Demo

Edmund T. Pratt Jr. School of Engineering at Duke University 2011-2012
dukeng
Engineering Opportunities at the Marine Lab: Duke’s True East Campus
Life after The Grand Challenges Engineering and Music at Duke
www.pratt.duke.edu | www.dukengineer.pratt.duke.edu
FCIEMAS
A Catalyst for Pratt’s Architectural, Technological and Social Transformation


ineer


Edmund T. Pratt Jr. School of Engineering at Duke University 2011-2012
dukengineer
Editor
Tejen Shah
Associate Editors
Anirudh Mohan Cameron McKay Jimmy Zhong Lauren Shwisberg Tom Mercer Wyatt Shields
DukEngineer Writers
Jade Brown Hersh Desai Ajeet Hansra Jennifer Hewitt Nooshin Kiarashi Rachel Lance Nathan Li Cameron McKay Anirudh Mohan James Mullally Katy Riccione Tejen Shah Wyatt Shields Lauren Shwisberg Emily Sloan Visakha Suresh Suzana Vallejo-Heligon Justin Yu Jimmy Zhong
Consulting Editor
Richard Merritt
Webmaster
Meng Kang
Designer
Lacey Chylack phasefivecreative,inc
Technical Support
Mandy Ferguson Photographer: Becca Bau
letters
2 From the Editor
3 From the Dean
4 From the ESG President
5 From the EGSC President
education
6 Engineering & Music at Duke
8 CE 185: Design Project
10 Engineering Student Government
features
12 Life After The Grand Challenges
16 Duke’s True East Campus
20 Engineering Preception Changes Year-Year
22 COVER
FCIEMAS: A Catalyst for Pratt's Architectural, Technological and Social Transformation
research
26 BME: Soft Matter
28 BME: Synthetic Biology 30 ECE: Fluid Cloaking
32 SMiF Center
profiles
36 Motorsports 38 Smart Home
summer stories
40 Building Bridges to Form Connections 42 Pratt Fellows
44 RTI Biologics Internship
alumni news
46 Alumni Profile: J. Michael Pearson
47 Class Notes
50 In Memory
development
54 Letter from EAC President 55 Annual Fund Statistics
58 Honor Roll
p.72
on the lighter side
Crossword Challange | The Life of an Engineer
www.pratt.duke.edu


letters
From the Editor
We are proud to bring you the 2011-12 issue of the DukEngineer Magazine, which features the experiences and accomplishments of Pratt School of Engineering students, faculty and alumni. The cover story this year focuses on Fitzpatrick Center for Interdisciplinary Engineering, Medicine and Applied Sciences (FCIEMAS). It has been operational for about seven years, and we wanted to reflect on the impact it has had on the Duke community and to explore the architectural innovations incorpo- rated in the building that often go unnoticed by passersby.
We have decided to cover some stories, such as the Grand Challenge Scholar (GCS) program, Smart Home, Shared Material’s Instrumentation Facility (SMiF) and the Motorsports club, that we have covered in the past but from a slightly different perspective. Over the past two years, the GCS program was mainly written from a programming perspective. This year we take a look at the life after the GCS program and see how the program has helped recently graduated GC scholars succeed professionally. We also look at the progress and invalu- able contributions Smart Home, SMiF and Motorsports have made to different aspects of Pratt community.
We continue to cover the cutting-edge research of our faculty and graduate students. We profile Gabriel Lopez’s research on soft matter that could potentially help develop coating that would prevent bacteria from sticking to solid surfaces. We also showcase Yaroslav Urzhumov and David Smith’s research on a fluid cloak that helps hide an object from a flowing fluid. Finally, we profile Lingchong You’s research in synthetic biology that has wide-ranging applications from diagnosing new cancers to finding new ways of fabricating materials.
Pratt has evolved significantly over the past few years, and there are exciting new opportunities available to engineers who want to dabble in liberal arts. Some of these interdisciplinary opportunities are not as visible on campus, and we have two articles in this year’s magazine that showcase these opportunities. The first article is related to interesting research opportunities available for engineers at the Duke Marine Lab in Beaufort. The second article highlights how music is intertwined with the Pratt curriculum and there are ample opportunities for engineers to pursue their passion for music.
Furthermore, we have continued the recent tradition of featuring students summer experiences related to internships, Pratt Fellows research and international services trips. This year we have writers at different phases in their careers: from freshmen to seniors, to grad school and beyond. Therefore, we
have an interesting piece on how perspective of being an engineer changes from year to
year. The last page of the publication features “The Lighter Side” article that we hope will make this issue of DukEngineer magazine entertaining.
We would like to thank our writers, Pratt faculty, architects at Zimmer Gunsul Frasca and all the other members of the Pratt community who helped us throughout the process of publishing this magazine. We would also like to thank our advisor, Richard Merritt with the Pratt Communications Department for his patience and invaluable support. We hope that you will share comments, questions and concerns with us through our website at: http://www.dukengineer.pratt.duke.edu.
Enjoy!
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Tejen Shah
Editor, DukEngineer Magazine 2011-12 B.S.E in Biomedical Engineering ‘13


From the Dean
Dear Friends of Pratt,
Last spring I had the great pleasure to experience an impressive example of engineering in action. One of our students, Katrina Wisdom, combined her knowledge of the laws of physics with her passion for dance. In her presentation, and performance, entitled “Fouette Turns and Fourier Series,” she explained and demonstrated the subtle inter- sections of engineering and dance.
At one point, three volunteer dancers were asked perform turns in a synchronized fashion. I’m sure you’ve seen these turns. On one leg, with eyes fixated on one spot, they spun until their heads whipped around to gaze the same spot. Over and over again. As they spun faster and faster, a “resonance” made it appear that they were spinning even faster and with less effort than if they had been dancing alone. Katrina cleverly used art to provide an insight into an underlying scientific phenomenon – namely oscillations — that an average person could grasp.
As I think back to that day, I sense a similar metaphorical res- onance taking place here at Pratt – instead of three dancers working together cooperatively, I see faculty, students and staff providing a certain “resonance” that makes this a great place to be. Every day, I feel a palpable momentum driving all aspects of our mission forward.
By just about any measure, Pratt is a growing, thriving envi- ronment to live, learn and teach. And with the way the future looks, I don’t foresee that momentum slowing down.
Research expenditures have increased dramatically. For U.S. News and World Reporting rankings, we reported an increase from $74 million to $87.5 million in research expenditures. Our actual number is closer to $94 million when we include subcon- tracts. This is very close to our longstanding goal of reaching $100 million in research, in the league of engineering research powerhouses.
Pratt landed a $20 million endowment for the Duke Coulter Translation Partnership and a $13.6 million to fund a regional center for soft matter research.
But what we are really all about here at Pratt is people. What the research growth enables us to do is offer richer learning opportunities and to more students.
For example, we graduated 62 new Ph.D.s in the spring, an increase of 10 more students than the previous year.
We launched our new master of engineering program last fall with seven distinct degree concentrations spanning all four of our departments. The goal is to provide an alternative to the tra- ditional, research-focused master of science curriculum and give students a competitive edge in their industry careers. Students gain business acumen to help them navigate corporate environ-
ments and better prepare for project management while gaining real world, practical research skills. The new degree is driving masters growth at Pratt, which rose from 360 to 418 students. In another sign that the Duke-Pratt brand is hot, masters appli- cations are up nearly 70 percent for next fall.
This fall, a new bachelors of science degree in energy engi- neering is set to launch. It will give students an opportunity to pursue a second major in an exciting interdisciplinary subject matter that spans all four Pratt departments. We expect to add to the Pratt faculty two professors of the practice with industry experience in the energy sector. These individuals will support both the energy engineering second major, and the energy and environment certificate we jointly administer with the Nicholas School of the Environment.
Together with the Trinity College of Arts and Sciences, we are developing a Duke-wide undergraduate entrepreneurship pro- gram that will include both curricular and extracurricular ele- ments such as practicums, startup opportunities, and intern- ships. We hope to launch this fall.
The list goes go on and on.
As you read the informative and creative stories in this issue – all written by Pratt students – I’m sure you’ll get a clear pic- ture of how amazingly diverse, creative and dedicated are the people who make up the Pratt community.
Where else could I kick up my heels at a student presentation like Katrina’s or the annual E-Ball? Or build Ritz Cracker-Cheez Whiz towers, toss bean bags or race in sacks on a gorgeous sum- mer day in front of Hudson Hall? We all know it is an awe- some responsibility to train – or become — the next generation of problem-solvers, but it’s also great to have fun.
What a great place to be!
Tom Katsouleas
Dean, Pratt School of Engineering
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From the ESG President
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Greetings from Engineering Student Government,
2011 has been an outstanding year for Engineering Student Government, thanks to the incredible efforts of each one of our members, and the enthusiasm of the engineering students. We have seen productive growth of the organization and further enhancements to the Pratt student experience. With new leader- ship being elected in January, we look forward to another year of serving the student body. Be sure to check out information on our events and projects, and leave feedback at: http://esg.pratt.duke.edu/.
In March, ESG hosted the annual E- Ball at the top floor of the University Tower – the first time in several years that it has been off campus. The event saw huge demand and all who attended enjoyed an unforgettable night bonding with classmates and friends alike. E- Social, the staple E-Quad happy hour of sorts also saw a change from the usual this year with the addition of “Super-E- Socials” once a month. With plentiful food and an emphasis on planned pro- gramming, these events brought together several engineering clubs and students from many all class years. We hope to continue to see many underclassmen at these events, so as to further solidify the Pratt bond that transcends class year. Our other E-events, including E-Picnics, E- Oktoberfest, and E-Kickball, have been hits as always, especially the E-Shirts this year: Pratt Bracket and Cheat Shirt.
A year ago, ESG created the Academic Action Committee. This group of extremely active students is charged with creating positive change in the academic environment in Pratt in a rapid timeframe. They delivered in a big way this year in creating an engineering skills course that took place for the first time this fall. The fall course is broken into four modules each teaching an
applied engineering skill, and has received rave reviews.
Finally, we have spent some time to revise our decades-old constitution to bring it up to date with our current goals and operations. In this revision, we have added a new position on ESG, the indus- try relations chair. This ESG member, the first of whom will be elected in January, will continue our already strong efforts in bringing companies to E-Socials to provide networking opportunities to students.
ESG looks forward to continuing a tradition of making Pratt life in some regards more bearable, but in most regards flat-out awesome. We invite any and all feedback and if you are particular- ly interested, run for election for one of our positions. I hope to see you at our next event!
Sincerely,
David Piech
President, Engineering Student Government


From the EGSC President
Aevent we are involved with brings unique value to all members of Pratt, whether it is networking with potential employers at E-Social or Halloween- themed bowling with other graduate departments. We believe that the con- nections, whether made over beer and pizza or a couple of frames, can build lasting relationships, and that those relationships will make up a valuable
t Duke, we find ourselves surrounded network down the road. We think that
by an illustrious faculty whose history of groundbreaking research inspires us to both follow in their footsteps and blaze new trails forward. This sense of ambi- tion and drive is reinforced by our peers -- hardworking, creative individuals truly committed to pursuing their goals. We find ourselves in awe of the accomplishments of those graduating and amazed at how bright each incom- ing class is.
While it is easy to get caught up in our academics, whether studying for a midterm or submitting a paper to a jour- nal, Duke’s Engineering Graduate Student Council (EGSC) believes that there is more to graduate school than just our individual bodies of academic work. This principle guides the council’s efforts, as we aim to foster positive rela- tionships between graduate students, and help each other maintain a healthy work- life balance during our time in Pratt.
This year, EGSC has taken on co- sponsorship of E-socials, working with the undergrads to continue to improve Pratt’s popular weekly happy hour and make sure it appeals to our graduate community. We’re excited to bring offi- cial graduate student involvement to the Pratt tradition, and believe that events like E-Socials give us opportunities to interact and get to know one another outside of the laboratory and classroom. Our goal is to ensure that each social
leaving campus should not mean leaving the Duke community, and that being a Blue Devil comes with a lifetime mem- bership.
The biggest event that EGSC hosted this fall was the
neering. For students from all programs seeking careers in all fields (industry, academia, entrepreneurship, government and otherwise), EGSC wants to make sure that they have interesting and use- ful exposure to as many future opportu- nities as possible. This has included seminars, bringing industry representa- tives to campus to meet with students and keeping students informed about career fairs and other important events. This year, we are also working with the faculty and administration to develop a vision of the future of Pratt and the kind of programming that build our already-strong reputation.
EGSC cannot achieve its goals with- out the help of volunteers. Membership in EGSC is open, and all students are encouraged to attend our monthly meet- ings to help us improve the graduate experience and to pull off the events themselves. Creative thinking enables us to stretch our budget and fund new activities and all ideas are welcome.
Peter Hollender (E’09) is a third-year graduate student pursuing a Ph.D. in bio- medical engineering and the president of the Engineering Graduate Student Council.
We believe that the connections, whether made over beer and pizza or a couple of frames, can build lasting relationships, and that those relationships will make up a valuable network down the road.
Mahato Memorial “Envisioning the Invisible” event. Held in memory of former graduate student Abhijit Mahato, the event included a photog- raphy contest to celebrate Abhijit’s interest in combin- ing science and visualization, as well as a lecture by Nickolay Hristov, entitled “Pixels, Frames and 3D Models: Visual
Storytelling for the Modern Naturalist.” The event was a big success, and EGSC hopes to continue the program in perpe- tuity. The best entries from the contest are on display all year in the CIEMAS atrium, highlighting the cross-discipli- nary interests of our students and faculty.
EGSC also seeks to help students prepare themselves for careers beyond graduation, and to give them perspec- tive on the work going on across engi-
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ducation
A Few Things You May Not Have Known About Engineering and Music at Duke
Every day as we walk to and from class listening to music on our iPods, attend engineering lectures, and participate in labs and independent projects, engineering and music are united. In Pratt, from the first freshman courses to senior design projects, music is intertwined with our curriculum.
As freshmen in Engineering 53 with Michael Gustafson, assistant professor of the practice in electrical and computer engineering, students are given the opportunity to combine their knowledge of Matlab with their interest in music. In lab, students’ iPods are connected to
circuit boards that are wired to the com- puters. Students then choose 10 seconds of their favorite song to manipulate in various ways. Students adjust the fre- quency ranges with different Matlab algorithms.
After playing back each adjustment to the clip, sophomore Lauren Morrison remembered, “how exciting it was after each modification, to listen to how the song was affected.” Eventually, the song was altered beyond recognition. Lauren said “after repeating the same 10 seconds of my favorite song over and over for the whole lab period, I no longer wanted to hear it again!” Each student brings their own style of music to the lab, personaliz- ing their learning experience of Matlab.
When Clark Bray, assistant professor of the practice of mathematics, lectures his students on linear differential equa- tions, he uses music to help his students better understand the beat frequency when there are multiple frequencies. He explains why certain notes played on a piano are more pleasing to hear than others because of sine and cosine waves. When listening to music, we usually hear multiple frequencies simultaneous- ly. Bray explained that when you hit a
When C and C# are played simultaneous they create a harsh dissonant sound because the frequencies are very close together.
E


