Solar car team finishes fifth in cross-country race
The University of Minnesota Solar Vehicle Project team finished fifth overall in the 2008 North American Solar Challenge, a 10-day, 2,400-mile race from Plano, Texas, to Calgary, Alberta, which ended July 22. Despite major problems with the car early in the race, the team was among the top one-third of the finishers and was one of only a few teams who did not trailer their car at any time throughout the legs of the race. In addition, the team won three of the five awards before the race, including best-prepared, fastest figure-8 on the track, and fastest lap on the track. The team has posted their reflections and photos from the race on their Web site. Read more>>
Medical Devices Center opens new research facility
The University of Minnesota opened a state-of-the-art medical device research facility earlier this summer that will be used for designing, prototyping and testing new medical devices. Housed in Shepherd Labs, the new Medical Devices Center features a computer-aided design precision instruments lab, mechanical and electronics fabrication areas, and high-tech equipment that allows researchers to view live surgical procedures in 3D. The new center is part of the University of Minnesota's Institute for Engineering and Medicine (IEM), an initiative jointly sponsored by the Institute of Technology and the Medical School. Read more and watch a video>>
Researchers say action must start now to reach greenhouse gas reduction goals by 2015
A team of University researchers, including mechanical engineering professor David Kittelson and civil engineering assistant professor Julian Marshall, has discovered that if the state of Minnesota is to reach its Next Generation Energy Act goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 15 percent in 2015 then action must start now. The research team modeled emissions for Minnesota and found that it is possible to reduce emissions by 30 percent by 2025 if a combination of strategies are implemented, including reducing fuel consumption, increasing fuel efficiencies, decreasing carbon content, and using new methods for designing communities. The researchers also point out that the methods could be applied nationally. Read more and watch a video>>
IT research to help millions of bifocal wearers
A software program designed at the University of Minnesota by mathematics professor Fadil Santosa, along with fellow mathematics professor Robert Gulliver and graduate student Jing Wang, stands to markedly improve vision for the estimated 78 million Americans who wear bifocal glasses. The program was developed in partnership with Vision-Ease Lens, based in Ramsey, Minn. The University and Vision-Ease Lens signed a license agreement that is expected to lead to a significant increase in the accuracy and flexibility of progressive “no line” prescriptions. Read more>>
Budget bill impacting the U signed by President Bush
A $400 million increase in science agencies' funding was part of a $186.5 billion supplemental war-funding budget bill, H.R. 2642, signed by President Bush on June 30. The bill also allows work to resume on the NOvA high energy physics project, which has significant University of Minnesota participation. Of the $400 million increase for science agencies, H.R. 2542 includes $150 million for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and $62.5 million each for the National Science Foundation (NSF), the Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science, and NASA. Environmental management activities at DOE received the remaining $62.5 million. Read more>>
Goldman appointed Regents Professor
Allen Goldman, head of the School of Physics and Astronomy, has been named a Regents Professor by the University’s Board of Regents, which is the University’s highest faculty honor. In a research career that spans more than 40 years at the University of Minnesota, he has made numerous pioneering contributions in the field of superconductivity. He is widely recognized as one of the world’s leading experts on superconductivity in thin films. Read more>>
Dean announces leadership appointments
Institute of Technology Dean Steven Crouch recently announced three new leadership positions within the college.
Efi Foufoula-Georgiou, a McKnight Distinguished Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering, has been appointed the new director of the National Center for Earth-surface Dynamics (NCED), a National Science Foundation (NSF) Science and Technology Center based at the University of Minnesota. The appointment is effective Aug. 1, 2008. Foufoula-Georgiou replaces NCED director Christopher Paola who will remain a professor in geology and geophysics and will continue as a researcher at NCED. Read more>>
Chemistry professor Wayne Gladfelter has been appointed as the college’s associate dean for academic affairs. Gladfelter has served as interim associate dean for the past year. Read more>>
Professor Uwe R. Kortshagen has been appointed as head of the University of Minnesota’s Department of Mechanical Engineering. He replaces James Ramsey, who has served as acting head of the department for the last year. Read more>>
Professor R. Lawrence Edwards (geology and geophysics) has been awarded the George & Orpha Gibson Chair in Earth Systems Sciences to recognize his pioneering research contributions in the field of paleoclimatology; and professor Marc Hirschmann (geology and geophysics) has been awarded the George & Orpha Gibson Chair in Earth and Planetary Sciences for his work in establishing one of the world’s premier experimental petrology and geochemistry programs at the University.
Professor Allison Hubel (mechanical engineering) has been elected a Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), in recognition of her exceptional engineering achievements and contributions. Her work in cryopreservation of cellular therapies and engineered tissue has resulted in three patents and numerous publications.
Professor Renata Wentzcovitch (chemical engineering and materials science) has received the prestigious Humboldt Research Award for her interdisciplinary work in materials science, mineral physics, and geophysics.
