villanova · 2020-07-19 · freshman students worked in teams on multidisciplinary projects,...

Summer 2010

Hands-On Learning Engineering for Life Sustainability:Policy and Practice

Servant Leaders

villanovau n i v e r s i t y

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Drosdick Endowed Dean of EngineeringDr. Gary A. Gabriele

Director of External RelationsBurton H. Lane

Writer and EditorCarly Keeny

WritersDebbie ClaytonChristopherMurray

DesignerPeter Volz Design

Photo Credits

Aurora ImagingCompany:pages 1-4; studentswith solar panel, p. 7;Dr. Noelle Comolli with student, p. 9;Dr. QianhongWuwith students andDr. RosalindWynne, p. 11

Havener, Lauren:Studentwith child p. 13; p. 14; andbottomphoto, p. 15

Johnston, Barbara: cover; p. 5;graduate students, p. 7;Dr. JensKarlsson, p. 9;Dr.MetinDuran and graduate student, p. 10

Kotter, Rory: p. 12; group shots p. 13 ; and top photo, p. 15

Nogueras, Paola:Dr.WilliamKelly and student, p. 8;Dr. Ani Ural and student, p. 10

Welsh, John: Dr. Robert Traver, p. 6; pages 16-19

Questions or CommentsSend to [email protected]

Address UpdatesSend [email protected]

News& EventsVisit www.Engineering.Villanova.edu

On the Cover:

Dr.Metin Duran, Associate Professor ofCivil and Environmental Engineering, andLauren Glose CE ’11 in the EnvironmentalMicrobiology and Biotechnology Laboratory

Contents

Message from the Dean 1

Hands-On Learning 2

The College’s new First-Year Curriculum, among themost innovative freshman engineering experiences inthe country, hinges on experiential multidisciplinarylearning.

Sustainability: Policy and Practice 5

With the launch of the new master’s degree program insustainable engineering – among the first in the country –and the Villanova Center for the Advancement ofSustainability in Engineering, the College puts the University’scommitment to sustainability into practice for students.

Engineering for Life 8

The field of bioengineering is growing in popularity andimportance. The College’s Cellular and MolecularBioengineering Research Group discovers new ways toimprove quality of life.

Servant Leaders 12

Engineering students put their technical skills to useto help communities in developing countries inLatin America.

Life-Saving Solar Solutions 16Engineering faculty and students help expandthe impact of the Solar Suitcase

Under the Sea 18Underwater robotics competition held atVillanova steers kids toward engineering

Connect with the College of Engineering 2010 easy ways to strengthen your ties to the College

Summer 2010

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mailto:[email protected]?subject=Summer Magazine Address Update

Message from the Dean

Not long ago, Villanova’s College ofEngineering articulated its goal tobecome a premier engineering programin the country, while maintaining theUniversity’s Catholic values.

In pursuing this goal, the College committed to a five-year strategic plan for achieving our chief aspirations tobuild a reputation for innovative curricula, teaching, and research, and to lead in the development of intellectualand humanitarian engineers. Concurrently, we resolved to measure our success against these goals by the successof our alumni and the view of our peers.

After just three years of progress, we have made great strides toward fulfilling many of our goals:

• At the College level, we’ve increased the diversity of our student body and faculty, with a goal toexceed national averages for underrepresented groups in engineering.We have added new opportunities for studentsand faculty to develop unique STEM education experiences for middle and high school students in our community.We have also strengthened ties to alumni and industry partners, whose ongoing committment continues to opendoors for our students. This fall, we’ll introduce yet another way to connect our students with the professionalengineering community – a state-of-the-art Multidisciplinary Design Laboratory.

• In Undergraduate Studies, we successfully completed the inaugural year of our new First-Year Curriculum,among the most innovative freshman engineering experiences in the country. Our departments now offer revisedcurricula to allow for more electives and minors – including the new bioengineering minor (developed with theCollege of Liberal Arts and Sciences) and the entrepreneurship minor (through collaboration with the VillanovaSchool of Business). We’ve also increased participation in summer research experiences and internships.

• In Graduate Studies and Research, we’ve reinvigorated our master’s of science degree programsand launched one of the nation’s first M.S. degree programs in sustainable engineering.We’ve solidifiedthe foundation for Ph.D. studies, which is growing quickly, with nearly 30 candidates currently enrolled. Andfinally, we’ve launched a new multidisciplinary research center – the Villanova Center for the Advancement ofSustainability in Engineering.

Read on to see how these strategic initiatives came to life in the 2009-2010 academic year.

We’re pleased with the progress we’ve made but look forward to addressing the challenges that remain and toaligning our goals with the University’s new strategic plan. To read more about the College’s achievements orUniversity’s strategic plan, visitwww.Villanova.edu.

Sincerely,

Gary A. Gabriele, PhDDrosdick Endowed Dean of the College of Engineering

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2 | Villanova Engineering

HANDS-ON LEARNINGNew First-Year Curriculum Promotes Experiential Education

Dardani credits his decision largelyto the new hands-on First-Year Curriculumprogram at the College of Engineering. Theprogram requires freshmen to participate intwo seven-weekmini projects bymid secondsemester. By exposing students to multipledisciplines within each project, the new pro-gram strives to solidify career paths earlier inthe college experience.

“I think this is definitely a good direction,”says Dardani, who participated in engineeringfairs and learned technical drawing and Auto-CAD software during high school in Syracuse,N.Y. “I elected to do the SMARTBEAMproject second semester and found themathand science behind it very satisfying. Itincorporated civil, mechanical, and electrical

engineering. Just being around somanydifferent kinds of professors really gave me agood feel for what each discipline does.”

The brainchild of Dr. Gerard (Jerry) Jones,Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies,and amultidisciplinary faculty committee,the new First-Year Curriculum evolved from asimilar programDr. Jones championed as amechanical engineering professor in the early1990s. Designed for mechanical engineeringsophomores, the earlier hands-on programemphasized reverse engineering. For variousreasons, the first program ended, but Dr. Jonesnever stopped dreaming of a workable experi-ential learningmodel.

“I knew that hands-on – or what we callexperiential – learning worked well with

Before Ian Dardani arrived at Villanova

as a freshman engineering student last

fall, hewas pretty sure he’d decided

which engineering disciplinewas right

for him. But halfway through second

semester, he changed his mind. Now,

he’s confident that mechanical

engineering holds a future for him.

Freshman students worked in teams on multidisciplinary projects, including one focused on the aerodynamics ofvehicles, reducing drag, and saving energy.

by Debbie Clayton


3

educating engineers,” explains Dr. Jones,who has been at Villanova for 23 years, sixof them as Chair of the Department ofMechanical Engineering and the last three asAssociate Dean. “Wewanted to build hands-on, multidisciplinary projects into the fresh-man curriculumwherever we could. At thesame time, students need some basic funda-mentals before they start working on projects.Otherwise, all they’d be doing is tinkering –not that tinkering is bad, but it’s not aneffective learning tool.”

Villanova’s College of Engineering reten-tion figures – defined as those remaining inengineering after freshman year–average animpressive 90 percent, compared to roughly70 percent at other engineering programs.However, in addition to maintaining highretention numbers, the new curriculum pro-gram endeavors to maintain underrepresentedgroups, such as women, minorities, interna-tional students, and those challenged dueto lack of high school experience. Surveysindicate that these students tend to transitionout of engineering in greater numbers thantheir fellow students.

“Many students come to us with highschool experience in robotics and varioussoftware packages,” explains Stephen Konyk,Assistant Professor of Electrical and ComputerEngineering. “Previously, we were takingthem right into the classroom and grindingthemwithmathematics and engineeringfundamentals. But the newer students don’twork that way. They need a reason and amotivation to buy into education.We reallyneeded to find a better way of challengingthem early on. Rather than telling them to

have faith and sit in the corner until sophomoreyear, the new program engages them in theirfirst semester.”

