Drexel Engineering

03/12/2025

Leo Han, PhD, associate professor of mechanical engineering and mechanics at Drexel University, has been awarded an NSF research grant to further develop RibbonGel, a new material designed to improve cartilage repair. The funding will help Han and his team refine this technology, which could lead to faster healing and better long-term outcomes for patients with joint damage.

“RibbonGel has the potential to make cartilage repair faster, easier, and more successful,” said Han. “By improving how cells are distributed and providing a scaffold that mimics natural cartilage, this technology could lead to better healing and a lower chance of complications.”

This work is part of Drexel Engineering’s broader commitment to advancing medical innovations that improve patient care. If successful, RibbonGel could offer new hope for individuals suffering from joint injuries and conditions like osteoarthritis.

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Leo Han, PhD, associate professor of mechanical engineering and mechanics at Drexel University, has been awarded an NSF research grant to further develop RibbonGel, a new material designed to improve cartilage repair. The funding will help Han and his team refine this technology, which could lead to...

03/12/2025

Last term, Drexel University undergraduate and graduate students were recognized for their academic and professional contributions and accomplishments. Check out this update offering a snapshot of their accolades courtesy of the Office of the Provost!

Read more: https://drexel.edu/engineering/news-events/news/archive/2025/March/dragons-on-fire-winter-2025/

03/11/2025

An interdisciplinary team of researchers from Drexel University’s College of Engineering has introduced a novel method to improve textile-based filters by coating them with MXene, a type of two-dimensional nanomaterial. Discovered by Drexel researchers in 2011, MXenes have already demonstrated proficiency in various filtration applications, including water treatment, kidney dialysis, and hydrogen capture.

“With increasing manufacturing volume and decreasing price, MXenes are finding an increasing number of applications,” said Yury Gogotsi, PhD, Distinguished University and Bach Professor in the College of Engineering. Gogotsi, who led the materials development, was among the researchers who discovered MXenes and founded MXene, Inc., a company now manufacturing them.

Read more: https://drexel.edu/engineering/news-events/news/archive/2025/February/MXene-coated-air-filters

03/11/2025

Materials science and engineering senior Aidan Cotton ('25) leveraged his research at the Drexel Nanomaterials Institute (DNI) to secure a co-op abroad through the DAAD Research Internships in Science and Engineering (RISE) program in Germany. DAAD RISE offers undergraduate students the opportunity to conduct research at universities and research institutions in Germany for two to three months over the summer.

Due to global interest in MXene research, Aidan was selected for a DAAD RISE project at Technische Universität Berlin, where he explored MXene synthesis, characterization, and testing for energy storage applications. Before departing for Germany, he continued his research at DNI with support from the Drexel Research Fellowship Supplement Program (RFSP).

“I was able to explain things to my advisor and walk them through things I know, and they were relying on me for input, which was a real confidence boost,” he explained. Recognizing his proficiency with MXene, his advisor also granted him the autonomy to develop MXene-related research projects that he thought of on his own. Now in his senior year, Aidan reflects, “I’m still exploring them back here at Drexel, and I hope that something good will come of it.”

Read more: https://drexel.edu/engineering/news-events/news/archive/2025/February/cotton-daad-rise/

03/04/2025

From extracurriculars to major to co-op, Avani Kavathekar, who will graduate this spring with a BS in environmental engineering and a master’s in peace engineering, spent her college career striving to make a difference both locally and internationally.

“Coming to Drexel, I was really interested in working on real projects, and the co-ops Drexel offers were the best way to get that experience,” she said. “I was also driven to work on climate and sustainability research, and the many labs and groups working on that research within CAEE was a big draw.”

Outside of her co-ops at the U.S. Green Building Council, Langan Engineering and NV5, Kavathekar has stayed involved in various projects on campus to improve climate and sustainability efforts, working as a student assistant at Drexel’s Environmental Collaboratory for three years and organizing the first-ever Local Conference of Youth. She even co-founded Drexel’s chapter of the American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists and is co-chair for the University’s Climate Action Plan. Kavathekar's also a lead for a project improving water, sanitation, and hydration at a rural school in Guatemala as well as the outreach director for Drexel’s Engineers Without Borders (EWB) chapter.

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Some students go to college to land a career, others go to college to pursue their dreams, and still others enroll to save the world. Avani Kavathekar, who will graduate this spring with a BS in environmental engineering and a master’s in peace engineering, spent her college career combining all t...

03/04/2025

Drexel University’s College of Engineering is proud to announce the recipients of the 2025 Longsview Fellowships, Carleone Faculty Awards, and Grimes Family Faculty Awards. These prestigious awards recognize outstanding faculty research initiatives that align with the university’s strategic goals, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation in engineering and related fields.

The College of Engineering congratulates all the awardees and looks forward to the impactful research and innovations that will emerge from these interdisciplinary collaborations.

