The New Mechanics - Engineering Science and Mechanics - Penn ...

In This Issue
PG:2 Message from the Chair, Dr.
Judith Todd summarizes
ESM’s gains during the
spring semester. ESM
Spotlights reflect on
recent ESM professional
accomplishments.
PG:3 A new feature page, Alumni
in the News, profiles alums,
captures recent alumni
events and news.
PG:4 This Now from ESM,
another new feature,
chronicles recent research,
education, technology
transfer, plus department
achievements.
PG:5 ESM Frontiers profiles the
fiber composite revolution
via the work of ESM’s Dr.
Charles Bakis in the first
of a series on The New
Mechanics.
PG:6 In AAB News, Mike
Erdman’s article is joined by
a calendar of ESM events,
both department and
alumni-related.
The New Mechanics
ESM Stands at the Forefront of a New Age
Spring 2008
For more than 300 years, physicists delivered the great theories of mechanics which engineers
applied in designing our modern industrialized world. Now, the historic dominance of
mechanics throughout the physical sciences is driving new dimensions in interdisciplinary
research which promise discoveries unimagined even twenty years ago.
From skyscrapers to nanobots, automobiles
to biomolecular machines, the brainmachine
interface to human motion, ESM
mechanics is pioneering work across the
physical, chemical, and biological sciences.
Our research initiatives are
branching out into new fields,
like the work our newest
faculty member, Dr. Corina
Drapaca, who is modeling the
dynamics of traumatic brain
injuries and matching her
models to MRI images. By
quantifying the progression
of hydrocephalus (swelling of the brain)
she will enable neurosurgeons to optimize
treatment of this terrible disease.
Dr. Sulin Zhang, who also recently joined
the Department, applies his expertise in
computational mechanics across multilevel
applications in cellular and biomechanics,
the mechanics of nanostructured
materials, nano-scale contact, and the
nano-bio interface. His research promises
to lead to new sensors, drug delivery
systems, and novel medical devices.
Connections technical feature this month
highlights the work of University Distin-
ESM’s research links
multi-scale models,
across length and time
scales, as the foundations
of ESM’s curriculum
expand across the
biological, chemical and
physical sciences.
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guished Professor, Dr. Charles Bakis, whose
research on composite materials is bringing
real solutions to a world eager for lighter,
higher-strength structures.
Mechanics is on the move. Unfettered
by its historical role in
engineering, the future looks bright
for our profession and the talented
students who will continue our long
tradition of engineering excellence
and service.
ESM is at the forefront of the new
interdisciplinary era of science and
mechanics. This issue brings you snapshots of
the new mechanics in progress at ESM.
Ying Shan and Matt
Hagen at American
Helicopter Society

Message From
the Chair
Mechanics:
our heritage, our future
Founded as a program of
Mechanics and Materials
of Construction 102
years ago, ESM began its
heritage of cutting-edge
research and educational
programs in mechanics.
Today, Professors Jaan
“Mechanics
Kiusalaas and Andrew
is thriving Pytel author internation-
at ESM.” ally acclaimed texts on
“Statics” and “Strength of Materials”.
Watch out for Gary Gray, Francesco
Costanzo and Michael Plechta’s (U
Wisconsin) new “Dynamics” text in
2009 (McGraw-Hill). Congratulations
to Andy on his recent election
as Fellow of the American Society of
Engineering Education.
We congratulate Yuebing Zheng, who
will receive the 2008 American
Academy of Mechanics
highest graduate student
award, the “Founder’s”
Prize ($10,000) for his
research on Artificial
Molecular Machines.
ESM has received this award twice in
three years. Vivek Verma received
the 2006 award for his work on
“bio-motors”.
Finally, we applaud ESM Emeritus
Professor of Mechanics, Dr. Sam
Zamrik, for leading the American
Society of Mechanical Engineers as
its 2007-08 president, and ESM faculty
member Dr. Robert Pangborn
for serving as ASME Senior Vice
President for Government Relations.
Mechanics is thriving at ESM.
Regards,
At the Forefront in Research, Education and Technology Transfer
Judith A. Todd
P.B. Breneman Department Head Chair
Alumni Spotlight
Chris Gabrys (Ph.D., ’96) and co-founder Tim Rodgers are the
inventors behind the wind technology of Mariah Power of Reno,
Nevada. Gabrys and Rodgers devoted three years of research and
product development to create a “revolutionary new clean energy
solution” they call Windspire.
