2020 News Archive

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Donor Spotlight: Anand Durairajan and Madhulika Narayan

For CEC graduates Anand Durairajan and Madhulika Narayan, their education at UofSC propelled them to careers with companies like Intel, Facebook and Microsoft. Now, the couple is leaving a legacy at their alma mater in honor of those who gave them the chance to chase their dreams.

2020: A Year Like No Other

This year did not go as planned, but we stayed the course. We kept to our mission and found refuge in celebrating the outstanding accomplishments of our students, faculty and alumni. Look back at 2020 with us.

First-generation engineering student fulfills family dream

Antonia Roman fulfilled a family dream by becoming the third person in her extended family with a college degree, earning a bachelor’s in civil engineering from the College of Engineering and Computing.

UofSC's support makes Perez's unique path a reality

These days, Perez is an associate professor in the civil engineering department at Quinnipiac University in Connecticut. However, he still carries his unconventional spirit and love for South Carolina with him.

UofSC, Siemens expand partnership to include product demonstrations, new research projects, workforce development

Siemens Digital Industries Software and the University of South Carolina are expanding their partnership by adding new software, collaborating on research for innovative manufacturing solutions, and by adding Siemens’ product demonstrations in the 15,000 square foot Digital Transformation Lab at the McNAIR Aerospace Center.

Ulrich becomes first Black woman to earn nuclear engineering doctorate at UofSC

Through the support of her family, the care of her mentors and her own belief in herself, Tashiema Ulrich defied every challenge that came her way. In the process, she became the first African American woman to receive her nuclear engineering doctorate from South Carolina.

Alumni Spotlight: How a successful software company got its start in the Office of Student Conduct

The Office of Student Conduct -- it's a place that many college students feel uneasy about. But, for CEC graduate Aaron Hark, that office became the inspiration for him to launch Maxient, dedicated to simplifying critical operating tasks.

UofSC researchers to acquire instrument for measurement of ground truth

Researchers from UofSC have embarked on a cutting-edge study that focuses on identifying the most accurate form of measurement, called "ground truth." The knowledge gained will advance research across all areas of the university involved in the field of smart and connected things.

A note from the Dean: Artificial Intelligence

By investing in artificial intelligence, our college and university is investing in the future. And just two years after penning the proposal for our trans-disciplinary institute, I am already seeing my goals, visions and hopes come true.

CEC alumni find success through UofSC’s McNair Institute

Yaw Addei-Boadu sees chances to innovate, well, everywhere — from event rentals to biogas stoves to fashionable emergency alert devices. Now he's one of a growing number of University of South Carolina students and alumni entrepreneurs who are shaking up the startup scene.

Artificial intelligence goes further than ever before

Through a grant from NASA, Pooyan Jamshidi will use machine learning to prepare spacecraft to repair and adapt themselves in the event of "unknown unknowns" so that they can better cope with uncertainties in the outer space environment.

CEC study to impact response time of high-rate energy systems

Jason Bakos has received an NSF grant to design processors capable of real-time machine learning of the behavior and response of high-rate dynamic systems. This study will improve the reaction time of high-energy systems such as ballistics, airbag deployment and high-speed vehicle control.

Tailoring your health care to your needs using artificial intelligence

The UofSC College of Engineering and Computing has a simple goal: to use emerging technologies to improve America's health care system so people receive care tailored to their bodies' needs and their individual genetic make-ups.

Newly hired senior fellow receives national recognition

T. Bond Calloway Jr. is the recipient of the 2020 F.J. & Dorothy Van Antwerpen Award. The award is presented by the American Institute of Chemical Engineers and recognizes a chemical engineer for outstanding contributions and service to the Institute.

Sheth receives lifetime award in services computing

The award adds to Sheth's long list of professional accolades. And while his research currently focuses much more on artificial intelligence than services computing, the effects of his past work still endure.

