Walter Neal Simmons

Research Themes

Energy Systems & Materials

Education

• B.S.E. Bucknell University, 1998
• Ph.D. Duke University, 2001

Positions

• Gendell Family Professor of the Practice
• Professor of the Practice in the Thomas Lord Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science

Awards, Honors, and Distinctions

• Klein Family Distinguished Teaching Award. Pratt School of Engineering. 2012

Courses Taught

• ME 491: Special Projects in Mechanical Engineering
• ME 490: Special Topics in Mechanical Engineering
• ME 424L: Mechanical Systems Design
• ME 421L: Mechanical Design
• ME 392: Undergraduate Projects in Mechanical Engineering
• ME 391: Undergraduate Projects in Mechanical Engineering
• ENRGYEGR 590: Special Topics in Energy Engineering
• ENRGYEGR 490: Special Topics in Energy Engineering

Publications

• Tran S, Chen J, Kozel G, Chang ET, Phung T, Peng Y, et al. Development of an optically transparent kidney model for laser lithotripsy research. BJU Int. 2023 Jul;132(1):36–9.
• Economopoulos KP, Fearis P, Simmons WN, Richardson ES, Montgomery SP. A Portable Negative Pressure Isolation System as a Solution to Minimize Exposure of Health Care Providers to Infectious Pathogens. Am Surg. 2022 Aug;88(8):1901–3.
• Dale J, Kaplan AG, Radvak D, Shin R, Ackerman A, Chen T, et al. Evaluation of a Novel Single-Use Flexible Ureteroscope. Journal of endourology. 2021 Jun;35(6):903–7.
• Wollin DA, Tom WR, Jiang R, Simmons WN, Preminger GM, Lipkin ME. An in vitro evaluation of laser settings and location in the efficiency of the popcorn effect. Urolithiasis. 2019 Aug;47(4):377–82.
• Carlos EC, Li J, Young BJ, Radvak D, Wollin DA, Winship BB, et al. Let's Get to the Point: Comparing Insertion Characteristics and Scope Damage of Flat-Tip and Ball-Tip Holmium Laser Fibers. J Endourol. 2019 Jan;33(1):22–6.
• Winship B, Wollin D, Carlos E, Li J, Peters C, Simmons WN, et al. Dusting Efficiency of the Moses Holmium Laser: An Automated In Vitro Assessment. J Endourol. 2018 Dec;32(12):1131–5.
• Carlos EC, Wollin DA, Winship BB, Jiang R, Radvak D, Chew BH, et al. In Vitro Comparison of a Novel Single Probe Dual-Energy Lithotripter to Current Devices. J Endourol. 2018 Jun;32(6):534–40.
• Wollin DA, Carlos EC, Tom WR, Simmons WN, Preminger GM, Lipkin ME. Effect of Laser Settings and Irrigation Rates on Ureteral Temperature During Holmium Laser Lithotripsy, an In Vitro Model. J Endourol. 2018 Jan;32(1):59–63.
• Tom WR, Wollin DA, Jiang R, Radvak D, Simmons WN, Preminger GM, et al. Next-Generation Single-Use Ureteroscopes: An In Vitro Comparison. J Endourol. 2017 Dec;31(12):1301–6.
• Wollin DA, Ackerman A, Yang C, Chen T, Simmons WN, Preminger GM, et al. Variable Pulse Duration From a New Holmium:YAG Laser: The Effect on Stone Comminution, Fiber Tip Degradation, and Retropulsion in a Dusting Model. Urology. 2017 May;103:47–51.
• Xing Y, Chen TT, Simmons WN, Sankin G, Cocks FH, Lipkin ME, et al. Comparison of Broad vs Narrow Focal Width Lithotripter Fields. J Endourol. 2017 May;31(5):502–9.
• Sankin GN, Lautz JM, Simmons WN, Zhong P, Frank ST, Szeri AJ. Elimination of cavitation-related attenuation in shock wave lithotripsy. In: AIP Conference Proceedings. 2017.
• Kaplan AG, Chen TT, Sankin G, Yang C, Dale JA, Simmons WN, et al. Comparison of the Nanopulse Lithotripter to the Holmium Laser: Stone Fragmentation Efficiency and Impact on Flexible Ureteroscope Deflection and Flow. J Endourol. 2016 Nov;30(11):1150–4.
• Perim E, Lee D, Liu Y, Toher C, Gong P, Li Y, et al. Spectral descriptors for bulk metallic glasses based on the thermodynamics of competing crystalline phases. Nature communications. 2016 Aug;7:12315.
