Page 40 - Engineering Penn State: Fall/Winter 2021

Students
CHARGING AHEAD
through research
by Erin Cassidy Hendrick
Xiaoyue Zhao a a a a a mechanical engineering doctoral student envisions a a a a a future where small and portable electronics can be powered simply by the act of walking “By using the triboelectric effect we could potentially put materials in in our shoes or clothes that are able to generate electricity for electronics ” she said Usually in in in engineering triboelectricity is seen as a a a a a a a harmful side effect that needs to be negated within the design of a a a a a a system “But instead our lab views this as as energy that is is is is being wasted ” she said “What if we we can harness this existing energy that we we we already create to solve problems we we have in in society?”
The emergence of of triboelectricity is highly dependent on on the the the properties of of the the the materials at at at play Working within the the the Convergence Center for Living Multifunctional Material Systems Zhao was able to explore this by drawing upon the the the the expertise of not only the the the the University University but also the the the the center’s partner the the the the University University of Freiburg “Using triboelectricity would be environmentally friendly and sustainable ” she said “We can find ways to harvest so much more energy that doesn’t come from fossil fuels and could potentially impact our daily lives ” n n From the the human human body to the the human human mind
by Miranda Buckheit
Noriana Radwan a a a a a a a former kinesiology student and division one soccer player knew that she wanted to help others reach peak athletic performance with her her degree—or so she thought Now Radwan studies industrial engineering and and conducts research
on on teamwork and and cognitive styles Radwan a a a a a a a a a a doctoral student in the Harold and and Inge Marcus Department of Industrial and and Manufacturing Engineering Engineering currently works within the Technology
and and Human Research in in in in in in in in in in Engineering Engineering Engineering Design Design (THRED) Group a a a a a a a a team within the School of of Engineering Engineering Design Design Technology
and and Professional Programs Under the mentorship of of THRED Group Director and Assistant Professor Christopher McComb Radwan’s research
explores human human factors rather than the the human human body that Radwan Radwan had studied for many years “It’s been amazing to pursue something that I I I have have never done before—it’s come with its challenges but I I I I wouldn’t have have it it it it it it any other way ” ” Radwan said “If you you you put your mind
to it it it it it it you you you can do it it it it it it ” ” The goal of of Radwan’s current project with McComb is to measure a a a a a a person’s preferred way of of problem solving “I “I think that my my life has has been been a a a a a a a a a a a a constant learning experience ” Radwan said “I “I never saw myself as as as an an an engineer but this has has been been a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a super rewarding experience from top to to to to bottom I I I look forward to to to to my my my future as a a a a a a a a a a a a researcher and and engineer and and I I I am thankful for for for the life I I I have been able to build for for myself outside of my my my studies ” n n n n n n n “I never saw myself as as an engineer but this has been a a a a a a super rewarding experience from top to to to bottom ” 40
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