The College of Technology communications office, the Solar Decathlon Team, and one student blogger have been providing updates and insights into the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2011, which runs through Oct. 2. All of the posts, updated daily, can be found on the TechPurdue Solar Decathlon blog.

The team is currently in first place after the results of the Affordability contest were announced Sept. 27. Purdue and the Parsons New School/Stevens team were the only two (of 19) to be awarded full points for this contest.

Here are other media outlets that have provided great coverage for the Purdue Solar Decathlon team:

• National Geographic Daily News
  
• Washington Post
  
• Market Watch
  
• Buildapedia.com
  
• Earth Techling
  
• CleanEnergyAuthority.com
  
• Inhabit.com  | Inhabit.com (2)
  
• MyChinaViews.com
• Architangent.com
  

Purdue University is participating in EcoCAR 2: Plugging In To the Future.

This is a three-year competition sponsored by General Motors and the U.S. Department of Energy. During the competition, 15 universities in North America will redesign and build a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu.

The teams will follow the Vehicle Design Process as outlined by General Motors. They will not only design and build the car, but also account for consumer acceptability, fundraising, outreach and marketing. Team members are from all majors at the university. This competition will provide students a real-world experience while in college.

For more information feel free to contact the Project Manager, Haley Moore.

Bill Hutzel, professor of mechanical engineering technology, is one of two recipients of the 2011 Special Boilermaker Award, presented by the Purdue Alumni Association. The official presentation of the award will take place between quarters of the Purdue football game against Minnesota, October 8.

Read more.

Dean Gary Bertoline honored three faculty and staff with the inaugural Good to Great awards during the Dean's Welcome August 18.

Recipients were:

• Betty Cottrell, secretary in the Department of Technology Leadership & Innovation, for her work in coordinating the annual College of Technology Career Fair.
• Bill Hutzel, professor of mechanical engineering technology, for his work in spearheading Purdue's entry into the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon 2011.
• Eric Dietz, associate professor of computer and information technology, for his work with electric vehicles that results in the evGrandPrix race.

Recipients of the Good to Great award are involved with endeavors that improve the college's public image, show a commitment to excellence and demonstrate impact.

Vahid Motevalli, professor and head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering Technology, provided perspective on the potential use of fuel cells in the next generation of commercial airplanes in an article published in the Cleveland Plain-Dealer, July 1, 2011.

Read the full article.

For the month of July, the College of Technology received external funding that totaled $548,026.

Faculty who received funding (all are principal investigators unless otherwise noted) were:

• Gregory Lasker, BCM, ASHE/Purdue Student Chapter Education & Research Support Funds, American Society for Healthcare Eng, $5,000
• Rodney Handy, MET, Development of a Sustainable Manufacturing Portal at ALCOA:Phase II, Alcoa Inc, $48,070
• Thomas Hacker (co-PI), CIT, NEES Operations:  FY 2010-FY2014 - Amend 10, National Science Foundation, $484,956
• Marcus Rogers, CIT, Technical Assistance to Indiana Inspector General, Inspector Generals Office, $10,000

Austin Creasy, Jeff Holewinski and Lucian Silvian, our three newest faces in MET.

Creasey is a clinical assistant professor at Columbus statewide location; Holewinski is system technologist for the Automated Manufacturing Laboratory; and Silvian is a continuing lecturer.

Please welcome them when you see them around.

Kevin Rodgers, a graduate student in mechanical engineering technology and project manager of Purdue’s Solar Decathlon team, is profiled in September's “Five Students who are Green Makers” feature on the Purdue Web site.

Read more.

Throughout the school year, Professor Mark French has visited David Brantley's third grade class at Cumberland Elementary. He helps demonstrate engineering principles, creates math videos, shares time with students working on developing a higher understanding of mathematical concepts, and assisted in the construction of an electric guitar for the class.

French has become a favorite in their classroom, Brantley says, and he always brings new energy and inspiration. Many students have responded to his enriching math experiences, fun demonstrations, and especially his work with them building the guitar.

Brantley believes that French is inspiring the future generation and also says he has at least one student who has dreams of becoming an engineer.

During the week of 9/19, the department sold popcorn for $1 per bag with all proceeds going to the MET Department's United Way campaign. Robo-Pop is the automated popcorn machine developed by the students in MFET and sponsored by C. Cretors & Company in Chicago.

Thanks to everyone who supported a great cause!

MFET seniors Ryan Streu and Aaron Burns traveled to Chicago with Professor Brad Harriger and Jeff Holewinski on September 21 to the Assembly & Automation Technology Expo. At the expo they learned about the latest and greatest technology used in automated manufacturing.

• Hector Arana, a mechanical engineering technology student in New Albany, has won his first Pro Stock race. Read more.
• The Purdue Alumnus has included an extensive article on the Solar Decathlon team. Read the article (starting on page 22).
  

We continuously hear from our IAC, students, and others about the importance of communicating with our students, alumni, friends and potential students via social media.

You are invited to join and check out the MET Facebook page: Purdue University - Mechanical Engineering Technology! It's continally being updated with departmental and CoT information and events.

Please e-mail Nicky Federer with upcoming events, class information, special presentations or seminars, photos and news so she can add it to Facebook for our students, alumni and friends.

Please take some time to review our web site (www.tech.purdue.edu/MET). We would love to hear from you with feedback, comments or suggestions.