http://newscenter.iupui.edu/ News about Science and Engineering from Newscenter en-us Tue, 19 Mar 2013 08:48:46 -0400 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss http://newscenter.iupui.edu/5951/Law-Review-symposium-explores-patient-responsibility-as-key-to-improving-health-care-system http://newscenter.iupui.edu/5951/Law-Review-symposium-explores-patient-responsibility-as-key-to-improving-health-care-system INDIANAPOLIS -- Is America ready to put trust in a more engaged and responsible patient population as the key to improving its health care system? That’s the issue to be explored at the annual Indiana Health Law Review Symposium at the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law Indianapolis. This year’s symposium, “Are We Willing to Trust Patients? Models of Responsibility, Consumerism and Blame,” takes place from 8:45 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, March 8, in the Wynne Courtroom at the law school, 530 W. New York St., on the Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis campus. “This symposium approaches patient trust across three important dimensions: financial responsibility, the rise of consumerism in health care, and patient responsibility for their own health,” said Nicolas Terry, Hall Render Professor of Law and co-director of the Hall Center for Law and Health at McKinney School of Law. Terry said keynote speaker George Loewenstein, Herbert A. Simon Professor of Economics and Psychology at Carnegie Mellon University, will open the symposium with a 9 a.m. talk “exploring whether patients can be encouraged toward making better health care decisions with diverse incentives and disincentives.” “Following the opening keynote speech, the event includes three panel discussions featuring health law experts from American University, Case Western University, Georgetown University, Michigan State University, the University of Arizona and IUPUI, some of the nation’s smartest thinkers about the evolving role of the patient in the provision of health care,” Terry said. The first panel tackles the particularly difficult question of whether patients who are more financially engaged will make better health care choices. The second panel deals with whether, given emerging technologies and cultural shifts, patients should be expected to act more like consumers than traditional patients when making health care decisions or purchases. “That includes everything from using wellness apps on smartphones to using over-the-counter genetic tests,” Terry said. The final panel will discuss personal responsibility for wellness, looking at whether health care practitioners can and should nudge patients toward better health and exploring the controversial question of whether it is appropriate to “shame” patients for unhealthy behavior such as smoking or conditions such as obesity. The symposium is free of charge and open to the public. Participants are responsible for their own meal during the 11: 30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. lunch break. Additional information, including online registration, is available on the symposium Web page. Founded in 1987, the Hall Center for Law and Health is a multidisciplinary teaching and research center within the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law. The primary goals of the center are the education and career furtherance of law students and the analysis and improvement of health law and policy. The center offers J.D., joint degree and LL.M. programs to students, in addition to CLE programs and various educational programs for professionals engaged in the health sciences. The Hall Center is home to the Indiana Health Law Review, frequent guest presentations by leading academics, judges, bioethicists and health law practitioners, and major conferences. The Indiana Health Law Review is a scholarly legal periodical edited and managed by IU McKinney School of Law students. The publication, based in the Hall Center, serves as an informational resource for practitioners, members of the judiciary, legal scholars and law students.     Mon, 04 Mar 2013 00:00:00 -0500 http://newscenter.iupui.edu/images/60_sq_george loewenstein dsc_01001.jpg http://newscenter.iupui.edu/images/200_george loewenstein dsc_01001.jpg http://newscenter.iupui.edu/5904/IUPUI-lab-gets-328000-for-energy-research-project http://newscenter.iupui.edu/5904/IUPUI-lab-gets-328000-for-energy-research-project INDIANAPOLIS -- The National Science Foundation has given the Purdue School of Engineering and Technology at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis a $328,120 grant to advance the study of wave rotor combustion technology used with gas turbine engines. The research promises better fuel efficiency and less pollution from aircraft and power plants, and could also lead to the development of more vehicles operating on domestic natural gas instead of imported petroleum fuels. Wave rotors are energy conversion devices that harness pressure waves to compress gases and burn fuel more efficiently. Under the grant, IUPUI professor Razi Nalim and other researchers at the Combustion and Propulsion Research Laboratory at IUPUI, in collaboration with Rolls-Royce Corp. in Indianapolis, will seek to better understand the complex interaction of the physical and chemical processes that occur during the reignition phase of combustion in a novel pressure-boosting wave rotor. Rolls-Royce Corp. in Indianapolis will supplement the NSF grant with a paid internship, valued