ITems | September 2007

IT launches new Medical Devices Center, strengthens ties to Medical School

A new Medical Devices Center launched this summer at the University of Minnesota aims to strengthen interdisciplinary research among faculty in the health sciences and engineering, specifically related to medical devices. The Medical Devices Center is part of the new Institute for Engineering in Medicine (IEM). IEM is a new initiative jointly sponsored by the University’s Institute of Technology and the Medical School. Researchers will primarily use existing facilities, but a core lab with common use equipment specifically for designing and testing medical devices is planned for the new Medical Devices Center. The center will provide resources and assistance to researchers and industry partners in the medical device design process from design concept through clinical trials. More…

Civil engineering faculty begin academic investigations of bridge collapse

A group of University of Minnesota Department of Civil Engineering structural engineering experts has begun an academic examination of the tragic collapse of the Interstate 35W bridge. Civil engineering faculty Taichiro Okazaki, Roberto Ballarini, Ted Galambos and Arturo Schultz have submitted a proposal to the National Science Foundation to secure funding for their academic research. Another team of faculty including Henry Liu and David Levinson has received a small grant from NSF to begin their research of traffic patterns after the bridge collapse. More...

IT welcomes new students and faculty

The Institute of Technology will welcome an estimated 800 new freshmen to campus this fall. Overall, the college experienced a 10 percent increase in freshman applications over last year. Applications from women also increased (up 13 percent), as did applications from students graduating in the top 10 percent of their high school class (up 20 percent).

Fifteen new faculty will join the Institute of Technology during the 2007–08 academic year. They are: associate professors Igor Pak (mathematics), Murti Salapaka (electrical and computer engineering), and assistant professors Aditya Bhan (chemical engineering and materials science), Kathrin Bringmann (mathematics), Christopher Douglas (chemistry), Joshua Feinberg (geology and geophysics), Nikolas Geroliminis (civil engineering), Andrew Harned (chemistry), Michel Kenzelmann (physics), Tyler Lawson (mathematics), Vuk Mandic (physics), Chad Meyers (computer science and engineering), Valerie Pierre (chemistry), Thomas Schwartzentruber (aerospace engineering and mechanics), and Zongxuan Sun (mechanical engineering).

IT goes to the State Fair

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 new Science and Engineering area of the University of Minnesota exhibit 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. The schedule of exhibits and stage shows from Institute of Technology departments and centers includes a hydraulic hybrid car exhibit, dam removal model, everyday chemistry experiments, astronaut training, sample meteorites, quicksand display, magnetic levitation, robot demonstrations, and much more. More…

Bates appointed Regents Professor

Professor Frank Bates, head of the Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, has been named a Regents Professor by the University’s Board of Regents. The Regents Professorship is the University’s highest faculty honor. Bates was recognized for his pioneering achievements as a polymer scientist. He is now one of five Institute of Technology faculty members currently holding the title of Regents Professor. More…

Science and engineering advisory committee releases final report

The University’s Advisory Committee for the Institute for the Advancement of Science and Engineering has released its final report for a systemwide premier research institute. The goal of the institute is to serve as a catalyst for research and establish the University of Minnesota as a leader in interdisciplinary research at the intersection of biological, chemical, physical, engineering, and computational sciences. The idea for the new institute stems from a strategic positioning recommendation made by the Science and Engineering Task Force. More…

2007 Legislative Session was good news for the U

The 2007 Legislative Session ended with the passage of a higher education bill that will increase funding for the University of Minnesota by $149.6 million over the next two years. The University's original budget request was for $182.3 million in new state funding over the next two years. The bill approved by the Legislature is just 18 percent short of the original request. The increase in funding will allow the University to make new investments in science and engineering programs; health workforce and clinical sciences; and initiatives in the areas of environment, agricultural systems, and renewable energy. The additional dollars also will help ensure that the U can recruit and retain world-class faculty and staff. More…

Mentors needed for Institute of Technology students

The Institute of Technology is seeking mentors for its award-winning IT Mentor Program. The program matches current science and engineering students with working professionals in technical fields. Mentors commit to only a few hours of their time helping students prepare for the professional world. For more information on this rewarding opportunity, visit the IT Mentor Program Web site, call 626-1802 or email itas@umn.edu. Mentor registration opens Sept. 1.

Dean announces leadership appointments

Institute of Technology Dean Steven Crouch recently announced several new leadership positions within the college.

Professor Roberto Ballarini, a civil engineering faculty member and expert in structural engineering and solid mechanics, has been appointed as head of the Department of Civil Engineering. More…

Professor Art Erdman, a long-time University of Minnesota mechanical engineering professor and medical device design expert, has been appointed to the part-time position as director of the University’s new Medical Devices Center. More...

