Fluid Power Graduate Profile: Alex Pedchenko

We’ve written before about the Center for Compact and Efficient Fluid Power (CCEFP)—the network of fluid power research laboratories, academic faculty, graduate and undergraduate students at seven universities—that is making a difference when it comes to preparing a better-educated workforce for the fluid power industry. The CCEFP has created a 500% increase in the number of fluid power focused advanced degrees awarded in the United States, with almost half of its graduates going on to work in the fluid power industry.

Alex Pedchenko  is a recent graduate from one of the engaged CCEFP schools—Vanderbilt University. When asked to provide a summary of his background and experiences in the CCEFP, this is what he said:

I received a B.S. from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, in mechanical engineering in 2008. I received my M.S. in 2011 and my Ph.D. in 2015 from Vanderbilt University. Both degrees are in mechanical engineering and were completed under the guidance of Dr. Eric J. Barth. I do not plan to continue working in academia, and I am currently looking to obtain a job in industry.

 

During the two years I spent completing my master’s degree at Vanderbilt University, I was funded by CCEFP to work on project 2C.2: Advanced Strain Energy Accumulator. In this timespan, Dr. Barth and I participated in a collaborative effort with Bosch Rexroth in an effort to commercialize the accumulator technology. This collaboration resulted in two patents: “Elastic hydraulic accumulator/reservoir system.” (Application #: US 13/017,118. Publication #: US8434524 B2) and “Multiple accumulator systems and methods of use thereof” (Application #: US 13/360,929. Publication #: US9010101 B2).

 

My hobbies include playing chess with my grandfather, reading, trying to futilely slow the aging process by forcing myself into the gym every now and then, and putting together desktop computers.

 

Alex can be reached at apedchenko@gmail.com.