Core Course and Mini Projects

Breaking the two-semester sequence into fourparts, the new program begins with a corecourse the first quarter. “It starts with lecturebut then every week students do a micro proj-ect on a number of multidisciplinary topics,”adds Dr. Jones, who continues to do researchand teachmechanical engineering. “Studentsusually worked onmicro projects outside theclassroom. For example, they studiedmomen-tum and vectors utilizing pool balls at theConnelly Center pool table. They had a lot offun with that one!”

Mini projects took place the second half ofthe fall and first half of the spring semesters.Students selected one of six multidisciplinaryprojects, switching to a different project secondsemester. Projects included:

• Application of Acoustic Technologiesfor Predicting Structural Failure

• Experimental Evaluation of a SMARTBEAM

• Robotics and MATLAB Programming

• Electric Car Design

• The Artificial Kidney – Improving Dialysis

• Aerodynamics of Vehicles – ReducingDrag, Saving Energy

Dr. David Dinehart, Professor of Civil andEnvironmental Engineering andDirector of theStructural Engineering Teaching and ResearchLab, taught the acoustics and SMARTBEAMprojects. “Students were most excited about

Student teams built dialysis filter units for “The Artificial Kidney” project.

Dr. Gerard Jones, Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies

The Engineering Gene

Engineering blood runs deep inMaureen

McManus’s family in Harrison, N.Y. Her father

is an engineer and both of her older sisters

are engineering students. “Mymom’s an

English teacher, but I didn’t get those genes,”

she jokes.

Knowing that she, too, wanted to be an

engineer,McManus chose VillanovaUniver-

sity for its small class sizes and itswide

variety of labs. But she didn’t expect the

new First-Year Curriculum programwhen

she started as a freshman in 2009.

“It’s much betterworking in the labs and

talking one-on-onewith the professors than

just sitting in the classroom,” she says.

“I know studentswho reallyweren’t sure

what type of engineering theywanted to do.

Thisway, they got to test outwhat they

liked beforemaking the decision.”

McManus, on the other hand, knew she

wanted to go intomechanical engineering

before arriving at Villanova. Her twomini

projects – aerodynamics and acoustics –

simply confirmed that choice. “The new

program is amazing!” she adds.

getting into the lab,” he says. “They reallyrelished that they got to build things. Theyactually made concrete and cut beams for theacoustics project. Getting them that excitedabout engineering was very rewarding to me.”

Roughly 12 faculty members were in-volved in the program. At the end of eachproject, the students presented technical



Hands-On Learningcontinued

papers, participated in competitions, or gave aposter presentation. “By the end of those threequarters, students had done one core course andtwomini projects,” says Dr. Jones. “Then, inthe middle of spring semester, they selectedtheir majors.” The last seven-week session wasspent studying in the chosen disciplinary field.

Sharpening Communication Skills

One of the things Dr. Dinehart and hiscolleagues set out to accomplish with theirprojects was to improve their students’communications skills. They devoted onelecture to making a formal presentation,including PowerPoint development andtransferring technical information to a poster.Another lecture focused on putting togethera technical report, covering figures, text,and tables. At the end of the semester, thefreshmen participated in a poster presentationattended by administrators, faculty, graduatestudents, and upperclassmen.

“I was amazed at the quality of theirpresentations – the results were far abovewhat your typical freshmen could do,” notesDr. Dinehart. “My seniors and graduatestudents who came to the poster session said‘oh wow, we wish we’d gotten a chance todo that as freshmen!’”

But the students weren’t the only ones who

benefited from the new program. Dr. Dinehartfelt he learned a lot from working with otherfaculty members he’d previously not encoun-tered day-to-day. Konyk enjoyed engenderingexcitement in the students. “They’d stay up allnight – even over the weekend – to work onsome of the projects,” he says.

With a successful pilot year complete, thefaculty plans to regroup for future planning forthe program. “One of the tasks we’re currentlyaddressing is how to evolve the new programover the next two years,” explains Dr. Jones.“However, we don’t want to make manychanges yet. It would be rash on our part toreach conclusions based on one year of data.”

Still, Dr. Jones and his colleagues plan tomake a few tweaks for next year. Though themini projects will remain the same, they mayintroduce an alternate one on micro hydroelec-tric power. In addition, they are consideringadding an honors section to the initial corecourse. But based on feedback so far, theprogram is a resounding success with bothstudents and faculty.

“The new curriculum is light years ahead ofwhat we were doing before,” Konyk notes.“We still have to refine what we’re doing andassess the process in terms of impact on thestudents and faculty. But my gut feeling tellsme this curriculum is a good thing.”

Students applied lessons learned from the core course to their multidisciplinary projects.

Planning by Committee

Planning for the new First-Year Curriculum

began in January 2008. Dr. Jerry Jones

helmed the committee of five faculty

members:

• JamesO’Brien, Assistant Professor of

Mechanical Engineering

• Dr. Joseph Yost, Associate Professor of

Civil and Environmental Engineering

• Dr. FrankMercede, Assistant Professor of

Electrical and Computer Engineering

• Edward Char, Instructor, Electrical and

Computer Engineering

• Dr. RandyWeinstein, Professor and Chair

of the Department of Chemical Engineering

Afterwriting a request for proposals to the

College, thecommitteeencouraged faculty

members andmembers of theCollege’s

researchcenters to submit ideas formini

projects. TheCenter forAdvancedCommuni-

cations proposed theacoustics project

and theCenter forNonlinearDynamicsand

Control suggested the robotics project. Groups

of facultymembers submitted theother four

projects. Eachwasevaluatedand funded the

summerbefore first semester 2009.


5

SUSTAINABILITY:POLICY AND PRACTICE

Villanova’s commitment to sustainabil-

ity is rooted in Augustinian values

and can be seen as far back as 1970

when students and faculty embraced

the inaugural Earth Day. Four decades

later, environmental sustainability

continues to be part of the fabric of

the University community, evidenced

by the implementation of a Campus

Environmental Sustainability Policy,

pledging the University to sustainable

practices.

In addition, Father Peter M. Donohuereaffirmed this campus-wide mission in2007 by signing the American College andUniversity Presidents’ Climate Commit-ment, which strives to make Villanova aclimate-neutral campus.

Most importantly, these beliefs aremanifesting themselves in tangible prac-tices, including the University’s designationas an arboretumwith 1,500 trees of 250different species, green buildings androofs, and recently hosted environmentalconferences. More andmore, sustainabilityis an integral component of campusinfrastructure, curricula, events, and theUniversity’s growing research strengths.

Perhaps nowhere is that more apparentthan within the College of Engineering.

Master’s of Science in SustainableEngineering

The College of Engineering recently launchedamaster’s degree program in sustainable engi-neering to better position students for successin the ever-changing professional landscape.

“We are not just keeping up with the times;we are setting the times,” explains Dr. RandyWeinstein, Chair of the Department ofChemical Engineering and director of the newdegree program. “That is the key to a successfulfuture in a global society that is rapidlyevolving.”

While acknowledging the critical need forrenewable resources is important, understand-ing the engineering implications and takingaction to help address technical problems andimprove the planet is paramount. The launchof this program epitomizes the College’sleadership in this growing field, which iswoven through all engineering disciplines.

“You discover the Earth’sspringing energy, its amazingbeauty, its most excellentpotency... to praise yourCreator you make theEarth’s cry your own.”

—St. Augustine, Enarratio in Psalmum 144.13

by Christopher Murray

Justin Yeash ChE ’09 is among the first students to pursue the new master’s of science degree in sustainable engineering.

