ITems | October 2006

Dean names new advisory board

Institute of Technology Dean Steven Crouch has named 16 business and community leaders from across the country to serve on a new Dean’s Advisory Board. Ron Christenson (ME ’72), corporate vice president at Cargill Inc., will serve as chair of the board. Other members include top company executives and leaders of science and technology organizations.

The advisory board’s goal is to help the Institute of Technology maintain strong relationships with the corporate community, alumni, and other supporters of the college. Members will assist in the promotion and recognition of the college; advise the dean on academic, programmatic, and strategic issues; and provide assistance in seeking public and private support that will enable the Institute of Technology to achieve its academic mission.

The new Dean’s Advisory Board held its first meeting Sept. 29 and plans to meet again in the spring. More...

Institute of Technology receives $10 million bequest

The Institute of Technology has received a $10 million bequest from an anonymous donor. The deferred gift will be used to set up a permanent endowment to fund graduate student fellowships in the Institute of Technology. The University estimates that the endowment will fund about 15 to 25 graduate fellowships each year to help graduate students pay for education and living expenses.

Student support in the form of fellowships and scholarships continues to be a top fund-raising priority within the Institute of Technology and the University of Minnesota. More...

Dean to present State of the Institute of Technology address

Institute of Technology faculty and staff are cordially invited to attend a "State of the Institute of Technology" address presented by Dean Steven Crouch on Tues., Oct. 24, 2006, in 3-210 Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Building. Refreshments will be served starting at 3 p.m., and the dean's presentation will begin at 3:45 p.m. The program will end before 4:30 p.m.

Dean Crouch will welcome new faculty to the Institute of Technology and recognize several new department heads and center directors who were appointed during the past year.

His presentation will include a review of the status of the college's enrollments, finances, and research productivity as well as new collegiate initiatives in medical device technology and nanoscale science and engineering. Time will be allotted for questions from the audience.

Electrical and computer engineering department launches new center

Professor Ned Mohan (electrical and computer engineering), along with colleagues Bill Robbins, Bruce Wollenberg, Paul Imbertson, and Tom Posbergh, is beginning work on the new Center for Reforming Undergraduate Education in Electric Energy Systems after receiving a five-year, $1.23 million grant from the Office of Naval Research (ONR). The center, which will be located in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, has been recognized as a critical infrastructure for national security. Its mission is outreach and proactive training of electrical and computer engineering faculty throughout the nation. This training will be based on the educational material previously developed by Professor Mohan and other faculty through partial funding from the NSF, NASA, and ONR. More...

IT grad wins state's innovation prize

Troy Achterkirch (ME '94) is the manufacturing director for Vast Enterprises, which was one of the top award winners in the second annual Minnesota Cup. The competition seeks out Minnesota's newest and most innovative business ideas. Eden Prairie-based Vast Enterprises developed a composite paver brick system made of 99 percent recycled materials, an economically and socially responsible alternative to traditional paver bricks. The company won $25,000 in seed capital and business support services.

Electrical engineering student Patrick Delaney and teammates were finalists in the student division for their social-entrepreneurial venture to make affordable solar lanterns for people around the world.

Last year's Minnesota Cup winners, John Berger (ME '84, MBA '93) and David Emmons (ME '84,) invented Arcswitch, a new low-cost optical switch and attenuator for rerouting information carried on fiber-optic networks. More...

Community Fund Drive shifts into high gear

The spirit of giving is alive and well at the University, and during the 2006 Community Fund Drive this month, faculty and staff will have the opportunity do their part. The U has teamed up with respected, well-run organizations that support social services, education, arts, health, and the environment, making it easy for people to give to the cause of their choice. Institute of Technology Dean Steven Crouch, who is a co-chair for the Community Fund Drive this year, is aiming for the college to top last year's pledges of about $107,000 and participation rate of 40 percent. Complete the online pledge form to contribute.