How augmented personalized health can fix many of America's health care problems

At this year's TEDxUofSC, Amit Sheth discussed faults in American health care and how emerging research in augmented personalized health can prevent many of system's problems.

Virus trackers: Scientists model how COVID-19 might travel, settle indoors

In this age of COVID-19 concerns, what’s the safest indoor environment? One without humans, of course. In a practical world the answer lies partly in understanding how the virus moves and where it lands in indoor spaces because air ow and surfaces are important routes for transmission of COVID-19.

UofSC, Princeton and Stanford collaborate to reduce harmful emission of natural gas

South Carolina, Stanford and Princeton are collaborating to create a cost-effective distributed chemical process that will allow for natural gas to be converted into useful chemicals and liquid fuels, instead of burned as harmful waste.

Andrea Ogunleye shares her GLD experience

Andrea Ogunleye graduated in 2019 with leadership distinction in professional and civic engagement and global learning. The college was able to sit down with Andrea to hear her thoughts on the GLD experience and the benefits it provided her.

Over 100 artificial intelligence experts discuss ethics and interdisciplinary use of collaborative assistants at UofSC

The UofSC AI Institute hosted the Collaborative Assistants for the Society's (CASY) 2020 conference. The conference brought together 140 leading minds in the world of artificial intelligence.

Huynh receives High Value Research award for research on road signs

Nathan Huynh was selected for a Supplemental High Value Research award for his "Sign Life Expectancy" research. His work will save SCDOT thousands of dollars annually in sign replacement costs while ensuring that road signs are still safely visible at night for South Carolina's drivers.

CEC celebrates 2020 alumni award winners

The University of South Carolina College of Engineering and Computing is proud to announce that Ralph White, '71, and Jamie Barton, '12, have accepted the 2020 Distinguished Alumnus and Outstanding Young Alumnus awards respectively.

Interdisciplinary study in material science receives support from U.S. Army

An interdisciplinary team from the University of South Carolina is conducting research in material science that has received support from the U.S. Army. The study analyzes the stacking of atoms and how their order impacts the behavior of the materials they make up.

UofSC power electronics team reimagines America's energy grid

The team's research aims to incorporate DC power into America's dated and aging AC energy system. Through the team's work, the way in which electric power is distributed to homes and business could become safer, smarter and more efficient.

A 20-year seat at energy distribution's most important table

The college's power electronics team currently has over $8 million in active funding from the Office of Naval Research. But, it is a grant received nearly 25 years ago that made today's funding possible and cemented South Carolina's place as a leader in energy distribution research.

A note from the Dean: Energy Distribution

The long-standing and world-leading expertise of faculty like Roger Dougal, Ralph White and Mike Huhns have made us the current leader that we are in energy distribution research. But our college's excellence doesn't end with the long-established leaders that put us on the map.

The Makings of a Mentor

Not only is Kristen Booth involved in multi-million-dollar power electronics research and joining the college's prolific power electronics team, but she is also encouraging rural students to consider pursuing graduate school and even doctoral degrees.

Creating change for Native Americans in STEM

Blake MacQueen is a chemical engineering doctoral student with Native American roots. Through his presentation at the AISES conference sharing his pioneering research on catalytic structures, he hopes he can increase minority representation in STEM fields.

Alex Molinaroli: From CEC to CEO

The small control boxes lining Swearingen's halls may be unassuming. But for Alex Molinaroli, they were the start of a career that took him from the CEC all the way to the top of one of the most prominent energy solutions companies in the world.

Mustain shows there's hope for anion exchange membrane fuel cells after all

William Mustain took an engineering approach to the problems facing AEM fuel cells. His findings may have single handedly saved the field.

College of Engineering and Computing welcomes six new faculty members

The College of Engineering and Computing is proud to welcome six new tenured/tenure-track faculty members to the college. This increases the college’s faculty count to 131 members and continues its expansive faculty growth.

Saha receives UofSC 2020 Outstanding Thesis Award

Sudipta Saha, a mechanical engineering doctoral student in the College of Engineering and Computing, received the University of South Carolina's 2020 Outstanding Thesis Award for his master's thesis on thermal fluid science.