• Shin RH, Lautz JM, Cabrera FJ, Shami CJ, Goldsmith ZG, Kuntz NJ, et al. Evaluation of Novel Ball-Tip Holmium Laser Fiber: Impact on Ureteroscope Performance and Fragmentation Efficiency. J Endourol. 2016 Feb;30(2):189–94.
• Neisius A, Smith NB, Sankin G, Kuntz NJ, Madden JF, Fovargue DE, et al. Improving the lens design and performance of a contemporary electromagnetic shock wave lithotripter. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2014 Apr 1;111(13):E1167–75.
• Mancini JG, Neisius A, Smith N, Sankin G, Astroza GM, Lipkin ME, et al. Assessment of a modified acoustic lens for electromagnetic shock wave lithotripters in a swine model. J Urol. 2013 Sep;190(3):1096–101.
• Fovargue DE, Mitran S, Smith NB, Sankin GN, Simmons WN, Zhong P. Experimentally validated multiphysics computational model of focusing and shock wave formation in an electromagnetic lithotripter. The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America. 2013 Aug;134(2):1598–609.
• Goldsmith ZG, Rai S, Neisius A, Astroza GM, Wang AJ, Iqbal MW, et al. Effects of holmium: YAG laser energy settings on fiber tip degradation. In: BRITISH JOURNAL OF SURGERY. WILEY-BLACKWELL; 2013. p. 69–69.
• Wang AJ, Goldsmith ZG, Neisius A, Astroza GM, Oredein-McCoy O, Iqbal MW, et al. Increasing dwell time of mitomycin C in the upper tract with a reverse thermosensitive polymer. J Endourol. 2013 Mar;27(3):288–93.
• Wang AJ, Baldwin GT, Gabriel JC, Cocks FH, Goldsmith ZG, Iqbal MW, et al. In-vitro assessment of a new portable ballistic lithotripter with percutaneous and ureteroscopic models. J Endourol. 2012 Nov;26(11):1500–5.
• Goldsmith ZG, Astroza GM, Wang AJ, Simmons WN, Iqbal MW, Lipkin ME, et al. Optical performance comparison of deflectable laparoscopes for laparoendoscopic single-site surgery. J Endourol. 2012 Oct;26(10):1340–5.
• Goldsmith ZG, Astroza GM, Wang AJ, Simmons WN, Iqbal MW, Lipkin ME, et al. OPTICAL PERFORMANCE COMPARISON OF DEFLECTABLE LAPAROSCOPES FOR LAPAROENDOSCOPIC SINGLE-SITE SURGERY. In: JOURNAL OF ENDOUROLOGY. MARY ANN LIEBERT INC; 2012. p. A37–8.
• Goldsmith ZG, Rai S, Neisius A, Astroza GM, Wang AJ, Iqbal MW, et al. EFFECTS OF HOLMIUM: YAG LASER ENERGY SETTINGS ON FIBER TIP DEGRADATION. In: JOURNAL OF ENDOUROLOGY. MARY ANN LIEBERT INC; 2012. p. A25–A25.
• Lipkin ME, Mancini JG, Toncheva G, Wang AJ, Anderson-Evans C, Simmons WN, et al. Organ-specific radiation dose rates and effective dose rates during percutaneous nephrolithotomy. J Endourol. 2012 May;26(5):439–43.
• Neal Simmons W, Cocks FH. Carbon diffusion in lanthanum erbium carbide stabilized in the cubic fluorite structure. Journal of Phase Equilibria and Diffusion. 2012 Apr 1;33(2):85–8.
• Smith N, Sankin GN, Simmons WN, Nanke R, Fehre J, Zhong P. A comparison of light spot hydrophone and fiber optic probe hydrophone for lithotripter field characterization. Rev Sci Instrum. 2012 Jan;83(1):014301.
• Xing Y, Pua EC, Neal Simmons W, Hadley Cocks F, Ferrandino M, Preminger GM, et al. Biological effects produced by high-energy shock waves. In: Urinary Tract Stone Disease. 2011. p. 279–91.
• Wang AJ, Smith NB, Baldwin GT, Astroza GM, Iqbal M, Goldsmith ZG, et al. ASSESSING THE EFFECTS OF RESPIRATORY MOTION ON STONE COMMINUTION DURING SWL IN AN IN VITRO MODEL. In: JOURNAL OF ENDOUROLOGY. MARY ANN LIEBERT INC; 2011. p. A290–A290.
• Wang AJ, Astroza G, Palmeri M, Simmons WN, Ferrandino MN, Preminger GM, et al. ACOUSTIC RADIATION FORCE IMPULSE ULTRASOUND IMAGING FOR THE EVALUATION OF DISTAL URETERAL STONES IN A PHANTOM MODEL. In: JOURNAL OF ENDOUROLOGY. MARY ANN LIEBERT INC; 2011. p. A18–9.
