The University of Texas at Arlington

Engineering in the News 2013

April

Csallner explains possible reasons behind American Airlines computer glitch

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

KXAS/NBC 5 interviewed Christoph Csallner, assistant professor of computer science and engineering at UT Arlington, about the computer glitch in American Airlines’ reservation system that caused planes to be grounded for two hours Tuesday. “The software is so complex, there are so many components…databases, external systems, humans involved, anywhere, something could go wrong,” Csallner said.

Scholarship to support students in Arnold E. Petsche Center for Automotive Engineering

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Product Design & Development reported on the scholarship established by TTI and Mouser Electronics in partnership with The University of Texas at Arlington College of Engineering. The scholarship will help support students enrolled in the University’s Arnold E. Petsche Center for Automotive Engineering who demonstrate academic achievement beyond the classroom.

UNT gets CASA weather radar unit

Friday, April 12, 2013

The region’s second CASA weather radar is now in place at the University of North Texas, doubling the low-level view of developing storms for forecasters, emergency managers and scientists, The Dallas Morning News and NBCDFW.com reported. This second CASA unit should be in operation in about a month, joining the first unit at The University of Texas in Arlington to provide coverage over a broad swath of North Texas. MyFoxDFW.com also reported this story.

Scholarship to support students in Arnold E. Petsche Center for Automotive Engineering

Thursday, April 11, 2013

TTI, Inc. and Mouser Electronics, Inc., two top global distributors for electronic components and a part of the Berkshire Hathaway companies, have established a scholarship in partnership with The University of Texas at Arlington College of Engineering, Reuters and Yahoo! Canada reported. The scholarship will help support students enrolled in the University's Arnold E. Petsche Center for Automotive Engineering who demonstrate academic achievement beyond the classroom. The story also appears on Virtual-Strategy, TMCnet.com, iStockAnalyst, FreshNews.com and other media websites.

Second advanced weather radar system installation planned

Thursday, April 11, 2013

The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported that the University of North Texas will install an advanced weather radar system similar to a unit placed atop a UT Arlington building in October. Four of the $500,000 radar units will eventually be operational in the Dallas-Fort Worth region. This second unit will be installed at UNT today.

Tapping computer power to promote physical therapy

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

The Rheumatologist noted research by Fillia Makedon, chair and professor of the Computer Science and Engineering Department at UT Arlington, and a team of researchers from Northeastern University. They’re using the power of computer technology to help rheumatoid arthritis patients do physical therapy at home. The computer system monitors patients’ joint motions, motor performance, and other physiological indicators. The information gathered helps the physical therapy professional better gauge how the patient’s therapy is going.

Mattingly, Massidda research on high-speed rail noted

Monday, April 8, 2013

The Fort Worth Star-Telegram noted research by Stephen Mattingly, a UT Arlington civil engineering professor, and Antonio Massidda, faculty researcher, in an article about the debate over where to build high-speed rail stations in the Dallas-Fort Worth region. Both researchers have spent two years analyzing the impact of high-speed rail on aviation in Europe – and the impact of Amtrak’s Acela Express train service on aviation in the Northeastern United States.

March

Improving cell coverage

Friday, March 22, 2013

A UT Arlington electrical engineering professor is developing a system in which a cell phone could automatically locate available space within a bandwidth, reducing or eliminating “dead spots” in coverage, the website TMCnet.com reported. Qilian Liang, the electrical engineering professor, received a three-year, $470,000 National Science Foundation grant that creates and implements a plan that researches spectrum -sharing technologies.

Environmental monitoring

Thursday, March 21, 2013

A University of Texas at Arlington environmental engineer has received a three-year, $561,730 grant to identify harmful algae blooms in fresh and salt water so that water providers can take action to contain and curb them, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram’s Extra Credit blog. The National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation awarded assistant professor Hyeok Choi the grant to develop and place sensors to find these biological toxins so that they can be monitored.

Monitoring algae threats

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

A University of Texas at Arlington environmental engineer has received a three-year, $561,730 grant to identify harmful algal blooms in fresh and salt water so that water providers can take action to contain and curb the blooms, according to the website Bio-Medicine. The National Institutes of Health and National Science Foundation have awarded Assistant Professor Hyeok Choi the grant to develop and place sensors to find where these biological toxins exist so that the harmful algae can be monitored.

Campus home to radar

Monday, March 11, 2013

As North Texas nudges into severe storm season, forecasters, researchers and emergency management will have a new tool – a Collaborative Adaptive Sensing of the Atmosphere, or CASA, radar system installed last fall on the roof of Carlisle Hall at The University of Texas at Arlington, according to The Dallas Morning News. The North Central Texas Council of Governments oversees the project. D.J. Seo, an associate professor of civil engineering at UT Arlington, said he already sees the potential in forecasting and responding to very heavy rains.

Robot research

Monday, March 11, 2013

KDFW/Fox 4 rebroadcast an interview with Dan Popa, UT Arlington associate professor of electrical engineering, on its Fox4Ward report during Good Day Saturday. He discussed his research that involves the use of a robot to help diagnose and treat children with autism. The story originally aired last week.