IT, U surveys show economic impact of alumni

Results from a Universitywide survey released in September estimate that survey respondents have started 19,000 companies that employ some 1.1 million workers in all 50 states and in 63 foreign countries. U alumni are impacting all corners of the world, but their work is serving Minnesota the most. Survey participants have started 10,000 Minnesota companies, employing 500,000 workers and generating an estimated $100 billion in annual revenue.

In 2004, a survey of Institute of Technology alumni confirmed that the entrepreneurial spirit is also thriving among IT grads. That survey found that approximately 4,150 of the companies founded by IT grads are active today and that nearly two-thirds of them are located in Minnesota. These Minnesota companies employ more than 175,000 people and generate approximately $46 billion in annual revenue. More...

Scholars Walk dedication honors faculty, alumni

Several Institute of Technology faculty and alumni were honored by the University at a Sept. 29 celebration of the completion of the Scholars Walk. A wide pathway lined with 40 trees and lighted glass-and-limestone monuments, the Scholars Walk honors the research and academic accomplishments of the University’s award-winning faculty and alumni. The dedication also included the unveiling of the Wall of Discovery, a series of laser-etched glass panels spanning 253 feet on the north side of the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Building, along a segment of the Scholars Walk. The Wall of Discovery is an artistic tribute to the process that leads to great moments of discovery and contains reproductions of original sketches, notes, drawings, letters, and other items from more than 90 faculty and alumni.

IT faculty featured in U branding initiative

Professor James Kakalios (physics) and Professor Nikos Papanikolopoulos (computer science and engineering) are featured in television ads that are part of the University's new branding initiative, "Driven to Discover." The ads will run for eight weeks, beginning October 2. Associate Professor Beth Stadler (electrical and computer engineering) also is featured in on-campus sidewalk graphics as part of the branding effort. More...

Report recommendations released for new Institute on the Environment

The Provost's Advisory Committee for the Institute on the Environment released its Blueprint for Creating the Institute on the Environment for the University of Minnesota report in September. The world-class institute's primary objective will be to bring together interdisciplinary research teams to work on global environmental issues that have regional significance. Three IT faculty served on the advisory committee.

U team places fourth in World Solar Rally

The University of Minnesota Solar Vehicle Project (UMNSVP) team finished fourth overall in September's 2006 World Solar Rally in Taiwan. The team made continual progress throughout the race, starting day one in eighth place, day two in sixth place, and day three in fifth place. Borealis III, the University's seventh-generation solar car, was the top U.S. finisher. More...

In memoriam: David Fox

David Fox, retired professor of computer science and engineering and former department head, died Aug. 23. He was 77. At the University of Minnesota, Fox was head of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering from 1985-1990. He served on many committees and taught a variety of courses. He pioneered the method of intermediate eigenvalue problems for linear operations of Hilbert spaces. More...

Honors

Professor Bin He (biomedical engineering) was appointed conference chair of the Annual International Conference of Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, which will be held in Minneapolis in 2009. The annual conference has had more than 2,000 participants and is a premier international conference in the field of biomedical engineering. Professor He also has been elected vice president for publications of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society for 2007-08.

Professor Peter McMurry, head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, received the Fuchs Award at the 7th International Aerosol Conference in St. Paul. The Fuchs Award is considered the highest honor for researchers in the field of aerosol science and technology.

E. Dianne Rekow (Math, Physical Science ’66, ME ’70, ME M.S. ’82, D.D.S. ’83, BME Ph.D. ’88) has been elected president of the American Association for Dental Research. She is currently chair of the Department of Basic Science and Craniofacial Biology and director of Translational Research at New York University College of Dentistry.

Professor Bruce Wollenberg (electrical and computer engineering) was named to serve on the new state task force on Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs). The task force will develop strategies to encourage use of hybrid electric vehicles by the state.

Media watch

Pluto's demotion

Professor Robert Pepin (physics and astronomy) discussed the demotion of Pluto from its status as a planet to the new category of "dwarf planet." Aug. 25: Minnesota Public Radio.

University of Minnesota exhibits at the fair

The Physics Force was a highlight among the many University of Minnesota exhibits at the state fair. Other IT displays at the fair included a demonstration of the Scout Robot by Professor Nikolaos Papanikolopoulos (computer science and engineering). Aug. 29: WCCO-TV (Minneapolis-St. Paul).

