Author: ecr_bveto

Expect Turbulence

Paul Durbin is creating new hybrid, adaptable computational models to predict transitions from laminar fluid flow to turbulence and to simulate the turbulent flow. Right now, engineers rely on two types of turbulence modeling: average flow calculations, which offer high efficiency, but less detail, and eddy-resolving calculations, which offer more detail about turbulence, but take more time and are often cost prohibitive.

Growing Collaboration: Optimization and machine learning meet plant genomics

Lizhi Wang, associate professor of industrial and manufacturing systems engineering, is applying process optimization and machine learning to improve crops’ adaptability to new environmental conditions. Wang, also an Iowa State Plant Sciences Institute Faculty Scholar, serves as the principal investigator for the project supported by a $2 million grant from the National Science Foundation.

3-D Printing Concrete Rapid Solutions with a Steady Material

If 3-D printing can quickly and efficiently create machine parts, could it also quickly and efficiently create bridges and buildings after natural disasters? Kejin Wang, Wilson Professor of Engineering in civil, construction and environmental engineering, is leading advanced research in the emerging field of 3-D concrete printing. She aims to add 3-D concrete printing to civil and construction engineers’ toolbox.

Raj Raman

Raj Raman

Raj Raman, Morrill Professor of agricultural and biosystems engineering, sees the purpose of any university as creating new knowledge and building human capital. In his research to improve engineering education, Raman does both.

Engineering health at the breakfast table

When mom said “breakfast is the most important meal of the day,” she couldn’t have imagined what Cyclone Engineer Tom Mansell has cooking. Mansell is creating new probiotics and prebiotics that will treat disease as you eat your morning cup of yogurt.

Kaoru Ikuma with grad student

Something in the Water

Kaoru Ikuma (pictured, right), assistant professor in civil, construction and environmental engineering, is bringing clarity – clear, clean drinking water and clear answers – to environmental microbiology questions about water quality. She and her team are researching drinking water and waterbodies to improve public health protection. Drinking water disinfection Ikuma and her team are studying … Continue reading Something in the Water

Autonomous Flight

From taxicabs of yesterday to rideshares of today to…autonomous personal aircraft of tomorrow? To see the future of getting around congested urban areas, look up in the air. Peng Wei, assistant professor of aerospace engineering, is developing air traffic management systems to make Urban Air Mobility (UAM) a safe, efficient and scalable reality.