Dear Colleagues and Friends,
Contents...
with warm wishes,
Robert X. Gao
Cady Staley Professor
Department Chair
DEPARTMENT HIGHLIGHTS
The Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering is proud to announce the successful completion of its ABET (Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology) review. This achievement reaffirms the department's commitment to maintaining the highest standards of academic excellence, rigor, and continuous improvement in engineering education.
Dr. Ozan Akkus Leads a $47.7 Million APRA-H Project to Treat Degenerative Joint Disease.
Osteoarthritis (OA), a degenerative joint disease affecting 32.5 million people in the U.S. and 500 million worldwide, is currently treated with pain relief or prosthetic surgeries like knee and hip replacements. Aiming for a transformative solution, researchers at Case Western Reserve University, supported by a $20.4 million initial award from the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H), are developing "live" replacement joints. These biocompatible joints, engineered from human cells, aim to restore natural joint function. The project, titled OMEGA: Orchestrating Multifaceted Engineering for Growing Artificial Joints, could bring live-joint replacements to 40 patients within five years, with potential for commercial scalability. If successful, a second funding phase of $27.3 million will further support the initiative. Led by Professor Ozan Akkus, the effort promises a groundbreaking treatment that could significantly improve the quality of life for millions suffering from OA.
Two Assistant Professors of EMAE Received the Prestigious Department of Defense Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative (MURI) Awards.
The Department of Defense allocated $221 million through the Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative (MURI) program to support basic defense-related research. Among the awardees, two Case School of Engineering researchers are participating in separate projects. Chirag Kharangate is contributing to a Purdue University-led study on two-phase thermal management systems for naval power and energy applications, while Bryan Schmidt is involved in a Colorado University-led project to develop advanced flow control devices for managing heat flux in hypersonic vehicles. Each project received $7.5 million in funding over five years. Established in 1985, the highly competitive MURI program fosters interdisciplinary collaboration to develop innovative technologies addressing critical defense challenges.
Dr. Kathyn Daltorio Receives a $2 Million Grant to Develop a Bio-Inspired Tool for Installing Underground Powerlines.
Kathryn “Kati” Daltorio has received $2 million in federal funding to develop a worm-inspired robotic tool for installing underground power lines. The tool, a self-propelled peristaltic conduit, mimics worm-like movement to burrow into the ground, allowing it to navigate curved paths and avoid obstacles in ways that traditional trenchless methods cannot. With a turning radius of just five feet, the innovative design has the potential to safely install underground cables in challenging environments, enhancing the resilience of America’s power grid against extreme weather and other environmental risks. The project is part of a $34 million U.S. Department of Energy initiative to modernize the nation’s aging power infrastructure.
Dr. Chirag Kharangate Wins the 2024 ONR Young Investigator Program (YIP) Award.
Chirag Kharangate, assistant professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering, is leveraging the Office of Naval Research's 2024 Young Investigator Award to revolutionize thermal management for naval aircraft systems. Current systems are constrained by limited cooling capabilities, restricting power and mission duration. Kharangate's research focuses on phase change—a highly efficient method for heat extraction—to address these challenges. By integrating data science and machine learning, his team aims to enhance understanding of two-phase flow physics, overcoming the limitations of traditional computational simulations and experimental approaches. This innovative approach could lead to more compact, efficient, and durable designs for naval systems, with potential applications across various industries. Kharangate envisions a "paradigm shift" in system design through these advancements.
FACULTY UPDATES
The Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at CWRU is excited to welcome two outstanding associate professors whose expertise will further enhance our impact. Dr. Peng (Edward) Wang, who joined us this fall, specializes in developing advanced AI/ML tools for smart manufacturing, including predictive maintenance, quality assurance in additive manufacturing, and robotic automation. Dr. Chengyu Li, also joining this fall, brings expertise in creating computational models to explore the underlying flow physics and transport phenomena in biological and biomedical flows. Together, their cutting-edge research strengthens the department’s innovation in manufacturing, artificial intelligence, and computational modeling, driving advancements in engineering and healthcare applications.
STUDENT SUCCESS
CWRUbotix Places 5th in MATE ROV World Championship.
CWRUbotix, the robotics team from Case Western Reserve University, showcased their ingenuity at the 22nd annual MATE ROV World Championship in Kingsport, Tennessee, this past June. Competing against 29 university teams from around the globe, their custom-built underwater robot, “Scuba Dooba Tuba: Electric Beluga,” secured an impressive 5th place finish. Designed and constructed entirely at Sears think[box], the robot featured custom machined components, advanced electronics, and innovative software. Looking ahead, CWRUbotix has set its sights on a top-three finish at next year’s championship. The team is already working on design refinements and engaging projects to involve new members in preparation for the upcoming competition season.