at $90,000, for a doctoral student researcher. “We are extremely excited about this NSF award and the continued collaboration with Rolls-Royce,” said David Russomanno, dean of the Purdue School of Engineering and Technology at IUPUI. “This type of interaction between industry and academic research is critical to our strategic plan and allows our faculty and students to compete at increasingly higher levels.” Wave rotor technology has great promise of more fuel efficiency and reduced emissions from aircraft engines and electric power plants. The goal is concurrently reducing fuel consumption, carbon emissions and the weight of gas turbines by about 20 percent each. Nalim's earlier research on wave rotor technology during his doctoral studies and his work at NASA led to the close collaboration between IUPUI and Rolls-Royce and a successful demon-stration of wave rotor combustion technology in 2009. In developing the grant proposal, Nalim drew on his many years of industry research experience in reducing emissions from internal combustion engines that burn natural gas. The new grant will provide deeper insight into how fuel could be rapidly and reliably ignited by a puff of hot gas, especially in diluted fuel concen-trations that prevent the formation of nitrogen oxide pollution. “In researching wave rotor technology, we have been privileged for over a decade to work with support from Rolls-Royce, a global leader in aircraft engines and gas turbine power plants, with manufacturing and research facilities here in Indianapolis,” Nalim said. “The planned research will allow a mechanical engineering doctoral student to work as an intern at Rolls-Royce for three summers, while earning a Purdue engineering doctorate at IUPUI and helping us translate our research to practice in industry.” The success of the IUPUI/Rolls-Royce project will lead to novel combustion methods that create a pressure boost in aircraft and electric power generation engines. By retrofitting or redesigning power generation gas turbines and aircraft jet engines with pressure-boost combustors, the United States can save an estimated $10 billion in fuel and 100 megatons of carbon dioxide emissions each year. The project also enables more reliable ignition in trucks and locomotives using internal-combustion engines, allowing the substitution of less expensive domestic gas fuels for diesel refined from imported petroleum. Additionally, the project can enable innovative medium- and small-scale power generators as well as more efficient hybrid vehicles and portable power units.     Thu, 24 Jan 2013 00:00:00 -0500 http://newscenter.iupui.edu/images/60_sq_nalimrazi004 small.jpg http://newscenter.iupui.edu/images/200_nalimrazi004 small.jpg http://newscenter.iupui.edu/5894/IUPUI-professor-named-one-of-eight-national-scholars-in-theoretical-physics http://newscenter.iupui.edu/5894/IUPUI-professor-named-one-of-eight-national-scholars-in-theoretical-physics INDIANAPOLIS -- An associate professor of physics in the School of Science at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis has been named a Scholar with the Kavli Institute for Theoretical Physics, the country’s top collaborative research facility dedicated to discovering knowledge at the leading edge of science. Yogesh Joglekar joins seven other scientists honored each year from universities recognized by KITP as having growing research interests and impact, especially at the undergraduate level. “Being a Scholar will give me the chance to interact and collaborate with groups of theorists and experimentalists working at the highest levels of research in the field,” Joglekar said. “This will have a significant impact on the type of research we are able to do at IUPUI, and it really serves as a mark of how strong our department has become.” Andy Gavrin, chair of the Department of Physics, added: “This honor is a clear recognition of Yogesh’s contributions and his future promise. It gives him a unique opportunity to work with some of the other leaders in his specialty.” KITP, on the campus of the University of California at Santa Barbara, hosts collaborations, seminars and presentations each year in four broad categories: astrophysics, biophysics, physics of matter and string theory (discovering the building blocks of matter). Founded in 1979, KITP boasts a history of national influence. Three of the past six directors of the institute have won Nobel prizes in physics, and several Nobel laureates have served on its advisory board. More than 1,000 scientists conduct on-site collaborations each year along with five permanent members and more than a dozen post-doctoral fellows, as well as graduate fellows and Scholars. Joglekar first was invited in 2009 to participate in KITP activities as a result of his work advancing the understanding of graphene, a one-atom-thick film of carbon with enough strength and conductivity to revolutionize physics research and technology. Two years later, the National Science Foundation recognized his work and honored him with its CAREER Award grant, the most prestigious award given to faculty members early in their career who exemplify the role of teaching scholars through outstanding research, excellent education and the integration of education and research. Now as a KITP Scholar, he will have access to the institute’s collaborative opportunities and support for up to six weeks across the three years he will serve as a Scholar. The on-site expertise will be vital as he expands his research into new