“There are social, political, and economicsides to sustainability, along with the ever-important engineering issues,” says Dr.Weinstein. “We are taking amultidisciplinaryapproach through all our engineering depart-ments. Our solutions are not discipline-specific, as we are looking at ways to improverenewable energy, decrease resource usage,and provide access to clean water all at thesame time.”

Faculty members in each engineeringdiscipline are bringing their research intothe classroom, using campus as the primarylaboratory and demonstrationmodel.

“InWhite Hall, we are monitoring energy,water usage and temperature, and analyzingwhy costs are what they are; at the end of ouranalysis, wemay implement changes basedon the findings,” adds Dr.Weinstein.

The program is flexible, offering classeson campus and online, allowing full- andpart-time students to pursue a full degree orgraduate certificate, with or without a thesisoption. It is designed for a broad range of



disciplines: economics, politics, ethics, andenvironmental studies.

“In sustainable engineering, you are trainedto examine all externalities and recognize thedownstream implications of a company’soperations,” says Yeash. “It’s not aboutways tomake new energy, but rather, ways to use theenergywe already havemore efficiently.”

According toYeash, the engineer who isfocused on sustainability looks at whole systemsand the interconnectedness of decisions. “Forexample, how can a companymake its supplychainmore efficient and use less energy totransport the same amount of goods?”

Right now,major corporations are commit-ting themselves to sustainability, and not justto save the planet. “The bottom line of sustain-ability is efficiency,” addsYeash, “and efficiencysavesmoney. It is a win-win situation.”

Faith andWork

“It is very unique that I, as an engineeringstudent, can dialogue so easily with the headof mission andministry at Villanova andincorporate those values into my work,” saysYeash. “Theology and sustainability are deeplyconnected, and I love the opportunity to bringthese two disciplines together in my work,while having a profound impact on peopleand the environment.”

students and professionals, including thosejust completing their undergraduate work, aswell as accomplished engineers.

“This degree is for people striving to betheir best and those whowant tomake changesfor the better,” addsDr.Weinstein. “PeoplewithMBAs and othermaster’s of sciencedegrees are coming back because of therelevance of the subjectmatter.”

The courses aren’t focused solely on engineer-ing topics.

“One of the courses we teach is a socialeconomics course, co-taught by professors ofbusiness, philosophy, and engineering,” says Dr.Weinstein. “We recognize this is not just aboutengineering solutions, but rather, engineeringas part of the bigger picture of sustainability.”

Attracted to Integration

It was this holistic approach that attractedVillanova alumnus and current College ofEngineering graduate student JustinYeashChE ’09 to the degree program.

“I feel a need to care for the Earth,” says Yeash,“and I came toVillanova because of the uniqueopportunity to attend a Catholic school, wherethere is an integration of faith and studies, partof which is responsibility for the environment.”

Yeash further explains his interest in sustain-able engineering because it encompassesmany

This field and Villanova’s degree programwill continue to grow and evolve. “The coursesin 10 years could be different than today,” saysDr.Weinstein. “Problems and complexitieschange, and so will we; we can’t teach aboutproblems of the past with solutions of the past.”

The degree is also a great way for alumni toget involved in the program.

“Our hope is to set up fellowships andundergraduate scholarships,” concludesDr.Weinstein, “and alumni working in variousfields can help give students the opportunitiesto advance themselves.”

These opportunities can help students taketheir passion to the next level.

“Villanova offers me ‘ultimate life integra-tion,’ where I can focus my loves into a career atan institution that is committed to maintainingits Catholic identity, while expanding itsresearch capabilities.”

VCASE

This evolution of the engineering profession hasalso led to the creation of the Villanova Centerfor the Advancement of Sustainability inEngineering (VCASE), which houses multidis-ciplinary research and teaching on campus inareas including alternative and renewableenergy, environmental sustainability, andwatershed and infrastructure management.

Dr. Robert Traver, Director of VCASE, connects research into sustainability with the features of Villanova’s campus, such as the wetlands located alongside the Structural Education Teaching and Research Lab.

Sustainabiltycontinued


7

“We are looking at ways to reduce man’simpact on the planet,” says Dr. Pritpal Singh,Chair of the Department of Electrical andComputer Engineering and the solar energyexpert of the group. “We want to use resourcesmore efficiently to minimize fossil fuels andmove toward renewable alternatives such ashigher-efficiency, low-cost solar cells.”

“We created VCASE because it no longermakes sense for engineers to work as individu-als,” adds Dr. Robert Traver, Professor of Civiland Environmental Engineering and Directorof VCASE. “Sustainability needs to be inclusive,not exclusive, and engineers need to look atmultiple components of situations they are askedto address; everything is multidisciplinary.”

Sustainable engineering practices can alreadybe seen in many projects to which the Collegeof Engineering lends its expertise and support:

• Stormwater sustainability has long been afocus at Villanova. The campus master planoffers more opportunity to advance and analyzethe impact of a green infrastructure approachto stormwater management across the entirecampus.

• In addition, the Center for EngineeringEducation and Research (CEER) has a greenroof, which not only supports vegetation, butalso has thermal properties, naturally insulatingthe building. CEER also boasts a 4 kilowatt

solar electrical system that provides energy.

• Fedigan Hall’s geothermal energy andLED lighting systems are saving energy andlowering costs.

• Porous paving and rain gardens aroundcampus allow water to infiltrate the soil,reducing damaging runoff to the Darby andMill Creek Watersheds.

“Research is the experimental process oflooking at new ideas,” adds Dr. Traver, “andour campus is the best laboratory to conductthese experiments and examine these ideas.”

According to Dr. Traver, in today’s academicenvironment, the university infrastructureshould be a place to do research and applywhat is learned. “Overall, there is more greenresearch and coordination happening oncampus, which is introducing students to newtechnologies,” adds Dr. Traver. “Our FacilitiesDepartment is part of the educational process,and everyone benefits from that.”

Because of the active research on campus,there is equipment in place that can be usedto teach. “It gives us an opportunity to reallybring students in and give them practicalexperience,” says Dr. Traver. “VCASE researchsupports the curricula, allowing students toapply theory and principles learned in theclassroom,” adds Dr. Singh.

Complementing the tangible work oncampus, VCASE frequently hosts industry andcommunity outreach activities.

Last fall, the Center hosted a smart gridsymposium, which covered a diverse range oftopics for approximately 150 faculty, students,and professionals who engaged in qualitydialogue on the changing dynamics of theelectric grid system and the evolution ofintelligent appliances. A two-day seminar onstormwater held every two years attractednearly 300 attendees in 2009.

VCASE also reaches out to other disciplinesby holding seminars on campus for students andfaculty, demonstrating sustainability expertiseand opportunities.

“I am very proud of the willingness of facultyto come together and create this tremendousopportunity for our students and the University,”says Dr. Traver. “There are natural partnershipswith nursing, business, and law to fully roundout the educational impact of VCASE.”

“Moving forward, our hope is to expandour reach to include other universities andbuild partnerships with engineering firmsand manufacturing organizations,” Dr. Travercontinues. “Potentially, we could develop newtechnologies and commercialize them,” addsDr. Singh.

“Industry knows what industry needs andis very interested in the next generation ofemployees,” concludes Dr. Traver. “Therefore,they have a vested interest in supportingeducation in sustainable engineering.”

As St. Augustine said, “to seek the highestgood is to live well.” At the College of Engi-neering, living this Augustinian ideal meansa tradition of service to, and care for, one’scommunity every day.

VCASE research focuses on alternative/renewable energy, environmental sustainability, and watershed and infrastructure management.

Justin Yeash ChE ’09 and Amanda DelCore are pursuing theM.S. in sustainable engineering.



