awards

Smalyukh receives 2021 Langmuir Lectureship Award

Anonymous — Thu, 29 Jul 2021 17:10:12 +0000

Smalyukh receives 2021 Langmuir Lectureship Award Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 07/29/2021 - 11:10

Jonathan Raab

Professor Ivan Smalyukh

Professor Ivan Smalyukh is one of the winners of the 2021 Langmuir Lectureship Award for his innovative work in the colloid and surface chemistry fields. Smalyukh will deliver a special presentation at the 2021 ACS Fall National Meeting, as will Professor Deborah Leckband of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, who also earned the honor.

“My presentation at the ACS fall meeting will focus on highly thermally insulating porous materials that are also highly transparent and, thus, suitable for a large variety of applications where thermal superinsulation and high transparency are needed at the same time, including windows, skylights, greenhouses and so on,” Smalyukh said. “It will discuss how such materials can boost the energy efficiency of buildings—especially windows—which are currently responsible for the consumption of about 40% of all energy generated in the United States.”

Smalyukh’s materials work is an interdisciplinary mix of engineering, physics and chemistry research to address fundamental and application challenges in colloids and surface science.

He cited many students who worked with him through the Materials Science and Engineering program as key contributors to his materials research, including Qiaoxuan Zhang—the first student to graduate from the program with a master’s degree—Haley Sohn and Ghadah Sheetah—the first PhD graduates—Rao Fei, Allister Frazier, Joshua De La Cruz, Rayshan Visvanathan, Pedro Melo and Changda Darren Liu.

“I would like to thank the ACS selection committee, as well as my team members and collaborators with whom I have enjoyed working on colloid and surface science projects over the years,” Smalyukh said. “Just over the last 14 years since my arrival at CU �鶹ӰԺ, my team included about 150 PhD students, postdoctoral fellows, undergraduate researchers and visiting scholars. This award would not be possible without the collaborative contributions of all of these team members.”

The 2021 ACS Fall Meeting will take place Aug. 22-26 in Atlanta.

Professor Ivan Smalyukh is one of the winners of the 2021 Langmuir Lectureship Award for his innovative work in the colloid and surface chemistry fields. Smalyukh will deliver a special presentation at the 2021 ACS Fall National Meeting, as will Professor Deborah Leckband of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, who also earned the honor.

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Hjelvik selected for National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program for water purification research

Anonymous — Wed, 28 Apr 2021 06:00:00 +0000

Hjelvik selected for National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program for water purification research Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 04/28/2021 - 00:00

Jonathan Raab

Elizabeth Hjelvik

Elizabeth Hjelvik of the Straub Research Group was selected by the National Science Foundation for the prestigious Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP), which provides significant annual funding and professional development opportunities to outstanding graduate students working in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. One of the benefits of the NSF GRFP is the generous funding students receive—$34,000 a year, for five years.

“My interest in NSF started in my undergraduate laboratory,” Hjelvik said. “The researchers would talk about how the NSF was the highest honor a graduate student could achieve.”

Hjelvik had been interested in applying for the fellowship since she began her research as a graduate student, but finally followed through with the support and encouragement of her adviser, Assistant Professor Anthony Straub of the Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering.

Working with Straub enabled her to develop a research goal that combined her previous experience and expertise with current problems in membrane research.

“Elizabeth is an outstanding student who is poised to use her NSF fellowship to conduct high-impact research and serve as a mentor for others,” Straub said. “For her NSF proposal, Elizabeth successfully merged her expertise in chemistry with our work on membrane separations, creating an innovative project that will develop more effective water purification systems."

Hjelvik says that Straub’s enthusiasm for materials research and expertise aligned with her prior experience working on surface chemistries on polymeric substrates.

Thanks for the support!

“I would like to thank my family, wonderful fiancé and friends for their never-ending support as I have pursued my career in science," Hjelvik said. "I also would like to thank all my mentors at the University of New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory and CU �鶹ӰԺ. Research is difficult, but having the support system in the form of my many mentors and loved ones has really encouraged me to persevere through failure and adversity. However, I would really like to thank my mom, who has always been my biggest role model, mentor and cheerleader. As the youngest daughter of a Filipino immigrant family, the expectation for her life was to stay home to care for her aging parents. Instead, she was driven to begin college at the age of 24 and eventually went on to receive her PhD in chemistry. Because of her background, my mom has been an awesome example as a successful woman in STEM for me to look up to. She has always been open and honest with her experiences in her career and has offered so much insight and support for my own career. I can only hope that one day I can offer the same type of mentorship and support that she provided to me to other aspiring young women scientists.”

“From the get-go, Tony was incredibly enthusiastic about his research as well as incredibly supportive of his students and their lives outside of the lab,” Hjelvik said. “Working with Tony, particularly on my NSF proposal, made me excited about research and the prospect of getting my PhD again, especially after going through such a challenging time prior to meeting him.”

