TWIE | This Week in Engineering
December 12, 2022 | Issue 5
Engineering Career Services
Virtual and F2F advising hours here.
FAMU Academics
Links to academic info, student services, student life and more.
FSU Student Academic Resources
Links to academic info, official university announcements and public health information.
University and College News
Quick Links | Did You Know?

In case of emergencies call 9-1-1. If you have concerns about your safety while on the engineering campus, call FSU Police 850-644-1234.

The Engineering Library Circulation Desk hours are: Monday - Friday – 8am to 5pm | (850) 410-6328 | A225 & A248

Join the official FAMU-FSU Engineering Events & Info GroupMe to get brief news & information updates on events and more for #RattlerEngineers and #NoleEngineers. Look for “FAMU-FSU Engineering Events & Info” in the FSU and FAMU Campus Communities on GroupMe.

Student Services, B111, is the keeper of the college lost and found. If you've found something, drop it off here and if you've lost something, check here first!

Mental health help for Engineering student -
FAMU students – have access to FAMU’s in-person counselors on the main campus during office hours and self-directed help via the WellTrack website or app. To schedule a counseling session in the office, call (850) 599-3145. Students who would like to speak with a counselor after hours can do so free with WellConnect at (833) 848-1765

FSU students - have access to FSU’s tele-mental health treatment options via Zoom (HIPAA link) as well as FSU’s after-hours crisis hotline. To initiate these services, just call 850-644-TALK(8255) during office hours (8-4pm) for tele-mental health services, and at any other time for crisis services.
Need a Mental Health Break?
Welcome to The Breakroom, B226-H, which is available from 9:00 am-5:00 pm on normal business days. Reserve a 50-minute slot using this link:
Biomedical Engineering Undergraduate Student Takes Second Place in Electrochemical Society Poster Competition
Ashley David, senior in biomedical engineering at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering and Florida State University, is in the Honors in the Majors program and works with Daniel Hallinan, Jr. as a research assistant at the college.
FAMU-FSU College of Engineering senior Ashley David won second place in the Electrochemical Society Poster session for her work on Analyzing the Soret Coefficient Using Time-Resolved Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). David competed with 112 student submissions from colleges throughout the nation, for work in electrochemical and solid-state science and technology. David, a biomedical engineering major, is working on her senior thesis through the Honors in the Major program at Florida State University. The program allows students to work on a selected topic and graduate with honors after completing a project in a discipline. 
 
“I hope to pursue a doctorate in chemical engineering, and I am looking toward graduate programs in California,” David said. “I would like to pursue a career in research and work toward a more sustainable future.”
 
David researches at the Polymers for Advanced Energy and Sustainability Lab under Daniel Hallinan, an associate professor in chemical and biomedical engineering at the college. For the past two years, Hallinan has been her professor and adviser. 
 
“My research contributes to the development of a universal model for the Soret effect, which can be used toward re-harvesting wasted heat energy from industrial processes,” David said. “The process increases battery efficiency.” 
Revitalizing a College Artifact
Theta Tau gives the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering “Steel Beam Sculpture” a much-needed facelift
 
You’ve probably seen the rusty, gray metal steel beam sculpture near the north side of the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering. However, you might not know its significance and why Theta Tau, an engineering fraternity on campus, is refurbishing the structure to its former glory. The abstract steel beam sculpture was installed on the campus more than twenty-five years ago by the American Institute of Steel Construction. Its purpose was to give engineering students an up-close look at the underlying skeleton and connections used in steel structures. 
 
“The sculpture is used as a teaching tool to show various kinds of steel members and connections and is an example of a full-scale steel sculpture,” Lauren Bishop, the project chair for Theta Tau, said.
 
Bishop, an undergraduate student studying chemical and biomedical engineering at the college, and her fellow Theta Tau members worked with Lisa Spainhour, the chair of the department of civil and environmental engineering, and Steven Squillacote, a senior lab engineer, to revitalize the structure. 
 
“At almost every engineering program in the country, you see structures like this,” Spainhour said. “We were excited to see the sculpture put on our campus years ago and are thrilled to have the newest Theta Tau group take up where their predecessors left off to restore the sculpture to its former glory.” 
Using AI and Blockchain Technology to Improve Transportation Systems
Maxim A. Dulebenets, an associate professor in civil and environmental engineering at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, is looking at AI and blockchain as a way to increase the performance of transportation systems. (M Wallheiser/FAMU-FSU Engineering)
There is a growing demand for transportation serving the needs of populations across the globe. However, autonomous vehicles and high-speed trains have challenges, from data privacy to social adoption. Researchers say artificial intelligence (AI) coupled with blockchain technology may be the answer. In a new study, researchers from the department of civil and environmental engineering at FAMU-FSU College of Engineering are exploring the benefits of integrating blockchain and AI technologies for transportation and other relevant domains.  
 