ENGINEERING FOR LIFEVillanova’s Cellular and Molecular Bioengineering Research GroupDiscovers NewWays to Improve Quality of Life

by Carly Keeny

According to the National Academy of

Engineering (NAE), if the 20th century’s

greatest engineering achievements

revolutionized thewaywe live, work,

travel, and communicate, then the 21st

century demands a dual engineering

commitment to advancing society and

improving the overall quality of life.

Together with the National ScienceFoundation, the NAE established a globalcommittee of engineering experts to identifythe top engineering priorities of the 21st cen-tury.When the group unveiled its final list of“Grand Challenges for Engineering” in 2008,nearly half were initiatives that require theincorporation of bioengineering techniques.

As bioengineering continues to evolve as acentral component for societal advancement,Villanova students and faculty are well-poisedto contribute meaningfully to the way newmedicines are developed and delivered,chronic health issues are diagnosed andtreated, water supplies are purified, and newresearch breakthroughs are discovered thanksin part to the College of Engineering’sCellular andMolecular BioengineeringResearch Group.

This multidisciplinary research groupincludes faculty experts in mechanical, civiland environmental, electrical, and chemicalengineering who share resources and informa-tion, learn from one another, andmaintain theCollege’s new state-of-the-art Core GenomicsLaboratory (funded by aNational ScienceFoundationMajor Research Instrumentation

grant, which opened in 2009 and allows forscientific exploration at the gene level). Alongwith their undergraduate and graduate students,the group conducts research projects that,although varied, hold the promise of a positiveimpact on living systems.

Improving BiopharmaceuticalProcesses

Withmore than 20 years of experience inbioprocessing,Dr.WilliamKelly, AssociateProfessor of Chemical Engineering, has spent his

career at the intersection of biology andengineering.Dr. Kelly came toVillanova viapharmaceutical giantMerck andCompany,where he developed vaccines and improved

the systems used to creatematerials forMerck products.

Today, Dr. Kelly focuses on research thatcan help pharmaceutical companies grow cellsthat improve drug performance and refine thesystems required to purify products. “Myexperience atMerck has absolutely informedmywork here at Villanova,” says Dr. Kelly.This experience has also made him an idealpartner for a number of sponsored researchprojects conducted in his BiotechnologyLaboratory on behalf of Eli Lilly; Centocor,Inc.; and GlaxoSmithKline, in addition to hisformer employer, Merck.

This year, Dr. Kelly secured a two-year,$50,000 grant fromGlaxoSmithKline to helpthe company optimize chromatography, theprocess by whichmolecules used to make adrug are extracted from cells. “This work istied to a real drug in their pipeline, and theoutcome could affect what protein purificationstrategy is chosen for large-scale manufactur-ing,” says Dr. Kelly. StefanieMcDermottChE ’10 helped kick off the project, whichwill include computer modeling andexperimentation.

In addition, Dr. Kelly has also helped

“The research I have done inbioengineering at Villanovahas allowed me to gain theexperience I needed in orderto land a full-time position inthe pharmaceutical industry.”

–– Stefanie McDermott ChE ’10

Dr. William Kelly (left) in the Biotechnology Lab Sherrie-Ann Martin ChE ’09 (left) worked with Dr. Noelle Comolli


9

pharmaceutical companies growCHOcells,which secrete antibodies beneficial to humans,and then separate the protein desired formedicines.He is also workingwith plasmids ex-tracted fromE. coli bacteria, which can be loadedwith geneticmaterial for gene therapy drugs.

Improving Drug Delivery

Having grown up with asthma, Dr. NoelleComolli, Assistant Professor of ChemicalEngineering, knows the importance of havingan effective drug treatment to manage anattack. Unfortunately, about 25 percent ofasthmatics don’t respond to traditionaltreatments of steroids or albuterol. This non-response can be life-threatening.

In her Biomaterials and DrugDelivery Lab-oratory, Dr. Comolli improves drug perform-ance and delivery by engineering existingmedicines to work efficiently in a differentdosage, release differently over time, reduce sideeffects, or target specific problems. Currently incollaboration with a medical doctor from PennMedicine, Dr. Comolli and graduate studentMatt Scionti ChE ’09 are developing a newasthma treatment that will deliver a high doseof Vitamin D directly to inflamed lung cells.

“When inflamed, lung cells present recep-tors for albuterol, which normally attaches tocells and signals the stop of inflammation,” saysDr. Comolli. “For those who don’t respondtraditionally, we’re trying to target that samecell receptor with albuterol on the outside of aparticle so it will still attach, but inside, theparticle will contain enoughVitaminD tostop the inflammation.”Her goal is to deliverthese particles in a traditional liquid inhaleror nebulizer.

In addition, Dr. Comolli is also working ondesigning nanoparticles to add to drugs thatcan speed axon growth after spinal cord injury,developing biodegradable thin film deliveriesthat can be loaded with anti-inflammatory

“Through the Departmentof Chemical Engineering, Ihave been exposed to aspectsof bioengineering that I didn’tknow existed, and I have beenable to discover my real passion.”

–– Olivia Donaldson ChE ’10

(right) as an undergraduate student to research drug delivery improvements. Dr. Jens Karlsson in the Biothermal Sciences Laboratory

drugs and applied directly inside the bodyafter surgery, and developingmicroparticlesthat can be added to cancer drug therapies totarget tumors directly.

Preserving Cells and Tissue

In the Biothermal Sciences Laboratory, Dr.Jens Karlsson, Associate Professor of Mechani-cal Engineering, and his team investigate theeffect of extreme temperatures on livingsystems. A current focus of the laboratory is todevelop novel strategies for cryopreservation ofcells and tissue. If perfected, cryopreservationtechnology will open the door for mass pro-duction of tissue-engineeredmedical productsused in organ and tissue transplantation.

“Outside the body, living tissues can onlylast for a few hours before the cells begin todie,” says Dr. Karlsson. “Because cryogenictemperatures can provide a shelf life of manyyears, the development of successful cryop-reservation techniques for cells and tissuewouldmake possible manufacturing oftissue-engineered organs on a commerciallyviable scale.”

Dr. Karlsson received a three-year,$280,000 grant from theNational Science



Foundation to study how ice crystals damagecells during the freezing process. He is using aunique high-speed imaging cryomicroscope todetect ice formation in tissue-engineered en-dothelial constructs, made using cells from thelining of blood vessels.

Dr. Karlsson is also collaborating with Dr.Angela DiBenedetto, Associate Professor ofBiology, to develop cryopreservation methodsfor zebrafish embryos – an important animalmodel for research in genetics and development.Because they are so popular for biological re-search, scientists have produced so many geneticvariations that it is becoming impossible tomaintain the fish stock required to preserve eachgenetic strain. “If you can cryopreserve theembryos, you can easily store zebrafish strainsuntil they are needed, at which time the em-bryos can be thawed and allowed to develop intolive fish,” says Dr. Karlsson, who is assisted byKathleen Bommer ME ’11 on this project.

Identifying Fracture Risk

Dr. Ani Ural, Assistant Professor of MechanicalEngineering, applies new ways of identifyingfracture risk to different hierarchical structures

of bone to see how they impact osteoporosis.Wrist and hip bones are different sizes and

shapes, but they share the same make-up andstructure at the macro level. Studies show thatif a person suffers a low-energy hip or spinefracture, he/she likely suffered a Colles’ frac-ture, or a break in the wrist at the radius,about 10 years prior.

“We want to predict the Colles’ fracture toprevent eventual fracture in the hip and spine,”says Dr. Ural, who uses a computational model

to predict the level of load that will cause frac-ture. Next, she hopes to incorporate CT scanimages from real patients to determine whichload might cause fracture, based on the pa-tient's age, bone geometry and material, aswell as the fall type and wrist position.

