J. Mike Walker '66 Department of Mechanical Engineering at Texas A&M University

Dr. Jaime Grunlan, the Leland T. Jordan ’29 Chair Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Texas A&M University, has been at the forefront of innovation for two decades. His groundbreaking research focuses on polymer nanocomposites, advancing technologies in flame retardant treatments, gas barrier films, and wearable thermoelectric devices. With 17 U.S. patents and multiple international accolades, Dr. Grunlan has not only transformed industries ranging from textiles to food packaging but also collaborated with over 10 companies to commercialize these environmentally friendly and high-impact solutions. His work, featured in prominent outlets such as Nature and the New York Times, continues to influence academia and industry worldwide. Elected as a 2024 National Academy of Inventors (NAI) Fellow, Dr. Grunlan joins an elite group of visionaries driving technological progress. From creating safer flame-retardant materials for children’s sleepwear to developing adhesive technologies for medical devices, his innovations are addressing billions of dollars in market demand while prioritizing environmental and human safety. Congratulations, Dr. Grunlan, for this prestigious recognition! 🎉 #TAMUMEEN #AggieInnovation #NAIFellow2024

Inspired by the opportunities she received at Texas A&M University, Caitlyn Talbert ’16 is giving Aggie mechanical engineering students a step up. A project engineer for Sparta Development, one of Shell's deepwater projects, Caitlyn is passionate about giving back to the community that shaped her career. "When I graduated, my Pop-Pop said, ‘You need to give some of what you earn back to whatever community you feel tied to.’ Mechanical engineering at Texas A&M is one of those communities, and I’m happy to have the opportunity to support future generations of Aggies." Read more: tx.ag/CaitlynTalbert

Join us in congratulating Dr. Eric L. Petersen on receiving the Regents Professor award from Texas A&M University for his extraordinary contributions to the university and the people of Texas! Dr. Petersen is a professor and holder of the Nelson-Jackson Chair in the J. Mike Walker '66 Department of Mechanical Engineering at Texas A&M University and Director of the Turbomachinery Laboratory at Texas A&M. Only 323 Texas A&M System faculty members have been recognized with the Regents Professor Award and he is one of 18 faculty members honored this year. Congratulations, Dr. Petersen! #MechanicalEngineering #FacultyRecognition #UniversityAchievements #EngineeringLeadership #InnovativeResearch

Assistant Professor Mohsen Taheri Andani and Professor Pablo Tarazaga from Texas A&M's J. Mike Walker '66 Department of Mechanical Engineering have received a prestigious DARPA grant to lead the project, “Creating Wise Parts Via Additive Friction Stir Deposition.” In collaboration with Virginia Tech, the team will develop metallic components with embedded wireless sensors during manufacturing, enabling real-time structural health monitoring and intelligent performance management. This innovative approach protects sensors from damage, allows placement in critical areas, and could revolutionize industries by redefining how we monitor and manage structural components. 👏 Congratulations to Professors Andani and Tarazaga on this incredible achievement!

✨ Honoring Veterans and Service in MEEN ✨ Our very own Dr. Dale Cope, professor of practice in the J. Mike Walker '66 Department of Mechanical Engineering at Texas A&M University, was honored at the Wellborn Middle School Veteran's Day Assembly last week. He served as an Aeronautical Engineer in the United States Air Force and the Kansas Air National Guard. Over 800 students gathered to witness Dr. Cope and other veterans' recognition and given a beautiful quilt designed/made by the Wellborn students and a regional quilting club. Thank you to all of our MEEN veterans for their service throughout the years!

🌟 Graduate student spotlight 🌟 Doctoral student Emily Payne has authored a paper in the journal IEEE Access! 🎉 Her paper was published through the BiSSL group in the J. Mike Walker '66 Department of Multidisciplinary Engineering from a collaborative grant with Sandia National Laboratories and Dr. Katherine Rogers Davis’ group in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering Texas A&M University. Emily's research explores the vulnerabilities in modern power systems due to interdependencies between physical, cyber-physical, and cyber devices. The findings reveal that tripartite network models offer deeper insights into indirect interactions for an enhanced understanding of systemic resilience under denial-of-service scenarios. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gpjU5Ryj #cyberphysicalsystems #powersystems #resilience #vulnerabilities #bioinspired #systemdesign #MechanicalEngineering

🌟 Sponsor a Senior Capstone Project at Texas A&M! 🌟 Ready to make an impact while solving real-world engineering challenges? The J. Mike Walker '66 Department of Mechanical Engineering at Texas A&M University Senior Capstone Design Program is now securing sponsors for 2025 projects. This two-semester program is your chance to mentor, innovate, and find solutions to those "back-burner" problems. Let’s collaborate on something exciting! ✅ Visibility & Brand Awareness – Gain exposure to top engineering talent. ✅ Talent Acquisition – Spot your next hire by collaborating with our students. ✅ Cost-Effective Problem Solving – Let our teams dedicate 1,500+ hours to tackling your toughest challenges. ✅ Educational Impact – Play a direct role in shaping the next generation of Aggie engineers. 📅 Deadlines: Spring 2025 project commitments are due—Fall 2025 options are also available!

Join us this Thursday, November 14th for the MEEN IAC Panel Night, "Bridging Industry and Education" from 7-8:30pm in ZACH 297 and get valuable advice from mechanical engineering graduates who are making an impact in their fields! Andrew Nelson, Brenda Hightower, Vanessa Restrepo, and Josh Beier will share their insights on navigating the industry. Pizza and prizes will be provided. Register to attend: tx.ag/MEENIAC1114

Join us for a special reception during the International Mechanical Engineering Congress & Exposition (IMECE) on Monday, November 18, 2024! RSVP: tx.ag/IMECE

On this #VeteransDay, we honor the unwavering spirit of Aggie veterans, including one of our distinguished former students, Gerry Grogin '48, the last surviving participant of the historic 1946 Aggie Muster on Corregidor Island. Born in Bryan, Texas, Gerry’s roots in Texas A&M run deep. After joining the Army Air Corps during WWII, his service as a cryptographer and later participation in the legendary Corregidor Muster exemplify the resilience and unity of the Aggie spirit. Upon returning home, Gerry pursued his passion for mechanical engineering, shaping a remarkable career in the HVAC industry. At 98, Gerry continues to inspire future generations, serving as both a successful engineer and a generous supporter of the J. Mike Walker '66 Department of Mechanical Engineering. His advice to Aggie engineers is simple yet profound: “Stay the course and keep your mind open, because in mechanical engineering, there’s so much to be learned.” Today, we salute Gerry and all veterans for their service and dedication. Thank you for your sacrifice and contributions to our nation and our university. #tamuMEEN