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Drexel University’s College of Engineering is proud to announce the recipients of the 2025 Longsview Fellowships, Carleone Faculty Awards, and Grimes Family Faculty Awards. These prestigious awards recognize outstanding faculty research initiatives that align with the university’s strategic goal...

02/26/2025

To address the frequency and severity of extreme weather events, the Environmental Collaboratory at Drexel University convened a regional workshop on Jan. 30. The workshop brought together 68 stakeholders focused on community-level preparedness and recovery in response to climate-driven disasters.

The workshop’s key insights, discussions, and recommendations to improve emergency response and resilience-building efforts will be published in The Environmental Collaboratory’s forthcoming report, “Regional Community-Level Climate-Related Severe Weather Preparedness and Recovery.” Proposed key areas of focus include assessing local resource adequacy, institutional capacity and the compounding impacts of disparities, as well as addressing gaps in recovery funding. Through continued cross-sector collaboration, policy recommendations and resource guides, the report will provide a strategic roadmap for improved community-level emergency preparedness and recovery, said Vice Provost and Executive Director of the Environmental Collaboratory.

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The Environmental Collaboratory brought together the region’s best experts to work on improving emergency response and resilience-building efforts.

02/25/2025

Jipsa Thankachan knew she wanted to continue her education after earning a degree in civil engineering from APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University in India. She chose Drexel to pursue her master’s in environmental engineering, believing it would expand her career opportunities. “I knew it would help me advance in my job and go into upper-level management, positions with more stability and, potentially, bigger compensation,” said Thankachan.

Through Drexel’s graduate co-op program, which allows students to alternate class terms with six-month, hands-on industry experience, Thankachan secured her current role as an engineer in the water and wastewater sector at Bowman Consulting. Beyond her coursework, Thankachan has embraced many of the opportunities Drexel offers. She has served as a graduate student ambassador and worked as a research assistant for Professor Patrick Gurian, making the most of her educational experience!

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Jipsa Thankachan knows how to hustle. After graduating from APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University in India with a degree in civil engineering, she collaborated with friends on QR Builders, a building and construction startup. “That marked the start of my own vision,” she said. After working o...

02/19/2025

As a freshman at Drexel, Mark Moujabber co-founded the Drexel Consulting Group, which has since expanded to host over 20 events annually, including partnerships and recruiting events with top firms like McKinsey and Boston Consulting Group (BCG). This year, they’re organizing their largest case competition yet 🏆, tackling a real-world challenge using actual data provided by SEPTA.

Students will collaborate in teams to analyze the case, develop innovative solutions, and compete through multiple rounds, culminating in the final competition on February 22 at LeBow. BCG is providing both funding and judges for the event and offering an exclusive office tour as part of the prize for the winning team!

“We know the potential that Drexel students have, and we know they would thrive in this situation,” he said. “Being part of a competition this scale, especially for the finalists, is going to be a big part of their conversations when they get to their interview process. Our main goal behind this competition is prioritizing student success and making sure that our students are competitive when it comes to the consulting recruiting process.”

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Mark Moujabber knew he wanted to explore consulting in the engineering sector from the beginning of his college career. In his freshman year at Drexel, he co-founded the Drexel Consulting Group (DCG) and has remained on the executive board since. Now, the fifth year BS/MS mechanical engineering stud...

02/18/2025

Day 1 of Engineers Week ✅

Drexel SME hosted a Beyblades Fight Night, where 3D-printed spinning tops battled against each other for supremacy in a bracket style tournament.

Interested in our other Engineers Week events? Check out our Instagram stories every day to find out what's happening this week!

02/14/2025

Joshua Snyder, PhD, associate professor of chemical and biological engineering, is co-PI on a new Department of Energy (DOE)-funded research project aimed at making fuel cells more efficient, durable, and affordable. The initiative, led by the University of California, Irvine (UCI), brings together researchers from Drexel, Cabot Corporation, and Bosch Research Technology Center North America to improve the manufacturing of fuel cell membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) — a key component that allows fuel cells to generate clean energy.

“This project is about pushing fuel cell technology forward in a way that makes it more practical and scalable,” said Dr. Snyder. “By improving how these systems are built and how their components interact at the atomic level, we’re working to create more efficient and cost-effective fuel cells that can power everything from trucks to industrial machinery.”

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Joshua Snyder, PhD , associate professor of chemical and biological engineering , is co-PI on a new Department of Energy (DOE)-funded research project aimed at making fuel cells more efficient, durable, and affordable. The initiative, led by the University of California, Irvine (UCI), brings togethe...

02/10/2025

When Dhairya Jayesh Patel finished his bachelor’s in chemical engineering at Savitribai Phule Pune University, he knew his next step would be critical in setting his career trajectory. He knew he was interested in the Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) sector and felt that pursuing a master’s degree at Drexel – complete with its graduate co-op program – would help him hit the ground running.

