Bill Pappas, a 1983 mechanical engineering technology graduate, has been part of two Indianapolis 500 victories — including serving as chief engineer during Juan Pablo Montoya’s win in 2000. Today, Pappas is vice president of competition and race engineering for the IndyCar series.

Purdue Polytechnic faculty in the “Realizing the Digital Enterprise” research impact area are working to pair technological capability and social responsibility, creating successful cyber–physical experiences.

Gozdem Kilaz, associate professor of engineering technology, received Purdue Polytechnic’s Outstanding Faculty in Discovery Award. Much of Kilaz’ research has focused on alternative liquid transportation fuels, including development, testing and approval of biofuels.

Through a generous gift from Kiewit, a construction and engineering company, the Purdue College of Engineering and the Purdue Polytechnic Institute will offer the Kiewit Scholars Program at Purdue. Eligible Polytechnic students are rising sophomores, juniors and seniors that demonstrate academic merit, leadership and civic engagement while pursuing degrees in Construction Management Technology, Design and Construction Integration, Electrical Engineering Technology, or Mechanical Engineering Technology.

A delegation from the Universidad Nacional de San Agustín (UNSA) in Arequipa, Peru, visited Purdue University’s West Lafayette campus in October to prepare for the third phase of a major multidisciplinary research partnership. Purdue Polytechnic’s Daniel Leon-Salas, who served as one of the delegation’s hosts, is developing a low-cost, portable sensor to measure photosynthetically active solar radiation to help farmers and plant growers to assess the solar resources available to them.

A STEM enrichment program offered through a partnership between Purdue Polytechnic Anderson and the Sistas of Royalty, a mentoring program, is building interest in attending college amongst sixth grade girls in the Anderson area.

Soft actuators, components in mechanical devices that enable movement, are inspired by biological systems but can’t yet replicate the complexity of the human body. Purdue Polytechnic’s David Gonzalez Rodriguez is researching the creation of 3D-printed flexible structures that can function as soft actuators and sensors.

Manufacturers in Indiana who aren’t yet using data and artificial intelligence to modernize their operations are missing a golden opportunity, according to a study by Purdue Polytechnic’s Ragu Athinarayanan.

Purdue Polytechnic Anderson and Ninestar Connect, a cooperative offering electricity, water and fiber optic services in Hancock County, Ind., are working together to engage students and the local community in learning about new agricultural innovations.

Purdue Polytechnic’s Mark French was named one of Purdue’s first 150th Anniversary Professors, which recognizes faculty who have shown the highest levels of achievement in Purdue’s mission of education.