Binghamton Mechanical Engineering Department Celebrates 2024-25 Achievements

• Binghamton University’s Mechanical Engineering Department reflects on a productive 2024-25 academic year.
• The Integrated Electronics Engineering Center received $1 million in funding as a re-designated Center for Advanced Technology.
• Assistant Professor Jifu Tan’s research on blood clots won a National Science Foundation CAREER Award.
• Innovations in using ultrasound waves for liquid droplet manipulation were explored by Assistant Professor Yuyang Gu.
• PhD student Mohamed Khalil Elhachimi’s research on fungi mechanics was published in Advanced Engineering Materials.
• The department participated in the new Watson Graduate Research Outcomes Workshop Series competition with 45 entries.
• Alumni like Jacob Kumpon are making waves in industries with innovative startups.

Significant funding and leadership in research projects

Celebrating successes from the past academic year, the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Binghamton University, belonging to the Thomas J. Watson College of Engineering and Applied Science, is reflecting on a highly productive 2024-25. This year has been marked by significant achievements, especially in the area of research where exceptional projects have emerged and attracted funding. Notably, the Integrated Electronics Engineering Center has gained re-designation as a Center for Advanced Technology, securing $1 million in annual funds for the next decade, a significant boost from the state of New York.

Innovative research breakthroughs from faculty members

Highlighted achievements include the arrival of new faculty and groundbreaking research projects. Assistant Professor Jifu Tan was awarded a prestigious National Science Foundation CAREER Award for his work aimed at modeling the formation and rupture of blood clots in the bloodstream, an effort aimed at understanding cardiovascular diseases. Meanwhile, Assistant Professor Yuyang Gu collaborated with multiple prestigious institutions to discover how ultrasound waves can create spin in liquid droplets, which opens new pathways for technological innovation in medicine and drug testing.

Student contributions and entrepreneurial spirit

Students in the department also made headlines, showcasing their innovative spirit and collaborative efforts. Notably, the Watson Graduate Research Outcomes Workshop Series recently featured a poster/demo competition that saw 45 entries from eager graduate research students. This engagement reflects the department’s commitment to not only fostering academic excellence but also nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit among its learners as demonstrated by students like Jacob Kumpon, who founded KLAW Industries while still at university.

The Mechanical Engineering Department at Binghamton University has made impressive strides in research funding, faculty expertise, and student innovation during the 2024-25 academic year. Of particular note are the substantial grants received for research initiatives, as well as the promising work being done by students both in academia and in entrepreneurial ventures. The department is clearly on track for continued success as it moves forward into the next academic year.