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Faculty in the News Fall 2006 Satish Kandlikar
October 24, 2006 CONGRESSMAN JOHN R. RANDY KUHL, JR. (NY-29) ANNOUNCES FUNDS FOR ALTERNATIVE FUEL RESEARCH $2.7 million will go to RIT and GM to study fuel cells ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- U.S. Rep. John R. Randy Kuhl, Jr. (R-Hammondsport) announced the award of a $2.7 million grant for the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), in concert with the General Motors facility in Honeoye Falls, for expanded federal research into automotive fuel cell development. The grant was made by the U.S. Department of Energy. "The ground-breaking work that RIT and GM are doing in alternative fuels right here in our backyard is impressive and vital to our nation's energy independence," said Rep. Kuhl. "These funds will be used to further study how to resolve the water transport issues which can cause negative performance and keeps fuel cells from becoming a viable alternative fuel for commercial purposes. I'm proud of the researchers at RIT and GM for their incredible work in this field and thank the Department of Energy for recognizing that work in this way." "RIT can play an important role in the future of how we power our homes and cars," Energy Secretary Samuel W. Bodman said. "I thank Congressman Kuhl for his leadership in recognizing the need to develop alternative energy sources here in the United States. It's possible that hydrogen may be the key to weaning our nation off of petroleum and thereby reducing our reliance on foreign nations for our energy. The work that is being done at RIT and around the country brings promise of a more energy secure future for America." "The Department of Energy is committed to breaking our addiction to oil by creating a diverse portfolio of clean, affordable and domestically produced energy choices," Secretary Bodman continued. "We expect hydrogen to play an integral role in our energy portfolio and we are eager to see hydrogen fuel cell vehicles on the road in the near future." Dr. Albert Simone, President, Rochester Institute of Technology said, "This grant represents an excellent example of higher education-industry collaboration, demonstrating that universities are not only strong partners in, but also drivers of today's economy. It is great news for RIT, the Greater Rochester region and New York State as a whole." Dr. Harvey Palmer, Dean, Kate Gleason College of Engineering, Rochester Institute of Technology, said "I am especially pleased and proud that RIT has received this grant not only because it addresses an area of critical importance to the nation but also because it was earned through rigorous peer review." Dr. Satish Kandlikar, the James E. Gleason Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Kate Gleason College of Engineering, Rochester Institute of Technology said "Developing alternative energy sources requires the latest technological tools to overcome complex scientific and engineering challenges. We are excited to be awarded this project in partnership with Dr. Trabold at General Motors and Dr. Allen at Michigan Technological University. We hope our efforts will contribute in advancing automotive hydrogen fuel cell technology and allow the United States to gain leadership in the world market. We are eager to meet the challenges that lie ahead of us with the help of our talented and dedicated students at RIT." Advanced research associated with this award directly furthers the goals of the President's Hydrogen Fuel Initiative (HFI), an integral part of the President's Advanced Energy Initiative. The HFI seeks to make it practical and cost-effective for large numbers of Americans to choose to purchase fuel cell vehicles by 2020. It primarily involves increasing research and development of hydrogen technologies including hydrogen production from diverse domestic sources; hydrogen storage and; polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells. The President's 2007 budget requests $289 million for the HFI, an increase of $53 million over FY 2006, to accelerate the development of hydrogen fuel cells and affordable hydrogen-powered cars. As a result the President's investment in this initiative, the cost of a hydrogen fuel cell has been cut by more than 50 percent in just four years. Fuel cells use hydrogen and oxygen to create electricity, with only water and heat as byproducts. They can power small portable devices and provide heat and electricity to buildings, and they can be used to power vehicles, with two to three times the efficiency of traditional internal combustion technologies. Fuel cells are currently more expensive than internal combustion engines, however, and have difficulty maintaining performance over the full useful life of the system. The problem associated with water transport occurs when electricity is produced by a fuel cell as a result of an electrochemical reaction producing protons (hydrogen ions). Thos protons have to move across the membrane of a fuel cell and can only do that if water is present. Too much water can flood the fuel cell and too little causes the membrane to dry out. If either one happens, the fuel cell performance is negatively affected. So research by RIT is needed to understand how water is transported through the membrane to mitigate those problems. Contact Information about this News Release: Bob Van Wicklin Deputy Chief of Staff to Rep. John R. "Randy" Kuhl, Jr. (NY-29)
Fall 2006 Benjamin Varela has been
recognized as one of Rochester's Emerging Latino Leaders by the Rochester
Publication ConXion, to honor the contributions of Hispanics to our
community during Hispanic Heritage History Month.