Ipods are used in Egr53 lab to graph and analyze frequencies in Matlab
lyzed musician. In 1985, the musician was paralyzed from the chest down in a diving accident, impeding his ability to play the electric bass guitar, one of his greatest passions in life. The “hammered bass guitar” was built for biomedial engineering instructor Laurence Bohs’ class for biomedical engineering seniors. This course challenges students to design devices that will improve handicapped people’s lives. The custom electric device has round sensor pads that, when struck with wooden hammers, produce electric guitar sounds. Inside the ham- mered bass are three musical instrument digital interfaces (MIDI,) that convert each hammer hit on each pad into a note. The pads have “piezoelectric” material that translates pressure into a signal. This device can be plugged into any keyboard or other synthesizer.
From learning about Matlab and fre- quencies, to studying differential equa- tions and sound waves, to building musical instruments for class assign- ments, the influence of music in engi- neering is all around us at Duke.
Jade Brown is a sophomore majoring in mechanical engineering.
middle C and C# note on the piano at once the noise is unpleasant because the frequencies of the two notes are very close together, specifically C: 261 Hz and C#: 277 Hz. Because the difference between the two notes is small, the beat frequency is also small and thus the notes are dissonant, creating a
guitar. The class focuses on the basic prin- ciples of electronic instrumentation with biomedical examples. Although not obvious at first, there are many connec- tions between biomedical engineering and designing and building electric guitars. Medical devices to aid those who have a
harsh rattling noise. In contrast, playing middle C and C an octave higher, the beat frequen- cy will be larger and the notes will be consonant.
In BME 153, biomedical engineering juniors are charged with the unusual task of build- ing and designing an electric
Although not obvious at first, there are many connections between biomedical engineering and designing and building electric guitars.
hearing impediment or are deaf have similar electronics to electric guitars.
Two Pratt seniors, Lindsay Johnson and Corey Weiner, combined their pas- sion for music with their knowledge of engineering to design a custom electronic musical device for a para-
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From Idea to Implementation
One student’s experience with CE 185: Engineering Sustainable Design and Construction
The Engineering Sustainable Design and Construction course (CE 185) offers students a
properly repair the bridge, locals desper- ately needed assistance.
Kathryn Latham, a junior civil engineer, was one of the students who worked on this culvert bridge design and offered her perspective. “In most other engineering classes, you’re just doing problem sets. But with this course, you have the oppor- tunity to create and implement your design. You learn what it’s like to work for a real client.”
Schaad structured the class so that students would have the opportunity to learn about the social and environmental impacts of the design projects. Occasionally, guest speakers would stop in to lecture on sustainable design. “It was a good balance,” said Latham. “[Schaad] would float around and help us when we needed it. He would give us advice when we were stuck.”
While everyone in the class worked on a design for a real-world problem, only about a third of the students went on to implement the designs they completed in class. For Latham, traveling to El Salvador
to apply the design was the best part of the experience. However, upon arriving in El Salvador, she quickly realized that the challenges did not end with the completion of the design at the end of the course.
During the semester, effec- tively communicating with people in such a rural, under- developed area proved to be a great obstacle for Latham and the other students. As a result, the students had to make sev- eral assumptions during the
The culvert bridge during a minor flood. These floods, which occur nearly daily during the rainy season, are the main contributor to the erosion and dilapida- tion on the bridge
8 dukengineer 2012
education
unique experience not typically found in other courses at Duke. According to Associate Professor of the Practice David Schaad, the course is focused on the design and testing of solutions to com- plex interdisciplinary design products in a service-learning context. Design projects from last semester ranged from stream restoration in Beaufort, North Carolina, to rice-farming in Libya.
One of the projects that attracted the most attention was a culvert bridge reha- bilitation project in El Salvador. Nine of the 24 students enrolled in CE 185 spent the semester working on this design. The original culvert bridge is 37 years old and was used by farmers and other locals to transport crops and to reach vital resources in the rural El Salvador commu- nity. Due to frequent flooding, the bridge was in a severely dilapidated state. Without the means or knowledge to


design process. These assumptions includ- ed things like the velocity of the water, precise dimensions of the bridge, and what the bridge was made of. “It was a little frustrating because we had done all of this work during the semester, but once arriving at the site, we had to redo a lot of the design,” Latham said.
While these challenges were tiring, they did not go unappreciated. “The implementation was a lot more interest- ing when we hit those speed bumps because once we were at the site, I felt I was able to use those design and problem solving skills that we learned in class,” said Latham.
CE 185 also allows students to see that the application of skills learned in the classroom may not always be what they expect. “Another thing we experi- enced is that sometimes what we learn— the technical stuff, really specific ways to do stuff—that’s not always the best way to get something done,” Latham said. “We found that the locals would have much better solutions to problems than we could ever come up with. It was inter-
esting to let that go and realize that our technical education might need to be augmented a little bit.”
When asked if she would recommend this course to another student, Latham responded without the slightest hint of hesitation: “Definitely. For many engi- neering students, especially underclass- men, it’s difficult to find an opportunity
to participate in this type of design. It’s very rewarding to be involved from start to finish on a project like this.”
Jennifer Hewitt is a sophomore biomedical engineer who assisted with the implementa- tion of the culvert bridge design.
The culvert bridge during a minor flood. These floods, which occur nearly daily during the rainy season, are the main contributor to the erosion and dilapidation on the bridge
Duke University students and local community mem- bers collaborate on pouring a new reinforced concrete slab on the existing culvert bridge. The new slab was one of the main components of the design worked on in the CE 185 course.


The Many Facesof Pratt
The Engineering Student Government (ESG) is an administrative organization run by students to make the four-year Pratt expe- rience all the more worthwhile. ESG takes a three-pronged approach to changing Pratt life for the better: planning events that bring the engineering student body closer together, making student-oriented academic policy changes, organizing service and outreach initiatives for the Durham community.
ESG is made up of 11 students, head- ed by executive president David Piech, a senior. Sitting in a conference room on the third floor of CIEMAS, spoke ani- matedly about the role of ESG and the effect it has both on its members and the student body it governs.
“ESG is really to make the lives of stu- dents and their experience here at Pratt all the better. We make it fun ... we help solve some of the problems,” he explained. He went on to elaborate about the society’s dogma. “We’re a laid- back organization ... but at the same time, we focus on getting things done. We want our members to be trained as leaders, to set up their own initiatives and to get things done.”
ESG officers are encouraged to take on pet projects in areas that interest them, from fostering a sense of belonging with- in each graduating class to performing service in the local community. For
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Left: An ice sculpture from the E-Ball


;
Left: E-social
example, last year, the 2014 class presi- dent Nathan Li had foam fingers with the ESG logo emblazoned on them made for Pratt students to take to the Duke- Michigan men’s basketball game.
For engineering students, it is often quipped that life is all work and no play. The ESG goes to great lengths to ensure that this is most definitely not the case. Weekly E-Socials held on E-Quad bring freshmen to faculty members together to mingle over free food. The E-Picnic, held once each semester, is on a much grander scale, with a live band, geeky
Committee (AAC), an undergraduate panel aimed at influencing administra- tive policy. Members are chosen using an application and interview process to screen for students who are truly inter- ested in making a lasting difference in Pratt. Although a nascent organization, it has already made an impact on the Pratt community.
Dianna Liu, a senior who is the vice president of ESG and a member of the AAC, explained some of the major accomplishments of the committee. This past year alone, the AAC managed to
of industrial engineering, realized that there were some gaps in their technical knowledge. Duke BME students now have the opportunity to learn to use tools like Maple and SolidWorks before going into industry. The AAC has really grown into its own and is currently tack- ling issues concerning student-advisor compatibility, overall student-faculty interaction, and freshman transitioning into the Pratt community.
ESG has also extended its resources to giving back to the local community. The community chair, Emily Sloan, has
spearheaded an effort to make the world of sci- ence more interesting to local schoolchildren. She has worked to set up a program for Pratt students to act as Science Olympiad coaches in a local mid- dle school. Previously the school lacked the resources or faculty interest to actively pur- sue the idea, but Pratt students have stepped in to fill the void. The volunteers visit the school on a regular basis and help the stu- dents prepare for com- petitions, providing these children the opportunity to pursue
scientific knowledge in an extracurricu- lar setting.
The ESG and the AAC both serve as influential groups in the Pratt communi- ty, focusing on everything from social activities to policy changes to communi- ty service. The life of Pratt students is made all the more multidimensional by the efforts of these two student-run organizations.
Visakha Suresh is a sophomore double majoring in biomedical engineering and biology.
Engineers at the 2011 Duke-Michigan men’s basketball game
games and competitions, and of course, the iconic (not to mention, free) Pratt tee-shirts that make Trinity students green with envy. The annual E-Ball serves as a more formal social gathering, giving students the opportunity to dress up, put on their dancing shoes, and enjoy a night of elegance in the company of the fellow Pratt classmates (and a few of their Trinity dates).
In terms of policy, for a while, ESG dealt with matters on an ad hoc basis. All this changed August 2010 with the creation of the Academic Advising
prevent the Hudson computer cluster from being converted into office space. Using the overwhelmingly negative stu- dent response to the idea, the AAC con- vinced Pratt administration to keep the cluster and the two groups are now working together to redesign Hudson to reflect the growing needs of the faculty and students.
Another major accomplishment under AAC’s belt is the establishment of a new skills course: EGR 165, created in response to the complaints of Pratt BME graduates who, upon entering the world
education


Features
Life After
The Grand Challenges
The National Academy of Engineering (NAE) Grand Challenge Scholars Program (GCSP) had its roots in 2008, when the NAE selected 14 Grand Challenges for Engineering that are of utmost importance to secure a viable future for society. For the past 100 years, the greatest engi- neering achievements are mainly defined by inventions such as the airplane or lasers. However, when an NAE committee was selecting the new engineering grand challenges, a paradigm shift came to light. Almost all of the challenges require technological innovation, but more importantly, they require engineers to span across multiple fields such as public policy and other humanities to tackle the problem from a systems approach. The challenges address problems from the basic necessities of life such as how we will feed ourselves with how to Manage the nitrogen cycle or Provide energy from fusion to the issues of the modern era with how to Secure cyberspace and Enhance virtual reality.
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“We created the national program to encourage students to develop the skillset and mindset to address the grand chal- lenges of engineering over the course of their careers,” said Tom Katsouleas, dean of the Pratt School of Engineering. “The thought was that if we could create a cadre of a couple thousand graduates a year nationwide, we could make a differ- ence in the world. With the growth of the program to over 40 peer schools, I am optimistic we will do just that.”
The Grand Challenge Scholars Program at Duke has graduated two classes of schol- ars—Simon Scholars and Stavros Niarchos Foundation Scholars—and the inaugural class graduated in 2010. As a part of the Duke GCSP, every student
must complete a portfolio satisfying five requirements: a research-based practicum, interdisciplinary curriculum, entrepreneurial component, global com- ponent, and a service-learning compo- nent. The Grand Challenge Scholars have taken these varied experiences beyond Duke and continue to do great things in industry, academia, and the public/non- profit sector.
The first class NAE Grand Challenge Simon Scholars included a Fulbright Scholar who is now attending graduate school in aerospace engineering in England; a M.D./Ph.D. student at the University of California, Los Angeles; an associate manager at Google working in a rotational program before heading to


Niru Maheswaranathan, currently a Ph.D. candidate in neurosciences at Stanford University
Harvard Business School for a Masters of Business Adminsitration; and a volunteer working in India who has now taken a position in environmental engineering, among many others.
The second class to graduate, called NAE Grand Challenge Stavros Niarchos Foundation Scholars, continued achieving greatness in the fields of their respective challenges. Among their ranks is a Ph.D. candidate in biomedical engineering at Duke, a business analyst for Capital One, a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford, and a mas- ter’s student at Stanford studying civil and environmental engineering.
Niru Maheswaranathan, a 2011 GCSP graduate, chose the Reverse-engineer the brain grand challenge as his focus while at Duke. Maheswaranathan felt that understanding how the brain works from a fundamental engineering point of view would allow us to develop better thera- pies for neurological diseases as well as build more intelligent machines. While an undergraduate, he used the GCSP to study neuroscience from both the scien- tific and engineering point of view. Maheswaranathan says the research com- ponent of the program was very impact- ful in that it gave him the opportunity to
dive into the field that he had become very passionate about. The GCSP first got Maheswaranathan interested in neu- roscience-related questions, and he has continued along that path and is now a Ph.D. candidate in the neurosciences graduate program at Stanford University.
Anna Brown, also a 2011 Niarchos Foundation Scholar, chose to work on the Engineer better medicines challenge. She pursued a wide range of activities from working in radiation biologist Professor Mark Dewhirst’s lab as a Pratt Undergraduate Research Fellow with the goal of improving endoscopic imaging
2012 dukengineer 13


