Institute of Technology begins process for possible name change
In an effort to increase the visibility of its engineering and science programs, the Institute of Technology has begun a wide-ranging discussion of a possible name change for the college. The Institute of Technology Dean's Advisory Board has identified consideration of a possible name change as a high priority for the coming year. In a recent recommendation to the dean, the board noted that the name of the college (with its acronym IT) has become increasingly problematic in terms of securing financial support and recognition for critical academic programs. Read more>>
IT Public Lecture on Feb. 4 reveals roadmap to energy independence
Join Joe Shuster, the author of Beyond Fossil Fools, for a relevant and revealing talk about energy independence at the next University of Minnesota Institute of Technology Public Lecture at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 4, Coffman Theater, Coffman Memorial Union, 300 Washington Ave. S.E., Minneapolis. The lecture is free and open to the public, but online registration is recommended.
Shuster, a Minnesota businessman and University of Minnesota alumnus, will lead participants on an energy road trip to U.S. energy independence in one generation. His clear and quantified presentation defines the problem, explores the possibilities, and then shows the roadmap to a solution, complete with costs and a timeline for implementation. Read more>>
University Legislative Briefing is Jan. 28
Alumni, faculty, staff, students, and friends of the University can get an insider’s view of this year's University of Minnesota legislative request at the 2009 Legislative Briefing from 5:30–8 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 28, at McNamara Alumni Center, 200 Oak St. S.E., Minneapolis. Those planning to attend are asked to RSVP online by Jan. 22. Alumni can also receive regular Legislative updates by signing up for the Legislative Network. Visit www.supporttheu.umn.edu to watch a video of Institute of Technology Alumni Society President Jim Pichler and find out how easy it is for your voice to be heard. Read more>>
Save the date: Science & Technology Banquet is March 26
Mark your calendar now for the Institute of Technology’s 2009 Science & Technology Banquet on Thursday, March 26 at the Hilton Minneapolis. The evening begins with a reception at 5 p.m. followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m. and the program at 7:30 p.m. The keynote speaker is Cynthia Lesher, retired president and CEO of Northern States Power Company-Minnesota, an Xcel Energy Company. Lesher will present “Energy—It’s Everyone’s Business.” Event registration and ticket sales are expected to begin on Friday, Jan. 23. Read more>>
Physics Circus is Jan. 15 at Northrop Auditorium
The Institute of Technology’s Physics Force will present their largest public show of the year at the annual “Physics Circus” at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 15, in Northrop Auditorium, 84 Church St. S.E., Minneapolis. The show is a unique mix of large-scale physics demonstrations and humor that is fun for adults and children of all ages. It is free and open to the public. Demonstrations include dropping one of the team members from a 20-foot gantry while shooting a ball at him to demonstrate the effect of gravity, a human rocket to show the mechanics of collisions, collapsing a 55-gallon drum to show the force of air pressure, and much more. Read more>>
Math Matters Lecture on Jan. 22 focuses on making sense of sensors
The Institute for Mathematics and Its Applications (IMA) continues its 2008-09 Math Matters Lecture Series with “Mathematics Making Sense of Sensors” presented by University of Pennsylvania Professor Robert Ghrist at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 22, Willey Hall, Room 125, 225 19th Ave. S., Minneapolis. In his lecture, Ghrist will explore how sensor networks are changing our lives and social rules in their uses in widely varied fields from law enforcement and homeland security to environmental research and biomedical testing. The lecture is free and open to the public. Read more>>
IT student named Rhodes Scholar
Institute of Technology student Ashley Lynne Nord was recently named one of 32 Rhodes Scholars. Nord, a senior in the University’s Honors Program, is a candidate for Bachelor of Science degrees in physics and astrophysics and a summa cum laude candidate for a Bachelor of Arts degree in global studies with a minor in Spanish studies. Nord intends to pursue a doctorate in condensed matter physics at Oxford University, in preparation for a career in the field of biophysics. Read more or watch video>>
