Engineering students win ASC Design Competition and NSF Travel Awards
Team Akron, led by Jason Mack (fourth-year Ph.D. student in mechanical engineering, left), team member Faizan Mirza (third-year Ph.D. student in mechanical engineering, middle), and team advisor Prof. K.T. Tan (associate professor of mechanical engineering, right).
The College of Engineering and Polymer Science at The University of Akron (UA) is proud to announce that Team Akron has emerged as the winner of the 2024 American Society for Composites (ASC) Sustainable Composite Design Competition. The team’s design of a Renewable Power Generation System (RPGS) addressed the urgent need for reliable energy sources in remote, disaster-impacted areas. Additionally, two Ph.D. students, Andrew Frankowski and Isaac Sluder, were awarded NSF Student Travel Awards, enabling them to attend the ASC Annual Technical Conference in San Diego, California.
Team Akron’s Award-Winning Design
Competing against teams from across the United States and abroad, Team Akron presented an RPGS centered around a vertical axis wind turbine (VAWT) with advanced blade construction, engineered to optimize power generation while ensuring ease of transport. This design emphasized sustainable materials, using CO2-derived feedstock, which reflected Team Akron’s dedication to environmental stewardship and resource efficiency.
Team Akron consisted of Jason Mack, a fourth-year Ph.D. student in mechanical engineering and team leader, Faizan Mirza, a third-year Ph.D. student in mechanical engineering, and their advisor, Dr. K.T. Tan, associate professor of mechanical engineering. The team also included industrial partners Isaiah Kaiser, Bob Stevens and Benjamin Charley, who provided valuable expertise and support throughout the project.
Team Akron receiving their award from the competition organizers.
The RPGS design also integrated a solar panel system built from recycled crystalline silicon, reducing environmental impact by repurposing panels at the end of their life cycle. This circular economy approach aligned with the team’s commitment to minimizing waste and promoting closed-loop manufacturing practices. Materials like CO2-derived composites and 3D-printed recycled Onyx parts contributed to a circular sustainability model, ensuring that the system delivered dependable power in emergency settings while fostering a greener future.
“This RPGS is more than an energy solution; it’s a symbol of what’s possible when we prioritize sustainable innovation,” said Mack. “Our work is geared towards building resilient communities by providing them with the tools to withstand and recover from adverse situations.”
NSF Student Travel Award Recipients
Further highlighting UA's success, Dr. K.T. Tan’s Ph.D. students, Andrew Frankowski and Isaac Sluder, received NSF Student Travel Awards to attend their first ASC Technical Conference in San Diego from October 21-23, 2024. This annual conference, organized by the ASC, is one of the premier events in the field of composite materials. It gathered leading researchers, industry professionals, engineers and students from around the world to share the latest advancements, research findings and technological innovations in composite materials and structures.
Andrew Frankowski (left) and Isaac Sluder (right), both first-year Ph.D. students in mechanical engineering, received NSF Student Travel Awards to attend their first ASC Technical Conference.
The purpose of the conference was to advance the understanding and application of composite materials through a series of technical sessions, keynote addresses and networking events. Attendees had the opportunity to engage with a wide range of topics, including sustainable materials, advanced manufacturing, structural performance and material characterization. The event also emphasized professional development, providing students like Frankowski and Sluder with exposure to cutting-edge research and a platform to connect with experts and potential collaborators.
“Receiving this award was a tremendous opportunity for us,” said Frankowski. “We were excited to gain insights, share our research and connect with the composites community.”
Paving the Way for Future Sustainability in Engineering
With these achievements, Team Akron and Dr. Tan’s students are helping lead the charge toward a more sustainable future, contributing innovative solutions to global challenges while exemplifying excellence in the field of engineering.
Congratulations to Team Akron and to Andrew and Isaac for their accomplishments, which reinforce UA's reputation for pioneering research and dedicated, impactful education.
Story by CEPS Marketing.
Media contact: Cristine Boyd, 330-972-6476 or cboyd@uakron.edu.