From left: Jonathan Wickert, Ramesh Kanwar, Tony Kajewski, and Joe Colletti

John Deere donates new tractor to ABE

In a special ceremony on October 5, John Deere presented a new 8245R series tractor to the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering. Featuring the latest in technology, the new 8R tractor series was just unveiled in August. "This gift is representative of our long-standing partnership with Deere and Company," says Ramesh Kanwar, ABE professor and chair. "Partnerships like this between industry and Iowa State enable us to move into the future and deliver high-quality instruction to our students and high-quality students back to industry." (News link and video)

Companies developed by Iowa State engineers win Pappajohn prizes

BodyViz, an Ames virtual reality company developed by Jim Oliver, director of Iowa State's Virtual Reality Applications Center (VRAC) and professor of mechanical engineering, and Eliot Winer, associate VRAC director and associate professor of mechanical engineering, took the top prize of $25,000 in the 2009 John Pappajohn Iowa Business Plan Competition. In addition, Innovative Energy Solutions, Inc., founded by Atul Kelkar, a professor of mechanical engineering, and Jerald Vogel, an emeritus professor in aerospace engineering, received the second-place prize of $15,000; and Energy Control Technologies, founded by Paul Fisher, who earned his BS in chemical engineering in 1987 and also holds an Iowa State MBA degree, shared the 3rd-place prize of $10,000 with another company. News link

Innovate Online debuts to raves

''Very attractive, with nice images and easy navigation.''

''Extremely impressive, and looks great.''

The first reviews are in, and Innovate Online is a hit!

The fall issue of Innovate, focusing on sustainable engineering solutions, is in the mail. But now you don't have to wait to read about the latest research from the College of Engineering. Innovate Online is an all new Web-based magazine, giving you all of the print version’s cutting-edge content along with videos, interactive commentary, and a host of other features available only on the Web. Visit Innovate Online and see what the buzz is all about!

Solar Decathlon team places 12th

Iowa State's Solar Decathlon team finished in 12th place in the 2009 DOE Solar Decathlon. In the final contests announced October 16, the team placed 6th in Net Metering (producing more energy than it consumed) and ranked 5th in Engineering. Read what the media has to say about the Interlock House.

College launches new 2050 Web page

The 2050 Challenge isn't just a label--it's what we at the College of Engineering are doing every day. Check out the new College of Engineering 2050 Web site that tells our story, offers engineering solutions, and lets you tell your story.

Stanley honored as Tau Beta Pi Distinguished Alumnus

Richard H. Stanley, who earned BS degrees in electrical engineering and mechanical engineering in 1955, received the 2009 Tau Beta Pi Distinguished Alumnus award at the 104th Tau Beta Pi national convention in New Jersey on October 17. Stanley was presented a commemorative plaque, and a $2,000 scholarship will be given in his name to a deserving student member of Tau Beta Pi. (News link)

Iowa State's Tau Beta Pi Iowa Alpha Chapter was also recognized at the convention for three years of outstanding service. The chapter was one of only 17 chapters across the nation to receive the $500 award. The money will be given as a scholarship to undergraduate engineering students.

EE alum recognized for securing Iowa State's place in computing history

R. K. (Richard) Richards, a 1943 electrical engineering graduate, was one of the four 2009 recipients of a PACE (Professional Achievement Citation in Engineering) award. Richards, who spent only eight years working as an electrical engineer, played a pivotal role in Iowa State being named ''The Birthplace of the Digital Computer.'' (News link)

Alum appointed to Georgia Ports Authority board

Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue has appointed James S. Balloun, who earned his BS in industrial engineering from Iowa State in 1960, to the Georgia Ports Authority board. Balloun is the retired chairman and chief executive office of Acuity Brands, Inc., a manufacturer of lighting fixtures and cleaning materials. Balloun is on the board of directors of Invesco Mortgage Capital, Inc.; Radiant Systems, Inc.; Enzymatic Deinking Technologies; and Unisen/StarTrac. An active contributor to the Atlanta community, Balloun serves as a trustee of the Woodruff Arts Center and emeritus trustee of the Westminster Schools.

Searches for three department chairs are underway

The College of Engineering is conducting searches for chairs of three departments--aerospace engineering (AerE), electrical and computer engineering (ECpE), and mechanical engineering (ME).

The ECpE search is the most recent to be announced. Arun K. Somani, ECpE chair and an Anson Marston Distinguished Professor of Engineering, is voluntarily stepping down as chair at the end of the 2009-10 academic year. He will continue as an ECpE faculty member.

Under Somani’s leadership, the department has increased its graduate program size--particularly the PhD program--increased annual research expenditures, established five strategic research areas, recruited 18 new faculty members, enhanced the research infrastructure, reduced student lab sizes, and enhanced the senior design program.

The AerE chair position opened in August when former chair Tom Shih was named head of aeronautics and astronautics at Purdue University. Professor Tom Rudolphi is serving as interim chair. The ME chair position opened in July when former chair Jonathan Wickert assumed the role of dean of the College of Engineering. Ted Heindel, the Bergles Professor in Thermal Science, is serving as interim chair.

Visit www.iastatejobs.com to view the detailed descriptions of the chair positions.

News and Media Spotlights

Two Minutes With Sri Sritharan: video spotlight

Engineering researchers among those studying materials, combustion, cancer with new ‘T-ray’ instrument: news link

Iowa State researchers looking for catalyst that allows plants to produce hydrocarbons: news link

ECpE professor works to develop ultrasound to detect breast cancer: news link

Guest column: Avoid problem of carbon dioxide by building more nuclear plants: news link

Iowa State to train the next set of cyber warriors for the government: news link

Chemical engineering alum honored for success: news link

Civil engineering student races for his life: news link

Tour the World Fair draws record crowd: news link and video spotlight