Lee College of Engineering

Teaming up with students from England’s University of Birmingham, two graduate students from the Lee College Engineering participated in the third annual Institution of Mechanical Engineers’ Railway Challenge this summer, where they learned that building a working electric locomotive is a real challenge.
Civil engineering master’s students Ben Gorman and Matt Washing traveled to Leicestershire, England, for the event, which pitted five teams against each other in the design and construction of a 15th-scale locomotive.

AREVA TN Americas and UNC Charlotte’s William States Lee College of Engineering are partnering to recognize engineering and innovation in the Carolinas this fall through “Honoring our Legacy: Preparing Tomorrow’s Leaders.”
A division of AREVA Inc., AREVA TN Americas will be the lead sponsor for this annual engineering legacy banquet, scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 4. Organizers anticipate more than 200 engineering student scholars, engineering leaders and Lee College supporters to attend this invitation-only event.

Research is an integral part of the University’s mission, and Lauren Beastall endeavors to assist Lee College of Engineering faculty members in pursuit of funding for basic and applied research projects.
“I view my role as one that helps facilitate the research of the faculty members, as well as to assist staff in the post-award administration of the grants,” said Beastall, director of contracts and grants for the Lee College. “Our goal is to ease the administrative burden for our faculty as they complete the grants process and to make it as easy as possible.”

Recently a painting of an SR-71 Mach 3 jet was added to the stairwell in Duke Centennial Hall. It is the latest creation by Peter Tkacik, an associate professor of mechanical engineering and engineering science in the William States Lee College of Engineering.

Dedicated on Sept. 8, 2006, William H. Grigg Hall is home to a number of Charlotte Research Institute offices and facilities, including the Center for Optoelectronics and Optical Communications.

Simona de Silvestro, a Sauber Formula 1 affiliate driver, will be on campus from 5 to 7:30 p.m., Thursday, July 24, in the Motorsports Research Lab. Students, alumni, industry partners and members of the campus community are invited to attend the event, which will feature a preview of the clean air energy Formula 1 racecar, guest speakers and refreshments.
RSVPs are requested; email fcausey@uncc.edu.

The Energy and Environmental Assistance Office has released the June winners of its annual raffles, an incentive to faculty and staff members to help improve Charlotte air quality during the summer ozone season.

Through their research in developing advanced machining analytical models, Tony Schmitz and his students are bringing science to the art of high-speed manufacturing.
“We’re making manufacturing more efficient by applying a physics-based understanding of the processes involved,” said Schmitz, an associate professor of mechanical engineering and associate of the Center for Precision Metrology. “This is smart machining for use in intelligent manufacturing.”

The UNC Charlotte Energy and Environmental Assistance Office again is offering incentives to faculty and staff members to help improve Charlotte air quality during the summer ozone season.                                           

For the third year, UNC Charlotte is joining in the N.C. Air Awareness “Race to the Beach,” a public outreach and education program from the N.C. Division of Air Quality.
The University’s Energy and Environmental Assistance Office is sponsoring the campus’ participation in this initiative, designed to encourage clean commuting, such as carpooling/vanpooling, riding the bus or LYNX light rail or biking to work.