At the micro level, Dr. Ural explores bonemicrostructures (osteons, cement lines, andpores) to determine the impact of microcracks.“We want to understand how microstructureschange over time, at different ages, and howthose changes – and their ability to withstandmicrocracks – affect the overall bone,” says Dr.

Ural. Susan Mischinski ME ’10, who workedon micro level bone research as an undergradu-ate, will conduct the next phase of researchunder Dr. Ural’s direction when she returns toVillanova this summer as a graduate student.

Incorporating Biomimicry

For Dr. Qianhong Wu, Assistant Professor ofMechanical Engineering, discoveries made fromthe human body have the potential to impactthe human experience.

Dr. Wu works to understand the role of theendothelial glycocalyx layer (EGL), which coatsthe surface of all microvessels. This layer iscritical because damage to it contributes toconditions like type 2 diabetes, atherosclerosis,and other cardiovascular diseases.

“We’ve discovered the EGL’s role as a lubrica-tor for the motion of blood cells in a capillary.Now, we want to understand the mechanotrans-duction mechanism via the layer – its role as asensor for communicating what’s going on out-side the endothelial cells,” says Dr. Wu. In theCellular Biomechanics and Sport Science Labora-tory, Dr. Wu is working with a team of graduateand undergraduate students to expose humanumbilical vein endothelial cells to fluid flow withdifferent conditions to determine response.

Dr. Wu also employs biomimicry to applybiology-based lessons from microcirculation to anew concept called “super lubrication.” “Whatwe learn from the human body can be developedinto something used in everyday life,” says Dr.Wu. “We’re working on a ‘super lubricator’ formachinery that completely eliminates friction,which by extension, also reduces heat genera-

“Villanova has some of the mostadvanced technology in thebioengineering field and offersall students an opportunity towork with it.”

–– Kathleen BommerME ’11

“Under the guidance of Dr. Wu,my fellow lab members and Ihave turned our lab into oneof the premier consolidatingporous medium labs in thecountry.”

–– Robert Crawford, graduate research assistant

Susan Mischinski ME ’10 (left) works with Dr. Ani Ural (right) on microlevel bone research. Dr. Metin Duran (left) and graduate student Yasemin Dilsad Yilmazel research wasteconversion in the Environmental Microbiology and Biotechnology Lab.

Engineering for Lifecontinued


11

tion, energy consumption, and greenhouse gasemissions.”

For this work, a team of graduate and under-graduate students have built several unique ex-perimental setups designed to characterize thepermeability of various soft porousmaterials,measure lift generation during rapid compres-sion, andmonitor the friction as a planingsurface glides over them.Dr.Wu and his teamhope to apply the fundamentals learned to thedevelopment of functionalized nano-porousma-terials that can be used as a soft porous bearingwith greatly reduced friction and infinite life.

Developing Alternative Energy

“Waste not, want not” is a way of life in theEnvironmental Microbiology and Biotechnol-ogy Laboratory, where Dr. Metin Duran,Associate Professor of Civil and EnvironmentalEngineering, andmembers of his researchgroup convert wastewater byproducts intoalternative energy.

“The Core Genomics Laboratory gives us theability to understand the geneticmechanisms

that allowmicroorganisms to convert waste intomethane or ethanol and use that information tooptimize those processes,” says Dr. Duran.

During the wastewater treatment process,about 50 percent of what’s treated becomes abyproduct, which goes directly to the landfill.“If you can tie the production of energy to wastematerial, it’s an ideal solution,” says Dr. Duran.This year, Dr. Duran secured a one-year,$26,000 grant from a local company hoping toenter the renewable energy area. “We’re tryingto find ways to increase the natural microbialactivity that converts byproduct into ethanol,”he says.

Dr. Duran has securedmore than $250,000in funding from the PhiladelphiaWaterDepartment over the last two years. Two recentprojects are related to “energy fromwasteconcept” with a total budget of nearly $90,000.“Naturally-occurringmethanogens digestbiosolids, the organicmatter present inwaste-water,” saysDr. Duran. “We put thesemicrobesinto an engineered systemdesigned to optimizethe digestion process, which results inmethanegas, a resource thewater department hopes toharness.” The team is also looking into convert-ing “scum,” the fats and oils collected duringthewastewater treatment process, intomethaneas well.

Detecting Chemicals withFiber Optics

Dr. RosalindWynne, Associate Professor ofElectrical Engineering, is applying her expertisein fiber optics to improve technology used toidentify the presence of chemicals in water

systems, airflow, and the human body.“I want to use fibers to develop spectroscopy

techniques that enhance the ‘state-of-the-art’ fordevices that environmentalists and the health-care community use to detect pathogens,proteins, or chemicals in the samples theymeasure,” says Dr.Wynne.

For example, an environmentalist seekingthe presence of E. coli bacteria in water willapply tags to the sample that glow in thepresence of the bacteria. Fibers improve thecollection of light fluorescence used to monitorthe tags and allow the same sensitivity ofdetection with smaller sample sizes of materials.

To determine water quality, Dr.Wynnehopes to build a fiber-based portable, handhelddevice that can be used by the government,water treatment facilities, or the military forfield work. She also sees the potential todevelop similar devices that the medicalcommunity can use to detect chemicals thatare markers for diseases.

Meeting the Challenge

One hundred years fromnow, a future generationof engineers will outline the top engineeringchallenges for the 22nd century. Almost cer-tainly, their decisions will involve a thoroughanalysis of howwell the 21st century’s engineersmet their chief challenges. Thework of theCellular andMolecular BioengineeringResearchGroup and the students theyworkwithwill bewoven into that fabric of accomplishment. Formore information on undergraduate, graduate,and faculty research at the College of Engineer-ing, visitwww.Engineering.Villanova.edu.

“It is a wonderful feeling goinginto some of the undergraduatecourses already having a knowl-edge of different experimentalprocesses and machinerybecause of my work in the lab.”

––Lauren Glose CE ’11

Dr. Qianhong Wu and his students have developed a renowned porous medium lab. Dr. Rosalind Wynne, Associate Professor of Electrical Engineering



SERVANT LEADERSEngineering Students Lead by Putting Others Firstby Carly Keeny

When former AT&T executive Robert

Greenleaf published his 1970 essay “The

Servant as Leader,” he introduced a new

concept in leadership that “beginswith

the natural feeling that onewants to

serve…first. Then conscious choice

brings one to aspire to lead...[it] mani-

fests itself in the care taken...to make

sure that other people’s highest priority

needs are being served.”

Forty years later, a similar leadership

style permeates the College of Engineer-

ing, where students play key roles in

groups that put the needs of their global

neighbors first.


13

Far and Away

Each year, dozens of engineeringstudents forgo a Spring Break spenton the beach in favor of time spent on service-learning trips to remote villages in LatinAmerica, where basic resources are scarce.What may start with a slight case of cultureshock eventually becomes a transformationalexperience for many students, who not onlyhone their technical skills, but also makeconnections to local communities, broadentheir worldviews, and sharpen theirleadership skills.

“During the week you can see a gradualchange in the students’ feelings about being ina third world country.When they first arrive,you can see a wide range of emotions, fromshock, to wonderment, and sometimes topity,” says Dr. Gary Gabriele, DrosdickEndowedDean of the College of Engineering,who has for the past three years joined the triptoWaslala, Nicaragua. “But as they workthrough the week, you can see their attitudeschange to respect for how hard the peoplework, gratitude and amazement at howfriendly and generous they are, and a real senseof respect for how theymake a life for them-selves in such difficult situations.”

This year, students fanned out toNicaragua,Honduras, and Panama to improve local waterresources.

