ITems | February 2007

Professor Kim Stelson presents Institute of Technology Public Lecture on fluid power

Fluid-powered hybrid vehicles, hydraulic canes and artificial limbs, and state-of-the-art rescue robots are just a few examples of the cutting-edge uses of fluid power being studied at a new multimillion-dollar research center sponsored by the National Science Foundation and based at the University of Minnesota. Mechanical Engineering Professor Kim Stelson, who also serves as director of the Institute of Technology's new NSF Center for Compact and Efficient Fluid Power will speak at the Institute of Technology Public Lecture on fluid power at 7 p.m. Tues., Feb. 6, at 402 Walter Library. Professor Stelson will explain how researchers at the center are working on new ways to save energy and improve our lives by using fluid power. The event is sponsored by the Institute of Technology Alumni Society. There will be a reception with refreshments at 6:30 p.m., prior to the lecture. More...

Celebrate TechFest 2007 at The Works

Alumni, faculty, and staff are invited to celebrate National Engineers Week with TechFest 2007. The Works, a nonprofit hands-on science and technology museum in Edina, Minn., is hosting this special event for the whole family on Sat., Feb. 24, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

The day's activities will focus on an electrical engineering theme. There will be many hands-on activities exploring circuits plus cool demonstrations by young FIRST LEGO League robotics teams, Future Cities teams and university robot projects. Special guest Goldy Gopher will stop by from noon to 2 p.m. to greet visitors and pose for photos. Door prizes will be awarded. TechFest is sponsored by the Institute of Technology Alumni Society, the Society of Women Engineers, and corporate sponsors Digital River, Faegre and Benson, Hutchinson Technology, and the Institute of Technology. More...

Tony Dungy to speak at UMAA Annual Celebration

Tony Dungy, University of Minnesota alumnus and head coach of the Super Bowl Champion Indianapolis Colts, will be the keynote speaker at the University of Minnesota Alumni Association Annual Celebration on Tuesday, May 8 at Mariucci Arena. The evening includes a reception at 5:30 p.m., dinner at 6 p.m. and program at 8 p.m. Tickets go on sale Thursday, Feb. 22. If you would like to be seated with other Institute of Technology alumni and friends, you may purchase discounted tickets for $55 each. Please contact us by Tuesday, Feb. 20 via email at sbeyer@umn.edu, or call 612-626-8282 if you’d like to purchase tickets. You may also purchase open seating tickets on your own through Northrop Auditorium, (612) 624-2345.

University of Minnesota reacts to Pawlenty budget

University of Minnesota President Robert Bruininks gave mixed reviews to Gov. Tim Pawlenty's biennial budget recommendation last month, praising the full funding for a number of critical research initiatives, but questioning the lack of funding for initiatives aimed at enhancing the university's education mission and core infrastructure.

Pawlenty's budget funds $90.4 million of the university's $182.3 biennial request. Items not funded include $26.4 million to improve education through an increased emphasis on undergraduate writing, improved academic advising, investments in better libraries, improved undergraduate research opportunities and increased financial support for graduate students and $67 million to ensure that the university continues to attract and retain top faculty and staff. The governor's budget fully funds a number of key research areas important to the state, including science, engineering, agriculture, the environment, renewable energy, health workforce, and clinical sciences. More...

Five Institute of Technology faculty named McKnight Land-Grant Professors

Five Institute of Technology faculty are among 11 recipients of the 2007-09 McKnight Land-Grant Professorship, a program designed to advance the careers of the University's most promising junior faculty.

The Institute of Technology faculty receiving the honor are assistant professors Christy Haynes (chemistry), Nihar Jindal (electrical and computer engineering), Marta Lewicka (mathematics), William Schuler (computer science and engineering), and Chun Wang (biomedical engineering). More...

Institute of Technology faculty to help tackle environmental issues

Three Institute of Technology faculty are among the 15 founding fellows named to the University of Minnesota's new Institute on the Environment.

The Institute of Technology faculty serving as fellows are professors Paige Novak (civil engineering), Christopher Paola (geology and geophysics), and Lanny Schmidt (chemical engineering and materials science).

Established in 2006, the Institute on the Environment will coordinate the University's breadth and depth of environmental resources to make it easier for researchers to share knowledge with each other and the public. More...

