anandpuppala

2023 TEES Annual Research Conference (TARC), “Elevated 3 Minute Pitch” Competition

June 5, 2023 by Pamela Mize

Dr. Nripojyoti Biswas, a Post Doctoral Researcher with TAMU College Station Civil Engineering Department alongside Dr. Ning Luo of TAMU, Corpus Christi, and Dr. Walter Den of TAMU, San Antonio, achieved a remarkable feat by securing a third position for their team “Hurricanes” in the “Elevated 3 Minute Pitch” competition at the recent 2023 TEES Annual Research Conference (TARC). Their groundbreaking proposal, titled “A Data-Driven Approach for Monitoring Coastal Resiliency Against Future Extreme Climatic Events,” has the potential to revolutionize the way we safeguard coastal regions from the adverse impacts of climate change. The “Elevated 3 Minute Pitch” competition at the TEES conference brings together researchers from diverse fields to present their innovative ideas concisely and effectively. Participants are given a mere three minutes to captivate the audience and judges with their groundbreaking concepts.

Coastal areas are particularly vulnerable to the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme climatic events, including hurricanes, storm surges, and rising sea levels. The proposal put forth by Team Hurricanes aims to mitigate these risks by utilizing advanced data-driven techniques and technologies to monitor and enhance coastal resiliency. Their approach combines comprehensive data collection, sophisticated modeling, and real-time monitoring to provide decision-makers and coastal communities with accurate and timely information about their vulnerability to future extreme climatic events. By leveraging state-of-the-art sensors, satellite imagery, and machine learning algorithms, the proposed system will enable authorities to make informed decisions regarding resource allocation, infrastructure development, and emergency preparedness.

Dr. Biswas and his team emphasized the significance of their research in light of the accelerating impacts of climate change. With coastal areas housing a significant proportion of the global population and serving as economic hubs, it is imperative to develop effective strategies that can protect these regions from the potentially devastating consequences of extreme weather events. Their innovative proposal not only focuses on data collection and monitoring but also incorporates community engagement and capacity building. Recognizing the importance of local knowledge and expertise, the team plans to work closely with coastal communities, ensuring that the proposed solutions are tailored to their unique needs and circumstances. By fostering collaboration between academia, policymakers, and community stakeholders, the team expects to create a holistic and sustainable approach to coastal resiliency.

As we confront the increasingly urgent need to adapt to and mitigate the impacts of climate change, Dr. Biswas and his colleagues’ data-driven approach for monitoring coastal resiliency stands at the forefront of innovative solutions. Their success at the TEES conference undoubtedly reaffirms their position as trailblazers in the field, and their proposal has the potential to safeguard vulnerable coastal regions and communities around the globe, ensuring a more resilient future for generations to come.

ERDC visits RELLIS Campus for future research initiatives with Texas A&M University

April 26, 2023 by Pamela Mize

Dr. David Horner, IT Lab Director and Mr. Quincy Alexander, IT Lab Division Chief with ERDC, U.S Army Engineer REsearch & Development Center recently visited the RELLIS campus for discussions concerning cybersecurity, proposed robotics, remote sensing and UAV works in Civil Infrastructure fields.

Dr. Anand Puppala, Director of the CIR, introduced the Center for Infrastructure Renewal at Texas A&M University, which aims to address the critical need for sustainable, resilient, and efficient infrastructure systems. He shared the center’s vision of becoming a global leader in infrastructure innovation and its strategic mission to advance knowledge, develop technologies, and train professionals to create a more sustainable future.

During the visit, Dr. Keith Biggers with the Texas A&M Center for Applied Technology (TCAT) provided a high-level overview of its capabilities and highlighted projects related to data fusion, data visualization, digital twins, and modeling and simulation.

In addition, Dr. Dez Song Professor, Texas A&M Computer Science & Engineering provided an in-depth look at the research work on utilizing robotics for asset monitoring. He highlighted the importance of integrating robotics and automation to inspect, maintain, and rehabilitate infrastructure systems. By harnessing the power of robotics, engineers can improve the efficiency, safety, and cost-effectiveness of infrastructure management.

Amit Gajurel, a doctoral student working at the CIR also discussed the use of Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) remote sensing techniques for monitoring transportation and geotechnical assets. This work emphasized how these advanced technologies can revolutionize the way we observe and analyze infrastructure systems, leading to improved maintenance and management practices.

Distinguished Professor Dr. Jimmy Williams, Jr. Tours the Texas A&M University Campus & Center for Infrastructure Renewal at RELLIS

February 17, 2023 by Pamela Mize

Dr. Jimmy Williams, Jr. was invited by Dean Dr. John E. Hurtado with the Texas A&M College of Engineering, for a discussion topic this week that included Hypersonics, Panda Powder, and Titanium Sponge and his new appointment as Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at ATI, Inc. Williams joins ATI from Carnegie Mellon University, where he served as executive director and distinguished service professor of the interdisciplinary Engineering and Technology Innovation Management program. ATI, Inc. is a global producer of high performance materials and solutions for the global aerospace and defense markets, and critical applications in electronics, medical and specialty energy. ATI, Inc. is solving the world’s most difficult challenges through materials science. Previously, Williams was senior vice president of global engineering of Pall Corporation, where he led a 750-member engineering unit, driving global growth initiatives across its Life Science and Industrial Products business. This newly created role elevates technology at ATI, Inc. and accelerates progress on their product and process technology priorities, more directly enabling and aligning them with our business strategy.

Dr. Jimmy Williams, Jr. recently from Carnegie Mellon University is a Distinguished Service Professor of Engineering and Public Policy, Director of Engineering & Technology Innovation Management Program, and Professor of Technology for Product Management for the new iii Online program. Dr. Jimmy Williams, Jr. earned a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Texas A&M University, M.B.A. from Lindenwood College, Doctor of Science in Engineering and Public Policy from Washington University. He was also inducted into The Academy of Distinguished Graduates of Mechanical Engineering at Texas A&M University in 2021.

Dr. Williams has significant and practical experience in industry, employing both business and technical acumen as a proven business developmental strategist, operational leader, and technology and innovation manager. Previously, he has held roles as the Vice President of Global Engineering at Pall Corp, Senior Director of Research and Development at Alcoa Technology Advantage, and in research and development and program management positions at The Boeing Company.

During his visit, Dr. Williams toured the Hypersonics and Laser Diagnostic labs, and the Material Science and Engineering Labs on the Texas A&M University campus as well as the Bush Combat Development Complex on the RELLIS campus. He finalized his visit with a tour of the Center for Infrastructure Renewal (CIR) for a tour of the research labs with Dr. Anand Puppala the center Director at the RELLIS campus.