and emerging areas, he said. His most recent focus is on memristive systems (those involving materials whose resistance is determined by the history of voltage applied to them) and PT-symmetric systems (optical fibers with loss and amplification). “Theoretical physics research often is considered inaccessible to young students, and programs find it difficult to sustain due to funding considerations. Only a handful of institutions in the world have the infrastructure necessary to carry out experimental research in these areas,” Joglekar said, referring to his current research focus. “KITP can offer both theoretical and experimental expertise that can greatly advance this type of research and serve a critical role for smaller institutions such as IUPUI,” he added. Joglekar, who joined the physics department in 2005, regularly mentors and collaborates with students at all levels, including local high school students, on the value of physics research and its applications to everyday life. He has published peer-reviewed research articles with many of these past collaborators. He remains committed to discovering ways to expose his research students to emerging theories like those championed at KITP, he said. About the School of Science The School of Science at IUPUI is committed to excellence in teaching, research and service in the biological, physical, behavioral and mathematical sciences. The school is dedicated to being a leading resource for interdisciplinary research and science education in support of Indiana's effort to expand and diversify its economy.   Tue, 08 Jan 2013 00:00:00 -0500 http://newscenter.iupui.edu/images/60_sq_joglekar_yogesh 1.jpg http://newscenter.iupui.edu/images/200_joglekar_yogesh 1.jpg http://newscenter.iupui.edu/5876/Don-Schumacher-Racing-IUPUI-Motorsports-Engineering-program-renew-partnership http://newscenter.iupui.edu/5876/Don-Schumacher-Racing-IUPUI-Motorsports-Engineering-program-renew-partnership INDIANAPOLIS -- The most successful team in professional drag racing and the most innovative university involved in motorsports engineering have announced an expanded partnership. Mike Lewis, Don Schumacher Racing senior vice president, and Pete Hylton, director of motorsports for the Motorsports Engineering program at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, detailed plans of the partnership at a 2:30 p.m. press conference during the fourth annual International Motorsports Industry Show at the Indiana Convention Center. IUPUI, in downtown Indianapolis, and Don Schumacher Racing, which is based in nearby Brownsburg, began collaborating four years ago. Major strides were made after one year in the development of a new Top Fuel Dragster chassis that debuted in 2010 with what at the time was the fastest run ever. For various personnel reasons, the program was on hiatus last season, but it resumed at full speed this fall and plans to expand in 2013. In addition to offering the country’s only four-year motorsports engineering bachelor’s degree, IUPUI will introduce a master’s degree program with a motorsports concentration. A few months ago, Hylton met with Lewis and Mike Green, crew chief for Don Schumacher Racing’s U.S. Army Top Fuel dragster driven by seven-time NHRA world champion Tony Schumacher, to reenergize the internship program. “There is such a great synergy between our program and DSR that it was only a matter of time before we would reactivate it,” Hylton said, "and we see several areas where we can achieve mutual benefit for the team, the university, the students and the sport." Schumacher, who will be inducted next year into the prestigious International Motorsports Hall of Fame, has been an innovator in drag racing since he was a pioneer Funny Car driver and owner in the mid-1960s. His emphasis always has been on safety as well as performance. “The future of our great sport of NHRA drag racing is not just in finding talented drivers but in cultivating mechanics, crew chiefs, machinists and engineers,” he said. “Our wonderful relationship with IUPUI and its dedicated and intelligent faculty and students contributed to our DSR teams winning two NHRA world championships this season. And with the reciprocal relationship between IUPUI and DSR, we hope to win more while keeping our drivers safe.” Lewis added, “DSR’s relationship with IUPUI partners our engineers and crew chiefs with IUPUI instructors and students on specific research projects related to the safety and performance of our Top Fuel Dragsters and Funny Cars. Students learn from their real-world experience in the DSR race shop, and we’ve enjoyed tangible benefits from this joint effort.” Green said, IUPUI students’ involvement with the racing team has expanded to other projects, including the study of Funny Car chassis dynamics and failure analysis of engine components. “Working with IUPUI has been a valuable educational process for myself and DSR’s other crew chiefs and fabricators,” Green said. “Through the university, we experience the latest state-of-the-art technology as far as software and computer simulations. “This relationship really is a win-win for both of us; it’s the best of both worlds. We benefit by receiving input from very intelligent engineers who work with students to do the design work or analyze our ideas, and they get hands-on work with real results.” About Motorsports at IUPUI The four-year Bachelor of Science Degree in Motorsports Engineering was approved in May 2008 and had its first graduating class last May. A