The College of Engineering - 2010 Celebration
Leo Wong
Mechanical Engineering, Class of 2006
From Videocassette Recorders (VCRs) to Superconductors
Chang-Hwa (Leo) Wong had always enjoyed tools.
“I remember the first time I got my hand on a screwdriver from my dad’s tool box. Somehow I was able to figure out that it could unscrew things,” Wong said. “I didn’t acquire the skill to put those things together, but that didn’t stop my curiosity.”
As a kid, Wong deconstructed many electronic devices, which got him grounded -- and hit his wallet as well.
“My adventures as a young engineer got my house a new videocassette recorder, tape recorder, and many other house appliances that cost me many months of allowance and freedom, he recalled.”
Wong’s adventures as an aspiring engineer also led him to earn a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from Rowan in 2006.
Wong said that the greatest “eye-opener” of his time at Rowan occurred during his freshman clinic, when one of his professors told him, “If you only learn how to use the tool, you can be a mechanic or a technician, but to be an engineer, you must absorb the scientific concept and knowledge, acquire the ability to design and invent better and newer products.”
After a rough start in his first year as a resident assistant (R.A.) at Rowan, Wong decided to do the job for a second year. “I learned a lot of things that can’t be taught in the classroom, “ Wong said. “Being an R.A. was one of the most valuable experiences besides studying engineering in my college life.”
As a Rowan student, Wong’s sonic infrared (IR) research explored a new method of nondestructive evaluation (NDE) in which he inspected the strength and integrity of a device’s materials by detecting cracks, fatigue and other defects without damaging the materials. “Sonic IR research is a promising inspection technique not yet widely accepted throughout the industry,” Wong says. “However, compared to other inspection methods, sonic IR is cleaner, cheaper and believed to be more accurate.”
Wong started his sonic IR research in a work-study project during his undergraduate senior year. After his professor, Dr. John Chen, offered Wong the opportunity to continue researching the topic for his master’s thesis, Wong accepted the offer.
Wong’s clinic projects at Rowan led him to participate in the IEEE autonomous blimp student design competition, design a hand sign recognition system (turning sign language into words voiced through a computer speech system) and design a system for testing high temperature superconductors for Naval Sea Systems Command. The Navy-sponsored project, Wong’s first “real-world” assignment, was completed sooner than the Navy had expected.
After graduating from Rowan’s Master’s in Mechanical Engineering program in 2008, Wong went to work for the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Philadelphia. While interacting with non-engineering professionals at the Navy can be a challenge at times, Wong hit the ground running -- instituting cost-saving measures and creating a new program proposal while assessing and solving technical issues as they developed. Fortunately, he was well prepared for the role.
“My years at Rowan University were the best in my life so far,” said Leo, of Mount Laurel. “I am glad I chose Rowan. It taught me everything about mechanical engineering and also gave me the opportunity for my current job. I deeply wish that all Rowan students would share the experience I had and enjoy their college life to the fullest.”