University of Minnesota mathematics professor Fadil Santosa has been appointed the next director of the Institute for Mathematics and its Applications (IMA), effective next year. More…

Mechanical engineering Professor Paul Strykowski has been appointed to the half-time position as the Institute of Technology associate dean for undergraduate programs. More…

Honors

Professor Massoud Amin (electrical and computer engineering) has been elected a Fellow of the Institute for Infrastructure and Information Assurance.

Professor Jane Davidson (mechanical engineering) received the American Solar Energy Society’s (ASES) Charles Greeley Abbot Award, the most prestigious ASES award. Davidson received the award for outstanding contributions in the research of solar thermal processes for water and space heating.

Assistant professor Kevin Dorfman (chemical engineering and materials science) was awarded an NSF CAREER award for research on the "Dynamics of DNA during Electrophoresis in Artificial Sieving Matrices.” Professor Dorfman and his research group are going to use microfabrication to make very precise arrays of pillars for DNA separations.

Associate professor Doug Ernie (electrical and computer engineering) has been appointed as an associate dean of the University of Minnesota’s Graduate School.

Assistant Professor Yiannis Kaznessis (chemical engineering and materials science) was awarded an NSF CAREER Award for his research on the "Mathematics for Biological Engineering” that provides insight into the dynamic behavior of biological systems.

Professor Chris Kim (electrical and computer engineering) has received an IBM Faculty Partnership Award for a second year to support his work on "Power and Performance Management Techniques for Aging Tolerance." The objective of this project is to investigate adaptive techniques to mitigate the impact of device aging on circuit performance.

Assistant professor Efie Kokkoli (chemical engineering and materials science) received the 2007 Camille Dreyfus Teacher-Scholar Award. Kokkoli was honored for teaching and her research on biomimetic approaches for the design of materials and therapeutics.

Professor Larry Que (chemistry) has received the 2008 Alfred Bader Award in Bioinorganic or Bioorganic Chemistry from the American Chemical Society. Among the previous 20 recipients are 17 members of the National Academy of Science. Que has made outstanding contributions to the field of bioinorganic chemistry and has profoundly impacted the understanding of the structure and function of metal ions in biology.

Associate Professor Arturo Schultz (civil engineering) was nominated as Chair of the Masonry Standards Joint Committee (MSJC) Subcommittee on Reinforcement and Connectors. The MSJC is the body that writes the design specifications for masonry structures in the United States.

Chemistry graduate student Nate Schultz was the 2007 winner of the University of Minnesota Graduate School’s “Best Dissertation Award” in the physical sciences and engineering.

Assistant professor Antonia Zhai and professor Zhi-Li Zhang (computer science and engineering) have received the 2007 IBM Faculty Award. The award is a competitive worldwide program that seeks to build collaborations between researchers at top universities and those in IBM development, research, and service groups.

Four electrical and computer engineering seniors recently won the award for Most Marketable Product at the IEEE 7th Annual Student Design Contest. The students entered their senior design project, "System for the Evaluation of Respiratory Function,” which would be used to detect lung disorders.

The University of Minnesota Steel Bridge Team, comprised of 11 civil engineering students, recently competed in the National Steel Bridge Competition for the first time in history. The team finished 18th out of 43 teams at the national competition.

The University of Minnesota’s Wall of Discovery (which features 28 Institute of Technology alumni and faculty) won an Honor Award from the Society for Environmental Graphic Design in the organization’s highly competitive Design Awards Program. The six Honor Award winners were selected from 340 international entries.

In Memoriam

L. E. (Skip) Scriven, a professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science and Regents Professor, died August 3 of complications from pancreatic cancer. He was 75. Scriven was a faculty member at the University since 1959. He was an internationally renowned expert on coating and coating processes. More...

Marian Stankovich, professor of chemistry at the University of Minnesota since 1981, died suddenly on June 19. She was 59. Stankovich was an expert in bioanalytical chemistry studying the function of enzymes. More...

Homer J. Stewart (Aero ’36), an aerospace engineer and rocket propulsion expert who helped launch the first successful American satellite in 1958, died on May 26 at his home in California. He was 91. Washington Times ...

Media Watch

Largest credit card theft in history

Ahmed Tewfik (electrical engineering) commented on cyber crimes first committed at a St. Paul Marshall's clothing store which may be responsible for the largest credit card theft in history. May 4: KSTP-TV

Soudan mine loses grant bid

NSF announced that funding for a new deep underground science and engineering laboratory has been awarded to Homestake, an abandoned gold mine in South Dakota. Marvin Marshak (physics and astronomy) had proposed the Soudan mine in northern Minnesota as the site for the new lab. May 7: Rapid City Journal, May 19: Tower Timber Jay News, June 19–20: Star Tribune, July 10: Reiten TV KXMB, Bismark, ND, July 11: Nature-UK