Marketed as an “environmentally friendly, propellerfree
wind power appliance that is exceptionally
quiet,” Windspire is the founders’ vision of a
residential wind-energy product realized.
For more information about his revolutionary
technology, visit http://www.mariahpower.
com/
Alumni Spotlight
While at Penn State, Ryan Emerson (B.S., E SC ’95,
Ph.D. ESM ’02) chose to specialize in the study
of composite materials. His doctoral dissertation
focused on techniques for modeling and measuring
the durability of advanced composite flywheels
under long-term loads. To this end, he designed and built an optoelectronic
strain measurement system at Penn State. Currently, he is an
engineer in the Weapons and Materials Research Directorate at the U.S.
Army Research Laboratory, where he continues to design, manufacture,
and test composite materials and structures.
To hear more about Ryan’s work, please visit: http://www.arl.army.mil/
www/default.cfm?Action=35&Page=35
Undergraduate Student Spotlight
Stanton Sollenberger, bachelor in engineering science, joined the
department in the Fall of 2004 and quickly became interested in fiber
reinforced composites and their application in aerospace structures.
At Penn State, he worked in the Laser Processing
Division of ARL
and the Department of Aerospace Engineering,
which led him to his specific engineering interest
and senior thesis topic. Stan’s senior thesis
is entitled, Stress Concentrations in Misaligned
Flexible Matrix Composite Driveshafts. Currently,
he is working on a project team, whose goal is to
design a continuous flexible matrix composite driveshaft for use in rotorcraft.
Graduate Student Spotlight
Ambuj Sharma, doctoral candidate in engineering science and
mechanics, is developing lightweight, high-strength, and
high-stiffness composite materials that can find applications
in aerospace, infrastructure, the automotive industry,
and high performance energy-storage flywheels.
Sharma uses carbon-based nanofillers to enhance the
functionality of polymeric composite materials. New
methods developed using electric fields produce nanoscale
morphological textures leading to enhanced electrical, mechanical, and thermal
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Alumni In The News
ESM Alumni…Coming Together
The Centennial Celebration sounded a clarion call to ESM alumni: The time has come for greater
involvement and participation in the department. Tailgates and regional meetings are paving the way.
Centennial Fellow Update:
This ESM Grad Is Getting
the F-35 Flying
As Director of the Advanced Simulation
Technologies Center at the Argonne
National Laboratory,
John Hummel
develops, manages,
and conducts efforts
related to the development
and use of
advanced simulation
systems for applications
in governmental
and private sectors.
Keeping him busy is work on the Joint
Strike Fighter program. By Department
of Defense mandate, all modeling and
simulation used must undergo formal
verification, validation, and accreditation
by the U.S. government.
Hummel uses “eclectic” to describe his
current job, saying, “This activity
requires that I have a technical background
in a wide variety of subject
domains that encompass basic physics,
engineering, logistics, and human
performance.” You can learn more about
John’s work at: http://www.dis.anl.gov/
projects/jsf.html
Gary Gentzler: Penn State
Outstanding Engineering
Alumnus
The College of Engineering
recently
recognized Dr. Gary
Gentzler (BS E SC ’60)
as the 2008 Outstanding
Engineering
Alumnus. Dr. Gentzler
was cited for his forty
years of work experience in engineering
and business consulting. He also served
on the Industrial and Professional
Advisory Council and was appointed a
2006 Centennial Fellow.
The first ESM state-of-thedepartment
address alumni
meeting was enjoyed by
alumni, faculty and staff
ESM Hits the Road: Alumni Meet in Pittsburgh
The Duquesne Club was the scene for the
first regional meeting affording alums
the opportunity to socialize, network,
and learn about the department’s
current activities.
Keynoting was Dr. Judith Todd, who delivered
a state-of-the-deaprtment address.
Highlighting ESM’s emerging program
in plasmonics was Dr. Tony Huang, as
he showcased new work by his diverse
nano-technology research team. Carolyn
Denomme (BS E SC ’07), now a graduate
student, shared her thoughts on how
ESM Fall 2007 Tailgate
On a crisp day in
October, ESM’s
AAB held its first
homecoming tailgate,
just outside
of Beaver Stadium.
