McKelvey School of Engineering

Two scientists at Washington University in St. Louis are able to image subcutaneous melanoma tumors with startling clarity. Their imaging technique relies on sound rather than light because sound is less strongly scattered by tissues. In addition, the tumors are preloaded with a nanoparticle contrast agent that latches onto proteins that stud the surface of the cancerous cells.

John C. Georgian, who taught mechanical engineering at Washington University in St. Louis for 60 years, died Tuesday, July 6, 2010, in St. Louis after a brief illness. He was 97.

A new degree, the bachelor of science in sustainability, that provides an interdisciplinary approach to understanding and resolving today’s most pressing and complex environmental, economic and social challenges, has been developed at University College, the adult, evening and continuing education division in Arts & Sciences. The program, which will be offered beginning with the start of the semester Aug. 31, treats sustainable living from multiple perspectives — scientific, political, economic, social, historical, philosophical, anthropological and literary. 

On July 1, the Department of Mechanical, Aerospace & Structural Engineering in the School of Engineering & Applied Science changed its name to the Department of Mechanical Engineering & Materials Science. The change was made to reflect the department’s continued emphasis on the development and study of advanced materials.

Ramesh Agarwal has won a series of awards this past year both for his work in green aviation (using computational fluid dynamics and flow control to increase the energy efficiency of airplanes, trucks and wind turbines) and for his tireless devotion to teaching and mentoring engineering students.

A team of scientists at Washington University has discovered that an ion-channel mutation that causes epilepsy may do so by making part of the channel protein stiffer, so that the channel toggles open more easily.  This is the first time that protein dynamics have been implicated in the functioning of an ion channel.

The International Center for Advanced Renewable Energy and Sustainability (I-CARES) has awarded 11 faculty members — university professors undertaking innovative and collaborative research in the broad areas of bioenergy and sustainability — grants totaling nearly $300,000.

Lisa Chaffee mastered multitasking while working fulltime, raising four teenagers and earning an advanced degree through the Sever Institute. Chaffee, who will receive a master’s in information management degree May 21, has been chosen by the Record as an Outstanding Graduate in the School of Engineering & Applied Science.

A groundbreaking ceremony for Preston M. Green Hall was held Friday, April 30, in Uncas A. Whitaker Hall. The building, which will house the School of Engineering & Applied Science, is being named in honor of the late Green, a WUSTL alumnus and benefactor. It will turn the corner at Skinker Boulevard and Forest Park Parkway, connecting on its western edge to the recently completed Brauer Hall.

A class at Washington University taps directly into the astonishing motivational power of the mashup of computers, gaming and popular culture. In the class, the students develop applications, popularly known as “apps,” for the iPhone and iPad, the digital tablet that was released to consumers April 3.