College of Engineering News and Events
2020 College News
The Philly Company Working on a Wearable Device to Detect COVID-19 Symptoms | Philadelphia Magazine, Sept. 30, 2020
Working with Villanova Engineering alumna Dr. Nance Dicciani ’69 ChE, cofounder of RTM Vital Signs, Dr. Moeness Amin, director of the Center for Advanced Communications, has developed technology for a sensor that can detect whether someone may have early symptoms of COVID-19. The sensor is in the final stages of a clinical trial.
Dr. Chengyu Li Awarded NSF CAREER Grant for Study of Odor-Guided Flapping Flight
In GPS-denied environments, miniature unmanned aerial vehicles risk losing the capability to locate unseen targets during important surveillance and detection missions. Mechanical Engineering Assistant Professor Dr. Chengyu Li has found a promising potential solution in nature—specifically, in insects’ ability to detect and locate distant targets by tracking odor plumes in complex flow environments. His research has been awarded a $500,000 NSF CAREER grant.
Villanova Formula SAE Implements COVID-Safe Teaching Methods
This year, like all clubs, NovaRacing has needed to respond to the ever-changing campus-scape. Nearly 30 freshmen have shown interest in joining the Formula SAE team—which builds a race car from the ground up every year—but the garage cannot safely accommodate that many students for training. In order to introduce the freshmen, team president Chris Auslander ’21 CpE and his senior officers creatively implemented a series of online training modules on how to use SolidWorks.
Villanova Secures Cutting-Edge Confocal Raman Microscope Facility with Collaborative $523,333 NSF Major Research Instrumentation Grant
A $523,333 National Science Foundation Major Research Instrumentation grant will fund a new confocal Raman microscope facility that goes beyond high resolution imaging to provide a better understanding of biological and chemical processes under native conditions. The instrument will greatly advance knowledge and promote interdisciplinary research in nanomaterials, thermal and chemical engineering, and bioengineering/biology.
Next-Gen Gaming Is an Environmental Nightmare | Wired.com, 10/15/20
Dr. Aaron Wemhoff, director of Villanova’s Center for Energy-Smart Electronic Systems, is quoted in this article about the environmental effects of console waste plus energy-hungry cloud gaming.