November 12, 2008

Agrawal speaks at international conferences

by Tim Crosby

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CARBONDALE, Ill. -- A faculty member from the College of Engineering at Southern Illinois University Carbondale traveled the globe this month as a speaker at two conferences.

Om Agrawal, professor of mechanical engineering and energy process, gave the keynote address last week at the International Workshop on New Trends in Science and Technology in Ankara, Turkey. Organizers aimed the event at providing information exchange about nanoscience and nanotechnology, nonlinear science, mathematics, physics and engineering. Participants discussed developments in nanotechnology, renewable energy production and storage methods and other topics.

Agrawal also gave the keynote at the International Federation of Automatic Control Workshop on Fractional Differentiation and its Applications, also in Ankara, Turkey. Organizers focused that event on the important developments brought about by fractional, non-integer differentiation mathematics in fields such as mechanics, electricity, chemistry biology and many others. Participants also presented state of the art fractional systems, research and development in fractional calculus and other topics.

“I am pleased that the organizing committee invited me to present keynote speeches and invited talks,” Agrawal said.

The event organizers also planned to present Agrawal with an award for his contributions to the field of fractional derivatives and its applications in engineering.

Agrawal is a member of the International Program Committee for both conferences, and also is acting as a judge for Young Investigator Awards, sponsored by the events.