Judy Todd notes, “A highlight of the tailgate
included the chili made by the “AWFUL
Penn State will receive three new scholarship
endowments for engineering
students, thanks to a generous gift from
University alumnus John D. Bender.
The Andrew Pytel Scholarship in ESM
recognizes a professor emeritus of
engineering mechanics whom Bender
recalled from his graduate student days
as “a mentor with an infectious enthu-
well ESM had
prepared her for
further studies at
Carnegie Mellon
University.
Glen Chatfield
(BS E SC ’65), host for the event,
noted, “ESM alumni are a great group
to interact with.” As Vice-Chair of the
AAB, he assured alums, the board will
“keep in touch and look forward to our
next regional event.”
CHILI cook-off team” led by Matt Kelly,
B.S. ’03. This is worth coming back for
next year.”
“We all look forward to next year’s homecoming,
and hope to see you there!” says
Mike Erdman, ESM’s Alumni Advisory
Board (AAB) Chair.
Bender Scholarship Endowments Honor
Family and Professor Emeritus Andrew Pytel
This issue of ESM Connections is brought to you by:
siasm for teaching,
learning and
approaching life in
a positive way.”
People • Technology • Innovation www.Lutron.com/careers
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ESM CONNECTIONS
In addition to the Pytel Dr. Andrew Pytel
scholarship, John’s gift
will award scholarships to deserving
students in the College of Engineering
and the Schreyer Honors College.
The World Leader in Architectural Lighting
and Energy Management Controls

This Now... from ESM
Dr. Judith Todd Receives
Presidential Award
Alumni recently recognized the leadership
of Dr. Judith Todd during the first
regional meeting. Glen Chatfield (BS
E SC ’65), Vice-Chair of ESM’s Alumni
Advisory Board, celebrated Dr. Todd’s
recent Presidential Award for Excellence
in Science, Mathematics and Engineering
Mentoring.
Administered on behalf of the White
House by the National Science Foundation,
the award’s recipients “serve as
exemplars to their colleagues and
are leaders in the national effort to
more fully develop the Nation’s human
resources in science, technology,
engineering and mathematics.”
Dr. Todd was recognized for her “career
long efforts that have advanced the
knowledge and understanding of diversity
and opportunity,” and for her track
record in mentoring women engineers at
all levels of their careers.
The ESM Alumni Association congratulates
Dr. Todd on her achievements and
contributions to the profession.
Dr. Sam Zamrik 2007-08
President of ASME
Sam Y. Zamrik, Ph.D.,
professor emeritus of
engineering mechanics
at Penn State University,
University Park, served
as the 126th president
of the American Society
of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). His
goals as president included promoting
programs and activities aimed towards
women and early-career engineers,
while expanding the Society’s knowledge
resources globally.
Late-Breaking News from ESM
The Fourth Annual ESM Today Graduate Research Symposium winners were Jinjie Shi,
grand prize winner for Patterning and Focusing of Microparticles Using Surface Acoustic
Waves and Xiaole Mao, innovation award winner for Opto-Fluidic Hybrid System for
Miniaturized Flow Cytometry: Focusing of Cells and Light on Microscale.
Dr. Akhlesh Lakhtakia, Charles Godfrey Binder Professor, has been appointed the Chair of
the Publications Ethics Committee of SPIE—The International Society for Optical Engineering.
Dr. Elena Semouchkina, Associate Professor of Engineering Science and Mechanics and
Senior Research Associate, MRI, recently became an Institute of Electrical and Electronics
Engineers (IEEE) Antennas and Propagation Society (AWPL) Associate Editor. In this role,
Elena will be responsible for selecting papers for publication and assigning reviewers. The
scope of the journal is to publish novel contributions in fields of interest to the IEEE.
For more ESM news, please visit: http://esm.psu.edu/news/
PSES Recognizes ESM Faculty and Alumnus
Mr. Mike Erdman Dr. Akhlesh Lakhtakia Dr. Mike Lanagan Dr. Mark Horn
In March 2008, four members of the
ESM community received Penn State
Engineering Society (PSES) awards.
Mike Erdman was awarded the PSES
Distinguished Service Award, Akhlesh
Lakhtakia was awarded the PSES
Premier Research Award, Mike Lanagan,
the PSES Outstanding Research Award,
and Mark Horn received the PSES
New Faculty join ESM
Dr. Corina Drapaca joined the ESM faculty
in October, 2007. Corina earned her
doctoral degree in Applied Mathematics
from the University of Waterloo,
Canada. Her research interests include
brain biomechanics,
mathematical medicine,
and continuum mechanics,
to highlight a few. Dr.
