Keynotes & Special Sessions

Mahmoud I. Hussein
Alvah and Harriet Hovlid Professor
Ann & H.J. Smead Department of Aerospace Engineering Sciences
Department of Physics
University of Colorado Boulder

Keynote Title: Flow-phonon Interaction: How Vibration Engineering Can Transform the Tield of Flow Control

Abstract: Flow control over surfaces is a long-standing, multidisciplinary engineering challenge. It seeks passive or active means of intervening in the flow field to induce desirable changes in overall behavior. For streamlined bodies moving through air or water, a central goal is to control flow instabilities that appear as fluid waves—perturbations in the velocity field that, if unchecked, can trigger transition from laminar to turbulent flow and sharply increase skin-friction drag. Elevated drag reduces the efficiency of vehicles, wind turbines, pipelines, and other systems, motivating methods to suppress instability growth. In some cases, however, the aim is the opposite: to accelerate instability growth to delay or prevent flow separation.

Phononics, on the other hand, is a contemporary field focused on understanding the nature of intrinsic mechanical vibrations in artificially structured materials, generally referred to as phononic materials, and uses this knowledge to extend the boundaries of physical response at the material and structural levels. The field bridges multiple disciplines across applied physics and engineering, and spans scales from the atomic scale (THz) to the macroscale (Hz-GHz).

In this talk, I will present an emerging paradigm‒proposed by our group in 2015‒that merges these two fields to enable control of the fundamental flow mechanisms mentioned above [Hussein et al., Proc. R. Soc. A, 2015]. The central premise is to engineer phonon motion beneath the flow-exposed surface so that prescribed spectrally shaped phonon characteristics passively transmit into the flow and alter its dynamics. Such phonon behavior can be realized using any type of phononic material, such as a phononic crystal or an elastic metamaterial. Once installed, the material has finite size and thus functions as a phononic subsurface (PSub)—a general concept that may be implemented in a variety of forms and designed based on different criteria. A key advantage of PSubs is their ability to achieve precise phase synchronization between structural and fluid response. By preprogramming the PSub’s band-structure and truncation properties—corresponding to frequency, wavevector, phase, and amplitude—it is possible, in principle, to attain unprecedented command of flow behavior.

After introducing the topic, I will overview our group's latest contributions, namely extending the concept to (1) a lattice of PSubs for downstream control [Hussein et al., arXiv:2503.18835v4, 2025] and (2) a super-resonant PSub capable of broadband control [Harris et al., arXiv:2509.15142v1, 2025].

Biography: Mahmoud I. Hussein is the Alvah and Harriet Hovlid Professor at the Smead Department of Aerospace Engineering Sciences at the University of Colorado Boulder. He holds a courtesy faculty appointment in the Department of Physics and has formally served as the Engineering Faculty Director of the Pre-Engineering Program and the Program of Exploratory Studies. He received a BS degree from the American University in Cairo (1994) and MS degrees from Imperial College London (1995) and the University of Michigan‒Ann Arbor (1999, 2002). In 2004, he received a PhD degree from the University of Michigan‒Ann Arbor, after which he spent two years at the University of Cambridge as a postdoctoral research associate.

Dr. Hussein's research focuses on the dynamics of materials and structures, especially phononic crystals and metamaterials, at both the continuum and atomistic scales. He received a DARPA Young Faculty Award in 2011, an NSF CAREER award in 2013, and in 2017 was honored with a Provost's Faculty Achievement Award for Tenured Faculty at CU Boulder. He was awarded as PI two multi-million dollar grants, both on concepts he discovered—nanophononic metamaterials (NPMs, Phys. Rev. Lett., 2014; ARPA-E 2019-2023) and phononic subsurfaces (PSubs, Proc. R. Soc. A, 2015; ONR MURI 2024-2029). He has co-edited a book titled Dynamics of Lattice Materials published by Wiley. He is a Fellow of ASME and has served as an associate editor for the ASME Journal of Vibration and Acoustics. In addition, he is the founding vice president of the International Phononics Society and has co-established the biennial Phononics 20xx conference series which has helped create a new multidisciplinary research community and is widely viewed as the world's premier event in the emerging field of phononics.

