Wayne State University’s College of Engineering offers experts for automotive stories before, during and after the 2016 North American International Auto Show. Whether you need third-party information on a particular technology or drivetrain, are looking for an explanation of new materials or manufacturing processes, or are looking for a source to provide a research overview, consider these voices. Wayne State public relations staff will ensure quick contact and will help arrange immediate interviews. Contact Mike Brinich, associate director of communications, at 313-577-5699 or mikebrinich@wayne.edu. 

AUTONOMOUS DRIVING

Jing Hua, professor of computer science. Hua has worked on the use and real-time processing of visual perception data that allow cars to “see” and respond to traffic inputs. He can help answer questions on the progress and future of self-driving vehicle technology in this area. He is the founding director of the Computer Graphics and Imaging Lab (GIL) and Visualization Lab (VIS) in the  computer science department at Wayne State University. Hua received his Ph.D. in computer science from the State University of New York at Stony Brook in 2004.

Hongwei Zhang, associate professor of computer science. Zhang is currently working on research and field projects involving vehicle-to-vehicle communication. He can help answer questions on the progress and development of the kind of networking that is necessary for the safety of self-driving cars in the future. He leads the Dependable Networking and Computing research group at Wayne State University. Zhang received his Ph.D. from The University of Ohio in 2006. For more information, see cs.wayne.edu/~hzhang.

SAFETY

John Cavanaugh, professor and associate chair of biomedical engineering. Dr. Cavanaugh is an expert on impact biomechanics — what happens to drivers and passengers during a crash. He can help answer questions on vehicle crash safety and occupant protection, especially side-impact safety (passive safety). At Wayne State University, Dr. Cavanaugh has specialized in the study of impact injuries to the human shoulder, thorax and pelvis, and researched concussion and the mechanisms of spinal pain.  Dr. Cavanaugh received his M.D. from Michigan State University in 1984.

King-Hay Yang, professor of biomedical engineering and director of the Bioengineering Center. Yang is an expert on crashworthiness and injury biomechanics in transportation systems. He can help answer questions about active and passive safety features in automobiles. Yang received his Ph.D. from Wayne State University in 1985. He is an internationally renowned expert in using detailed human models (different than crash test dummies) to access vehicle safety.

Albert King, distinguished professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering. King is the founding chair of the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Wayne State University and an international expert on safety devices in automobiles, the mechanisms of spinal injury, and experimental models of head injury. He can answer questions about overall occupant safety protection in automobiles and the history of automotive safety developments. King received his Ph.D. from Wayne State University in 1966.

PERFORMANCE AND EFFICIENCY

Chin-An Tan, professor, mechanical engineering. Tan is an expert on structural dynamics, vibration, and control; system analysis, and mechatronics. He can answer questions about vehicle performance and dynamics — especially braking systems — and on advanced manufacturing. Tan received his Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley.

Nabil Chalhoub, DeVlieg Professor and chair, mechanical engineering. Chalhoub is a pioneer in advanced controls research for engines and other complex systems. He can answer questions about engine dynamics, lubrication (tribology) and internal combustion engine efficiency. Dr. Chalhoub received his Ph.D. from the University of Michigan in 1986.

MANUFACTURING

Jeremy Rickli, assistant professor, industrial and systems engineering. Rickli is an expert on sustainable manufacturing, manufacturing quality monitoring and remanufacturing systems. He can answer questions on how cars move from concept to manufacture to end-of-use recovery, and on sustainability and manufacturing impacts from the inclusion of new lightweight materials in vehicles. Dr. Rickli received his Ph.D. from Virginia Tech in 2013.

Yinlun Huang, professor, chemical engineering and materials science and director, Laboratory for Multiscale Complex Systems Science and Engineering. Huang is an expert on sustainable manufacturing and the modeling of complex systems. He can answer questions on materials, nanotechnology and chemistry in auto manufacturing. Huang received his Ph.D. from Kansas State University in 1992.

COMPONENT ENGINEERING

Guru Dinda, assistant professor, mechanical engineering. Dinda is an expert in laser materials processing and additive manufacturing, which is commonly termed 3-D printing. He has developed a laser additive manufacturing facility at WSU, which can be used for manufacturing and remanufacturing of high-value automotive components. Dinda can answer questions on the new component manufacturing technology. He received his Ph.D. from Saarland University, Germany, in 2006.

ELECTRIC VEHICLE

Jerry Ku, associate professor, mechanical engineering. Ku is an expert on the design of hybrid and electric vehicles and their subsystems. He can answer questions on alternative energy technology, electric propulsion systems, battery pack technology, controls development and testing, powertrain modeling and simulation, heat transfer and reacting flow modeling and simulation, and overall transportation electrification needs. Dr. Ku received his Ph.D. from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1985.

Gene Liao, professor, engineering technology and head of electric-drive vehicle engineering program. Liao is an expert on hybrid vehicle powertrain, advanced battery systems and driveline dynamics. He can answer questions about the development and direction for new propulsion systems and the challenges automakers face in incorporating new drivetrain technology into vehicles. Prior to Wayne State, he worked as a practicing engineer for more than 15 years in the automotive sector. Liao received his D.Eng. degree from the University of Michigan in 1999.

Chih-Peng (CP) Yeh, division chair and professor, engineering technology, electric-drive vehicle engineering. Yeh is an expert on overall aspects of vehicle electrification. He can answer questions on the electric vehicle economy, workforce development for the electric vehicle industry, and the automotive impact of future fuel improvement technologies. Yeh received his Ph.D. from Texas A&M University in 1986.