Jared Dunnmon, current Rhodes Scholar, tackled two energy- themed challenges
technology in order to better characterize the boundaries of tumors. She travelled multiple times across international bor- ders with Project HEAL (Health Education and Awareness in Latin America) to provide health education ini- tiatives to women and children in Honduras.
One powerful sentiment that Brown and other scholars have echoed was that the GCSP was complementary to the things that they were already doing and helped unify two very different interests such as intensive academic research and
developing world humanitarian work. The GCSP Program integrated well with other programs already established at Duke such as the Pratt Fellows Program, DukeEngage, and Engineers with Borders.
Brown discovered that she enjoyed the intellectual environment found in the lab due to her GCSP and Pratt Fellows expe- rience and is now pursuing a research- based masters of philosophy in oncology at Cambridge, with funding from Cancer Research UK. When she’s done, she plans on returning to Duke to attend medical school. When Brown attended the Grand Challenges Summit conference as a student, she noted that people were addressing the same grand challenges from very different fields and hopes to apply this approach towards her work in radiation oncology in the future.
Undergraduate Jared Dunnmon, a Niarchos Foundation Scholar, worked on a multitude of projects that actually tar- geted two of the grand challenges: Restore and improve urban infrastructure and Make solar energy economical. He combined these efforts into a project to make alternative energy economical. During his GCSP experience, he worked on projects rang- ing from developing a novel method of mass public transportation in conjunc- tion with NASA scientists, to working as an unpaid intern with the Director of Climate Protection Initiatives for the City of San Francisco, through DukeEngage. There he spearheaded a project to use new technology involving algae to help treat the city’s wastewater.
Dunnmon said “being a Grand Challenge Scholar allowed me to themat- ically combine a great number of my dif- ferent interests into a cohesive package, which I would imagine made my scholar- ship application stand out a bit.” He is now a Rhodes Scholar and is at Oxford University studying applied mathematics after which he intends to return to the U.S. to pursue his doctorate in engineer-
14 dukengineer 2012


ing with a focus on non-fossil energy technologies.
In addition to those who are continu- ing their education, some of the GCSP graduates are making their mark in industry. Eric Thorne, a Stavros Niarchos Foundation Scholar, is currently working as a business transformation consultant for IBM as a part of the Consulting by Degrees Program. Thorne chose to address how to Make solar energy economical challenge. As a component of his GCSP experience, Thorne used his GCSP fund- ing to travel to Uganda to work with a solar start-up, Village Energy, where he got to work hands-on developing an actual product.
Thorne said, “The Grand Challenge Scholars Program was a nice way to bridge the divide between the pure serv- ice aspect of community-minded work
and the pure engineering aspects of the Pratt Fellows Program. It allows you to gain a wide array of experiences and see how they intersect to make a real impact.”
GCSP graduate Ben Gagne is working in industry. He is a Duke MEMS gradu- ate with a certificate in aerospace engi- neering and is currently working for GE Aviation in the Edison Engineering Development Program designing jet engines. Gagne felt that placing your work within the larger context of the challenge gave it more meaning. Gagne also notes that the GCSP allows students to showcase a wide variety of skills such as entrepreneurship, teamwork, and a global mindset that are highly valued by employers.
It seems apparent that the Duke GCSP graduates are leading successful and ful-
filling lives, partially due to the knowl- edge and experiences gained from their GCSP experience at Duke. Whether still addressing their Grand Challenge or being involved in a more tangential man- ner, the GCSP has graduated a group of engineers who are a great boon to society. To learn more about joining the Grand Challenge Scholars Program, contact Assistant Dean of Education and Outreach Programs Martha Absher at [email protected] or visit the Duke GCSP website at http://www.pratt.duke.edu/ grand- challengescholars.
Hersh Desai is a sophomore majoring in biomedical engineering and minoring in finance who hopes to make a lasting impact on the world for the better.
2012 dukengineer 15
Anna Brown, currently pursuing an oncology degree at Cambridge, worked with Project HEAL in Honduras
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Duke’s True
East Campus
FGenerally, engineering homework and lounging on the beach aren’t com- patible. At the Duke University Marine Lab, however, there is ample opportunity for Pratt students to earn credits and enjoy beautiful, coastal North Carolina.
Located on Pivers Island, the Duke University Marine Lab is a fully operable satellite campus with classrooms, labora- tory space, a library, a dining hall, com- munal student spaces, and dormitories. In addition to these traditional facilities, the Marine Lab has some more unique ameni- ties: kayaks and canoes for student use, a
swim dock, and two research vessels. While the Marine Lab curriculum has historically catered to students studying environmental science, biology, or earth and ocean sciences, there are many oppor- tunities for engineers.
Dr. Cindy Van Dover, the current Director of the Marine Lab, strongly believes in the application of technology to the ocean sciences. After receiving her Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution Joint Program, Van Dover piloted the deep-sea submersible ALVIN, which enabled her to make groundbreaking discoveries
related to deep-sea hydrothermal vent communities.
“Innovation in research,” Van Dover notes, ”often comes about both by under- standing what the next set of key ques- tions are and by designing and building the instrument...that can help deliver the answers.”
Another strong proponent of the neces- sity of technological innovation in marine science is joint Pratt-Nicholas School Professor Doug Nowacek. Also a graduate of the MIT and Woods Hole PhD pro- gram, Nowacek’s research focuses on bioa- coustics and signal processing. As a result of his faculty appointment in the
Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) Department, he frequently visits main campus to interact with students and faculty. He became interested in the technology-development side of oceanography when a mentor at Woods
cool science question
“So if you find a
that you want to address, you have to make the tool. Some people shy away from that, but I thought that was part of the fun.”
16 dukengineer 2012
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Students collect critters as part of Marine Invertebrate Zoology class
Hole explained to him that oceanography was still a very young field, and that many of the tools necessary to answer research questions they were pursuing did not yet exist.
“So if you find a cool science question that you want to address,” he explains, “you have to make the tool, and some peo- ple shy away from that but I thought that was part of the fun.”
This belief in technology inspired the idea of an ‘Engineering Semester’ at the Marine Lab, designed with courses to attract engineers, and provide at least one engineering area elective credit. Courses include: Marine Molecular Microbiology, Marine Molecular Ecology, Introduction to Bioacoustics, Introduction to Physical Oceanography, and Independent Study. Nowacek’s bioacoustics course and inde- pendent study are offered in the ECE department as ECE182L and ECE 191,
The Susan Hudson is one of the research vessels at the Duke University Marine Lab
respectively. The other courses may be of interest to engineering students due to their quantitative nature.
One of the most important considera- tions for engineering students interested in spending time at the Marine Lab is advance schedule planning. Graduation requirements such as courses in the Natural Sciences and Social Science cate- gories can easily be fulfilled in a semester at the Marine Lab, and there are certainly advantages to doing so. During both semesters, the Marine Lab offers signature Travel Courses where students go on field- study trips to locations such as Puerto Rico, Singapore, Costa Rica. Courses at
the Marine Lab also take many field trips; students in summer marine science classes often spend a few hours per day collecting critters and taking excursions to surround- ing islands.
Martin Steren, ME ’12, had a strong interest in ocean science before studying at the Marine Lab, and arranged his schedule to spend fall semester of junior year in Beaufort. “As long as I can remember I have had an interest in marine biology, “ Martin explained, “and I would love to use my engineering background to help devel- op devices to study marine animals.” Martin spent his semester taking classes and assisting an ECE student with his
2012 dukengineer 17


project in antenna design for whale track- ing devices.
Pratt students have the opportunity to perform research within the intimate, supportive Marine Lab environment. In addition to Nowacek’s electrical engi- neering projects, many other Marine Lab faculty have engineering-related research interests.
Upon arrival at the Marine Lab, Van Dover says engineering students would find faculty members who are “keen to put their design and analytical skills to work to consider a marine research prob- lem in a new light.”
Jim Hench’s research lab in physical oceanography has hosted students inter- ested in fluid dynamics and complex modeling, and features an operable salt- water flume for experiments. In addi- tion, students with interest in program- ming and software development may want to look to Dave Johnston. He has been a pioneer in digital learning, work- ing with the computer science depart- ment to develop interactive iPad appli- cations to replace textbooks in his Marine Mammals and Marine Megafauna classes.
On top of these faculty, Van Dover says, “there’s scope for field testing of
A saltwater flume is available for student use for fluid dynamics experiments
“Cross-training is always a powerful way to prepare for a career, and engineering and marine science and oceanography are natural partners.”
ocean instruments developed on cam- pus.” She also mentions the updated teleconference capabilities at the Marine Lab, noting that it would be easy for students on campus to stay connected to mentors on Piver’s Island.
With these mentors, Pratt students have been able to earn independent study credit, participate in Marine Lab research scholarship summer programs, and even do research for Pratt Fellows. The administration and faculty at the Marine Lab is willing to work with stu-
we could offer opportunities to any department in Pratt.”
Even if students cannot spend a semester away from Durham, the Marine Lab offers a variety of summer courses and research scholarship programs. Ross Taggart, CEE ’12, spent a summer at the Marine Lab as a participant in the Bookhout Research Scholarship program. The Bookhout Scholarship funds stu- dents to take a class during first summer session and perform an independent study project during the second summer
18 dukengineer 2012
dents to meet their needs. Nowacek is happy to report that he has now worked with students in all four engineering disciplines, “I sit in the ECE but I’ve always wanted it to be something that
session, both related to marine inverte- brates. For his research project, Ross studied the response of blue crabs to acoustic signals.
In addition to the more obvious perks of proximity to the beach, small class sizes, transportation and admission to Cameron Indoor during basketball sea- son, and Chef Sly’s delicious cooking, spending time at the Marine Lab may be a rewarding intellectual experience for engineers. Both Van Dover and Nowacek site the potential draw for engineers to ocean science. “The oceans are an engi- neer’s dream world, I should think,” Van Dover stated. Most notably, ocean engi- neering forces engineers to face a whole new set of design challenges due to fac- tors such as high salinity and pressure.
“Its using what you’ve already learned and what you’re learning and applying it in a novel context, “ Nowacek explained, “between what we don’t know about the oceans as well as the environment for which you have to engineer, to me, should be a really fun


challenge for any young engineer.” After graduation, engineers with
marine experience have many education options. Van Dover notes that, “cross- training is always a powerful way to pre- pare for a career, and engineering and marine science and oceanography are nat- ural partners.” In addition, she notes that they may even have an advantage. “Students with an undergraduate back- ground in engineering who choose to pur- sue a graduate degree in marine science or oceanography are going to be in demand, especially since the future of oceanogra- phy is in advanced technologies.”
Likewise, both Nowacek and Van Dover express that industry, especially the energy sector, would employ engi- neers with marine backgrounds. More importantly, the ocean needs motivated engineers, in the interest of conservation. Nowacek explains, “if we have better engineered things, well, we don’t have Deepwater Horizon. There’s always going to be the push to get into ever more difficult and tricky situations, and
the only way we’re going to guarantee, or at least minimize the risk of that is to have really well-engineered compo- nents and tools.”
Aside from the energy sector, there are companies that design and build ocean equipment. The Marine Lab has a con- nection with iRobot’s maritime division, based in Durham; they bring their new equipment for testing in Beaufort. One of Nowacek’s ECE students worked on a project integrating an acoustic detector with a Seaglider to collect continuous sound data, participating in a summer internship with iRobot, and supple- menting with independent study credit.
Both Ross and Martin note that they will continue to pursue their interest in marine science after graduation, and they believe their time spent in Beaufort will help them achieve these goals. Martin says that his dream job would be to work as an engineer devel- oping tools at Woods Hole. He believes that the relationships he has developed at the Marine Lab will, “prove invalu-
features
Students can relax on the porch of the Repass Center
able to [his] future job search.”
For students still searching for post-
graduation options, the Marine Lab may expose engineers to a whole new set of opportunities. During his summer at the Marine Lab, Ross discovered a new pas- sion. “My research and studies at the Marine Lab sparked my interest in the marine environment and aquatic chem- istry which will definitely influence my choice of career.”
Interestingly, Nowacek started to seri- ously consider marine science after par- ticipating in a summer research experi- ence in college which gave students from small liberal arts colleges the opportunity to do research at Duke and Davidson. The project he was assigned to was in Beaufort at the Marine Lab.
Pratt students who have spent time at the Marine Lab enthusiastically reflect on their experiences. In addition to interesting research opportunities and unique classroom experiences, students say that that spending time on the island is a lot of fun. Ross speaks posi- tively saying, “the Marine Lab was one of [his] most memorable experiences at Duke”, and encouraging everyone to spend at least a summer session there because “the Marine Lab has something for everyone.”
Martin echoes this sentiment remi- niscing that his semester there was “without a doubt [his] favorite semester at Duke. I loved all the classes I was in and the people there were great.” Even after years of working in the field, Nowacek expresses content and excite- ment. “I love this, you work great places. It’s a work hard, play hard thing. You work your tail off, and then you walk outside and you’re in the ocean.”
So, the next time your problem sets are getting you down, think about plan- ning to spend some time at the beach.
Lauren Shwisberg is senior studying Civil and Environmental Engineering with a cer- tificate in Marine Science and Conservation Leadership. She spent two summers at the Duke University Marine Lab.
2012 dukengineer 19


