7/10/2012 By William Bowman
Written by By William Bowman
Since joining the University of Illinois in 1994, Professor Shannon has devoted his talent, time, and tireless energy to research, teaching, and services at the university, professional society, national, or even global level. He has become the torch-bearer for a whole generation of scientists and engineers in the fields of nanofabrication and water purification.
Professor Shannon has held a pivotal role in establishing two major NSF centers at the University of Illinois: the NSF Science and Technology Center (STC) of Advanced Materials for Purification of Water with Systems (WaterCAMPWS), for which he has served as Director; and the NSF Center for Nanoscale Chemical-Electrical-Mechanical Manufacturing Systems (NanoCEMMS), for which he was Associate Director. He has led the efforts to capitalize on the new opportunities ushered in by nanoscience and nanotechnology.
Professor Shannon is a world-class researcher. He co-invented a fluidic gate that allows molecular level manipulation and control of materials. This molecular gate has promising potentials to be used in devices that diagnose and treat illnesses such as infections and mitigate environmental contaminations. He has co-developed a fluidic chip that uses molecular gates to separate, manipulate and analyze minute amounts of specified molecular compounds, such as toxins and proteins, from blood, saliva and natural water. He has also worked with researchers in chemistry department at UIUC to develop a catalytic DNA sensor that uses specially designed and built DNA to detect the presence of lead, mercury, arsenic and other compounds in water.
The ASME Board of Governors confers the Fellow grade of membership on worthy candidates to recognize their outstanding engineering achievements. Nominated by their peers, ASME Fellows have had 10 or more years of active practice and at least 10 years of continuous active corporate membership in ASME.