University team wins National College Quiz Bowl

Computer science student Robert Carson was part of the University of Minnesota 2007 College Bowl National Championship team. This is the sixth time the U of M has won the national title and the third time in four years. May 8: Star Tribune, Pioneer Press, Kare 11

Unique e-greeting Web site

Institute of Technology graduate student Jesse Vig's Web site, GeoGreeting.com, offers a unique way to send e-greetings. Google Map images of buildings from around the world that resemble letters are used to spell out a personal message. May 11: Pioneer Press

Spiderman's Sandman strengths explained

James Kakalios' (physics) uses cutting-edge physics to explain the strength of the Sandman, a main character in the latest Spider Man movie. May 11: New York Times; Shakopee Valley News, May 15: Star Tribune, June 17: National Public Radio

Recon Scout

Developed at the University's Center for Distributed Robotics, the Recon Scout is a miniature robot with an unending list of possible uses for the military and law enforcement. May 11: Coolest Gadgets-UK; May 22: Star Tribune; June 6: Minnesota Daily

Minnesota math standards revised

Larry Gray (math) is part of a statewide group that helped revise Minnesota's math standards. May 11: Star Tribune

Meteorite debris found on Gunflint Trail

Paul Weiblen (geology) and other University of Minnesota geologists are studying the debris from a meteorite impact over 1.85 billion years ago that was recently exposed by the Ham Lake fire. May 22: Kare 11; July 16: Winona Daily News, ABC News, Rochester Post-Bulletin

Engineering students compete in steel bridge competition

Eleven civil engineering students competed in the 2007 National Steel Bridge Competition, where they built a 20-foot bridge in less than seven minutes. May 29: KSTP-TV

Architects experience virtual reality

Computer science students make virtual renderings of other students' buildings. May 30: Minnesota Daily

What is a "Blue Moon"?

Bob Gehrz (astronomy) answered the question "What is a 'Blue Moon'?" on WCCO's "Good Question." Gehrz clarified: "The common definition nowadays is when you have two full moons in a month the second one is called a Blue Moon." May 30: WCCO-TV "Good Question"

Saint Anthony Falls Laboratory (SAFL) earns international reputation

In its 70th year, SAFL director Fotis Sotiropoulos discussed the lab's “tremendous international reputation” in this comprehensive feature article. June 8: Rake

Xcel Energy opens new park near SAFL

Institute of Technology Dean Steven L. Crouch spoke at the dedication of the new Water Power Park, a 1.4 acre park on Hennepin Island that opened in June. Crouch noted that SAFL, which shares the island with Xcel, will become a world-class site for outdoor stream research. June 12: Star Tribune

10 research teams receive $2.7 million for biofuels research

The University of Minnesota's Institute on the Environment has awarded $2.7 million in grants to 10 research teams, including teams led by David Kittelson (mechanical engineering) and Michael Tsapatsis (chemical engineering and materials science). The grants will be administered over the next two fiscal years and will help further the University's research into alternative biofuels. June 26: Grainnet-IL

Summer bridge program offers head start to students

An Institute of Technology program sponsored by the 3M Foundation aims to ease the transition into first-year college life for students. June 27: Minnesota Daily

Traffic study results in question

Bob Johns, director of the Center for Transportation Studies, commented on a recent traffic study that ranked Minnesota second-worst for rush-hour traffic. June 28: Star Tribune

Saint Paul water quality

Increased urbanization adds to the complexity of maintaining a safe water source. Amy Myrbo (geology/geophysics) says lakes are severely affected by "population density and urban sprawl" and "the problems become almost impossible to remediate." July 1: Twin Cities Daily Planet

Tate Lab of Physics machine shop fuels research

In the tunnels of the Tate Lab of Physics, various experiments churn and whirl as students conduct research projects. July 3: Minnesota Daily

Evacuation program gets federal funding

University professor Shashi Shekhar (computer science and engineering) developed an emergency evacuation program to evacuate large crowds of people in the most efficient time. Shekhar recently received a national grant to further his research. July 18: Minnesota Daily

Is bottled water better than tap?

William Arnold (civil engineering) answers the question: "Is bottled water better than tap?" The answer: "There isn't a whole lot of difference." July 19: WCCO-TV "Good Question"

University structural engineering experts weigh in on I-35W collapse

University of Minnesota structural engineering professors were interviewed by local, national and international media regarding the I-35W bridge collapse. Aug. 2: Star Tribune; Aug. 3: KSTP TV; CNN; ABC World News; Fox News Channel; Pioneer Press; The Daily Texan; Aug. 6: AT&T Tech Channel; Aug. 7: KARE 11; Washington Post; Aug. 8: United Press International

Good Question: Why Did Many Survive the Bridge Collapse?