Engineering Perception
Changes Year to Year
Before you can determine how a perspective has changed, first you must determine what exactly you are looking at. What is constant, but seen from a different angle for the first time. In engineering, it’s the work. The high workload has been the only constant throughout the years.
As a child, stealthily disassembling the kitchen appliances was far more work than playing with Barbies; as an undergrad, calcu- lus was far more work than sociology; as a working engineer, repeatedly building and testing prototypes was
far more work than filing papers or answering
phones. Yet, for some reason, we all still do it.
Something pushes us toward engineering
despite the all-nighters and partial differential
equations. Having fought through undergrad
and a master’s degree without fully grasping
the role of an engineer, I am returning to grad-
uate school for the second time with a com-
pletely new perspective on the point, the func-
tion, and the ultimate goal of all this work.
As undergraduates, students are mainly fol-
lowing the paths laid out for them. The
homework assignments are taxing, and while
calculus and physics are interesting enough, at
those levels they’re still far too vague to be
practically usable. It’s not until the upper-
level courses that these theories actually become specific enough to have a place and a purpose in the world. So why do it? Why not switch to something simpler? For me, it was because of those rare moments when phenomena that seemed mysterious suddenly became understandable. When I combined gravity and inertia and predicted where that ball would land. When I learned about muscle structure, and how contractile force was determined. Solving these little mysteries just wasn’t going to happen in any other major, and finally understanding these answers was more than worth the long nights at the library.
In graduate school, the perspective shifts dramatically. Yes, there are still classes with structured learning regimens and end- less theories, but in graduate school there is also research. Graduate school was the first place I was ever asked to take a the- ory I had learned from a class and apply it to explain something new. The work of all that memorization and all those proofs suddenly makes sense when, for the first time, you can draw con- clusions not found in any textbook. It’s a scary moment, the first time you realize there are no more answers in the back of the
book. The knowledge you have suddenly becomes a lot more valuable.
The working world makes the point of all this effort even clearer still. As an engineer for the Navy, I designed and built underwater breathing systems. The four other people on the project team and I laboriously and painstaking designed, machined, tested, and redesigned every single part of something that would eventually keep a human being alive. And every sin- gle part required some skill I worked hard to learn in engineer-
ing school. How do you configure the oxygen sensors? Circuits class. How do you ensure that the gases are properly mixed in the breathing loop? Fluid mechanics. Because I survived the workload, because I managed to power through all the math and the science, I made something that lets a person survive underwater. The theory, the studying, and the homework assignments all come to fruition because as an engineer you are able to physically create something useful. There is nothing more satisfying.
The first time I went through graduate school, I got sick. Instead of completing my Ph.D. as planned, I ended up dropping with a master’s degree to deal with my illness. It was one of the greatest regrets of my life,
until the Navy offered me the chance to go back. For me gradu- ate school, and Duke are the fulfillment of a very long-standing dream.
With a Ph.D., I’ll be able to lead my own research, to decide what questions I want to try to answer next. Still, sometimes it is tempting to lose the perspective I’ve gained over the past few years. Today my brain was utterly masticated by a math exam, but it is important to remember that there is a purpose to all the trauma. There is a model of pulmonary hemodynamics I would like to solve, and this class has shown me how. Hopefully, this model will be used to create a device that can save lives. While all the work and the tedious assignments are difficult, they are what will ultimately enable all of us engineers to create some- thing amazing. That urge to create is what drives us to become engineers in the first place. Perspectives on why we do it may change from year to year, but the work is always worth it.
Rachel Lance is a Ph.D. student in Prof. Craig Henriquez’s lab in biomedical engineering.
20 dukengineer 2012


The theory, the studying, and the homework assignments
all come to fruition because
as an engineer you are able to physically
create something useful.
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caption


COVERSTORY FCIEMAS
A Catalyst for Pratt's Architectural, Technological and Social Transformation
The architects at Zimmer Gunsul Frasca (ZGF) in Washington, D.C. were faced with a complex task when they were hired to design a building to represent the future of Duke’s engineering program. Their goal was to create a building that would not only serve as a center for advanced technological development, but also as a collaborative space for the engineering and scientific community at Duke. In August of 2004, when the Fitzpatrick Center for Interdisciplinary Engineering, Medicine, and Applied Science (FCIEMAS) was first unveiled it was hailed as an environment that would serve as a melting pot for scien- tists and students of different backgrounds to collide and collaborate.
quarried in the Duke Forest.”
This ‘Duke brick’ blend was devel-
oped after an intense analysis of the color palette present in Duke stone. Originally developed by the University Architect John Pearce, Duke Executive Vice President Tallman Trask III, and architect César Pelli for another campus project, the architects at ZGF made minor alterations to the mix for the FCIEMAS façade. In addition to materi- al similarity, the FCIEMAS building structure mimics gothic West Campus with tower elements at each corner.
“The inclusion of tower elements marking the corners of the building blocks is derivative of the [campus] core and careful attention was paid to make the tower elements Duke tower ele- ments,” Guthrie said.
Furthermore, Guthrie described that
Seven years later, FCIEMAS has devel- oped into a foundation of learning and research for both Pratt and the greater sci- ence community at Duke University. But in addition to the project laboratories, research facilities, state-of-the-art clean rooms, and “intellectual collision spaces”, most passersby have little idea of the extensive mechanical systems and architec- tural innovations housed within the unas- suming Duke stone and brick exterior.
In this article, we will talk about how FCIEMAS as a new facility was integrat- ed into Duke’s existing campus aesthetic, reflect on the impact FCIEMAS has had on the greater Duke community after seven years of operation and explore its salient features that often go unnoticed.
The exterior façade of the FCIEMAS building incorporates both Duke stone, the primary material of West Campus, and brick, the material used in Hudson Hall. This creates a modern aesthetic, sympathetic to both historic West Campus and the existing engineering buildings.
D. Bartley Guthrie, AIA, a principal
Smart Bridge
at ZGF who served as principal-in- charge for the FCIEMAS project explained that, “unlike the monochro- matic red brick used in Hudson Hall, the brick used in the FCIEMAS building is a complex palette of different colors that is meant to be complementary to the native or indigenous stone that was
22 dukengineer 2012
TIMOTHY HURSLEY, ZGF ARCHITECTS LLP


Engineering Quad
the main challenge in the development of the conceptual design for FCIEMAS was, “to build the project in such a way that it creates a bridge between the his- toric core of campus, and what was con- sidered the engineering and research domain of campus.”
This design goal is clearly realized in the finished structure; en-route to the engineering quadrangle from historic West Campus, pedestrians now descend down the steps and pass under the bridges connecting the east and west complexes of the FCIEMAS facility. These two bridges are actually “smart bridges.” They house an optical fiber sen- sor system that can detect microscale dimensional changes in the building structure, including information on stress, strain, and temperature. Fifteen separate optical fiber sensors make up the optical fiber sensor array. Spaced about a meter apart from one another, the sensors are capable of detecting changes on the order of 1/10,000th percent. A display monitor on the third floor bridge allows passerby to view the effects of wind, tem-
perature, and pedestrians. The bridges are not the only place where optical fiber arrays are installed. One can also find them running underneath the main hall- way floor, where sensors under certain marked tiles feed information to the con- trol room, which then wirelessly controls a video camera. Using the information from the optical sensors, a smart camera shifts and focuses to remain gazed on the moving pedestrian.
TIMOTHY HURSLEY, ZGF ARCHITECTS LLP
in front of the physics building led to the creation of a communal outdoor space for the Pratt School of Engineering. This communal space is now known as ‘e- quad’ and is host to many student events throughout the year.
Chris Brasier, AIA, director of the architectural engineering certificate pro- gram stressed the importance of outdoor spaces to a college campus. He said, “on most college campuses the outdoor
In addition to the aesthetic and academic integration, FCIEMAS completely transformed the social landscape of the engineering and research section of campus.
In addition to the aesthetic and aca- demic integration, FCIEMAS completely transformed the social landscape of the engineering and research section of cam- pus. Prior to the construction of FCIEMAS, Teer and Hudson Hall stood alone on Science Drive, which connected all the way through to Research Drive. Eliminating the road in front of Hudson Hall and terminating it in a roundabout
space, in terms of the social life on cam- pus, is the ‘connective tissue’ that brings the buildings together and gives them some sort of common identity.” This concept was instrumental in uniting the stylistically different buildings that house most of the Pratt School of Engineering on the e-quad.
Apart from the outdoor communal space, the FCIEMAS building contains
2012 dukengineer 23


FCIEMAS Atrium and Twinnies Cafe
many unique architectural spaces and features, many of which are intended to provide space for students and faculty to interact. The centerpiece, and most fre- quented space of the FCIEMAS building, is the three-story atrium. Guthrie and his team chose to direct focus to the atri- um because he believes that space is rep- resentative of the goals of the building: “to contribute to student faculty interac- tion in a positive way, not only for them to work, but to meet and share ideas.”
With its iconic suspended staircases, abundance of natural light, and varied interior material palette, the atrium has become a popular space for Pratt to hold large events. Hilary Cavanaugh, CEE’12 and architectural engineering certificate student, frequently studies in the atrium of the FCIEMAS building. Some of the attraction of spending time in the atri- um, she noted, is the interesting architec- ture. “I like the natural light, the open- ness, and the mix of materials,” Hilary said. “For example, the second floor is slate, and the upstairs floor is wood.”
Some of the other unique interior interactive spaces include Twinnie’s Café, and the beautiful Mumma faculty commons. Even the bathrooms in FCIEMAS reflect the sense of collabora- tion between engineering and sciences. The tiles in the women’s restrooms are patterned in the shape of the BRCA1, a breast cancer type 1 susceptibility pro- tein that is associated with tumor sup- pression and cancer. The bone morpho- genetic protein (BMP1), a protein that induces bone and cartilage development, graces the tiles of the men’s restrooms.
The optical fiber sensors on the smart bridge and protein tiles in the bathroom are just two examples of the way the architects’ integrated work from the FCIEMAS departments into the archi- tecture of the building itself. Another example is the etched flit designs drawn on the Fitzpatrick windows. During the construction phase of the building, the dean of Pratt challenged all professors to submit pieces of art, which substantiat- ed the link between engineering and the
PETER WILSON, ZGF ARCHITECTS LLP TIMOTHY HURSLEY, ZGF ARCHITECTS LLP


life sciences. The two winning submissions
were Leonardo Da
Vinci’s “Spectra” and
Adrian Bejan’s
“Constructal Tree.”
Bejan is a mechanical engineering professor
at Duke and the pio-
neer of a field called constructal theory. According to this
theory, all systems, both biological and inanimate, evolve in a way that increas- es access to flow.
Bejan described the flow of the students and faculty of the Fitzpatrick center. “I think the design works. It is about geometry... a draw- ing on a map... it’s about what you see from above which is the space in which all of us flow, in which we bounce off ideas.”
Material Instrumentation Facility (SMiF). Then-Pratt Dean Christina Johnson hired Rachael Brady, who was a research programmer for the first Cave Automated Virtual Environment (CAVE) at the University of Illinois,
to develop a similar system in the newest engineering build- ing at Duke. Brady heads the Pratt Visualization Technology Group, which designed, built, and runs the DiVE.
The DiVE received funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF) and went online in 2005. It consists of a six 3-meter square panels, including the floor and ceil- ing. David Bullock, the gener- al contractor for the DiVE, chose screens for the side pan- els, but Plexiglas for the floor and ceiling for added durabili- ty. The ceiling panel is sup- ported from the roof of the room that encloses the DiVE so that the side panels can be replaced easily. These panels are rear-projected with high- resolution stereographic images, much in the same way a movie projector casts images on a screen. Additionally, the DiVE is equipped with head and hand tracking software, a more accurate and advanced version of the technology widely available in Nintendo’s
Wii video game system.
The DiVE is Duke’s only multi-disci-
plinary full immersion technology and the first installation of a six-sided CAVE system. The DiVE represents a unique opportunity to interact with three-dimen- sional data in an active way, Brady said. Not only is the virtual reality visible to
2012 dukengineer 25
BRCA1 diagram used in tiling pattern for women’s restrooms
In explaining the con-
structal tree and its rele-
vance to the Fitzpatrick
Center goals, Bejan said that
“the tree is a facsimile of the
human design in the same
way that the wrench is a fac-
simile of the human hand.”
He referred to a picture
hanging on his office door
taken by Sylvie Lorente,
coauthor of his book on con-
structal theory and Pratt
adjunct professor. The pic-
ture shows the constructal
tree on a Fitzpatrick win-
dow, the branches of a natu-
ral tree visible in the reflec-
tion. “There is a double meaning here... the constructal tree and the real one, the superposition of the drawing and the natural tree,” Bejan said. “These ideas are inscribed into the building through which we flow during our life as profes- sors and students. This kind of stuff is very good for the soul of the institution.
Leonardo Da Vinci's ‘Spectra’ pattern on glass walls
There are plenty of ideas being created here. Duke University has a presence and a signature in the world of ideas.”
In addition to the etched flit window designs and other integrative features, FCIEMAS has several unique lab spaces like the Duke Immersive Virtual Environment (DiVE) and the Shared
features
TIMOTHY HURSLEY, ZGF ARCHITECTS LLP


the observer on all sides, but the special stereo glasses also provide depth to the flat images. To further engage active interactions with the virtual environ- ment, a motion-sensing “wand” can be used to control navigation and move- ment of objects, which is then projected in real time. These features have attract- ed attention from around the Duke research community, leading to many interdisciplinary projects utilizing the DiVE from Pratt, Trinity College of Arts and Sciences, and even Duke University Hospital.
One department that has utilized the DiVE for cutting-edge research has been Duke’s Center for Cognitive Neuroscience. One exciting paper pub- lished in the Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience by Kevin LaBar explored the concepts of fear and fear retention. LaBar’s experiments took place in the DiVE to understand how humans extin- guish fear and anxiety with the help of contextual location tools.
The DiVE is also home to a myriad of student-led projects and instructional tools. Civil engineering students can uti- lize the virtual reality technology to “tour” structures they have modeled in one of their design courses; doing so allows these students to tweak their designs after experiencing their work in a way that would otherwise be impossi- ble with small, physical models. Also, the DiVE is equipped with software that can present a model of the human brain, which is implemented in neurobiology and medical school courses. Even Divinity School students can gain travel through time and space to experience a
The DiVE is Duke’s only multi-disciplinary full immersion technology and the first installation of a six-sided CAVE system.
computer model of Solomon’s Temple right here in Durham.
Currently, programmers are working to update the DiVE to accept MATLAB commands, meaning that Duke students
can physically experience the graphical outputs of their code in this common coding language. Also, the Fitzpatrick Institute for Photonics, a department housed in FCIEMAS, has recently
accepted its first postdoctoral candidate whose work will focus on using the DiVE to study display fidelity and inter- action fidelity in the context of a fully immersed environment.
26 dukengineer 2012