Computer science faculty member receives nation’s highest honor for early career research
Computer science and engineering associate professor Stergios Roumeliotis has been awarded a prestigious Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE). The award is the nation’s highest honor recognizing outstanding early career researchers who show exceptional potential. Roumeliotis specializes in navigation of aerial and ground autonomous vehicles and sensor networks. His research has applications for wheeled Mars rovers, tracked vehicles, as well as unmanned helicopters and spacecrafts. Read more>>
Institute of Technology launches new outreach Web page
To increase the college’s outreach activities for youth, teachers, and the general public, the Institute of Technology has revamped its outreach section on the Web site to include a comprehensive listing of the college’s various outreach programs. The site includes a searchable listing of programs by audience and program type. For alumni and faculty, the Web site includes information on how to share expertise as a science ambassador in the schools or as a speaker on campus. Additions, changes and updates to the program listing should be sent to Katherine Cramer, Institute of Technology outreach coordinator, at crame003@umn.edu. Read more>>
IT researchers use computer models to unravel the inner workings of the cell
University of Minnesota biomedical engineering professor, David Odde, and his team of biomedical engineering Ph.D. students, Melissa Gardner and Clarence Chan, are using computer modeling to predict and understand how cells sense their mechanical environment, and how cells divide. The research could provide clues to controlling stem cell development and fighting cancer. The results of their research are published in a recent issue of “Science.” Read more>>
U of M I-35W bridge study results parallel NTSB report
Preliminary results of the University of Minnesota's independent academic study of the I-35W bridge collapse suggest that lack of robustness in the bridge's original design, additional load from bridge improvements over the years, weight from construction materials, and stresses induced by temperature changes contributed to the collapse of the I-35W bridge on Aug. 1, 2007. The University's recently released findings are consistent with the National Transportation Safety Board's final report summary and the report prepared by Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, consultants retained by the Minnesota Department of Transportation. Read more>>
Honors
Professor Graham Candler (aerospace engineering and mechanics) has been named a Fellow of the National Security Science and Engineering Faculty Fellows (NSSEFF) Program, by the U.S. Department of Defense.
Professors Paul Crowell (physics), Yong-Zhong Qian (physics), and Hans Othmer (mathematics) were recently elected fellows of the American Physical Society.
Professor Jane Davidson (mechanical engineering) and graduate students, Luke Venstrom and Julia Haltiwanger, received the People's Choice Award for their poster, "A Two-Step Solar Thermochemical Process to Produce Hydrogen from Water," at the E3 2008 Conference.
Professor David Kohlstedt (geology and geophysics) has been awarded the Murchison Medal for 2009 from the Geological Society of London for his significant contribution to geological science.
Assistant professor Sangwon Suh (bioproducts and biosystems engineering) has been named to the International Panel for Sustainable Resource Management by the United Nations Environmental Program.
Professor Ofer Zeitouni (mathematics) will serve as editor-in-chief of the “Annuals of Probability” for 2009-11. The premier journal in probability theory is published by the Institute of Mathematical Statistics.
The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) has awarded the distinction of Fellow to the following Institute of Technology faculty members for their efforts toward advancing science applications that are deemed scientifically or socially distinguished:
Professor Timothy Lodge (chemistry) for distinguished contributions to the field of polymer science, especially in polymer dynamics and in the phase behavior of block copolymers.
Professor Shashi Shekhar (computer science and engineering) for distinguished research, service, and teaching contributions to advancement of science in the fields of spatial databases, spatial data mining and geographic information science.
