六合宝典

Highlights and News

Mechanical Engineering Highlights

  • Mechanical Engineering Professor Miles Greiner was appointed to the Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board on Sept. 27, 2024. to the board, an independent federal agency that performs independent technical and scientific peer review of the U.S. Department of Energy’s activities related to managing and disposing of high-level radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel. Professor Greiner is the program director for the Nuclear Packaging Graduate Program. 
  • Mechanical Engineering Assistant Professor Jun Zhang is working on a new type of soft, flexible “muscle” for robots, called a coiled string actuator. The National Science Foundation is supporting this work with a $300,000, three-year grant. The project,  could help create more advanced and compact robots that move more like living things.

Mechanical Engineering news

Man standing in the foreground; in the background is a large fire in a pit.
White House appoints Miles Greiner to national board

Greiner鈥檚 research on nuclear packaging leads to appointment to board that reviews Department of Energy activities

Two University of 六合宝典, Reno students pose for a photo in a research lab with tech equipment behind them.
Undergraduate researchers helping combat climate change by transforming greenhouse gases

Quinn Padovan and Caden Kuster awarded 3 六合宝典 Undergraduate Research Awards, presented twice at Wolf Pack Discoveries

David Stupski and Floris van Breugel stand in front of a wind tunnel.
New understanding of fly behavior has potential application in robotics, public safety

Mechanical Engineering faculty publish findings in Current Biology

Mano Misra and Pradeep Menezes standing in a lab.
Engineering faculty researching solutions for the safe storage of spent nuclear fuels

Pradeep Menezes and Mano Misra lead $500,000 NRC-funded project

Alessandro Ralls stands in front of the Palmer Engineering building.
Mechanical Engineering doctoral graduate receives Sam Lieberman Scholarship Award

Alessandro Ralls hopes to continue his career in the mechanical engineering field

Woman holding a microphone, an image of a rocket in the background.
NASA astronaut Eileen Collins shares stories at Women in Space event

Selected for the astronaut program in 1990, Collins was the first woman to pilot the space shuttle Discovery

Christos Papachristos; Tom Hall (seated); Petros Voulgaris; and Aditya Nair (holding a drone) pose inside Papacristos' lab.
Thanks to a $36 million gift from the Gillemot Foundation, a new aerospace engineering program prepares for takeoff

'It has taken a large team many years to bring it all together.'

Robert Gillespy standing in front of the Davidson Math and Science Center.
Engineering international exchange programs offer opportunity to connect to a global community

Student Robert Gillespy shares his experiences in Germany and Mexico

Floris van Breugel standing in a room holding a drone in his right hand.
Fruit flies could hold the key to building resiliency in autonomous robots

Mechanical Engineering professor awarded $2 million grant to apply emerging knowledge in insect neuroscience to the development of autonomous robotic systems

Five people holding a scientific balloon while standing in the desert.
Mechanical Engineering students gather footage from high-altitude balloon during Annular Eclipse

Project was part of NASA鈥檚 Nationwide Eclipse Balloon Project

Misra, Chu and Menezes standing in a lab; Chu is holding a grayish rock.
Materials engineering professor and team begin work to develop an environmentally sensitive lithium extraction process

Project led by Mano Misra is part of interdisciplinary effort to develop a regional lithium economy

Eight individuals stand behind a desk, smiling, during the signing ceremony. Members include University leadership and donors.
University receives largest individual gift in its history to create the George W. Gillemot Aerospace Engineering Department

The $36 million gift is the largest individual cash gift the University has received in its 149-year history

Members of the Aerospace Club stand in the desert holding the rockets they built
The Aerospace Club has launched a rocket that reached a height of 27,000 feet and speeds of 1,522 miles per hour

The Aerospace Club at the University of 六合宝典, Reno is growing in numbers and members are constantly pushing themselves and the boundaries of rocketry

Portrait of Aditya Nair in a blue shirt standing outside, buildings and foliage in the background.
Mechanical Engineering Assistant Professor Aditya Nair wins DoD DEPSCoR award

Research will investigate the control of aeroelastic instabilities for lightweight and flexible aircraft wings

Nine people standing in a lab and looking at the camera.
NRC Commissioner visits College of Engineering

Faculty, students showcase nuclear-related programs

Four students standing in a residential garage with a Tesla Powerwall battery.
Engineering students team up with Tesla to build a mobile, electric power station

鈥楳obile Power Station,鈥 other senior capstone projects will be showcased on campus May 5 at Innovation Day

Lucia Poole standing indoors in front of a sign announcing the WM Symposia 2023 honors and awards luncheon
Mechanical Engineering grad student wins Post Foundation Scholarship

National prize recognizes those studying nuclear waste management

Head shot of keynote speaker Derek Beenfeldt
Interested in a bioengineering career?

