Message from the Symposium Chairs …

On the behalf of Engineering Graduate Student Council (EGSC), we would like to welcome you to the 10th Annual College of Engineering Research Symposium (CERS 2013). CERS is a student-initiated, student-run event that provides a networking opportunity for undergraduate students, graduate students, and industry representatives. CERS 2013 showcases the cutting-edge interdisciplinary and multi-disciplinary research that is being conducted at Penn State in paper and poster formats.

We are pleased to report that this year’s symposium includes 47 paper presentations (a 47% increase over last year) and 59 poster presentations (a 103% increase). Architectural Engineering had the highest contribution rate for paper submissions (9 papers), and Mechanical Engineering students had the highest poster contribution rate (13.5). We also would like to recognize the 37 faculty and research staff and 39 student reviewers. Architectural Engineering and Mechanical Engineering provided the majority of faculty and research staff reviewers (6 per program) and Mechanical Engineering provided the majority of student reviewers (11).

We are pleased to have Brian Schratz return to Penn State as our keynote speaker. His presentation is entitled “To Mars on a Collision Course.” Mr. Schratz received his Bachelor of Science degree, with Honors, in Electrical Engineering (SP06), and his Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering (FA08). He is currently a Telecom Systems Engineer at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and was instrumental in the successful landing of the Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) Curiosity Rover. MSL exhibits will be available all day for students to investigate.

In addition to Mr. Schratz, we would like to thank our Title Sponsor, West Pharmaceutical Services; our Titanium Sponsors, Norfolk Southern and Intel; and, our Copper Sponsor, Philips. We would like also to thank the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) for sponsoring two awards that will recognize student in the Penn State Student Chapter of IEEE. In addition, we would like to express our appreciation to the University Park Allocation Committee (UPAC) and the College of Engineering (COE) for their continuing support of CERS. We value your sponsorship and appreciate your interest and participation in CERS 2013.

We would also like to thank Dr. Julio Urbina (EGSC Faculty Advisor) and Ms. Terry Reed (Administrative Liaison) for their continuing support throughout the planning process. A special note of thanks goes to all of the faculty and student contributors to the event – as academic and research supervisors, paper reviewers, judges, participants and members of the audience. Last, but not least, we would like to recognize the creativity our EGSC colleagues and acknowledge them for their commitment and dedication to ensure the success of CERS 2013.

We hope that you enjoy the symposium and that you will join us again next year.

Best regards,

CERS Team

Mohammad Heidarinejad
Chair, CERS 2013

Soumalya Sarkar
Co-Chair, CERS 2013

CERS 2013 Program (pdf)