Michigan Technological University’s Sustainable Futures Institute (SFI) and a broad range of Pan American partners see biofuel as a good answer to society’s growing need for alternative energy. But they want to make sure that it is produced in a sustainable way, benefiting rather than harming the societies and environments producing it.
Students in the Research Experience for Undergraduates REU summer 2013 programpresented posters on research projects they have worked on over the summer. The project topics include: measurement of diesel emission particulate matter, experimental hybrid vehicle fuel system, lithium ion battery characterization and SOC measurement, hybrid vehicle dynamometer test stand development, heavy duty truck driving simulation, and measuring temperature variations in combustion vessels.
The Sustainable Futures Institute is again hosting seven middle and high school teachers from Michigan and Wisconsin in a six-week research experience for teachers (RET) program funded by the National Science Foundation. The teachers are conducting state-of-the-art biofuels research projects in engineering and forestry in the labs of Shehkar Joshi (SFRES/Bio Sci), David Shonnard (Chem Engg), and Jeffrey Naber (MEEM).
MTEC SmartZone is celebrating a 10-year milestone. From humble beginnings, the high-tech business incubator transformed the cities of Houghton and Hancock into a vibrant and growing technology sector, creating more than 350 jobs locally.
The Dow Chemical Company has taken the lead as naming sponsor of the Dow Chemical Company Great Lakes Bay Science & Engineering Festival at Delta College Oct. 4-5. The festival, hosted by Michigan Technological University and Delta College on the Delta College campus, will feature the Michigan Tech Mind Trekkers and the American Chemical Society Midland Section’s SciFest, performing their hands-on science shows.
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Chris Anderson, special assistant to the president for institutional diversity, has retired after 33 years of service to Michigan Tech, including many years of leadership in STEM education and programs to promote engineering for women and minorities. As several speakers at Chris Anderson’s retirement celebration noted, she has influenced thousands of students to pursue degrees and careers in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields.
General Motors Corporation is siupporting the Summer 2013 “Ride the Waves with GM”. This is an educational program that invites Copper Country youth in Grades 4-12 to explore Lake Superior and adjacent waters aboard Michigan Tech’s research vessel, the Agassiz. Explorations are led by a member of Michigan Tech’s Great Lakes Research Center with expertise on the topic, assisted by undergraduate student mentors.
His cell phone area code is still 906, reflecting his Upper Peninsula roots, but Rob Waara’s role as chief engine engineer with the SRT Viper racing team has taken him far afield, including to the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
It may seem like a stretch to envision a 3D printer in every home. However, a Michigan Technological University researcher is predicting that personal manufacturing, like personal computing before it, is about to enter the mainstream in a big way.
“For the average American consumer, 3D printing is ready for showtime,” said Associate Professor Joshua Pearce.
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Nine thousand miles is a long way to go for research. But, if you are studying volcanoes, Indonesia is the place to be.
For Peace Corps Master’s International (PCMI) student Jay Wellik, it became even more than a place to study volcanoes. It became home, as he worked in Java, mostly near the Raung volcano.
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