Besmann's group's work with thermodynamics to aid development of molten salt nuclear reactors

Mechanical Engineering Professor Ted Besmann is leading a project that will provide critical support for the development, operation and regulation of the first commercial molten salt nuclear reactors.

UofSC-Navatek partnership to provide students invaluable learning and hiring opportunities

It is the students at UofSC and other local universities who will benefit most from the University of South Carolina's growing partnership with Navatek LLC.

Donor Spotlight: How Venkat Subramanian chose to honor his father's legacy

For Venkat Subramanian, the value of education goes far beyond just dollars and cents. It is a promise to his mentor, Dr. Ralph White, and his father, T. R. Subramanian, that he will always do his best and push others to succeed even when the odds are stacked against them.

UofSC receives $11.2 million grant to design crystals to keep nuclear waste safe

Scientists in the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Engineering and Computing are designing waste forms to safely contain radioactive waste for thousands of years.

Deep learning algorithm to remove materials discovery bottleneck in emerging tech industries

Researchers have developed a deep learning-based smart algorithm that uses a generative adversarial network model to dramatically improve the material search efficiency up to two orders of magnitude. It has the potential to greatly speed up the discovery of novel functional materials.

UofSC, Navatek win contract to research Navy power and energy systems

The U.S. Office of Naval Research has awarded the partnership of UofSC and Navatek LLC a $9.2 million contract for the research of power and energy systems and the development of digital twin prototypes.

Yuan and Downey to advance field of additive manufacturing through support from S.C. Research Authority

Lang Yuan and Austin Downey are developing "smart" additive manufacturing techniques that will achieve greater quality and performance of metal materials through a real-time control system.

A note from the Dean: Aerospace Materials

Our college is pushing the boundaries of aerospace engineering and manufacturing, and bringing the industry with us. The results speak for themselves.

Two home-grown researchers emerge as leaders in SC's aerospace industry

The college's unique model of learning through an academic work floor prepared Darun Barazanchy and Wout De Backer to lead the state's growing work in advanced manufacturing research and development. Now, they are co-PIs on one of the aerospace industry's most prestigious grants.

Sockalingam receives support from Army for research on military armor systems

Subramani Sockalingam is undergoing two research efforts that will enhance the development of the next generation of military armor materials. Together, the results could lead to improved performance and survivability of soldier protection body armor.

The pioneers of structural health monitoring

Using structural health monitoring technology, Giurgiutiu, Banerjee and Yu work like doctors, evaluating the 'health' of America's safety-critical structures by looking at their well-being beneath the surface.

Alumni Spotlight: How the CEC helped David King soar through the aerospace industry

David King's dreams about a career in aerospace started while watching astronauts walk across the moon. From hundreds of thousands of miles away, Neil Armstrong and others inspired King to reach for the stars, but it would be mentors and colleagues right here on Earth that would help him become a prominent leader in the industry.

The valedictorian who tackled running backs

Very few high school valedictorians can tackle a 200-pound running back. Not many Division 1 college football players can tackle the rigor of a mechanical engineering degree. But this University of South Carolina Class of 2020 graduate did both.

Breakthrough Star: Lingyu “Lucy” Yu looks after ‘health’ of structures

Mechanical engineering associate professor Lingyu “Lucy” Yu describes her work in nondestructive evaluation and structural health monitoring as being something like a medical doctor.

Wang to improve the safety of aircraft through new simulation technology

As today's aircraft grow thinner and lighter to allow for greater fuel efficiency, Yi Wang is developing technology to ensure safety is not sacrificed as cost efficiency of aircraft production is increased.

UofSC McNair Aerospace Center leading South Carolina's charge to become a smart manufacturing state

In seven years, the McNair Center has gone from a simple dream to a full-blown reality. Using a model that pairs industry partners directly with faculty and students, the center has made itself an integral component of SC's aerospace industry and a key player in its future.