In memoriam: Lester (L.F.) Borchardt

University of Minnesota alumnus Lester (L.F.) Borchardt (EE '29) died Jan. 21, 2007. He was 99 and a resident of Minneapolis, Minn.

An inventor and longtime General Mills executive, Borchardt revolutionized the breakfast cereal industry. He played a key role in developing the technologies that allowed General Mills to turn grain into cereals such as Cheerios and Kix. Borchardt also was a dedicated leader in developing nutritious protein sources from plant materials for humanitarian relief to the undernourished. Borchardt was awarded the University's Outstanding Achievement Award in 1987, the University of Minnesota's highest award given to alumni, partly for his work in humanitarian food relief.

Honors

Professor Graham Candler (aerospace engineering and mechanics) has been selected to receive the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) 2007 Thermophysics Award for "outstanding contributions toward development, validation, and application of state-of-the-art numerical techniques for high temperature gas dynamics flows in thermochemical nonequilibrium." The award is presented for an outstanding singular or sustained technical or scientific contribution by an individual in thermophysics.

Christopher Paola (geology and geophysics) professor and director of the National Center for Earth-surface Dynamics (NCED) has been elected a fellow of the American Geophysical Union (AGU). AGU is a worldwide scientific community that advances, through unselfish cooperation in research, the understanding of Earth and space for the benefit of humanity.

Professor Michael Semmens (civil engineering) was one of five University faculty and staff members to receive Fulbright Scholar Grants for special research projects in 2006-07. From January to July, Semmens will be at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, in Trondheim, Norway, researching advanced membrane processes for water and wastewater treatment.

Media watch

Nanoscale cubes and spheres

A team led by Andreas Stein (chemistry) has developed an interesting new process for the production of nanoscopic cubes and spheres of silicon dioxide. Porous nano-objects with defined sizes and structures are particularly interesting, for example, as capsules for enzymes, a means of transport for pharmaceutical agents, or building blocks for larger nanostructures. Jan. 3: CCN News; Jan. 8: Innovations Report (Germany); Jan. 17: Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (Germany).

Can jet hijack be foiled?

A newly proposed Minnesota Air Guard Museum would showcase Minnesota’s rich aviation history. For example, John Akerman, a University of Minnesota physicist and aeronautics professor emeritus built a "flying wing" -- an airplane without a tail. Jan. 6: Star Tribune.

U expert's research may affect 'neutrality' debate

Andrew Odlyzko, director of the Digital Technology Center at the University of Minnesota, is promising to unveil a Web site soon that will track Internet traffic, based on the contributions of more than 100 academic and commercial Web sites. He wants to provide better information so the high-tech industry and the public can plan for the growth of the Web. Jan. 7: Pioneer Press (St. Paul).

Physics Circus

The morning show reported live from the University of Minnesota campus to check out U of M's "Physics Circus," a demonstration for local elementary school students on the fun behind physics. Jan. 11: FOX -TV (Minneapolis-St. Paul).

How dinosaurs went extinct

Donna Whitney (geology), took part in a new study that provides compelling evidence that “one and only one impact” caused the mass extinction of the dinosaurs. Jan. 12: Minnesota Moment.

Colorado vies for $300 million underground lab

Minnesota is in the running for a $300 million federally funded underground lab that would allow physicists to conduct experiments designed to help understand the universe’s composition, its beginning and its future. Marvin Marshak (physics) of the University of Minnesota, which is leading Minnesota's effort, said he believes its site will be chosen even though its team did not get foundation funding. Jan. 16: The Denver Channel; Jan. 24: MN Daily.

Nanotechnology needs more safety research

David Pui (mechanical engineering) and co-investigator Andrew Maynard of the Washington-based Woodrow Wilson Center discuss their new study of safety issues involving nanotechnology and worker protection. Jan. 6: Monsters and Critics (United Kingdom).

Hypergiant star's massive outbursts mapped

A team of astronomers led by Roberta Humphreys (astronomy) of the University of Minnesota used NASA's Hubble Space Telescope and the W.M. Keck Observatory to measure the motions of the ejected material and to map the distribution of the highly polarized dust, which reflects light at a specific orientation. Jan. 8: Space Ref; Jan. 17: Spaceflight Now. Jan. 25: Red Wing Republican Eagle.

