Purdue University Northwest’s (PNW) 2023-24 academic year was marked by historic opportunities in academics and community impact, major designations reflecting university strategic initiatives, new feats for Pride Athletics, engaging and empowering student life events and much more.

Read about some of the best moments from the year that was.

Longtime leader Chris Holford takes the helm as PNW Chancellor

Kenneth C. (Chris) Holford was named as the new chancellor of Purdue University Northwest by Purdue President Mung Chiang following a national candidate search. Holford transitioned into the role with nearly 25 years of experience at the Purdue Northwest campuses, starting as a Biology faculty member and advancing through various administrative roles.

During a leadership celebration under the banner of “Excellence Evolving,” Chancellor Holford and President Chiang lauded the university’s academic research and strategic initiatives that contribute to enhanced opportunities for PNW students and quality of life for the metropolitan region.

“I am proud to be part of a faculty that cares so deeply about the success of our students,” said Holford. “I think that is something that is foundational to this institution and we should always be reminded of why we are here — to help our students succeed in higher education and become good constituents of the world.”

Read More About Chancellor Holford

PNW becomes largest Hispanic-Serving Institution in Indiana

The U.S. Department of Education granted Purdue University Northwest the title of Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) after meeting federal requirements.

The designation makes PNW the largest HSI in the state. PNW serves a student population with more than 25% of undergraduates who self-identify as Hispanic or Latino, with approximately 70% of those students additionally identifying as first-generation college students.

Higher education institutions designated as HSIs become eligible for several federal programs and grants intended to enhance academic, on-campus and professional development opportunities for all students.

“At PNW, we understand that the core responsibility of an HSI is to intentionally serve Latino students and their families by embracing the richness of each background and culture to enhance the student and family experience,” said Elizabeth Babcock Depew, vice chancellor for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs. “Hispanic-Serving Institution is not only a designation, it is a commitment to empowering students and their families through education and opportunity.”

Read More About PNW’s HSI Designation

PNW recognized for economic impact and high-quality academics

Purdue University Northwest earned two key recognitions during the 2023-24 academic year that reflect its transformational local impacts and its high-quality academics at the graduate level.

Purdue University Northwest earned designation as an Innovation and Economic Prosperity University (IEP) from the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities following a rigorous review process. IEP designations are an acknowledgment for public research universities with strong evidence of collaboration with public and private sector partners to support economic development, innovation, entrepreneurship, technology transfer talent and workforce development and community development.

Read More About PNW’s Economic Impact

PNW was also affirmed by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), the university’s institutional accreditor, as a doctoral-granting institution following final approval of PNW’s Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) and substantive change in mission or student body. The HLC’s affirmation reflects PNW’s academic reputation for offering high-quality academic programs at advanced graduate levels.

Read More About PNW as a Doctoral-Granting Institution

Pride student-athletes earn historical milestones in several Athletics programs

Purdue University Northwest student-athletes raised the bar (quite literally) with historical accomplishments in several sports.

Pride men’s soccer won its first-ever Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletics Conference (GLIAC) Tournament Championship. The victory helped the Pride also earn its first-ever berth to the NCAA Division II men’s soccer tournament.

Pride men’s ice hockey (American Collegiate Hockey Association Division I) also saw major post-season success by winning its first-ever Great Lakes Collegiate Hockey League Championship. The win also propelled the Pride to the ACHA DI national tournament. The team finished in the tournament’s Elite Eight. Additional postseason honors went to Sam Bourdages, who was named ACHA DI National Player of the Year.

Several Pride track and field team members earned conference honors. Kiara Spates and JC Ramirez won the GLIAC women’s and men’s indoor Triple Jump championships. This marked Ramirez’s second consecutive indoor Triple Jump championship. He also went on to win his fourth outdoor Triple Jump championship. Ramirez, joined by high jumper D’Shawn Dorsey, qualified for the NCAA Division II men’s track and field championship.