Fall 2006 Kathleen Lamkin Kennard has been appointed as an assistant professor of mechanical engineering at RIT.
Fall 2006 Marca Lam has been appointed visiting associate professor of mechanical engineering at RIT. Dr. Lam is filling in for Dr. Kevin Kochersberger, who is on leave during the 2006-07 academic year.
Fall 2005 Steven Day has been appointed as an assistant professor of mechanical engineering at RIT.
Fall 2005 Robert Stephens has been appointed as an assistant professor of mechanical engineering at RIT.
Fall 2005 Margaret Bailey has been awarded tenure in mechanical engineering. Dr. Bailey, Associate Professor, and Kate Gleason Endowed Chair, is leading college efforts focused on increasing women in engineering program providing outreach to young girls in middle school to consider engineering, science, and technology careers. At the same time, Dr. Bailey is actively engaged in her own research, and is a driving force behind the ME Department's Energy and the Environment Option.
Fall 2005 Elizabeth DeBartolo has been awarded tenure and promoted to associate professor of mechanical engineering. Dr. DeBartolo teaches courses in the areas of materials science, and is engaged in our capstone design project course development. She engages 10 teams of students each year through NSF sponsored projects to develop assistive devices for individuals with disabilities. Dr. DeBartolo plays an important role in the development of the Bioengineering Option in mechanical engineering.
Fall 2005 Jeffrey Kozak has been awarded tenure in the department of mechanical engineering. Dr. Kozak is actively engaged in the success of our students, and serves as faculty adviser to the Micro Air Vehicle competition team. He supports students on the METEOR club, and the Aero Design Club, in addition to being recognized as a great teacher in the classroom. Dr. Kozak contributes to the growth and vitality of the Aerospace Option in mechanical engineering.
Spring 2005 Ramesh Shah has been
awarded the coveted Donald Q. Kern Award by the American Society of
Mechanical Engineers and the American Institute of Chemical Engineers.
Fall 2004 Risa Robinson has been awarded tenure and promoted to associate professor of mechanical engineering. "Dr. Robinson exemplifies the role of a teacher-scholar amongst our faculty members here in mechanical engineering at RIT," notes department head Ed Hensel, "I forward to working with Risa as her career develops over the next several years." Dr. Robinson’s career goals are three-fold, consisting of an individual research program, collaborative relationships with other researchers, and excellence in engineering education.
Dr. Robinson’s scholarly
activity is directed towards developing a series of increasingly
sophisticated lung deposition models to accurately account for morphology,
air flow patterns, subject breathing variability's and particle dynamic
behavior. She plans to use the models to predict carcinogen specific
dosimetry,
Dr. Robinson is a central contributor in the department with respect to innovative curriculum changes, and integrating open ended projects and data acquisition tools throughout the curriculum. Dr. Robinson will continue to develop engineering programs for minorities and underrepresented persons from k-12 in engineering, by integrating her research and industry standard equipment into existing outreach activities. The department of mechanical engineering is moving forward with developing a bioengineering option at the undergraduate level, to be offered in a manner analogous to our existing automotive and aerospace engineering options. We anticipate that Dr. Robinson will play a pivotal role in this offering. Dr. Robinson introduced a new course, “ME 756 - Fundamentals of Aerosol Mechanics in Biological Systems” at the graduate level that has inspired young researchers to continue her work in applying engineering science to the study of particle deposition in the lung.
Fall 2004 Stephen Boedo has been awarded tenure and promoted to associate professor of mechanical engineering. "Dr. Boedo is emerging as a significant scholar among our junior faculty members here in mechanical engineering at RIT ..." notes the department head, who observes that "Steven is integrating his research interests with the educational offerings in the department and across the campus as a whole."
