Carnegie Mellon College of Engineering

As the frequency and size of wildfires increase worldwide, research published in Science Advances shows how the chemical aging of particles emitted by these fires can lead to more extensive cloud formation and intense storm development in the atmosphere.

Research by EPP and MechE Prof. Jeremy Michalek found that an emissions-based tax on ride-sourcing companies would incentivize electrification, representing a reduction of about $29 million per year in health and environmental costs within the city of LA alone.

Yesterday, Hamerschlag University Prof. Granger Morgan and Dean Bill Sanders briefed congress and the public on their report titled, "The Future of Electric Power in the United States."

We are delighted to announce the winner and honorable mention finalists of the Engineers' Society of Western PA 2021 George Washington Prize, given to senior engineering students in recognition of their contributions in academics, leadership, and service. #TartanProud

How can the U.S. electric grid evolve to address changing demand and new technologies? Granger Morgan and Bill Sanders will present this report on the future of the U.S. electrical system. Check out the full report here. https://www.nap.edu//the-future-of-electric-power-in-the-u

EPP’s Baruch Fischhoff was mentioned in The Philadelphia Inquirer on public opinion about a coronavirus vaccine. He believes public health officials should be laying the groundwork for communication now. Once that foundation is laid, Fischhoff said, people will be more receptive to campaigns asking them to get the vaccine.

The pandemic diminished opportunities for summer 2020 student jobs and internships, so the Civil & Environmental department stepped up to ensure that there were plenty of in-house paid research opportunities that could be completed digitally.

There is time to register to hear from Dr. Alvy Ray Smith, Co-Founder of Pixar!

First-year engineering student Melina Castillo came to Pittsburgh from LA to attend Carnegie Mellon University. Castillo is part of the Tartan Scholars, a CMU program specially designed to support students from a limited-resource background. https://www.cmu.edu//2020/oc/doubling-tartan-scholars.html

MechE’s Venkat Viswanathan was featured in Aerospace America on his work on batteries and electrical energy. https://aerospaceamerica.aiaa.org//unlocking-electrificat/

While currently proposed energy policies from the Democratic and Republican parties may sound different, new research from the Department of Engineering and Public Policy has found that they may actually lead to similar emissions outcomesat least in the short term.

MechE alumni Thomas Healy’s company, Hyliion Inc, has some exciting changes coming. Hyliion Inc.’s 28-year-old chief executive officer, Healy, will become a paper billionaire a fact that’s sure to capture plenty of attention as long as the shareholders of cash shell Tortoise Acquisition Corp. vote on Monday in favor of a merger with his company. Carnegie Mellon University Alumni Association https://www.washingtonpost.com//f64b0b58-017b-11eb-b92e-02

It started as a distraction project, something to keep me occupied when I was stuck at home this summer with my parents," said Zeloof, a junior studying electrical engineering at Carnegie Mellon University. "I thought it would take a weekend. It took two weeks, but I did it."

MechE’s Conrad Tucker was quoted on the Challenger Center website about an NSF grant Tucker, Challenger Center, and the RAND corporation was awarded to study students’ understanding of cybersecurity threats. It is critical for society to understand the threats that may compromise the veracity of information and computer networks, said Conrad Tucker, professor of Mechanical Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University. We are therefore motivated by the need to understand how susceptible different segments of society (both humans and computers) are to the potential for AI-generated misinformation. https://www.challenger.org//challenger-center-awarded-nsf/

The new Scaife Hall will more than double the size of the original structure. The project is supported by a $30 million lead grant from the Allegheny Foundation and is part of a multi-phased initiative to enhance education and research facilities.

Zachary Blonder’s experience conducting research on processes relevant to pharmaceuticals synthesis with Nisha Shukla as an undergraduate steered him toward a position in the pharma industry after graduation. https://engineering.cmu.edu///10/20-foundation-future.html

The RFID tattoo is a device for voice-impaired patients who can still make facial movements for speaking but cannot produce sound. This video describes how the device works. https://youtu.be/07AFbi5Qdgw

To wrap up Hispanic Heritage Month 2020 tomorrow, October 15, the Spanish and Latin Student Association (SALSA) is hosting a live band night. Enjoy your Thursda...y night with their favorite band, Gavas Beats! There will also be asynchronous trivia for the evening and the top 3-5 winners will receive prizes! Zoom link to join (7:00 to 8:30 p.m., Thurs 15 Oct): http://ow.ly/ucf150BSOG7 Hope to see you there!