• In Waslala, Nicaragua, 10 studentsfrom a variety of disciplines providedengineering design services to connect water

from springs in the surroundingmountains tothe villages below for reliable, clean drinkingwater. Annual service trips toWaslala began in2004, and to date, more than 60 students haveparticipated. This year’s group also includedDr. Gabriele; Dr. Alfonso Ortega, AssociateDean for Graduate Studies and Research;and James O’Brien, Assistant Professor ofMechanical Engineering.

• On the 11th annual trip to theAmigosde Jesus orphanage in Poses Verdes,Honduras, 16 civil and environmentalengineering students tackled the first waterresource project in trip history – as well as abasketball court. For 10 years, students have de-signed and built much-needed facilities for theorphanage, which serves more than 50 children.

Approximately 100 students have worked atthe site, where projects have included a30'x60' chapel and volunteer center, a schoolcomplex, and a 25-foot cross that symbolizeshope. This year’s group also included Dr.BridgetWadzuk, Assistant Professor of Civiland Environmental Engineering, and Dr.AndreaWelker, Associate Professor of Civiland Environmental Engineering.

• In Torti, Panama, 10mechanicalengineering students worked on a water sup-ply intake dam and reservoir expansion projectand provided design services for a water distri-bution system. In Panama, the College collab-orates with FatherWally Kasuboski, who runsthe local CapuchanMission dedicated to im-proving conditions for local communities.This year’s trip also included Dr. Gerard Jones,Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies;

In Waslala, Nicaragua, engineering students provided design services to establish reliable, clean drinking water for the local community.

Engineering students have provided services to Amigos de Jesusorphanage in Poses Verdes, Honduras for 11 years.

Engineering students and Dean Gary Gabriele in Waslala



Servant Leaderscontinued

considerations ofworking in a different culture.”Meanwhile, a changingwork scope in

Hondurasmeant a newmix of faculty andstudents this year. The only participants withany previous experience at Amigos de Jesuswere four students, including LaurenHavenerCE ’11.With no playbook for the group torefer to as they set out to design and install awater filtration system and build a basketballcourt,Havener drew on previous experienceto help the group navigate the basics of theorphanage, share lessons learned from theprevious year, and help get the input theyneeded from staff . “I was able to help becauseI was already comfortable there; I understoodthe community better and knew how to gethelpwhenwe needed it,” saysHavener.

In Panama, student leader EricNolanME’11 focused onwhat he calls “the human as-pect” of leading. “I realized there are smallthings you can do tomake a difference – evensomething as simple as smiling,” saysNolan.“Or, if you’re trying to communicate, youshould try your hardest. Even thoughmySpanishwas poor as we surveyed local familiesaboutwater needs, I kept trying, and thepeople really appreciated it. I just tried todemonstrate the need for patience, understand-ing, and having a good attitude.”

Dr. Edward Glynn, Assistant Professor of Civiland Environmental Engineering; and alumnusDan Lutz PE, owner of Capstone DevelopmentGroup.

Before each trip, students learn to approachprojects as “partnerships” with local communi-ties. “We’re not about imposing external ideason local organizations. It’s important thatstudents learn the value of supporting localsolutions and to see how engineering expertisecan play a part in that,” says Jordan Ermilio,Engineering Service Coordinator and AdjunctProfessor of Mechanical Engineering.

Once the initial shock of being in unfamiliarterritory subsides, there’s real work to be done,and it’s up to the students to choose the bestcourse of action. “The faculty takes great painsto allow the students to identify possibleprojects. As instructors, our role is to ensurethat there is significant engineering content tothe project. As advisors, we help to facilitatethe design process, but if wemanage theprojects like a classroom, wemight miss outon the next best idea for these communities,”says Ermilio.

“Being able to make the decisions asstudents has a big impact. You’re able to say‘I designed this’ for people who don’t have thetechnical background that we have,” says

Maggie Carragher CE ’11, who spent hersecond consecutive Spring Break inHonduras.

Leading by Example

On each trip, student leaders help overseeprojects, manage the group dynamic, serveas liaisons to faculty advisors and localcommunities, and organize evening reflections.“The student leaders really set an exampleof engagement with the tasks at hand andenthusiasm for the goals of the trip that seemsto infect the rest of the group. Leading byexample is how I would characterize it,”says Dr. Gabriele.

RoryKotterME ’11, a veteran of theVillanova chapter of EngineersWithoutBorders (an international, non-profit organiza-tion that partners with communities world-wide to improve their quality of life), used hisprevious experience withwater systemdevelop-ment in Thailand andKenya to help lead thetrip inWaslala. “Through EWB, I’ve learnedto be comfortable when I’m out ofmy elementor trying to connect with local communities inother countries,” saysKotter. “That experiencehelpedme be a better resource to the team. Icould offer advice about designwork based onwhat I had already learned in the field or helpanswer questions about the sensitivities and

Civil and environmental engineering students developed a water filtration system and built a basketball court at Amigos de Jesus orphanage in Honduras.


15

Closer Connections

The students and faculty who participate inservice-learning trips together develop relation-ships based on opportunities for uniquecollaborations. “It was so impressive that theywent with us, especially the deans, who at otheruniversities might seem invisible to the studentbody,” says Kotter. “We were all able to operateon the same level because we all had the samegoals.”

Havener agrees. “Allowing the students tolead the projects gives the faculty a chance to seeus in a different light,” she says. “The work ismore collaborative than in class.”

“Having the faculty and deans along gives usa chance to makemore personal connections andbreaks down the walls between ‘student/teacher’relationships,” says Nolan, who also appreciatedthe exposure to faculty he hasn’t studied withbefore. “I got to knowDr. Jones very well onmytrip. He’s an incredible source of information,and I learned a classroom’s worth of informationjust by talking to him. I hope to have him asa teacher!”

To learnmore about these and otherstudent service-learning trips, visitwww.Villanova.edu/Engineering/Service

Students often make personal connections with local children.

Going Pro

Engineering students also put their leadership skills towork for each other, from runningproject competition groups and student government organizations, to discipline-specifichonor societies and peermentoring groups.

The studentswho lead the Villanova chapters of professional engineering organizationstry to give their fellow students tools they can use for life after college, includingmentoringopportunities, professional networks, internship and career resources, andmore.

American Institute of Chemical Engineering (AIChE)

This year, Villanova’s AIChE hosted a studentworkshop oninterviewing skills, sponsored by the local AIChEDelawareValley section. Studentmembers of the AIChE also haveaccess to exclusive conferences for students, whichprovide access to high-profile speakers, chemical engineer-ing trade shows, online career fairs, alumni networkingreceptions, and graduate school fairs.

Institute for Electrical and ElectronicsEngineers (IEEE)

The IEEE organizes tours of companies like Boeing inRidley Park, Pa., and the Exelon nuclear reactor inLimerick, Pa. It also hosts information sessions, wherecompanies like Schlumberger, which provides project

management and information solutions tomembers of the oil and gas industry, discussopportunities in the field. The group alsowelcomes speakers from other types oforganizations, such as financial services firms, which helps electrical engineersconsider other career avenues.

American Society for Civil Engineers (ASCE)

“TheASCE looks forways to connect studentswithprofessionals,” saysMaggie Carragher CE ’11,president. The organization hosts several guestspeakers per semester, givingmembers access to civilengineers from a variety of settings, including privatecompanies, consulting firms, and government bodies.

American Society of Mechanical Engineering(ASME)

Cross-year relationship-building holdsmany benefits.“Upperclassmen,who know the lay of the land better,can serve asmentors to younger students, even for

things outside of engineering,” says EmilyWakelinME ’10. ASME facilitates the processatmonthlymeetings, special events, and field trips to inspiring places like the AmericanHelicopterMuseum inWest Chester, Pa., or the Comcast Center in Philadelphia.