Dr. Boedo has
introduced new courses in “Inventive Problem Solving” and “Tribology and
Lubrication.” He recently took over as faculty coordinator for the
Dr. Boedo’s scholarly activity is headed in three parallel directions. First, he specializes in the computer-aided simulation and design of mechanical systems, with particular emphasis in the design and analysis of fluid-film bearing systems. Current research studies the interaction of thin lubricant films with structurally compliant surfaces, including effects of geometric irregularity, lubricant supply, and lubricant cavitation on predicted mechanical system performance. These analysis methods have proven useful in the real-world understanding of automotive engine bearings, the nonlinear behavior of fluid-film rotors, and the lubrication of artificial human joints. Dr. Boedo’s second area of research involves computer simulation and experimental testing of automotive systems and related components. Applications have included contact mechanics of pin-link surfaces in chain link systems, dynamics of engine timing chain systems, simulation and measurement of the shift dynamics in manual, automatic, and continuously variable transmissions, invention of novel dual-speed alternator drives, and modeling and measurement of cross-strand load distributions in link and roller chains.
Fall 2004 Lawrence Agbezuge has
joined the mechanical engineering department as a Visiting Associate
Professor. Prior to his appointment to the faculty, he served two years as
Adjunct Professor. He brings over 25 years of industrial experience to the
department along with part-time teaching experience.
Dr. Agbezuge received his B.S.M.E. (Honors) in 1966 from the University of Science & Technology, Ghana (awarded under the auspices of Imperial College of Science & Technology, England). He received his M.S.M.E from Columbia University, New York in 1968 and his Dr. Eng. Sci. (Ph. D.) from Columbia University in 1972. Between 2002 and 2004, he taught graduate and undergraduate courses in Statics, Numerical Methods and Finite Element Analysis at RIT.
Most of Dr. Agbezuge’s industrial experience involved the creation of mathematical models and computer programs that were used for investigative work and for designing and optimizing engineering systems and subsystems His work in the 1970’s included the maintenance of a drilling riser simulation program that was used for offshore drilling operations by Exxon Production Research Company, Houston, Texas. He was also responsible for monitoring the testing and development of buoyancy modules that were required for offshore drilling operations. In the 1980’s he created mathematical models that were useful in understanding and interpreting experimental data related to ink-paper interactions. His work helped in defining driving mechanisms that controlled print quality in ink jet printers. In recognition of his work, Dr. Agbezuge served for two consecutive years as invited lecturer at the 13th and 14th International IS&T (Imaging Science and Technology) Conferences held at Seattle, WA and Toronto, Canada. At the conferences, he provided tutorials on Ink-Media Interactions. In the 1990’s and the early part of the 2000’s he worked on several projects related to paper deformation in xerographic machines and also on reliability engineering problems. Subsequently, he provided computational and programming support for projects related to ink jet technology, image processing algorithm development and color calibration of scanners and printers. He also spent some time creating SIMD programs (as an alternative to FPGAs and ASICs) to determine whether parallel computing would provide acceptable speedup for certain image processing algorithms.
One of Dr. Agbezuge’s primary goals at RIT is to integrate modern computational methods into appropriate mechanical engineering courses and to make the ME graduate from RIT well-prepared for performing industrial computational tasks.
Summer 2004 Ramesh Shah, research professor of mechanical engineering and director of the Advanced Fuel Cell Research Laboratory in the Kate Gleason College of Engineering, was named a Distinguished Lecturer on fuel-cell technology by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. Shah becomes one of only 16 such lecturers, representing all fields of mechanical engineering, among more than 100,000 society members. The organization will support presentations by Shah at national and international section meetings for three years beginning July 1. Shah also was awarded an Honorary Professorship at Xi’an Jiaotong University and a Guest Professorship at Tsinghua University, both in China, where he recently lectured on fuel cell technology and compact heat exchangers. Shah, of East Amherst, N.Y., has been on the RIT faculty since 2001.
Summer 2004 Ali Ogut, professor of mechanical engineering, was named chair of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Fluids Engineering Division. Ogut, of Pittsford, specializes in energy efficient and environmentally friendly industrial equipment design and analysis, fluid dynamics and mixing, and turbo machinery flows. He has been on the RIT faculty since 1985.
Summer 2004 Ramesh Shah, research professor of mechanical engineering and director of the Advanced Fuel Cell Research Laboratory in the Kate Gleason College of Engineering, was named a distinguished lecturer on fuel-cell technology by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. He was awarded an Honorary Professorship at Xi’an Jiaotong University and a Guest Professorship at Tsinghua University, both in China, where he recently lectured on fuel cell technology and compact heat exchangers. He presented a similar lecture at Beijing University of Technology.
