Education

  • Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, 2012
  • M.S., Mechanical Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University, 2009
  • B.S., Mechanical Engineering, Brown University, 2007

Background

Dr. Fu joined Georgia Tech in November 2014 as an Assistant Professor in Mechanical Engineering. In 2021, she was promoted to Associate Professor. In August, 2021, she joined University of Wisconsin-Madison as an Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering, and remains on the faculty of the Woodruff School as an Adjunct Associate Professor. Prior to this appointment, she was a Postdoctoral Fellow at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD). In May 2012, she completed her Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering at Carnegie Mellon University. She received her M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Carnegie Mellon in 2009, and her B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Brown University in 2007. Her work has focused on studying the engineering design process through cognitive studies, and extending those findings to the development of methods and tools to facilitate more effective and inspired design and innovation.

Research

  • CAE & Design; Innovation; Creativity; Design Theory and Methodology; Computational Design Tools; Design Science; Design Cognition; Design-by-Analogy; Data Mining

  • GT LGBTQIA Faculty/Staff Leadership Award, 2019, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA
  • GT Diversity Champion - Faculty Award Winner, 2018, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA
  • ASME Journal of Mechanical Design 2018 Reviewer of the Year Award ASME, New York, NY
  • GT Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) Thank a Teacher Award, 2018, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA
  • GT George W. Woodruff Teaching Fellow, 2016, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA
  • GT Center for Teaching and Learning (CTL) Class of 1969 Teaching Fellow, 2015, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA
  • ASME Atlanta Section 2015 Early Career Engineer of the Year ASME, Atlanta, GA
  • Reviewer’s Favourite Award, 2013 International Conference on Engineering Design (ICED), Fu, K., Dilmore, J., Cagan, J., Dougherty Jr., C.H., 2013, “Using Design Database Structures to Characterize Freedom-to-operate in a Design Space: A Legal Case Study”
  • Best Paper Award, 2012 ASME Design Theory and Methodology (DTM) Conference, Fu, K., Chan, J., Cagan, J., Kotovsky, K., Schunn, C., and Wood, K., 2012, “The Meaning of “Near” and “Far”: The Impact of Structuring Design Databases and the Effect of Distance of Analogy on Design Output”
  • Best Design Cognition Paper Prize, Conference on Design Computing and Cognition 2012, "The Role of Design Team Structure on Individual and Shared Mental Models"
  • John and Claire Bertucci Graduate Fellowship, 2010-2011
  • ARCS Foundation Scholar, Lawrence J. Rhoades Memorial Award, 2007-2008, 2008-2009, 2009-2010

