ITems | March 2007

Registration now open for 2007 Science & Technology Banquet

Lee Lynd, professor of engineering at Dartmouth College, and chief scientific officer, co-founder, and director of Mascoma Corporation will present "Anticipating the Bioenergy Revolution" at the 2007 Science & Technology Banquet, on Wednesday, April 11, at the Hilton Minneapolis. The evening will begin with a reception at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m., and the program at 7:30 p.m. Registration is now available.

The Science & Technology banquet is sponsored by the Institute of Technology Alumni Society with generous support from Cargill. Banquet proceeds benefit Institute of Technology undergraduate scholarships. More...

Institute of Technology, others to host medical devices conference

The University of Minnesota's Institute of Technology, Biomedical Engineering Institute, Academic Health Center, Office of the President, and the Department of Mechanical Engineering present the sixth annual Design of Medical Devices (DMD) Conference, April 17-19, at the Radisson University Hotel.

The conference includes two days of technical/clinical sessions and the one-day 4th Annual President's 21st Century Interdisciplinary Conference. The conference will promote the medical device industry and provide a forum to bring together medical device designers, manufacturers, researchers, and representatives from the public sector. Online registration is available. More...

Institute of Technology graduate selected for National Inventors Hall of Fame

John Franz (Chem Ph.D. '55) recently was named a 2007 inductee of the National Inventors Hall of Fame for his discovery of the non-toxic popular weed killer Roundup®. He will be honored at a special ceremony in May.

Every year, the National Inventors Hall of Fame honors those whose work has changed society and improved the way we live. In addition to Franz, this year's class also includes the inventor of the automotive airbag, the developer of vaccines that have nearly eliminated many common childhood diseases in developed countries, and the creator of the Ethernet, the widely used local area network.

May 8 reception celebrates Institute of Technology Dean's Club members

A reception celebrating members of the Institute of Technology Dean's Club will begin at
4 p.m. in the Club Room of Williams Arena on May 8, prior to the UMAA Annual Celebration. The Dean's Club recognizes donors who support the Institute of Technology with annual gifts of $1,000 and above. Discounted dinner and program tickets for the UMAA Annual Celebration for Dean's Club members are available through the Institute of Technology. To RSVP for the Dean's Club Reception and/or purchase tickets, please contact Liz Stadther at 612-626-1802 or stadt001@umn.edu.

The 2007 UMAA Annual Celebration will feature Tony Dungy, head coach of the world champion Indianapolis Colts. The Annual Celebration includes a reception at 5:30 p.m., dinner at 6 p.m. and program at 8 p.m. You may purchase program-only tickets through Northrop Auditorium, 612-624-2345.

Attend Support the U Day on March 28

University of Minnesota supporters will fill the Rotunda of the Minnesota State Capitol on March 28 for Support the U Day. All are invited to add their voices and attend this annual event. Hundreds of students, faculty, staff, alumni and volunteers from across the state will be at the Capitol urging legislators to support the U of M's legislative requests.

The University’s legislative request for $123.4 million in state support, includes a strategic investment of $11.5 million to expand programs in medical device technology, nanotechnology, neuroscience, and engineering as well as create a new Institute for the Advancement of Science and Technology. The request also includes $8.4 million in new funds for research and education in renewable energy and the environment. In addition, the University is requesting that the legislature create in statute a Minnesota Biomedical Sciences Research Facilities Authority that would authorize the construction of more than 750,000 square feet in research space over the next eight years.

To learn more or to get involved, visit the University of Minnesota’s new Legislative Network Web site www.supporttheu.umn.edu.

Physics professor named Faculty Director of Undergraduate Research

Professor Marvin Marshak (physics) has been named faculty director of undergraduate research at the University of Minnesota. Marshak will lead the University’s effort to expand undergraduate research opportunities and to make research a hallmark of the University of Minnesota undergraduate experience. He will work with colleges to develop new opportunities for students to participate in research and to make current opportunities more visible and more accessible. More...

Governor announces launch of 'GetGo' network

The University of Minnesota and several other education, government, and business sponsors are supporting a new networking Web site aimed at connecting small businesses and entrepreneurs with resources to help them grow.

The site was launched Feb. 28 and will feature blogs and links to business resources and news. The founders, through their work with the Minnesota Cup contest, discovered that emerging businesses need better tools to find information and make the key connections that will support their business ventures. More...

University to play key role in renewable energy law

In February the Initiative for Renewable Energy and the Environment (IREE) hosted Governor Pawlenty for the signing of a bill that will make Minnesota a renewable energy leader.

