3:37 p.m., March 4, 2008--Michael Santare, professor of mechanical engineering, has been selected to be a fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) International for “exceptional engineering achievements and contributions to the engineering profession.” Santare is one of only approximately 2,834 fellows, chosen from among more than 100,000 ASME members.

Santare's research interests involve applied mechanics, orthopedic biomechanics and composite materials. His current focus has been in fuel cell membrane durability and nano-composite materials. Santare is part of a team that received a $5 million U.S. Department of Energy grant in 2007 for research and development of fuel cells, which have potential benefits for increased fuel efficiency, lowered harmful emissions and less dependence on petroleum.

Joining the UD faculty in 1986, Santare is a graduate of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and received his master's and doctoral degrees from Northwestern University. Among his honors, he was a Fulbright Distinguished Visiting Professor at Universidade do Porto in Portugal, a faculty research participant at the Army Research Laboratory in Aberdeen, Md., and a visiting professor at the University of Surrey in Great Britain.