Category: Events

Each seminar highlights a different speaker who will discuss their latest research projects, cutting-edge technology or what is happening within certain technological industries. These industries include biomedical technologies or microsystems, assistive technologies, automation and intelligent systems, unmanned systems, advanced manufacturing and composite materials.

Topic:

Metrology-in-the-Loop Manufacturing: Layer-to-Layer Control of Additive Manufacturing

Abstract:

This talk will begin with an overview of manufacturing research at Missouri S&T, including an update on the Missouri Protoplex—a 110,000 sq. ft. facility featuring 40,000 sq. ft. of high-bay space designed to foster university–industry collaboration. The Protoplex is scheduled to open in Spring 2026.  The technical focus of the presentation will be on metrology-in-the-loop (MITL) manufacturing—the direct integration of metrology into the manufacturing process to automatically adjust machine operation for process stabilization and performance improvement. The discussion will center on one application of MITL: achieving layer-to-layer stabilization in additive manufacturing, specifically within the blown-powder direct energy deposition (DED) process (also known as LENS).  In DED, 3D parts are built layer by layer through the deposition of weld beads along a programmed path. Under certain conditions, parts may fail to build properly or develop propagating surface ripples. This talk will demonstrate how these failure modes can be understood by modeling the coupled layer-to-layer and in-layer dynamics of the process. Stability analysis techniques for the resulting multidimensional dynamic system will be used to identify failure modes, and a corresponding control framework will be developed to achieve stable layer growth.  Experimental results will highlight the use of an in-process optical geometry scanner on a DED system to automatically detect and correct instabilities, enabling consistent part geometry. The presentation will conclude with examples of other MITL applications, including incremental sheet forming and robotic machining.

Biography:

Dr. Douglas A. Bristow is currently the William Walker III Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T).  He received his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Missouri S&T in 2001, and his M.S. and Ph.D., also in Mechanical Engineering, from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2003 and 2007, respectively.  Dr. Bristow is the Director of the Center for Aerospace Manufacturing Technologies, an industry consortium focused on developing and implementing next generation manufacturing technologies, primarily in additive manufacturing and robotic manufacturing.  He has more than 100 peer-reviewed publications with more than 4000 citations.  His research interests include precision motion control, iterative process control, and metrology-in-the-loop with applications in additive manufacturing, atomic force microscopy, machine tools, and robotic manufacturing.  Dr. Bristow’s research is funded by the National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy, Manufacturing USA Institutes, and industry including Boeing, Bell Helicopter, GKN Aerospace, Toyota, Caterpillar, and DMG-Mori.  In 2020 he received the ASME Rudolph Kalman Best Paper award for his work on modeling layer-to-layer dynamics in direct energy deposition.

Date:

Tuesday, November 11, 2025

Time:

10:00 a.m. (CST)

Location:

UTARI Auditorium
7300 Jack Newell Blvd. S, Fort Worth, Tx 76118

Or join us via Teams.

Each seminar highlights a different speaker who will discuss their latest research projects, cutting-edge technology or what is happening within certain technological industries. These industries include biomedical technologies or microsystems, assistive technologies, automation and intelligent systems, unmanned systems, advanced manufacturing and composite materials.

Topic:

Intellectual Property (IP) Basics and Career as a Patent Examiner

Abstract:

Join us for an informative webinar presented by Mr. Reynaldo D. Vasquez, USPTO Southwest Regional Outreach Officer, and Ms. Hope Shimabuku, Regional Director of the USPTO Southwest Regional Outreach Office.

This interactive seminar, hosted by the UTA NAI Chapter, will provide a comprehensive overview of the four main types of intellectual property: patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets. It will also explain their significance in supporting innovation for entrepreneurs and businesses. Attendees will also gain valuable insights into how these forms of IP are protected under U.S. law.

Additionally, the session will highlight career opportunities as a patent examiner at the USPTO, providing a unique perspective on working at the forefront of innovation.

