Ohio University electrochemical engineering research center receives $379,000 NIST grant

Ohio University’s Center for Electrochemical Engineering Research (CEER) has been granted $379,000 by the U.S. Department of Commerce and National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The award will be used to establish  a consortium to support, sustain, and enhance U.S. manufacturing capacity in the nation's chemical industry and allied sectors through innovative electrochemical processes. Under the Advanced Manufacturing Technology Consortia (AMTech) Program, the award will specifically support a roadmapping activity that could lead to funding for implementation of identified solutions.

“With this award, NIST has recognized electrochemical engineering research as a primary path to foster U.S. manufacturing growth,” said CEER Director and Russ Professor Gerri Botte. Botte, who is known internationally for developing the “pee-to-power” process in which hydrogen can be created from human and animal wastewater for use in fuel cells, is also director of the Center for Electrochemical Processes and Technology (CEProTECH), a National Science Foundation (NSF) industry university cooperative research center.

According to Botte, electrochemical engineering provides transformative solutions that can benefit the entire U.S. chemical industry, from major producers to lower-tier suppliers. For example, environmentally friendly electrochemical methods can be used to convert alternative feedstock into useful chemicals and materials such as alcohols, hydrogen, polymers, and graphene, she said. Botte notes that the nation's $1.5 trillion chemical industry employs 800,000 workers and indirectly supports 5.5 million additional jobs. The industry also confronts technology challenges, including uncertain energy supplies, energy-intensive manufacturing processes and the need to reduce waste and conserve water.

The team – named the Electrochemical Pathway for Sustainable Manufacturing Consortium (EPSuM) - will consist of industry and science leaders from the electrochemical engineering field as well as industry, academic, and association leaders. They will develop a roadmap that engages the chemical industry and its supply chain in identifying critical manufacturing needs, assessing technology options to meet these needs, setting technology research priorities, and devising a sustainable plan for developing and implementing new or improved process technologies.

As part of the process, chemical industry experts will provide input to identify critical needs and select technology alternatives. The group will then generate and implement a sustainable plan to develop and deploy them for the NIST’s next phase of funding: implementation.

EPSuM will capitalize on the infrastructure of CEER and CEProTECH, with PolymerOhio, a NIST Manufacturing Extension Partnership and experienced leader in conducting roadmapping and strategic planning, leading the roadmapping process. The Electrochemical Society, an international educational association concerned with a broad range of phenomena relating to electrochemical and solid-state science and technology, will expand the participation of electrochemical science and technology experts in the process with its network of more than 9,000 industry and academic scientists in the field of electrochemical science and engineering.

“As the work of the Center for Electrochemical Engineering Center, and that of Director Botte, are increasingly recognized, it is clear that their vision of the role of electrochemical engineering in responsible and sustainable solutions to environmental, energy, and materials processing technology problems is one of the most promising avenues for the Russ College’s investment in energy and environmental strategies,” says Russ College Dean Dennis Irwin.

Steven Miller promoted to assistant vice president at GAI Consultants

Engineering and environmental consulting firm GAI Consultants (GAI) has announced the promotion of Senior Director Steven Miller, P.E., MBA to assistant vice president. As an officer, Miller will be integral in formulating and administering organizational policies and long-range goals.  

Miller directs and coordinates GAI’s electric transmission, substation, and structural rehabilitation business lines and will be responsible for setting growth objectives for these markets. With 26 years of experience at GAI and 30 years of experience in the industry, he has helped develop and grow the Electric Transmission and Substation Department from just three employees in 2007 to more than 45 employees today. He has managed over 100 transmission line projects valued at over $20 million since he began managing the Transmission Line Engineering Department in 2005. Miller received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Civil Engineering from Washington State University and his Master of Business Administration from Point Park University.

In business since 1958, GAI is an employee-owned planning, engineering, and environmental consulting firm providing local expertise to worldwide clients in the energy, transportation, development, government, and industrial markets. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, PA, GAI has offices throughout several eastern and midwestern states. For more information, visit www.gaiconsultants.com.

Jacksonville University selected for National Science Foundation grant

Jacksonville University has been awarded a $625,273 grant from the National Science Foundation that will cement the university’s status as an institution of higher education offering science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) degree programs. The NSF is an independent federal agency created by Congress in 1950 “to promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; and to secure the national defense.” It accounts for about 20 percent of federal support to academic institutions for research. JU’s award period is July 15, 2014, to June 30, 2019. 