Under the new law, most utilities must generate 25 percent of their power from renewable sources by the year 2025. The University will be a key player in helping to develop technologies that will increase the state's use of renewable energy for the next 18 years. More...

Honors

The National Science Foundation recently awarded several Institute of Technology faculty members with prestigious Faculty Early Career Development Awards. The CAREER Program supports the early career-development activities of teacher-scholars who most effectively integrate research and education within the context of their organization's mission.

1. Assistant Professor Abhishek Chandra (computer science and engineering) was selected based on his research proposal “Self-Managing Resource Allocation in Unsupervised Distributed Systems."
2. Assistant Professor Kevin Dorfman (chemical engineering and materials science) was selected based on his research proposal “Dynamics of DNA during Electrophoresis in Artificial Sieving Matrices.”
3. Assistant Professor Christy Haynes (chemistry) was selected based on her research proposal “Spectroscopic and Electrochemical Studies of Nanoparticle Size, Shape, and Surface Chemistry.”
4. Assistant Professor Mihailo Jovanovik (electrical and computer engineering) was selected for his research proposal “Enabling Methods for Modeling and Control of Transitional and Turbulent Wall-Bounded Shear Flows.”
5. Assistant Professor Stergios Roumeliotis (computer science and engineering) was selected for his research proposal “Distributed Estimation and Active Sensing with Mobile Robot Networks.”

Graduate students Jaehyuk Choi (electrical and computer engineering) and Hyungsoon Im (electrical and computer engineering) received gold prizes from the 13th Samsung Electronics Humantech Thesis Prize Competition. Each gold award was one of seven selected from more than 800 applicants from about 80 institutions worldwide.

Professor Arthur Erdman (mechanical engineering) was awarded a Rutgers School of Engineering “Medal of Excellence” Award for Alumni Achievement in Academia.

Professor Guillermo Sapiro (electrical and computer engineering) was elected to be the first Editor-in-Chief of the new Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM) Journal on Imaging Sciences.

Professor Xiaoyang Zhu (chemistry) recently was honored with the Brian Bent Memorial Lectureship in Chemistry at Columbia University.

Media watch

U professor mentors LEGO League state champions

University of Minnesota Professor Eray Aydil (chemical engineering and materials science) served as mentor for the FIRST LEGO League state champion team students from Hopkins Junior High who focused their project on nano solar cell power. Jan. 31: Sun Newspapers.

U of M awards McKnight Land-Grant Professors

The University of Minnesota recently named this year's McKnight Land-Grant Professors, which included five recipients from the Institute of Technology.
Feb. 1: Asian American Press.

Chilling temps but global warming

FOX-9 featured the University of Minnesota's research at the St. Anthony Falls Laboratory on global warming. Feb. 2: FOX-TV.

Geo messages

Jesse Vig, a computer science and engineering graduate student, has started a Web site that allows users to send e-mail messages written in satellite images of buildings. Feb. 5: KSTP-TV; Feb. 8: Pioneer Press.

Satellites will create quick, bright streaks of light Friday night

Professor Chick Woodward (astronomy) notes that a pair of streaks from communications satellites brightly reflecting the sun, or so-called Iridium flares occur frequently around the world. Feb. 8: KARE-TV.

Don't expect video to exhaust fiber glut

Professor Andrew Odlyzko, director of the Digital Technology Center at the University of Minnesota, refutes the theory that the "fiber glut" of the late 1990s and early 2000s will be exhausted by video, prompting a spike in the price of retail and wholesale bandwith. Feb. 16: Computer World; Feb. 25: The Buffalo News (New York).

New daylight saving time awakening Y2K7 fears

Professor Mats Heimdahl (computer science and engineering), director of the Software Engineering Center at the University of Minnesota downplayed anticipated glitches in the computer world due to the impending daylight saving time change. Feb. 17: Star Tribune.

The computer in your mind

Professor Bin He (biomedical engineering) is exploring hands-free, mind control of a computer, called brain-computer interface. Feb. 18: KARE-TV (Minneapolis-St. Paul).

University unveils biotech major program

Developers of a two-year biotechnology graduate program, including program developer Professor Vipin Kumar (computer science and engineering) unveiled their preliminary plans to take advantage of Rochester-based powerhouses Mayo Clinic and IBM as well as the University's Hormel Institute, forging partnerships to advance a bioinformatics program currently not offered on any University of Minnesota campus. Feb. 19: MN Daily.

