Dr. Franky So, Rolf E. Hummel Professor of Electronic Materials in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, has been elected a Fellow of the Optical Society of America (OSA). Dr. So was elected for his contributions to the development of organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) and organic photovoltaics. Since 1916, OSA has been the world’s leading champion for optics …
Boom! NASA to demolish spacecraft in the name of science
Work is underway to create a spacecraft that won’t be rocketed into outer space but will be purposely destroyed on the ground. A University of Florida team led by Gator Engineering associate professor Norm Fitz-Coy is designing and fabricating DebriSat for its eventual demise. DebriSat is a 110-pound satellite that’s a double for a modern low-Earth orbit spacecraft in terms of …
Packaging-engineering team takes first at Pack Expo International
Speechless. That’s how Alex Tipton said he felt when he found out UF’s packaging-engineering team placed first in a national competition. He said he spent two months helping his peers prepare a hypothetical packaging proposal for a fictional company. Five other students competed on UF’s team at the Pack Expo International 2012 conference last week, where they won $4,000 in …
Remembering Charles Poekel Sr.
On Wednesday, Nov. 7th, 2012, Charles Axel Poëkel Sr. of Essex Fells passed away peacefully surrounded by his family and in the presence of his loyal assistant Phil Catague at his home in Essex Fells, where he had resided for the past 48 years. He recently celebrated his 97th birthday In 1943, while working at the Propeller Division of Curtiss-Wright …
An industry leader and an inspiration to faculty and students – Announcing the 2012 Gator Engineering Innovation Awardee, Mr. Don McKinney
The Gator Engineering community is proud to honor Mr. Don McKinney as the winner of the 2012 Gator Engineering Innovation Award. Don’s innovative spirit is exemplified in his relentless reinvention of himself – from an electrical engineer that quickly rose to the ranks of corporate leadership, to a successful entrepreneur, a venture capitalist, an investor and a mentor. Don’s fearlessness …
Gator Engineering storm team measured wind as Sandy rolled ashore
University of Florida researchers measured wind and rain in the eye of Hurricane Sandy, as part of their continuing efforts to harden homes against storm damage. UF’s hurricane research team on Monday brought a portable tower that takes those measurements to Somers Point, N.J., in advance of Sandy making landfall. The tower was hit directly by the wall of the …
Gainesville tech firms attracting big money
Gator Engineers have had great success forming spin-off companies from their research. With Gainesville’s new Innovation Hub, the Gator Engineering entrepreneurial spirit has never been more important. Some of these companies and researchers were featured in a Gainesville Sun article recently: Gainesville company RegisterPatient announced last week that it had secured a $4.1 million investment from venture capital firms. The …
Gator Engineering alumnus funds startup electric longboard company
When Aaron King longboards through Gainesville, many people don’t realize he’s riding an electric board. He stops his board in a split second, then cruises away with the touch of a button. King, 28, is the founder of RedRock Board Shop, a Gainesville company that produces customizable electric longboards. The shop offers various boards, wheels, colors, batteries and a USB …
Gator Engineers Sweep Innovation Shootout Contest
Three of the four finalist companies in Monday’s second annual Gainesville Area Innovation Network Shootout had ties to Gator Engineering. The winning company, Feathr, was founded by Industrial & Systems Engineering student Aidan Augustin. Graduate Research Professor Emeritus Emeritus Alex Green is the inventor behind Green Liquid & Gas Technologies, and Gator Engineering Alumnus Amir Rubin founded MobileVet. Read an article in …
The Wonderful World of Wallace
Erin Wallace stands on Route 66 in front of Flo’s V8 Café at Disney’s California Adventure. Out of the corner of her eye, she catches a flash of red as Lightning McQueen zips between the crowds. It’s another one of those Disney days, she thinks. As executive vice president of operations integration for Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, the 52-year-old, …