Four faculty win early-career awards
National Science Foundation and Department of Energy funds support projects in ethical AI, virtual energy storage, unsupervised machine learning, and conversion of waste nitrate to ammonia.
In defense of a ‘dangerous’ practice
John Lienhard, mechanical engineering ’51, warns fellow engineers that inventing is a risky business. It can disrupt the established order, render entire industries obsolete, and create an avalanche of unintended effects. We must do it anyway, he says.
Start it up
Oregon State Engineers are inventors and entrepreneurs who can find inspiration just about anywhere. Here are three stories about alumni turning their great ideas into new products and businesses.
Student’s success inspires family to help others
Mike and Barb Schmierer enjoyed their son Paul’s time at Oregon State almost as much as he did. Now, Paul designs the kind of fishing gear he used to only dream of buying. His parents couldn’t be prouder.
Spanning the globe
Rick Robertson, civil engineering ’85, had no idea how far he’d go when he left his hometown of McMinnville. Since 1989, his career has taken him around the world, literally, to work on major projects — the latest being the $5.25 billion Panama Canal expansion.
History by the barrel
Hidden in the dark recesses under Merryfield Hall sit a dozen old barrels, filled with concrete and arranged in rows. Nobody is sure who put them there or when, but they serve an important purpose.
Releasing history
Amrit Nam Khalsa, mechanical engineering ’18, didn’t even consider a career in aerospace until he was a senior. His first job after graduation? Testing and troubleshooting a critical component of the $10 billion James Webb Space Telescope.
Distance learning, remote working bring a new mom’s tech dreams closer
An online search led Ravonne Byrd to Oregon State’s postbaccalaureate computer science online degree program, which turned out to be the perfect fit for her.
My greatest achievement
Ken Williamson joined the College of Engineering as an undergrad, stayed for his master’s degree, returned as a professor, and eventually became a school head. Now, a decade into his ‘retirement,’ he’s a key industry partner.
Closing in on exascale simulations
Led by Todd Palmer, the Center for Exascale Monte Carlo Neutron Transport, or CEMeNT, is developing neutron transport simulations for the world’s fastest computers.