BlackboardCivil Engineering Students Receive URCA for 2007
Two FAMU-FSU College of Engineering civil engineering students, Kyle Cronin and Zack Zehnder, were among 12 FSU students nominated from different fields of study to receive an Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Award for 2007. The award, given by FSU, is intended to foster directed research and creative opportunities for undergraduate students in all disciplines. Kyle and Zack expressed reactions to their respective achievements.
When asked why he applied for this award, Kyle Cronin said, "Well, this award gives students the opportunity to do research in an area that they are interested in over the summer and get paid a stipend for their 12 weeks of research. At the end of summer students are required to give a 10-20 minute presentation at a event showcasing what they spent their summer doing. As FSU explained to me, this award is a way for them to showcase some of their brightest students, who at the undergraduate level are taking their areas of study to the next level."
For his research project, Kyle wants to investigate the effects of various control devices for truss towers subject to seismic excitation/loadings and find out which areas of the tower the control devices are the most effective. Applying for this award was an opportunity that Kyle couldn’t pass up. "This award means so much to me as far as my academic career goes. For one, it will give me an opportunity to do collegiate research and get paid to do it. A problem with getting an engineering degree is that after all the intensive coursework, not many people want to continue to graduate school. This award will let me know whether research and teaching is the career path I want to go in before I even get to graduate school. This award will also give me the opportunity to learn extracurricular topics in structural engineering not covered in class through guidance with my supervising professor Dr. Walsh. When everything is finished, another goal of mine will be to get a publication for my research."
Zack Zehnder was equally positive in his reactions to this undergraduate research opportunity and reported, "Many things are special about this award. The chance to put my own ideas into action would be considered the most significant. I have been thinking about this idea for so long, and it is great that FSU offers students the chance to explore the possibilities. Being placed within a group of students passionate about bettering society is quite an honor. This certainly is the first time I have ever been involved in research, let alone research based upon my own creativity."
Both Kyle and Zack will be working on their research under the supervision of Dr. Ken Walsh, Visiting Assistant Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. Zack recounts, "My supervising professor Dr. Ken Walsh introduced the scholarship to me. One day after mechanics class I decided to approach him with the idea of creating an energy efficient gym. He immediately recommended that I apply for the award, and assured me that he would like to be involved as my supervising professor. Dr. Walsh was the springboard that furthered my application process, and was a major help in submitting the necessary project proposal involved with the award."
When Zack was asked what this award means to his academic career, he was most eloquent in his response, "This award means a great deal regarding my academic career. It feels as if all of the math and science classes are beginning to pay off. The chance to be involved in research with Dr. Walsh is a major blessing in itself. I see this award as furthering my capabilities as a future engineer, and also giving me a realistic example of graduate school. It feels good to finally be doing something other than homework problems with the answer in the back of the book. It's exciting to know that I have developed a math problem that I don't know the answer to."
"My research is based around the fundamental principles of the conservation of energy. My intention is to explore the possibilities of creating an energy efficient gym on the Florida State campus. The energy available to be recycled comes from the individual working on a treadmill, stair stepper, elliptical machine, or cable resistance machine. Current exercise equipment, such as a treadmill, uses a fraction of the energy an individual exerts on a twenty minute jog to power the display function on the handlebars of the apparatus. The excess energy is currently given off as heat and lost. My idea is to basically create an infrastructure of human dynamos that collect the excess energy from all the machines in the gym to power the lights. This could save on utility bills, total energy needed, and the emissions of green house gases. My hope is that society could begin to explore the realities of human energy, and the necessity of exploiting it. The NRGYM is just the first step."
Each student selected for this award will receive a summer stipend of $4000 to carry out his or her proposed research or creative project for twelve weeks under the direction of a supervising professor. Funds may be used for living expenses, materials, and/or travel. For more information about this award, checkout the 'FSU Undergraduate Awards' web page: http://onf.fsu.edu/undergrad/
