Annual Newsletter - 2016

Message from the chair

Ron MilesGreetings from Mechanical Engineering at Binghamton University!

The department has undergone exciting changes in both personnel and facilities this year.

We currently have 21 full-time faculty members and will be recruiting two additional tenure-track faculty members this year. The department has approximately 400 undergraduates (sophomore through senior) and 110 graduate students. We typically graduate about 10 PhD students each year.

We continue to attract the best students and have maintained our reputation for being highly selective. 

Our faculty has been very productive this year, receiving 27 new research grants and publishing 77 journal articles and book chapters. The level of scholarship in the department continues to grow and, in short, our faculty are on the cutting-edge of research in the field.

We have added extensive state-of-the-art facilities in our laboratories housed in our beautiful new home, the Engineering and Science Building. 

Throughout 2015 and 2016 our students have worked hard and accomplished an astonishing amount including constructing, competing and winning at a national level with vehicle projects including an electric go-kart, a formula-style electric vehicle, a super-mileage vehicle and a mini-baja car. 

The Mechanical Engineering Honor Society (Pi Tau Sigma) received a Student Organization Leadership award and Ami Bhavsar '16 won an individual award this past year. You can read more about her and fellow alumnae Kelsey Pieper '09 in this newsletter.

This department has been a great place to learn for many of us. 

We hope you enjoy these updates on our progress and look forward to staying in touch!

Ron Miles

Distinguished Professor & Department Chair of Mechanical Engineering 


Spider

Move over Peter Parker, there really is a 'spider sense'

With help from Binghamton University’s Ron Miles, researchers found that despite not having ears - or even ear drums - jumping spiders can perceive airborne sound.
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Copper Oxidation

Understanding copper oxidation

Building a better mousetrap can wait.

With the help of research by Guangwen Zhou, there might be a better way to build a water pipe.
Read more

Sherry Grant

Towfighian, Miles will try to make better sensors

Binghamton University scientists want to improve sensor technology critical to billions of devices made every year. With a three-year, $359,958 grant from the National Science Foundation that begins in September, they will start by making a high-performance sensor and applying it to hearing aids.
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ALUMNI NEWS


Private Wells

Not just a public water problem

Contamination problems in public water supplies in Flint, Mich. and Hoosick Falls, N.Y. may not be alone.

According to a recent study from a department alumna Kelsey Pieper '09, millions of Americans that use private wells for drinking water could also be at risk.
Read more

Chris Greene

One of our latest, stellar graduates

Ami Bhavsar '16 must have a time machine.

That is more convincing for how this recent graduate accomplished all she did in the department.

“I’ve become more decisive and a better time manager,” she said. “Binghamton truly pushes you to work your hardest and prioritize wisely.”
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FACULTY & STAFF NEWS


Faculty Upate

Get up to date on ME's faculty & staff

With 27 research grants — totaling over $2 million — 77 published pieces and sabbatical trips planned, the faculty in the department continue to pursue multiple research and partnership opportunities!
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Roy McGrann

Roy McGrann will teach in Vietnam

Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering Roy McGrann is one of six American professors that will teach at Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City (VNU) this fall as part of the Vietnam Education Foundation (VEF) U.S. Faculty Scholar Program.
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