Masters degree with a motorsports concentration was initiated this winter and its first students will begin classes in January. This program’s aim is to prepare graduates for careers in the motorsports industry, as well as with automotive-related companies by focusing on teaching the fundamentals of engineering along with completing hands-on projects that involve the designing, analyzing, and building of actual systems. About Don Schumacher Racing Don Schumacher Racing, headquartered in Brownsburg, Ind., consists of seven professional NHRA teams: in Top Fuel, the 2012 NHRA Top Fuel world champion Matco Tools dragster driven by Antron Brown, the U.S. Army dragster driven by seven-time world champion Tony Schumacher and a third entry; and in Funny Car, 2012 NHRA Funny Car champion Jack Beckman in the Valvoline NextGen Dodge Charger R/T, 2011 world champion Matt Hagan in the Mopar Dodge, the NAPA Auto Parts Dodge of Ron Capps and the Service Central Dodge of Johnny Gray. DSR has won 196 NHRA national event titles and 11 world championships. Follow Don Schumacher Racing at ShoeRacing.com, on Twitter at @shoeracing and Facebook.com/shoeracing.   Thu, 06 Dec 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://newscenter.iupui.edu/images/60_sq_dsr logo.jpg http://newscenter.iupui.edu/images/200_dsr logo.jpg http://newscenter.iupui.edu/5858/IUPUI-to-host-statewide-Indiana-University-student-research-conference http://newscenter.iupui.edu/5858/IUPUI-to-host-statewide-Indiana-University-student-research-conference MEDIA ADVISORY INDIANAPOLIS – About 130 undergraduate students from eight Indiana University campuses will either display poster presentations or deliver oral presentations about their faculty-mentored research projects during the annual Indiana University Undergraduate Research Conference . Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis is hosting the conference from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday in Room 450 of the IUPUI Campus Center, 420 University Blvd. Poster sessions, scheduled from 10:20 to 11:30 a.m. and from 1:15 to 2:15 p.m., are open to the general public. The annual conference, now in its 18th year, is open to Indiana University student researchers in all disciplines, including visual and performing arts, humanities, natural and physical sciences, mathematics, engineering, business, education, and nursing. Research topics as diverse as the study of Civil War railroad batteries, the multidisciplinary design of a robotic football player, and the effect of treadmill exercise on high blood pressure are among the projects researchers will display in this year’s event.     Wed, 14 Nov 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://newscenter.iupui.edu/images/60_sq_confab 373608_193559944049654_211198085_n.jpg http://newscenter.iupui.edu/images/200_confab 373608_193559944049654_211198085_n.jpg http://newscenter.iupui.edu/5856/Higher-education-commission-approves-new-technical-communication-degree-at-IUPUI http://newscenter.iupui.edu/5856/Higher-education-commission-approves-new-technical-communication-degree-at-IUPUI INDIANAPOLIS -- The Indiana Commission for Higher Education approved the establishment of a Bachelor of Science in technical communication degree program at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis on Nov. 9. The new degree, offered through the Purdue School of Engineering and Technology at IUPUI, is the state's first degree to offer an education in technical communication through a Bachelor of Science rather than a Bachelor of Arts degree program. Earning the degree prepares students to effectively communicate technical knowledge through curricular experiences that are integrated with the engineering and technology programs. “The new degree builds upon an existing technical communication certificate program at IUPUI and will draw on existing courses from several academic programs on the campus in order to provide enriching interdisciplinary experiences for students,” said David Russomanno, dean of the Purdue School of Engineering and Technology at IUPUI. “The program responds to the needs of science, technology, engineering and mathematics employers by embedding the rigor of the project-based engineering and technology programs into the curriculum.” The technical communication bachelor's degree is designed to prepare students for a wide variety of job positions in technical and scientific communication, including technical editor, documentation specialist, grant writer, information architect, media designer/developer, medical writer/editor, project coordinator, training developer, web designer and more. Technical communicators create necessary resources such as user manuals, online help, websites and other materials that make complex technology knowledge easily understood by a wide variety of audiences and users. According to a U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics report, opportunities for technical communicators or writers, with an average salary of $63,280 annually, are predicted to grow 17 percent between 2010 and 2020, showing a strong demand for the degree. The new degree program will begin enrolling students in fall 2013. More information about the degree can be found on the School of Engineering and Technology website or by contacting Corinne Renguette at crenguet@iupui.edu.   