Interesting stories about and for our students.
Researchers have been trying to solve the problem by designing a stent that will hold an artery open and then dissolve harmlessly after the blood vessel heals. Traditional metals have not had the right properties, however.
Now a team of scientists at Michigan Tech is experimenting with a novel material that may lead to a new generation of bioabsorbable stents: zinc.
For the full story, click here.
Published in Tech Today by Marcia Goodrich, magazine editor
Materials science and engineering professor Jiann-Yang “Jim” Hwang and 2012 PhD graduate Zhiwei Peng have been chosen to receive Michigan Technological University’s 2013 Bhakta Rath Research Award for their studies on the use of microwaves in steelmaking.
The award, endowed by Michigan Tech alumnus Bhakta Rath and his wife, Shushama, recognizes a doctoral student at Michigan Tech and his/her faculty advisor for “exceptional research of particular value that anticipates the future needs of the nation while supporting advances in emerging technology.” Hwang and Peng, now a research assistant professor, will share a $2,000 prize.
Peng and Hwang were nominated by Stephen Kampe, the St. John Professor and chair of the materials science and engineering department.
Kampe called Peng’s work “incredibly thorough in scope and rigorous in its approach.” He noted that Hwang has researched microwave steelmaking for years “and has become a renowned authority on environmental and sustainability issues within the materials processing industries.
“This project represents an excellent fit with Dr. Rath’s vision of this award,” Kampe said.
The researcher did theoretical and experimental work on the use of microwaves to heat materials, particularly magnetic substances, and offered ways to improve microwaves’ heating efficiency. They also provided guidelines for making large-scale microwave furnaces for industrial use. Peng’s dissertation research was an integral part of three grants totaling $2.6 million.
Their work has led to five books, 25 papers and invitations to prepare books on microwave heating.
In support of the nomination, Dinesh Agrawal of Penn State wrote that Peng’s work “will surely accelerate the development of microwave heating for various applications in the field of ceramic and metallic materials, organics synthesis, biomedical treatments, etc.” And Jian Li of Canada’s CanmetMATERIALS research laboratory wrote that Peng’s dissertation reveals “great potential in energy saving and environmental safety.”
Mingming Zhang of the Canadian steel and mining company ArcelorMittal wrote that Peng’s research “attracted my attention because of its huge potential in energy savings and environmental protection compared with conventional technologies,” adding that the achievement is all the more remarkable because steelmaking consumes more energy than any other industry. “Moreover, there is a great possibility to substantially reduce the CO2, SOx and NOx emissions, contributing to an environmentally friendly world,” Zhang said.
Peng’s solid foundation in math and science and his interdisciplinary approach have been key to the project’s success, said his advisor. “He is not afraid of challenges, and he willingly took courses from other departments that advanced his research,” Hwang said. “By combining knowledge from several disciplines, Zhiwei has developed a new field of research.”
Published in Tech Today by Marcia Goodrich, magazine editor
Congratulations to the following students, student organizations, and advisors for inspiring community, scholarship, possibilities, accountability and tenacity within Michigan Tech as well as our community.
Here are your 2013 Student Leadership Award recipients:
Melanie Hoffman, President’s Award for Leadership
Michael Adler, Provost Award for Scholarship
Claire Meneguzzo, Vice President’s Award for Service
Kevin Cassell, Exceptional Leadership in Student Governance
Yu Summer Gu, Exceptional Enthusiasm as a Student Leader
Jason Cattelino, Student Employee of the Year
Hannah Altscheffel, Rising Star of the Year
Caleb Vogt, Undergraduate Research Expo, Exceptional Program of the Year
Society of Women Engineers, Most Improved Student Organization
Leo Ureel II, Breaking Digital Barriers, Exceptional Community Service Project
Memorial Union Board, Student Organization of the Year
Emanuel Marcos R. Castro Oliveira, Student Organization Advisor of the Year
Published in Tech Today
The Leahy-Smith America Invents Act ( AIA), also known as the Patent Reform Act of 2011, went into effect on March 16, bringing with it significant changes to the US Patent system. The most important change from the AIA law moves the United States to a first-to-file system from the previous first-to-invent system. Whereas the old system provided inventors with a mechanism to prove they were the first to invent and secure patent protection, the new system is essentially a race to the patent office. If two independent researchers came up with the same invention at the same time, the first one to file a patent application will be awarded the patent. In the past you could rely on dated lab notebooks and notes to prove you were the first one to invent.