Summer 2004
Ali Ogut,
professor of mechanical engineering,
in Rochester Institute of Technology's Kate Gleason College of Engineering
received $222,612 from the New York State Energy Research and Development
Authority to develop a particulate trap to clean diesel, coal and gasoline
engine emissions. The device cleans emissions by charging and trapping
sub-micron particles and oxidizing them to gases, thus reducing air
pollution. Last year, NYSERDA gave RIT $205,000 for the first phase of the
project, which is being led by Ali Ogut, RIT professor of mechanical
engineering. RIT provided additional funding of $202,000. The latest grant
is part of more than $15 million in statewide funding to support development
of clean and efficient advanced technologies for use in combined heat and
power applications. “Support from NYSERDA shows commitment to energy
efficiency and improving the environment of New York state,” Ogut says.
Preparing
for a powerful future.
Summer 2004 Satish Kandlikar Gleason
Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Rochester Institute of Technology,
received the IBM Faculty Award for the second consecutive year. The award
recognizes his research into computer chip cooling
Kevin Kochersberger, associate professor of mechanical engineering, gave presentations at Rochester Museum & Science Center and at Virginia Tech on his participation in the Countdown to Kitty Hawk centennial celebration and his Dec. 17 re-enactment of the Wright brothers’ first powered flight.
Spring 2004 Alan Nye, professor of mechanical engineering, received the 2004 Excellence in Engineering Education Award from SAE International at the SAE 2004 World Congress in Detroit. The award recognizes outstanding contributions in support of Society of Automotive Engineers engineering education initiatives, including SAE Collegiate Design Series competitions. Nye has advised RIT’s Formula SAE team since 1991.
Spring 2004 Alan Nye was elected to
the society’s board of directors, becoming one of only 21 directors among
84,000 members in 100 countries. Nye is a five-time recipient of the
society’s Faculty Advisor Award for excellence. He has advised RIT’s
student
Josef Török of Brighton has been selected a recipient of the 2003 Eisenhart Award for Outstanding Teaching from Rochester Institute of Technology. The prestigious award recognizes faculty excellence as determined through rigorous peer review.
Students like his lively classes and easy-going nature. Despite the latter, he admits, he’s also demanding. "I expect my students to work hard," he says. Török’s passion and communication skills help him connect with students and explain what can be abstract concepts of nonlinear dynamics, mathematical modeling and computational methods, his areas of expertise. "I go way out on the limb to explain everything in complete detail, to make the complicated look easy," Török says. And, he adds, he can sense when he’s getting through to his students. "I’m totally in touch with my group," he says. "I know exactly when they’re following me and when they’re stumbling." Török joined the RIT faculty in 1986 from The Ohio State University, where he taught and earned his master’s and doctoral degrees. In addition to teaching, he’s founder and director of RIT’s Estelle H. and Howard F. Carver Engineering Learning Center and active in RIT’s new microsystems engineering Ph.D. program. He also concentrates on writing, both professionally and recreationally. Török wrote Analytical Mechanics with an Introduction to Dynamical Systems, an instructor’s solutions manual to Elementary Differential Equations and Boundary Value Problems, other supplemental text material and numerous journal articles. He’s currently working on engineering and mathematics books, a medieval romance novel (so far about 50 pages along, and "quite the opposite of everything I do," he says) and a cookbook containing recipes of 150 German, Hungarian and Mediterranean dishes. The Esztergom, Hungary native enjoys cooking—especially outdoor grilling and Hungarian meals—and playing blues and jazz on the guitar. He travels yearly to Germany, where his youngest son Steven works as a systems analyst, and every other year to Hungary. Another son, Joseph, is an RIT student majoring in information technology. Interacting with students, Török adds, keeps him feeling young. "I love sharing in their discoveries and their learning. It brings me a lot of joy."
