National Academy of Engineering Selects Professor Michele Manuel for Highest Professional Honor

The National Academy of Engineering has elected UF professor Michele Manuel, Ph.D., to join the organization’s ranks, among the highest professional honors in engineering for those who have distinguished themselves in academia, private industry, or government agencies.

Manuel, who is chair of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, is recognized for her research, implementation and teaching involving dissolving medical implants for surgery as well as self-healing metals and lightweight, high-performance alloys.

In the airline and aerospace industries, as an example, she contributed to the development of self-repairing metals that mend cracks caused by stress and fatigue without the need for skilled technicians or direct contact. Traditionally, the airline industry relies heavily on metallic materials, such as aluminum alloys, that can crack or even fail under the physical stress of frequent reloading. Repairing these fissures typically requires additional materials, an expert in repair techniques or even the replacement of entire components of the air or spacecraft. The self-repairing alloys are also more robust than the traditional repair technology.

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