Dirty electricity

Professor Bruce Wollenberg (electrical and computer engineering) discredited a device that allegedly minimizes harmful effects of electricity. Feb. 19: FOX-TV (Minneapolis-St. Paul).

Improving speech recognition technology

Assistant Professor William Schuler (computer science and engineering) is working on a project that is looking for ways to improve speech recognition software, and make it more useful for people – especially elderly citizens or people with disabilities. Feb. 22: Minnesota Moment.

Is an asteroid heading for Earth?

Professor Terry Jones (astronomy) believes that a 320-meter-long asteroid named Apophis that is orbiting the Earth has a one in 45,000 chance of hitting the Earth in 2036. Feb. 22: KARE-TV (Minneapolis-St. Paul).

Federal academic reports don't add up

Professor Lawrence Gray (mathematics) serves on a committee that is finishing revisions to math standards that could lead to more students taking more math. Feb. 22: Star Tribune.

Events

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.

Abigail and John Van Vleck Lecture

March 21, 22: Barry Barish, a Ronald and Maxine Linde professor emeritus of physics at the California Institute of Technology and director of Global Design Effort for the International Linear Collider will present two lectures in March. March 21 he presents "Probing Einstein's Universe." The science of gravitational waves, the status of the searches, and the prospects for detection will be discussed. March 22 Barish presents "The Next Great Particle Accelerator: The International Linear Collider." He will discuss the science motivation, the technology, and will review recent progress and plans toward an exciting future international facility. Both lectures are free and open to the public. 4 p.m., 150 Tate Laboratory of Physics.

Ada Comstock Distinguished Women Scholars Lecture

March 22: 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. 7:30 p.m., Cowle Auditorium, Hubert H. Humphrey Center

MHTA Spring Conference

April 10: This conference, entitled "Next Generation Everything," will address some of today's hot issues in the technology and business community and how they are impacting our daily lives as business leaders and also as individuals. For more information and to register, visit www.mhta.org. 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Minneapolis Hyatt Regency.

Science & Technology Banquet

April 11: Lee Lynd, professor of engineering at Dartmouth College and chief scientific officer, co-founder, and director of Mascoma Corporation present "Anticipating the Bioenergy Revolution" at the Institute of Technology's annual gala, sponsored by the Institute of Technology Alumni Society. Proceeds benefit Institute of Technology undergraduate scholarships. Registration is now available. Reception, 5:30 p.m.; Dinner 6:30 p.m.; Program, 7:30 p.m., Hilton Minneapolis.

Bioinformatics: Building Bridges

April 12-13: The sixth annual two-day symposium supports the field of bioinformatics and its University Graduate Program. It includes tutorials, world-renowned speakers, a poster session, exhibits, demonstrations, and a lunch hosted by the Bioinformatics Graduate Faculty. The symposium is free, but space is limited. Registration is required. Digital Technology Center, Walter Library.

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. Fee charged. 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. Fee charged. 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.

BioEnergy Business 2007

April 25: The primary objective of the conference, entitled "U.S.-German Opportunities for Cooperation in Biofuels and Biomass," and presented by the German American Chamber of Commerce, is to open a dialog for partnership between two of the world's leading countries in developing and implementing new BioEnergy technologies. Innovative German companies will present their technologies. Opportunities for creating cooperations here in the U.S. will be discussed. Leading speakers from both the U.S. and Germany will share their knowledge and experiences. Registration will be capped at the first 120 participants. For more information and to register, visit www.gaccom.org. 8 a.m.-5 p.m., location TBA.

Looking ahead

Institute of Technology Commencement

May 4: The Institute of Technology holds one undergraduate commencement each year. This event will begin with a faculty procession leading the graduates into Northrop Memorial Auditorium and will conclude with the presentation of degree candidates. Faculty, graduates, and honored guests will hear remarks from the dean, a student from the graduating class, and a commencement address delivered by a keynote speaker. 7-9 p.m, Northrop Auditorium.

UMAA 2007 Annual Celebration featuring Tony Dungy

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

Institute of Technology Dean's Club Reception

May 8: The Dean's Club recognizes donors who support the Institute of Technology with annual gifts of $1,000 and above. A reception to celebrate Dean's Club members will take place prior to the UMAA Annual Celebration. Discounted dinner and program tickets for the UMAA Annual Celebration for Dean's Club members are available through the Institute of Technology. To RSVP for the Dean's Club Reception and/or purchase tickets, please contact Liz Stadther at 612-626-1802 or stadt001@umn.edu. Reception, 4 p.m., Club Room of Williams 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.