Digital fingerprints

New research for technologies aimed at reducing fraud and illegal activity are in development and seek to protect users, but Jaideep Srivastava (computer science and engineering), who specializes in Web research, believes that this technology could make it impossible for a person to use the Web anonymously. Jan. 13: Science News.

Meeting analyzes future of plug-in hybrids

The University's Center for Transportation Studies, the Initiative for Renewable Energy and Environment, the Humphrey Institute State and Local Policy Program and the Center for Diesel Research held a round table discussion about Minnesota's stake in plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV). Jan. 22: MN Daily.

Surviving an incredible fall

Serge Rudaz (physics) crunched some numbers to reveal that a local man falling from a 17th story building was traveling at roughly 45 to 50 mph. James Kakalios (physics), author of the book, "The Physics of Superheroes," discusses the physics of falling as related to a recent accident downtown Minneapolis. Jan. 23: KARE-TV (Minneapolis-St. Paul); Jan. 23: Pioneer Press (St. Paul).

Getting it together

John Riedl (computer science and engineering) commented on the technology challenges of an emerging Web service for musicians that would allow artists all over the country to meet in cyberspace and jam together on the Internet. Jan. 23: Asbury Park Press (New Jersey).

Project Energy: 'U' Leads Renewable Fuel Research

David Kittleson (mechanical engineering) and Jane Davidson (mechanical engineering) discuss their pioneering renewable energy research. Jan. 23:WCCO-TV.

The next generation of biofuels

As the president asked Americans to cut back on fossil fuels in his State of the Union address Tuesday night, the University of Minnesota is leading the way. The University’s Initiative for Renewable Energy and the Environment is working to create the next generation of biofuels. Jan. 18: Minnesota Moment; Jan. 21: Pioneer Press (St. Paul); Jan. 22: Pioneer Press; Jan. 23: FOX-TV (Minneapolis-St. Paul); Jan. 24: KSTP-TV (Minneapolis-St. Paul); Jan. 24: KARE-TV (Minneapolis-St. Paul); Jan. 24: Agri News; Jan. 24: Star Tribune; Jan. 25: Times Record News; Jan. 25: Pioneer Press; Jan. 27: WCCO-TV (Minneapolis-St. Paul).

You like that movie? Computers can tells

Online movie rental sites are trying to improve their movie recommendation features. John Riedl (computer science and engineering) who developed an early recommender in the 1990s, said that one problem is helping people find perfect matches. Jan. 28: South Coast Today (North Carolina).

IT recruits more women

The University of Minnesota is working to diversify its students and faculty by recruiting more women. Jan. 30: MN Daily.

Events

Institute of Technology Public Lecture: Kim Stelson

February 6: A lecture by Kim Stelson, a professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Minnesota who also serves as director of the Institute of Technology's new NSF Center for Compact and Efficient Fluid Power, will focus on fluid power and will explain how researchers at the new center are working on new ways to save energy and improve our lives by using fluid power. Reception, 6:30 p.m.; Lecture, 7 p.m., 402 Walter Library.

CSOM February 2007 First Tuesday luncheon

February 6: Brett Shockley, CEO of Spanlink Communications will present a lecture entitled "The First $50 Million: Building a High Tech Entrepreneurial Enterprise in Minnesota." He will share his entrepreneurial journey and explain how forward-thinking companies use communications technology to beat the competition, whether the company has 100 employees to 10,000. Fee charged. Register online. 11:30 a.m., McNamara Alumni Center.

Energy Seminar Series

February 7: Dr. Thomas Mancini, concentrating solar power program manager at Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, NM, will present a lecture entitled "Solar Thermal Electric Power: Technology and Market Development." In his presentation, Dr. Mancini will describe the three CSP technologies and discuss some of the research and development needs for increased performance and reduced cost of electricity from these systems. He will also discuss some of the market drivers, markets, and projects that are being developed worldwide. Free and open to the public. 3:30 p.m., 402 Walter Library.

CTS Winter Luncheon 2007

February 8: Bruce Simons-Morton, chief of the Prevention Research Branch in the Division of Epidemiology, Statistics, and Prevention Research at the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, will present a lecture entitled "Myths and Misconceptions About the Young Driver Problem and its Solutions." He will address the substantial and growing evidence that it is possible to alter the pattern of risk for young drivers through effective policy and behavioral interventions. 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m., Radisson University Hotel.