Will all of us get our 15 minutes on a YouTube video?

Professor Andrew Odlyzko, who heads the Digital Technology Center, has examined YouTube data, such as lists of most-viewed videos, to see whether the numbers follow a pattern familiar to statisticians, in which a few of the most popular items get an especially large percentage of the traffic. Aug. 30: Wall Street Journal.

No lie—another whopper of a fish tale

Doug Arnold, director of the Institute for Mathematics and its Applications, weighed in on a debate about the world's largest muskie to say that the fish in question could not have been the claimed length. Sept. 1: Star Tribune (Minneapolis).

Some Minnesota schools expanding math, science classes

Many Minnesota students will find plenty of classes in math and science when they return to school, a sign that the national concern about a lack of interest in such subjects isn't so pressing here, said Peter Hudleston, associate dean for student affairs, Institute of Technology. Sept. 4: WCCO-TV (Minneapolis-St.Paul).

Robots could help with next storm

Scientists at the Safety Security Rescue Research Center, a collaboration between the University of South Florida, the University of Minnesota, and various robotics companies, are inventing and testing robots that could help save future hurricane victims. Sept. 6: Gainesville Sun (Florida).

Mechanical engineering, computer science make list of U's top majors

Master's degrees in business administration top the list of the University of Minnesota's most popular majors. Mechanical engineering placed 8th with 182 graduates, and computer science ranked 13th with 149 graduates. Sept. 10: Star Tribune (Minneapolis).

IT students bring light across globe

Minnesota students, including electrical engineering student Patrick Delaney, are bringing affordable lanterns to people across the globe who do not have access to electricity. Sept. 13: WCCO-TV (Minneapolis-St. Paul); Sept 19: KARE-TV News (Minneapolis-St. Paul).

Electronic stability control in the works

Associate Professor Rajesh Rajamani (mechanical engineering) was interviewed for a story on electronic stability control—the new automobile safety system the government intends to make mandatory. Sept. 15: KARE 11 (Minneapolis-St. Paul).

Postdoc proposes hydrogen-powered car

Tareq Abu Hamed, a mechanical engineering postdoctoral associate, has proposed a process that would allow cars to run on water and the element boron. The process is set to debut in the print edition of the Solar Energy Journal later this year. Sept. 14: The Minnesota Daily; Sept. 17: Israel21c.

Good question: What came from space technology?

Professor Gary Balas (aerospace engineering) was interviewed about everyday commercial items that owe their existence to the space program and its research. Sept. 20: WCCO-TV (Minneapolis-St. Paul).

U students achieve solar car success

A group of students from the Institute of Technology participated in an international solar car competition and placed fourth overall. Sept. 21: KSTP-TV (Minneapolis-St. Paul).

Twins' "magic number"

Professor Lawrence Gray (math) was interviewed about the Minnesota Twins’ “magic number” and the team's chances of making it to the American League playoffs. Sept. 22: FOX 9–TV (Minneapolis-St. Paul).

Events

Alfred O.C. Nier Lecture Series

Oct. 5: Institute of Technology Distinguished Professor Emeritus V. Rama Murthy will deliver a lecture entitled “Radioactivity of the Earth: Myths, Models and Measurements.” The Alfred O.C. Nier Lecture Series is hosted by the Department of Geology and Geophysics. Free. 3:30 p.m., 110 Pillsbury Hall.

Cray Lecture Series: Margaret Wright

Oct 9: Margaret Wright, Silver Professor of Computer Science and department chair, New York University, will deliver a lecture entitled “Solving Nasty Optimization Problems in Science and Engineering.” Free. 3:35–4:35 p.m., 3-180 EE/CSci Building.

