August 6, 2025

Mechanical engineering major Jacob Bruesch jumped at the chance to lead Michigan Tech's chapter of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. Soon after becoming the student organization's president, he began a revival, working with his fellow executive board members to redefine the org's mission in 2024 over summer break.

“When we were restructuring our goals that summer and understanding how we make intentional efforts to impact the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, we determined the mission was that ASME strives to connect mechanical engineering students with industry and help develop skills and relationships with peers to make mechanical engineering students more successful in life after Tech,” said Bruesch.

While working with the e-board, Bruesch took matters a step further, helping to organize an ASME field trip in March 2025 to tour Enstrom Helicopter in Menominee, Michigan, and Marinette Marine in Marinette, Wisconsin. The experience gave Tech students opportunities to meet with industry professionals, tour facilities and witness engineering processes from start to finish.

“The goal of this company tour was beyond just our experience as students,” said Bruesch. “It was about building the processes to make these experiences easier for students in the future.”

Learn more about Bruesch's vision for ASME and his fellow mechanical engineers at Stories from Husky Nation.

Watching concrete cure might seem dull — until you meet Quang Tran, an assistant professor at Michigan Technological University. Tran is transforming the way we understand concrete curing, especially in the emerging field of 3D concrete printing (3DCP).

After earning an undergraduate degree in industrial systems engineering in Vietnam and gaining experience as a construction project manager, Tran chose to pursue graduate studies in civil and environmental engineering at California State University, followed by a Ph.D. at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. There, he explored nondestructive testing using ultrasound on concrete — an area few others were focused on.

When postdoctoral opportunities in concrete research proved scarce, Tran pivoted to biomedical ultrasound work at institutions like Harvard Medical School and Boston Children’s Hospital. But his passion for concrete research never faded.

At Michigan Tech, Tran has built a lab and launched a commercialization journey with support from the University's Office of Innovation and Commercialization and the National Science Foundation's I-Corps program. Alongside student Entrepreneur Fellows Brenda Chepngeno and Emmanuel Teigong, his team has identified a critical industry pain point — and a solution.

Concrete curing has long relied on experience and estimation — but guesswork in curing often leads to failure. Poor timing in finishing or cutting can cause weak joints or early damage, higher labor costs, and premature infrastructure failure — especially in freeze-thaw environments. Trial and error can cost time, money and public trust. The solution identified by Tran's team is contactless ultrasonic testing.

Using microelectromechanical sensors, Tran developed a noncontact ultrasonic testing system (UTS) that pinpoints when concrete reaches optimal curing time, detects hidden cracks before visible damage occurs, and monitors consistency across entire structures. It’s nondestructive and precise, and provides real-time feedback.

Tran's testing system matters for 3D concrete printing. In 3DCP, each concrete layer must cure enough to support the next but remain fresh enough to bond. Timing is everything. Tran’s technology helps ensure every layer is perfectly cured, improving strength, speed and structural integrity.

The impact? Faster builds, reduced waste and fewer delays. Imagine houses printed in hours, ready for systems installation the same day — with lower costs and environmental impact.

Tran’s technology enables smarter, greener, longer-lasting infrastructure. His team is preparing to pitch at the 2025 AMMP Accelerator’s Detroit Demo Day tomorrow, Aug. 7, bringing this breakthrough one step closer to market.

Want to learn how MTU’s Office of Innovation and Commercialization can help your business access cutting-edge technology or commercialization resources? Contact Julie Baker at juabaker@mtu.edu.

A production system maintenance window is scheduled for Aug. 17 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The following production services will be unavailable during that time:

• apps.mtu.edu
• Banner
• Banweb
• MyMichiganTech
• Aspire
• Course Tools
• Degreeworks
• Experience
• Fischer/mylogin.mtu.edu
• mtu.edu/tips
• OAP Rental System
• Oracle Reports
• Papercut Printing
• Perceptive Content (Imagenow)
• Pinnacle
• Sunapsis
• UC4/Appworx
• Virtual Cashiering
• WebFocus

If you have any questions or concerns, we can help. Email IT at it-help@mtu.edu or call 906-487-1111.

Job Postings for Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025

Staff and faculty job descriptions are available on the Human Resources website. For more information regarding staff positions, call 906-487-2280 or email humanresources@mtu.edu. For more information regarding faculty positions, contact the academic department in which the position is posted.

Custodian (first shift, 12 months, five positions), Facilities Management (AFSCME posting dates Aug. 6 to Aug. 12, 2025 — external applicants are encouraged to apply; however, internal AFSCME applicants are given first consideration if they apply during the internal AFSCME posting dates). Apply online.

​Senior Office Assistant (12 months, 40 hours), Facilities Management (UAW posting dates Aug. 6 to Aug. 12, 2025 — external applicants are encouraged to apply; however, internal UAW applicants are given first consideration if they apply during the internal UAW posting dates). Apply online.

