The laboratory of Prof. Rufina Alamo is working with crystalline polymers that are models to understand the growth of lamellae-like polymer crystals. These novel polymers are characterized by the extreme precision in their chemical structure. Most have a simple methylene repeated backbone and have a different unit inserted at a precise equal distance along the polyethylene-like backbone.
The FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, the nation’s only joint engineering college shared between two institutions—Florida A&M and Florida State universities—gained seven points in the annual graduate and professional programs rankings by U.S. News & World Report’s 2019 edition of “Best Graduate Schools.”
A record number of Florida State University faculty members have received the National Science Foundation’s prestigious CAREER award this year for researchers in the early stages of their careers.
Five Florida State University assistant professors have received the award that carries funding for their lab as well as the opportunity to work closely with the NSF in refining the direction of their research.
Three teams led by FAMU-FSU College of Engineering faculty members received specialized funding from Florida State University as they work to translate their innovative research into successful commercial products.
The researchers were awarded critical financial support following their successful presentations at FSU’s biannual GAP competition, a panel event organized by the FSU Office of the Vice President for Research where entrants pitched their novel ideas to a committee of state and local businesspeople.
Dr. Daniel Hallinan, an assistant professor at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, was recently awarded an NSF CAREER award of over $550,000 from the National Science Foundation for his team’s work in polymers. The award will be distributed as a continuing grant over a five-year period.
Hallinan’s research involves the dynamics of polymer materials that have nanostructure. Nanostructure means a structure that has dimensions on a scale that is hundreds of times smaller than the width of a human hair. Structures at this scale have new properties due to their nanostructure.
In the same way that “just in time manufacturing” once revolutionized the logistics industry, 3D printers and additive processes will change the way we order, obtain and use products needed for daily life.
Engineering is a field with little glamor. Although an engineer’s creation can influence thousands of individuals daily, those using it most likely are unaware of whose hands forged it—and that’s just fine for those like Krystie Snype.
“I’m not a person that likes to be in the spotlight,” Snype said. “I like the behind the scenes aspect of [engineering].”
As the 2019 Florida Legislative Session begins in March, Florida State will request funding in recognition of its preeminence and performance to support the university’s continued efforts to hire world-class faculty and scholars, advance its professional and graduate degree programs, support academic excellence and maintain its facilities.
For the FSU-FAMU College of Engineering, research and multiculturalism are the most significant factors in the school’s rising national ranking.
According to Murray Gibson, dean of the shared college, they have increased their rankings by about 19 points in the last two years. He says it’s all due to their messaging and their research funding.
A Florida State University engineer and a team of researchers have found a link between migraines and how sodium is distributed through the brain, a finding that could be a key to future research on treatments for migraine sufferers.