The old system also provided a one-year grace period to file a US patent from the time the invention was publicly disclosed. Until the new patent laws are clarified through future court case rulings, researchers should consider any public disclosure a patent-barring event.
The increasingly stringent requirements for patents to include a complete and enabling written description, compounded with the effective loss of the one year grace period, makes it more important than ever to prepare and submit invention disclosure documents to the Office of Innovation and Industry Engagement well in advance of any planned public disclosures. Early submission of invention disclosure documents will assist in the timely development of strategies related to technology validation and related patent-filing activities before conference presentations, manuscript publications, thesis/dissertation defenses, or other events.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Michigan Tech’s Innovation and Industry Engagement Office at 487-2228.
Published in Tech Today
Douglas Smith will be traveling to Beijing this summer, courtesy of the National Science Foundation East Asia and Pacific Summer Institutes.
Smith, who is earning his MS in Chemistry, received the EAPSI fellowship to conduct research at Beijing Technological University. The fellowships support research in several countries around the Pacific Rim, but Smith was drawn to China in particular.
“Since my adviser and most of my lab mates are from China, I thought, if they are making the effort to be here in the US, I should try and go over there and walk a mile in their shoes,” he said.
EAPSI fellowships give graduate students first-hand research experience outside the US; an introduction to the host nation’s science, science policy, and scientific infrastructure; and an orientation to the culture and language. NSF’s aim is to prepare researchers for international collaborations early in their careers, thus ensuring a globally aware US scientific workforce.
Smith started his research career as an undergraduate, working with Assistant Professor Lanrong Bi (Chemistry). After he completed his BS in Pharmaceutical Chemistry, she continued as his advisor.
In China, Smith will be furthering studies on a series of new fluorescent dyes that can detect changes in the pH of organelles–minute structures within cells involved many physiological processes. Changes in pH can serve as an early warning system for disease, and the dyes can also help scientists understand the inner workings of cells.
Smith’s research has been expedited by the confocal microscope the University acquired in December. It uses lasers and high-end optics to take 3D images of cells, tissue and nanomaterials without destroying samples. “I feel that the Olympus confocal microscope was key to generate the important preliminary results for applying the EAPSI fellowship,” he said.
Bi agreed. “Doug has done excellent work, and he is highly deserving of this fellowship,” said Bi. “Having access to this equipment has helped him–and our entire team–to be much more productive. All the members of our team are grateful to each of the units that helped fund the microscope, especially the College of Sciences and Arts, which spearheaded the purchase.”
Published in Tech Today
Nazmiye Yapici, a PhD candidate in chemistry, has placed third in the graduate student division of the first virtual Sigma Xi Research Showcase, Cellular and Molecular Biology section.
She was honored for her presentation, “Detection of Mitochondrial Oxidative Stress.” The results will be featured in Sigma Xi social media and in American Scientist Magazine.
In addition, Yapici has been invited to give two oral presentations in the Gordon Research Seminars and Gordon Research Conferences, among the world’s premier scientific conferences. She has also been accepted to give two presentations in the American Chemical Society National Meeting.
The research was made possible in part by the recent acquisition of a new confocal microscope, which uses lasers and high-end optics to take 3D images of cells, tissue and nanomaterials without destroying the sample.
“The confocal microscope has helped many of us be so much more productive,” said Yapici’s advisor, Assistant Professor Lanrong Bi (Chemistry). “Our students are extremely appreciative because it has helped advance their research.”
Published in TechToday
The Ecosystem Science Center and the Biotechnology Research Center announced award recipients of the Ninth Annual ESC/BRC Student Research Forum, held March 27.
For the graduate students, two Grand Prize Awards and six Merit Awards were presented. They were selected from among the 59 posters and abstracts submitted by graduate students conducting research related to ecology, the environment and biotechnology at Michigan Tech. Posters will continue to be on display in the atrium of the Forestry building through April 12.
