{"id":1863,"date":"2021-02-26T06:45:32","date_gmt":"2021-02-26T06:45:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nau.edu\/aspirations\/?p=1863"},"modified":"2021-09-13T19:24:51","modified_gmt":"2021-09-13T19:24:51","slug":"we-engineer-better-world","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/legacy.nau.edu\/stories\/we-engineer-better-world\/","title":{"rendered":"We engineer a better world"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

At Northern Arizona University, the next generation of engineers is learning to design and build a safer, healthier, and more sustainable future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Engineering for climate change<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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The altered weather patterns brought by global climate change present unique challenges to civil engineers. Students like future environmental engineer Ziyan Wu are learning to apply research to mitigate the effects of climate change. Wu\u2019s research<\/a> will help engineers divert and control one of the planet\u2019s most precious resources: water. Through computer modeling, she created a new Intensity-Duration-Frequency curve, which engineers can use to build infrastructure like storm sewers and drains to accommodate expected rainfall patterns\u2014patterns that are changing dramatically as the planet warms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wu\u2019s mentors, including Assistant Professor Amin Mohebbi and Associate Professor Chun-Hsing Ho<\/a> in NAU\u2019s Department of Civil Engineering, Construction Management, and Environmental Engineering<\/a>, encouraged her to participate in research. Doing the research has made Wu realize that her ultimate goal is to become a professor so she can continue to do research and instruct students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019d like to inspire other students to get involved in research,\u201d Wu said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bioengineer develops 3D simulations of sneezing, coughing to help motivate social distancing<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Amir Arzani<\/a>, Assistant Professor in NAU\u2019s Department of Mechanical Engineering<\/a>, studies the mechanisms behind the initiation and progression of different cardiovascular diseases, developing computational models that can capture the multiscale and multiphysics nature of cardiovascular disease. Arzani\u2019s team is using these computer simulation techniques<\/a> to study the mechanics of sneezing and coughing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe see an excellent opportunity here for fundamental fluid mechanics research and how it could be used to provide social distancing guidelines,\u201d Arzani said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A \u2018major step forward\u2019 in improving safety, reliability, and material efficiency<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Every day, Americans rely on engineered systems such as bridges, buildings, and offshore structures that are subject to extreme weather, earthquakes, and a range of other conditions. Knowing how materials used in these systems respond to stressors is crucial to creating components that successfully and efficiently do the job.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Heidi Feigenbaum<\/a>, Professor in NAU\u2019s Department of Mechanical Engineering<\/a>, is developing a mathematical model<\/a> that will more accurately predict how materials used in engineered systems will fail under cycles of twisting, pulling, and pushing. This model has the potential to reduce structure weight, minimize cost, and maximize material efficiency\u2014leading to safer and more reliable systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe will develop a means to predict and analyze ratcheting failure in ductile metals such as steel and aluminum, which can be leveraged to improve safety, reliability, and material efficiency in a wide variety of structures and systems,\u201d Feigenbaum said. \u201cThis fundamental research will be a major step forward in the field.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Advanced clean energy technology combines structural support with power storage<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Constantin Ciocanel<\/a>, Professor in NAU\u2019s Department of Mechanical Engineering<\/a>, has co-invented, with organic chemistry<\/a> Professor Cindy Browder<\/a>, an innovative, patented technology<\/a> designed to advance the field of clean energy. The material\u2019s design combines elements of composite materials with a power storage mechanism specific to super\u00adcapacitors. Made of carbon fiber layers bonded with a solid polymer resin capable of conduct\u00ading electricity, the multifunctional material can be molded without compromising strength or durability. <\/p>\n\n\n\n