Dr. Fareed Dawan Battles for Real Estate on the Micro-level
Dr. Fareed Dawan, a tenured professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Southern University and Founder and CEO of In Aim Technologies Corporation, battles for real estate on the micro-level. Researching advanced manufacturing of multi-functional composite materials, Dr. Dawan is working to patent sustainable nano-technology to improve materials for the energy, aerospace, and personal health industries.
So what do phrases like “advanced manufacturing of multi-functional composite materials” and “nano-technology” mean? Good question. We recently chatted with Dr. Dawan ahead of his September 14 talk at TEDxBatonRouge to discuss how he got started in the field, his deep connection to the Baton Rouge community, and what he’s looking forward to most as we gear up for the big day. Highlights of our conversation are below.
You are a researcher and professor in the Mechanical Engineering Department at Southern University. Has the field of mechanical engineering always been a passion of yours?
Yes and no. It is now, but it didn’t start that way. I vividly remember the day my parents brought home an Apple Macintosh computer. I was ecstatic. I could play for hours on what I thought at the time was the coolest and most technologically-advanced machine. My absolute favorite game was Oregon Trail.
One time I was playing, I found myself on the edge of dying from dysentery and suddenly, the screen went black. That was followed by a tone and a white blinking prompt with the text, “Syntax Error.” What was this blinking prompt, and what input was it awaiting? When I mashed the keyboard, what was this odd script of gibberish? My curiosity was ignited as a veil was lifted before my eyes to reveal what was behind the game. I wanted to make sense of it. From there, I pursued the field of computer science.
You started in computer science, but made the switch to mechanical engineering?
First came computer engineering. Although I loved the challenge of getting the computer to do something through strings and lines of code, the field of study didn’t love me back... So I made the switch to something that would get me hands-on experience with the inner workings and hardware of a computer. Technically, I received a degree in electrical engineering with a major in computer engineering and a minor in mathematics. Mechanical Engineering came later during a summer research experience and graduate school.
Where did micro- and nano-technology come into play?
In one of my undergraduate courses at Louisiana State University, solid state devices (an intro course to semiconductor devices such as microchips and transistors), Professor Lee announced an opportunity for research experience over the summer. I immediately approached him and said that I was interested. Upon arriving at his office to chat more about it, I couldn’t help but notice all the papers and books stacked from the floor to the ceiling, nearly hiding his desk and chair.
Among the clutter I noticed tacked to the far wall, a sheet of paper with an image, in black and white, of an ant sitting on top of a gear. Think about that…the picture was clearly of an ant magnified so much that you can see the miniscule hairs on its face and antennae, and it was sitting on a mechanical gear. Ants are pretty tiny last I checked, which means this mechanical gear was even smaller. What tools and processes could have possibly constructed a gear at this scale with such high precision?
Dr. Lee asked if I had liked what I saw. I simply said yes. He then said, “I’ll write you a letter of recommendation,” to what would become one of the most pivotal moments in my education and career journey: The Center for Advanced Microstructures and Devices, also known as CAMD. This is where micro and nanotechnology came into play and where my bridge between LSU and Southern University would form.
Tell us more about CAMD. What kind of work happens there?
CAMD is what is known in the science arena, as a synchrotron radiation center, a facility housing a circumferentially large steel tube under an extreme vacuum which allows electrons injected inside to travel nearly unhindered around and around at nearly the speed of light.
From the second I stepped foot in the Center, I was completely hooked. Daily, I found myself surrounded by incredible minds from every corner of the world, and by incredible technology. The research they conduct and things they create go on to change the world in ways that are mostly too small for us to even notice. And this place is right here in our own backyard of Baton Rouge.
Speaking of Baton Rouge, what’s your connection to the community?
I was born and raised here, in the Mayfair neighborhood actually. I went to Southern University for my masters degree and earned my PhD from LSU. With the partnerships between LSU and Southern, particularly for my field, I’ve never wanted or needed to be anywhere else. I get to be a part of world-class research that has a global impact from my own hometown.
We’ve all heard/seen the meme with the phrase, “Thank you for coming to my TED talk.” How does it feel to actually be preparing to give a TEDx talk?
Exhilarating. I feel honored and privileged to be given the opportunity to share my ideas with a broad audience.
What are you most excited about for TEDxBatonRouge?
That undiscovered voices and ideas will be given a stage to be heard. It is an effective medium to knit Baton Rouge even tighter.
Anything you can share with us about your talk?
Absolutely not! No sneak peeks. You’ll have to buy a ticket to hear about my “idea worth spreading.”
To learn more about Fareed or about TEDxBatonRouge, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Secure your ticket today to experience his talk, as well as the talks of all other TEDxBatonRouge 2023 speakers.