Students set for Bridge to Doctorate program

The first 12 students accepted into the university's Bridge to Doctorate program bring diverse life experiences but share a common commitment to science and community.

Gagnon reaches pinnacle of success as first-generation college graduate

Kevin Gagnon's parents did not have the opportunity to receive four-year college degrees, but they worked hard to make sure he did. In Kevin's four years at UofSC, he gave his parents plenty to be proud of.

Ramy Harik named leading innovator in smart manufacturing

Ramy Harik, associate professor of mechanical engineering, has been recognized as one of the 20 most influential professors in the field of smart manufacturing.

CSE student becomes fourth Gamecock to ever receive DoD SMART Scholarship

It wasn't just one factor that led to Abby Delnoce receiving one of the nation's most respected STEM student awards. But, through the support of her family and the UofSC community, Delnoce has received the Department of Defense's SMART Scholarship.

Uline recognized for role in research proposal review

Mark Uline is a recipient of the 2020 Distinguished Research Service Award. The award recognizes his commitment to UofSC's research community through consistent service as a reviewer and committee member for internal funding and awards programs.

CEC aerospace team leading $5.7 million NASA University Leadership Initiative

Through a NASA University Leadership Initiative, the UofSC CEC aerospace team will revolutionize the materials and technology used to create aircraft, the speed and cost that parts can be produced at, and aircraft's overall strength and durability.

Matthews receives teaching award for his support of graduate students

Mike Matthews of the College of Engineering and Computing has received the Michael J. Mungo Graduate Teaching Award. The award recognizes Matthews' long-standing commitment to the college's graduate students during their time at the university and beyond.

Ed Gatzke recognized for commitment to student success

Chemical Engineering Professor Ed Gatzke has received the Outstanding Faculty and Staff Partner Award from the Division of Student Affairs and Academic Support. The award recognizes a member of the UofSC faculty who has demonstrated significant support for the division, the division's programs and services and the overall quality of campus life.

New peer mentorship program provides 'invaluable' experience to 200 CEC freshmen

In its first year, the Peer Mentorship Program at the CEC paired 203 incoming freshmen with 186 older CEC students. At least once a month the mentors and mentees met to discuss social, academic and career-oriented topics.

Chemical engineering student wins $6000 for entrepreneurship venture

Chemical Engineering junior Alexis Lewis took home the top prize in The Proving Ground SCRA/Fluor Fan Favorite Track competition. The Proving Ground gave UofSC students and alumni with entrepreneurial aspirations a chance to share their business ideas in a Shark Tank-like competition.

UofSC and Clemson collaborating to produce cleaning process for N95 face masks

As coronavirus cases increase, researchers at the UofSC and Clemson are combining their technical expertise and national networks to bring face mask cleaning and disinfecting processes to the state's hospitals.

Rekleitis receives NSF Early CAREER Award to create autonomous underwater robot

Through a 2020 NSF Early CAREER Development Award, Rekleitis plans to increase the autonomy of his underwater robots to allow for improved shipwreck mapping, coral reef monitoring, and underwater cave exploration and surveying

Alumni Spotlight: How Andrew Jarvie Engineered a Simple Solution for Essential Workers

As a senior engineer with John Deere, Andrew Jarvie continues to go into work each day helping to keep America moving forward. But it didn't take long for this CEC alumnus to see that one small device could protect the lives of many essential workers.

Gamecock GP Club Races Toward Electric Competition

In May 2020, after three years of hard work and 844 miles of travel, Jack Hannum and his team of 36 fellow students will represent the UofSC CEC as 'Gamecock GP' at the Formula SAE competition in Toronto, Canada.

IIT student receives 'once in a lifetime' research opportunity

Nathan Bohmer, a senior Integrated Information Technology student, was awarded the Mitacs Globalink Research Award, which will send him to Canada to perform world-class eye tracking research.

