Inventor of liquid carton and straw combination
Dr. Kalajian has over 40 years of academic experience. He currently serves as the associate dean for the College of Engineering. He teaches a graduate course in geotechnical engineering and an undergraduate courses in soil mechanics and foundations. He is a registered professional engineer (P.E.) in Florida with expertise in soil mechanics, foundation design, concrete materials, waterfront construction and waste stabilization. He has served as a consultant and expert witness, and has five years of engineering experience in industry. He is an active member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, American Society for Engineering Education, Chi Epsilon and Tau Beta Pi (the engineering honor society). He also serves as an ABET accreditation visitor for the American Society of Civil Engineers and as a member of the advisory board of The Hinckly Center for Solid and Hazardous Waste Management.
Research
Current funded research projects include the identification of high pile rebound soils. and on instrumenting the pressuremeter for determining in-situ soil properties. He has directed research to develop specifications for applications of recycled materials as a highway fill material and has evaluated the effects of additives on the permeability of phosphogypsum for use as a capping material in the permanent closure of phosphogypsum stacks.
Dr. Kalajian’s research activities focus on geotechnical engineering and on the use of recycled materials for beneficial uses.
Liquid carton and straw combination
This invention relates to liquid cartons such as those made from heavy gauge paper or similar material suitably impregnated or coated with wax, plastic, etc. so as to be liquid tight, and more specifically has reference to the combination of a liquid carton with a straw contained within it.
Considerable attention has been given to providing the conventional milk or juice carton with a built-in straw to avoid the necessity of a separate straw or drinking cup in the absence of which the user must place the carton to mouth. The fundamental problem is the useable builtin straw must be longer than the carton. The solution usually suggested for this problem is the use of straws of special construction and connection with the container, such as straws having telescoping portions and straws which can be bent within the carton and straightened when the carton is opened. Probably the most significant impediment to providing such solutions tothe built-in straw problem is the economic factor: the relatively high cost of special straw construction, and the compatibility of incorporating them in milk and juice cartons which are mass produced in the millions by automatic machines as throw-away items. A fraction of a cent added cost can be very significant.
Recognition and Awards
- Walter M. Nunn Jr. Award for Teaching Excellence from the College of Engineering, 2005-06
- Civil Engineering Advisory Council Outstanding Service Award, 2005
- Engineer of the Year, ASCE, Cape Canaveral Branch, 1987-88
- ASCE University of Houston Student Chapter Outstanding Professor, 1976
- Letter of Recommendation for Kittinger Award for Teaching, University of Houston, 1976
- U.S. Navy Southeast Asia Civil Service Award, 1966
- Most Valuable Panther, Florida Institute of Technology
