Advancing Smart Bearing Diagnostics: Vedat Ulas Receives 2026 STLE Scholarship
(Top, L–R) Tom O’Brien, Salvatore Rea; (Middle, L–R) Christopher Hansen, Iyad Obeid; (Bottom, L–R) Vedat Ulas, Osman Sayginer.
Vedat Ulas, an undergraduate student in Electrical and Computer Engineering (’28) and a researcher in the Temple Mechatronics Lab, has received a $1,000 scholarship from the Philadelphia Section of the Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers (STLE) for the 2026–2027 academic year. The competitive award recognizes undergraduate students who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement, leadership, and a strong commitment to research in tribology, lubrication, and condition monitoring.
The scholarship check was presented on campus by STLE Philadelphia Section Chair Salvatore Rea and section representative Tom O’Brien. Joining the presentation to celebrate Vedat’s achievement were College of Engineering Dean Dr. Christopher Hansen, Electrical and Computer Engineering Department Chair Dr. Iyad Obeid, and Mechatronics Lab Director Dr. Osman Sayginer.
An outstanding student with a perfect 4.0 GPA, Vedat has been conducting research as a summer intern in the Mechatronics Lab. His project, titled “What Does an Acoustic Emission Signal Say About the Lubrication Level of a Bearing?”, builds upon preliminary work in the lab to investigate rolling element bearing health using high-frequency acoustic emission (AE) signals. This work aims to establish clearer diagnostic relationships between subtle acoustic patterns and evolving lubrication states in rotating machinery.
(Left to right) Tom O’Brien, Vedat Ulas, and Salvatore Rea.
A key innovation in Vedat’s approach is the integration of Physics-Informed Neural Networks (PINNs) and machine learning to analyze experimental measurements. By embedding physical constraints directly into data-driven models, his methodology seeks to deliver more reliable, interpretable assessments of machinery health.
This award will support Vedat’s continuing research and academic trajectory as he develops advanced tools for predictive maintenance and smart systems. Congratulations to Vedat on this well-deserved honor!