Learn about the bioengineering field at March 30 event

Head shot of Lei Cao.
Mechanical Engineering assistant professor wins CAREER award

Lei Cao鈥檚 research could help industry manufacture stronger, more flexible titanium alloys

Tyreis Gatson standing outside, shown from the chest up, with a building in the background.
CREATE Scholar Tyreis Gatson

A Q-&-A with one of the scholars from the National Science Foundation-funded 鈥淐reating Retention and Engagement for Academically Talented Engineers鈥 program. Tyreis Gatson is a member of the first cohort of CREATE program scholars.

Professor Miles Greiner seated indoors, next to the Greiner award trophy, with a window behind him.
Mechanical Engineering professor wins national award for nuclear packaging program

The Deming Award is given by Graduate School USA.

Aditya Nair portrayed from the chest-up, standing outside in front of a building.
Mechanical Engineering Assistant Professor wins DOE Early Career Award

Aditya Nair鈥檚 network project receives an Early Career Research Program grant.

A collage of individual photos of the 2022 NSF Graduate Research Fellows attending University of 六合宝典, Reno
Banner year for NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program awards

An all-time high of 13 student-awardees affiliated with the University of 六合宝典, Reno receive the prestigious NSF fellowship

Yifei Jin and Erick Bandala stand in a lab facing camera.
Bioprinting gets a boost

Engineering student Erick Bandala wins speech competition with presentation about 3D bioprinting.

Four engineering students stand in front of a poster, window behind them.
Innovation Day website showcases engineering projects

See students present short videos of their inventions on the Innovation Day website, online today.

Angelina Padilla with surprise award presenters in her classroom
Ten years of great work and a Tibbitts Award for Angelina Padilla

Mechanical Engineering professor finds real-world ways to teach students

Researcher in scrubs seen through window of Cleanroom lab walking to the right.
College of Engineering ranked among best graduate programs

U.S. News 2023 Best Engineering Schools Rankings include multiple College of Engineering programs.

Ashish Kasar leaning forward in frame, with gloved hands, working on equipment.
Regents recognize Mechanical Engineering doctoral candidate

Ashish Kasar wins a Sam Lieberman Regents鈥 Award for Student Scholarship.

College of Engineering faculty Petros Voulgaris, Christos Papachristos and Hyung Jin Yoon pose in lab with drones.Hyung
Flying, self-driving cars? OK, but make it safe

Engineering research to develop safe Unmanned Aerial Systems set to begin this summer

Engineering dean and students gathered on the steps of the William N. Pennington Engineering Building
College of Engineering welcomes 8 National Merit Scholars, 55 Presidential Scholars

On August 20, the College of Engineering held a welcoming ceremony for the 8 National Merit Scholars and 55 Presidential Scholars who joined the College this fall.

Employer and student shaking hands at table
Mark your calendars: College of Engineering鈥檚 Internship and Career Fair

On September 22, the College of Engineering will connect students with employers and agencies offering internships and jobs.

Aditya Nair and Floris van Breugel on the William N. Pennington plaza
Mechanical Engineering professors are founding members in new institute: AI for Dynamic Systems

A five-year, $20-million National Science Foundation collaboration brings together researchers from 9 universities.

