Mechanical Engineering Category
TEDx Talk highlights Frist Center for Autism work
Jan. 9, 2020—This past November, Frist Center for Autism and Innovation communications coordinator Claire Barnett spoke at TEDxVanderbilt about autistic employment. Her talk, titled “Why autistic unemployment is so high – and what we can do about it,” explores several reasons that autistic adults struggle to obtain meaningful work. Barnett also discusses the steps that both businesses...
Vanderbilt mechanical engineers earn top materials research awards
Dec. 13, 2019—Vanderbilt mechanical engineers took home top awards at the Dec. 6 meeting of the Materials Research Society in Boston, Massachusetts. Mechanical engineering professor Kelsey Hatzell received the Materials Research Society Nelson “Buck” Robinson Science and Technology Award for Renewable Energy. Hatzell was selected from more than 25 candidates for her research contributions to renewable energy....
Vanderbilt rocketeers invited to special NASA Artemis unveiling day
Dec. 11, 2019—Five mechanical engineering seniors got a rare, up-close look at the core stage for NASA’s Space Launch System rocket that will help power the first Artemis mission to the Moon. A team from the Vanderbilt Aerospace Design Lab was specially selected by NASA to present their university-based flight projects to the NASA Administrator, NASA officials...
Simaan honored as IEEE Fellow for robotics advancements
Dec. 2, 2019—Nabil Simaan, professor of mechanical engineering, has been elevated to IEEE Fellow by the Board of Directors of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. The award – effective January 1, 2020 – recognizes Simaan for contributions to dexterous continuum robotics for surgery. Technologies developed by his group have advanced surgical robotics by enabling steerable...
Structural monitoring pioneer Douglas Adams named AAAS Fellow
Nov. 26, 2019—Douglas Adams, Daniel F. Flowers Professor, has been named a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science for extraordinary research contributions in experimental nonlinear dynamic systems with societal impacts in the energy, national security and manufacturing sectors. AAAS also cited Adams, Distinguished Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering, for influential academic leadership....
Webster to serve on new VURC Subcommittee for International Research and Engagement
Nov. 18, 2019—Robert J. Webster III, Richard A. Schroeder Professor of Engineering, has been selected to serve on a Subcommittee for International Research and Engagement established by the Vanderbilt University Research Council to provide governance for the TIPs-funded GlobalVU initiative. The GlobalVU initiative aims to improve international research and engagement, bring more international scholars and graduate students...
Robot prototype shows promise for microsurgery on eyes and aneurysms
Nov. 14, 2019—A new continuum robot designed by Vanderbilt engineers achieves multi-scale motion and may open up a huge world of previously impossible complex microsurgeries. The robot is capable of providing both a large macro motion workspace as necessary for surgical intervention and a small micro motions workspace with motion resolutions of 1 micron or less. For...
Valentine named Vanderbilt faculty liaison with ORNL
Nov. 8, 2019—The Oak Ridge National Laboratory collaboration with Vanderbilt University will grow stronger through a new faculty liaison—a School of Engineering professor—and enhanced management of travel assistance awards. Jason Valentine, associate professor of mechanical and electrical engineering, is the new faculty liaison and will carry on the collaborations established by Carlos Lopez, assistant professor of biochemistry and biomedical informatics....