Four Institute of Technology alumni and one faculty member are among the first 10 people to be inducted into the Minnesota Science and Technology Hall of Fame, co-founded by the Minnesota High Tech Association (MHTA) and the Science Museum of Minnesota. They are:
Earl Bakken (EE ’48), Medtronic co-founder
Seymour Cray (EE ’49, M.A. Math ’51), Cray Research founder
Richard Daly (EE ’49), Consatech founder
H. Ted Davis, Regents professor (chemical engineering and materials science)
Bernice Folz (M.S. Math ’64), Graduate Programs in Software founder, University of St. Thomas
Alumnus Shengli Zhou (EE Ph.D. ’02) has received the prestigious 2007 Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers. Zhou, an assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering at the University of Connecticut, is one of 15 award recipients nominated by the U.S. Department of Defense. While studying for his Ph.D. at the U of M, Zhou was advised by Professor Georgios Giannakis.
Applied Environmental Solutions, a student group in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, was awarded a Carbon Buster Award of Excellence by U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar. Their video submission highlighted the group’s projects, including converting gas cars to electric, participating in the solar car and solar house competitions, and working to improve electric scooters.
Media Watch
U of M students are finalists in national Collegiate Inventors Competition
A team of two Institute of Technology recent graduates and a current student are finalists in the National Inventors Hall of Fame Foundation’s 2008 Collegiate Inventors Competition for their invention that could bring light to thousands of people around the world without electricity. Nov. 13: University News; Star Tribune; Nov. 16: Eau Claire Leader Telegram Nov. 18: Minnesota Daily
Lecture focuses on infrastructure, results of bridge study
International students face hurdles after graduation
The limited number of work visas available could hurt international students at the University of Minnesota including Jennifer Zhang, a chemistry graduate student. Nov. 17: Minnesota Daily
U hosts international energy conference
The Institute of Technology was one of the sponsors of the University's E3 Conference, which gathered experts from around the world to discuss energy, the environment and their economic impact. Nov. 18: Minnesota Daily
U of M researchers involved in wind power battery storage
University of Minnesota researchers are involved in a new project to store wind energy in batteries. Nov. 18: Greentech Media
"The Mississippi"—Old Man River goes green
Fotis Sotiropoulos, director of the University’s St. Anthony Falls Lab, said there is a lot of research on the Mississippi River by both the hydropower industry and the U.S. government through the Department of Energy to actually improve existing traditional hydro turbine design and make it more fish-friendly. Nov. 18: PBS Nightly Report
Solar house team to be critiqued Friday
The University Solar Decathlon team’s creation will provide a “cutting edge” look at the possibilities for green design. Nov. 20: Minnesota Daily
U of M geology researchers link climate patterns in ancient China to fall of three dynasties
University of Minnesota geology and geophysics researchers, along with their colleagues from China, have uncovered surprising effects of climate patterns on social upheaval and the fall of dynasties in ancient China. Nov. 6: BBC; Nov. 21: China.org.cn
Institute of Technology student named Rhodes Scholar
Computer science and engineering professor David Du comments on why sending text messages has become so expensive. Nov. 24: WCCO–TV
Police beef up ranks with barbell-sized robot
The scout robot, developed by researchers in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, is the newest member of the Plymouth Police Department's SWAT Team. Nov. 25: KARE-TV
University students display robots
More than 400 people gathered to see a robot show at the University of Minnesota, which displayed students’ final projects from their introductory mechanical engineering class. Nov. 26: University News; News Service Video; Dec. 8: WCCO-TV; Dec. 9: Minnesota Daily; KARE-TV
Let the sun shine
A team of aspiring builders and designers from the University of Minnesota is gearing up for the Rose Bowl of solar design competitions—the Solar Decathlon 2009 in Washington, D.C. Dec. 2: Finance and Commerce
Hydraulic hybrids could be powerful alternative
Mechanical engineering professor Kim Stelson and a team of University of Minnesota researchers are working on an alternative to the electric hybrid vehicle using hydraulic power. Dec. 3: Minnesota Daily; Dec. 8: Star Tribune
NOvA project passes final bureaucratic hurdle