RIT’s Eisenhart Award for Outstanding Teaching was established in 1965 by
the Eisenhart family to recognize faculty excellence. Winners are chosen
through rigorous peer review of student nominations. The late M. Herbert
Eisenhart, chairman and president of Bausch & Lomb Inc., was an RIT trustee
for more than 50 years. Richard Eisenhart, trustee emeritus and past
chairman of RIT’s board of trustees, has served on the board since 1972. Satish Kandlikar RIT helps develop Meals-Ready-to-Eat (MRE) heating technology Steaming hot entrée selections like Pot Roast and Thai Chicken could be straight from the menu of any five-star restaurant—but on the battlefield? Meals Ready to Eat, or MREs, are served in the deserts of the Middle East and throughout the world, providing sustenance, and a taste of home, to U.S. troops. MRE heating technology making hot meals possible was developed with help from researchers at Rochester Institute of Technology. Further, RIT is developing similar technology for hot drinks and thermal sterilization of surgical instruments on the battlefield, as well as "tub rations" that will permit hot meals for groups of soldiers. Here’s how it works: magnesium combined with water produces heat, says Satish Kandlikar, RIT professor of mechanical engineering and director of the university’s Thermal Analysis and Microfluidics Laboratory. Water added to a plastic pouch containing a magnesium-and-salt mixture makes a "heater" for MREs, he explains. Kandlikar notes his students helped develop the technology to optimize heat generation and delivery in MREs. The device has been part of every MRE used by U.S. troops since the Persian Gulf War in 1991. "Applying high-tech research tools to enhance support of soldiers in battlefield conditions is something for which we’re very proud," says Kandlikar.
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Varela
was recognized for his major accomplishments which include: Varela is the
faculty advisor to the RIT section of the Society of Hispanic Professional
Engineers, and is actively involved with the Northstar Center at RIT. He
has published his research on Geopolymeric materials internationally, and
has worked with small businesses in Rochester on technology development.
In 2005, Dr. Varela was recognized by the NTID for his commitment to equal
access for students with disabilities. 
The award is named in honor of Donald Q. Kern, a pioneer in process heat
transfer, and recognizes an individual's expertise in a given field of
heat transfer or energy conversion. Recipients of the award must have made
significant contributions to applied heat transfer or conversion or in the
translation of research results into useful technological applications.
Each recipient is prepares an extensive written review on a topic of their
choice, which is usually published in an AIChE
publication. The award consists of a plaque and $1500. Dr. Satish
Kandlikar notes that "I take particular pride as I have been associated
with Ramesh for over two decades during his exemplary career at General
Motores, and later requested him to join RIT to lead the ME Department's
fuel cell initiative when I was the department head." 
human risk assessment and toxicology relationships for all ages,
specifically children with healthy and diseased lungs such as patients
with asthma, bronchitis or other chronic obstructive pulmonary disorders. 
Design of Machine Elements class, a core course in the ME Department, in
anticipation of the retirement of Professor Budynas. 
and microchannels and includes a grant from IBM Corp. for future research.
Kandlikar has been a member of RIT's Kate Gleason College of Engineering
faculty since 1980. He also serves as director of RIT's Thermal Analysis
and Microfluidics Laboratory, associate director of RIT's Advanced Fuel
Cell Research Laboratory, and associate editor of the Journal of Heat
Transfer, published by ASME International. He is on the research proposal
review panel of Fluid Physics NRA, part of NASA's Physical Sciences
Division, and is currently working on projects sponsored by General Motors
Corp. and the National Science Foundation. He was editor in chief of the
book, Handbook of Phase Change: Boiling and Condensation, and he wrote
chapters for the books, Compact Heat Exchanger Design and Handbook of
Multiphase Flow and Heat Transfer, along with more than 100 journal
articles and conference papers.
Spring
2004
chapter of SAE since 1978 and the university’s Formula race-car team since
its inception in 1991. In 2003, he was honored with the Carrol Smith
Mentor’s Cup, presented by the Sports Car Club of America, in recognition
of outstanding mentoring. “I have been involved with student design
competition teams for the past 25 years because they give students an
incomparable educational opportunity,” says Nye, a member of the RIT
faculty since 1977. “The fact I love it also helps.” The Society of
Automotive Engineers is the primary sponsor of Formula SAE student
competitions. RIT’s Formula team has competed in national and
international competitions yearly since 1993 and was international
champion in 1999.
"I love teaching," says Török, a professor of mechanical engineering in
RIT’s Kate Gleason College of Engineering.
