One of the most rewarding aspects of my role as dean is the opportunity to interact with students. In college-wide gatherings, small group settings and individual conversations, I’m inspired by their passion and confidence that engineering has the potential to solve some of the world’s most pressing issues.
That potential is on full display in the pages of this issue of Dragon Discoveries. For example, innovative research featured here is aiding in the development of new air quality models that promise to provide critical data to protect human health from pollution and help policy makers make smart decisions to curb its impact. In the area of renewable energy, boundary-pushing work is recycling wasted energy inside microprocessors, significantly moving the needle on efficiency with benefits for both manufacturers and consumers. And a holistic approach is being taken not only to enhance solar cell efficiency but also ensure solar panels are made sustainably to minimize environmental impact. Additionally, pioneering research on reconfigurable intelligent surfaces promises to accelerate the development of robust and secure systems for IoT and wireless communications.
The magazine also highlights how Drexel engineers mobilized their expertise in response to the recent I-95 road collapse. From explaining the science behind the failure of the overpass to securing sections of the road for research and teaching, to studying its impact on commuters, our faculty embraced the challenge. The innovative solutions showcased in these pages, from modeling pollution to making solar power more efficient, exemplify the creativity and determination of our community. As dean, I’m proud of their contributions and confident engineering will continue improving our world.
As we train the next generation of engineers and collaborate with partners in industry and government, our shared goal remains: harnessing the power of technology to build a better, more just and sustainable society. I hope you will be as inspired as I am by the progress highlighted here and join us in ensuring engineering reaches its full potential to drive positive change.
Sharon L. Walker, PhD
Dean and Distinguished Professor
College of Engineering