With advances in the realm of virtual reality also comes the need to promote the DiVE as a medium for more studies, both in and out of Pratt. Students from every department at Duke are encour- aged to apply to use the DiVE for their projects. Those interested in learning more about Duke’s innovative virtual reality and visualization research and experiencing this technology firsthand are encouraged to visit vis.duke.edu or
attend one of the weekly open houses on Thursdays at 4:30 pm.
In addition to these unique lab spaces, the Fitzpatrick Center was also one of the first buildings on Duke’s campus to achieve LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification, awarded by the United States Green Building Council. Isabelle Arnold, LEED AP BD+C, is an associate at ZGF and served as the LEED coordinator on
the project. While designed with sus- tainability in mind, Arnold explained, “We did not start the project thinking we were going to pursue LEED; LEED was a very young system at the time.” The decision was made to pursue LEED Certification later in the design process. However, Arnold noted that there were very few changes to the design itself once the goal of LEED Certification was solidified stating “the pieces were in place.”
To achieve its LEED silver certifica- tion, a variety of environmental features were implemented. The Fitzpatrick Center earned points in five major LEED categories: site selection, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, indoor environ- mental quality, and materials and resources. The most innovative environ- mental measure implemented, Arnold said, is the economic organization of the building program. Laboratory spaces with unique air quality or water needs were ‘blocked’ together, significantly reducing energy consumption. Similarly, offices were placed all along the perime- ter of the building to receive as much daylight as possible.
Guthrie said that the final product, “[FCIEMAS] is really a unique assem- blage of different types of program and hopefully it’s creating a really exciting mix of research and student life.”
When Bejan was asked if he believed that the Fitzpatrick Center had success- fully accomplished its goal of creating an interactive collision and interaction space between intellectuals of different disci- plines, Bejan offered a guarded yes, but stressed that a great idea transcends bor- ders. “I think that people work together, as creators of ideas, because they are attracted to the idea,” he explained. “Collaboration is lot like a lightning bolt from the cloud to the church steeple. Completely unknown before it happens, but striking when it does, and memorable when there is impact on the ground.”
Cameron McKay, Jimmy Zhong, Lauren Shwisberg and Tejen Shah
2012 dukengineer 27
PETER WILSON, ZGF ARCHITECTS LLP


Research
Cutting Edge Soft Matter
A look into the field of soft materials research
Recently, the National Science Foundation funded a massive $13.6 million under- taking to establish the Triangle Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC) in North Carolina. The MRSEC — an intercollegiate collab- oration between the schools in the Research Triangle area, namely Duke University, North Carolina State University, University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill, and North Carolina Central University — will focus on advancing the current knowledge in the field of “soft matter” research. A team of 20 faculty members from across these four schools has assembled in an effort to develop intricate new types of soft matter that exhibit unique functional properties.
Leading this team of MRSEC investigators is Gabriel Lopez, Ph.D., Pratt professor of biomedical engineering and mechanical engineering and materials science. Lopez received his Ph.D. from the University of Washington by developing a method for changing the surface properties of different materials by coating them with ultrathin
polymer layers. He continued his research as a postdoc- toral fellow at Harvard University, where he studied how to control cell growth using micropatterns in sur- face chemistry of culture substrates. Lopez came to Duke in January 2010 after establishing a biomedical engineering program at the University of New Mexico.
At Duke, Lopez has been focused on conducting research in the area of soft matter. “Soft matter,” Lopez said “is basically a designation for a class of condensed matter that is based on the energy required to deform it. If the matter in question deforms easily at ambient con- ditions, then it is considered soft matter.”
Some basic examples of soft matter include rubber, polymers, gels, liquid crystals, and suspensions of fine particles, many of which we use every day in the form of tires, plastic containers, cosmetic supplies, deter- gents, and foods. However, it has also become apparent that scientists can take advantage of many more of the unique properties of soft matter. Lopez believes that “a
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Prof. Gabriel Lopez analyzing new soft materials for the MRSEC


(From left to right) Phanindhar Shivapooja, Prof. Xuanhe Zhao, and Qiming Wang holding a sheet of Kapton for biofilm release
frontier with regard to these materials is how we can take advantage of the fact that it is possible to design them to undergo programmed deformation on their own.”
For example, Lopez seeks to capitalize on the fact that many of these materials are responsive to small environmental changes.
Recently, Lopez and his research team published a paper concerning the cre- ation of a soft material coating that is able to change its structure with regard to slight fluctuations in tempera-
ture. The premise of his work, which was funded by the Office of Naval Research, was to develop a type of coating that would be able to prevent bacteria from sticking to solid surfaces, an important goal with implications in many naval operations. When bacteria began to grow on these surfaces, slight variations in temperature would cause the coating to change its chemical structure, and in turn the bacteria would no longer be able to cling onto that surface. This method was shown to be very effective for the removal of bacte- ria from solid surfaces.
In collaboration with Xuanhe
Zhao, assistant professor of mechanical engineering and materials science, the group is now working on developing a new type of soft material coating that can change their surface properties in response to the applied voltage, instead of a change in temperature. Current test- ing is taking place at the Duke Marine Lab, where the team is hoping that applying electric fields to their soft material will be able to eliminate colonies of bacteria as well as settlements of larger organisms such as barnacles.
In another research initiative under the MRSEC umbrella, members of the Lopez group are synthesizing new microparticles from different polymeric materials. These particles are known as colloids when they are suspended in liq- uids and like other colloidal suspensions (including milk) they exhibit a milky appearance because of the way they scat- ter room light. The group is studying how these new materials respond to the application of acoustic fields with an eye toward developing new particulate
materials for drug delivery, ultrasound imaging, medical diagnostic tests and three- dimensional colloidal assemblies.
Continued research will only provide more insight and more knowledge about the properties and applications of soft materials, and scientists are only beginning to discover the benefits and uses that the wondrous world of soft matter can provide. The efforts of Lopez and the MRSEC show that inquiries into the field of soft matter are able to produce hard, tangible results.
Justin Yu is a freshman majoring in Biomedical Engineering.
Leah Johnson showing a sample of colliodal suspensions.


A Natural Analog for
Synthetic Biology
Lingchong You, Ph.D., joined Duke University six years ago as a jointly-appointed assistant professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering and Institute for Genome Sciences and Policy, launching his lab in synthetic biology research. Synthetic biology is a rela- tively new field that combines elements from biology and engineering to design and construct new biological systems that carry out a desired function. You’s group engineers gene regulatory networks and uses such syn- thetic systems as tools to quantitatively analyze dynamic properties of cellular networks.
Synthetic biology began as a field largely focused on employing the tools of genetic engineering to reconfigure metabolic pathways of cells to perform new functions, such as the production of therapeutic compounds or the micro- bial breakdown of toxins. Synthetic biologists use recombi- nant DNA technology to piece together gene networks that produce proteins of interest or confer a desired function, in the same way that electrical engineers use resistors and capacitors to piece together electrical circuits to generate desired outputs.
Over the last ten years, synthetic biology has expanded its reach to encompass the use of engineered gene circuits to analyze questions in biology. In line with this notion, the You group employs the approach of synthetic biology, cou- pled with mathematical modeling, to engineer bacterial population dynamics, quantify interactions in cellular net- works, and address unresolved questions in biology.
Researchers in the You group have successfully constructed a synthetic predator-prey ecosystem consisting of two bacteri- al populations. The predator population kills the prey by causing production of a killer protein in the prey, while the prey population rescues the predators by inducing the pro- duction of an antidote protein in the predator.
Along these same lines, researchers in the You lab have
also engineered bacterial populations that exhibit other ecological characteris- tics, including altruistic death, wherein the death of some individuals aids in the overall survival of the population, and the Allee effect wherein a population cannot survive below a critical popula- tion density. These engineered ecosys- tems enable the study of population dynamics, within such contexts as
30 dukengineer 2012
Katy Riccione
Over the last ten years,
synthetic biology
has expanded its reach to encompass the use of engineered gene circuits
to analyze questions in biology.


antibiotic resistance and species invasion, under a level of control that is not possi- ble in natural ecosystems.
In addition to engineering synthetic gene circuits, the You group develops mathematical models that function as a simplified lens through which one can characterize biological networks. Such models, coupled with experimental vali- dation, are used extensively in the You lab to analyze a number of cellular net- works, including the aforementioned synthetic ecosystems, as well as networks that govern cell cycle entry and self- organized pattern formation. The group has used such an approach to elucidate a mode of gene regulation of potential importance in mitigating abnormal cell growth. They have found that expression of E2F, a protein family that controls genes essential for cell cycle entry, is highest under normal levels of growth factors but decreases in the presence of higher levels of growth factors (a charac- teristic of tumor cells), pointing to a potential mechanism that may play a role in modulating the development of cancer.
In addition, other members of the You lab apply modeling towards studying a synthetic circuit that programs self- induced pattern formation as a potential means of understanding similar processes in nature, such as limb bud outgrowth and tissue stratification.
Through their work in engineering and analyzing synthetic gene circuits, researchers in the You lab have also stumbled upon phenomena that chal- lenge common notions and assumptions in synthetic biology. In designing sys- tems, synthetic biologists generally
assume a simple well-defined interface between the gene circuit and the host organism. The You group, however, has revealed that underlying and frequently overlooked parameters within the engi- neered system, such as the physical amount of the genes in the circuit (termed copy number) and how the engineered gene circuits affect growth of the host organism, can fundamentally change the predicted output of the sys- tem. Such findings have vast implica- tions for the field of synthetic biology, as they highlight the importance of under- standing how “hidden interactions” affect the behavior of the engineered gene networks.
A central theme of the You lab is making use of synthetic biological sys- tems as analogs of natural systems in order to address biological questions and better understand the dynamics of cellu- lar networks.
Ongoing projects could lead to new ways of fabricating materials, diagnosing and treating cancers, and fighting bacte- rial infections. In addition to such prac- tical applications, You envisions synthet- ic biology “likely transforming how future students learn biology.”
It is not too far-fetched to conceive of students in an introductory biology course fiddling with gene circuits to bet- ter understand cells in the same way that students in an introductory physics course fool around with resistors and capacitors to better understand electron- ics, You said. On an even grander scale, bioengineers like to think of a world where organisms are designed to mass- produce therapeutic compounds, materi- als, and biofuels, making such products potentially cheaper and more accessible.
Katy Riccione is a biomedical engineering Ph.D. candidate at Duke University.
2012 dukengineer 31
research
A microbial swarmbot is a small population of bacterial cells that are autonomously regulated by synthetic gene circuits and are encapsulated in microcapsules built from synthetic or natu- ral polymers.


An example of an isotropically permeable metamaterial.
Fluid Cloaking
When most people hear the word cloaking, they think of Harry Potter’s invisibility cloak. Real- world cloaking, however, is defined as hiding an object from a detector or a probe. The idea of fluid cloaking was first conceived last year by Research Professor Yaroslav Urzhumov and David Smith, the William Bejan Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering. A fluid cloak hides an object from a flowing fluid, allowing it to flow as if that object didn’t exist. Reversing the perspective, the object can move without disturbing the fluid.
which the fluid rushes into. Fluid cloaking eliminates these interactions. A submarine that can move without any drag essentially shoots through the water like a rocket in free space, potentially saving energy and also eliminating wake. Without any wake, a submarine can roam completely undetected.
Cloaking works by taking advantage of artificially engineered structures called metamaterials. The metamaterials act like a porous mesh case that can alter the flow of fluid.
“In layman terms, the structure sucks in the water in front of it, reroutes the water around it, and
An object moving through a fluid normally interacts with it in two different ways. First, there is a drag force, which is essentially fric- tion in fluids. Second, the object physically pushes the fluid as it moves, leaving a void
In layman terms, the structure sucks in the water in front of it, reroutes the water around it, and ejects the water at carefully engineered positions.
ejects the water at carefully engineered positions,” Urzhumov explains. The fluid must be accelerated at key areas so that the momentum and pressure of the fluid will be preserved as it passes through the cloak.
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A computer demonstration of a fluid cloak redirecting streamlines around an object
Urzhumov continues, “Because the streamlines have the same velocity in magnitude and direc- tion, it’s as if nothing really hap- pened.”
The idea is similar in theory to other forms of cloaking such as electromagnetic and acoustic cloaking. However, cloaking of the fluid flow is revolutionary in certain aspects. In the other forms of cloaking, handling waves comes with innate limitations.
“The need for wave velocities of particles inside that exceed the wave velocity outside is what limits the operation of optical and electromagnetic cloaks to only certain wave- lengths. It is not possible to cover the entire spectrum because that would violate causality,” Urzhumov says.
In addition, optical cloaking
metamaterials are typically reso-
nant at selected frequencies,
which leads to unwanted attenu-
ation. Fluid cloaking has noth-
ing to do with waves, resonances
or frequencies; therefore it oper-
ates with any fluid and any
structural composition of the
metamaterial. On the other
hand, fluid flow cloaking
requires physically moving a
tangible substance. This factor
leads to various complications concerning pressure drop, which can be compensated using micropump arrays. These microp- umps must use energy; therefore, the question of whether such cloaks will be energy efficient remains unclear.
The properties of cloaks comes from both the metamaterial composition and structure. In the case of fluid cloaking, the com- position is virtually irrelevant, and only the structure of the meta- material unit cell matters. The challenge comes from designing a structure that has anisotropic permeability with a gradient. An anisotropically permeable, graded structure would allow the cloak to work regardless of the fluid’s direction. A gradient is necessary because some fluid molecules must travel longer distances than the others, which forces acceleration to vary throughout the struc- ture. Currently, there is no rigorous mathematical theory for fluid
cloaking, so the research focuses on computer simulation and optimization.
Urzhumov says, “The way I see this, the simplest structure would be a unit cell containing metal blades oriented perpendi- cular to each other so that you can independently control the permeability in all three direc- tions.” By rotating a blade to a certain angle with a flow direc- tion, the fluid is allowed to flow easily in that direction. This will allow the structure to be anisotropically permeable. Urzhumov adds, “Then, different thickness of the blades would allow different permeability magnitudes and create the neces- sary gradient... Micropumps will be added to ensure pressure loss compensation.”
Conceived earlier this year, this innovative technology has already attracted a lot of atten- tion from the experts. “I don’t know if I can see this approach scaled up for large ships, but realistically I can see this tech- nology for highly maneuver- able, stealthy unmanned sub- marines,” Urzhumov says.
The defense organizations could theoretically use this technology to let eavesdropping
devices roam free in the territorial waters of any country. Also, marine experts can use fluid cloaking to observe underwater life without disturbing it.
Urzhumov optimistically predicts, “This technology can be applied to small enough objects of any shape and kind. Seeing these micropumps as distributed propulsion systems, one can also envision aircrafts, ships and submarines doing arbitrary maneuvers in water, almost like UFOs in sci-fi movies. Unlike conventional aircrafts and ships, they do not have to rely on external streams of fluid. Such systems create the desired flow themselves.”
Nathan Li is a Pratt sophomore majoring in biomedical and electrical engineering.
research
2012 dukengineer 33
Urzhumov showing a machine that analyzes metamaterial properties