Energy Seminar Series

February 14: Dr. Elizabeth Wilson, an assistant professor at the Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs at the University of Minnesota will present a lecture entitled "Policy Considerations for a Carbon Managed Energy System. Free and open to the public. 3:30 p.m., 1130 Mechanical Engineering Building.

Science and Technology Innovators Series

February 20: Justine Cassell, director of the Center for Technology and Social Behavior at Northwestern University will present a lecture entitled "Making (Virtual) Friends and Influencing (Virtual) People: Building Rapport in Humans and Virtual Humans." Cassell will describe the kinds of verbal behaviors — such as small talk and using the same accent — and non-verbal behaviors — such as attention, positivity, and coordination — that function together to establish a sense of rapport between two people in conversation. Free and open to the public. 5 p.m., 402 Walter Library.

Stem Cell Institute Conference

February 26: "Creating Stem Cells by Research Cloning: Scientific, Ethical, Legal & Policy Challenges," a conference sponsored by The Stem Cell Institute, will lead a national audience in exploring the implications of somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), also known as research cloning. This conference will convene top researchers and experts to explore the issues raised by SCNT, the options open to universities, and how policy should progress. Fee charged. Register online. 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m., Coffman Memorial Union.

Minnesota Air, Water, and Waste Environmental Conference (MAWWEC)

February 27-March 1: This three-day event fosters opportunities for professionals in the environmental arena to network, build relationships, and explore new ideas. By bringing together differing viewpoints and discussing the challenges that impact environmental policy and protection, we will all be able to work more effectively and efficiently to better the environment. Hear from others who are making a difference, learn about new trends, and discuss important current and emerging environmental issues as they relate to Minnesota and our region. Fee charged. Register online. Sheraton Hotel, Bloomington.

Math Matters IMA Public Lecture Series

March 7: Martin Golubitsky, a Cullen Distinguished Professor of Mathematics at the University of Houston will present a lecture entitled "Patterns Patterns Everywhere." Professor Golubitsky will show some fascinating patterns that appear in our everyday lives and explain how mathematical symmetry enters the picture. Sponsored by the Institute for Mathematics and Its Applications. Free and open to the public. 7 p.m., 125 Willey Hall.

Looking ahead

Science & Technology Banquet

April 11: Lee Lynd, professor of engineering at Dartmouth College and chief scientific officer, co-founder, and director of Mascoma Corporation will be the keynote speaker at the Institute of Technology's annual gala, sponsored by the Institute of Technology Alumni Society. Registration opening in February 2007. Reception, 5:30 p.m.; Dinner 6:30 p.m.; Program, 7:30 p.m. Location to be announced.

Ada Comstock Distinguished Women Scholars Lecture

April 11: Catherine French, professor of civil engineering at the University of Minnesota will present a lecture entitled "Shake, Rattle, and Roll: Testing Structures to Their Limits." Free and open to the public. RSVP to 612-625-9837 or women@umn.edu. 7:30 p.m., Cowles, Auditorium, Hubert H. Humphrey Center.

Wireless Cities Conference ... Communities of Interests

April 16–17: This Wireless Cities conference brings together educators, researchers, project coordinators, funders, community activists and policy-makers to discuss the implications of wireless communities. Sponsored by The University of Minnesota Digital Technology Center, Digital Media Center, Institute for New Media Studies, the Metropolitan Design Center, and Digital Watershed. Register online. Walter Library.

Design of Medical Devices Conference

April 17–19: The conference includes two days of technical/clinical sessions and the one-day 4th Annual President's 21st Century Interdisciplinary Conference. Sponsored by the University of Minnesota's Biomedical Engineering Institute, Institute of Technology, Academic Health Center, Office of the President, and the Department of Mechanical Engineering. Register online. Radisson University Hotel.

Math Matters IMA Public Lecture Series

April 18: Jennifer Tour Chayes, manager of the Theory Group and research area manager for Mathematics and Theoretical Computer Science at Microsoft Research will present a lecture entitled "Epidemics in Technological and Social Networks: The Downside of Six Degrees of Separation." Dr. Chayes uses simple mathematical models to explain the spread of viruses in technological and social networks and to examine strategies for their containment. Sponsored by the Institute for Mathematics and Its Applications. Free and open to the public. 7 p.m., 125 Willey Hall.