Two teen members of a robotics competition team visit with 六合宝典's Lt. Governor Kate Marshall and University of 六合宝典, Reno President Brian Sandoval.
Sparking innovative education and outreach: K-12 Robotics Center | University of 六合宝典, Reno

With support from Tesla and EDAWN, unique University facility for robotics-based education and competition teams will strengthen the path to degrees, careers and workforce development

Tyreis Gatson with snow-capped mountains and valleys behind him
Faces of the Pack: Tyreis Gatson

Mechanical engineering student lands internship with NASA

A drone hovers in the air while two researchers, seen from the back, look on with an iPad and camera
Aerospace engineering in the Department of Mechanical Engineering

New aerospace engineering program will build on 六合宝典's rich history in the aerospace industry

Olivia Tahti in the William N. Pennington Engineering Building
Olivia Tahti wins Madani-Gordaninejad Speech Competition

The environmental engineering student鈥檚 speech, 鈥淪till Water in Coal Run,鈥 focused on the importance of ethical practice in water infrastructure engineering.

Yan Wang
NSF CAREER Award recipient Yan Wang investigates phonon waves to develop effective thermal engineering strategies

Research will advance heat-transfer solutions for microchip and laser technologies through improved nanoscale engineering

Collection of students working in laboratory.
The College of Engineering connects with the community through virtual Innovation Day

On April 30, the College of Engineering launched a website with project descriptions and lightning talks from all 105 student teams.

Megan Higley and Frank Pulciano, the latter seated in front of American flag
Two mechanical engineering graduate students named 2021 Roy G. Post Scholarship recipients

Ph.D. candidates Megan Higley and Frank Pulciano have received the Post Scholarship for their research in nuclear energy and packaging.

Collage of women engineers surround an image of women engineers holding a sign that reads this is what an engineer looks like
Women in engineering continue tradition of excellence

In honor of International Women's Day, we celebrate the recent successes (and headlines) of the women in the College of Engineering

Feifei Fan
NSF CAREER award leads to better batteries, a more diverse scientific community

Last year, Mechanical Engineering Assistant Professor Feifei Fan earned a National Science Foundation CAREER award for her research on lithium-ion rechargeable batteries. She shares the scientific, commercial and societal implications of the project.

People clapping in computer-filled room.
Faces of the Pack: Six seconds to history

The College of Engineering recognizes the contributions of its exceptional alumni like Sierra Gonzales through its Profiles in Excellence series.

Kelsey Scalaro standing outside the William N. Pennington Engineering Building
Faces of the Pack: Kelsey Scalaro

Engineering education Ph.D. student and CREATE program coordinator emphasizes identity and community for academic and industry success

The FYRE Robotics team of students, ages 13-18, builds a robot in the Makerspace of the Innevation Center.
Workforce development downtown: K-12 Robotics Center|University of 六合宝典, Reno

Southside Studio becomes home to robotics-based education and competition teams, strengthening the path to degrees and careers

Three people gathered around a table, all wearing masks
New mechanical engineering professor assists with COVID-19 Risk Meter

College of Engineering Assistant Professor Aditya Nair is developing the predictive capabilities of the Truckee Meadows COVID-19 Risk Meter

Floris van Breugel
Floris van Breugel awarded prestigious Air Force Research Laboratory grant

Van Breugel is one of 36 scientists to receive $450,000 through the Air Force's Young Investigator Research Program (YIP) from the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR)

A photo of Pradeep Menezes in a lab with one of his students.
National Science Foundation awards environmental engineering and advanced manufacturing grants to mechanical engineering department

The research will improve oil spill recovery and reduce the carbon footprint of manufacturers

A photo of Steffany Yang in front of Palmer Engineering.
Faces of the Pack: ASUN senator works hard to give back to community through outreach programs and activism

Third-year student Steffany Yang represents the College of Engineering and is the chair for the Committee on Academics and Student Affairs

Matteo Aureli, Mohammed Ben-Idris and Jamie Voyles-Ensor are panel presentation speakers.
What does it take to receive a National Science Foundation CAREER award?

The latest prestigious early-career awards will advance research in wildfire-smoke forecasting, battery performance and understanding brain function

A reflection of Dr. van Breugel as he looks at fruit flies.
Early-career investigator in mechanical engineering wins prestigious fellowship in interdisciplinary research

Dr. Floris van Breugel studies insects for inspiration in designing robust and novel control systems for robots

A student stands in the laboratory in front of her research.
Faces of the Pack: Passion for mechanical engineering helps graduate student succeed

Rebecca Histed, graduate student, won a prestigious National Science Foundation award and makes a difference in the mechanical engineering department

A drone hovers in the air while two researchers, seen from the back, look on with an iPad and camera
Aerospace engineering program readies for takeoff

Petros Voulgaris will join the University in 2020 to lead the new program, which will build on the College of Engineering's established research strengths in unmanned aerial systems.