The massive neutrino detector and associated physics laboratory slated for construction near Ash River, north of Orr, has cleared its last bureaucratic hurdle and appears poised to begin construction this spring, contingent on final approval of funding. Dec. 5: Tower Timberjay
Medtronic founder celebrates 85th birthday
Medtronic founder and University of Minnesota electrical engineering alumnus Earl Bakken recently celebrated his 85th birthday in the Twin Cities. The University’s Institute for Engineering and Medicine was one of the event sponsors. Dec. 7: Star Tribune
Managing a flood of new data
University of Minnesota researchers and the Minnesota Department of Transportation are monitoring the data coming from sensors on the new I-35W bridge. Dec. 8: Government Computer News
U of M solar car makes cameo on Extreme Home Makeover
The University of Minnesota student-built solar car made a cameo appearance on ABC's Extreme Home Makeover. Dec. 7: ABC
The real science of 'The Day the Earth Stood Still'
U of M physics associate professor Marco Peloso served as an expert to develop General Relativity equations used in the new movie “The Day the Earth Stood Still.” Dec. 8: Space; Dec. 15: Popular Science
Full moon effects
Astronomy professor Lawrence Rudnick comments on the strange effects of a full moon and the upcoming “leap second.” Dec. 12: KQRS Radio
Hollywood collaborates with scientists to improve factual accuracy
University of Minnesota physics professor James Kakalios provided both technical and psychological advice for the upcoming movie “Watchmen.” He described the appearance of a typical physics lab, and discussed intrinsic fields and faster-than-light particles, called tachyons, that play a role in the movie's plot. Dec. 14: Cleveland Plain Dealer
Under a frozen lake in Siberia, geoscientist drills for secrets of Earth’s ancient climate
An international team of geoscientists will burrow back in time, retrieving core samples more than 3 million years old and answering questions about Earth’s ancient past. An “archive half” of each core will be stored at the University of Minnesota.
Dec. 18: Physorg.com; Dec. 22 Science Daily
What can Swiss cheese teach us about dark energy?
The universe is made up of lumps of matter interspersed with giant holes, or voids, somewhat like Swiss cheese. In fact, last year, astronomers at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, reported finding the king of all known voids, spanning one billion light-years. Dec. 22: NASA
Energy diversity stressed at CHEMCON
At the CHEMCON-2008 conference, University of Minnesota chemical engineering professor offered expertise regarding hydrogen and chemicals that could be used in auto-thermal reactors.
Dec. 30: Times of India
Biodiesel facility takes shape
Chemistry professor Peter Carr developed technology that will now be used at a new biodiesel facility in Isanti County. Dec. 30: Isanti County News
Minnesota scientists heading to Antarctica to survey challenging region
Geology and geophysics researcher Paul Morin is part of a team of researchers involved in a mapping survey of Antarctica. Jan. 4: Star Tribune; Jan. 5: KSTP-TV
Industry and academic leaders to join engineering advisory council for Genomatica
Chemical engineering and materials science professor Frank Bates has been named to the Engineering Advisory Council of Genomatica Inc., a sustainable chemical company. Jan. 4: Chemical Online
Incomprehensible odds: Florida Powerball
Mathematics professor Doug Arnold comments on the odds of winning the Florida Powerball lottery.
Jan. 6: The Ledger-FL
U of M astronomers help exploded star come alive across time and space
University of Minnesota astronomers led an international team of researchers who have developed a new three-dimensional visualization of the famous Cassiopeia A supernova remnant that gives astrophysicists new clues about how exploding stars form new stars and solar systems. Jan. 7: Space Daily; Jan. 8: New Scientist; University News
Mystery radio signal could be from universe's first stars
Astronomy professor Lawrence Rudnik comments on a balloon-borne experiment that has turned up a mysterious radio signal that seems to be coming from beyond the Milky Way. Jan. 8: New Scientist
Events
CodeFreeze Conference 2009—Maximizing Developer Value
Jan. 15: The University of Minnesota's Software Engineering Center hosts the fourth annual CodeFreeze 2009 conference open to all software engineering professionals. This year's conference will include sessions on both the technical and non-technical topics related to increasing developer productivity and delivering value to the end-users. Keynote speakers include Neal Ford, a software architect at ThoughtWorks, and Susan Standiford, the CTO of Travelocity.com. Register now. 8:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Hubert H. Humphrey Center, Cowles Auditorium. Visit the Web site.