UMAA 2007 Annual Celebration featuring Tony Dungy

May 8: Tony Dungy, University of Minnesota alumnus and head coach of the Super Bowl Champion Indianapolis Colts, will be the keynote speaker at the University of Minnesota Alumni Association Annual Celebration on Tuesday, May 8 at . Tickets go on sale Thursday, Feb. 22. Reception, 5:30 p.m.; Dinner, 6 p.m.; Program, 8 p.m, Mariucci Arena.

Fifth Annual Intelligent Storage Workshop

May 15-16: The DTC Intelligent, Storage Consortium (DISC) is hosting the Fifth Intelligent Storage Workshop (ISW5). This year the Workshop will continue its focus on Applications and Architectures for Intelligent (Object-based) Storage but will also add presentations on storage and High Performance Computing (HPC). Fee charged. Register online. 402 Walter Library.

University of Minnesota reacts to Pawlenty budget

University of Minnesota President Robert Bruininks gave mixed reviews to Gov. Tim Pawlenty's biennial budget recommendation last month, praising the full funding for a number of critical research initiatives, but questioning the lack of funding for initiatives aimed at enhancing the university's education mission and core infrastructure.

Pawlenty's budget funds $90.4 million of the university's $182.3 biennial request. Items not funded include $26.4 million to improve education through an increased emphasis on undergraduate writing, improved academic advising, investments in better libraries, improved undergraduate research opportunities and increased financial support for graduate students and $67 million to ensure that the university continues to attract and retain talented faculty and staff. The governor's budget fully funds a number of key research areas important to the state, including science, engineering, agriculture, the environment, renewable energy, health workforce, and clinical sciences. More...

Five Institute of Technology faculty named McKnight Land-Grant Professors

Five Institute of Technology faculty are among 11 recipients of the 2007-09 McKnight Land-Grant Professorship, a program designed to advance the careers of the University's most promising junior faculty.

The Institute of Technology faculty receiving the honor are assistant professors Christy Haynes (chemistry), Nihar Jindal (electrical and computer engineering), Marta Lewicka (mathematics), William Schuler (computer science and engineering), and Chun Wang (biomedical engineering). More...

Institute of Technology faculty to help tackle environmental issues

Three Institute of Technology faculty are among the fifteen founding fellows named to the University of Minnesota's new Institute on the Environment.

The Institute of Technology faculty serving as fellows are professors Paige Novak (civil engineering), Christopher Paola (geology and geophysics), and Lanny Schmidt (chemical engineering and materials science).

Established in 2006, the Institute on the Environment will coordinate the university's breadth and depth of environmental resources to make it easier for researchers to share knowledge with each other and the public. More...

In memoriam: Lester (L.F.) Borchardt

Lester (L.F.) Borchardt, who earned his bachelor's degree in electrical engineering at the University of Minnesota in 1929, and was awarded the University's Outstanding Achievement Award in 1987, partly for his work in humanitarian food relief, died Jan. 21, 2007. He was 99 and a resident of Minneapolis, Minn.

A physicist and lifelong tinkerer, Borchardt revolutionized the breakfast cereal industry. He had a big hand in developing the technologies that allow cereal companies — in his case, General Mills — to turn grain into cereals such as Cheerios and Kix, and he also played a key role in coming up with the process used to fortify milk with vitamin D.

Honors

Professor Michael Semmens (civil engineering) was one of five University faculty and staff members to receive Fulbright Scholar Grants for special research projects in 2006-07. From January to July, Semmens will be at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, in Trondheim, Norway, researching advanced membrane processes for water and wastewater treatment.

Christopher Paola (geology and geophysics) professor and director of the National Center for Earth-surface Dynamics (NCED) has been elected a fellow of the American Geophysical Union (AGU). AGU is a worldwide scientific community that advances, through unselfish cooperation in research, the understanding of Earth and space for the benefit of humanity.

Media watch

Physics students take on bowling buddies

The physics of bowling were put to the test when University of Minnesota physics students engaged in a bowl-off against the regulars at Bryant-Lake Bowl in Minneapolis. Nov. 29: WCCO-TV (Minneapolis-St. Paul).