SMiF
Propelling World Class Research at Duke University
The culture of research at the Pratt School of Engineering serves as a model to many research institutions and industries across the globe. The high level of innova- tion, productivity, and advancement reflects a vibrant community of students, faculty and researchers across a range of disciplines in science and engineering. However, pioneer- ing research requires access to the most advanced equipment. That’s where the idea for the Shared Materials Instrumentation Facility (SMIF) began.
In 2000, a university strategic planning committee, which was a collection of top administrators working to create initia- tives for the university’s future, formed the “Materials Working Group” to help catalyze nanostructured and bio-inspired materials and device research. The group realized that there was a lack of equip- ment necessary to perform high-level research for the fabrication and characteri- zation of materials, devices, and nanos- tructures. Their solution to the problem was the creation of SMIF, Duke’s resource for advanced characterization and clean- room fabrication, which is available to
undergraduates, graduate students, facul- ty, and non-university researchers alike.
By 2002, SMIF obtained X-ray diffrac- tion and atomic force microscopy capabil- ities, originally located in the basement of the Levine Science Research Center. A year later, a scanning electron microscope in the physics building and a small clean- room in Hudson Hall were added to the SMIF arsenal. However, it was not until 2007 that SMIF moved into the 12,000 square foot facility where it currently operates. SMIF now has more than 65 instruments serving the needs of more than 500 users across the Pratt School of
Above: A Duke University researcher using a fluorescent microscope in the cleanroom “Bio Bay”
Engineering, Trinity School of Arts & Sciences, the School of Medicine, neigh- boring universities, and companies across the Research Triangle Park.
With the constant bustle in SMIF from its many users and projects, safety has always been an important consideration. SMIF director Mark Walters, Ph.D. explains, “The safety of students and researchers using our facility is our top priority, which is evidenced by the safety training and safety systems in the facility.”
For instance, the toxic gas monitoring system in SMIF is a $1 million state-of- the-art system that can detect the type, amount, and location of any gas leak or chemical spill and immediately notify SMIF staff by wireless communication to any locality. There have been no incidents of injury since SMIF first opened.
SMIF now not only offers its capabili- ties as a research facility, but also as an educational tool. The staff allows profes- sors to illustrate concepts from class at no charge. Further, several funding agencies, such as the LORD Foundation and the Donald M. Alstadt Fund, have enabled
Left: A Duke University Post-Doc analyzes an image of a microelectromechanical device collected on SMIF’s 3D Optical Profiler
34 dukengineer 2012


undergraduates to use the equipment for research projects by covering the hourly access fees typically billed to its users for operational costs. Headlining this idea is the SMIF Undergraduate User Program, or SUUP, which encourages undergradu- ate research and innovation by supplying students up to $500 a month. There are currently 23 undergraduates participating in this program.
There are many reasons why SMIF stands out among other noteworthy shared facilities. SMIF owns the only elec- tron beam lithography system in North Carolina, which is capable of producing structures at the nanoscale. It also has a $1 million dollar transmission electron microscope capable of cryogenic sample imaging and 3-D tomography. The SMIF cleanroom, which was the first such facili-
ty in the nation to use a “Bio Bay” for the integration of biological materials, enabling the creation of novel sensors and biomedical devices.
However, since the user fees of the facility only cover operational costs, the SMIF relies on external funding for new equipment and capabilities. Currently, the staff is looking into purchasing atomic layer deposition and dip pen lithography instruments for the cleanroom and focused ion beam and thermogravimetric analyzer instruments for characterization purposes. Together this equipment carries a heavy price tag of well over $1 million.
Hired in 2002, Walters oversees many of the projects inside the facility. Walters works closely with a specialized team of talented engineers to keep the facility operational: Kirk Bryson, Jay Dalton,
Michelle Gignac, and Tamika Craige. The Executive Director of SMIF, Nan Marie Jokerst, Ph.D., J.A. Jones Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, along with the advisory committee, leads the group by keeping the facility ahead of the technological curve.
“The capabilities of SMIF and its staff are here to enable cutting edge research for the faculty and students of the Pratt School of Engineering and beyond,” Walters said. The SMIF staff assists researchers by conducting training cours- es, providing technical support, and keep- ing the facility stocked with chemicals and materials.
Wyatt Shields is a Ph.D. student in Prof. Gabriel Lopez’s lab in biomedical engineering.
2012 dukengineer 35
research
Duke University students performing photolithography processing in the SMIF cleanroom


rofiles
THE
Duke Motorsports Team
Gaining Practical Experience
Producing a car that can go from 0-60 MPH in under four seconds is often the purview of high-power sports car manufacturers, but every year, a team of dedicated Pratt undergraduate and gradu- ate students conceives, designs and fabri- cates a high-performance race car capable of achieving those results.
The Duke Motorsports Team enters the annual Formula SAE competition organ- ized by SAE International (formerly the Society for Automotive Engineers), an international competition that challenges university students to design and con- struct a formula race car, competing with fellow students in a variety of categories.
The competition is styled as if a manu- facturing firm had requested the teams to produce a prototype car for evaluation for viability as a production car, with the aim of producing a car that excels as a pack- age, not merely in speed. The competi- tion pits the cars against each other in tests of economy, endurance, acceleration, autocross, and in skid-pad time trials. Furthermore, each team must present their car to a panel of judges from the automotive industry in three areas: design choices, cost report, and a business pres- entation.
The Duke team competes regularly in a field of 120 international teams at the FSAE event organized at the Michigan
International Speedway, the larger of the two North American events, with other events occurring around the world in countries such as Germany, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Sponsored by some of the most renowned companies in the automotive industry, the competition awards prizes for excellence in both the dynamic and static events, with awards also available for the use of environmen- tally friendly fuels and innovative design concepts, amongst others.
The team produces a single-seat, open wheel race car, custom producing almost all of the components, including the car’s frame and safety mechanisms, whilst heavily modifying other, procured parts in order to maximize the car’s performance. The manufacturing process occurs throughout the academic year, with sub- teams developing components to be assembled and integrated together for ini- tial testing in March. The car itself boasts an impressive array of capabilities, weigh-
ing just under 500 pounds, with the capacity to go from 0-60 MPH in under four seconds.
Production costs for the car are estimat- ed at approximately $13,000, if manufac- tured on a large scale, but the team’s pro- totype costs around $30,000 to produce. “Finances are always a challenge,” said chief engineer Juan Pablo Garcia, “but we are thankful for the support of the Engineering Student Government, the Engineering Alumni Council and our cor- porate sponsors.”
This year, the team is focusing on developing a more comprehensive aerody- namics package for the car, with the aim of breaking into the top 10 at Michigan in 2012. Historically, the team’s highest position in the competition has been 11th overall, but with a strong showing from the freshman class, boosting team num- bers this year, Garcia is hopeful that the team can achieve a higher finish.
The team itself is comprised of a dedi-
The Duke Motorsports Team competing at the 2011 FSAE competition at Michigan International Speedway.
36 dukengineer 2012
P


The 2011 Car, ‘One Ball’, competing in the skid pad event at Michigan International Speedway.
The Duke Motorsports Team at the 2011 FSAE competition at Michigan International Speedway.
This year, the team is focusing on developing a more comprehensive aerodynamics package for the car, with the aim of breaking into the top 10 at Michigan in 2012.
cated core of approximately 20 students, who work on the car throughout the week, often into the early hours in order to meet strict deadlines. The development process is extensive, with every stage of the development process requiring signif- icant time and effort.
“The team really allows you to focus on what you’re interests are,” Garcia said, “You get an exposure to everything, but you can work on what you love”.
Working on the car provides team members with extensive practical engi-
neering skills, with many agreeing that they learn concepts and skills well ahead of their fellow students. Many students progress from the Motorsports team to graduate positions in the automotive industry, building upon their practical knowledge and expertise gained from their time in the team.
The team also integrates itself into the Pratt curriculum, by offering a number of projects for the ME160 class, the mechan- ical engineering capstone. Apart from the work and effort the team puts it in, it is
also great fun, Garcia said. “We like jok- ing around, we go out to dinner, you will see people always having a good time,” he said.
Ultimately, the team has been one of the highlights of Garcia’s four years at Duke. “Seeing the car go and realizing you did that...no one can ever take that away from you. It’s like nothing you’ve ever seen before”.
Ajeet Hansra is a sophomore majoring in mechanical engineering.
Photo credits: Enrique Pablo Garcia
2012 dukengineer 37


The Home Depot
Smart Home
Fostering Student Leadership and Innovation
Despite its relative youth continuously rising number is visible, the Wifi-enabled motion sensor. The motion
detectors will be installed on the wall in each room, and report their statuses to a page on the Library’s website, so open rooms can be quickly identified.
These projects represent only a small slice of the work being done at through the Smart Home program, where stu- dents are encouraged to dream big with their ideas. Some other examples of ongoing projects are a practical method or device for indoor composting, smart- phone control of music, lighting, and environmental systems, and a mailbox that provides alerts when mail is deliv- ered. An important part of the success of these projects is an open and collabora- tive approach to problem solving. Project teams are often interdisciplinary, with students from both the Pratt School
as a Duke student group, the Smart Home program has consistently been among the best
programs for helping students develop key leadership and entrepreneurial skills. Each year, 10 students are selected from an applicant pool as residents of The Home Depot Smart Home on Duke’s central campus.
In addition to the 10 residents, the program has also become a “home” for many other students who do not live at the research dorm, but are still active with one or more project teams. The smart home program provides many resources for all of these students to work collaboratively on a variety of unique projects, which provide valuable hands- on research and teamwork experience.
Many students are drawn to the smart home due to the simple fact that project possibilities are limited only by their own creativity. Some choose to focus on implementing new or improved tech- nologies at The Home Depot Smart Home, while others benefit the greater Duke community. Some projects promote the goal of environmental sustainability, and others improve convenience and effi- ciency of daily activities.
One project, for example, aims to tack- le water waste at the smart home. The technology involves measuring and dis- playing both the rate of water use and the total amount used at each sink over time. This display next to the sink encourages conservation because once a
cumulative impact of running a faucet becomes much more tangible. Additionally, the data from these sensors is logged over time to track trends and look for usage patterns. While the tech- nology involved in this project is rela- tively simple, the true innovation is in the creative application of a simple tech- nology to affect peoples’ habits.
Another project tackles a common dif- ficulty that students have in finding an available group study room in Perkins and Bostock libraries, especially around busy times such as final exam week. This project, called PerkinSense, will change that, preventing much frustration and wasted time. Currently, the PerkinSense team has been through several iterations of their prototype of a battery powered,
Testing the water flow sensor, left, with a low-power LCD display
38 dukengineer 2012


The Duke Smart Home, located on Duke's Central Campus
of Engineering and the Trinity College of Arts and Sciences. This mentality allows for diverse perspectives and areas of expertise to be considered, which helps to keep the big picture in focus. The goal is never just to build gadgets, but to promote smart and sustainable lifestyles.
After gaining national recognition in 2008 for introducing a novel model for student engagement, the Smart Home Program is still at the forefront of the green movement in education. In 2008, soon after construction of the house was completed, it received LEED Platinum certification, and two awards from Associated Builders and Contractors. The United States Green Building Council recognized the program’s educa- tional value with a 2009 award for Excellence in Green Building Education. In 2011, the Smart Home program was admitted to the International Green Industry Hall of Fame.
In addition to these accolades, the pro- gram has benefitted from regular part-
nerships with industry. John Deere is working with students and staff at Duke to develop a new landscaping design in accordance with the standards of the Sustainable Sites Initiative. The Home Depot Smart Home was chosen as one of about 150 pilot projects to test these new guidelines to quantify sustainable design, construction, and maintenance practices. Progress on the garden renova- tions is nearly complete. One of the main features is a sophisticated irrigation system, which delivers water based on predefined schedules, as well as readings from various sensors. The landscaping features two new bioswales that aid in reducing runoff into the sewer system, improvements in accessibility to the gar- den area with new terracing and walk- ways, and a shed and greenhouse. The smart home residents and members of Duke’s Community Garden club are looking forward to the spring planting season.
Another exciting partnership the Smart Home Program has formed is
with Durham-based Cree, Inc., a leader in LED lighting innovation. The smart home dorm will soon be retrofit with Cree’s products, and the residents of the home can provide feedback on their experience so the system can be perfected for residential applications. At the same time, the LED lights reduce the energy consumption from lighting by about 60 percent and last much longer than the current compact fluorescent bulbs. The installation at the dorm will demonstrate how simple changes can be made else- where on campus to help Duke achieve its goal of carbon neutrality by 2024.
The Smart Home Program at Duke provides incredible opportunities for everyone involved. It is truly living up to its reputation as more than just a dorm or house, but a live-in laboratory where students are free to explore and influence what it means to live in a smart and sustainable way.
James Mullally, BME ’12, Smart Home Vice President and two-year resident
2012 dukengineer 39
profile