“NSF grants are prestigious and highly competitive,” says JU Provost/Chief Academic Officer Dr. Wenying Xu. “Our faculty’s success in obtaining an NSF STEM grant thrusts JU into the national scene of STEM education.” A portion of the grant creates 14 annual scholarships of up to $10,000 each for qualified students and also will be used to build a comprehensive support system that sets them up for lifelong success as leaders in the community and beyond. In addition to the annual scholarships, Jacksonville University students will be aided by development of a Residential Learning Community, faculty mentors, tutoring, peer study groups, skills training and career development. Students also take part in an annual national mathematical modeling competition, undergraduate research and internships with local government and industry partners. 

The NSF grant also supports ASPIRE, JU’s $120 million comprehensive campaign designed to enhance the JU student experience with academic, programmatic, and facilities upgrades, Dr. Xu says. It also complements the University’s recently announced Florida Entrepreneurial, Policy and Innovation Center (EPIC), which is expected to boost economic development in Florida through a collaborative, cross-disciplinary approach among universities, business interests, governmental organizations, venture capitalists, and the military. 

JU biology Prof. Lee Ann Clements, Ph.D., chair of the university’s Division of Science and Mathematics, says the NSF was impressed by the university’s innovative, multi-pronged, and integrated support approach to its program. “This is about building a robust learning community structure, with students benefitting from taking overlapping courses as a group and receiving social and academic support,” she says. “We know there’s a high demand for students trained in these areas, so it’s an opportunity to help Northeast Florida, our students, and JU, all in one project.” 

Lauren Isaac rejoins Parsons Brinckerhoff as manager of sustainable transportation

Lauren Isaac has been named manager of sustainable transportation in the San Francisco, California office of Parsons Brinckerhoff, a global infrastructure strategic consulting, engineering, and program/construction management organization.

In her new position, Isaac works with transportation organizations to help advance strategies, practices, and technologies to meet current and future transportation needs through approaches such as transportation demand management, improved asset management practices, and alternate transportation modes. As part of this role, she is serving as Parsons Brinckerhoff’s project manager for the Bay Area’s 511 Rideshare program.

Isaac previously served as director of business relations at Alta Bicycle Share in San Francisco, responsible for leading business development, marketing, and sponsorship activities. From 2006 to 2013, she was manager of transit effectiveness and management at Parsons Brinckerhoff, serving as project manager or task leader on transportation industry consulting engagements throughout North America. She also co-founded and served as chief executive officer of Next Insight Transportation Software, a transportation software company developing solutions for transit agencies.

Isaac received master of engineering and bachelor of science degrees in operations research and industrial engineering from Cornell University. She is a member of the American Public Transportation Association, Women’s Transportation Seminar, San Francisco’s Market Street Railway, and the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition.

Parsons Brinckerhoff develops and operates infrastructure around the world, with approximately 14,000 employees working with clients and communities in the Americas, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia-Pacific regions. The firm offers skills and resources in strategic consulting, planning, engineering, program/construction management, and operations for transportation, power, mining, water/wastewater, and community development projects (www.pbworld.com).

ASME elects Draper’s Julio Guerrero as next president

The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) has elected Julio Guerrero to serve as its president from 2015-2016. Guerrero, an R&D and business development lead in Draper Laboratory’s Energy Systems business area, began his term as ASME president-elect in June.

Founded in 1880, ASME enables skill development, collaboration, and knowledge sharing across engineering disciplines while promoting engineering’s role in society. The organization has 130,000 members in 158 countries. “We’re thrilled to see Julio elected to a leadership role where he can help bring together the engineering community to solve real world challenges as well as groom the next generation of the technical workforce,” says Jim Shields, Draper president.

Guerrero, who has been an ASME member for more than 20 years, served as a member of its Board of Governors from 2011-2013 and as vice-chair of its Industry Advisory Board from 2008-2010. As president, he hopes to promote partnerships for technology development around the world, make the organization’s operations more efficient, and increase involvement among young engineers.