Read More on Pride Student-Athletes’ Accomplishments from the 2023-24 Year

PNW integrally involved in renewable energy initiatives of national importance

Purdue University Northwest’s Center for Innovation through Visualization and Simulation (CIVS), in collaboration with industry partners, earned considerable federal funding for renewable energy initiatives tied to federal goals of clean energy research and implementation.

CIVS is representing the Purdue University system as a major partner in the $1 billion Midwest Alliance for Clean Hydrogen (MachH2) hydrogen hub project. The hub is one of seven selected by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for funding to accelerate the domestic market for low-cost, clean hydrogen.

In the last three years, CIVS has been the leading organization for three large grants, with a total of $24 million funded by the DOE, for steelmaking energy efficiency and decarbonization projects.

“What CIVS has developed is a simulation system, artificial intelligence and machine learning to simulate what can happen, as well as go back and validate the research,” said Geri Richmond, DOE Under Secretary for Science and Innovation, during a spring visit to CIVS. “I have done a lot of simulations in my own research, but nothing to this level.”

More than 1,500 PNW graduates earn their degrees

Purdue University Northwest celebrated 1,528 graduates for completing their paths of study during ceremonies in fall 2023 and spring 2024. Collectively, the graduates included 1,229 who earned baccalaureate degrees and 299 who earned master’s degrees.

Seventeen graduates earned a Chancellor Medallion, recognizing their achievements for earning the highest grade point average in each of PNW’s five academic colleges.

“The community within PNW is the best. I have enjoyed every class I’ve taken, working with every professor and staff member and being part of every organization and committee. I truly found a home at PNW,” said Christopher Pabey, a 2024 Nursing graduate and first-generation student.

Read More About the Spring 2024 Graduates

Roaring Loud brings the noise

Gravy!… Train!

Headliner Yung Gravy kept a crowd of more than 1,000 amped during Purdue University Northwest’s third annual Roaring Loud event. Roaring Loud is a campus tradition with a free outdoor concert for current and newly admitted students.

View Photos From Roaring Loud 2024

Purdue Northwest raises more than $2 million on PNW Day of Giving

Generous donors to Purdue University Northwest contributed more than $2 million to support students during PNW’s 11th annual Day of Giving.

New historical records in terms of gifts were set, including over 2,000 donations during the 24-hour event. PNW ranked third among 74 participating units in the Purdue system for total gifts received and ninth among participating units in total dollars raised. Participation in PNW’s Day of Giving increased by 9% from 2023. Gifts to PNW support student scholarships, academic programs, Pride Athletics, student organizations and other strategic initiatives.

“Day of Giving brings together PNW alumni, leading businesses and charitable organizations, friends of the university from all over the world and our own students, faculty and staff to invest in our mission to transform lives and Northwest Indiana,” said Lisa Goodnight, vice chancellor of Institutional Advancement.

Read About PNW’s 11th Annual Day of Giving

Student life and cultural events celebrate the PNW campus community’s diversity

A slate of on-campus programming recognized, celebrated and uplifted the diverse identities of the PNW campus community. PNW strives to foster a welcoming and inclusive environment that instills a sense of belonging for its students, faculty and staff.

PNW’s office of Educational Opportunity Programs hosted First-Generation Student Scholar Celebrations to recognize first-gen students. More than half of PNW’s undergraduate student body identifies as first-gen. PNW is also recognized as a First Scholars institution by the Center for First-generation Student Success.

PNW’s Cultural Heritage Celebration Committee and partnering units facilitated multiple events in tandem with national recognitions of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Black History Month, Juneteenth, Hispanic Heritage Month, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Native American Heritage Month, Pride Month and Women’s History Month.

Three impactful alumni inducted into PNW Alumni Hall of Fame

Purdue University Northwest welcomed three professionals to the PNW Alumni Hall of Fame. Those honored in the third annual class included Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr., the Honorable Diane Kavadias-Schneider and Jeff Strack, President and CEO of Indiana Grocery Group.

PNW’s Alumni Hall of Fame honors alumni who are high-achieving leaders in their fields, involved members of their communities and who have engaged with PNW well beyond their time as students. PNW Alumni Hall of Fame inductees are enshrined in a set of plaques that decorate the walls of the Student Union and Library Building.

