PIRE
The National Science Foundation has awarded faculty of the University of Rhode Island $2.4 million to support educational and research initiatives in collaboration with their partners in Germany. Building on URI's existing relationship with the Technische Universität Braunschweig (TU-BS) in the area of microfluidic technology and its Dual Degree Master's Program, this new project has developed research opportunities from the undergraduate through the graduate level, culminating in a new International Ph.D. The NSF funding supports graduate students, all of whom are spending part of their programs in Braunschweig. The project's technical goals are focused on two applications:
- Design of a system to detect the early response to pathogen infection using a microfluidic "lab-on-a-chip."
- Use of microfluidic technology to study the generation of fluid pressures in sediments due to seismic loading and lead to a better understanding of the triggering of tsunamis.
A key element of the project is the international collaboration with scientists and students at the Technische Universität Braunschweig, which has the complementary technical infrastructure and expertise necessary to pursue this program of research. URI is a leader in training engineers for the global marketplace through its renowned International Engineering Program. It has partnered with Braunschweig on engineering education for undergraduates for 10 years, and has exchanged over 450 students during that period. An international Dual Degree Master's Program was launched in 2004, and a joint doctoral level program in 2008.
University of Rhode Island faculty involved in this project are:
- Mohammad Faghri, Professor of Mechanical Engineering
- Otto Gregory, Professor of Chemical Engineering
- Sigrid Berka, Professor of German and IEP Executive Director
- Thomas Mather, Professor of Entomology
- Donna Meyer, Assistant Professor, Mechanical engineering
- Zongqin Zhang, Professor of Mechanical Engineering
- Stephan Grilli, Professor of Ocean Engineering
- Christopher Baxter, Associate Professor, Ocean and Civil Engineering
Braunschweig faculty include:
- Stephanus Büttgenbach, Vice President, Professor and Head, Institute for Microtechnology
- Stefan Dübel, Professor and Head, Institute for Biochemistry and Biotechnology
- Manfred Krafczyk, Professor and Head, Institute for Computer Applications in Civil Engineering
- Martin Koch, Professor and Head, Tetrahertz Systems Group at Institute for High Frequency Technology
- Hocine Oumeraci, Professor of Hydromechanics and Coastal Engineering, Institute for Hydrology
- Stephan Scholl, Professor and Head, Institute for Chemical and Thermal Process Engineering
- Hermann Wätzig, Professor and Head, Institute for Pharmaceutical Chemistry
For more information on the program or possible assistantships contact Dr. Faghri or Dr. Berka.
Student Spotlight
Myriam El Bettah - Girold
Dual Doctorate Candidate,
sponsored by an NSF PIRE Grant
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Project: The role of pore pressure on the triggering of underwater tsunamogenic landslides.
More Information
Read about the URI/TU Braunschweig lab-on-chip technology cooperation in the URI Viewbook by clicking the icon...
Contacts
- PIRE:
Dr. Mohammad Faghri
Professor of Mechanical Engineering
e: faghri@egr.uri.edu
p: 401.874.5180
- German Graduate Dual Degree Program:
Dr. Sigrid Berka
Executive Director
International Engineering Program
e: sberka@uri.edu
p: 401.874.4700