Building Bridges to Form Connections
Ilove bridges. What’s not to love? Bridges create connections among people and places that did not exist before, opening countless possibilities.
In the U.S. it is easy to take the advantages of bridges for granted, but in much of the developing world the consistent
access to schools, work, stores, and med- ical care afforded by bridges is a luxury. A lack of viable transportation options can often adversely affect daily life. One country in particular that struggles with this issue is El Salvador. During the rainy season, which lasts from June to November, rivers can drastically flood above their banks by up to 15 feet. These surges submerge existing paths and, more often than not, the Salvadorans have no alternate way of crossing flooded roads and paths. This leads to absences from school for the children and leaves adults unable to access their work. In more extreme circumstances, the ill can- not reach medical care.
Maria Gibbs, a senior civil engineering major, had been traveling to El Salvador for several summers and quickly became aware of this issue from the local Salvadorans with whom she worked. She brought the subject back to Duke, and developed it into a Duke Engineers for International Development (DEID) bridge-building project.
We were fortunate enough to become acquainted with Bridges to Prosperity (B2P), a non-governmental organization whose mission is to eliminate the barri- ers to healthcare access, education, and economic opportunities caused by impassable rivers. With the help of B2P, we were able to undertake two bridge projects in neighboring rural farming
communities, La Hacienda Corinto and Guadalupe. The communities are just outside Zaragoza, which is about 15 kilometers from the coast and 20 kilo- meters from San Salvador, the nation’s capital. Then, independently from B2P, we also rehabilitated a decrepit vehicu- lar culvert bridge in Guadalupe after completion of the pedestrian bridges.
As a team of 10 Duke engineering students, we departed for El Salvador in May feeling prepared but not knowing entirely what to expect. On the first day of work, I was handed a shovel and told to dig a ditch. “What is this ditch for?” I wondered. I began to realize that I had no idea what the bridge-building process was like, and I started to wonder if any
wooden decking. Beyond that, however, the details were hazy to me.
I worried that we wouldn’t have enough time to finish or that at some point during construction something terrible would go wrong that would impede the completion of the
bridges. The community members were counting on us, though. After all, we had promised them two bridges.
Although the work didn’t get easier, we quickly figured out what we were doing. There are a lot of meticulous com- ponents that go into building a bridge — tedious little tasks that I never would have considered. We had to apply water sealant to every piece of wood used for the decking of the bridge. Then, we indi-
40 dukengineer 2012
of us knew what we were doing. We had all read through the technical manuals that B2P sent us, but everything seemed so different now that we were actually on the ground. We knew the basics — the suspended footbridges consisted of four cables strung over two towers on opposing sides of the river. Two cables would act as handrail cables while the other two would be used to support the
vidually measured, marked, and drilled holes in each piece where the suspender reinforcement bars, which connect the wood to the cables of the bridge, would go through. The reinforcement bars also had to be measured individually so we could bend them precisely in the correct place — otherwise they wouldn’t fit through the wood properly!
The process was even more stressful
summerstories
What’s DEID?
Duke Engineers for International Development (DEID) is the new EWB-Duke. DEID was formed in the spring of 2011 to provide an alternative to the national Engineers Without Borders (EWB-USA) project approval process. But to be clear, the EWB student chapter at Duke remains active as an element of ongoing DEID projects. DEID fills a niche for students who are passionate to propose and follow through with sustainable design-oriented projects aimed at addressing some of the systemic barriers people have to improving their quality of life. We’ve worked on projects as diverse as building a playground in Durham and construct- ing local-brick water tanks in Uganda. As DEID we now have more flexibility and are open to supporting a wide variety of engineering student projects that embody our mission. The best way to learn more about DEID is either by exploring our site, or by contacting [email protected].


way to minimize erosion. Our final engineering challenge was preventing downstream erosion along the culverts and down- stream face.
One by one, we tackled these issues. To connect the bridge addition to the existing structure, we decided to drill 28 strategical- ly placed holes into the existing slab and then inserted some L- shaped rebar (reinforcing steel rods) secured by epoxy. These rebar segments created a connec- tion between the existing bridge surface and the new slab. We used a form of bricks along the edge of the bridge to contain the newly poured concrete. This also allowed us to apply epoxy along the exterior of the bricks to pre- vent water from seeping under the new slab. With one compo- nent of the rehabilitation tackled, we moved on to the next task — protecting the abutments (sup- porting pillars) of the bridge.
After observing the behavior of the river both before and after significant rainfall, we found a rather simple fix to protect the abutments from erosion. We
were able to improve downstream flow by simply moving rocks from the center of the river and placing them along the banks near the abutments. It wasn’t the most engineering-savvy solution, but it was exactly the kind of keep-it-simple solution that we needed. Not only had we prevented the water from building up on the upstream face of the bridge and eroding the connections to land, but we also offered another layer of protection in front the abutments.
The most exciting component of the design for me was our solution for prevent- ing downstream erosion. During floods, water would flow in an eddy from the cul- vert, out and around to the right, and then along the downstream face back towards the culvert. This cycle had seriously con- tributed to erosion of the culverts and walls on the downstream side of the river. We decided to place gabions (bundles of rocks contained by a simple cage of lighter material) alongside the vulnerable wall.
The rocks would absorb the majority of the water’s energy and therefore protect the wall from further damage. We experiment- ed with a few different designs, including one with bamboo as the form. After this failed, we constructed four one-meter cubes of welded six-inch wire mesh that were tied together with tie wire. The wire mesh proved to be much more reliable than the bamboo. We placed these gabions along the walls and filled them with rocks and boulders that we collected from the river.
Although we had not anticipated that we’d have these challenges to overcome, we were able to successfully apply our engineering skills and create sustainable solutions. For us, the project was, in a sense, just a two-month commitment. We entered with a plan and then accom- plished our tasks as promised. For the communities, however, the project will have a long-standing impact; we recently received news that the pedestrian bridges are being put to good use this rainy sea- son, and the vehicular bridge is holding up well. Farmers and others who depend on vehicles to support their livelihoods have been able to continue use of the vehicular bridge, and everyone can use the pedestrian bridges to cross during floods.
The need for bridges — even domesti- cally — is something that people often overlook. According to Transportation for America, “a total of 69,223 bridges — 11.5 percent of total highway bridges in the U.S. — are classified as ‘structurally deficient,’ requiring significant mainte- nance, rehabilitation or replacement.” If the U.S., considered a fully developed country, has this high of a percentage of dilapidated bridges, one can only imagine how severe bridge issues are in rural com- munities like the ones in El Salvador.
For the summer of 2012, DEID has two more bridge projects: one in the same region of El Salvador and another in collab- oration with B2P in Bolivia. While the need for footbridges far exceeds our ability to build them, we’re doing all we can to counter the bridge neglect in these com- munities. Bridge by bridge, we’re hoping to positively impact their lives, furthering personal connections with physical bridges
Jennifer Hewitt
Biomedical Engineering ’14
El Salvador DEID Team working on a bridge.
because we had ordered just enough mate- rial for the bridge — one mistake could mean not having enough metal bars to complete the project. Luckily for us, we didn’t make any significant mistakes, and we were able to complete both pedestrian bridges on time. The work didn’t end there though — we then began the reha- bilitation of the vehicular culvert bridge. This is when we began to face significant engineering challenges. While some of our team had designed the bridge repairs in the CE 185 design class during the spring semester, after arriving at the site we quickly realized that we would need to make numerous adjustments to the design because of the site conditions.
We had a few main tasks in rehabilitat- ing the culvert bridge. First, we needed to pour a new concrete slab and find a way to connect it to the existing surface. Secondly, because the abutments of the bridge had been undergoing erosion and threatening failure at those points, we needed to find a
2012 dukengineer 41


Pratt Fellows:
Expanding the Scope of Undergraduate Research
In accordance with its commitment to providing undergraduate engi- neers with all of the resources for future success, the Pratt School of Engineering developed the Pratt Engineering Undergraduate Fellows Program in 1999. Currently in its 12th year, the Pratt Fellows Program continues to provide Duke undergraduates with opportunities to con- duct meaningful, relevant research in their chosen field. Each year, a group of junior engineering students are chosen to collaborate with Pratt professors on a variety of research projects, spanning all four majors.
Who are the Pratt Fellows?
They are undergraduate engineering stu- dents who have shown an interest in undergraduate research. They are dedi- cated to expanding the body of knowl- edge about a specific topic within their major. Pratt Fellows come highly recom- mended by their professors. They are, quite frankly, some of the best and brightest that Pratt has to offer. Not only are they conducting research that will benefit the whole of society, they are personally invested, independently moti- vated and always inquisitive.
Get With the Program
Students interested in conducting research as a Pratt Fellow submit applica- tions in the fall of Junior year. Each year, professors from each department release an extensive list of potential research proj- ects for which they are accepting assis- tance from undergraduate researchers. Applicants to the fellowship program select and rank projects from their major according to their interest in the subject matter. Research topics include cancer
detection technology, sustainable water use, using smartphones, augmenting the automobile experience, analyzing targeted drug and gene delivery and single cells in microfluidic systems.
Upon being selected and matched with a project and advisor, Pratt Fellows are charged with completing three course credits and one summer of research. Although the research projects are inde- pendent, collaboration with advisors, professors and other scholars is integral to the success of the program. Amy Allen, a senior Pratt Fellow in the Civil and Environmental Engineering department said “Pratt Fellows offers students the ability to dive into a subject matter deeply and guide the path of the project, while at the same time getting advice and help from a professor who has an established background in the subject.”
It is not uncommon for fellows to col- laborate with researchers around the world. Katrina Wisdom, a Pratt Fellow in the Mechanical Engineering and Material Science, is working alongside researchers in Australia. She discusses with her advi-
sor “what kinds of information and knowledge we seek, and what hypotheses to test. She comes up with the experi- ments (with the help of her advisor and graduate students) that will be used to accomplish these goals and contribute to the collaboration.”
Featured Projects
Wisdom echoes the thoughts of many other Pratt Fellows when she noted, “Duke is a renowned research university. I wanted to get the chance to take advantage of the research resources
here and contribute to the academic community.”
There is no doubt that Pratt Fellows are doing just that. Katrina is develop- ing a self-sustained condenser. She explained, “Condenser operation is reliant on the efficient removal of fluid from the condenser surface. It has been shown that fluid removal, or de-wetting, can occur in a way that is automatic, continuous, and independent of gravity on especially rough, water-repellent sur- faces.” The development of water-repel- lent surfaces, like those that already exist in nature, is a matter at the forefront of material science today.
As a junior Civil and Environmental Engineer, Allen began to notice how impressive long-term research positions look to potential employers. Unfortunately, she was also aware of the limited avail- ability of research opportunities for undergraduate students. Thus, she applied for the fellowship program because it gives fellows the opportunity “to receive individual instruction from a professor in their field, as well as the opportunity to contribute to an unex-
42 dukengineer 2012


summerstories
Amy Allen
plored area of their field.”
As a Pratt Fellow, Allen is working to
develop a characterization of a floating wind turbine. Offshore wind turbines are more effective when located at greater depths, in regions with higher wind speeds. However, the cost associated with anchoring a wind turbine in deep water often outweighs the benefits of alternative energy that the turbine pro- duces. Allen’s research is aimed toward
Katrina Wisdom
into the causes and progression of the disease.
“My project examines depth-depend- ent anisotropy in porcine articular carti- lage using Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM),” she said. “The composition and structure of cartilage varies with depth and leads to a unique loading pattern. By studying the tissue using atomic force microscopy, we are better able to approximate the loads experienced by
tude of prestigious honors including Fulbright, Marshall, Churchill and Rhodes Scholarships, National Science Foundation and Whitaker Fellowships, and university recognition and honors, including graduation with distinction.
Wisdom explained the benefits of con- ducting research as an undergraduate: “Doing research can teach you how to be an engineer in a way that classes can’t. It teaches you to take a situation, to be cre- ative, to make it work, to use patience and strategy to debug it when it doesn’t work, to synthesize what happens into meaningful, easily understandable results, and to present your work so that it can have maximum impact. This is an impor- tant set of skills that can serve a person well in nearly any field.”
The success of the Pratt Fellows Program speaks to Pratt’s commitment to tailor the undergraduate experience to the demands of an ever-changing field, and ensure that each student has the resources necessary to make the most of their time on the E-quad.
Emily Sloan is a junior majoring in civil and environmental engineering with an architectural engineering certificate and a history minor.
“Doing research can teach you how to be an engineer in a way that classes can’t.”
developing a mathematical model that characterizes the floating motion of a platform upon which a wind turbine can be placed. In light of new energy tech- nology, Allen’s research is filling a seem- ingly obvious gap in the existing body of knowledge.
Morgan McLeod applied to the Pratt Fellows program because she would have the opportunity to work on a project that not only contributes to the scientific community, but may one day benefit her personally. You see, McLeod is at risk for developing osteoarthritis later in life; so, rather than sitting back, she is delving
chondrocytes (cartilage cells) at different depths. This research can potentially be useful in assessing the changes in mechanical properties throughout the progression of arthritis.”
... And That’s Just the Beginning
Former Pratt Fellows agree that their experiences were some of the most valu- able in their college career. Many fellows have pursued graduate school and medical school after graduation, and many hold prestigious positions in industry. Additionally, fellows have earned a multi-
2012 dukengineer 43


summerstories
Suzana at Duke
44 dukengineer 2012
From Heels to Lab Coats
My Summer Internship in RTI Biologics
Freshly printed resumes — check.
Cheat sheets of prospective companies – check. Name tag – check.
Expensive wool mid-length skirt – check.
Shoes that will make you cry after taking 20 steps, but will make you seem trustworthy, mature, and professional — check!
As engineering students, we have all been there (except maybe not the skirt and high heels). Every year we go to career fairs in the hope of getting a sum- mer internship to acquire new experi- ences and skills that our classes cannot offer. We stand in line, hand out resumes, and recite perfected five-minute spiels about how we are right for the job. We answer nerve-racking questions
ing process of interviews, I was offered an internship position at RTI Biologics, Inc. in Alachua, FL. I had toured the company, located a mere 10 miles from UF’s main campus, once before during the summer of my freshman year. Ever since, I had been fascinated by their technology and facilities.
RTI Biologics specializes in recovering and processing cadaveric tissue to fabri- cate devices for bone, cartilage, skin, heart valve, and tendon repair. Typically,
in tiny interview rooms and (eternally) for callbacks. We A-game in hopes of landing that perfect job or intern- ship that will open doors to a new world of challenges and possibilities to ulti- mately guide us down the best path for our professional careers.
It was the summer of 2008 when I was on my last internship hunt. I was a junior in the department of materials science of engi- neering at the University of Florida (UF). After a gruel-
then wait bring our
Due to the nature of the company’s size, I was able to interact with personnel from all areas and catch a glimpse of the different departments within the company.
after initial screening, cadaver tissue is subjected to the patented BioCleanse® sterili- zation, which uses a complex in tandem combination of mechanical and chemical processes. Since BioCleanse® does not sterilize using exces- sive heat or irradiation, it pre- serves the structural and mechanical integrity of the tissue while removing blood and lipids while inactivating pathogenic microorganisms. After the tissue is, what is


