Troy, N.Y. — Aleksandar Ostrogorsky, professor of mechanical, aeronautical, and nuclear engineering and professor of materials science and engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, has been named a fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME).  Designation as a fellow, the highest grade of membership within ASME, recognizes significant contributions to the engineering profession.

Ostrogorsky conducts basic research on the production of more perfect semiconductor crystals, which could lead to improved computer technology, communications, and infrared detectors.  He was the principal investigator of the first scientific experiments conducted in the Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG) facility aboard the International Space Station.  This NASA-sponsored project, called Solidification Using a Baffle in Sealed Ampoules (SUBSA), examined the process of semiconductor crystal growth under microgravity conditions in outer space.

 “Professor Ostrogorsky has the uncanny ability to ask penetrating questions at the basic science level and connect the answers to important practical problems at the leading edge of technology,” said Wolf von Maltzahn, associate vice president for research at Rensselaer. “His research has significantly deepened our understanding of crystal growth and development. Rensselaer is proud of his accomplishments and the honor of being elected fellow of ASME.”

Ostrogorsky was cited by ASME for his research in the Submerged Heater Method, a process he invented in 1989 for growing crystals. In 2002, this process was used to investigate growth of semiconductor crystals in space aboard the International Space Station (ISS) Alpha.

Ostrogorsky also studies the growth of semiconductor compounds, alloys, and carbon nanotubes in various conditions. He teaches both undergraduate and graduate courses ranging from Introduction to Engineering Design to various advanced heat transfer courses.

He joined the Rensselaer faculty in 1993. He earned a Science Doctor (Sc.D.) degree in mechanical engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1986, a master’s in nuclear engineering from Rensselaer in 1981, and a Dpil. Ing. in mechanical engineering from the University of Belgrade in 1977.

About ASME
Founded in 1880 as the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, today ASME International is a nonprofit educational and technical organization serving a worldwide membership of 120,000. ASME’s mission is to promote and enhance the technical competency and professional well-being of its members, and through quality programs and activities in mechanical engineering, better enable its practitioners to contribute to the well-being of humankind.

Contact: Mary Cimo
Phone: (518) 687-7174
E-mail: cimom@rpi.edu