Hjelvik plans to use the resources furnished by the fellowship to conceive, execute and share the findings of her own research projects. The fellowship will also provide her with the opportunity to connect with and mentor young women scientists and engineers.

She began her time at CU �鶹ӰԺ in the chemistry program, but after meeting with many enthusiastic materials science and engineering (MSE) students, she realized that her variety of research interests would be better suited for a career in materials research, rather than specializing in a narrower field.

“I was also really drawn to how the MSE program allowed me to branch out to the different departments at CU �鶹ӰԺ rather than just keeping me within one department,” she said. “The biggest aspect of the MSE program that has benefited my education is the support system that the staff provides. After I left my first group, I was struggling to find my footing in the program again but the advisors in MSE really helped me through everything, and I truly do not think I would have gotten the NSF fellowship if it were not for their support and guidance.”

Hjelvik also cites the support and collaboration of her fellow students in the research group as a strong contributing factor in her success.

“Everyone maintains a positive outlook toward research, even when our work inevitably gets frustrating,” she said. “Having such a positive environment to work in has really motivated me to continually work hard toward research and my PhD.”

After graduating, Hjelvik hopes to find work at a national laboratory, where she will apply her scientific and engineering expertise to be of public benefit, as well as be in a position to mentor young women scientists and engineers.

Hjelvik graduated with a degree in chemistry from the University of New Mexico in 2018. She hails from Los Alamos, New Mexico. She is one of 38 scholars from CU �鶹ӰԺ to be selected for the fellowship, 22 of whom are in the College of Engineering and Applied Science.

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Lab Venture Challenge awards record-breaking $1.35 million to promising CU �鶹ӰԺ ventures

Anonymous — Wed, 10 Mar 2021 22:40:00 +0000

Lab Venture Challenge awards record-breaking $1.35 million to promising CU �鶹ӰԺ ventures Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 03/10/2021 - 15:40

Mallory Richardson

Fourteen university innovators pitched their technologies at Lab Venture Challenge (LVC), a funding competition hosted by Venture Partners at CU �鶹ӰԺ that helps commercially-promising technologies accelerate into impactful business ventures. Judges from the local entrepreneurial ecosystem awarded a record total of 12 grants—up to $125,000 each—for the top physical science, engineering and bioscience innovations demonstrating high commercial potential, a clear path to a compelling market and strong scientific support.

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PhD student earns competitive PEO Scholar Award

Anonymous — Thu, 30 Apr 2020 21:33:24 +0000

PhD student earns competitive PEO Scholar Award Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 04/30/2020 - 15:33

Camila Uzcategui was one of two CU �鶹ӰԺ students to receive a $15,000 Philanthropic Educational Organization (PEO) scholarship this year. PEO is a philanthropic organization founded in 1869 to celebrate the advancement of women.

Uzcategui is a PhD student in the Materials Science and Engineering Program and will be graduating in May 2021. She described the program as a “perfect fit” for her because the faculty expertise and access to facilities where she can work on medical devices was the “perfect combination of resources.”

In her research, Uzcategui focuses on creating structures that mimic body tissues using biomaterials and 3D printing processes. She built a high-resolution digital light projection 3D printer that fabricates scaffolds, which can then be filled with stem cells for tissue engineering and regeneration. This helps the process of “recapitulating the mechanical environment critical to restoring joint tissues after injury,” she said.

Uzcategui plans to start a company that focuses on putting people first and addressing global health issues with biomaterials research. She has gathered a team of talented individuals to start the company Vitro3D.

“This technology has the potential to aid in the development of medical implants, diagnostic devices and therapeutics,” she said.

In addition to her research, Uzcategui is part of many CU outreach groups. She is a CU SMART (Students for Multicultural Access to Research Training) mentor and holds leadership roles in CU WiSE (Women in Science and Engineering) and CU Café Seminars. Uzcategui is also involved in LatinoLabs, a bilingual podcast that focuses on science communication and the humanity of doing science.

“I am involved with these activities because I am deeply invested in furthering the career of women and underrepresented minorities in STEM,” she said.

Uzcategui also has a strong voice in the social media realm.

“I use social media platforms for science communication in order to make science more accessible to women of all ages,” she said. “By disrupting the idea of what a scientist looks like and where science is shared, my work uplifts women and allows them to feel represented in science.”

Advisor Stephanie Bryant said Uzcategui is pushing the boundaries for 3D printing technology and also for women in engineering.

“Her research has both depth and breadth,” Bryant said. “In fact, she is applying her research in 3D printing to develop 3D scaffolds that one day could be used to help children who have injured their growth plate. She is an outstanding role model for the next generation of women in engineering and, in fact, someone who inspires me.”

