Mechanical Engineering Students Build Pumpkin-Launching Machines
(October 31, 2006) The Cullen College of Engineering student chapter of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers hosted its first-annual “Pumpkin Chunkin” contest on Oct. 27. The Halloween-inspired event featured devices built by teams of students launching pumpkins through the air and, eventually, crashing into a field. The teams competed to determine whose device launched pumpkins closest to targets placed at various distances from the machines.

Engineering Well Represented at Undergraduate Research Day
(October 30, 2006) Fifteen students from the Cullen College of Engineering gave poster presentations outlining the research they conducted over the summer during the University of Houston’s recent Undergraduate Research Day. The event featured students who participated in the university’s Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship program. Under the program, fellowship recipients are given a $2,800 stipend to conduct research for ten weeks during the summer under the supervision of a university faculty member. Cullen College had more fellowship recipients than any other degree-granting college at the University this year.

UH Researcher Developing New Type of Magnetic Field Sensor
(October 27, 2006) Stanko Brankovic, assistant professor of electrical & computer engineering, has received a grant worth up to $1.6 million from the U.S. Department of Defense to develop a new type of magnetic field sensor that could potentially be thousands of times more sensitive than anything currently available. Along with Paul Ruchhoeft, also an assistant professor of electrical & computer engineering, Brankovic will begin developing the sensor technology that could become the key component in a low-cost system that maps mine fields quickly and accurately. Such sensor technology could be applied to magnetic resonance imaging impacting medical operations.

College Delegation to Explore Collaborations with Indian Universities
(October 26, 2006) A delegation from the UH Cullen College of Engineering will travel to overseas next month to explore the possibility of establishing collaborative relationships between the college and universities throughout India. Such collaborations will likely entail joint faculty research projects and student-exchange programs. The delegation will visit IIT-Delhi, Delhi College of Engineering, Maharajah Agrasen University, Benares Hindu University, and Rajiv Gandhi Technical University while abroad.

Mechanical Engineering Renovates Biomedical Lab
(October 24, 2006) The Department of Mechanical Engineering has nearly completed the renovation of its Biomedical Engineering Core Research Lab, located on the first floor of Engineering Building 1. Over $600, 000 worth of equipment moved from the Connective Tissue Physiology Laboratory into the lab will provide faculty with an improved space to conduct advanced biomedical research, as well as create an interactive educational environment for students in the program.

Engineering Homecoming Nov. 4
(October 18, 2006) UH Cullen College of Engineering alumni, faculty, staff, students and their families are invited to the 2006 Engineering Alumni Association Homecoming tailgate on Saturday, Nov. 4. The pre-game tailgate begins at 11 a.m. at the EAA Pavilion located at the west side of Robertson Stadium in Pavilion Village. BBQ and beverages will be available for $15 adult, $8 students, $5 children and free for children under 6. Kickoff for the UH vs. University of Tulsa Golden Hurricanes game is at 2:30 p.m.

WELCOME Retreat a Huge Success
(October 12, 2006) The first annual Women-in-Engineering Retreat, held last month in Galveston, attracted 35 female students from the college to participate in interpersonal communication and professional development activities. The event was sponsored by WELCOME, Women in Engineering Learning Community for Maximizing Excellence, a relatively new program at the college that aims to provide a support system for women in the field.

College Launches "Step Forward" Program for High School Students
(October 10, 2006) The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering has received a grant to support a new, innovative educational outreach program called Step Forward. The program will help prepare high school students for academic success through a series of mentoring sessions throughout the academic year and camps during the summer. The department received the multi-phased, $272,000 grant from the Texas Engineering and Technical Consortium through the Texas Youth in Technology Project.

Alum Publishes Textbook for Civil Engineering Students
(October 10, 2006) Cullen College alumnus Harry O. Ward (BSCE 1984) has published Autodesk Civil 3D: Procedures & Applications, a textbook for civil engineering students that provides training in the software program. Though Autodesk has been on the market for several years now, Ward's book is the first text to cover it and has generated widespread interest since it's release last month. Several colleges and technical programs across the nation have adopted the text.

UH Alum Recognized for Offshore Drilling Development
(October 4, 2006) An invention patented by Bob Herrmann (BSME 1972, MSME 1973) was named one of the 50 most important developments in the history of offshore drilling by Offshore magazine last year. Along with two other individuals, he patented the dual-activity drilling system in 1996, which allows two drills to be operated by a single large oil derrick. The system significantly cuts the time required to conduct deep-water operations, thereby reducing costs.