Research favors meteor theory on dinosaur extinction

University of Minnesota geology professor Donna Whitney is involved with a team of researchers that say the analysis of Atlantic Ocean floor sediment has produced compelling evidence that a single meteor’s impact obliterated most of the Earth’s animal species 65 million years ago. Dec. 2: Columbia Daily Tribune (Missouri); Dec. 14: Minnesota Moment.

U of M gives update on neutrino project

The University of Minnesota is proposing construction of a new detector as part of the Main Injector Neutrino Oscillation Search (MINOS) project, based at Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory and the Soudan Underground Laboratory, a unique physics laboratory operated by the School of Physics and Astronomy. Dec. 5: Timber Jay News.

Scammers and spammers bombarding e-mail boxes

Joseph Konstan (computer science and engineering) provided advice on how to steer clear of e-mail scams. Dec. 5: MN Daily.

U of M planning largest expansion since West Bank

A University of Minnesota plan calls for the addition of several new biomedical research facilities on campus. Dec. 7: WCCO-TV (Minneapolis-St. Paul).

Yes, in fact, there is accounting for taste

John Riedl (computer science and engineering) was quoted in an article about how video and music stores track your preferences. Professor Riedl developed an early computerized recommender in the 1990s. Nov. 20: Fortune; Dec. 10: Baltimore Sun; Dec. 20: Calendar Live (California)

Robots 'do something interesting' at U of M student show

More than 200 engineering students showed off their computer-controlled robots to the public at the University of Minnesota Robot Show. Dec. 11: WCCO-TV (Minneapolis-St. Paul); KSTP-TV (Minneapolis-St. Paul); University News Release.

Web identity unsafe

John Riedl (computer science and engineering) discussed web identity crime and safety. Dec. 12: MN Daily.

Pawlenty backing renewable energy plan

Gov. Tim Pawlenty is promoting renewable energy in Minnesota including biogas produced from plant wastes, an energy initiative showing promise in research at the University of Minnesota. Dec. 13: Pioneer Press (St. Paul).

U of M professor gets grant from Lockheed

Demoz Gebre-Egziabher (aerospace engineering and mechanics) has received a $50,000 grant from Lockheed Martin Corp. to study ways to increase performance of aircraft-landing systems. Dec. 13: Twin Cities Business Journal.

Synthetic Chemistry: Gold road to safe sushi

Use of a new kind of chemical reaction catalyzed by a gold compound has helped a team of University of Minnesota researchers make an important segment of azaspiracid, a toxic marine molecule. Dec. 14: Nature.

Web site to monitor Internet traffic pulse

Andrew Odlyzko, director of the Digital Technology Center at the University of Minnesota, expects to unveil a Web site soon that is designed to track Internet traffic around the world. Dec. 15: PC World; Hamilton Spectator (Canada).

Electrical Properties of Human Skull Finally Determined

New findings about the electrical properties of the human skull by Bin He (biomedical engineering) may hold the key to better diagnosis and monitoring of epilepsy, comas and other brain activity. Dec. 14: FOX News; Dec. 14: Live Science.

Fuel from renewables

A University of Minnesota renewable energy research team has invented a ‘reactive flash volatilization process’ that heats oil and sugar about a million times faster than you can in your kitchen. Dec. 19: Engineer Live (United Kingdom).

New park being built near St. Anthony Falls

About an acre of a new mid-river park being opened by Xcel Energy will be developed in conjunction with the nearby University of Minnesota St. Anthony Falls Laboratory. Dec. 21: Star Tribune.

Events

Physics Force public show

January 11: The Physics Force, a group of Institute of Technology physics faculty and high school science teachers will offer their zany but scientifically impeccable overview of the fundamental principles of hard science in a public show designed for all ages. Free and open to the public. 7 p.m., Northrop Auditorium.

Code Freeze winter symposium

January 11: Code Freeze is an annual winter symposium focusing on global development and best practices in software engineering. The event is organized by the University of Minnesota's Software Engineering Center (UMSEC). 8 a.m.–5 p.m., McNamara Alumni Center.

Headliners Lecture: David Tilman

January 11: Hope for renewable energy and an answer to global warming may be right under our feet, according to scientist David Tilman, the speaker at the next Headliners lecture. Tilman will explain the next generation of biofuels–prairie grasses. Fee charged.
7 p.m., University of Minnesota Continuing Education and Conference Center.