Uzcategui applied for the PEO Scholar Award after learning about the PEO’s mission to advance women’s interests. She was nominated to apply by her advisor, Bob McLeod.

“Camila is richly deserving of this recognition,” McLeod said. “She is a natural leader, an insightful researcher and a passionate mentor. I believe she is exactly the rising star that the PEO scholarship is designed to recognize.”

The PEO Scholar Award will help Uzcategui to pursue additional training during her time as a PhD student. She plans to attend international conferences where she can present her PhD work and gain exposure to further “initiate collaborations across disciplines, campuses, sectors and nations.”

“I came to the U.S. from Venezuela with my mom when I was 8,” Uzcategui said. “I feel incredibly lucky to have her because I know that without her, I wouldn’t be in this position. I want to dedicate this award to her because she taught me to be resourceful, ingenious, courageous and authentically myself in everything I do.”

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Wil Srubar and Ginger Ferguson receive Major Research Instrumentation Award from the National Science Foundation

Anonymous — Tue, 07 Nov 2017 06:17:14 +0000

Wil Srubar and Ginger Ferguson receive Major Research Instrumentation Award from the National Science Foundation Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 11/06/2017 - 23:17

Wil Srubar of civil, environmental and architectural engineering and Ginger Ferguson of mechanical engineering received a one-year, $801.5K Major Research Instrumentation Award from the National Science Foundation for “MRI: Acquisition of a 4D High-Resolution X-Ray Micro-Computed Tomography System for the Rocky Mountain Region.”

"The Major Research Instrumentation (MRI) Program serves to increase access to multi-user scientific and engineering instrumentation for research and research training in our Nation's institutions of higher education and not-for-profit scientific/engineering research organizations. An MRI award supports the acquisition or development of a multi-user research instrument that is, in general, too costly and/or not appropriate for support through other NSF programs.

MRI provides support to acquire critical research instrumentation without which advances in fundamental science and engineering research may not otherwise occur. MRI also provides support to develop next-generation research instruments that open new opportunities to advance the frontiers in science and engineering research. Additionally, an MRI award is expected to enhance research training of students who will become the next generation of instrument users, designers and builders.

An MRI proposal may request up to $4 million for either acquisition or development of a research instrument."

Source: National Science Foundation www.nsf.gov

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Christopher Keplinger receives Packard Fellowship for Science and Engineering

Anonymous — Tue, 07 Nov 2017 06:06:00 +0000

Christopher Keplinger receives Packard Fellowship for Science and Engineering Anonymous (not verified) Mon, 11/06/2017 - 23:06

Christoph Keplinger, of mechanical engineering, received the Packard Fellowship for Science and Engineering from the David and Lucile Packard Foundation. In 1988, the Packard Foundation established the Packard Fellowships for Science and Engineering to allow the nation’s most promising professors to pursue science and engineering research early in their careers with few funding restrictions and limited reporting requirements. The program arose out of David Packard’s commitment to strengthening university-based science and engineering programs in recognition that the success of the Hewlett-Packard Company, which he cofounded, derived in large measure from the research and development in university laboratories. Each year, the Foundation invites the presidents of 50 universities to nominate two early-career professors each from their institutions. An Advisory Panel of distinguished scientists and engineers carefully reviews the nominations and selects 18 Fellows to receive individual grants of $875,000, distributed over five years.

A description of Christopher Keplinger's work is provided below:

The biological world and the engineered world differ in terms of mechanics: human-made machines mostly rely on hard materials, such as metals, while nature makes extensive use of soft materials, with extreme examples like octopus arms. The elegance, adaptability, and efficiency of the designs found in nature inspire the creation of soft machines with unprecedented capabilities. The Keplinger Lab aims to fundamentally challenge current limits of performance of soft machines, using an interdisciplinary approach that synergizes concepts from soft matter physics and chemistry with advanced engineering technologies. Major themes of research include the development of high-performance, muscle-mimetic actuators based on soft, electroactive structures that replicate the sweeping success of biological muscle, as well as the discovery of soft-matter-based energy harvesting systems that provide sustainable solutions for the use of untapped sources of renewable energy, such as ocean waves.