鈥淲e are so fortunate to have been able to hire such a promising group of scholars,鈥 said Manos Maragakis, dean of the College of Engineering.

New College of Engineering faculty boost advanced manufacturing research

With a diverse group of researchers and expertise, the College can expect tremendous growth and instruction for students

A group of students around a muddy racing car.
Wolf Pack Racing has the drive for a popular discipline of engineering

Student club passionate about mechanics competes in Baja SAE competition against other colleges

students and instructors in nuclear packaging summer school
Nuclear materials packaging makes transportation, storage safe and secure

University of 六合宝典, Reno hosts international summer session for nuclear packaging certificate

teachers learn robotics
Campus-based, Tesla-supported academy helps teachers advance STEM interest and education

Engineering faculty at 六合宝典鈥檚 research universities join with DRI to develop and host Robotics Academy of 六合宝典

A photo of the outside of Scrugham Mining and Engineering building.
CAREER awards presented to three College of Engineering faculty

These prestigious awards from the National Science Foundation benefit research opportunities for new faculty

Ann Marie Vollstedt with her class
Tibbitts winners share love of teaching ... and of long, hard-working summers

Engineering's Vollstedt and Anthropology's Smith honored

Two students presenting a project.
Hard work and dedication pays off for seniors during Engineering Innovation Day

The open showcase features a wide variety of projects

Four high school students with hand-held tools in a makerspace
New Robotics Academy of 六合宝典 to offer K-12 teacher trainings

University joins with DRI and UNLV to announce new Tesla-supported programs to advance STEM interest and education

An outside building shot of Palmer Engineering.
College of Engineering makes 2019 U.S. News and World Report rankings

The College had a number of new programs ranked in 2019

A computer model of half a nuclear canister with the different colors representing various materials and temperature distribution.
Faces of the Pack: Five years, two degrees and one certificate for engineering standout

Accelerated program and unique certificate provide hands-on research skills for engineering grad

A headshot of Professor Faramarz Gordaninejad.
Mechanical Engineering faculty promoted to Fellow of SPIE

SPIE is a professional society with more than 18,500 active members.

Three researchers wear safety equipment in the lab.
Collaborative research nets multiple grants for mechanical engineering faculty

Grants support multiple research projects in advanced manufacturing

Two National Academy of Public Administration representatives present Mridul Gautam with a framed recognition of his induction.
Gautam named as Fellow to National Academy of Public Administration

VPRI recognized for exemplary leadership in higher education by National Academy of top public management and organizational leaders

New engineering building groundbreaking
Construction underway on massive new building for College of Engineering

Pennington Engineering Building features state-of-the-art research laboratories, teaching laboratories and collaborative spaces

4 students and staff member
六合宝典 team gears up for Make48 national competition

University of 六合宝典, Reno engineering team is making final preparations for their nationally televised maker challenge in Maryland

Technische Universität
Members of the Pack: Two University students prepare for a German research internship

Cayla Harvey and Austin Kost will attend Technische Universität over the summer as part of the engineering exchange program

Four students from the University's Make48 team standing side-by-side.
Student makers to compete in nationally televised Make48 College Challenge

Four outstanding engineering students named to Biggest Little Makers team will represent Reno鈥檚 burgeoning innovation and maker culture

Students presenting their research poster at Innovation Day 2017
Engineering Innovation Day showcases undergraduate senior capstone projects

Seniors in the College of Engineering present their projects to the public on May 4

Magnified image of the leaves-on-branchlet structure of graphene nanopetals on a single carbon nanotube.
Mechanical engineering professor publishes new design for efficient supercapacitors

Design is ten times more efficient than existing technology and paves way for wider use of the devices

University of 六合宝典, Reno
Highlighting the College of Engineering's Josette El Zaklit and Lei Cao

We discuss the research of assistant professors in the electrical and biomedical engineering and mechanical engineering departments

Manuel Retana's NASA internship photo
Member of the Pack: University success and NASA aspirations

As one of only 20 students to be invited to the MIT CONVERGE visitation program, Manuel Retana sets his sights on graduate school and NASA research.

