-2:50 p.m.
Siwei Tang, with Dr. David Mandrus' research group, will speak on "Skyrmionic MnSi Nanowires on Si: SiO2 Layer As a Catalyst Assistant for the CVD Growth" 2:55-3:15 p.m.
Engineers Day scheduled for October 24
Engineers Day has been a UT College of Engineering tradition for more than 100 years. Each October, undergraduate engineering classes are dismissed for one day to allow university students and faculty to spend time interacting with hundreds of potential engineering
students from high schools across the region.
In 2012, close to 1,200 students from fifty-five different high schools (and some home schoolers) traveled to UT’s Knoxville campus to explore and learn about the various aspects of engineering through discussions, project demonstrations and exhibits prepared
by UT engineering student clubs and societies. Participants experienced an overview of the different engineering disciplines and saw examples of how an engineer’s work impacts daily life. It is our goal that students involved in Engineers Day will be inspired
by the ever-growing field of engineering.
Engineers Day features five competitions for visiting students. Results for the 2012 Quiz Bowl, Egg Drop Competition, ASCE High School Balsa Wood Bridge Competition, Food Battery Competition and Radiation Shielding Competition can be found at
http://www.engr.utk.edu/ed/competitions.html.
If you would like more information on this event, please contact the Engineering Academic & Student Affairs office at (865) 974-2454.
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Online access to ICSD now available for students, faculty, staff
The Department of Materials Science and Engineering has purchased an annual site license for the web-based version of the
Inorganic Crystal Structure Database (ICSD). The faculty, staff, and students in the other COE departments are welcome to take advantage of it. The database can be found at
http://icsd.fiz-karlsruhe.de/icsd/. Access should be available when using any computer with an UT Knoxville IP address. For more information, contact Stephen Stiner at
[log in to unmask].
Career Services offers drop-in hours at Tickle Building
Through the end of the semester (while classes are in session),
Career Services consultant April Gonzalez will hold office hours 2:00-4:00 p.m. Wednesdays and 1:00-3:00 p.m. Fridays in the Tickle Building, third floor in the office across from the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. Students
do not need an appointment to meet with Gonzalez during these times and will be served on a first come first serve basis. Stop by to have your resume critiqued, talk about your job search, interviewing skills and more.
Call for Nominations: Courage to Climb Award
The Division of Student Life continues its commitment to celebrating and supporting our outstanding University of Tennessee students through the
Courage to Climb award. The award seeks to recognize students who show promise in the areas of:
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Campus Involvement
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Community service
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Leadership development
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Promotion of civility and inclusion, and/or
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Research
Based on the nominations received, the Courage to Climb committee will recognize one student per month beginning October 2013. Each student will be featured on the Division of Student Life website and will be invited to an end of year recognition event with
the Vice Chancellor for Student Life.
Please visit
http://studentlife.utk.edu/couragetoclimb_application.php to submit your nomination(s) by Tuesday, October 1, 2013. You will also find a list of the 2012–2013 Award winners at
http://studentlife.utk.edu/couragetoclimb_archives.php. If you have questions or concerns about this process or award, please contact Melissa Shivers, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Life & Strategic Initiatives at
[log in to unmask].
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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.
Upcoming Events:
Prep for Success
- “Promote Yourself”: September 12, 5:00, 307 SERF Building
- “Interview Strategies”: September 17, 5:00, 307 SERF Building
Engineering Expo
- Interview Deadline for our EXPO—Interviews – September 25, by 3:00
- Fall 2013 Engineering EXPO—October 10, 1:00 to 5:00, University Center Ballroom
- Fall 2013 Engineering EXPO Interview Day – October 11, East Stadium Skyboxes
Attend either session to learn about co-op and internship opportunities for engineering students and how to get started with the co-op program!
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: Joseph Birchfield
Our student this week is
Joseph Birchfield, shown at right and below, a chemical engineering major, who accepted a co-op at SI Group Inc., located in Morristown, Tennessee.
Birchfield described the department he worked in and what his main responsibilities were.