Particulate Coatings: Processing and Applications
Jan. 15: The IPRIME Coating Process Fundamentals (CPF), Nanoparticle Technology (NPT), and Organic Optoelectronic Interfaces (OEI) Groups will offer a workshop on the processing and applications of particulate coatings. Register online. 8:30–4 p.m. EE/CSci Bldg, Room 3-210. Visit the Web site.
Analytical Probes of Polymer Adhesion and Interfaces Lab Demo
Jan. 15: The Institute of Technology Characterization Facility will perform free demonstrations on the facility's instruments. Register online. 8–4:30 p.m. 12 Shepherd Labs. Visit the Web site.
Physics Circus
Jan. 15: The Institute of Technology’s Physics Force will present their largest public show of the year at the annual “Physics Circus.” The show is a unique mix of large-scale physics demonstrations and humor that is fun for adults and children of all ages. It is free and open to the public. 7 p.m. Northrop Auditorium. Visit the Web site.
Masonry Design and Construction Fundamental Series
Masonry Software Design Solutions Jan. 21: This workshop for design and construction engineers highlights engineering software for load-bearing masonry and hybrid masonry and steel structures. Knowledge of FEM analysis and RAM Advanse software is not necessary, as the sessions will be lecture and demonstration based. Register online. 1:30–4:45 p.m. Continuing Education and Conference Center, St. Paul. Visit the Web site. Contact Kay Syme, 612-624-4938 or e-mail.
Minnesota's Hidden History in Computing Partnerships and Patents: Honeywell and the Computer Industry
Jan. 21: This talk examines the notable reach of Honeywell and how it shaped the history of computing. Founded in Minneapolis to manufacture furnace controls, Honeywell influenced the computer industry through its own computer innovations, its corporate partnerships, and its foray in the patent courts that contested the landmark ENIAC patent. 7–8 p.m. 120 Andersen Library. Visit the Web site.
Mathematics Making Sense of Sensors
Jan. 22: In this lecture, University of Pennsylvania Professor Robert Ghrist will explore how sensor networks are changing our lives and social rules in their uses in widely varied fields from law enforcement and homeland security to environmental research and biomedical testing. Free and open to the public. 7 p.m. 125 Willey Hall. Visit the Web site.
FIRST LEGO League State Championship
Jan. 24–25: More than 2,500 students in fourth through eighth grades will compete in the FIRST LEGO League State Championship robotics conference. This year’s theme “Climate Connections” challenges students to research topics that affect global climate changes. The Institute of Technology is one of the competition hosts. 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Continuing Education and Conference Center. Visit the Web site.
3M Technology Commercialization Seminars
Financing Your Technology-Based Venture Jan. 26: Developed exclusively for graduate and Ph.D. students in technology and science-related programs at the University of Minnesota, this five-part series features interactive discussions and live case studies describing how to bring ideas from the laboratory to the marketplace. 5–7 p.m. Executive Conference Center, Carlson School of Management. Register for the seminar series by sending an e-mail to hce@umn.edu. Visit the Web site.
Legislative Briefing
Jan. 28: Alumni, faculty, staff, students, and friends of the University can get an insider’s view of this year's University of Minnesota legislative request at the 2009 Legislative Briefing. At the event, President Robert Bruininks and others will explain how the projects in this year’s legislative request will benefit the University and the entire state. 5:30–8 p.m. McNamara Alumni Center. Visit the Web site.
Masonry Design and Construction Fundamental Series
Understanding Stone Jan. 28: In this workshop, structural engineers will learn about stone, including the mineralogy and other issues affecting structural design. Register online. 1:30–4:45 p.m. Continuing Education and Conference Center, St. Paul. Visit the Web site. Contact Kay Syme, 612-624-4938 or e-mail.