Michigan Technological University is an Equal Opportunity Educational Institution/Equal Opportunity Employer that provides equal opportunity for all, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Accommodations are available. If you require any auxiliary aids, services, or other accommodations to apply for employment, or for an interview, at Michigan Technological University, please notify the Human Resources office at 906-487-2280 or humanresources@mtu.edu.

SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry mentioned Michigan Tech in a news release about the upcoming Northern Hardwoods Conference, taking place Aug. 5-7 in Syracuse, New York. Researchers from Michigan Tech will join forest professionals, universities and agency officials to discuss the future of northern hardwood forests.

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The Daily Mining Gazette covered the Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts’ announcement of its 2025/26 Presenting Series season, celebrating the Rozsa’s 25th anniversary.

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Golf.com featured Michigan Tech alum Robert Zokoe (B.S Mechanical Engineering) in a story about his collection of more than 40,000 pieces of golf memorabilia spanning a century.

Summer Hours End on Sunday

Michigan Tech's summer hours will end on Sunday, Aug. 10. Beginning on Monday, Aug. 11, the University will return to regular office hours.

Regular hours of operation are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. All offices must be staffed during these hours.

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Cashier's Office Closure

The Cashier's Office/Student Billing Office, located within the Student Financial Services Center, will be closed today, Aug. 6, from 8:30-11 a.m. for a department meeting. The office will reopen at 11 a.m.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

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A Cup of Joe with the Safety Crew

Michigan Tech’s Safety Team — Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) and the Office of Risk, Insurance, Safety, Security, and Compliance (RISSC) — will be hosting our next monthly coffee talk: a chance for all Huskies to share a cup of coffee and learn about the importance of campus health and safety.

We invite you to join us today, Aug. 6, from 9-10 a.m. in MUB Ballroom B.

Topic: Update from Research Integrity Lab Inspection Team

Enjoy a coffee and snacks while our colleagues from the Research Integrity Laboratory Inspection Team give a short update on this year’s inspection process and results, the evolution of the program, and how safety officers and researchers can help tackle common problems they’ve seen across campus.

In addition, there will be an informal opportunity to talk with our campus safety professionals about other safety-related questions and issues.

Mark your calendar and come ask the questions you have always wanted to ask and get the answers you need about Michigan Tech Safety programs, legal compliance issues and additional resources... and have a cup of Joe with the Safety Crew!

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Keweenaw Mineral Days Surplus Mineral Sale at the A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum

Keweenaw Mineral Days are back at Michigan Tech's A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum! This year’s Keweenaw Mineral Days events will coincide with this week's “Keweenaw Week” events hosted by the Copper Country Rock and Mineral Club.

Don't forget about the A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum's revamped Surplus Mineral Sale, happening today, Aug. 6. The sale is free and open to the public. See our schedule of events for details.

This year’s Keweenaw Mineral Days Surplus Mineral Sale does not require registration; however, for planning purposes, we are asking anyone planning to attend the sale to RSVP using our Keweenaw Mineral Days 2025 RSVP Form.

Schedule of Events:

• Surplus Mineral Sale: Wednesday, Aug. 6, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  Come browse our surplus minerals! There will be about 25 six-foot-long tables with mineral flats. We will keep putting flats out throughout the sale. There will be three pricing tiers: Tier One (priced as marked), Tier Two (20% off), and Tier Three (40% off).
  – Location: Museum back entrance, on the asphalt and cement sidewalk area.

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Facilities Management Offices Closed for Staff Meeting

Michigan Tech's Facilities Management offices will be closed today, Aug. 6, from 8:30-11 a.m. for a staff meeting.

Facilities Management staff thank you for your patience during the closure. Voice and email messages will be responded to after we've returned from our meeting.

To have your event automatically appear, please submit them to the University Events Calendar.

Strength and Conditioning : Summer Middle School Program

Wednesday, August 6, 10–11 a.m. | Student Development Complex (SDC), Multi-Purpose

Lead by the MTU Strength and Conditioning Staff, this 8-week summer program is for athletes looking to improve their performance and fitness level to prepare for the upcoming...

Strength and Conditioning : Summer High School Program

Wednesday, August 6, 11 a.m.–12 p.m. | Student Development Complex (SDC), Multi-Purpose

Lead by the MTU Strength and Conditioning Staff, this 8-week summer program is for athletes looking to improve their performance and fitness level to prepare for the upcoming...

Soccer : Summer Youth Camp - Session 1

Wednesday, August 6, 5:30 p.m.–6:30 a.m. | Student Development Complex (SDC), Multi-Purpose

This camp and session is available to boys and girls entering grades Pre-K through 3rd grade as of Fall 2025. Campers will learn a variety of soccer skills that will help them...

Soccer : Summer Youth Camp - Session 2

Wednesday, August 6, 6:45 p.m.–8:15 a.m. | Student Development Complex (SDC)

This camp session is open to boys and girls entering grades 4 through 8 as of Fall 2025. Campers will learn a variety of soccer skills that will help them fall in love with...