To learn more about the College’s student organizations, visitwww.Villanova.edu/Engineering/Organizations

“We want to help chemical engineersstart good relationships early on intheir careers,” says Erik SheetsChE ’10, president. “The AIChEopens up opportunities for studentsto find summer research andinternships.”

“At Villanova, the IEEE offersmembers a network,” says Co-ChairSonia Guleria EE ’10. That networkcan open doors to new professionalconnections, career opportunities,and different avenues to consider.

“The speakers give us face time withworking professionals who can tell usabout their experience in ‘the realworld.’ These speakers can also helpopen doors to internships or othernetworking opportunities,” saysMaggie Carragher CE ’11.

“We're all about connecting theunderclassmen inmechanicalengineering with the upperclass-men,” says EmilyWakelinME ’10,co-president.


http://www.engineering.villanova.edu/service

http://www.engineering.villanova.edu/organizations


LIFE-SAVING SOLAR SOLUTIONSEngineering Faculty and Students Help Expand the Impact of theSolar Suitcaseby Christopher Murray

Observation sparks innovation. This

simple philosophy is saving lives

around theworld and, thanks to a chance

meeting, Villanova University engineering

students are collaborators in the process.

2008

During a trip to Nigeria,Dr. LauraStachel witnessed the devastating impactunreliable electricity has onmaternal mortal-ity rates. An obstetrician/gynecologist,Dr. Stachel saw firsthand the dangerousconditions women often face while goingthrough childbirth in developing countries.

Doctors were working by candlelight orkerosene lamp. Expectant mothers wereturned away from hospitals with no electricity.Power outages made it nearly impossible toaddress complications during labor such asmassive bleeding, obstructive labor, seizures,and infection. Lives were lost when appropri-ate emergency care could not be provided.

Dr. Stachel returned to the United Statescommitted to solving this infrastructureproblem. She didn’t have to look far, partner-ing with Dr. Hal Aronson, her husbandand an expert in solar electricity.

Soon thereafter, the two founded thenonprofit organizationWomen’s EmergencyCommunication and Reliable Electricity,also known asWECARE Solar.

The Solar Suitcase

Before Drs. Stachel and Aronson could addresschallenges overseas, they needed to considerone oft-ignored reality. Much of the electricalequipment sent to developing countries goesunused, due to inability to operate and fixcomplicatedmachinery.

“We discussedmatching solar energy withefficient appliances,” Dr. Aronson says. “Weknew there had to be a less complicated wayto bring electricity to these countries – tominimize the wiring, while still providing

Engineering graduate students are collaborating with the founders of WE CARE Solar to optimize the design of the Solar Suitcase, whichprovides reliable electricity to health clinics in developing countries.

sufficient power in a lightweight system.”The result was the Solar Suitcase, a portable

photovoltaic system that powers lighting fortreatments and surgeries, mobile communica-tions, and essential medical devices.

Manufactured to fit inside a standard pieceof luggage, the solar suitcase provides 12 voltsof electricity for up to 50 hours after spendingone full day in the sun. “It offers both direc-tional and ambient light, to help performsurgery; it also charges tools such as walkietalkies, which enable real-time communica-tion and response in healthcare facilities,” saysDr. Aronson. “And getting the Solar Suitcaseto these countries is simple; it’s a carryon bag.”

2009

Dr. Pritpal Singh, Chair of the Departmentof Electrical and Computer Engineering, at-tended the Institute of Electrical and Electron-ics Engineers “Humanitarian TechnologyChallenge Conference,” where Dr. Stachelpresented the Solar Suitcase and its impactonmaternal health in northernNigeria.

“I was drawn to the project when I heard

the horrifyingmaternal mortality statistics,”says Dr. Singh. “When I realized the dramaticimpact low-power energy and communicationtechnology could have, I realized our studentscould help save lives by harnessing thepotential of solar energy.”

At a follow-up IEEEHumanitarianTechnology Challenge SolutionsWorkshopin October, Dr. Singh approached Dr. Stachelabout a partnership with Villanova.

“I saw an opportunity to do further engi-neering of their design,” says Dr. Singh. “Iwas confident we could come up with thenext generation of the Solar Suitcase and helpimprove its performance.”

Ask and the Door Shall Be Opened

Graduate students in the College of Engineer-ing are currently working on designingmoreadvanced components for the Solar Suitcase.“The Solar Suitcase is doing great things, andthere is more room for improvement,” saysDr. Singh. “The design is not yet optimized.”

It didn’t take long to get started.“Wemet with Villanova’s graduate stu-


17

Dr. Hal Aronson and Dr. Laura Stachel, founders of WE CARE Solar, developed a photovoltaic system that powers lighting, mobilecommunications, and essential medical devices – that fits in a carryon suitcase.

dents of engineering to discuss what improve-ments we couldmake to the functionality andefficiency of the Solar Suitcase,” Dr. Aronsonadds. “We are encouraging them to look atthe product, understand the needs of thecommunities they are serving, and allow thatto guide their ingenuity.”

Dr. Singh is currently overseeing threestudents who are working to improve howthe solar panel, battery, and control moduleinterface. The students are thrilled to have theopportunity to work on a real-world applica-tion, where they are truly making a difference.

“They are excited to develop an engineeringproduct that can be used to improvematernalhealthcare and reducemortality rates,” saysDr. Singh. “This work is very impactful,tangible, and practical for the students; itinspires andmotivates them.”

In addition to improving the Solar Suitcase,Villanova students will be designing high-efficiency and low-power devices that can runon the same voltage as the Solar Suitcase,including ultrasound equipment, fetal heartmonitors, oxygen delivery systems, andsterilization and suctioning equipment.

Why Villanova?

Sowhat attracted two doctors from San Fran-cisco to aUniversity rooted inAugustinianvalues just outside of Philadelphia?

“We love the University,” says Dr. Stachel.“There is a top engineering school, a topnursing school, an appreciation for entrepre-neurship, a mission for public service, and acommitment to peace and justice. Everythingthat touches our mission, Villanova bringsto the table.”

All of thismadeVillanova a great home forWECARESolar.“WithPritpal’s vision,we see a lot of potential

here to developmore products,” saysDr. Stachel.“Pritpal has an amazing capacity tomake thingshappen, andwe look forward to partneringwithVillanova to perform important public service indeveloping countries. This is a real platform forimprovingmaternal healthcare.”

The Future

WECARE Solar hopes to continue improv-ing speed of communication, machinery andtechnology, and evenmedical care protocolswith trainingmaterial such as DVDs, indeveloping countries. “We are very excitedto have such highly qualified engineeringstudents and faculty focusing on thisimportant social issue,” Dr. Stachel says.

“One of our hopes is to organize formalfunding to support and further this initiative,”

adds Dr. Singh. “Wewant to continue bring-ing hope to economically depressed areas byproviding access to renewable energy andimproved healthcare.”

“Our goal is to develop equipment thatmarries well with the skill sets of the locals,”concludes Dr. Aronson. “Ultimately, we wantto bring our knowledge to people in othercountries. The ability to assemble andmain-tain this equipment should contribute toeconomic development and will ensure thatthe equipment will be maintained.”

In one small hospital in northernNigeria,womenwere dying during childbirth at therate of 1x permonth; the Solar Suitcasecontributed to a reduced rate of one deathevery three to sixmonths. “TheSolarSuitcase is doing great things, and there ismore room for improvement,” saysDr. Singh.



