Author: Bill Horst

25 teams from around the world entered the 2023 IGVC AutoNav competition – only two (Millersville included) completed the AutoNav Course.

Justin Vipperman (MU alumni) and Peter Fischer of SEW Eurodrive, a global leader in drive technologies, recently visited the Applied Engineering, Safety & Technology (AEST) department at Millersville University to demonstrate their latest products to students.

During the demonstration, Justin and Peter showcased the latest motor drive technologies, which offer improved efficiency, performance, and reliability for precise control of motor speed and torque, allowing for better energy efficiency and reduced maintenance costs vs. traditional motor drive systems. SEW’s technologies also features advanced safety features such as built-in safety controls and emergency stop buttons, ensuring maximum safety for operators. Product features, advantages, and potential applications were coved leading to great engagement of AEST students in Q/A after.

The AEST department was thrilled to have SEW visit with our students! Thank you Justin and Peter for helping us provide our them with hands-on experience and exposure to the latest technologies in the field. Your demonstration was a valuable learning opportunity and has provided them examples of the latest advancements in motor drive technology and how it is applied in real-world settings.

– Contributed by Dr. John Haughery

May ‘23 marked the end of another academic year and the opportunity for AEST students to earn professional certifications as part of their educational experience in the Department of Applied Engineering, Safety & Technology. This year, 61 AEST students sat for three different certification exams administered by the Association of Technology, Management and Applied Engineering (ATMAE). Historically, the national pass rates for these exams have been between 55% – 75%. This year, 76% (47 students) of AEST students passed (see Table 1 – 3 for a full listing)!! This is quite an accomplishment and illustrates the profession-ready competencies that Department students take with them into their careers.

As part of Dr. John Haughery’s AENG 427 Programmable Logic Controller course, 23 AEST students sat for the Certified Controls Engineer (CCE) exam with 16 passing (70%). This exam is a 120-question, multiple-choice, open-book exam that focuses on 14 topic areas including Automated Systems, Electrical Safety, Energy Management/Alternative Energy, Networking Fundamentals, Electrical Power, Robotics, Controls (Open Loop/Closed Loop), Fluidics/Fluid Power, Electronics Fundamentals, Programming Fundamentals, and Instrumentation.

Students with passing scores on the ATMAE CCE professional certification exam:
Eric Burns, William Ehlers, Nicholas Elzer, Joseph Favoroso, David Fermani, Aaron Garner, Jackson Harral, Kevin Luckey, Thomas Mahoney, Dennis Nguyen, Elias Peluso, Zachariah Severn, Ian Troop, Aidan Ward, Zane Weaver, and Benjamin Wright.

Professor Cindy English offered her students in AENG 448 Machine Tool Design the chance to sit for the Certified Engineering Graphics (CEG) exam. Of the 23 who took the certification exam, 19 passed (83%). This is significantly higher than the national pass rate of 56%! This exam is also an open-book, multiple-choice, 145-question exam geared for individuals with a background in the expression of industrial design ideas through engineering graphics, including Geometric Construction, Orthographic Views, and Standardized Annotation.

Students with passing scores on the ATMAE CEG professional certification exam:
Luke Blizzard, Michael Burns, Eric Burns, Nathaniel Detweiler, Nik Duke, Nicholas Elzer, Sydney Geist, Jackson Harral, Emma Hirons, Alexis Kellogg, Taso Novak, Maximillian Meland, Harry Prince, Andrew Samsel, John Schweidler, Calder Sellen, Nathaniel Tagert, Owen Thoma, and Seth Worley.

Twenty-three of Dr. John Wright’s AENG 494 Total Quality Management students took the Certified Technology Manager (CTM) exam with 19 passing (83%). This exam is also an open-book, multiple-choice examination with 160-questions that focuses on Leadership/Self-Management, Systems, Processes, Operations, People, Project, Quality, and Risk. AEST students significantly exceeded the national average of 76% for this exam!

Students with passing scores on the ATMAE CTM professional certification exam: 
Jason Bello, Coulson Bittner, Ashly Dodd, Nikolas Duke, Casey Englehart, Sydney Geist, Stephen Hammond, Forrest Hartman, Emily (Blue) Hirons, Dalton Kephart, Kevin Luckey, Michael Martinez, Julia Meassick, Samuel Merilus, Michael Stanley, Regan Stump, Kaylena Travitz, Lauren Walsh, and Charles Livingston.

The CCE, CEG, and CTM are a few of several professional certifications offered by ATMAE, which is also the professional accreditor for the Department’s Applied Engineering & Technology Management Bachelor of Science degree program. Congrats to all the students for passing the CCE, CEG, and CTM exams! We hope to see them register with ATMAE and complete their formal application.

– Contributed by Dr. John Haughery, Dr. John Wright, and Prof. Cindy English

Joseph Kennedy, AETM NFMT major, successfully defended his university honors thesis on May 5^th, 2023. The title of his research was Replacing Platinum Electrodes with Two-Dimensional TMD’s in Solar Panels. Joey’s thesis focused on the feasibility of replacing platinum counter electrodes with 2D TMDs in experimental solar cell designs. Committee members for the research included Dr. John Wright (Thesis Chair), Dr. John Haughery, and Dr. Tariq Gilani (Physics). Congratulations to Joey for his excellent research work!