Weather radar system touted

Thursday, March 7, 2013

The Cleburne Times-Review noted that the first of the new weather radar system called CASA – Collaborative Adaptive Sensing of the Atmosphere -- in the Metroplex was installed at The University of Texas at Arlington last October.

Makedon leading team in rheumatoid arthritis research

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

UT Arlington researchers are creating individualized, patient-centered rehabilitation software systems that will promote and support physical therapy for people with rheumatoid arthritis,RxPG News reported. Fillia Makedon, Jenkins Garrett Distinguished Professor and chair of the Computer Science and Engineering Department is leading a cross-disciplinary team that will use remote monitoring of people with rheumatoid arthritis to increase compliance and proper physical therapy. The work is funded by a National Science Foundation grant.

KDFW/FOX 4: Popa discusses autism research involving robot

Monday, March 4, 2013

Dan Popa, UT Arlington associate professor of electrical engineering, was the featured guest during KDFW/Fox 4’s Sunday evening segment Fox4Ward. He discussed his research that involves the use of a robot to help diagnose and treat children with autism.

Makedon leading team in rheumatoid arthritis research

Monday, March 4, 2013

UT Arlington researchers are creating individualized, patient-centered rehabilitation software systems that will promote and support physical therapy for people with rheumatoid arthritis,MedicalXpress and HipKneeBook.com reported.

February

Chiao featured in IEEE LifeSciences video

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

J.-C. Chiao, a UT Arlington electrical engineering professor, was featured in a video in the IEEE LifeSciences e-newsletter. He talked about the coming breakthroughs in the use of wireless technologies in medical applications. Chiao recently chaired one of the sessions at the Conference on Biomedical Wireless Technologies. Chiao is the Janet and Mike Greene Endowed Professor and the Jenkins Garrett Endowed professor of Electrical Engineering at UT Arlington. He also is an adjunct associate professor in the Internal Medicine Department at UT Southwestern Medical Center.

Astronaut talks about space, life and gun control

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Astronaut Mark Kelly, a retired U.S. Navy captain and best-selling author, advocated across-the-board background checks when people purchase guns at the Maverick Speakers Series last night, KTVT CBS 11, KDFW Fox 4, KXAS NBC 5, KLIF 570, the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and The Dallas Morning News reported. Kelly's wife, U.S. Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, survived an assassination attempt back in 2011. Kelly said it took the Newtown, Conn., shooting tragedy before the country started to talk about serious gun controls. Kelly spoke to a packed house at Texas Hall. The Star-Telegram also has a story about Kelly's exploits as an astronaut and the lessons he's learned in life.

Astronaut appearance part of Maverick Speakers Series

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

Astronaut Mark Kelly, a retired U.S. Navy captain and best-selling author, will make an appearance tonight at Texas Hall as part of the Maverick Speakers Series, KTVT CBS 11reported. Kelly has been in the news recently pushing for more gun control in the wake of the Connecticut school shooting. His wife, former U.S. Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, survived an assassination attempt in 2011.

New imaging system explored

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

A University of Texas at Arlington bioengineer has received a National Science Foundation grant to use light and sound to produce an accurate image of a patient’s deep tissue, according to Photonics.com. Baohong Yuan, an assistant professor of bioengineering, received a $407,163 NSF Early Career Development grant for his hybrid imaging system, which overcomes the challenge of getting accurate images in deep tissue.

Engineering honors

Wednesday, February 13, 2013

The Fort Worth Chapter of the Texas Society of Professional Engineers (TSPE) has named UT Arlington graduate Benjamin Pylant the Young Engineer of the Year, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Pylant received his Master of Business Administration degree from UT Arlington in 2009. The award is presented to individuals under than 34 years old, who exhibit outstanding contributions to public welfare and advancing the profession of engineering.

Improving healthcare tech

Friday, February 8, 2013

A UT Arlington software engineer is refining a computer testing tool that reduces the amount of time and expense companies must spend to determine whether a new program works, according to websites such as PhysOrg.com and e! Science News. Jeff Lei, an associate professor of computer science and engineering, said the Advanced Combinatorial Testing System, or ACTS, has myriad applications though he currently is focused on using ACTS in healthcare information technology.

January

Bioengineer's research studies lung growth, function

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

A UT Arlington bioengineering researcher has teamed with a UT Southwestern colleague to develop a nanoparticle drug delivery system that will help stimulate lung growth and function after partial lung removal or destructive lung disease,COPD News of the Day reported. Kytai Nguyen, a UT Arlington associate professor of bioengineering, is working on the drug-delivery portion of the project, which is funded through a $3.4 million National Institutes of Health grant through 2016. Nguyen’s work will be underwritten by $440,000 of the larger grant.

UT Arlington plan for $10,000 degree noted

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

The Texas Tribune published a guide to earning one of Texas $10,000 degrees that Gov. Perry had urged colleges and universities to institute two years ago. UT Arlington's plan was noted in the coverage. The Tribune also published aTexplainer story and chart detailing a student's path to that $10,000 degree. The Tribune reported that the bottom line is that a $10,000 degree in Texas may be attainable, but only for those who are able to commit to a very specific degree plan before starting their junior year of high school.