Dr. Zhenhua Tian
Assistant Professor
Department of Mechanical Engineering at
Virginia Tech University

Presentation Title: Leveraging Acoustics: From Damage Diagnosis to Particle Manipulation

Abstract: Acoustic waves carry both information and energy, allowing them to inspect material damage and create invisible robotic hands capable of manipulating nano- to millimeter-scale particles. This talk covers our studies on acoustics-based damage diagnosis and non-contact bioparticle manipulation. The first part of the talk focuses on ultrasonic phased arrays and laser ultrasonics for measuring material property distributions and detecting defects in various structures, such as 3D-printed metallic and composite panels. The second part of the talk focuses on acoustic tweezers that leverage transducer arrays to dynamically control acoustic fields for non-contact, versatile manipulation of objects across multiple length scales. Their key functions and potential applications will be discussed, including (i) constructing diverse lattice-like patterns of cells and dynamically transforming these patterns, (ii) printing anisotropic tissues with aligned cells, (iii) stimulating and disrupting single cells using highly focused ultrasound with <100 μm resolution, (iv) characterizing the biophysical properties of single cells, (v) contactless transport and levitation of droplets, and (vi) transporting small targets inside blood vessels shielded by the skull. Lastly, I will present our recent experiments leveraging acoustic waves to manipulate particles and bubbles under microgravity.

Biography: Dr. Zhenhua Tian received his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of South Carolina in December 2015 and completed postdoctoral training at Duke University in August 2019. He is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Virginia Tech. He received the Virginia Tech Dean's Awards of Excellence Outstanding New Assistant Professor, Dean's Awards of Excellence Faculty Fellow Award, Achenbach Medal, Lab on a Chip Emerging Investigator recognition, ASME Rising Star Award, and NSF CAREER Award. His research focuses on acoustics-based manipulation of nano- to millimeter-scale objects, ultrasonic nondestructive evaluation, and acoustic metamaterials. In these areas, he has published 90+ journal papers with a total citation of 5000+. More details about this research area can be found on the website of the Acoustics and Functional Materials Laboratory.

Daniel J. Segalman
Professor of Mechanical Engineering
Michigan State University

Presentation Title: Acceptable Models When the Answers Must be Correct

Abstract: Engineers rely on models every day—some exceptionally accurate, others merely convenient. More often than we admit, we choose the most tractable model while knowing it falls short of reality.

Signs of model inadequacy are easy to recognize: a name that is almost self-contradictory, such as an "amplitude-dependent linear model"; heavy post-hoc calibration when a predictive tool was what was actually needed; or designs that require generous safety factors to compensate for uncertain predictions. Yet imperfect models persist for two practical reasons: first, we may not know how to do better; second, the consequences of being wrong may be small.

This talk examines models that survive under one or both of these conditions, and how sustained programmatic needs can justify the investment required to replace them with models that are both more accurate and more useful. When the "right" answer truly matters, better modeling becomes a strategic priority.

Throughout that process, culture and management are as important as mathematics. They shape how problems are recognized, how resources are assembled, how support is sustained, and how new methods are integrated into everyday practice.

These themes will be illustrated through four engineering problems I encountered across my career—usually while working alongside people smarter than I am.

Biography: Daniel J. Segalman is Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Michigan State University and a Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. He is internationally recognized for contributions to structural dynamics, vibration, uncertainty quantification, model validation, and nonlinear mechanics.

Before joining Michigan State University in 2015, he spent nearly three decades at Sandia National Laboratories, where he retired as a Distinguished Member of Technical Staff. Prior to that he spent eight years in industrial research laboratories. Over the course of his career, he has led major research programs, developed influential analytical methods for jointed structures and nonlinear systems, and advanced predictive engineering simulation.

Dr. Segalman has received numerous honors, including the ASME Myklestad Award, the ASME Robert E. Abbott Award, and now the 2026 ASME Mary Baker Industry Achievement Award. He has authored an extensive body of scholarly publications and patents spanning dynamics, smart materials, contact mechanics, and computational engineering.