“I think that what I found that was remarkable was the engagement that my professors had with me —they were invested in my success,” Strack said. “You build lifelong relationships with your professors. I think that’s what sets PNW apart and that’s something that I’ll always remember.”

Read About the 2024 Hall of Fame Inductees

The post Ten highlights from the 2023-24 academic year appeared first on Center for Innovation through Visualization and Simulation (CIVS).

On June 3, CIVS Senior Research Engineer, Nicholas Walla, as a Keynote Speaker, presented “Computation Modeling of H2/CH4 Combustion in a Slab Reheating Furnace” at the 3rd International Symposium on the Recent Developments in Plate Steels in Vail, CO. The co-authors of the paper include CIVS Associate Director for Operations Armin Silaen, CIVS Director Chenn Zhou, PNW graduate student Abhishek Kolakotla, Cleveland Cliffs Research Engineer Kurt Johnson, and Cleveland Cliffs Manager Lawrence (Larry) Fabina.  Over 150 attendees from 19 countries were present at the symposium.

The steel industry supplies one of the most critical materials for U.S. manufacturing, infrastructure and defense. The slab reheating furnace, an essential steelmaking process, is energy-intensive and generates significant CO2 emissions from natural gas combustion. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation has become a powerful tool for research and development to optimize furnace performance and to increase energy efficiency and productivity, as well to explore alternative fuels such as hydrogen to reduce CO2 emissions. This paper presents an overview of state-of-the-art CFD simulations of industry-scale reheating furnaces. Examples from Purdue University Northwest’s Center for Innovation Through Visualization and Simulation (CIVS) and Steel Manufacturing Simulation and Visualization Consortium (SMSVC) are included.

This symposium highlighted steelmaking and casting, hot rolling, accelerated cooling and direct quenching, flatness control, line pipe, hydrogen-induced-cracking (HIC)-resistant steels, microstructure characterization, product strategies, as-rolled steels, heat-treated steels, welding, and hardfacing. As-rolled steel applications include wind tower, offshore structures, shipbuilding and abrasion-resistant steels used in construction and machinery. Heat-treated steel applications include tank cars, pressure vessels, and quenching and partitioning to enhance steel product toughness and wear resistance.

The Association for Iron & Steel Technology (AIST) is a non-profit organization with 15,500 members from over 70 countries. With 30 Technology Committees and 22 Local Members Chapters, AIST represents an incomparable steel industry knowledge and expertise network. Their mission is to advance the technical development, production, processing, and application of iron and steel.

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The World Environmental & Water Resources Congress 2024 was held on May 19-22 in Milwaukee, WI. CIVS faculty collaborator Dr. Chandramouli Viswanathan Chandramouli presented “Immersive Virtual Reality Learning Environment from Historic Flood at a Bridge Site”, co-authored by CIVS Director Chenn Zhou, CIVS Senior Research Scientist John R. Moreland, and Undergraduate student James Anthony Dunlap. This project was developed with CIVS for Civil Engineering courses under the support of the National Science Foundation. Dr. Chandramouli also brought a virtual reality headset and demonstrated the project to conference attendees.

The project has developed and piloted a virtual reality (VR) simulation for teaching students about hydrology and hydraulics concepts related to flooding, based on historic 2009 flood data from the urban watershed called Hart Ditch River System in Northwest Indiana Lake Michigan Watershed. The VR simulator was developed as a part of a virtual 3D lab for an undergraduate hydrology and hydraulics class and lets students experience and interact with an immersive recreation of various stages of flooding as it appeared on site over the course of multiple days during the 2009 flood.