• Wang AJ, Baldwin GT, McAlister G, Gabriel JC, Cocks FH, Simmons WN, et al. IN-VITRO ASSESSMENT OF A NEW PORTABLE BALLISTIC LITHOTRIPTER WITH PERCUTANEOUS AND URETEROSCOPIC MODELS. In: JOURNAL OF ENDOUROLOGY. MARY ANN LIEBERT INC; 2011. p. A101–A101.
• Zhong P, Smith N, Simmons NW, Sankin G. A new acoustic lens design for electromagnetic shock wave lithotripters. AIP Conference Proceedings. 2011 Oct 13;1359:42–7.
• Yong DZ, Lipkin ME, Simmons WN, Sankin G, Albala DM, Zhong P, et al. Optimization of treatment strategy used during shockwave lithotripsy to maximize stone fragmentation efficiency. J Endourol. 2011 Sep;25(9):1507–11.
• Lipkin ME, Mancini JG, Simmons WN, Raymundo ME, Yong DZ, Wang AJ, et al. Pathologic evaluation of hemostatic agents in percutaneous nephrolithotomy tracts in a porcine model. J Endourol. 2011 Aug;25(8):1353–7.
• Zilberman DE, Lipkin ME, Ferrandino MN, Simmons WN, Mancini JG, Raymundo ME, et al. The digital flexible ureteroscope: In vitro assessment of optical characteristics. International Braz J Urol. 2011 May 1;37(3):398.
• Zilberman DE, Lipkin ME, Ferrandino MN, Simmons WN, Mancini JG, Raymundo ME, et al. The digital flexible ureteroscope: in vitro assessment of optical characteristics. J Endourol. 2011 Mar;25(3):519–22.
• Yong DZ, Mancini JG, Raymundo MEM, Lipkin ME, Zilberman DE, Ferrandino MN, et al. OPTIMIZATION OF TREATMENT STRATEGY EMPLOYED DURING SWL TO MAXIMIZE STONE FRAGMENTATION EFFICIENCY. In: JOURNAL OF ENDOUROLOGY. MARY ANN LIEBERT INC; 2010. p. A19–A19.
• Lipkin ME, Mancini JG, Zilberman DE, Raymundo MEM, Yong DZ, Wang A, et al. USE OF HEMOSTATIC AGENTS IN PERCUTANEOUS NEPHROLITHOTOMY TRACTS REDUCES URINE LEAK RATE IN A PORCINE MODEL. In: JOURNAL OF ENDOUROLOGY. MARY ANN LIEBERT INC; 2010. p. A19–A19.
• Mancini JG, Simmons WN, Raymundo MEM, Yong DZ, Lipkin ME, Wang A, et al. IN VIVO STONE FRAGMENTATION AND TISSUE INJURY PRODUCED BY A NEW ACOUSTIC LENS FOR A SIEMENS LITHOTRIPTER. In: JOURNAL OF ENDOUROLOGY. MARY ANN LIEBERT INC; 2010. p. A20–A20.
• Raymundo MEM, Mancini JG, Simmons WN, Ferrandino MN, Lipkin ME, Yong DZ, et al. IN VITRO ASSESSMENT OF FRAGMENTATION AND RETROPULSION IN A NEW PNEUMATIC LITHOTRIPSY DEVICE. In: JOURNAL OF ENDOUROLOGY. MARY ANN LIEBERT INC; 2010. p. A7–A7.
• Esch E, Simmons WN, Sankin G, Cocks HF, Preminger GM, Zhong P. A simple method for fabricating artificial kidney stones of different physical properties. Urol Res. 2010 Aug;38(4):315–9.
• Qin J, Simmons WN, Sankin G, Zhong P. Effect of lithotripter focal width on stone comminution in shock wave lithotripsy. J Acoust Soc Am. 2010 Apr;127(4):2635–45.
• Ferrandino MN, Pierre SA, Simmons WN, Paulson EK, Albala DM, Preminger GM. Dual-energy computed tomography with advanced postimage acquisition data processing: improved determination of urinary stone composition. J Endourol. 2010 Mar;24(3):347–54.
• Simmons WN, Cocks FH, Zhong P, Preminger G. A composite kidney stone phantom with mechanical properties controllable over the range of human kidney stones. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater. 2010 Jan;3(1):130–3.
• Gustafson M, Simmons R, Simmons WN, Ehrenfried M, Laursen T. A hands-on approach to computational methods in engineering. ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition, Conference Proceedings. 2009 Sep 1;
• Qin J, Simmons WN, Sankin G, Zhong P. Effect of beam size on stone comminution in shock wave lithotripsy. AIP Conference Proceedings. 2009 Jul 21;1113:337–41.
