Dr. Jiang Zhe
Three University of Akron College of Engineering professors received more than $1million in research grants.
Dr. Jiang Zhe, associate professor of mechanical engineering, and Dr. Gang Cheng, assistant professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering, jointly received a $561,448 grant from the National Science Foundation for their work on micro fluidic biosensors. Dr. Gregory Morscher, associate professor of mechanical engineering, received $573,977 from the Office of Naval Research for his work on ceramic matrix composites (CMCs).
Dr. Gang Cheng
"Both of these are major accomplishments, and fit within the college and university strategic areas of research," said Dr. Ajay Mahajan, associate dean for research in the College of Engineering.
Zhe and Cheng propose to create a micro fluidic biosensor that allows simultaneous detection of macromolecular biomarkers that have connections to disease. If successful, the research will lead to advanced disease diagnosis and prognosis, enhanced homeland security and improved water safety. The project also will provide a multidisciplinary training opportunity for students involved with the research.
Dr. Greg Morscher
Morscher's research deals with a new class of materials, CMCs, intended for high-temperature applications. Able to withstand temperatures that would usually melt the current metals used in modern jet engines, CMCs show potential in new gas-turbine engines, next-generation hypersonic vehicles and some extreme nuclear situations, according to Morscher.
The new program at UA, created with the U.S. Navy, seeks to build an understanding of how composite damage can be assessed using nondestructive techniques. These discoveries will lead to the assessment of less-studied damage states, such as engine damage due to the ingestion of small particles.
Media contacts: Joshua Bane, jhb19@zips.uakron.edu, or Denise Henry, 330-972-6477 or henryd@uakron.edu.