The simulator enables students to visualize the inundation with stage increase and can extract multiple parameters while studying the flood wave propagation. The simulator integrated multiple types of data and visuals to create a realistic and engaging learning experience. 360-degree 3D video footage was captured on-site at a bridge crossing on a low flow day. This was combined with animated 3D models showing water flow and debris in the river. The water level and flow rate was controlled by historic measurement data recorded during the flood. Students control a time slider to advance through the flood event and experience the water levels rising around and submerging them. Students can explore different locations and elevations under and around the bridge as well as see the effect of Manning’s n on the flood stage and flow rate. Flood wave propagation was modeled using HEC RAS model and calibrated using field data. Unity 3D was used to combine and control the 360-degree video and 3D model behavior. The simulation was deployed to the Meta Quest 2 VR headset and successfully implemented in a Hydrology and Hydraulics lab course at Purdue University Northwest.

The 2024 World Environmental & Water Resources Congress featured 12 concurrent technical tracks over three days. Approximately 800 leading engineers and scientists from around the world attend the EWRI Congress each year to discuss the latest research, case studies, and evolving “best practices” in water resources and the environment.

Created in 1999, the Environmental & Water Resources Institute (EWRI) is the recognized leader within ASCE for the integration of technical expertise and public policy in the planning, design, construction, and operation of environmentally sound and sustainable infrastructure impacting air, land and water resources.

Dr. Chandramouli is a professor in Civil Engineering at PNW.  He is currently the Department Chair of Construction Science and Organizational Leadership and will be the Department Chair of Mechanical and Civil Engineering starting in July 2024.

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On May 16, CIVS Associate Director for Research, Tyamo Okosun, and CIVS Graduate Research Assistant, Samuel Nielson, presented “Comprehensive Numerical Modelling of the Blast Furnace Ironmaking Process” at the McMaster University Blast Furnace Ironmaking Course in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. They lectured on CIVS’s state-of-the-art blast furnace CFD modeling techniques to course to approximately 110 attendees as well as networked with blast furnace and ironmaking experts from around the world.

This one-week bi-annual Ironmaking course offers a unique opportunity to gain an in-depth view of blast furnace theory, operation, and best practices. Lectures are given by acknowledged experts in their fields coming from diversified backgrounds and global experience. CIVS Director, Chenn Zhou, has previously given this lecture for more than 10 years. It is an invaluable course for managers, operators, engineers, researchers, or anyone involved in supplying equipment, materials or raw materials to the ironmaking industry.

There is a broad range of topics covered, ranging from blast furnace design, reactions, day-to-day operation, operation during challenging conditions, campaign extension strategies, safety aspects, and many more. In addition to the lectures, further learning and networking opportunities are gained through open discussions, training exercises/simulations, and a plant tour of a local ironmaking facility.

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Congratulations to the CIVS students, staff, and faculty who won 5 awards at AISTech 2024 in Columbus, Ohio on May 6-8, 2024.

CIVS students participated in AIST undergraduate and graduate student contests.  They won 4 out of 6 awards in these contests. Congratulations to the following CIVS student award recipients!

 

Undergraduate Student Project Presentation Contest winners:

1st place: Veronica Pitt-Payne “Design of Hydrogen Combustion in a Reheating Furnace”
3rd place: Jacob Elizondo “Impact of Pre-Heated Scrap on Melting in EAF”

Graduate Student Poster Contest winners:

1st place: Shiyu Wang “Prediction & Validation of Melting Operation of NLMK EAF”
2nd place: Abhishek Kolakotla “Study of Hydrogen Fuel Blends in a Walking Beam Reheating Furnace”

Additionally, CIVS was the winner of the AISTech attendance challenge and was selected to receive an AISTech 2024 Material Advantage Chapter Travel Grant.

CIVS blast furnace research also received another AIST Best Paper Award in addition to seven other best papers from AIST and AISI in the past. The newly awarded paper, “Investigating the Use of Shaft-Level Tuyere Injection with Computational Fluid Dynamics,” was presented at AISTech 2023 and selected by the AIST Ironmaking Technology Committee for the 2024 Josef S. Kapitan Ironmaking Best Paper Award. It was officially presented at AISTech 2024 to the authors of this paper: CIVS Graduate Assistant Samuel E. Nielson, Associate Director for Research Tyamo Okosun, Post-Doctoral Researcher Orlando Ugarte, and CIVS Director Chenn Zhou.

