Faculty of Engineering Bulletin for Monday, February 9, 2004
 
Speakers:
Tues., Feb. 10, 4:00 pm, Mason 107.
Graduate Student Seminar:
"The Ecology of Phosphorus-Polluted Ecosystems,"
Jane Hill, Environmental Engineering.
Adviser: Prof. Menachem Elimelech.
Refreshments at 3:45 pm.
 
Wed., Feb. 11, 11:00 am, Faculty Lounge.
Department of Biomedical Engineering Seminar:
"Bone Remodeling and the Treatment of Osteoporosis,"
Dr. Cristopher Hernandez, Orthopaedic Biomechanics
Laboratory, University of California at Berkeley.
Host: Prof. Mark Saltzman.
 
Wed., Feb. 11, 1:00 pm, Mason 107.
Solid State and Optics Seminar:
"Patterns and Instabilities in a Cold Exciton System,"
Prof. Leonid Levitov, Physics Department, MIT.
Host: Prof. Daniel Prober.
 
Wed., Feb. 11, 2:30 pm, Mason 107.
Mechanical Engineering Seminar:
"Annealing Thin Films of Amorphous Solid Water Atomic
Force Microscopy at T<150K," Prof. Sam Fain, University
of Washington. Host: Prof. Udo Schwarz.
Refreshments at 2:15 pm.

Thurs., Feb. 12, 1:00 pm, Sloane Physics Lab 52.
Condensed Matter Physics Seminar:
"Kagome Lattice Antiferromagnets A Quest for
Unconventional Quantum Phases," Prof. Predrag
Nikolic, MIT.
Host Prof. Subir Sachdev.
 
Fri., Feb. 13, 4:00 pm, Dunham Fifth Floor Conference Room.
Center for Systems Science Seminar:
"Semidefinite Programming Duality Implications for System
Theory and Computation," Prof. Venkataramanan (Ragu)
Balakrishnan, Purdue University.
Host: Prof. Kumpati Narendra.
 
DARPA award for Prof. Chang, advisee Chern:
The DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency)/MTO
(MicroTechnologies Office) SUVOS (Semiconductor Ultraviolet
Optical Source) Program has bestowed the "Outstanding
Performer Award" on Prof. Richard Chang, AP, EE & Phys,
and his Physics advisee Grace Chern for their research on
InGaN spiral-shaped microlasers.
 
One of being-renovated labs came online:
A beaming Prof. David LaVan, ME, showed off his new
lab on Jan. 30 in Mason 188 where he will do his research
in MEMS design and micro and nano systems, with a focus
on biological applications. The lab boasts capabilities in
organic synthesis (microbalance, analytical Balance,
rotavap, schlenk line, chemical hood), Polymer MEMS
and Microfluidics (spin coater, electroplating, oxygen plasma
reactor, syringe pumps), and BL2 level Mammalian Cell
Culture (inverted fluorescent microscope, histology microscope,
biosafety cabinet, incubators, -80 freezer, coulter counter,
centrifuges, speedVac). Prof. LaVan is eager to discuss
possible collaborations.
 
Their first field trip was to Callaway Cars:
A dozen members of the new Engineering Design Team and
Mr. Glenn Weston-Murphy, ME, carpooled to a Society
of Automotive Engineers (SAE) event at Callaway Cars
headquarters in Old Lyme. The shop tour included viewing
Callaway vehicles like the C 12 (highly modified Corvette),
a demonstration of how Callaway uses Pro/ENGINEER
modeling software, and inspection of an engine dyno facility
where high performance engines are developed.
Note: If you live and breathe cars, inquire about summer
employment with Callaway. See <www.callawaycars.com>
 
NSF 10 summer weeks of biotech/biomed/engg:
The Keck Graduate Institute offers a 10-week NSF summer
biotechnology and biomedical engineering research program
for undergraduates June 7-Aug. 13. Stipend of $3,850 plus
housing and a travel allowance. Deadline: Feb. 15.
Inquiries: <reu@kgi.edu>
"AutoAlerts" about new research:
Learn how to automatically receive email notices of newly
published research. Attend the "AutoAlerts" workshop
in the Engineering Library Wed., Feb. 11, 4:00 pm.
 
Dissertation support groups:
Wrestling research results into a readable Ph.D. dissertation
can be torture. Help (and support) is available from the Academic
Writing program at the Hall of Graduate Studies, Room 119A,
Mon., Feb. 9, 6:00 pm. Contact Ms. Ani Sinha
<anindita.singha@yale.edu>
 
Perseverance works wonders:
Today's mighty oak is just yesterday's nut that held its
ground. Anonymous.
 
End of Faculty of Engineering Bulletin 611

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