Palmer Engineering in the snow in 1950 and 2005
Historic Palmer Engineering Building renovation celebrated

Palmer Engineering opened up its doors to students and staff this fall semester after a year of renovations

Photographer in wet suit takes photos under water in Lake Tahoe
InNEVenture Fund enters second year of ramping up ideas and technologies for commercialization

Early-stage proof-of-concept funding applications now open for 六合宝典 Research and Innovation Corporation program

Area middle and high school students view a demonstration of the soft gripper during Engineer's Day.
Smart material powers new soft gripper technology

Research paves way for development of soft, robotic hand

High-altitude ballooning launch site
Eclipse Ballooning Project is set to live-stream total solar eclipse

Eric Wang and Jeffrey LaCombe are part of the National Space Grant teams working to live-stream directly from the path of totality

Collage includes artist's rendering of the Switch facility located east of Reno, known as The Citadel Campus, plus a laboratory work space and computer circuit board.
Major, new high-performance computing cluster to advance research and industry

Technology leader Switch provides critical data-ecosystem infrastructure to power Pronghorn, the University's new cluster, and the regional economy

University senior Dennis Green
University honors civically engaged students with Spring 2017 Silver Paw Awards

Five University student recipients have shown exemplary contributions to their community in civic engagement

Students are shown how robots work by assistant researcher at the University of 六合宝典.
Washoe students participate in 14th annual Engineers Day hosted by the College of Engineering

Interactive and informative demonstrations get local kids excited about a future in engineering

Daniel Perlstein works on leak test machine
Nuclear materials packaging program awards certificate to first graduate

Mechanical engineering department home to new Department of Energy funded program

Researchers_Alexis_and_Kelley_present
Ambitious, University-led effort explores mobility technologies

Coalition of partners launches Intelligent Mobility to develop and test solutions for safe, clean and efficient transportation in Reno-Sparks-Carson 鈥楲iving Lab鈥

Berendsen_and_students
3 questions: Tony Berendsen is a safety star who follows the stars

Mechanical Engineering technician discusses his passion for safety in the workplace and stars in the skies

coffee ring equations
Coffee-ring phenomenon explained in new theory

College of Engineering鈥檚 Hassan Masoud leads group in new modeling approach for droplet evaporation

Student-athlete Jordan Dobrich
Dobrich named MW Scholar-Athlete of the Year

Former 六合宝典 standout football player, Jordan Dobrich, is the first Wolf Pack student-athlete to receive honor

2016 Douglas High Signing Day
六合宝典 Scholars Signing Days celebrate 8 years

The University includes 50 National Merit Scholarship Finalists and 300 Presidential Scholars - and growing

Yiliang Leon Liao
Yiliang Liao receives prestigious early-career Powe Award

Grant will enhance research to improve durability of structural steels

2016 Foundatioin Professors
2016 Foundation Professors announced

Greiner, Scott and Yan recognized at 'Honor the Best' ceremony

Mechanical engineering students hear inside story of Volkswagen emissions scandal

Worldwide reaction sparked by project conducted by former students and lab of University鈥檚 VPRI

Dobrich earns football鈥檚 most prestigious scholar-athlete award

Engineering student-athlete named to NFF National Scholar-Athlete Class; finalist for William V. Campbell Trophy

Team of engineering professors and students work to reduce the degradation of bridges

Under the guidance of Faramarz Gordaninejad, a new bearing system is being devised that will sense and react to suppress vibration of bridges.

NASA-funded research explores ways to beat the heat in outer space

Application of lightweight magnesium in engineering design subject of new grant

A National Science Foundation grant will fund a three-year study into the deformation behavior of magnesium alloys under repeat loading.

