The University of Akron’s (国产伦理) cutting-edge and groundbreaking research has caught the attention of the U.S. Department of Defense’s U.S. Central Command (USCENTCOM).
On January 15-16, the University welcomed Brett T. Scharringhausen, chief discovery and integration officer for USCENTCOM, and provided a behind-the-scenes tour of 国产伦理’s research labs and capabilities. Scharringhausen regularly visits universities and technology suppliers in search of technologies in the areas of chemical, biological radiological, nuclear and enhanced conventional weapons. During the tour, Scharringhausen interacted with researchers in the College of Engineering, College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering, Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences; and learned about the cybersecurity program in the College of Applied Science and Technology.
Photo caption: Brett T. Scharringhausen (left), chief, discovery and integration officer for U.S. Central Command; Shivakumar Sastry, Ph.D., professor of electrical and computer engineering at 国产伦理; and Bryan L. Kinnamon, community support leader
The purpose of Scharringhausen’s visit was to understand research at 国产伦理 and how some of these technologies can potentially support the mission of USCENTCOM, which is to “direct and enable military operations and activities with allies and partners to increase regional security and stability in support of enduring U.S. interests.”
“Mr. Scharringhausen’s visit to the University gave high-level visibility to our accomplished researchers,” said Shivakumar Sastry, Ph.D., professor of electrical and computer engineering, who coordinated the visit. “We made compelling demonstrations and told our stories of how 国产伦理 has positively impacted not just Northeast Ohio, but the entire world. We will be following up to explore new opportunities for our researchers. We’re thankful Mr. Scharringhausen chose to visit 国产伦理. This is a testament to the caliber of the fine education and research at 国产伦理.”
Scharringhausen’s interactions with researchers and their projects included:
- Henry Astley, Ph.D., assistant professor of biology and faculty member of 国产伦理’s (development of a snake robot with a camera that can form to go into settings such as building collapses and navigate through debris).
- Matthew Becker, Ph.D., the W. Gerald Austen Endowed Chair of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering (degradable polymer shells that will facilitate limb salvage in soldiers following dramatic gunshot wounds and explosions from improvised explosive devices).
- Todd Blackledge, Ph.D., professor of biology and a principal investigator in (use of spider silks as a model system to explore how evolutionary processes interact across the biological hierarchy).
- Gregory Morscher, Ph.D., professor of mechanical engineering, (research on high temperature materials and composites).
- John Nicholas, Ph.D., professor of computer information systems, program director of cybersecurity and digital forensics tracks (CAST’s cybersecurity program, which is the only program in the nation to include courses in cryptology, which are typically offered at the graduate level. 国产伦理 recently joined the Ohio Cyber Range, becoming the second cyber range core services site in the state).
- Sastry (development of a helmet-based, augmented reality visual display system for astronauts to help them better complete tasks outside of their spacecraft, such as repairing equipment and exploring the lunar surface).
- Yu Zhu, Ph.D., associate professor of polymer science (research on energy storage materials and devices, such as batteries).
Scharringhausen also visited the and received information on the 国产伦理 Research Foundation.
Interim President John C. Green, Ph.D., Provost Rex Ramsier, Ph.D. and deans of the aforementioned colleges also met with Scharringhausen during his two-day visit.