ASME NEWS
Honoring Changemakers, Promoting Sustainability
A roundup of recent Society events.
ASME SENIOR DIRECTOR RECOGNIZED BY FOUNDATION
To recognize her work and efforts serving as its chair of its Education Committee, the Krewe of Pyros Foundation recently selected ASME’s Ashley Huderson as its 2025 Presidential Leadership Award winner. “I am grateful to this organization for creating a space for my passion to thrive. I am also grateful to the Education Committee and organization as a whole for helping to strengthen and grow the work we do,” said the senior director of ASME Programs.
The Krewe of Pyros represents Louisiana cultural arts through unity, charity, and celebration with a mission to extend the cultural pipeline from Louisiana to other regions, including Washington, D.C. The foundation’s Education Committee is specifically dedicated to advancing STEM education and empowering students through various initiatives. An example of its work is the STEAM Speaker Series, which focuses on exposing students to STEM careers by incorporating monthly speakers and quarterly field trips that align with the curriculum. These sessions, conducted either in person or virtually, offer students a comprehensive understanding of different career paths and the technical expertise behind them.
“I have worked in this space for over 15 years and am deeply passionate about STEM education and empowerment, particularly in creating equitable opportunities for underrepresented communities,” Huderson explained. With a strong commitment to fostering curiosity and innovation, she has dedicated her efforts to mentoring, advocacy, and designing impactful STEM initiatives that inspire the next generation of thinkers, problem-solvers, and leaders.
President of Krewe of Pyros Foundation Cleve Davis (left) and Captain J.C. Walker (right) Congratulate ASME’s Ashley Huderson. Photo: Krewe of Pyros Foundation
ASME MEMBER ELECTED FELLOW TO NAI
ASME member Javad Mostaghimi was elected fellow of the U.S. National Academy of Inventors. The Academy honors inventors worldwide who have demonstrated “innovation in creating or facilitating outstanding inventions that have made a tangible impact on quality of life, economic development, and the welfare of society.”
Mostaghimi, a professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Toronto, has made a series of breakthroughs in the field of plasma physics. In 2017, he developed an inductively coupled plasma torch. This device’s geometry allowed for a significant increase in gas velocity reducing argon consumption by up to 70 percent and leading to a more than four-fold increase in power density compared to conventional cylindrical torches. Its innovative design reduced the time and cost of analysis and used less argon and electricity per unit.
Mostaghimi is a recipient of the 75th Anniversary Medal of the ASME Heat Transfer Division, the Heat Transfer Memorial Award, and the FitzRoy Medal. Through the startup Kimia Analytics, Mostaghimi has pioneered the development of the first-ever mobile hybrid ICP-mass spectrometer. The device is made possible by the conical torch that reduces power and gas needs, supports a smaller power supply and gas cylinder, and enables, for the first time ever, a fully air-cooled interface, eliminating the need for bulky and expensive water chillers.
Photo: Daria Perevezentsev, University of Toronto
ADVANCING SUSTAINABLE MANUFACTURING USING DIGITAL INNOVATION AND STANDARDS
The most recent research revealed that the global manufacturing industry contributes 34 percent of global carbon emissions. On a basic level, for example, energy prices and availability fluctuate so manufacturers have a very real interest in reducing their energy use in ways that do not hamper productivity. This need, combined with climate change initiatives, has led to pursuing such projects as renewable and sustainable energy, carbon capture and storage, and also energy efficiency.
By fostering collaboration among industry leaders, standards developers, and technology innovators, ASME aims to help address such energy challenges. The Society’s commitment to sustainable manufacturing took center stage at the inaugural Sustainable Manufacturing Expo. The event showcased innovative solutions in digital twin technology, biomaterials, IoT sensors, and automation.
Central to ASME’s participation was a fireside chat, “Advancing Sustainable Manufacturing Through Digital Innovation and Standards.” The session brought together Chris Cantrell, ASME’s senior managing director of Standards and Engineering Services, and Pepi Maksimovic, distinguished engineer in sustainability at Ansys, to explore how the convergence of digital innovation and engineering standards can accelerate sustainable manufacturing adoption.
“Manufacturing faces unprecedented sustainability challenges and ASME’s expertise in standards development and professional development continues to provide the foundation for advancing technical knowledge and creating a safer, more sustainable world,” Cantrell said. “This event offers a unique opportunity to demonstrate how rigorous engineering standards, combined with digital innovation, can help organizations validate and scale their sustainable manufacturing initiatives.”
Demonstrating ASME startup accelerator ecosystem member Recycletek's innovative waste management solution for efficiently sorting and processing recyclable materials. Photo: ASME
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