Fariborz Tavangarian’s research focuses on investigating the microstructure, micromechanical properties, and crack development patterns and mechanisms found in certain marine sponges. Although their structural components — known as marine spicules (pictured above) — are made of a brittle ceramic (silica), they show unusual toughness and flexibility due to unique factors within the structure.
Fariborz Tavangarian, assistant professor of mechanical engineering, and Olivia Lowe, mechanical engineering student, examine a Euplectella Aspergillum marine sponge to select the proper strand (spicule) to be evaluated by scanning electron microscope. Tavangarian is researching the potential for the spicules to be used in human bone tissue engineering and other applications.
Fariborz Tavangarian, assistant professor of mechanical engineering at Penn State Harrisburg, has been awarded a $616,000 National Science Foundation Faculty Early Career Development award for his project “Achieving Resilience in Brittle Materials Through Bio-inspired Nested Cylindrical Structures,” which focuses on the possible use of marine sponges to design bone implants and other applications.
Sweeta Rasiyan, left, and Madison Forbes, both Penn State York students and Lion Ambassadors, give President-elect Neeli Bendapudi a tour of the campus during her visit in April. “I thought that she was truly kind, and she was very enthusiastic to learn about Penn State York. She was highly engaged in the tour and spoke personally to students that we passed on campus,” said Forbes, a senior majoring in human development and family studies.
Students Lilly Buzard, left, and Felicity Kibaya, right, discuss their research project with President-elect Neeli Bendapudi, center, and Penn State Vice President for Government and Community Relations Zach Moore during Penn State Beaver's Undergraduate Exhibition on April 21.
President-elect Neeli Bendapudi, center, is show the Idea Lab, part of the North Central PA LaunchBox at Penn State DuBois. An instructor in rapid prototyping shows Bendapudi how to use the 3D scanner to input data into the CAD system for manipulation.
President-elect Neeli Bendadpudi, left, takes a question from an audience member during a town-hall style discussion during her visit to Penn State Mont Alto.