Texas Tribune Hot Seat event features state lawmakers

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

The Texas Tribune featured state Sen. Kelly Hancock, R-Fort Worth, and state Rep. Diane Patrick at a Hot Seat event at UT Arlington Friday. The two lawmakers talked about public education, health care, the state budget, higher education and other issues in play during the 83rd Legislative Session.

Vice president says new center will focus on homeland security research

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Carolyn Cason, UT Arlington vice president for research, said one focus of the new SAVANT Center at the University would be research surrounding homeland security, KRLD 1080 reported. The Security Advances Via Applied Nanotechnology, or SAVANT, Center will focus on using nanotechnology to strengthen and enhance U.S. security through collaborative research across disciplines.

UT Arlington bioengineering researcher helping to develop system that will stimulate lung growth

Friday, January 25, 2013

A UT Arlington bioengineering researcher has teamed with a UT Southwestern colleague to develop a nanoparticle drug delivery system that will help stimulate lung growth and function after partial lung removal or destructive lung disease, The A to Z of Nanotechnology reported.

Bio-Medicine.org highlights work by Nguyen and UTSW colleague studying how to send drugs to lungs through nanotechnology

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Kytai Nguyen, a UT Arlington associate bioengineering professor, has teamed with a UT Southwestern colleague to develop a nanoparticle drug delivery system that will help stimulate lung growth and function after partial lung removal or destructive lung disease, Bio-Medicine.org reported. Nguyen’s work will be underwritten by $440,000 of a $3.4 million National Institutes of Health grant.

Turning trash into treasure

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

A Denton Record-Chronicle editorial commended efforts by UT Arlington researchers to help double the power-generating capacity in Denton through a method that involves capturing methane at the city’s landfill. Civil engineering professors Sahadat Hossain and Melanie Sattler will study fugitive emissions at the site. “It’s a great idea and one that we believe will eventually be a standard in cities across the nation,” the editorial said.

UT Arlington researchers work examining heat minimization in 3D integrated circuits explained in Electronics Cooling

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

A team of UT Arlington researchers funded by the National Science Foundation has been formed to examine potential solutions for heat minimization and dissipation in three-dimensional integrated circuits, Electronics Cooling.com reported. According to Ankur Jain, assistant professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at UT Arlington and a member of the research team, the limited amount of available space on an integrated circuits has forced engineers to “build vertically, placing wafers on top of wafers.”

Green Optimistic profiles UT Arlington civil engineering profs working to recover methane to double electricity output at Denton landfill

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Green Optimistic.com reported on efforts by UT Arlington engineers to recover methane to double the electricity output of a Denton landfill. Sahadat Hossain and Melanie Sattler, associate professors of civil engineering, funded by a $344,414 city grant, were able to make improvements to the landfill’s gas recovery system.

UT Arlington engineering professors recognized as inventors

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

The Fort Worth Business Press reported that four University of Texas at Arlington engineering professors have been named charter fellows to the National Academy of Inventors. They are Khosrow Behbehani, professor and chairman of the bioengineering department; Nai Yuen Chen, a National Academy of Engineering member and distinguished research professor in the materials science and engineering department; George Kondraske, electrical engineering professor; and Robert Magnusson, the Texas Instruments Distinguished University Chair in Nanoelectronics and an electrical engineering professor.

UT Arlington researchers help expand Denton gas power's project

Monday, January 14, 2013

Denton powers about 1,600 homes with methane captured from the city landfill — gas created after the city started adding water to the pile in 2008, the Denton Record-Chronicle reported. Researchers at The University of Texas at Arlington are helping to double that power-generating capacity. The project is the first of its kind in Texas, according to UT Arlington’s lead researcher, Sahadat Hossain. Landfills typically are kept covered and dry in order to limit methane emissions, said Hossain, an associate professor of civil engineering and internationally renowned expert on landfill management.

Four UT Arlington engineers named National Academy of Inventors charter fellows

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Four UT Arlington engineers were named 2012 Charter Fellows of the National Academy of Inventors, the Street Insider, the Jacksonville (Fla.) Business Journal and TickerTech.com reported. The four UT Arlington innovators are: Khosrow Behbehani, professor and chair of the Bioengineering Department; Nai Yuen Chen, a National Academy of Engineering member and distinguished research professor in the Materials Science and Engineering Department; George Kondraske, electrical engineering professor; and Robert Magnusson, the Texas Instruments Distinguished University Chair in Nanoelectronics and an electrical engineering professor.

UT Arlington engineers finding new ways to cool integrated circuits

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

A team of UT Arlington researchers funded by the National Science Foundation is working first to minimize the heat generated in three-dimensional integrated circuits and then to develop nano-windows that will allow the heat to dissipate before it damages the silicon chips inside, websites such as Bio-Medicine and NSF.gov reported. Ankur Jain, assistant professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering, is working with colleague Dereje Agonafer, professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering, and Roger Schmidt, IBM fellow and chief engineer, on the project.