Graduate Research
$500 Grand Prizes
Biotechnology Research Center
Ramkumar Mohan (SBL) for, “miR-483, a Novel MicroRNA Expressed in Pancreatic Beta Cells but not in Alpha Cells,” Advisor: Xiaoqing Tang
Ecosystem Science Center
Adam Coble (FFS) for, “Comparison of Sugar Maple (Acer saccharum) Leaf Morphology in a Closed-canopy and Canopy Gap,” Adviser: Molly Cavaleri
$100 Merit Awards
Biotechnology Research Center
Komal K. Bollepogu Raja (IBMB) for, “The Role of Toolkit Genes in the Evolution of Complex Wing, Thorax, and Abdominal Color Patterns in Drosophila guttifera,” Advisor: Thomas Werner
Maria Tafur (ECM) for, “Reduction of Porcine Parvovirus Infectivity in the Presence of Protecting Osmolytes, ” Advisor: Caryn Heldt
Ecosystem Science Center
Brian Danhoff (SBL) for, “Manistee River Tributaries as Potential Arctic Grayling Habitat,” Advisor: Casey Huckins
Anthony Matthys (SBL) for, “Estimating Physical Habitat Characteristics and Fish Habitat Preference within Streams: A Tool for Restoration Monitoring,” Advisor: Casey Huckins
James Olson (SBL) for, “Evaluating the Impact of Culvert Designs on Hydrologic Connectivity and Nutrient Uptake in Northern Wisconsin Streams,” Advisor: Amy Marcarelli
Julie Padilla (EEN) for, “An Evaluation of the Proposed MDEQ Water Quality Standard for Copper in the Upper Peninsula Using Two Multimetric Approaches,” Advisor: Noel Urban
Published in TechToday
Three other graduate students were also nominated for consideration. Jean DeClerck was nominated by her advisors, Dr. M. Ann Brady and Dr. Wendy Anderson of Humanities, and committee member Dr. Victoria Bergvall of Humanities. Nathan Kelley-Hoskins was nominated by his advisor, Dr. Petra Hüntemeyer of Physics. Andrew Orthober was nominated by his advisor, Dr. Carol MacLennan of Social Sciences. All of the nominations were noteworthy for their scholarship, and the evaluation panel had a difficult task in selecting one nominee to represent Michigan Tech.
The Dean’s Advisory Panel, representing each college or school at Michigan Tech, evaluated the nominees. The faculty on this panel represent a broad range of graduate programs: J. Gierke (Department of Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences), S. Martin (Social Sciences), D. Flaspohler (School of Forestry Resources & Environmental Science), X. Wang (School of Technology) and G. Campbell (School of Business and Economics). Next year’s competition will consider applicants who have completed their degrees between October 1, 2012 and September 30, 2013. An application consists of an abstract of the thesis, recommendation letter from the advisor, and an electronic copy of the thesis. Please consider nominating your master’s students next year.
Four Michigan Technological University graduate engineering programs rose in the latest US News & World Report graduate school rankings, released today.
Chemical engineering’s graduate program moved up to 60th in the nation, from 91st last year. Electrical engineering’s ranking rose from 102nd to 89th. Computer engineering was ranked 80th this year, compared to 91st last year. And Materials engineering rose to 50th from 51st.
“Chemical engineering is definitely a program on the rise and it’s nice to get the external recognition we deserve,” said Komar Kawatra, chair of chemical engineering.
Dan Fuhrmann, chair of electrical and computer engineering was pleased with the higher rankings of both his programs. “We are delighted to see that our graduate programs in electrical and computer engineering are receiving this recognition,” he said. ” It is a reflection of our deliberate efforts over the past decade to increase the size and improve the quality and visibility of our graduate and research activity. In particular, we are seeing renewed interest at the master’s degree level in our power programs, which have always been excellent.”
The new graduate school rankings place Michigan Technological University’s graduate engineering programs overall in the top 100 nationwide. The magazine’s latest rankings, released today, list Michigan Tech’s College of Engineering graduate programs at 89th
“This year’s rankings of Michigan Tech’s programs will help some of our programs get the national attention and recognition they deserve,” said Jackie Huntoon, dean of the Graduate School. “The increased ranking of chemical engineering and electrical and computer engineering are particularly notable. These rankings, while dismissed by some as highly imperfect measures of quality, are important because students and their families use the rankings to estimate the potential return on an investment in a Michigan Tech education.“
Michigan Tech’s other engineering programs are ranked as follows in the new report:
Tech’s Biomedical engineering graduate program was not ranked.