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Al Weimer wins the 2017 AIChE Lifetime Achievement Award in Particle Technology

Anonymous — Wed, 04 Oct 2017 20:50:07 +0000

Al Weimer wins the 2017 AIChE Lifetime Achievement Award in Particle Technology Anonymous (not verified) Wed, 10/04/2017 - 14:50

Dr. Al Weimer is a real pioneer in particle technology and has made many major advances in this area, including pioneering the technology to coat particles in fluidized beds using atomic layer deposition. Dr. Weimer is H.T. Sears Memorial Professor in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at CU-�鶹ӰԺ and is a world recognized expert in fluid-particle processing. He has over 100 peer-reviewed publications and is named inventor on 24 issued and eight pending U.S. Patents. Prior to joining the faculty at CU in 1996, he was Associate Research Scientist for The Dow Chemical Company (Midland, MI) where he had worked since 1980. While at Dow, Dr. Weimer co-invented, developed, and commercialized materials synthesis technology. For this work, Dr. Weimer received Dow’s 1990 Ceramics Founder’s Spangenberg Award, the 1993 Dow Central Research Inventor of the Year Award, and was named recipient of the 1995 Dow Chemical Company Excellence in Science Award. In 1993, Dr. Weimer was named recipient of the mid-Michigan Professional Progress Award by the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE). Dr. Weimer received both the College of Engineering and Applied Science and the CU campus-wide Faculty Research awards in 2005. In 2005, he also received the U.S. Department of Energy Hydrogen Program R&D Award. He is a Fellow of the AIChE and received their Fluidization Processes Recognition Award in 1997 and the 2009 AIChE Thomas Baron Award for Fluid-Particle Systems. Professor Weimer has delivered five invited Keynote addresses at International Conferences since 2005. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in the State of Colorado.

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Smalyukh Wins Department of Energy Award

Anonymous — Thu, 10 Nov 2016 17:44:45 +0000

Smalyukh Wins Department of Energy Award Anonymous (not verified) Thu, 11/10/2016 - 10:44

May 26, 2016

WASHINGTON — The Energy Department’s Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) today announced $31 million in funding for 14 projects as part of ARPA-E’s newest program: Single-Pane Highly Insulating Efficient Lucid Design (SHIELD). SHIELD project teams are developing innovative window coatings and windowpanes that could significantly improve the energy efficiency of existing single-pane windows in commercial and residential buildings.

“The SHIELD program illustrates ARPA-E’s commitment to supporting transformational technologies,” said ARPA-E Director Dr. Ellen D. Williams. “By creating novel materials to retrofit existing single-pane windows, SHIELD technologies can dramatically improve building efficiency and save energy costs for building owners and occupants.”

The SHIELD program will accelerate the development of materials that could cut in half the amount of heat lost through single-pane windows without replacing the full window. Many buildings have single-pane windows that do not insulate a building or its occupants well. However, complete replacement of single-pane windows with efficient, modern windows is not always feasible due to cost, changes in appearance and other concerns. Retrofitting, rather than replacing single-pane windows, can reduce heat loss and save roughly the amount of electricity needed to power 32 million U.S. homes each year.

The 14 SHIELD project teams are developing applied products and manufactured windowpanes, which can be installed into the existing window sash that holds the windowpane in place. These window technologies will improve thermal insulation, reduce condensation and enhance occupant comfort. The materials could also produce corollary benefits, such as improved soundproofing, that will make retrofits more desirable.

Under the SHIELD program, ARPA-E has allocated $8 million of the total $31 million to three small business projects through its Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program.

�鶹ӰԺ | �鶹ӰԺ, CO | Advancing Insulation Retrofits from Flexible Inexpensive Lucid Materials (AIR FILMs) for Single-Pane Windows

The �鶹ӰԺ (CU-�鶹ӰԺ) is developing a flexible, transparent window film that can be applied onto single-pane windows. The team’s thermal barrier is based on liquid crystalline phases of nano-cellulose aerogel that have low-emissivity properties, which will help prevent heat loss through windows. CU-�鶹ӰԺ will produce the thermal barrier using low-cost cellulose nanorods synthesized from food industry waste. The team aims to produce a film that the consumer can easily apply, which could decrease costs by eliminating professional installation labor expenses.

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Juliet Gopinath of ECEE and MSE has received a CAREER award, the National Science Foundation's most prestigious award for junior faculty.

Anonymous — Fri, 22 Apr 2016 18:10:17 +0000

Juliet Gopinath of ECEE and MSE has received a CAREER award, the National Science Foundation's most prestigious award for junior faculty. Anonymous (not verified) Fri, 04/22/2016 - 12:10

Gopinath will use her award to study the relationship between orbital angular momentum and rotating objects. "The results from the research will be far-reaching, with information about orbital angular momentum modal content essential for free-space communications and endoscopic super-resolution imaging (STED) for protein-level imaging in the human body," she wrote in her proposal.

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Swiss Chemical Society's 2016 Sandmeyer Awarded to Professor Hendrik Heinz

Anonymous — Tue, 08 Mar 2016 21:17:16 +0000

Swiss Chemical Society's 2016 Sandmeyer Awarded to Professor Hendrik Heinz Anonymous (not verified) Tue, 03/08/2016 - 14:17

Professor Hendrik Heinz and colleagues received the Swiss Chemical Society’s 2016 Sandmeyer Award for experimental and modeling studies of a new commercial organic additive for the grinding of inorganic solids.

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