Projects selected for funding by the newly established Engineering Research Society (ERS) include research into PFAS destruction and using AI to advance aerodynamic modeling for electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.
The University of Toledo College of Engineering has announced the first grant awards from its Engineering Research Society (ERS), marking a key step in enhancing the college’s research profile as part of UToledo’s designation as a Carnegie R1 research institution.
ERS, a membership-based organisation co-led by alumni Don Warner (Class of ’76) and Deb Dauer (Class of ’81), was founded to support and advance research within the College of Engineering. Since its inaugural meeting, which brought together founding members, faculty, alumni, and supporters, the society has collectively raised $800,000 toward its initial $1 million endowment goal.
“These projects exemplify the quality, relevance and interdisciplinary strength of our faculty research, and they reflect the very purpose of ERS: providing timely seed support to catalyze major external funding and broader impact,” said Mohammad Elahinia, dean of the College of Engineering and an ERS member. “I am grateful to everyone who contributed to making this first ERS event a success, and I look forward to continuing to build momentum around engineering research, innovation and collaboration across the college.”
The winning presentations focused on AI and PFAS
Following a first round of research presentations, ERS members voted to award seed funding to two faculty research teams to accelerate their projects in preparation for major external grant submissions.
AI-Driven Aerodynamic Modeling for Future Air Mobility (eVTOL)
The first project, titled “AI-Driven Aerodynamic Modeling for Future Air Mobility (eVTOL),” is led by Dr. Chunhua Sheng, professor in the Department of Mechanical, Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering and director of the Computational Fluid Dynamics Laboratory, alongside Dr. Qiuying Zhao, associate professor of Engineering Technology. Their work utilises artificial intelligence to advance aerodynamic modeling for electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft—a rapidly expanding sector in aerospace and transportation engineering.
Integrated Plasma–Biological Treatment for PFAS Destruction
The second funded project, “Integrated Plasma–Biological Treatment for PFAS Destruction,” is led by Dr. Abbas Semnani, associate professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, College of Engineering Dean’s Fellow and director of the Adaptive Radiofrequency and Plasma Lab, together with Dr. Young Seo, professor in the departments of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Chemical Engineering, Peter Hess Fellow, and director of the COE Water and Environmental Research Initiative. This interdisciplinary project combines plasma and biological treatment methods to destroy per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), persistent environmental contaminants known as “forever chemicals” due to their resistance to natural breakdown and associated public health risks.
ERS will support two projects annually with funding
The Engineering Research Society will distribute grants annually from a UToledo Foundation endowed fund to support two categories of researchers: early-career faculty seeking startup capital for promising new projects, and established researchers requiring bridge funding to secure external grants.
Research areas supported by ERS encompass advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, automation, biomedical devices, energy systems, engineering education, materials development, and sustainability. Memberships are available for individuals, corporations, and institutions interested in supporting this initiative.