-by Dr. John Wright

The spring 2023 semester marked the conclusion of Millersville University students’ high-impact educational experiences in student/faculty research. To highlight the significance of these experiences, the College of Science and Technology honored AEST students (along with other students in the College) at the 20th annual Dr. Edward C. Shane Undergraduate Student Research Recognition Ceremony. This honor, given to students who successfully conducted undergraduate research with supervising faculty in the College of Science and Technology, recognizes their efforts at independently collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data to answer a novel research question or provide a unique solution to an applied problem.

Receiving this award is a significant accomplishment and a testament to the high-quality education and mentoring provided by the AEST department. The recognition also highlights our department’s commitment to fostering a culture of academic excellence and encouraging students to pursue their passions through research in applied engineering, safety, and technology. Congratulations to all the award recipients for their outstanding achievements!

AEST Students Receiving College of Science an Technology Research Certificates:

• Benjamin Ambler: Using multiple industrial LiDAR systems to develop a digital array for advanced object detection (independent study)
• Nathan Brady:  Explorations in Industrial Hygiene (independent study)
• Daniel Carpenter: The Integration of Infrared Camera (IR) Sensor Technology with Machine Vision and Microcontrollers for Detection of Fire (thesis)
• Joshua Greineder: Developing Vision-Based Environmental Awareness (independent study, pictured above)
• Zachary Jackson: STEM Tools (independent study)
• Joseph Kennedy: Exploring 2D TMDs for Solar Cell Applications (thesis)
• Elias Peluso: Design and Development of a Modular Door Acutator (thesis, pictured above)
• Ian Troop: Distributed Mobile Robotic Control & Dual LiDAR Systems Integration (independent study)
• Hannah Woelfling: Elementary Bio-Related STEM (independent study)
• Ermias Wagari: Automated Sensor Calibration and Filtering Algorithm Development (independent study)

– Contributed by Dr. John Haughery

 

On Thursday, April 27, 2023, the student organizations threw their end-of-semester bash, Picnic on the Patio. Each spring the nine student organizations pull together to have a picnic lunch on the quad in front of Osburn Hall. The nine student organizations are the American Society of Safety Professionals, MU CADD Club, The Construction Club, Epsilon Pi Tau, Marauder Graphics, The National Society of Black Engineers, MU Robotics Team, The Society of Manufacturing Engineers, and MU-TEECA.

The Picnic took place during the common hour and included hot dogs, various side dishes, drinks, and Dr. Johnson’s legendary baked beans. New to the festivities this year was a hot dog eating skill challenge.  Sophomore Camdyn Brunner (dual ARET and MFET major) took top honors in the competition.  Congratulations Camdyn for your accomplishments both outside and inside of the classroom!

Everyone had enough to eat, and the faculty and staff of AEST hopes that all student have a happy and productive summer.

Jordan Branch has been named as a 2023-2024 Campus Compact Newman Civic Fellow. Millersville University President Daniel Wubah provided these remarks about Jordan in his nomination:

“Jordan Branch, a Manufacturing Engineering Technology major with a minor in Occupational Safety and Environmental Health, is an exceptional student dedicated to community service, a respected leader among his peers, and a role model for engagement, not only at Millersville University, but in the greater Lancaster County community as well. Jordan, a first-generation college student, serves as vice-president of three student professional associations – demonstrating his commitment to promoting a sense of community and engagement at the university. He is passionate about equity and addressing disparities in his community. Jordan is also strongly motivated to address public problems, using his leadership role in the student chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers to collaborate with three non-profit community partners to coordinate a winter coat drive for the Lancaster community. Jordan exemplifies excellent leadership skills, he engages in collaborative action with others from campus and the community, and he has a strong desire to create long-term social change.”

Congratulations Jordan!

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Millersville University has been named a STEM School of Excellence by The International Technology & Engineering Education Association! Click on the video link below and Graduate Assistant Hannah Ellenberg will tell you all about it.

STEM_MU

Millersville University has been honored by the International Technology & Engineering Education Association as a 2023 STEM School of Excellence!

The University will be recognized at ITEEA’s 85th Annual International Conference in April.

Millersville University’s Applied Engineering, Safety and Technology department has received the STEM School of Excellence Award from the International Technology and Engineering Educators Association. The University will be recognized at ITEEA’s 85th Annual International Conference in April, where they will receive a banner and certificate to display.

This year, a new category was added to recognize the STEM programs at universities and colleges. MU was one of six universities to be recognized.

To be recognized as a STEM School of Excellence, the University must show a commitment to providing outstanding leadership in the Integrative STEM program. “Throughout the 2021 – 2022 academic year, many of MU’s accomplishments played a key role in the University receiving the award,” says Brusic. Some of the accomplishments include the Intermediate Unit 13 STEM BOWL, where Millersville students designed challenges that were picked to be included in the event, and for their work with the Millersville Technology & Engineering Camp every summer.

Dr. Sharon Brusic, professor and coordinator for Technology & Engineering Education in Applied Engineering, Safety & Technology, explains why the award is so valuable to MU, “The award acknowledges that our entire department demonstrates characteristics of excellence in terms of achieving the criteria for the award. Our students benefit from having an outstanding program that offers a plethora of opportunities to grow in their STEM and technical knowledge. It also offers opportunities for students to engage professionally and to prepare for their careers as teachers, managers, professionals and leaders in a variety of STEM-focused disciplines.”

Learn more about the award here: http://bit.ly/41nlzOU

– Leah Reagan, reposted from Millersville NEWS blog.