Physics professor James Kakalios explains why physics and safety features in today’s cars saved lives in the I-35W bridge collapse. Aug. 7: WCCO-TV "Good Question"

U lab had close call 50 feet from bridge collapse

Had the Interstate 35W bridge buckled 50 feet to the west, it would have crushed the University of Minnesota's Tandem Laboratory, damaging research and a large piece of physics history hiding behind its cinderblock walls. Aug. 15: Pioneer Press

Events

Convocation

Sept. 4: Join the University of Minnesota community including President Robert H. Bruininks, members of the Board of Regents, faculty, staff, and current students at New Student Convocation, as we celebrate the start of the academic year. 4:30–5:30 p.m.; Northrop Auditorium.

Biofuels: Breaking the Barriers for Biomass Conversion–Challenges and Opportunities

Sept. 19: Experts from around the world will share their perspectives on how we can unlock the potential that is bound up in biomass and how we can do it economically at an appropriate scale. No registration required. For more information and a list of speakers, visit the event Web page. Noon–3:30 p.m.; North Star Ballroom, St. Paul Student Center.

Brats & Baseball in Houston, Texas

Sept. 29: Join Institute of Technology Dean Steven L. Crouch for a special Institute of Technology alumni event. The casual, fun-filled evening begins with a "U of M-style" cookout followed by an exciting game between the Houston Astros and Atlanta Braves. Register by Sept. 24. Dean’s cookout, 4:30 p.m.; Ball game, 6:05 p.m.; Minute Maid Park, Houston, Texas.

Honeywell-Nobel Laureate Lecture: Roderick MacKinnon

Oct. 1: Roderick MacKinnon, winner of the 2003 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, will visit the University of Minnesota campus for a series of events as part of the Honeywell-Nobel Laureate Lecture. The University of Minnesota is one of only 11 universities worldwide chosen to host a Honeywell-Nobel Laureate lecturer. Free and open to the public. Graduate student poster session, 2:30–4 p.m.; Lecture, 4–5:15; Reception, 5:30–7:30 p.m.; McNamara Alumni Center.

Irving and Edythe Misel Family Lecture Series: Leo P. Kadanoff

Oct. 4: Renowned theoretical physicist and applied mathematician Leo P. Kadanoff, a recipient of the 1999 National Medal of Science, will present this year’s Misel Lecture sponsored by the Fine Theoretical Physics Institute. In his talk “Making a Splash; Breaking a Neck: The Development of Complexity in Physical Systems,” Kadanoff will examine the complexity in fluid flow such as splashing water, necking of fluids, swirls in heated gases, and jets thrown up from beds of sand. Free and open to the public. 4:45 p.m.; Van Vleck Auditorium, 150 Tate Laboratory of Physics.

Computer Science & Engineering's Sixth Biennial Technology Forum Open House

Oct. 5: Join the Department of Computer Science and Engineering faculty, staff, students, and alumni, as well as industry representatives, in celebrating nearly four decades of excellence. The program includes research exhibits from faculty and industrial partners, a Distinguished Alumni Award luncheon, panel discussions, a keynote address, and a reception. 8:30 a.m.–5:15 p.m.; Electrical Engineering/Computer Science Building.

The Condition of Our Nation’s Transportation Infrastructure: Heading Toward a Crisis?

Oct. 8: This Forum on Transportation Policy and Technology will look for solutions to the challenges posed by the nation’s aging infrastructure, especially in light of the recent I-35W bridge collapse. Free and open to the public. Space is limited. Attendees are encouraged to register. 1:30 p.m.; McNamara Alumni Center.

Global Environment for Network Innovations (GENI)

Oct. 9–11: The inaugural GENI Engineering Conference, sponsored by the University of Minnesota Digital Technology Center, will explore a wide variety of topics including communications, networking, distributed systems, cyber-security, networked services and networked applications. The agenda includes talks from industry professionals and GENI work group members. Conference registration is $150 before Sept. 10 and $175 thereafter. Radisson University Hotel-Minneapolis.

Looking Ahead

Fifth Annual Chemical Engineering All-Class Gathering 2007

Nov. 2: All chemical engineering alumni are invited to the Fifth Annual Chemical Engineering All-Class Gathering. This event is partially sponsored by the Institute of Technology Alumni Society (ITAS). 4:30–6:30 p.m.; location to be announced. For more information, contact Marsha Riebe or call 612-625-4356.

E3 2007: The Midwest’s Premier Energy, Economic and Environmental Conference

Nov. 27: The University of Minnesota Initiative for Renewable Energy and the Environment (IREE) hosts this major regional conference focusing on the intersection between innovative technologies, visionary policies, environmental benefits, and emerging market opportunities as they relate to developments in the renewable energy sector. In addition to University faculty members, the E3 2007 conference will feature national and international speakers from business and industry, government, and the non-profit sector. 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; Coffman Memorial Union. Registration.