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Education

  • Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2017
  • M.S. Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, 2013
  • B.S. Mechanical Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, 2008

Background

Dr. David Torello joined Georgia Tech in the Fall of 2017 as a lecturer in the G.W.W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering.  Prior to this appointment, he received his Ph.D. from Georgia Tech where his work focused on using nonlinear ultrasonic non-destructive evaluation (NDE) techniques to characterize material properties and failure modes in engineering metals.  This research focused on the use of sensitive air-coupled piezoelectric receivers to conduct absolute nonlinear ultrasound measurements on aluminum and steel specimens, enabling a broader range of NDE measurements to be made on in-service devices and structures.  Dr. Torello's masters work focused on using nonlinear acoustic phenomena to drive Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) micro-cantilevers for high speed AFM imaging.  Before coming to Georgia Tech for graduate school, Dr. Torello worked as a Mechanical Engineer for Garmin AT in Salem, Oregon, conducting thermal and vibration tests on avionic GPS units and designing and fabricating avionic GPS packaging and components.

Dr. Torello is currently focused on engineering education in the ME department.  He teaches courses in mechanics (ME 2202, ME 3017) and is also focusing on instruction and concurrent development of the senior level mechanical systems laboratory (ME 4056).  He is a Woodruff School Teaching Fellow, and strives to improve education by focusing his courses on real-world problem solving skills, hands-on instruction methods, and collaborative, student-centered environments.

  • Woodruff School Teaching Fellow, 2017
  • G.F. Amelio Fellowship, 2016 to 2017
  • GWW Presidential Fellow, 2009 to 2013
  • Best Student Paper in Structural Acoustics and Vibration, ASA 2016 Fall Meeting, Jacksonville, FL, 2015
  • First Place - Student Poster Competition, 41st Review of Progress in Quantitative Nondestructive Evaluation, Boise, ID, 2014
  • First Place - Student Poster Competition, Eighth Annual Pipeline Research Council International Research Exchange Meeting, Atlanta, GA, February 2014

Publications

  • D. Torello, N. Selby, J.-Y. Kim, J. Qu, and L. J. Jacobs. Determination of absolute material nonlinearity with air-coupled ultrasonic receivers. Ultrasonics, 81:107-117, 2017.
  • D. Torello, S. Thiele, K. H. Matlack, J.-Y. Kim, J. Qu, and L. J. Jacobs. Diffraction, attenuation, and source corrections for nonlinear rayleigh wave ultrasonic measurements. Ultrasonics, 56:417426, 2015.
  • M. Balantekin, S. Satr, D. Torello, and F. L. Degertekin. High-speed tapping-mode atomic force microscopy using a Q-controlled regular cantilever acting as the actuator: Proof-of-principle experiments. Review of Scientific Instruments, 85(12):123705, 2014.
  • D. Torello and F. L. Degertekin. Actuation of atomic force microscopy microcantilevers using contact acoustic nonlinearities. Review of Scientific Instruments, 84(11):113705, 2013.
  • H. Torun, D. Torello, and F. Degertekin. Note: Seesaw actuation of atomic force microscope probes for improved imaging bandwidth and displacement range. Review of Scientific Instruments, 82(8):086104 086104, 2011. 
 

Conference Proceedings

  • D. Torello, N. Selby, J.-Y. Kim, J. Qu, L. J. Jacobs. Determination of absolute material nonlinearity in aluminum and fused silica with air-coupled ultrasonic receivers. In: Review of Progress in Quantitative Nondestructive Evaluation: Volume 36, Atlanta, GA, July 18, 2016.
  • N. Selby, D. Torello, J.-Y. Kim, L. J. Jacobs. Calibration of air-coupled transducers for absolute nonlinear ultrasonic measurements. In: Review of Progress in Quantitative Nondestructive Evaluation: Volume 36, Atlanta, GA, July 18, 2016.
  • D. Torello, J.-Y. Kim, J. Qu, L. J. Jacobs. Characterization of air-coupled ultrasonic receivers for nonlinear Rayleigh wave nondestructive evaluation. In: ASA 2015 Fall Meeting, Jacksonville, FL, Nov. 2-6, 2015. Student Presentation. First Place - Student Paper Competition
  • D. Torello, J.-Y. Kim, J. Qu, L. J. Jacobs. Quantitative comparison of laser and air-coupled ultrasonics in surface wave measurements. In: Review of Progress in Quantitative Nondestructive Evaluation: Volume 35, Minneapolis, MN, July 30, 2015.
  • D. Torello, J.-Y. Kim, J. Qu, L. J. Jacobs. Measurement and fitting techniques for the assessment of material nonlinearity using nonlinear Rayleigh waves. In: Review of Progress in Quantitative Nondestructive Evaluation: Volume 34, Boise, ID, July 20{25, 2014.
  • D. Torello, J.-Y. Kim, J. Qu, L. J. Jacobs. Measurement and fitting techniques for the assessment of material nonlinearity with air-coupled piezoelectric receivers using nonlinear Rayleigh waves. In: Review of Progress in Quantitative Nondestructive Evaluation: Volume 34, Boise, ID, July 20{25, 2014. Poster Abstract. First Place - Student Poster Competition
  • D. Torello, S. Theile, K. H. Matlack, H. Bradley, J.-Y. Kim, J. Qu, J. Wall, L. J. Jacobs. Measurement and fitting techniques for the assessment of precipitation in alloy steel using nonlinear Rayleigh waves. In: Eighth Annual Pipeline Research Council International Research Exchange Meeting, Atlanta, GA, February 2014. Poster Abstract. First Place - Student Poster Competition
  • S. K. Easley, M. G. Jekir, G. Lu, D. Torello, M. Li, T. M. Keaveny. Lack of effect of ovariectomy and PTH treatment on the biomechanical material properties of bone tissue in rat vertebrae. In: 31st Annual Meeting of the American Society for Bone and Mineral Research, Denver, CO, 2009.