Looking Ahead
Institute of Technology Public Lecture
Beyond Fossil Fools: The Roadmap to Energy Independence Feb. 4: Join Joe Shuster (ChemE '55), the author of Beyond Fossil Fools, for a relevant and revealing talk about attaining U.S. energy independence in one generation. 6:30 p.m. Reception; 7 p.m. Lecture. Coffman Memorial Union, Coffman Theater,
300 Washington Ave. S.E., Minneapolis. Visit the Web site.
Institute of Technology’s 2009 Science & Technology Banquet
March 26: The keynote speaker for this year's scholarship fundraiser is Cynthia Lesher, retired president and CEO of Northern States Power Company-Minnesota, an Xcel Energy Company. Lesher will present “Energy—It’s Everyone’s Business.” 5 p.m. Reception; 6:30 p.m. Dinner; 7:30 p.m. Keynote. Hilton Minneapolis. Visit the Web site.
Design of Medical Devices Conference
April 14–16: This three-day conference includes two days of technical/clinical sessions plus a one-day Annual President's 21st Century Interdisciplinary Conference. The conference brings together medical device designers, manufacturers, researchers, and representatives from the public sector. The Institute of Technology is one of the sponsors of this event. Radisson University Hotel-Minneapolis. Visit the Web site.
Join Joe Shuster, the author of Beyond Fossil Fools, for a relevant and revealing talk about energy independence at the next University of Minnesota Institute of Technology Public Lecture at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 4, Coffman Theater, Coffman Memorial Union, 300 Washington Ave. S.E., Minneapolis. The lecture is free and open to the public, but online registration is recommended.
The Institute of Technology’s Physics Force will present their largest public show of the year at the annual “Physics Circus” at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 15, in Northrop Auditorium, 84 Church St. S.E., Minneapolis. The show is a unique mix of large-scale physics demonstrations and humor that is fun for adults and children of all ages. It is free and open to the public. Demonstrations include dropping one of the team members from a 20-foot gantry while shooting a ball at him to demonstrate the effect of gravity, a human rocket to show the mechanics of collisions, collapsing a 55-gallon drum to show the force of air pressure, and much more. 
The Institute for Mathematics and Its Applications (IMA) continues its 2008-09 Math Matters Lecture Series with “Mathematics Making Sense of Sensors” presented by University of Pennsylvania Professor Robert Ghrist at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 22, Willey Hall, Room 125, 225 19th Ave. S., Minneapolis. In his lecture, Ghrist will explore how sensor networks are changing our lives and social rules in their uses in widely varied fields from law enforcement and homeland security to environmental research and biomedical testing. The lecture is free and open to the public. 
Institute of Technology student Ashley Lynne Nord was recently named one of 32 Rhodes Scholars. Nord, a senior in the University’s Honors Program, is a candidate for Bachelor of Science degrees in physics and astrophysics and a summa cum laude candidate for a Bachelor of Arts degree in global studies with a minor in Spanish studies. Nord intends to pursue a doctorate in condensed matter physics at Oxford University, in preparation for a career in the field of biophysics. 
University of Minnesota biomedical engineering professor, David Odde, and his team of biomedical engineering Ph.D. students, Melissa Gardner and Clarence Chan, are using computer modeling to predict and understand how cells sense their mechanical environment, and how cells divide. The research could provide clues to controlling stem cell development and fighting cancer. The results of their research are published in a recent issue of “Science.” 
Preliminary results of the University of Minnesota's independent academic study of the I-35W bridge collapse suggest that lack of robustness in the bridge's original design, additional load from bridge improvements over the years, weight from construction materials, and stresses induced by temperature changes contributed to the collapse of the I-35W bridge on Aug. 1, 2007. The University's recently released findings are consistent with the National Transportation Safety Board's final report summary and the report prepared by Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, consultants retained by the Minnesota Department of Transportation.