The AIST Foundation sponsors these contests, which are open to students from both domestic and international universities. The research topics relate to the iron and steel industry, properties, or applications.  Contents were judged on overall knowledge of the project topic, thoroughness of the content, and presentation skills.

At the AISTech Undergraduate Student Project Presentation Contest, students were selected to present their projects. The topic of the project is unlimited but must be technical in nature. Students are assigned 15-minute sessions to present their research and conclusions. Participants are judged on overall knowledge of project topic, thoroughness of the content, and presentation skills.

The Graduate Student Poster Contest at AISTech provides students the opportunity to present their research in a forum for all conference attendees to enjoy. Poster subjects must be related to the iron and steel industry, properties, or applications.

AISTech provides a platform for these amazing future leaders to showcase their research and connect with industry collaborators. AISTech is North America’s largest annual iron and steel technology conference and exposition. It provides a global perspective on today’s marketplace by featuring technologies worldwide that help steelmakers compete more effectively.  AISTech is hosted by The Association for Iron & Steel Technology.

The Association for Iron & Steel Technology (AIST) is a non-profit organization with over 18,500 members from over 70 countries. AIST represents a large network of steel industry professionals with tremendous knowledge and expertise.

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On May 6-8, CIVS researchers and collaborators delivered various technical presentations at the AISTech 2024 Conference in Columbus, Ohio, which is the major Annual Internal Iron & Steel Technology Conference and Exposition.  There were record-high attendees with over 8,400 professionals and students.   The CIVS presentations included 1 panel discussion, 6 technical presentations, 3 undergraduate oral presentations, and 11 graduate poster presentations in the topics of blast furnace, electric arc furnace, reheating furnace, ladle, and safety.

CIVS research quality and efforts were recognized with 5 awards. CIVS also won the AISTech attendance challenge and was selected to receive an AISTech 2024 Material Advantage Chapter Travel Grant.

CIVS Director, Chenn Zhou, served as a panelist at the Energy & Utilities Panel Discussion at AISTech 2024. Four panelists discussed the importance of high energy efficiency and greener fuels for reheating furnaces.  CIVS Senior Research Engineer Kyle Toth presented “Hazard Recognition Scenario Builder for On-Site Customizable Virtual Training” with co-author and Senior Research Scientist Jack Moreland.

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On Thursday, April 18, over 20 CIVS research students participated in poster presentations to showcase their projects during the 2024 PNW Day of Discovery in Alumni Hall. Presentations included research topics such as Hydrogen Combustion in a Reheating Furnace, Computational Fluid Dynamics Modeling, Hazard Detection, 360-degree Video Integration, Virtual Reality Applications, and Study of Hydrogen Fuel.

The First Annual Days of Discovery Student Choice Award winner for the College of Engineering and Sciences is Abhishek Kolakotla, “Study of Hydrogen Fuel Blends in a Walking Beam Reheating Furnace” (Faculty mentor: Chenn Zhou, Ph.D.).

CIVS Senior Design students Zach Kaminsky, Imanol Mercado, and Zach Holmes won a Senior Design award, presented by the Dean of the College of Engineering and Sciences, for their work in Simulating Thermal Stress in Slab Casting. Their team, titled Steel Slab Solutions and Simulations with the slogan “Innovation that’s Casting a Bright Future in Steel,” received faculty mentorship from CIVS Associate Director for Operations Armin Silaen.

 

 

Day of Discovery 2024 is a multidisciplinary research symposium organized by the Office of Research, the Undergraduate Research Office, and the Faculty Research Board to increase awareness of PNW research, innovation, and economic development impacts while fostering collaboration among students, faculty, and the research and innovation community. 

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On April 23, PNW Civil Engineering students had a virtual lab in the CIVS Immersive Theater as part of the CE 34200—Engineering Hydrology and Hydraulics course. Students used the CIVS Virtual Flood Simulator to learn about flood mitigation strategies.