Lei Zuo
Herbert C. Sadler Collegiate Professor of Engineering
University of Michigan

Presentation Title: Ocean Wave Energy Conversion: From Dynamics and Control to Community-Centric Research Convergence

Abstract: Covering more than 72% of the Earth's surface, the ocean holds vast and largely untapped energy resources, particularly in oscillatory ocean waves. The theoretical global wave energy potential exceeds 30,000 TWh per year, more than current worldwide electricity consumption, with a power density five to ten times greater than wind or solar energy. Despite more than 250 concepts proposed since the first patent in 1799, wave energy remains in its infancy. A fundamental challenge lies in the irregular, low-speed nature of waves, with time-varying amplitudes and frequencies. To address this, a mechanical motion rectification mechanism was invented to convert bidirectional oscillatory motion into unidirectional rotation. While this improves energy conversion efficiency, it also introduces discontinuity and controllability challenges. To overcome these limitations, a control co-design framework has been developed that concurrently considers hydrodynamics, wave–structure interaction, power takeoff, and control strategies to optimize global "wave-to-wire" performance. Beyond engineering challenges, wave energy development involves economic, environmental, and sociological complexities. To address these issues, a community-centric research convergence approach is being explored through coastal community-engaged decision-making, techno-economic-socio-environmental assessment, and transdisciplinary co-design. This lecture will conclude with a vision for advancing marine energy through multidisciplinary collaboration, academia-industry-community partnerships, and multidimensional workforce development.

Biography: Lei Zuo is the Herbert C. Sadler Collegiate Professor of Engineering at the University of Michigan and the founding Director of the NSF Industry–University Cooperative Research Center for Growing Ocean Energy Technologies and the Blue Economy (GO Blue). His research spans marine energy, energy harvesting, vibration control, mechatronic design, and advanced manufacturing.

Professor Zuo has authored over 400 publications, including 20 award-winning papers, and has supervised more than 100 graduate students, mentored over 20 postdoctoral researchers, and advised more than 400 undergraduate students. His honors include the ASME Thar Energy Design Award, the ASME Leonardo da Vinci Award, the ASME N.O. Myklestad Award, the ASME McDonald Mentoring Award, two R&D 100 Awards, and the SAE Ralph R. Teetor Educational Award.

The CIE Division is hosting a networking event at the 2026 IDETC-CIE on Tuesday, August 25, from 2:20 PM to 4:00 PM.

Women in Mechanical Engineering is a networking event designed to connect students, engineers, academics and industry leaders, who are passionate about advancing in the mechanical engineering field. The event provides a welcoming space to share experiences, discuss career pathways, explore industry trends, and build meaningful professional relationships. Through presentation and conversation, attendees will gain insight, inspiration, and valuable connections that support career growth and leadership in mechanical engineering.

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MODERATOR

Dr. Christina Wang
Vice President, Engineering Applications
American Bureau of Shipping (ABS)

Biography: Dr. Christina Wang serves as Vice President of Engineering Applications at the American Bureau of Shipping (ABS), where she plays a pivotal role in supporting safety, regulatory compliance, and digital innovation within the marine and offshore industries. Her journey from a Ph.D.-trained expert in classical naval architecture to a forward-thinking executive in emerging technologies reflects both her professional evolution and her enduring commitment to the global maritime community. Dr. Wang earned her M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Marine Structures from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology. She is a Fellow of both the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers (SNAME). In addition to her technical and leadership credentials, she has completed the Stanford Executive Program and holds an Executive Certificate in Management and Leadership from MIT. Dr. Wang is also a member of the ASME CIE Executive Committee.

 

KEYNOTE

Dr. Yan Lu
Deputy Division Chief, System Integration
National Institute of Standards and Technology

Keynote Title: Be Positive, Be Curious, Be Strategic: Career Lessons from Industry to Government—and What AI Changes Next

Biography: Yan Lu is a deputy division chief, group leader and project lead in the Systems Integration Division at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Engineering Laboratory, where her research focuses on additive manufacturing and human-AI teaming. She holds a Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University and previously led the Production Operation and Optimization Research Group at Siemens Corporate Technology. Over her career spanning industry, government, and academia, Dr. Lu has authored more than 150 peer-reviewed publications and holds over 15 patents in industrial and building automation technologies. She serves as the U.S. expert to IEC Technical Committee 65 and is an active contributor to ASTM, ASME, and IEEE standards development efforts.

 

PANELIST

Briana Luceadams
R&D Engineer
Los Alamos National Laboratory

Biography: Briana Luceadams is a Research and Development Engineer in the Advanced Systems Development Group at Los Alamos National Laboratory. She has worked as a Systems Engineer on several satellites and instruments during her aerospace tenure, including national weather satellites and the SuperCam (Perseverance Mars2020 Rover) instrument. Her formal engineering education includes degrees from Colorado School of Mines and Johns Hopkins University. Her background as an aerospace engineer working on satellites and scientific imaging instrumentation at Ball Aerospace and Technologies Corporation has informed her use of Systems Engineering in basic science and applied research. A stint of efforts in design-by-analogy, science policy, and humanitarian engineering has laid a foundation for her previous research in the design, optimization, and deployment of concentrating solar power systems in emerging markets and thermal-structural stress modeling on in-situ Additive Manufacturing.