Technology commercialization seminar series for graduate students

Oct. 9: The Carlson School of Management's Center for Entrepreneurial Studies and 3M present "Recognizing and Evaluating Opportunities," the first in a series of five seminars on technology commercialization. The series is offered exclusively to graduate and Ph.D. students in science- and technology-related colleges within the University of Minnesota. Leading entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and academics will discuss the challenges of turning technical and scientific breakthroughs into successful businesses. Registration is limited to 50 students. RSVP to ces@csom.umn.edu. For more information contact shansen@csom.umn.edu or 612-624-0226. 4-6 p.m., Room 260R, Carlson School of Management.

A Tribute to Wayland Noland

Oct. 14: Join the chemistry department in celebrating Professor Noland's 80th birthday and honoring his service to his students, the department, and the University. The schedule includes a continental breakfast, scientific program, and birthday cake in the morning, and an afternoon boat cruise/buffet lunch on the Mississippi River. Contact Nancy Hagberg at 612-625-2503 or hagberg@chem.umn.edu for more information.

ECE Open House

Oct. 20: The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering is hosting “Experience ECE: Building Partnerships in Research and Education,” an open house for faculty, alumni, students, company representatives, researchers, and others. The schedule includes department exhibits and laboratory tours, presentations by company representatives, a keynote address, and panel discussions. Register online or call 612-625-2855. 8:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m., EE/CSci Building, McNamara Alumni Center.

State of the Institute of Technology Address

Oct. 24: Faculty and staff are cordially invited to attend a “State of the Institute of Technology” address presented by Dean Steven Crouch. Dean Crouch will welcome new Institute of Technology faculty and recognize several new department heads and center directors who were appointed during the past year. The presentation will include a review of the status of our enrollments, finances, and research productivity as well as new collegiate initiatives in medical device technology and nanoscale science and engineering. Time will be allotted for questions from the audience. 3:00 p.m. reception, 3:45 p.m. address, 3-210 EE/CSci Building.

Moving Toward Sustainable Energy Systems: Exploring Global Pathways

Oct. 24–25: This workshop will compare the constraints on and opportunities for sustainable energy systems around the globe and in particular, in the Upper Midwest and India. Seating is limited, so early registration is encouraged. For more information call 612-626-1593 or e-mail albot002@umn.edu. Co-hosted by the Center for Science, Technology and Public Policy, Initiative for Renewable Energy and the Environment, and the Energy and Resources Institute, New Delhi, India. 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m., Cowles Auditorium, Humphrey Center.

Looking ahead

Math Matters IMA Public Lecture Series: Margaret Wright

Nov. 2: Margaret Wright, Silver Professor of Computer Science and Department Chair, New York University, will deliver a lecture entitled “How Hard Can It Be?” Free. 7:00 p.m., 125 Willey Hall.

CDTL Futures Forum: Putting Nanotechnology to Work

Nov. 9: The 6th Annual Technology Futures Forum will feature medical and engineering/electronic aspects of nanotechnology. The program includes the keynote address by Professor Dennis Polla (electrical and computer engineering), panel presentations, and plenary sessions. Details to be announced. Call 612-624-5747 or e-mail general-cdtl@umn.edu for more information. 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m., West Bank Office Building.

Symposium on Supply Chain Management and Standards for Medical Devices

Nov. 16: The symposium will bring together representatives from leading medical device companies, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, health care providers, and leading national and international universities. It will highlight supply chain challenges and opportunities unique to the medical device industry. The program includes plenary speakers and panel discussions. Early registration is advised. No registration fee. For more information contact saif@umn.edu, agerdman@umn.edu or shaw.feg@nist.gov. Radisson University Hotel.

Digital Technology Workshop

Nov. 21: The Academic and Corporate Relations Center and the Digital Technology Center are hosting the Digital Technology Workshop. Jon Gordon, host and producer of American Public Media’s Future Tense, will be the keynote speaker. The event will feature University faculty presentations, displays, and posters about University research and business development opportunities in a variety of areas such as digital design, virtual reality, surveillance, and wireless communications. To register, e-mail Devan Futterer at futte002@umn.edu. For more information call 612-625-9510 or e-mail info@dtc.umn.edu. 7:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m., McNamara Alumni Center.