Drapaca will be working
jointly with Drs. Schiff
and Gluckman, the Huck
Institutes for the Life Sciences, and
the Department of Neurosurgery at
the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center.
For more details about Corina and her
research, please visit her web site:
http://www.esm.psu.edu/drapaca
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Outstanding Teaching Award. The
PSES is the only all-alumni advisory
body in the College of Engineering.
The Society works closely with College
deans, faculty, and students to promote
and improve the engineering program
at Penn State and makes annual awards
to the College of Engineering faculty,
alumni and staff.
Joining the ESM faculty in July, 2007 is
Dr. Sulin Zhang. Dr. Zhang received
his doctoral degree in Theoretical and
Applied Mechanics from the University
of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Sulin’s
research is in the growing
field of multiscale
computational modeling
of nano-bio materials.
His cross-disciplinary
research activities involve
faculty and researchers
from the Materials Research Institute,
the Hershey Medical Center, and collaborations
with the ESM department.
For more information concerning Sulin
and his research, please visit:
http://www.esm.psu.edu/zhang

Feature
ESM Frontiers
The Fiber Composite Revolution:
Lean and Green through Materials Science
by Stan Gatchel (MS ’78)
Advanced research in fiber composites gives designers new options for lighter, more efficient products
that save energy and money. Research conducted in ESM’s Composites Center is leading the way.
It’s a Composite World
The fuselage, frame, and wings of the new
Boeing 787 Dreamliner are built entirely
of fiber composite materials, yielding a
20% total fuel savings versus traditional
materials like aluminum. An estimated
17,000 commercial airliners are expected
to be sold in the next 20 years. That adds
up to a lot of fuel savings and reduced
emissions. With such clear benefits, it’s
crucial that research must find solutions
that allow fiber composites to fulfill their
destiny in a world hungry for green.
ESM’s Composites Manufacturing Technology
Center is meeting this challenge.
Carbon Nanotubes:
Getting Charged Up
Professor Charles Bakis is making
significant contributions to the field of
fiber composites. In the past eight years,
Dr. Bakis recognized the tremendous
potential of carbon nanotubes (CNTs)
as matrix strengtheners for continuous
fiber composites. CNT fillers add
Kirsten Bossenbroek, Matt Hagen, and Charles
Bakis display a 70 lb carbon/epoxy flywheel rim
made for industry using a filament winding process.
tailorable electrical and electromagnetic
properties to a structure—important
for obtaining electrical conductivity in
an aircraft skin, which protects against
lightning strikes. That’s the new mechanics
in action.
Composites in Composites
For the past 19 years, the center has
advanced composite fiber applications.
In the 90’s, Dr. Bakis and his colleagues
recognized the immense potential of
composites in construction applications
such as concrete, itself a composite. By
collaborating with the Departments of
Civil and Architectural Engineering,
they researched ways to improve the
durability of new construction by replacing
corrosion-prone steel reinforcement
with composite materials. This research
was instrumental in the design of what
is now the most widely used glass fiber
reinforcement bar in the United States.
Flywheel of Fortune
Did you ever think a composite flywheel
could be a great energy storage device?
Dr. Bakis’s composites center is researching
flywheels that turn at 66 krpm, which
will one day will keep hospitals running
until their diesel generators engage or
keep cell phone towers transmitting
during outages.
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Better Composites
Through Research
Composite fiber materials are found in
many products, no matter where you
look today. Applications include communications
satellites, military aircraft,
rotorcraft, engines for high speed, high
efficiency aircraft, robotic actuators,
artificial muscles, and autonomously
tailored structures. Professor Bakis and
his team are leading the way to new and
improved composite-based products.
Kayak photo courtesy BORÉALDESIGN ©2008
“Stealth Bomber” photo courtesy U.S. Air Force
Top Scholar
Professor Charles Bakis
This year, Dr. Charles Bakis was awarded
the coveted position of University
Distinguished Professor of Engineering
Science and Mechanics.
His accolades could fill an entire issue of
Connections, but suffice it to say, he is a
visionary scholar who has contributed
significantly to the
state of the art in fiber
composite materials
science. His scholarship
transcends the
laboratory, delivering
innovative composite
manufacturing
technologies for industrial applications.