Archival Journal Papers

  • Fillingim, K.B., Nwaeri, R., Borja, F., Fu, K., Paredis, C.J., 2019. “Design Heuristics: Extraction and Classification Methods with Jet Propulsion Laboratory’s Architecture Team”, ASME Journal of Mechanical Design, pp.1-48, doi:10.1115/1.4044160.
  • Bonilla-Alicea, R.J. and Fu, K., 2019, “Systematic Map of the Social Impact Assessment Field”, Sustainability, 11(15), p.4106.
  • Song, H., Fu, K., 2019, “Design-by-Analogy: Exploring for Analogical Inspiration With Behavior, Material, and Component-Based Structural Representation of Patent Databases”,  ASME Journal of Computing and Information Science in Engineering, 19(2), p.021014.
  • Newton, S., Alemdar, M., Hilton, E., Linsey, J., Fu, K., 2018, “Incorporating Industrial Design Pedagogy into a Mechanical Engineering Graphics Course: A Discipline-Based Education Research (DBER) Approach,” International Journal of STEM Education,  5: 29.
  • Song, H.-I., Lopez, R., Linsey, J. S., Fu, K., 2017, “Characterizing the Effects of Multiple Analogues and Extraneous Information in Design-by-Analogy”, ASME Journal of Mechanical Design, J. Mech. Des 140(3), 031101.
  • Kirkman, R., Fu, K., Lee, B., 2017, “Teaching Ethics as Design”, Advances in Engineering Education, Fall 2017, Volume 6, Issue 2.
  • Fu, K., Yang, M., and Wood, K. L., 2016, “Design Principles: Literature Review, Analysis, and Future Directions,” ASME Journal of Mechanical Design, Special Issue in Design Theory and Methodology, 138(10):101103-101103-13, MD-15-1746, DOI: 10.1115/1.4034105.
  • Fu, K., Murphy, J., Yang, M., Otto, K., Jensen, D., Wood, K.L., 2014, “Design-by-Analogy: Experimental Evaluation of a Functional Analogy Search Methodology for Concept Generation Improvement”, Research in Engineering Design, DOI: 10.1007/s00163-014-0186-4.
  • Fu, K., Moreno, D., Yang, M. C., Wood, K. L., 2014, “Bio-Inspired Design: An Overview Investigating Open Questions from the Broader Field of Design-by-Analogy,” Journal of Mechanical Design, Special Issue 2014: Biologically Inspired Design, 136(11), 111102, DOI: 10.1115/1.4028289
  • Murphy, J., Fu, K., Otto, K., Yang, M., Jensen, D., Wood, K., 2014, “Function Based Design-by-Analogy: A Functional Vector Approach to Analogical Search,” Journal of Mechanical Design, 136(10) 101102, DOI: 10.1115/1.4028093.
  • Fu, K., Chan, J., Schunn, C., Cagan, J., and Kotovsky, K., 2013, “Expert Representation of Design Repository Space: A Comparison to and Validation of Algorithmic Output,” Design Studies, DOI: 10.1016/j.destud.2013.06.002.
  • Fu, K., Cagan, J., Kotovsky, K., and Wood, K., 2013, “Discovering Structure In Design Databases Through Functional And Surface Based Mapping,” J. of Mech. Des., 135 (3), 031006.
  • Fu, K., Chan, J., Cagan, J., Kotovsky, K., Schunn, C., and Wood, K., 2013, “The Meaning of “Near” and “Far”: The Impact of Structuring Design Databases and the Effect of Distance of Analogy on Design Output,” J. of Mech. Des., 135 (2), 021007.
  • Chan, J., Fu, K., Schunn, C., Cagan, J., Wood, K., and Kotovsky, K., 2011, “On the Benefits and Pitfalls of Analogies for Innovative Design: Ideation Performance Based on Analogical Distance, Commonness, and Modality of Examples,” J. of Mech. Des., 133 (8), 081004.
  • Fu, K., Cagan, J., and Kotovsky, K., 2010, "Design Team Convergence: The Influence of Example Solution Quality," J. of Mech. Des., 132 (11), 111005.
  • Linsey, J.S., Tseng, I., Fu, K., Cagan, J., Wood, K. L., and Schunn, C. D., 2010, “A Study of Design Fixation, Its Mitigation and Perception in Design Faculty,” J. of Mech. Des., 132 (4), 041003.