Topics include:
•Key concepts and examples of patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets
•Why innovators and entrepreneurs should consider protecting their IP
•USPTO and other resources for inventors, entrepreneurs, and small businesses
•Life as a USPTO Patent Examiner
Whether you’re an inventor, entrepreneur, student, or professional interested in intellectual property or a career in public service, this seminar offers valuable insights into how the USPTO supports innovation and how you can be part of it.

Biography:

Hope Shimabuku – Regional Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office’s
Southwest Regional Outreach Office

As the Regional Director of the USPTO’s Southwest Regional Outreach Office, Hope Shimabuku carries out the strategic direction of the Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellec­tual Property and Director of the USPTO, and is responsible for leading the Southwest office. Focusing on the region and actively engaging with the community, Ms. Shima­buku ensures the USPTO’s initiatives and programs are tailored to the region’s unique ecosystem of industries and stakeholders.

Ms. Shimabuku brings to the USPTO nearly three decades of experience as an engineer and intellectual property attor­ney. Most recently, Ms. Shimabuku was part of the Office of General Counsel at Xerox Corporation serving as Vice Pres­ident and Corporate Counsel responsible for all intellectual property matters for Xerox Business Services LLC. She also worked for BlackBerry Corporation advising on United States and Chinese standards setting, cyber security, technology transfer, and intellectual property laws and legislation. As an engineer, she worked for Procter & Gamble and Dell Com­puter Corporation.

Ms. Shimabuku is a leader in the Texas region. She currently sits on the Emerging Leaders Board for the Southern Meth­odist University Dedman School of Law, the Texas Intellec­tual Property Alliance board, and the board for the Texas Chapter of the ChIPs. She is also an honorary member and inaugural member of the Barbara M.G. Lynn IP Inn of Court. She is a past chair for the Intellectual Property Section of the State Bar of Texas, served as past president of the Dallas Asian American Bar Association, chaired the Dallas Diversity Task Force, and served on the board of the Dallas Bar Asso­ciation and as a member of the Grievance Committee for the State Bar of Texas – District 6.

Throughout her career, Ms. Shimabuku has championed diversity efforts, including service as the first Asian-Amer­ican Chair of the Intellectual Property Law Section of the State Bar of Texas and was honored with the Champion of Diversity Award by the Association of Corporate Counsel and separately by the Asian Pacific Interest Section of the State Bar of Texas. She is also the recip­ient of the Justice David Wellington Chew Award by the Asian Pacific Interest Section of the State Bar of Texas for her commitment to pave the way for the advancement of Asian Pacific American attorneys in Texas. She has received numerous professional honors, including being honored as a Hero of Innovation by the Center for American and International Law, being selected as a Dallas Business Journal “Top 40 Under Forty,” named Dallas Business Journal’s Corporate Counsel Rookie of the Year, selected as one of DCEO’s “500 Most Powerful Business Leaders,” being awarded the Women’s Leadership Award by the National Asian Pacific American Bar Associa­tion, and being awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award for Government Services for SMU Dedman School of Law.

Ms. Shimabuku has had the opportunity to participate in var­ious events throughout her tenure with the USPTO, including SXSW Interactive, the Houston Tech Rodeo, Craft Brewers Conference and Brew Expo America, Center for American and International Policy, the Conrad Challenge Innovation Summit, FIRST Championships, and as a casting call guest on ABC’s Shark Tank.

Ms. Shimabuku received a B.S. in mechanical engineering from the University of Texas at Austin, and graduated cum laude with a J.D. from the Southern Methodist University Dedman School of Law. She is a native Texan, born and raised in Houston.

Reynaldo D. Vasquez- USPTO Southwest Regional Outreach Officer

As the Southwest Regional Outreach Officer, Mr. Vasquez is responsible for stakeholder engagement and outreach initiatives on behalf of the USPTO in the five states that comprise the Southwest Region: Kansas, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas.