• Boll DT, Patil NA, Paulson EK, Merkle EM, Simmons WN, Pierre SA, et al. Renal stone assessment with dual-energy multidetector CT and advanced postprocessing techniques: improved characterization of renal stone composition--pilot study. Radiology. 2009 Mar;250(3):813–20.
• Pierre SA, Ferrandino MN, Simmons WN, Fernandez C, Zhong P, Albala DM, et al. High definition laparoscopy: objective assessment of performance characteristics and comparison with standard laparoscopy. J Endourol. 2009 Mar;23(3):523–8.
• Gustafson M, Simmons R, Simmons WN, Ehrenfried M, Laursen T. A hands-on approach to computational methods in engineering. In: ASEE Annual Conference and Exposition, Conference Proceedings. 2009.
• Leitao VA, Simmons WN, Chandrashekar A, Leonardy J, Pierre SA, Haleblian GE, et al. Comparison of comminution and stone clearance between intracorporeal lithotripters. Vol. 21, JOURNAL OF ENDOUROLOGY. MARY ANN LIEBERT INC; 2007. p. A237–8.
• Simmons WN, Leitao VA, Qin J, Haleblian GE, Pierre SA, Ferradino M, et al. New stone holders for in-vitro characterization of shock wave lithotripters. In: JOURNAL OF ENDOUROLOGY. MARY ANN LIEBERT INC; 2007. p. A247–8.
• Leitao VA, Simmons WN, Qin J, Cocks FH, Preminger GM, Zhong P. The effect of beam size on stone comminution in SWL. In: JOURNAL OF ENDOUROLOGY. MARY ANN LIEBERT INC; 2007. p. A246–A246.
• Fuh E, Haleblian GE, Norris RD, Albala WDM, Simmons N, Zhong P, et al. The effect of frequency doubled double pulse Nd:YAG laser fiber proximity to the target stone on transient cavitation and acoustic emission. J Urol. 2007 Apr;177(4):1542–5.
• Leitao VA, Simmons WN, Zhou Y, Qin J, Cocks FH, Fehre J, et al. In vitro comparison between HM-3 and MODULARIS lithotripters. Vol. 900, AIP Conference Proceedings. 2007. p. 372–6.
• Qin J, Simmons WN, Zhong P. Comparison of stone comminution produced by two different reflector configurations in an HM-3 lithotripter. ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition, Proceedings (IMECE). 2007 Jan 1;2:281–4.
• Smith N, Simmons WN, Sankin GN, Zhong P. Effects of tandem pulse on stone comminution in an electromagnetic shock wave lithotripter. ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition, Proceedings (IMECE). 2007 Jan 1;2:303–5.
• Leitao VA, Simmons WN, Zhou Y, Qin J, Sankin G, Cocks FH, et al. Comparison of Light Spot Hydrophone (LSHD) and Fiber Optic Probe Hydrophone (FOPH) for lithotripter field characterization. Vol. 900, AIP Conference Proceedings. 2007. p. 377–80.
• Zhou Y, Qin J, Simmons WN, Haleblian GE, Sankin GN, Cocks FH, et al. In vitro comparison of electrohydraulic and electromagnetic shock wave lithotripters. In: JOURNAL OF ENDOUROLOGY. MARY ANN LIEBERT INC; 2006. p. A83–A83.
• Sankin GN, Simmons WN, Zhu SL, Zhong P. Shock wave interaction with laser-generated single bubbles. Physical review letters. 2005 Jul;95(3):034501.
• Cocks FH, Harman CM, Klenk PA, Summons WN. Hypervelocity launching and frozen fuels as a major contribution to spaceflight. JBIS - Journal British Interplanetary Society. 2005 Jan 1;58(1–2):2–8.
• Cocks FH, Klenk PA, Simmons WN. Development of an X-ray transmitting catheter. In: Chen SH, Cheng HD, Chiu DKY, Das S, Duro R, Kerre EE, et al., editors. PROCEEDINGS OF THE 7TH JOINT CONFERENCE ON INFORMATION SCIENCES. ASSOC INTELLIGENT MACHINERY; 2003. p. 1433–6.
• Cocks FH, Klenk PA, Watkins SA, Simmons WN, Cocks JC, Cocks EE, et al. Lunar ice: Adsorbed water on subsurface polar dust. Icarus. 2002 Jan 1;160(2):386–97.
• Virgin LN, Nichols JM, Simmons WN, Plaut RH. On the response of a shaken cable-suspended mass. Proceedings of the ASME Design Engineering Technical Conference. 2001 Jan 1;6 B:2109–13.