Clean Energy Resource Teams Conference

January 16-17: Be a part of getting renewable energy and energy efficiency projects up and running. The conference provides an opportunity to learn about successful projects and get connected to the ideas, resources and expertise you need to bring clean energy to your community. Fee charged. Register online. 8 a.m.–5 p.m., St. Cloud Civic Center.

Math Matters IMA Public Lecture Series: Christopher Budd

January 18: Christopher J. Budd, Professor in Applied Mathematics and Director of the Centre for Nonlinear Mechanics, University of Bath, England is the featured speaker for the Institute for Mathematics and its Applications lecture entitled "Making Sense of a Complex World." He will explain how simple properties often emerge from seemingly very complex systems, and how we can use these properties to gain understanding of the world around us. Free. 7 p.m., 125 Wiley Hall.

Headliners Lecture: Guy Kawasaki

January 19: Guy Kawasaki, one of the individuals behind the success of the Macintosh computer, is an innovation evangelist, entrepreneur, and a venture capitalist. His lecture entitled "The Art of the Start" will address the fundamental knowledge needed to start a new organization. Free. 1 p.m., McNamara Alumni Center.

Risk and Response to Global Environmental Change, Lessons from Cross-National Social Science Research

January 25-26: Presentations and discussions at this conference will focus on the responses (or lack thereof) of governments, businesses, non-governmental organizations, international institutions, and national and international policies to the scientific fact of global warming. Free and open to the public. 8 a.m.–5 p.m., Cowles Auditorium, Hubert H. Humphrey Center.

Looking ahead

Institute of Technology Public Lecture: Kim Stelson

February 6: A lecture by Kim Stelson, a professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Minnesota who also serves as director of the Institute of Technology's new NSF Center for Compact and Efficient Fluid Power, will focus on fluid power and will explain how researchers at the new center are working on new ways to save energy and improve our lives by using fluid power. 7 p.m., 402 Walter Library.

CTS Winter Luncheon 2007

February 8: Bruce Simons-Morton, chief of the Prevention Research Branch in the Division of Epidemiology, Statistics, and Prevention Research at the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, will present a lecture entitled "Myths and Misconceptions About the Young Driver Problem and its Solutions." He will address the substantial and growing evidence that it is possible to alter the pattern of risk for young drivers through effective policy and behavioral interventions. 11:30 p.m.–1:30 p.m., Radisson University Hotel.

UMAA 2007 Volunteer Leadership Summit

February 10: All University of Minnesota Alumni Association (UMAA) national, society and chapter volunteers are invited to participate in the 2007 Volunteer Leadership Summit. The program will include presentations, interactive sessions, round-table and panel discussions, and networking. 9 a.m.–2:30 p.m., A.I. Johnson Room, McNamara Alumni Center.

Stem Cell Institute Conference

February 26: "Creating Stem Cells by Research Cloning: Scientific, Ethical, Legal & Policy Challenges," a conference sponsored by The Stem Cell Institute, will lead a national audience in exploring the implications of somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT), also known as research cloning. This conference will convene top researchers and experts to explore the issues raised by SCNT, the options open to universities, and how policy should progress. Fee charged. Register online. 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m., Coffman Memorial Union.

Science & Technology Banquet

April 11: Lee Lynd, professor of engineering at Dartmouth College and chief scientific officer, co-founder, and director of Mascoma Corporation will be the keynote speaker at the Institute of Technology's annual gala, sponsored by the Institute of Technology Alumni Society. Registration opening in February 2007. Event location and time to be announced.

Wireless Cities Conference ... Communities of Interests

April 16–17: This Wireless Cities conference brings together educators, researchers, project coordinators, funders, community activists and policy-makers to discuss the implications of wireless communities. Sponsored by The University of Minnesota Digital Media Center, Digital Technology Center, Institute for New Media Studies, the Metropolitan Design Center, and Digital Watershed. Register online. Walter Library.

Design of Medical Devices Conference

April 17–19: The conference includes two days of technical/clinical sessions and the one-day 4th Annual President's 21st Century Interdisciplinary Conference. Sponsored by the University of Minnesota's Biomedical Engineering Institute, Institute of Technology, Academic Health Center, Office of the President, and the Department of Mechanical Engineering. Register online. Radisson University Hotel.