During the virtual lab, students measured data at different times during the flood and were able to see the impact of levees and sluice gate operation. The U.S. Corps of Army Engineers installed a series of levees at various points around Little Calumet River in response to the event to help deal with future flooding.

The simulator was created under an NSF grant led by CIVS Senior Research Scientist John “Jack” Moreland in collaboration with Professor Chandra Chandramouli. It visualizes data collected from the 100-year flood event that occurred around the Little Calumet River in Northwest Indiana in 2008, as well as simulated data to show how the flood would’ve been different using various remediation strategies.

It is implemented in CE 34200—Engineering Hydrology and Hydraulics every year, which provides a tremendous hands-on experiential learning opportunity. Dr. Majety, Assistant Professor and Director of the Design Studio at the College of Engineering, teaches Engineering Hydrology and Hydraulics this semester.

The PNW Civil Engineering curriculum provides a broad education in the fundamentals of Civil Engineering. Students may pursue a general program or choose a specialization in areas such as structural engineering, transportation, water resources, and environmental engineering.

The post CIVS Virtual Flood Simulator Taught in CE Hydrology Lab appeared first on Center for Innovation through Visualization and Simulation (CIVS).

Barry Schneider, President and Chief Operating Officer of Steel Dynamics and President of AIST, was the keynote speaker at the SMSVC dinner meeting on April 10. His speech was entitled “Smart Use of Scrap and Other Alternatives in EAF Operation for Decarbonization.” The presentation highlighted Steel Dynamics’ history of sustainability efforts and provided an overview of its innovation for decarbonization in various plants and operations.

 

About 80 attendees included professionals from SMSVC companies, faculty, staff, and students. Barry’s keynote speech opened an impactful discussion session in which the audience gained insight into process operations and future innovations in decarbonization, recycling, and sustainability.

“One thing I found interesting was how Steel Dynamics is one of North America’s largest metals recyclers and how they sustainably turn different types of scrap into usable materials through high-performance maintenance-intensive shredders,” said Basil Lufti, a CIVS research assistant pursuing his Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering.

Barry Schneider earned a B.S. in mechanical engineering from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, an M.S. in engineering management from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, and an Executive Certificate in Technology, Operations, and Value Chain Management from the MIT Sloan School of Management. He joined the Steel Dynamics team in 1995. He began his career as the mechanical engineer for melting and casting during the initial construction and start-up of the Butler Flat Roll Division. After nearly 30 years in various positions throughout the company, Schneider was promoted to President and COO of Steel Dynamics beginning in March of 2023.

“The keynote sparked my interest, even though I’m from a Computer Science background. It’s intriguing to see how technology and innovation are reshaping traditional industries like steelmaking, especially in the context of sustainability. This presentation highlighted the potential for data-driven solutions to drive decarbonization efforts, offering a glimpse into the exciting possibilities at the intersection of technology and industry,” said Sai Laya Mallineni.

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On April 23, approximately 40 students from various grade levels at Homewood-Flossmoor High School visited CIVS, which was organized by their teacher, Tiffany White, who participated in CIVS’s NSF Research Experience for Teachers program last summer.

CIVS Senior Research Scientist John “Jack” Moreland and Senior Research Engineer Kyle Toth gave various demonstrations on simulation and visualization applications as well as hands-on VR experiences in the Visualization lab. Students had the opportunity to ask questions and connect their current curriculum with cutting-edge real-world applications at CIVS. Students also visited engineering design studios to explore different engineering paths and clubs at PNW.

“The experience was invaluable, and the students thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to explore real-world engineering concepts and applications,” said Tiffany White, “The students’ reflections underscore just how impactful the trip was. It’s clear that they gained valuable insights into engineering processes and technologies that will undoubtedly enhance their learning experience.”

Tiffany White is a mathematics and engineering teacher at Homewood-Flossmoor High School. The Career & Technical Education Department at H-F offers a series of engineering classes to help students explore engineering career opportunities and experiences as they solve engaging and challenging real-world problems.

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