Israeli PR manager visits BME

Projects and External Relations Manager of Technion University Faculty of Mechanical Engineering Shimrit Wagner-Lior had a visit at BME in the framework of Erasmus+, between June 26-29 2023. More

Doing research where Oppenheimer did

Hunor Csala, a BME Faculty of Mechanical Engineering graduate, is a PhD student at the University of Utah, spends his summer as an intern at Los Alamos National Laboratory. Unlike Oppenheimer, he uses neural networks and differential equations to model blood flow. More

’Everything is possible with great determination’

„The most valuable tool I have learnt at BME is how to research and understand complex problems.” Interview with Omar Taha, mechanical engineer alumni of BME.

Where were you born?

I was born in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, but I am from Sudan. More

PROFESSOR OF TECHNION UNIVERSITY IN ISRAEL, ALON WOLF WAS AWARDED DOCTOR HONORIS CAUSA OF BME

​​​​​​​Alon Wolf PhD (on the left), professor of Technion University in Haifa, Israel was awarded a doctor honoris causa of Budapest University of Technology and Economics.

What was the topic of your lecture held at BME?

My lecture was a bit different from a classical academic speech, it was about how to conduct research and entepreneurship. How to go through the process, defining the questions, approaching and testing hypothesis, to get to a dissertation or a final business product. Despite the lecture took a few hours, the tools and the method was just a highlight of the studies we have made. So probably I will come back later this year, because I was asked so by the students to hold an extended workshop.

Tell me about the collaboration with BME’s Department of Mechatronics, Optics and Mechanical Engineering Informatics, in the framework of Erasmus+!

It is important to strengthen our collaboration, going back to more, than 20 years. BME and Technion exchange students, PhD students and scholars as well, and have joint research in the fields of dynamics, control, robotics, material sciences.

The option of Erasmus+ there were some difficulties due to COVID restrictions, but once we managed to launch, the project started to accelerate.

It is fascinating, that BME and Technion is doing research on nearly the same discipline, but on different approach, creating scholars’ and student exchanges serve science, education and the future. The students get an additional perspective, which they have not been exposed at their universities. These are the tools to enable science and research to become global.

Have you been to Budapest before? How do you like our city?

Budapest is beautiful, I have been here several times. I visited the Opera House, the Margit Island Open Theatre, I feel at home each and every time I come to Budapest. It is understandable, as I have roots from Hungary. My grandfather was a soldier in the Austro-Hungarian Army. Once, when I was walking on the street, near the Synagogue, I suddenly felt the smell of my grandmother’s kitchen.

How did you feel when you were awarded at BME?

It is flattering to receive a doctor honoris causa title, standing next to Katalin Karikó, and other colleagues from the MIT and Ohio State University. As I have said in my speech held at the ceremony: ’Being a honorary doctor does not come only with the honour, it also comes with commitment to continue the collaboration and student involvement, it is not just a degree to hang on the wall.’

(László Benesóczky)

'I love the delightful professional conversations' - Interview with Hangyu Lu

Hangyu Lu, visiting PhD student (L), with professor
Gábor Stépán (R)

Hangyu Lu, visiting PhD student at BME Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Department of Applied Mechanics (MM) about his research and experiences in Hungary.

 

How did you decide to come to BME?

 

It's not my first time here. In 2019 I have stayed here for 5 and half months while attending the first year of my PhD studies. Luckily, I received approximately 8 000 $ in funding from the China Association of Science of Technology (CAST) China, a grant for the international mobility of PhD students. At that time, our research group was researching on non-linear dynamics of shimmy wheels, and we met and cited several papers of professor Gábor Stépán and Dénes Takács, associate professor.

 

I had an opportunity also to go to UIUC, but I decided to come to BME. I contacted Gábor Stépán and Tamás Insperger. They replied within a day that I was warmly welcome here.

The second time, after two years, we decided to come again, as we have a lot of joint co-operations and publications and a collaborative international project (TÉT-IPARI) with the Hefei University of Technology.

 

My current visit is funded by the China Scholarship Council (CSC). I came in July 2022, although my contract was ready even one year before, I could not depart because of COVID restrictions in China. I am here for 12 months.

 

What is Your research topic?

 

My topic examines the dynamics and stability of vehicle handling with automated control or human driving control. My other topic is time-delay effects in the control loop of vehicle stability control systems.

 

How do You like living in Budapest?

 

I love Budapest, except in the winter, the weather is a little cold. For me, the time zone difference is also a difficulty. What impresses me most is the Budapest community transportation and traffic systems. The vehicles have a dense schedule and are super convenient, taking you everywhere you want. Budapest is merged by Buda and Pest, divided by the river Danube. I live on the Pest side of Budapest, and every day I come to work by bike across the Danube, enjoying the spectacular scenery. I experience Budapest as a super safe city, where I can go anytime, almost anywhere, without worries.

 

Do You have any favourite place in the city or Hungary?

 

I love the scenery of Saint Stephen's Basilica and the story of the king's mummified right hand inside the church. I have even been there three times. I have also been to Esztergom, and Visegrád, Gödöllő; they are beautiful small cities near Budapest, definitely worth visiting. Esztergom has a large cathedral, Visegrád has a beautiful, ruined hilltop fortress and castle, while Gödöllő has one of the royal residences from the times when Hungary was a kingdom.

 

Do You find life in Hefei and Budapest very different?

 

Personally, in my daily life, the most significant difference is cooking. In Hefei, I don't cook at all. I only buy food at takeaway kiosks and go to restaurants. When I arrived here, I started to learn cooking because I missed the flavours of my homeland. Daily life, in other manners, is similar. Most people are very nice both in Budapest and Hefei as well. The only difference is that here more people greet each other. For example, when you enter a small shop, you usually say hello to the shop assistant, even in a crowd.

In academic life, there are a lot of differences. As a PhD student in China, you have a lot of administrative work, but you do not have to teach. However, we have to be in charge of project finances, costing a vast amount of time. But now, as a visiting PhD student, I only have a few other tasks, so I can spend my time working on my research topic.

 

What do you do in your spare time?

 

I love simulated driving, so I am also connected to my topic in my free time. I love riding a bike at the weekends.

 

What kind of plans do you have after receiving your PhD?

 

I want to do the post-doctoral programme. Probably here, at BME.

 

In some words, please explain what BME has given to You!

 

Firstly, BME gave me the opportunity to visit and be a PhD student here. China is so large not everyone has the possibility to get grants in foreign countries. I also attended some lectures and seminars operated by BME. Teachers are very dedicated and hard-working. I owe a lot from their courses and also personally.

In this department, researchers are kind and open-minded. It is delightful for me to have professional conversations which give expansions to my research area.

 

Laszlo Benesoczky