UNDER THE SEAUnderwater Robotics Competition Held at Villanova Steers KidsToward Engineering

by Debbie Clayton

Dr. Nataraj and James O’Brien,Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineer-ing, have provided curriculum developmentfor the SeaPerch competition, a national un-derwater robotics competition geared towardmiddle and high school students throughoutthe region. But theMATE program repre-sented a more sophisticated version ofSeaPerch, focusingmostly on high school andcollege students and taking the contest to thenext level. Plus, it dovetailed nicely with

research Dr. Nataraj and other faculty withinthe College’s Center for Nonlinear Dynamicsand Control had been doing with the U.S.Navy on unmanned vehicles.

“We need to level the playing field formany kids who don’t have access to some ofthe better schools – and programs likeMATEgo a long way toward doing this,” says Dr.Nataraj, who regularly visits area schools totalk about engineering. “Somany kids are notaware of what science and engineering are

Student teams from high school robotics clubs put their remote operated vehicles (ROVs) to the test in Villanova’s Olympic-sized swimming pool.

When the School District of Philadelphia

approachedDr. “Nat”Nataraj, Chair of the

Department ofMechanical Engineering,

last fall to ask if Villanova could host an

underwater robotics competition in the

spring, his responsewas, “Howsoon

canwe begin?” The program, called

Marine Advanced Technology Education

(MATE), seemed like a logical progression

of the College of Engineering’s extensive

participation in community outreach

programs.


19

all about. These types of programs alert themto the potential opportunities that exist.Granted, there’s only so much science you canteach them through a competition. The realvalue, however, is that they get exposure –and it’s a glimpse at the excitement of theworld of engineering.”

One of many Villanova initiatives thatseek to enhance STEM (science, technology,engineering, andmath) education, MATEstrives to help prepare America’s futureworkforce for ocean-related occupations.The program is part of Villanova’s commit-ment to a national endeavor geared toincreasing America’s global competitivenessthrough improving interest and educationin the sciences.

For the competition, teams of studentsdeveloped remotely operated vehicles (ROVs)and put them through their paces in anunderwater setting – in this case, Villanova’sOlympic-sized pool. They also presented a tech-nical report, underwent an engineering evalua-tion, and displayed a poster of their project.

International Competition

New to Pennsylvania, MATE is an interna-tional competition with 19 regions participat-ing. Spearheaded regionally by VeldaMorris, arobotics education specialist with the SchoolDistrict of Philadelphia’s Secondary RoboticsInitiative, theMATE competition took placeonMay 22. Some 34 teams descended onVillanova fromDelaware, Maryland, NewJersey, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina forthe regional event. The top two teams wenton the international MATE competition inHilo, Hawaii, in June.

“This programwas layered beautifullyamong the high school students, the teachers,the Villanova students, theMechanicalEngineering Department, and the industryfolks who came out to judge,” explainsMorris. “My promotional flyer said, ‘Comemake history with us,’ and people really

responded to that.”With a grant from the Office of Naval

Research (ONR), Dr. Nataraj and O’Brienplunged headfirst into theMATE program,coordinating student mentors to help teams,developing curricular materials for the teach-ers, and organizing two professional days atVillanova to help teachers learn how theycould better coach their teams.

“The ultimate goal of theMATE programis to increase awareness of marine technicalfields,” says Dr. Nataraj. “But it also helpsstudents develop the skills necessary to workas a team, solve problems, enhance criticalthinking, and improve ‘soft’ – but important– skills such as effective communication andproject management.”

Regionally, theMATE competition fieldedtwo types of teams – Scout and Ranger. Scoutteams were similar to SeaPerch teams, wherethe students actually get into the pool withtheir ROVs. Ranger teams had higher criteriaand were subjected to more complex tasks andmissions. They guided the ROVs usingcameras and hydrophones.

Hosting such a huge competition requireda massive organizational effort fromMorrisand the Villanova team. “Safety first was ourmotto,” Dr. Nataraj says. “We had some 50volunteers managing logistics, props, food,technical aspects, judging, and you name it!Our chief engineer and right-handman wasEric Baker, a mechanical engineering studentwho graduated inMay.”

Villanova will host the regional competi-tion again next year – a reward for a job welldone. “As educators, it’s our mission to widenthe community to whomwe teach,” addsDr. Nataraj. “Education is not limited to thefew people who come into our classroom –we have a societal responsibility, too.”

Formore information about theCollege’s community outreach, visitwww.Villanova.edu/Engineering/Service

Guiding the Next Generation

JoeCunninghamspent aweek at theMATECenter inMonterey, Calif., last sum-mer, learning how to build aMATEROV inpreparation for theMATEcompetition atVillanova. A biology teacher atMurrellDobbins Career and Technical EducationHighSchool in Philadelphia, Cunninghamstarted the school’s robotics club 10 yearsago and has run it ever since.

“I’ve organized teams for theSeaPerchcompetition, so itwas natural forme tomove on to theMATEcompetition,”says Cunningham,who just finished his11th year of teaching. “VeldaMorrisgave us supplies to get started, butwewere free to build theROVusing anymaterialswechose.”

Cunningham’s Ranger teamof 10students included 10th, 11th, and 12thgraders. His school teaches business,cosmetology, fashiondesign, culinaryarts,and computer sciences. Surprisingly, afewof themost involved students on hisMATE teamwere girls in the fashiondesign sequence.

“Programs likeMATEaccomplish theobjectives of STEMsinceweare usingscientific principles like thrust, buoyancy,and propulsion and doing a lot of elec-tronic things thatmost kids aren’texposed to in high school,” saysCunningham. “My students got experi-ences throughMATE that theywouldn’thave gotten anywhere else. In fact,mostofmy students in the robotics programgoon to college – frequently in technicalareas.”

MATE teams guided their ROVs into underwater targets.


http://www.engineering.villanova.edu/service


If you’re an alumnus, you can help us shape the next generation of Villanova Engineers.Consider these 10 easy ways to strengthen your ties to the College and your fellowWildcats:

• Join the Villanova Engineering Alumni Society,which supports academic programs and offers networking opportunities for members.

• Connect with theUniversity’s Career Services Center to make them aware of internship and career opportunities within your organizationfor new engineers – and to secure the best new engineering talent for your company.

• Mentor an undergraduate to share your insights as a seasoned professional and help a new engineer prepare for life after graduation.

• Contribute financially to the College of Engineering,which will support the College’s goal of becoming a premier engineeringprogram in the country.

• Sponsor a project for the upcomingMultidisciplinary Design Lab, designed to give students real-world research experience for industry.

• Establish a Villanova Corporate Alumni Partnershipwithin your organization to bring together fellow alumni for timely updatesfrom the College, professional development and networking opportunities, and the chance to build a Villanova identity within your company.

• Visit the College of Engineering’s website for news and information about student programs and achievements; faculty research, recognition,and accomplishments; and special events.

• Host an information session for students at your company, or serve as a guest speaker for one of the student branches of professionalengineering societies.

• Share information about opportunities for sponsored research or faculty fellowships available within your company.

• Follow the College’s news and updates via Facebook and LinkedIn (coming this fall!).

Next steps…

• For more information about the College of Engineering, visit www.Engineering.Villanova.edu.

• For inquiries about alumni events or involvement, visit www.Villanova.edu.

• To make a financial contribution, contact Cynthia Rutenbar, Director of Major Giving ([email protected]) orLisa Kailian, Major Gifts Officer ([email protected]).

• For inquiries about the Villanova Corporate Alumni Partnership or questions regarding corporate partnerships or research, contactBurton Lane, Director of External Relations ([email protected]).

• To serve as a student mentor or to connect with student organizations, contact Gayle Doyle, Administrator of Student Support Programs([email protected]).


21

Whether you want to advance in your job, gain technical expertise,or embark on a new career path, a master’s degree or certificate

from Villanova’s College of Engineering will help you achieve your dream.

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