At Draper, Guerrero identifies ways to apply the lab’s expertise in sensors, controls, automation, data analytics, secure communications, and advanced communications to improve the performance, safety, and security of energy infrastructure. Prior to joining Draper in 2011, Guerrero served as a principal scientist for seven years at Schlumberger Research, where he established research collaborations on subsea and land oil operations between Schlumberger and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) as well as the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute. A native of Peru, Guerrero has also lectured at MIT engineering courses for 11 years and served as a member of doctoral committees at MIT and the University of Texas at Austin, where he earned his master's and doctoral degrees in 1995 and 1998, respectively.

Headquartered in Cambridge, MA, Draper Laboratory is a not-for-profit, engineering research and development organization dedicated to solving critical national challenges in national security, space systems, biomedical systems, and energy. Core capabilities include guidance, navigation, and control; miniature low power systems; highly reliable complex systems; information and decision systems; autonomous systems; biomedical and chemical systems; and secure networks and communications. For more information, visit www.draper.com.

GeoDesign announces two promotions, professional engineer licensure, and expanded office location

Alan Baribault (top) and Jason Gaudette

GeoDesign has announced promotions for two employees in its Windsor, VT office and its new and expanded office location in South Burlington. Jason Gaudette, PG, LEED AP has been named senior associate. He joined the firm in 1999, was named a partner and associate in 2009, and serves as operations manager for the Windsor, VT office. Gaudette oversees a number of Vermont Agency of Transportation projects and is currently involved with expansions at Fletcher Allen Health Care and various phases at the Rutland Southern Vermont Regional Airport. He is a graduate of the University of Toronto and holds a Bachelor’s degree in geological engineering. 

Alan Baribault, who joined GeoDesign in 2011 as a staff engineer, has been promoted to project engineer and earned his Vermont Professional Engineer (PE) license. Baribault holds Bachelor's and Master’s degrees in civil engineering from Case Western Reserve University. Most recently, he has worked on the Main Street and Merchant Row bridge replacements over the Vermont Railway in Middlebury, VT. This is the first project in the State of Vermont designed and built under a construction management/general contractor delivery system. Baribault has relocated to the South Burlington office.

With the number and size of projects and staff increasing in the Burlington area, GeoDesign has announced the opening of its new and expanded office location in South Burlington.

Established in 1995, GeoDesign (www.geodesign.net) is an engineering consulting firm that handles geotechnical projects, construction engineering services, and environmental investigation and remediation projects throughout the Northeast for private clients, industry, developers, contractors, and municipalities. It has offices in Vermont, Connecticut, and New York,

Three Dewberry projects recognized nationally

Dewberry, a privately held professional services firm, received three National Recognition Awards from the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) recently. All three projects were award winners at the regional level and were then selected to represent their regions at the national level. The three projects were the U.S. Route 206 Peter J. Biondi Bypass and Superstorm Sandy Waterways Debris Removal projects, both in New Jersey, and Virginia’s I-95/I-495 Telegraph Road Interchange and Mainline Reconstruction project.

Dewberry was involved with the $236 million I-95/I-495 Telegraph Road Interchange and Mainline Reconstruction project for the past 13 years. The project, the largest single design-bid-build construction contract ever awarded by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), represents the final chapter of the $2.5 billion Woodrow Wilson Bridge Improvement project.

The U.S. Route 206 Bypass, also known as the Peter J. Biondi Bypass, in Hillsborough, New Jersey, alleviated traffic in an area with high accident rates, poor traffic flow, limited roadway width, numerous traffic signals, and frequent access points. The bypass diverts traffic around a central business district, thereby aiding the area’s transition to a town center.

The Superstorm Sandy Waterways Debris Removal project was the largest waterway debris removal in U.S. history. Dewberry planned and managed a state-level, regionally organized program to remove waterway debris from sensitive environments. In total, the firm helped remove 194 vessels and vehicles; four homes; 6,019 submerged targets; more than 100,000 cubic yards of debris; and more than 360,000 cubic yards of sediment from the state’s waterways.

Dewberry is a professional services firm providing architecture, engineering, and management and consulting services to a wide variety of public- and private-sector clients. Established in 1956, Dewberry is headquartered in Fairfax, Virginia, with more than 40 locations and 2,000+ professionals nationwide. To learn more, visit www.dewberry.com.