The University of Minnesota's Initiative for Renewable Energy and the Environment (IREE)—in partnership with the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP)—has selected nine engineering projects as part of the U of M's first renewable energy scholarship program. The research projects range from developing technology for solar hydrogen production via a two-step water splitting thermochemical cycle to exploring a range of methods to model, predict and optimize the outcomes of biorefinery applications. The selected winners include:
Steven Biorn with faculty advisor Roger Ruan (bioproducts and biosystems engineering)
Benjamin Carrier with faculty advisor Jonathan Schilling (bioproducts and biosystems engineering)
Alison Cozad with faculty advisor Prodromos Daoutidis (chemical engineering and materials science)
Ahmad Ahmad Hazmi with faculty advisor Russell Holmes (chemical engineering and materials science)
Derek Jones with faculty advisor Aditya Bhan (chemical engineering and materials science)
Leo Kucek with faculty advisor Roger Ruan (bioproducts and biosystems engineering)
Andrew McDaniel with faculty advisor Daniel Frisbie (chemical engineering and materials science)
Yi Cheng Ng with faculty advisor Jane Davidson (mechanical engineering)
Jillian Schmidt with faculty advisor Eray Aydil (chemical engineering and materials science)
Media Watch
Integration of ZnO microcrystals with tailored dimensions forming light emitting diodes and UV photovoltaic cells
Jesse J. Cole, Xinyu Wang, Robert J. Knuesel, and associate professor Heiko O. Jacobs (electrical and computer engineering) published new research detailing ZnO as a promising material. May 2: National Synchrotron Light Source; June: Nature Photonics
University of Minnesota enters 2008 North American Solar Challenge
Andrew Odlyzko (mathematics) comments on the dozens of new undersea trans-Atlantic cables that will be constructed over the next three years, at a total cost of about $7.1 billion. May 22: The Economist–UK
Bill Garrard (aerospace and mechanical engineering) participated in a live interview with astronauts from the space shuttle. June 2: WCCO–AM
Air particulate tests begin on Iron Range
Virgil Marple (mechanical engineering) explains a particle-sampling machine perched atop the Virginia City Hall that will assess what airborne particles are found in the shadow of the Minnesota region's mines. The information could prove invaluable if it is determined that certain mineral particles pose a risk to human health. June 3: Duluth News Tribune
Geologic rarity close to Twin Cities is a rock-climbing destination
Peter Hudleston (geology and geophysics) describes a geologic rarity: a glacial boulder, found in Louisville Swamp, Shakopee, Minn. The Big Rock probably traveled 100 miles or more during the last Ice Age to reach its current resting spot. June 3: Star Tribune
'Net traffic: knowing what we don’t know
Andrew Odlyzko (mathematics), a leading Internet researcher, estimates the Internet's current growth rate at between 50 and 60 percent per year. Understanding growth trends is critical for companies that depend on supplying or using Internet infrastructure, so they can plan investments and growth curves accurately. June 4: Computer World; June 10: CCN Money; July 15: Viodi; July 18: Chronicle of Higher Education; July 21: Canberra Times
Road to China: 3M helping to clear the air
Air pollution expert Julian Marshall (civil engineering) discussed China's dangerously dirty air and what Minnesota company 3M is trying to do about it during the Beijing Summer Olympics. June 5: KARE-11
House bill could breathe life into California high-speed rail
David Levinson (civil engineering) commented on the difficulties of building California's high-speed passenger rail system through and around mountains. June 11: Fresno Bee
Geologist takes the long view on leaving
Subir Banerjee (geology and geophysics) was interviewed about his extended retirement plan. June 13: The Chronicle of Higher Education
Gender conference
An international group of computer science educators and historians gathered at the University's Charles Babbage Institute in late May for the "History, Gender and Computing" conference that examined the drastic decline of women in computer science. June 16: American Institute of Physics; June 18: MinnPost
Good question: are we making flooding worse?
Chris Paola (geology and geophysics) says that although flooding is a natural process, it is changing because of unnatural modifications to the land, resulting in worse flooding. June 19: WCCO–TV
Medical Device Center opens
A new state-of-the-art medical devices laboratory opened at the University. It was built specifically to create and test new medical devices. The lab will work with different companies and government agencies to improve healthcare. June 23: Minnesota Daily; June 24: KARE–11; KSTP–TV; Pioneer Press; News Service; June 25: Minnesota Daily; SmartBrief; AdvaMed; June 26: Star Tribune
Looking for fun? Become a scientist
James Kakalios (physics) was interviewed about science as a professional career. June 24: Snowmass Sun
New outdoor stream lab to open at the U
St. Anthony Falls Laboratory and National Center for Earth Surface Dynamics are featured in a recent New York Times article on stream restoration. The story discusses new problems in stream restoration, and how the University is using computer modeling and a soon-to-be-opened experimental facility to find the solutions. June 25: New York Times
Why can we see the moon in daytime?