Engineering capstone class leads to award-winning drone technology start-up

Students to showcase design course innovations for businesses, investors

University of 六合宝典, Reno engineering students to present new products Friday, May 1

College of Engineering Professorship honors memory of alumnus Ralph Hoeper

University of 六合宝典, Reno faculty member Henry Fu receives Ralph E. Hoeper Endowed Professorship

concrete canoe regionals
Continuing a winning tradition, the University's concrete canoe team wins regional qualifying event

Engineering students will head to the National Concrete Canoe Championship races this summer for the 10th time in a row

concrete canoe team practice
National champion concrete canoe team takes first step to defend title

Engineering students leave for Mid-Pac regional competition April 2-4

Grad schools, programs ranked among the nation鈥檚 best

University of 六合宝典, Reno earns four graduate school, 23 graduate program rankings

Disney dream comes true for engineering students

Disney Imaginations finalists accept internships with company

College of Engineering students shine at Disney Imaginations contest finals

Team presents innovative transportation/entertainment design at Imagineering headquarters

Disney Team Reaction
University of 六合宝典, Reno students reach Disney Imaginations contest finals

College of Engineering team designs innovative entertainment transportation experience

UAS feature
NAASIC to spur autonomous systems development, receives $3 million in state funding

Innovation hub includes active research in robotics, drones and more, plus collaboration with industry, K-12, state agencies

New business director joins NAASIC, University鈥檚 autonomous systems innovation center

Lt. Col (ret) Warren Rapp hired to build industry collaborations, economic development

student union and knowledge center
University leaders applaud Tesla gigafactory decision

Colleges contributes to economic development through workforce development, research, and industry collaboration

Flirtey UAV company
Flirtey flies to the US for high-tech testing and market development

Flirtey and University of 六合宝典, Reno sign R&D partnership

Students test fly mini-copters in inaugural UAS summer camp

First-ever camp for high school students at University addresses aerospace, aviation, UAS

Twelfth annual Engineers Day brings nearly 300 students to campus

Reno middle schools visit University for engineering workshops and demonstrations

Engineering students to showcase senior design course innovations for businesses, investors

Senior Capstone Innovation Day Friday, May 2

Assistant professor Chanwoo Park receives prestigious Science Foundation CAREER award

Award recognizes early career success, funds research

College of Engineering concrete canoe team ready to race

Team of 16 engineering students form five teams for three races in regional Mid-Pacific Conference

Terawatt Facility
Grad programs ranked among the nation鈥檚 best

University of 六合宝典, Reno earns four graduate school, 24 graduate program rankings

Kam and ben with drone sensor
University joins with 六合宝典Nano for flying robot sensor project

New U.S. Army contract funds initial phase of development of innovative autonomous aerial system

design class shows off nanoski
Kam Leang featured in NBC Learn project with National Science Foundation

Mechanical engineering associate professor talks Nano Ski technology in 鈥淪cience of Sports鈥 series

New unmanned autonomous systems minor degree offered by College of Engineering in spring semester

Program to enhance economic growth, workforce development for 六合宝典

College of Engineering's Henry Fu receives $400,000 NSF CAREER Award

Research will explore microorganism mobility in the body and the environment

National Science Foundation grant supports study of new cell sorting method

University of 六合宝典, Reno research to benefit biofuel production and other biological processes

Engineering grad students bring energy research into K-12 classrooms

Mechanical Engineering receives $1.2 million NSF grant for new science/engineering initiative

University putting the E into STEM, makes engineering a K-12 focus

Science in the K-12 Schools: Oh my.....do we have it WRONG!鈥 lecture Nov. 8

Engineering Dean Maragakis to travel to China, South Korea with Governor Sandoval

Trade mission delegation to explore business opportunities and encourage investment in 六合宝典

Professor Miles Greiner receives DOE grant for nuclear technology research

$745,000 grant to fund a three-year project to research safer storage and transport of nuclear waste

University faculty win three NSHE Regents鈥 Awards

Recognizes current and future research and academic success at University of 六合宝典, Reno

Engineering students to bring energy research into K-12 classrooms

National Science Foundation $1.2 million grant for three-year program

University鈥檚 Renewable Energy Center welcomes new director

Miles Greiner was appointed Interim Director for the next academic year.

nanoski project group
Nanotechnology meets skiing

Students see ski concepts become reality through the wonders of nanotech

Professor鈥檚 work on hydrogen muscles featured

students operate rover
Rover Team Heading to Mars Society Competition in Utah

Students hope to regain top spot in competition

Human powered vehicle
University of 六合宝典, Reno team fares well at Human-Powered Vehicle Challenge

Recumbent trikes Waldo and Carmen Sandiego compete in engineering event

Engineering professor aids in important nanotech advance

Battle Born and human-powered

Professors reach highest status with Fellow Grade

Engineers modify snowplows to combat major storms