Randy H. Ewoldt Honored by ASME for Achievements in Mechanical Engineering

NEW YORK, November 25, 2013 — Randy H. Ewoldt, Ph.D., a resident of Savoy, Ill., and assistant professor of mechanical science and engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, was be honored by ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers). He was being recognized for outstanding achievements in mechanical engineering and received the Pi Tau Sigma Gold Medal.

The medal, established in 1938 by Pi Tau Sigma in coordination with ASME, recognizes outstanding achievements by a young engineering graduate in mechanical engineering within 10 years following receipt of the baccalaureate degree. The award was presented to Dr. Ewoldt during ASME's 2013 International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition, to be held in San Diego, Nov. 15 through 21.

Ewoldt joined the University of Illinois in 2011, following a postdoctoral fellowship at the Institute for Mathematics and its Applications at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, with Dr. C.W. Macosko.

His research group studies fluid mechanics and rheology, with applications to energy, advanced manufacturing, and bioinspired design including soft robotics. The group is developing design methods for rheologically-complex materials and reverse engineering techniques for complex fluids and soft matter using macroscopic rheological measurements to infer molecular, nanoscale and microscale structure.

Earlier work experience includes positions at Boeing Company (Huntington Beach, Calif.) and Shive-Hattery Engineers and Architects (Moline, Ill.), and consulting work as a design engineer.

An ASME member, Ewoldt has served the Society as a journal reviewer. He has published 22 articles in journals and conference proceedings, and has given nearly 30 invited lectures.

Ewoldt received his bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Iowa State University, Ames (research with Drs. M.G. Olsen and D.E. Chimenti) in 2004. He earned his master's degree and Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Cambridge (advised by Drs. G.H. McKinley and A.E. Hosoi) in 2006 and 2009, respectively. At MIT he was recognized for his theses with a Wunsch Foundation Award for Outstanding Thesis in Fluid Mechanics (2006) and a Luis de Florez Award for Outstanding Ingenuity and Creativity (2009).

About ASME ASME helps the global engineering community develop solutions to real world challenges. Founded in 1880 as the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, ASME is a not-for-profit professional organization that enables collaboration, knowledge sharing and skill development across all engineering disciplines, while promoting the vital role of the engineer in society. ASME codes and standards, publications, conferences, continuing education and professional development programs provide a foundation for advancing technical knowledge and a safer world. For more information visit www.asme.org.