Andreas Heyden receives $1M grant to develop methane conversion method

Andreas Heyden of the University of South Carolina College of Engineering and Computing has received a $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to develop a partial oxidation catalyst based on two-dimension materials for the conversion of methane to liquid methanol. The successful development will result in less waste for oil companies at less detriment to the environment.

Gray receives Biomedical Engineering Outstanding Senior Award

We sat down with the biomedical engineering department's outstanding senior, Jonathan Gray, to talk about his time in the CEC and his plans for the future.

30 students win 2020 Outstanding Senior Awards

The CEC recognized 30 undergraduate seniors with Outstanding Senior Awards this year. The award recipients were recommended by faculty members and selected based on their academic excellence, undergraduate research participation and active involvement in the college or university community.

Regalbuto receives grant from National Science Foundation to continue catalysis research

John Regalbuto, professor of chemical engineering in the College of Engineering and Computing, has received a $500,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to continue research that could impact the development of some medicines, such as vaccines.

Alumni Q and A: Matthew Witt

Health care and the way we treat patients is at the forefront of most people's minds during the COVID-19 pandemic. But, for Matthew Witt, it's something that he has thought about every day for the past several years because of his work in health care technology.

Holliday receives IIT Outstanding Senior Award

After four years of diligent hard work as an Integrated Information Technology student, senior Mary Kathryn Holliday will represent her peers on Senior Awards Day.

Banerjee helping ease the transition to online classes at UofSC

When the University of South Carolina moved all classes online for the Spring 2020 semester, Sourav Banerjee adapted easily. Now, his focus is on helping his colleagues in the CEC and the rest of UofSC do the same.

Zhou works to design materials with advanced structural properties

Caizhi Zhou, an associate professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, is studying advanced structural materials in an effort to develop superior material properties that will be able to withstand harsher environments and result in greater production efficiency for a number of industries.

A message from Dean Haj-Hariri

This past week validated our college's critical role in maintaining the well-being of the world around us. And, I can confidently say that the individuals who make up our college are united in solving whatever challenge this world may have for us.

Crichigno receives grant for research on cybersecurity techniques

The College of Engineering and Computing Integrated Information Technology (IIT) Department has received a $500,000 research grant from the National Science Foundation for the development of new techniques against cyber attacks. The project team is led by Jorge Crichigno and Ph.D. students working on the college's Cyberinfrastructure Lab.

Crichigno and Brookshire developing curriculum to improve technology education

Jorge Crichigno (Principal Investigator) and Robert Brookshire (Co-Principal Investigator) of the College of Engineering and Computing have been awarded a $300,000 grant designed to enhance education and training for careers in information technology.

Computer science student receives national recognition from the CRA

Hunter Damron, a computer science student, received an honorable mention for the Computer Research Association's 2020 Undergraduate Researcher Award - which recognizes him as one of the top computer science and engineering undergraduate students in the country.

A message from CEC faculty to students

In this time of uncharted territory, individual faculty members had messages for their students, both past and present. They know students are feeling a lot of different emotions and wanted to offer advice, support and guidance. Their messages centered on remaining hopeful, staying informed and remembering what is important in life.

Student Spotlight: Q&A with outstanding senior Rembert White

We sat down with Rembert White, who was given the chemical engineering department's Spring 2020 Outstanding Senior Award, to discuss his time at the CEC and his plans for the future.

Spring 2020 computer science and engineering Outstanding Senior Award recipients

Every semester, outstanding seniors are recognized by the college's faculty and the SCSPE. Here are the computer science and engineering department's Spring 2020 Outstanding Senior Award recipients.

University of South Carolina hosts national combustion conference

The latest advancements in combustion engineering were shared at the 2020 ESSCI Spring Technical Meeting Eastern States section of The Combustion Institute, which was hosted by the UofSC CEC from March 8-11.