"My responsibilities included: verification of process safety valves throughout the plant, updating of the nozzle details for 17 different tanks, conducting of a sound survey of the plant, contacting and contracting a company for a blast analysis of control
building, sampling of hydraulic oil from all agitators in the plant, drawing an isomeric sketch of a fuel oil return line, and updating the general arrangement drawings of the plant," he said.
The co-op assignment gave Birchfield valuable experience in a work environment.
"The most valuable benefit that I received by accepting this internship was gaining first hand knowledge of how a real plant operates as well as how to read the P&IDs and learn the
plant," said Birchfield. "The knowledge gap between a textbook and real life was bridged with this internship."
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.
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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 flier to the right 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.
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Career Services News
Career Services Fall 2013 Office Drop-in Hours on the Hill
Through the end of the semester (while classes are in session), Career Services Consultant
April Gonzalez will have office hours in the Tickle Building, third floor in the office across from the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering on Wednesdays from 2:00-4:00 p.m. and Fridays from 1:00-3:00 p.m.
Students do not need an appointment to meet with April during these times and will be served on a first come first serve basis. Stop by today to have your resume critiqued, talk about your job search, interviewing skills and more!
“KICK-OFF TO ENGINEERING CAREER SUCCESS WEEK”
September 16-19
11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Monday, September 16
Career Carnival
Ferris/Perkins Courtyard
Free Popcorn, Hot Dogs & Soda (while it lasts). Meet with DENSO, MAHLE, Inc., and Eaton Corporation representatives to find out about their fall recruiting activities, COE student organization showcase and giveaways.
Sponsored by: DENSO/ Eaton/ MAHLE, Inc. /Career Services
10:30 a.m.—3:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 17
Just in Time Resume Critiques on the Hill
Outside SERF
Meet with Career Services, Alcoa, MS Technology representatives to have your resume critiqued in time for the Fall Job Fair on September 24 or the Engineering Expo on Oct. 10.
Sponsored by: Alcoa, Inc./MS Technology/Career Services
4:00-5:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 18
Tips and Tricks for Job Fair Success for Engineers
Career Services, 100 Dunford Hall
Presented by Career Services staff. Learn about how to make a favorable impression at the fall job fairs.
6:00-8:00 p.m. Thursday, September 19
Speed Networking Session
University Center Ballroom
Participate in a speed networking event with employer reps. to practice your elevator speech in preparation for the Job Fair on September 24!
Employer representatives include: ORNL, B&W Y-12, DENSO, Eaton, CGI, Johnson Service Group, Trane Corporation, Mesa Technology and more!
This event has limited seating. Students must register via
HIRE-A-VOL at www.career.utk.edu to participate.
Justin Rice is now serving as liaison to Biomedical Engineering, Computer Engineering, and Computer Science students. In addition to serving these majors, Justin also works with students majoring in all hard science areas, Mathematics, Physics,
Statistics, Nursing, and Pre-Health. Questions can be directed to Justin at
[log in to unmask], or contact Career Services at (865) 974-5435 or
[log in to unmask] for an appointment.
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.
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The Office of Multicultural Student Life offers these
academic services. For information, call 865-974-6861.
Free Tutoring in Math, Chemistry, Biology, and Spanish: 7:00-10:00 p.m. Mondays & Wednesdays in the Clement Hall basement.
Free Tutoring in Math, English, Engineering, Accounting, French, Chemistry, Biology, and more: Appointment and walk-in tutoring available for all students.
Late-Night Study Session (tutoring available): 8:00 a.m.-midnight Wednesday, December 4, and Thursday, Dec. 5, 2013, at the Black Cultural Center. Games, crafts, stress relief activities. Snacks both days 3:00-10:00 p.m.
Vols Success Seminars: During the Fall semester, in collaboration with the Student Success Center and other campus departments, Vols Success Seminars will be offered to all UT students. This series of workshops is designed to equip all students
with the knowledge and resources to be successful, inside and outside of the classroom at the UT. Students can register in advance for each workshop at
multicultural.utk.edu or
studentsuccess.utk.edu. View the
Vols Success Seminars Fall 2013 calendar >>
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