Alumni Update: Alums, Friends Wish Chem E a Happy 100th; First Series Lecture Sells Out, Space Left for Last Two
Chemical engineering celebrates 100 years of innovation
- Nearly 200 chemical engineering alumni and friends turned out to wish the department a happy centennial.
Chemical engineering alumni, friends and supporters from across the nation came to the UW’s Seattle campus last month to renew old acquaintances, remember the past and speculate on life-changing innovations yet to come at a 100-year birthday party for the department.
There was a lot to remember, and a lot to celebrate.
“Chemical engineering in general is the basis for a multitude of things that people today take for granted, and our department in particular has spawned some of the really revolutionary innovations,” said Eric Stuve, chair of the department.
Take diapers, for instance. The next time you change junior’s diaper and conveniently toss the soiled article in the trash, think of UW chemical engineering. The same goes for hundreds of other everyday occurrences, from putting down a new floor in your kitchen, using a flexible hose to water the garden, changing a car tire and blowing a great, big chewing-gum bubble to the medical miracle of kidney dialysis.
All of those activities are enhanced because of innovations disposable diapers, vinyl, artificial rubber, synthetic chewing gum and a home dialysis machine created by graduates of UW chemical engineering.
“The great thing is, the process continues,” Stuve added. “We still have people leading the field, working on projects that will continue to shape and change our lives.”
Some of that research took center stage as the nearly 200 celebrants chatted with faculty and students during an exhibition, showcasing cutting-edge research into photonics, microfluidics, nanoscience, biotechnology and composites. Participants also heard from Robert Armstrong, chair of chemical engineering at MIT, who gave the keynote address. The group ended the celebration by attending the UW-UCLA football game.
The Huskies lost in a heartbreaker, 37-31. But, Stuve added, the chemical engineering group parted ways with memories of a winning weekend.
First fall lecture sells out; a few seats left for sessions on Mars Rover missions and virtual reality therapy
- There is still room at the last two installments of this year’s Engineering Lecture Series, including an inside-Mission Control perspective on the Mars Rover landings as well as the latest news about the ongoing exploration of the Red Planet. (Image: NASA)
The 2004 Engineering Lecture Series, Engineering the Imagination, got off to a rousing start earlier this month with a sold-out crowd for "Making and Finding Nemo and Gollum: The Science of Digital Filmmaking." UW Computer Science & Engineering Professor Steve Seitz and Loren Carpenter, UW alumnus and co-founder of Pixar Animation Studios, revealed how rapid advances in technology are blurring the line between fiction and reality.
Some seats are still left for the remaining two lectures. Both will be in Kane Hall and will be followed by an informal meet-the-speakers coffee and cookies reception. Reservations can be made online through the UW Alumni Association. Interested parties can also call the association at 206)543-0540.
Remaining dates and topics for this year are:
Oct. 26: Destination Mars! The Mars Rover Landings
UW Aeronautics and Astronautics Chair Adam Bruckner will be joined by Rob Grover, an A&A grad and former student of Bruckner’s who is now entry, descent and landing systems engineer on both of the Mars Rover landings. Hear stories from Mission Control on the night of the landings and get the latest information from the ongoing exploration of the Red Planet.
Nov. 9: Virtual Reality: Translating Technology into Patient Care
UW researcher Hunter Hoffman will take audience members into a virtual world where he and his team are helping patients at Harborview Medical Center endure the excruciating pain of severe burn treatment. Learn how donning a VR helmet can help accelerate healing.
The series is co-sponsored by the College of Engineering and the UW Alumni Association.