Alumni Spotlight: How Stanton Scoma brews up a better community

When you walk through the doors of Piecewise Coffee you're met with the rich smells of espresso and baked goods. But it's the chemistry going on behind the scenes that's made this cool hangout so much more than a coffee shop.

Perseverance guides Sutton to the National Academy of Engineering

Michael Sutton's election to the NAE is validation to everyone who ever doubted the importance of the DIC technology he has spent the last 38 years of his career developing. And, more than anything, it's proof to his students and future generations of engineers that dedication and belief in oneself are the defining prerequisites for greatness.

Creating a cleaner, greener energy future through power electronics

Herb Ginn is shaping the U.S. Navy's ships of the future by replacing the ships' traditional energy distribution systems with new-age power electronics. And, his findings on energy storage management through this research pose a key solution to the growing climate change crisis.

Sutton elected to National Academy of Engineering

Distinguished Professor Michael Sutton was elected to the National Academy of Engineering on February 6 for his creation of digital image correlation-based measurement technology and its dissemination through commercialization and application in industry. Sutton is the second faculty member at the University of South Carolina College of Engineering and Computing elected to the NAE, joining Chemical Engineering Professor John Monnier.

Our CEC love story

Sometimes the person you're looking for is right under your nose. For Phonecia Hughes and Michael Myers, it wasn't until a normal morning in front of the Swearingen Engineering Center that their love story was set into motion.

UofSC AI Institute sends three students to national women's cohort

The workshop will provide Revathy Venkataramanan, Utkarshani Jaimini and Ananya Banerjee the opportunity to network with and learn from 20 senior female researchers and professionals in the field of computing.

Alumni Q&A: How the Rooney Brothers' Entrepreneurial Spirit Drives Our Future

The Rooney brothers started EPG in early 2018, working with companies in the electric and autonomous vehicle industry. We sat down with them to learn how their time at South Carolina shaped their company.

College of Engineering and Computing helps bring Navy's initiatives to state

The University of South Carolina College of Engineering and Computing has been instrumental in bringing U.S. Naval initiatives to the state as a way to boost research and innovation.

Researchers advance water resource management using AI

Erfan Goharian and Song Wang at the University of South Carolina College of Engineering and Computing have been awarded a grant to develop an image dataset of water objects from Microsoft AI for Earth. The multidisciplinary research project will use engineering techniques to identify the presence of water, and then using artificial intelligence, it will develop models that predict its impact on the surrounding environment.

Moss receives NSF REU grant

Melissa Moss was awarded an REU grant by the National Science Foundation. Through this grant, 10 undergraduate students from universities across the country will come to the UofSC CEC this summer and participate in a unique research experience that will prepare them for a future career in research.

Michael Gower: Can We Use Fat Tissue to Promote Muscle Growth? Particulate Systems and Their Potential Benefit for All of Humanity

Michael Gower discusses muscle atrophy, the particulate system he is developing to promote muscle growth, and the many different people this research could benefit.

Passing it Forward: How CEC Alumni are Helping the Next Generation Succeed

When Jeff Blohm graduated from the CEC back in 1997, he probably didn't know that his career with ExxonMobil would take him around the globe. But it's his work with current CEC students that's had one of the biggest impacts on his career.

K-12 students invited to Engineers Week Open House

To kick off Engineers Week (E-Week), the CEC is opening its doors for a one-day open house event geared toward kindergarten through 12th grade students on Feb. 15.

Q&A: Engineers Without Borders' trip to Ecuador

From January 2 through January 10, five University of South Carolina students went to Ecuador as part of the Engineers Without Borders organization to help improve the community's access to clean water.

David Matolak to test advanced wireless technologies for National Science Foundation

David Matolak of the College of Engineering and Computing is participating in a three-year research project through the National Science Foundation that will test 5G and other advanced wireless technologies to help unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs, also known as drones) fly more safely and efficiently.

Student completes dream internship with Tesla

Working at Tesla was something mechanical engineering senior Brian Youngblood had been dreaming about for years. During the spring and summer of 2019, his dream finally came true.