“I chose a graduate degree with a co-op to complement my academic learning with hands-on industry experience,” Dhairya said. “The co-op experience also provides exposure to real challenges, preparing me for a successful career in the energy sector.”

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When Dhairya Jayesh Patel finished his bachelor’s in chemical engineering at Savitribai Phule Pune University, he knew that his next step would be critical in setting the trajectory of his career. He knew he was interested in the Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) sector and felt that pursuing a master.....

02/07/2025

Jill Wenderott, assistant professor of Materials Science and Engineering at Drexel University, received a 2024 American Physical Society (APS) Innovation Fund award to expand the activities of her Women Supporting Women in the Sciences (WS2) organization. "We're excited to continue making low-cost, hands-on lab kits for K-12 learners around the globe, but this time with a focus on quantum topics” said Wenderott. “Our lab kit design phase will commence in early 2025, and we will initially distribute our kits in East Africa with the help of local partners in mid-late 2025. Our aim is to reach 3000 students through this project. We are very grateful for the continued support from the APS Innovation Fund: this is the second time that leaders from WS2 have received this honor."

Read more: https://drexel.edu/engineering/news-events/news/archive/2025/January/wenderott-aps-innovation/

02/06/2025

A new machine learning approach developed through an international collaboration between Polytechnic University of Milan and Drexel University could help architects and urban planners better predict neighborhood energy consumption during early design stages. "This framework gives designers quick insights about energy impacts when decisions matter most," said co-author Simi Hoque, PhD, PE, professor of civil, architectural and environmental engineering at Drexel University. "We can now make energy-smart choices from the start of neighborhood projects."

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A new machine learning approach developed through an international collaboration between Polytechnic University of Milan and Drexel University could help architects and urban planners better predict neighborhood energy consumption during early design stages.

02/05/2025

After moving to the United States from Myanmar, Su Nay Chi Htoo enrolled at Drexel as a Political Science major. Her trajectory soon shifted to chemical engineering, leading to multiple co-ops over four years of education. In her fourth year, she considers the impact of these experiences. "I got into Chemical Engineering not knowing what to expect. After 3 co-ops I could confidently say I picked the right career path for me. Being able to try different sectors in this broad major also helped me understand all the opportunities this major could give."

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It's often said that you don't need to have it all together when you're a young adult. That's where Drexel's co-op program comes in. Through one to three six-month job opportunities, students can test-drive careers, gain skills, and find paths that fit their interests – all before graduating.

02/04/2025

Drexel University has selected Ultrafix, a Drexel-affiliated orthopedic medical device startup, to receive support from its Innovation Fund. The company, founded by Sorin Siegler, PhD, professor emeritus in Drexel’s College of Engineering, will receive an investment of $150,000 from the fund. This is the third such tranche of support offered to Drexel-affiliated startups since the Innovation Fund’s creation in 2023. “This support will enable Ultrafix to bring a revolutionary bone anchor technology to populations for which traditional orthopedic products would not be a viable solution,” Siegler said. “These products are based on decades of biomechanical research, testing and development and we believe they will be an important, new tool for orthopedic procedures.”

Read more: https://drexel.edu/engineering/news-events/news/archive/2025/January/Innovation-Fund-2025-Siegler/

02/03/2025

🚀 Engineers Week is Coming! 🎉
February 17 - 21

Get ready for a week of creativity, competition, and collaboration! Join us as we celebrate engineering with a diverse lineup of events that challenge your mind and showcase the power of innovation.

🔹 Hands-on Competitions: From bridge building to RC car racing, put your engineering skills to the test!
🔹 Workshops & Panels: Gain insights on co-op interviews, grad school, and dive into specialized engineering topics with industry experts.
🔹 Team Challenges: Work with friends to solve design puzzles, escape rooms, and build epic Rube Goldberg machines!

There's something for everyone—whether you're into design, problem-solving, or just want to have some fun with fellow engineers!

Check out the full schedule and details at https://loom.ly/9WgZrks

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01/31/2025

Welcome to Drexel, Dr. Merlo!

Today, Drexel University’s Board of Trustees confirmed Dr. Antonio Merlo as Drexel’s 16th president. 🎉🐉 Dr. Merlo, the Anne and Joel Ehrenkranz Dean of New York University’s Faculty of Arts & Science, will begin his tenure at Drexel on July 1, 2025.

“Dr. Merlo is the ideal leader to uphold Drexel’s values and guide the University into its next chapter,” said Richard Greenawalt, chair of Drexel’s Board of Trustees. “His commitment to academic entrepreneurship and his proven success in bringing together faculty, students, scholars, and practitioners to address critical societal challenges are particularly vital as we move forward with strategic institutional priorities, including an academic transformation already underway, and focus on building long-term financial resilience.”

Learn more: https://bit.ly/42y3il7