Before joining the USPTO, Mr. Vasquez served with the U.S. Small Business Administration as an Economic Development Specialist, Veterans Business Development Officer and District International Trade Officer for the Lower Rio Grande Valley District Office. Mr. Vasquez served with the U.S. SBA from December 2009 to April of 2021, before that Mr.

Vasquez worked for the U.S. Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) from 2006-2009 at the Port Isabel Detention Center (PIDC) assisting in the purchasing and administration of the center. Additionally, Mr. Vasquez served in the U.S. Army from 2004-2006 and continues to serve in the U.S. Army National Guard from 2006 to present as a Human Resources and Dental Specialist.

Mr. Vasquez has a BA in Business Management and AA in Business Administration from UTRGV. Mr. Vasquez comes from a family of entrepreneurs from industries such as mechanics, lawyers, accountants, and home health agencies. Mr. Vasquez has specialized in real estate management, entrepreneurship development, commercial, and international trade financing.

Date:

Friday, October 10, 2025

Time:

1:00 p.m. (CST)

Location:

Teams

The UTSW/DFW Adaptive Sports Coalition is hosting its 8th Annual Adaptive Sports Expo on Saturday, October 11, 2025, 10AM to 3PM at the Maverick Activities Center (MAC) to showcase the variety of sports, recreational, fitness, and wellness activities available to individuals with impairments and disabilities in the region. UTARI’s booth at the expo will feature an Adaptive Rowing Machine and an Adaptive Cycling Machine developed by the Biomedical Technologies Division.

To register for the Adaptive Sports Expo and make sure you receive all future correspondence and updates about this event, please fill out the information on this link. If you have any questions, please email adaptivesports@utsouthwestern.edu.

Each seminar highlights a different speaker who will discuss their latest research projects, cutting-edge technology or what is happening within certain technological industries. These industries include biomedical technologies or microsystems, assistive technologies, automation and intelligent systems, unmanned systems, advanced manufacturing and composite materials.

Title:

2D Cartesian Sound Source Localization in an Indoor Reverberant Environment Using Deep Learning

Abstract:

Robots without proficient auditory functions often struggle in unpredictable situations and are largely ineffective in human collaboration and interaction. Sound perception often surpasses visual abilities, especially in dark or cluttered environments. This exceptional feature of auditory perception can be pivotal: aiding disaster robots in locating victims, assisting self-driving cars in avoiding obscured obstacles or pedestrians, and facilitating seamless human-robot interactions even through physical barriers. For accurate sound source pinpointing in real-world scenarios, it is essential to consider the complexity posed by sound wave propagation in such a complex environment. Tackling these issues, this study introduces an innovative method for two-dimensional (2D) sound source localization in Cartesian coordinate system in cluttered, real-world indoor settings. This novel method leverages the capabilities of both conventional method and deep learning method by utilizing sound signal combined with environment maps generated by robotic SLAM for the first time, drawing upon information from incoming sound signals and environmental geometry. Ultimately, this research novel method can predict the location of a sound source in 2D Cartesian coordinate with just using small amount of training data faster and easier and more precise due to using sound signal and geometry of the environment. This groundwork paves the way for subsequent studies, adapting the strategy for spaces with multiple sound sources and intricate indoor areas where humans and robots might cooperate in separate rooms.

Bio:

Dr. Maziar Abhari received his PhD from Wichita State University in 2024, his master from Tarbiat Modares University, Iran in 2017 and his bachelor from Babol Noshirvani University of Technology, Iran, in 2014 all in Mechanical Engineering. He has recently joined University of Texas at Arlington as an Adjunct Assistant Professor in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering department. During his research in PhD, he developed a new method for localizing sound sources in an indoor environment. His new method involved not only the sound captured by microphone, but also the geometry of the environment to increase the accuracy of localization and make cartesian localization possible. During his research in master, he also developed a rehabilitation robot for assisting stroke patients during arm rehabilitation. His current research interests are in Robotics, Control, Machine Learning and Computer Vision field.