“There have been studies on the benefits of integrating these technologies in accounting, health care and cybersecurity,” said Maxim A. Dulebenets, an associate professor in civil and environmental engineering. “But there hasn’t been an in-depth study of integrated blockchain and AI technologies in the transportation domain, so we explored a wide variety of applications specifically in transportation.”
 
Blockchain technology is an advanced database system that allows data sharing within a business network, where data is stored in blocks linked together in a chain. It creates a decentralized, tamper-proof system to record transactions widely used in digital currencies like Bitcoin. According to the researchers, blockchain technology combined with AI can provide a common distributed platform for data sharing, reliability, and decision-making.
 
“The main objective of this research is to perform a critical review of the advantages and challenges in applications of blockchain and AI in transportation systems and related domains,” Dulebenets said. 
Let's Start Here
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging updates from the Engineering DEI Advisory Council
Chair: Mahogany Newell; Vice-Chair: Barbara Twyman
 
Your Engineering DEI Advisory Council recently finalized the college’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) Plan for 2022. This document outlines the main priorities and goals for the college leadership and items the council believes we should realize as an institution within the next three years. This plan was also submitted to the ASEE Diversity Recognition Program for consideration for a Silver-level award. The main points from the plan are:
  1. Increase understanding & application of DEIB concepts
  2. Build leadership accountability & incentive mechanisms
  3. Make DEIB part of the college culture
  4. Fix reciprocity problems
  5. Build student (& faculty) population representing parent universities
  6. Improve URM engineering student enrollment & outcomes
 
Within the plan, there are 5 items that the council will take the lead on accomplishing by December 2023:
  • DEI statement for college and centers
  • DEI-focused student organization
  • DEI annual report
  • Signature DEI event in Spring 2023
  • Share-outs & other DEI-focused events
 
For more information, to add your feedback, or to volunteer in this initiative, please contact Tisha Keller, DEI Advisory Council member and staff liaison for DEI.
Mark Your Calendars
Events

December 2022

Holiday Break, December 21-January 1 | College Closed


January 2023

Emancipation Proclamation (US), Jan. 1

College Opens Spring Semester, Tuesday, January 3

First Day of Classes, Monday, January 9

MLK Jr. Holiday, Monday January 16 | College closed

Lunar New Year (China), Sunday, January 22


February 2023

Black History Month

Imbolc (Pagan & Wiccan), Wednesday, February 1

Susan B Anthony’s Birthday (suffrage), Wednesday, February 15

Lailat al Miraj (Muslim), Saturday, February 18

Engineers Week, February 19- 25

Ash Wednesday (Christian), Wednesday, February 22


March 2023

Women’s History Month

Holi (Hindu) & International Women’s Day, Wednesday, March 8

Harriett Tubman’s Birthday (abolitionist), Friday, March 10

Int’l Day for Elimination of Racism, Tuesday, March 21

Navaratri (Hindu), March 22-31

Ramadan (Muslim), March 22-Apr. 21

Spring Break, March 13-17


April 2023

Senior Design, Thursday, April 6

COE Awards Night, Friday, April 7 | 6PM - 8PM

Focus on Gulf Scholars Program, Thursday, April 13 | 9 AM - 7 PM

Passover (Jewish), April 5-13

Good Friday (Christian), Friday, April 7

Easter (Christian), Sunday, April 9

Vaisakhi (Sikh), Friday, April 14

Eid al-Fitr (Muslim), April 21-22

Earth Day, Saturday, April 22


May 2023

Mental Health Awareness Month

Jewish American Heritage Month

Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Beltane (Pagan & Wiccan), Monday, May 1

Buddha’s Birthday (Buddhist), Friday, May 5

Vesak (Buddhist), Friday, May 5

Int’l Day Against Homo/Trans/Biphobia, Wednesday, May 17

Memorial Day Holiday, Monday, May 29 | College Closed.



Bookmark college events webpage.
Academic Calendars
FAMU Official University Academic Calendar

FSU Academic Calendar:

FAMU-FSU Engineering Academic Calendar & Deadlines: https://www.eng.famu.fsu.edu/students/academic-deadlines
Things to Do
Challenger Learning Center Info
PLAYING NOW IN IMAX...
Wings Over Water
As the glaciers retreated at the end of the last ice age, they left an astounding gift of connected rivers, lakes, and wetlands across the heartland of North America. Today, these largely unknown water highways remain an oasis for wildlife, from the herds of bison that still roam part of the Great Plains to the swaying grasslands, wildflowers, and vital honeybees that pollinate our crops and especially for the millions of magnificent birds that migrate along these “flyways.”

Wings Over Water, narrated by Michael Keaton, tells the compelling story of three amazing bird species—the Sandhill Crane, the Yellow Warbler and the Mallard Duck—with extraordinary footage of their fascinating behaviors. All of them depend on the wetlands for their survival.
COMING SOON...
The Polar Express
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @ChallengerTLH for updates on when new virtual lessons are available and other engaging content. Subscribe to our YouTube channel to make sure you don’t miss a thing.
Want to add something to the next issue?
Email us! Deadline is Wednesday for Monday publication.