Haitham Hadidi and Cody Kanger work with the Optomec Lens 3D Hybrid Machine Tool in the Scott Engineering Center. The Laser Engineered Net Shaping (LENS) 3D Metal Hybrid Vertical Milling Center (VMC) Inert System provides an atmosphere controlled environment for additive manufacturing of reactive metals. LENS systems use high-powered lasers to build structures layer by layer directly from powdered metals, alloys, ceramics or composites.. July 26, 2018. Photo by Craig Chandler / University Communication
College of Engineering poised for growth
After years of steady growth in student enrollment and faculty hires, the College of Engineering is further expanding its capacity for research, education and outreach. On Aug. 3, the University of Nebraska Board of Regents approved a $75 million building project to renovate Walter Scott Engineering Center and the Link, which connects the building to Nebraska Hall. Construction will begin in 2019.
In May, the college opened the Nebraska Engineering Additive Technology Labs, putting the university on the leading edge of smart manufacturing. Prahalada Rao, assistant professor of mechanical and materials engineering, is using the NEAT Labs’ capabilities to improve 3D printing, the focus of his National Science Foundation Faculty Early Career Development Program award.
Lance C. Pérez, Omar H. Heins Professor of electrical and computer engineering, became engineering dean May 10. Prior to serving as interim dean from July 2016-May 2018, he was associate vice chancellor for academic affairs and dean of graduate studies. Pérez joined the university in 1996.