Mechanical test of human collagen membranes
It put my creativity, technical knowledge, and problem solving skills to the test.
referred to among employees as “Biocleased,” it is shaped and arranged into a multitude of products: bone-ten- don-bone allografts for ACL repair, bone screws, putties of demineralized bone matrix that serve as bone void fillers, and skin grafts for the treatment of burn vic- tims, among others.
greatly advanced. As soon as I arrived, I was given a project of my own. As an undergrad at UF, I had done research alongside a graduate student; however, it had never been my sole responsibility to design, characterize, and test a tissue device. I took the project as a challenge!
After several months, I successfully developed a method to fabricate human collagen membranes for patellar tendon repair using mechanically unsound ten-
During my eight-month internship, I had many unique experiences that gave me great insight into the inner workings of an active biomedical
engineering company. I
worked under the sports
medicine branch on
research and development
of new products for the
regeneration of the patellar
(kneecap) tendon. Sports
medicine at RTI Biologics
functioned as its own enti-
ty within the 600-employ-
ee company. We catered to
small markets and had a
specialized product line that focused on cartilage, ligament, and tendon repair.
The 30 sports medicine employees handled the independent marketing, development, research, and production of the company’s tissue constructs. Due to the nature of the company’s size, I was able to interact with personnel from all areas and catch a glimpse of the different departments within the company. I also learned about strategies to propel our products forward in the orthopedics mar- ket. I interacted with engineers develop- ing tools to be used in conjunction with the products we were designing and test- ing in the labs. Moreover, I sat in meet- ings with legal correspondents and learned about patents and intellectual property laws.
Not only did I acquire soft skills dur- ing my time at RTI Biologics by inter- acting with various personnel within the company, but my technical expertise was
dons. I characterized their mechanical properties and deter- mined their water uptake and degradation rates. With this project, I enjoyed the freedom and scientific independence I was given. I felt the encourage- ment of my team and supervisor who provided me with leader- ship and support. By end of my internship, I had become a more confident and qualified engineer.
My internship was the pivotal experience that led me to pursue a doc-
toral degree in biomedical engineering at Duke. It was a crash course on the inter- nal operations of a biomedical engineer- ing firm with great technologies, robust facilities, and most importantly dedicat- ed and knowledgeable personnel. It put my creativity, technical knowledge, and problem solving skills to the test. I must thank RTI Biologics and the sports med- icine team for such a positive and memo- rable experience.
If you are seeking for your next big challenge, my best advice is to print out those resumes, dust off that suit, and head over to the career fair. This is your opportunity to explore new areas and to discover your true passions. Take it from me, there is a life-changing experience waiting for you!
Suzana Vallejo-Heligon is a Ph.D. student in Monty Reichert, Ph.D.’s lab
Educational model of the knee showing the patellar tendon
2012 dukengineer 45


profile
a spotlight on alumni
J. Michael Pearson, E’81
J. Michael Pearson has truly been a Dukie for life!
J. Michael Pearson started his Duke journey as an a director, member of the board of directors, head of the
global pharmaceutical practice, and head of McKinsey’s mid-Atlantic region.
When asked how the transition from science and engi- neering to business was for him, he answered that Duke had provided him the best training for that purpose, teaching
undergraduate student double majoring in mechanical engineering and materials science and mathematics. He describes his years at Duke as one of the best four years of his life because of all the wonderful people, the ter-
rific education, and of course basketball! He met his wife Christine S. Pearson at Duke when
he was a senior and she was a fresh-
man at Duke’s School of Nursing.
him logical thinking and problem solving. As a CEO, he was required to solve complicated problems and to come up with creative solutions. Engineering is a major that precisely teaches you these skills along with hard work and discipline, Pearson explained.
In 2008 he left McKinsey and joined Valeant Pharmaceuticals International Inc., a multinational specialty pharmaceutical company focusing on neurology and dermatol- ogy therapeutic areas, as the chairman of the board and chief executive offi- cer. At Valeant he has been able to make the company a stock-market favorite, raising the sales to $2.5 bil- lion and acquiring 21 companies in less than four years. The Wall Street Journal listed Pearson as one of the
Pearson recalls how fun and memorable it was for every engi- neering student at Duke to partici- pate in a design contest, where they had to throw an egg from the top of the red-brick engineering building, Hudson Hall, without breaking it. He appreciated how Duke was wonderful in teaching students the balance between work and social life. He was very happy to learn that there are still lots of social activities at Pratt, such as the E-socials and the E-lympics, and believed these are the things that will be remembered the most over the years.
Countdown to Craziness 2011-2012 in Cameron Indoor Stadium. Valeant Pharmaceuticals has been a loyal sponsor of Duke’s basketball.
If he had to live his life again, he
said that he would spend less time at work and more time to play. “These are all trade-offs you have to learn, and the early years of work are tougher; you need to do well. The quicker you learn these trade-offs, the fewer mistakes you will make. No one does this for you, you have to control your life your- self, make decisions individually, and assume responsibility.”
Pearson graduated from Duke in 1981 summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa. He was then offered a job as an engi- neer at what was called AT&T Long Lines during that time. A year later, looking for more excitement, he went on to the school of business at the University of Virginia, where he won the Shermet award and earned his MBA in 1984. Thereafter, he pursued a career of 23 years at McKinsey and Company, a global management consultancy firm, serving as
best CEO’s in 2008.
With his company’s R&D division in Durham and two of
his children studying at Duke as a freshman and a sopho- more, Pearson visits Duke more often now. Keeping his ties to his alma mater, he is on Fuqua’s Board of Visitors, spon- sors an athletic scholarship for Duke students, and con- tributes to Duke basketball financially. He has made a gift of $15 million on behalf of his wife to Duke’s School of Nursing in recognition of their recent advancements towards improved health care. This generous gift has enabled the school to name its building after his wife.
Nooshin Kiarashi is a 3rd year PhD student in Electrical and Computer Engineering at Duke University.
46 dukengineer 2012


alumni news
1940’s
James A. Zitzelberger E’48 is 86 years old. Has 2 children and 4 grandchildren... plus his wife, Joan.
Robert E. Haines E’49 grew up in upstate New York. With encouragement and wis- dom from his father, whom he respected greatly, Bob successfully completed 4 years of study at Duke University, in Civil Engineering, hailing as the youngest in his class! He had a variety of jobs for the city of New York, leading up to being drafted during the Korean War, into the Army Corps of Engineers. He served his 2 years in the Philippines, doing survey- ing and map making. Bob was the first American sent to the interior of the island of Mindanao. After 1958, Bob worked in Ohio and Indiana and traveled extensively, building steel mills. He worked 30 years for J. M. Foster Co. and ultimately bought the company, becoming the CEO and President of the company. Bob has been blessed with 4 children and 9 grandchil- dren. He enjoys genealogy and writing. His love of fishing has taken him to some beautiful places, such as, Canada, Russia, Alaska and Mexico. Fortunately, Bob’s colorful story has not ended. He has thrived tremendously at The Fountains at Crystal Lake, as he engages regularly in a variety of activities such as, exercise, movies, card games, educational lectures, socials, music events and Veteran’s events. He is also one of their wonderful Ambassadors, who welcome visitors and new Residents to their Community.
1960’s
James J. Ebert E’61 enjoyed attending the 50th reunion and visiting the Lemur Center. He is presently substitute teach- ing in Guilford County Schools.
Nicholas Brienza E’66 has retired after 45 years as an engineer and as a senior execu- tive involved in networking technologies in both industry and government.
Dr. Charles H. Rogers E’66 and his wife, Joanie, were able to share the excitement of Duke’s National Championship in Indianapolis with their youngest daugh- ter, Sarah T’13.
Dr. Brian W. Sheron E’69 is currently Director of Research at the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.
1970’s
George E. Murphy E’77, G’80 was named Chief Marketing Officer and Vice President for Brand Management at Chautauqua Institution. The Chautauqua Institution is an interna- tionally renowned center for the arts, education, religion and recreation.
Dr. Michael E. McConnell E’78 is a pediatric cardiologist practicing in Atlanta. He helped found one of the largest adult congenital heart disease clinics in the country. He lives in Atlanta with his wife of 31 years. They have two children who are married and also live in Atlanta.
1980’s
Dr. Mack T. Ruffin IV E’80 was appointed as Dr. Max and Buena Lichter Research Professor of Family Medicine at the University of Michigan. Professor Ruffin is a 1980 graduate in biomedical engineering. He lives in Chelsea, MI with his wife Kathy Carter and sons Sean and Noah.
Thomas A. Natelli E’82 has joined the board of directors at Strathmore.
Kevin J. Fellhoelter E’84 just celebrated 10 years since the founding of his company, Solara Technology. They specialize in providing power solutions for electronic systems.
Patrick T. Collins E’86 was named by Farrell FritzPartners to the New York Super Lawyers and Rising Stars List.
Susan G. Daniel E’89 and Aaron S. Daniel T’89 would like to announce the birth of their third child and second son, Adam Patrick, on October 18, 2010 in Summit, NJ.
David W. Erdman E’71 presented a histori- cal powerpoint show entitled “Mr. Duke’s Charlotte” on March 20, 2011 at the James B. Duke Mansion in Charlotte. The show traced Charlotte’s growth from 1900 to 1925, in which growth Duke’s electric power company played a major role. More than 100 people were turned away from the packed house, as Erdman drew the largest audience in the history of Duke Mansion lectures. Erdman is a frequent lecturer on Charlotte history.
James M. Snyder, Jr. E’76 has retired from federal service after thirty-four and a half years working for both the Navy and Coast Guard in various ship design and program management positions. His last position was that of Deputy Program Manager (Surface) in the Coast Guard’s Acquisition Directorate in Washington DC. He has recently start- ed a new career in private industry work- ing for Alion Science & Technology as a Deputy Group Manager in their design, engineering and technology group (DETG), Alexandria, VA. He resides in Fairfax Station, VA with his wife Robyn.
2012 dukengineer 47


Dr. Elizabeth C. Tyler-Kabara’s E’89 research on building brain-computer interfaces has been featured in IEEE press articles and many on-line news sites.
1990’s
Phillip A. Ayoung-Chee E’90 was recently accredited as an International umpire by the Badminton World Federation at the Sudirman Cup held in Qingdao, China in May 2011. There are only four Umpires in the United States that are actively accredited or certified at an International level. The Badminton World Federation is the international governing body for the sport of Badminton.
Suzanne E. Galletti E’90 recently moved back to the East Coast from Austin, Texas and is now the Senior Architect for the Johns Hopkins Health System. Suzi is responsible for the master planning of nearly 6 million square feet in over 30 buildings at the Hospital’s East Baltimore and Bayview campuses.
Lt. Col. Joseph P. Wedding II E’90 retired from the United States Air Force. Lt. Col. Wedding had more than 20 years of active service and leadership in locations across the United States, England, Italy, Greenland, Saudi Arabia, and Honduras, as well as in Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
William G. Karpovich E’91 was awarded the 2011 Earnest & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award for Emerging Companies in the State of Maryland. He is CEO and Co-Founder of Zenoss, Inc., which was #42 on the 2010 Inc. 500 list of Fastest Growing Companies in U.S. Zenoss was also #3 in software.
Timothy R. Davis E’92 and his wife, Ruth, are proud to announce the birth of a baby girl, Kira. She was born on August 1, 2011 in Raleigh, NC at Rex Hospital, and weighed 7lb., 5 oz. Kira is their fourth child and third girl. Her siblings are tak- ing to her quite well and she’s now slowly getting used to life on the “outside”!
Tiberio R. Alfonsi E’93, (Stanford MBA’97) is Vice President of Global Online Media Sales at Google. He lives in Portola Valley, CA, with his wife, Letitia Utley Alfonsi (AB’92, Georgetown JD’96), and their three children.
David S. Wasik E’93 was recently appointed vice president of operations at HOPE International.
Kevin X. Zhang G’94 was elevated to IEEE Fellow recently for his leadership in developing Random Satic Access Memory for Microprocessor. He is currently an Intel Fellow and Director of Advanced Design with the responsibilities of direct- ing digital, analog/mixed signal, radio- frequency, and memory circuits for future products at Intel. He lives in Portland, Oregon.
John M. Pearson E’95 has released his sec- ond book, Learn Me Gooder – a sequel to 2006’s Learn Me Good – about life in the classroom. He and his wife Tamara are both teachers in Dallas ISD.
Jonathan C. Trachtenberg E’95 and his wife, Barbara, would like to announce the birth of their first daughter, Sloanne Amanda Trachtenberg, born on April 27, 2011. They also have a son, Tyler Max Trachtenberg.
Sherry M. Altman E’96 and Matthew L. Altman T’96 would like to announce the birth of their third child and second daughter, Summer Lynn Altman, on May 1, 2010. Her siblings are Skylar Paige (4) and Toby Marin (2).
Dr. Steven W. Hunter E’97 was recently named an IBM fellow.
Amy Watchorn Kelly E’97 and her husband, Michael Olmsted Kelly, would like to announce the birth of their first child and daughter, Kahlan Elizabeth Kelly, on October 5, 2010.
Todd C. McDevitt E’97 was named to the “Most Influential Georgians – Notables List” for the second year in a row.
Jeffrey K. Mills E’97 would like to announce the birth of his daughter, Kate Victoria, born on June 8, 2011.
Christopher A. Daniels E’98, B’05 and his wife, Sarah Daniels T’00, F’05, are proud to announce the birth of a baby boy, William Ryan Daniels. He was born on April 17, 2011 in Mountain View, and weighed 8 lb., 0 oz. Big sister Katie is thrilled to welcome her little brother into the world!
Elizabeth S. Bernstein E’99 and Dan Bernstein would like to announce the birth of their first child and daughter, Zoe Laura, on June 19, 2011.
Margaret Prestwood Chiou E’99 and her husband, Frank Chiou T’97, had their first child, Alexander McFarlane Chiou, on November 2, 2010.
Brooke S. Davies E’99 and Adam Davies would like to announce the birth of their first child and son, Liam Alexander Davies, on March 28, 2011.
Karen Elizabeth “Libble” Ginster E’99, B’06
and her husband, Ben, would like to announce the birth of their second son, John Cappelen, born on March 20, 2011.
Matthew H. Lunn E’99, B’05 and Samantha Ferres Lunn L’05 would like to announce the birth of their daughter, Olivia Grace, on November 30, 2010.
2000’s
Grant Allen E‘00 is now Vice President of ABB Technology Ventures, a corporate venture capital group focused on growth- stage clean technology investments. He is also Managing Director of Keybridge Venture Partners, a seed capital fund in Washington, D.C.
Daniel R. S. Kauffman E’00, X’01 and his wife Meredith Morgan Kauffman G’04, would like to announce the birth of their son, Maxwell Taylor Samson Kauffman, on January 20, 2011.
48 dukengineer 2012