Peer-Reviewed Conference Publications

  • Fillingim, K.B., Nwaeri, R., Borja, F., Fu, K., Paredis, C.J., Design Heuristics: Analysis and Synthesis From Jet Propulsion Laboratory’s Architecture Team. ASME. International Design Engineering Technical Conferences and Computers and Information in Engineering Conference, Volume 7: 30th International Conference on Design Theory and Methodology ():V007T06A014. doi:10.1115/DETC2018-85584.
  • Song, H., Fu, K. Approaches for Supporting Exploration for Analogical Inspiration With Behavior, Material and Component Based Structural Representations of Patent Databases. ASME. International Design Engineering Technical Conferences and Computers and Information in Engineering Conference, Volume 2A: 44th Design Automation Conference ():V02AT03A017. doi:10.1115/DETC2018-85591
  • Paige, M., Fu, K., “Spatial Demonstration Tools for Teaching Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) to First Year Undergraduate Engineering Students,” American Society of Engineering Education 2017 Annual Conference, Columbus, OH, June 25-28, 2017.
  • Stewart, M., Fu, K., de Vries, C., Jacobson, L., Nagel, J. K., Jacobson, K., Hughes, A. M., “Engagement in Practice: A Process for Creating a New “Council’s Own” Junior Girl Scout Badge in Mechanical Engineering,” American Society of Engineering Education 2017 Annual Conference, Columbus, OH, June 25-28, 2017.
  • Lee, B., Fillingim, K. B., Binder, W. R., Fu, K., Paredis, C. J. J., “Design Heuristics: A Conceptual Framework and Preliminary Method for Extraction,” 2017 ASME International Design Engineering Technical Conferences, Cleveland, OH, August 6-9, 2017.
  • Broussard, K., Murphy, L., Fu, K., “A Descriptive study of the effect of k-12 design education on changes in Self-esteem in Children ages 8-13,” International Conference on Engineering Design, Vancouver, B.C., Canada, August 21-25, 2017.
  • Hebbale, C. and Fu, K., “Wearable On-Demand Oxygen Therapy,” IDETC2016-59199, ASME IDETC 2016, Charlotte, NC, August 21-24, 2016.
  • Fu, K., Yang, M., Wood, K.L., 2015, “Design Principles: The foundation of Design”, Proceedings of the ASME 2015 International Design Engineering Technical Conferences & Computers and Information in Engineering Conference, August 2-5, 2015, Boston, MA.
  • Fu, K., Tan, U., Teo, T. H., Soh, G. S., Wood, K. L., “Interdisciplinary Learning Through Design Activities Uniting Fundamentals of Engineering Curriculum”, Proceedings of the International Conference on Engineering Design, July 27-30, 2015, Milan, Italy.
  • Murphy, J., Fu, K., Otto, K., Yang, M., Jensen, D., Wood, K.L., 2014, “Facilitating Design-by-Analogy: Development of a Complete Functional Vocabulary and Functional Vector Approach to Analogical Search”, Proceedings of the ASME 2014 International Design Engineering Technical Conferences & Computers and Information in Engineering Conference, August 17-20, 2014, Buffalo, NY.
  • Fu, K., Murphy, J., Yang, M., Otto, K., Jensen, D., Wood, K.L., 2013, “Investigating the Effect of Functionality Level of Analogical Stimulation on Design Outcomes”, Proceedings of The 13th Design Engineering Workshop, November 28 - 30, 2013, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka, Japan.
  • Fu, K., Reid, T.N., Terpenny, J.P., Thurston, D.L., Vance, J.M., Finger, S., Wiens, G.J., Kazerounian, K., Allen, J.K., Jacobson, K., 2013, “Ac 2013 - 6781: Broadening Participation: A Report On A Series Of Workshops Aimed At Building Community And Increasing The Number Of Women And Minorities In Engineering Design,” Proceedings of the ASEE Annual Conference, June 23-26, Atlanta, Georgia.
  • Fu, K., Chan, J., Schunn, C., Cagan, J., Kotovsky, K., 2013,“ Substantiating the Basis for an Automated Design-by-Analogy Tool through Comparison to Expert Thinking,” Proceedings of the ASME 2013 International Design Engineering Technical Conferences & Computers and Information in Engineering Conference, August 4-7, 2013, Portland, Oregon.
  • Fu, K., Dilmore, J., Cagan, J., Dougherty Jr., C.H., 2013, “Using Design Database Structures to Characterize Freedom-to-operate in a Design Space: A Legal Case Study,” Proceedings of the International Conference on Engineering Design, August 19-22, 2013, Seoul, South Korea.
  • Fu, K., Chan, J., Cagan, J., Kotovsky, K., Schunn, C., and Wood, K., 2012, “The Meaning of “Near” and “Far”: The Impact of Structuring Design Databases and the Effect of Distance of Analogy on Design Output,” Proceedings of the ASME Design Theory and Methodology Conference, Chicago, IL.
  • Wood, M., Chen, P., Fu, K., Cagan, J., and Kotovsky, K., 2012, "The Role of Design Team Structure on Individual and Shared Mental Models," Proceedings of the  Conference on Design Computing and Cognition, College Station, TX.
  • Chan, J., Fu, K., Schunn, C., Cagan, J., Wood, K., and Kotovsky, K., 2011, “On the Benefits and Pitfalls of Analogies for Innovative Design: Ideation Performance Based on Analogical Distance, Commonness, and Modality of Examples,” Proceedings of the 2011 International Conference on Engineering Design, Copenhagen, Denmark.
  • Fu, K., Cagan, J., Kotovsky, K., 2011, “A Methodology for Discovering Structure in Design Databases,” Proceedings of the 2011 International Conference on Engineering Design, Copenhagen, Denmark. 
  • Fu, K., Cagan, J., Kotovsky, K., and Wood, K., 2011, “Discovering Structure In Design Databases Through Functional And Surface Based Mapping,” Proceedings of the ASME Design Theory and Methodology Conference, Washington, D.C.
  • Fu, K., Cagan, J., and Kotovsky, K., 2009, “Design Team Convergence: The Influence of Example Solution Quality,” Proceedings of the ASME Design Theory and Methodology Conference, San Diego, CA.
  • Linsey, J.S., Tseng, I., Fu, K., Cagan, J., and Wood, K. L., 2009, “Reducing and Perceiving Design Fixation: Initial Results from an NSF-Sponsored Workshop,” Proceedings of the 2009 International Conference on Engineering Design, Stanford, CA.

Patents

  • Cheung, T., Fu, K., Jura, J., Kaushal, N., Sato, G., Theis, P., "Stowable Table Unit System for a Vehicle," United States Patent Number 8096599,Issued 17 January 2012, Assignee: International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC