headlineS
Researchers urge immediate action on greenhouse gas emission goals
 A team of University researchers, including civil engineering assistant professor Julian Marshall and mechanical engineering professor David Kittelson, 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. Watch a video. Read more>>
 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>>
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>>
 Medical Devices Center opens new research facility
The University of Minnesota opened a state-of-the-art medical device research facility on June 24 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>>
Foufoula-Georgiou named director of National Center for Earth-surface Dynamics
 Efi Foufoula-Georgiou, a McKnight Distinguished Professor in the University’s 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>>
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. Read more>>
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