Pictured (L-R): Kevin Huang, Tanvir Farouk
Two professors from the Department of Mechanical Engineering received significant accolades for their respective organizations. Professor Kevin Huang was selected as a Fellow to the American Ceramic Society (ACerS), while Tanvir Farouk, professor and director of mechanical engineering graduate studies, was named an American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Associate Fellow.
“The selection of two of our professors as Fellow and Associate Fellow in the same year is a testament to the caliber of talent and dedication that defines our department and college,” says Travis Knight, chair and professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering. “It reflects not only individual excellence but also the strength of our faculty in fostering innovation, leadership and impact in engineering. This recognition elevates our reputation within the engineering community and is yet another point of pride for our faculty, students and alumni.”
The ACerS Fellow designation recognizes members “who have distinguished themselves through outstanding contributions to the ceramic arts or sciences, broad and productive scholarship in ceramic science, achievement in the ceramic industry, or outstanding service to the society.” Huang was nominated by Winnie K. Wong-Ng, Ph.D., a research chemist at the ceramics division of the National Institute of Standards and Technology. Huang and Wong-Ng have previously co-organized annual ACerS symposiums.
Huang is currently a SmartState Endowed Chair Professor and director of the college’s Center of Solid Oxide Fuels Cells. His research focuses on developing functional materials and understanding fundamental issues of electrochemical cells, including fuel cells, batteries, and gas separation membranes.
Solid oxide fuel cells are ceramic based that operate at high temperatures and are considered among the most efficient fuel cells. Ceramics used in solid oxide fuel cells have significantly reduced operating temperature without sacrificing performance.
Huang has performed extensive research in solid oxide fuel cells and published 270 peer-reviewed journal articles as well as 14 patents. He has also authored three books and four book chapters. Huang was the recipient of 2023 Class Fellow of International Association of Advanced Materials, and numerous University of South Carolina and Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing awards. The ACerS also emphasize service to the society, and Huang has organized symposiums since 2013.
“This is a milestone in my career. It means the recognition of my accomplishments by colleagues and peers. It also reflects and recognizes my scholarship in the field and service to the society,” Huang says.
ACerS is one of the most trusted sources of ceramics and related materials and applications knowledge. The society consists of more than 10,000 scientists, engineers, manufacturers, educators, students, and marketing and sales professionals from more than 70 countries.
The AIAA Associate Fellow designation recognizes individuals “who have accomplished or been in charge of important engineering or scientific work, or have done original work of outstanding merit, or have otherwise made outstanding contributions to the arts, sciences, or technology of aeronautics or astronautics.” Mechanical Engineering Professor and AIAA Fellow Victor Giurgiutiu nominated Farouk. He will be formally inducted as part of the Class of 2025 Associate Fellows at the AIAA SciTech Forum in January.
Farouk began his association and research with NASA as a postdoctoral fellow at Princeton University while working on research related to developing fire safety protocols for spacecrafts. The research included developing early detection strategies for containing or mitigating a fire, so it does not impact astronauts.
After arriving at USC in 2012, Farouk examined how a low-temperature burn that is undetectable to the human eye initiates, sustains and can be detected. These near invisible flames burn and consume oxygen at extremely low temperatures. Part of Farouk’s research found that a low-temperature burn could produce a flame for minutes without being detected. Since low temperature burns are nearly impossible to create in Earth’s gravity, experiments were conducted onboard the International Space Station. NASA recognized low temperature burn as one of the most scientifically impactful research during the decade of the 2010s. His research interest lies on plasma, combustion and reacting flows in general.
Farouk has published more than 100 journal and conference articles, one book chapter as well as seven patents. His latest contribution was to the publication, “Thriving in Space: Ensuring the Future of Biological and Physical Science Research: A Decadal Survey for 2023-2032.”
“My mentors always told me to dream big, which allows you to think outside of the box,” Farouk says. “While this is a recognition of all my work, it's also a recognition of the work of my graduate students. I was lucky to have them because we constantly rely on them to make us look good.”
The AIAA is the world’s largest aerospace technical society. With nearly 30,000 individual members from 91 countries, and 100 corporate members, AIAA brings together industry, academia, and government to advance engineering and science in aviation, space, and defense.