His exceptional abilities as a teacher to
ESM’s students and role model to young
engineers serve as an inspiration for
others to follow.

Looking Forward
A Message
from ESM’s
AAB Chair
by Mike Erdman
(BS E Sci ’69)
Your AAB has notched
some impressive
accomplishments in its
first year, and even more
exciting activities are
upcoming!
Tom Sheffer and his communications
committee, are working on a series of
talking papers that describe ESM to target
audiences ranging from prospective
students and their families to employers.
Glen Chatfield and his alumni relations
committee held the first regional meeting
at the prestigious Duquesne Club in
Pittsburgh. Additional regional meetings
will be held this year for alumni in
Philadelphia and the DC/Virginia area.
The first annual homecoming tailgate
was great fun; we are looking at ways
to feature faculty, students and new
research at future events.
Barb Faust and the recruitment committee
are hard at work identifying target high
schools to promote ESM as the premier
technical career path for gifted students.
They are investigating ways to attract
top undergrads from across the country
to our graduate program.
Mike House and the placement committee
have conducted seminars for current
students on how to prepare resumes
and for job interviews. The team also
canvassed the fall career fair to promote
ESM with all the companies at the fair.
There are many opportunities to get
involved, and we are always looking
for a better idea! Let us know what
you think at:
alumnirelations@mail.esm.psu.edu
From The Field
Alumni Survey
We asked what roles the ESM Alumni
Association’s mission should undertake.
Here’s what you advised:
1. Alumni sharing experiences (64%)
2. Organize alumni events (59%)
3. Promoting student internships (59%)
4. Facilitate ESM technology transfer (44%)
5. Assist student recruitment (38%)
6. Assist fundraising (24%)
7. Other specific suggestions (5%)
ESM Calendar for 2008
Spring Semester
ESM Today; 9 Feb
Spring Career Days; 17-20 Feb
Alumni Regional Meeting; 20 Feb
Summer Career Fair; 29 Feb
AAB Meeting; 28 Mar
Educational Career Day; 7 Apr
Commencement; 16–18 May
Central PA Career Fair; 28 May
Alumni Regional Meeting; 5 Jun
Philadelphia area
Contact ESM
Name Department Phone Email
Judith A. Todd P.B. Breneman Dept. Head Chair 814-863-0771 jtodd@psu.edu
Mike Erdman Alumni Advisory Board Chair 518-384-0624 mike.erdman@psualum.com
Jason Lyons Coordinator, Alumni, Development 814-867-1569 jml43@psu.edu
& Advancement
Fall Semester
Fall Career Days; 15–19 Sep
AAB Meeting; 18–19 Sep
Homecoming Tailgate; 18 Oct
Alumni Regional Meeting; 6 Nov
DC/Virginia area
Commencement; 20 Dec
For more events, please visit
http://www.events.psu.edu/
Alumni in Service to ESM
Mission Statement
For those of you who expressed interest in
assisting the alumni association, we will
be contacting each of you to understand
your availability and interests.
If you have not yet provided your input,
it is not too late. Please go to the ESM
alumni web site at http://www.esm.
psu.edu/alumni and complete the
alumni questionnaire.
Your insights will help the future of ESM.
The mission of the Penn State Engineering Science and Mechanics Alumni Advisory
Board (AAB) is to advance the department’s world-wide recognition, specifically in
recruiting and retaining diverse, quality students, preparing these students for the
work environment, and promoting the understanding, attractiveness, and perceived
value of ESM in industry, research, and academia.
To execute this mission, the Alumni Advisory Board, working closely with department
faculty and staff, will establish an active network of alumni and students, interact with
all involved parties to generate strong communication paths, and advocate for department
initiatives and ESM students throughout the “lifecycle” of their recruitment,
education, and careers.
You Can Help
Would you or your organization be interested in sponsoring a future issue of ESM Connections,
or other ESM publcations that reach a broad, external audience? If so, please
contact Dr. Judith Todd (814-863-0771; jtodd@psu.edu) for more information.
AAB Operations: alumnirelations@mail.esm.psu.edu | AAB web site: www.esm.psu.edu/alumni | ESM web site: www.esm.psu.edu
Penn State is committed to affirmative action, equal opportunity and the diversity of its workforce. U.Ed. #ENG 08-37 This publication is available in alternative media on request.
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