 

PANELIST

Dr. Caterina Rizzi
Professor
University of Bergamo

Biography: Caterina Rizzi is Full Professor of Technical Drawing, Product Lifecycle Management (PLM), and Human Modelling at the University of Bergamo. From September 2014 to September 2020, she served as Head of the Department of Management, Information, and Production Engineering. Since April 2023, she has been the Director of the PhD Programme in Health and Longevity, a joint initiative between the University of Bergamo and the Mario Negri Institute.

She currently chairs a multidisciplinary research group, the Virtualization & Knowledge (V&K) Group, comprising approximately 20 members, including full and associate professors, assistant professors, PhD students, and research fellows. Her current research interests include virtual prototyping and extended reality; methods and tools for product and process ergonomics; human body acquisition and motion analysis; design and simulation of patient-specific medical devices; human and patient digital twins; innovative solutions for motor and neurocognitive rehabilitation; telemedicine and telerehabilitation; and sustainable design.

She has participated in numerous European, national and regional research projects, often as project coordinator, and has also served as a project evaluator for the European Commission within several Framework Programmes.

She is the author or co-author of more than 300 scientific publications in international journals and conference proceedings and has served as both member and chair of several international scientific conference committees.

She has been a member of the Executive Committee of the ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers) CIE Division from 2018 to 2025, serving as Conference Chair for ASME CIE 2023 and IDETC-CIE 2024. Since November 2021, she has also served as Member-at-Large of the Congress Organizing Committee of the ASME IMECE Conference. She has been elected a Fellow of ASME.

 

PANELIST

Dr. Carolyn Conner Seepersad
Professor and Eugene C. Gwaltney, Jr., School Chair
Georgia Institute of Technology

Biography: Dr. Carolyn Conner Seepersad is a Woodruff Professor in the George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering at the Georgia Institute of Technology, where she leads the Digital Design and Manufacturing research group and the TechMade initiative for engineering design and manufacturing. Professor Seepersad joined Georgia Tech after 18 years as a faculty member in the Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin, where she founded the Center for Additive Manufacturing and Design Innovation. She received a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Georgia Tech, an MA/BA in Philosophy, Politics and Economics from Oxford University (as a Rhodes Scholar), and a BS in Mechanical Engineering from West Virginia University. Professor Seepersad’s research interests include design for additive manufacturing, simulation-based design of materials and structures, and process innovation in additive manufacturing. She is the Editor-in-Chief of the ASME Journal of Mechanical Design, an elected member of the advisory board for the Design Society, a member of SME's Additive Manufacturing Technical Leadership Committee, and a former chair of the ASME Design Engineering Division Executive Committee. Professor Seepersad has earned many awards for her research and teaching, including the ASME Design Automation Award and the University of Texas Regents’ Award for Outstanding Teaching (the highest teaching award for faculty in The University of Texas System). She is the author of more than 150 peer-reviewed publications and one book. Her publications have earned Best Paper Awards from the ASME Design Automation Conference, the ASME Design Theory and Methodology Conference, the ASME International Conference on Design Education, and the ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition. She teaches courses on Additive Manufacturing, Engineering Optimization, and Product Design and Realization.

 

PANELIST

Dr. Yaoyao Fiona Zhao
Professor
McGill University

Biography: Dr. Yaoyao Fiona Zhao is a Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at McGill University, William Dawson Scholar, Ram Panda Faculty Scholar in Sustainable Engineering and Design, and Director of the Additive Design and Manufacturing Laboratory. She also serves as Associate Director of the Trottier Institute for Sustainability in Engineering and Design. Her research focuses on design for additive manufacturing, sustainable design and manufacturing, design and manufacturing informatics, and the application of machine learning and AI in engineering design and manufacturing. She is an ASME Fellow and has held leadership roles in the ASME Design Engineering Division and the Design Society. As a researcher, educator, and mentor, Dr. Zhao is committed to advancing intelligent and sustainable manufacturing systems while supporting the next generation of engineers.