“We’ve seen some success in the short time that I’ve been here, and I’m glad for that,” said Bill Worek, dean of the College of Engineering. “The increase in some of the disciplines is encouraging, but there is more work to be done to further enhance the visibility of our graduate programs.”
US News says its rankings are based on two types of data: expert opinions about program excellence and statistical measures of the quality of a school’s faculty, research and students. Graduate programs are reviewed annually in engineering, business, law, medicine and the sciences. This year, 199 engineering schools that offer graduate degrees were evaluated.
Statistical data considered includes the ratio of students to faculty, acceptance rate, average Graduate Record Exam score, the school’s total research expenditure and research expenditure per faculty member, graduate enrollment and number of PhDs granted.
Peer assessment data comes from deans of engineering schools, program directors and senior engineering faculty.
Michigan Technological University PhD candidate Jennifer Fuller grew up dabbling in snowmobiling in her native Saginaw, where they have just a few inches of snowfall per year. So when she got to Houghton and Michigan Tech, she was hooked.
“I started with a local hill climb, found the Sledheads student organization and eventually moved on to the Midwest pro circuit,” she says.
Whether in a hill climb or endurance run (100—and sometimes 500—miles), her Polaris sled can be found battling other women on the USXC Cross Country Snowmobile Circuit.
“The endurance races are true to the original terrain that snowmobiles were designed for,” she says. “We cross ditches, lakes, roadsides, woods, you name it. They are typically 10-20 mile laps that we run numerous times with fuel stops.”
In a separate Pro Women’s Class, she’s finished as high as second in the endurance runs. She is sponsored by Polaris.
“They spotted me at the World Championships in Jackson Hole, Wyoming,” she says. “The team owner, Gabe Bunke, and his family were there and invited me to race for Bunke Racing.”
“Jen has been fun to work with the last two years,” Gabe Bunke says. “She’s got a real good attitude and somehow manages to get though situations that may be over her head. And she never gives up. We call her ‘Puff,’ from the old Powder Puff female racing days.”
Bunke Racing fixes, prepares and moves her Polaris IQR 600CC sled to the eight different sites on the Midwest circuit. That’s a big bonus for a PhD candidate.
“Depending on my workload, I can be driving off to a location at the last minute,” Fuller says. “Sometimes, I’m getting in at 2 a.m. for a 9 a.m. start. It’s huge that the sled is there ready for me.”
They also keep the sled so Fuller isn’t tempted to bring it back to Houghton, where she has been known to break it.
“It’s better that I focus on school,” she says.
Polaris is one of the four big sponsors in snowmobile racing, with Ski-Doo, Yamaha and Arctic Cat.
It was in the hometown of Arctic Cat, Thief River Falls, Minn., that Fuller’s 500-mile race took place this February. She made it through 430 miles of the three-day race before crashing and heading to the hospital with a concussion. She also missed Winter Carnival at Tech.
The differences between the endurance events and hill climbs are many, including the time they take: one minute versus two hours (for the 100-mile version).
“And that’s with no lunch breaks or bathroom breaks,” Fuller adds.
And what does her family think about all this?
“They think I’m crazy, but they always support my decisions” she says.
Whether or not she sticks with snowmobile racing depends on where the PhD leads, she explains. “I’d like to keep racing, but I just don’t know where my career will take me.”
But Bunke says, “I know, when she’s trying to figure out the next step in her life, she’s always looking at staying connected with Bunke Racing and being able to snowmobile. Jen is a top notch gal, and we love having her at the races. So do the young female fans. She’s big on Facebook, too.”
She’s already had to turn down offers to work for Polaris, in both snowmobile design and the purchasing department.
“They hire engineers, even civil engineers, for everything, they said.”
Instead, she’s studying civil and environmental engineering on an NSF fellowship and charting a much different course in life.
“I actually have some entrepreneurship goals that I will be pursuing,” Fuller says. “But I love teaching and research, so if I could combine them all, that is my ideal career.
Fuller’s race year is wrapping up March 9-10 in Warroad, Minn. Then she gets to enjoy Spring Break.