Larry Rudnick (astronomy) answered WCCO's Good Question. Generally we see the sun during the day, and the moon at night, but there are times we see both at the same time. June 25: WCCO-TV
Making waves: proposed Mississippi River turbine stalled
Pete Weiss (St. Anthony Falls Laboratory) discussed a proposed turbine that would produce three megawatts of power using hydro energy off St. Anthony Falls. July 2: Minnesota Daily
Web may hold key to fighting new HIV wave
Joseph Konstan (computer science and engineering) is working on new Web-based software program to help fight the spread of HIV. The research team has worked for more than five years to create a computer program that assess risks. July 5: Star Tribune
Can a car run on E. coli?
Dan Boley (computer science and engineering) is using his mathematical expertise to aid chemical engineers in looking for ways to turn the bacteria into a tool for increasing the production of ethanol, a biofuel becoming an increasingly popular alternative energy option. July 10: MinnPost
A blooming solution to gas crisis?
Lanny Schmidt (chemical engineering and materials science) commented on algae as a potential solution to the fuel crisis. July 14: Star Tribune
Rybak calls for more plug-in hybrid conversions
John Broadhurst (physics) says the life cycle of hybrid cars isn't that environmentally-friendly. July 16: Minnesota Public Radio
MapQuest for the cycling set
Just in time for Twin Cities residents turning to bicycles for transportation because of rising gas prices, a Web site designed by University of Minnesota researchers is sort of MapQuest for two-wheelers. July 18: Star Tribune; July 19: Pioneer Press
Technology gets personal
John Riedl (computer science and engineering) comments as an expert in personalization technology on the use of recommender systems used by Web sites such as Netflix and Amazon. July 18: Wall Street Journal
TERRA Innovation Series: Engineering Better Roads Through Dynamic Research Partnerships
July 30: MnROAD presents this open house, with project site tours, demonstrations, and topic forums. A tour bus will run a continuous loop through the MnROAD facility, making stops at various TERRA-initiated project locations. 10 a.m–3:30 p.m. MnROAD, Albertville. Visit the Web site.
San Francisco Bay Area Alumni Gathering
Aug. 13: Alumnus Jeff Dean, a Google Fellow, will present “Behind the Scenes at Google: Current Systems and Future Directions.” 6 p.m. reception; 7 p.m. lecture. Computer History Museum, Mountain View, Calif. Register by Aug. 4 with Annalisa Strohschein at 612-626-7637, or e-mail annalisa@umn.edu.
IT at the Minnesota State Fair
Aug. 21–Sept. 1: A variety of Institute of Technology exhibits will showcase the relevance of science, engineering, and mathematics to people’s everyday lives at this year’s Minnesota State Fair. The Science and Engineering area of the University of Minnesota exhibit in the Crossroads Building on Dan Patch Avenue and Underwood Street will feature experts and scholars in a wide range of fields from 9 a.m.–9 p.m. each day.
Looking Ahead
Outdoor StreamLab Grand Opening and Tours
Sept. 19: The University of Minnesota St. Anthony Falls Laboratory is opening a new state-of-the art outdoor environmental research facility along the banks of the Mississippi River and is giving the public a first look during public tours from 3–5 p.m. St. Anthony Falls Laboratory
Math/Science Free Family Fun Fair
Sept. 20: Enjoy fascinating math and science activities for the whole family. Ride a hovercraft, hold a real human brain, and enjoy math games. Free and open to the public. 10 a.m–3 p.m. Coffman Memorial Union
Third Annual Misel Family Lecture
Sept. 23: "Finding the Big Bang" with eminent cosmologist Jim Peebles, Albert Einstein Professor of Science Emeritus at Princeton University, presented by the William I. Fine Theoretical Physics Institute. 7 p.m. Van Vleck Lecture Hall, Room 150, Tate Lab of Physics. Visit the Web site, or e-mail questions to ftpi@physics.umn.edu.
The University of Minnesota Solar Vehicle Project team finished fifth overall in the 2008 North American Solar Challenge, a 10-day, 2,400-mile race from Plano, Texas, to Calgary, Alberta, which ended July 22. Despite major problems with the car early in the race, the team was among the top one-third of the finishers and was one of only a few teams who did not trailer their car at any time throughout the legs of the race. In addition, the team won three of the five awards before the race, including best-prepared, fastest figure-8 on the track, and fastest lap on the track. The team has posted their reflections and photos from the race on their Web site. 
The University of Minnesota opened a state-of-the-art medical device research facility earlier this summer that will be used for designing, prototyping and testing new medical devices. Housed in Shepherd Labs, the new Medical Devices Center features a computer-aided design precision instruments lab, mechanical and electronics fabrication areas, and high-tech equipment that allows researchers to view live surgical procedures in 3D. The new center is part of the University of Minnesota's Institute for Engineering and Medicine (IEM), an initiative jointly sponsored by the Institute of Technology and the Medical School. 