Tue, 13 Nov 2012 00:00:00 -0500 http://newscenter.iupui.edu/images/60_sq_russo_welcome.jpg http://newscenter.iupui.edu/images/200_russo_welcome.jpg http://newscenter.iupui.edu/5819/Green-power-technology-breakthrough-at-IUPUI http://newscenter.iupui.edu/5819/Green-power-technology-breakthrough-at-IUPUI Discovery of new class of power inverter could mean cheaper, faster hybrid vehicles and other green products   INDIANAPOLIS -- With a laboratory breakthrough once thought impossible, an Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis assistant professor has invented a new class of power inverter that could put cheaper and more efficient renewable energy products on the market. Professor Afshin Izadian, a researcher at the Richard G. Lugar Center for Renewable Energy at IUPUI, has invented a power inverter that employs just a single switching transistor and generates infinite-level voltages. Power inverters are at the heart of several renewable energy technologies. Solar power, battery storage, electric vehicles, motor drives and manufacturing robots all use inverters to generate AC power efficiently. However, the current inverters with multiple switching transistors generate limited voltage levels, are heavy, generate unwanted harmonics (voltage frequencies) and require filters to reduce the harmful effects to the electric grid. Izadian’s invention, the result of a creative reconfiguration of an electrical circuit during a laboratory experiment, would make inverters cheaper, lighter and therefore more efficient than current models. “The thrilling moment of any research is when your thoughts, designs and implementations come out right and you reach the goal,” Izadian said. “An on-demand change of voltage polarity might not seem very exciting, but it becomes increasingly important if you can accomplish it while maintaining desired voltage amplitudes.” Izadian, who has a doctorate in electrical engineering and is a former postdoctoral researcher from UCLA, teaches in the Purdue School of Engineering and Technology at IUPUI. While studying how voltage levels and polarities are created in inverters, he made his discovery. In a creative moment at his lab bench, he began reconfiguring an inverter circuit and discovered a new property technique to create infinite voltage levels and invert the voltage polarity of power circuits. This discovery in turn leads to a corollary insight that the researcher employed to create the new class of inverters. Not only did the bench test work, it lead to the discovery of several other circuits and controllers for high-power inverters with lower switching loss, higher voltage performance and lighter reconfigured circuits. For example, unwanted harmonics are greatly reduced with Izadian’s invention. This means car manufacturers can reduce the size and insulation of traction motors so that electric vehicles can be made cheaper. The size and weight of the power electronics can also be reduced, which can boost fuel economy in hybrid cars and buses. Such advantages translate into wider adoption of green technologies and more affordable renewable energy for homes, vehicles and businesses. “The Lugar Center is a tremendous asset to the school’s creative and innovative research process,” said David J. Russomanno, dean of the School of Engineering and Technology. “We are delighted with Dr. Izadian’s work and the possibility that his inverter can impact the renewable energy market. His efforts are a quintessential example of the cutting-edge research that enhances the school’s image and reputation and allows us to compete in the renewable energy arena.” Izadian’s work is under review by a prestigious technical journal, and several large companies have shown interest in the new inverters. They are interested in how Izadian’s breakthrough can result in simpler, cheaper and smaller systems with better performance than today’s technology. Izadian has several patents pending on his invention and is seeking research funding to complete the development of the analysis and controls needed for commercial viability. Products could be ready for the marketplace in as little as three years.   Wed, 17 Oct 2012 00:00:00 -0400 http://newscenter.iupui.edu/images/60_sq_afsin izadian 4 (2)0.jpg http://newscenter.iupui.edu/images/200_afsin izadian 4 (2)0.jpg http://newscenter.iupui.edu/5818/Marian-University-IUPUI-partner-to-create-new-engineering-dual-degree-program http://newscenter.iupui.edu/5818/Marian-University-IUPUI-partner-to-create-new-engineering-dual-degree-program A Marian University partnership with Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis will give Marian students an opportunity to combine a strong, traditional, liberal arts education with a highly marketable degree in engineering, officials announced recently. Marian University, a Catholic liberal arts university, and the Purdue School of Engineering and Technology at IUPUI, have established the Engineering Dual Degree Program at Marian. Students who complete the program earn degrees from both institutions -- a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts from the liberal arts university and a Bachelor of Science in either engineering, biomedical engineering, electrical engineering or mechanical engineering from Purdue University. “The Engineering Dual Degree Program is an exciting new opportunity for our students that allows them to have all of the benefits of Marian University’s Catholic liberal arts tradition and the engineering resources and technology of Purdue University on the IUPUI campus,” said Thomas J. Enneking, executive vice president and provost of Marian University. “We work hard to give our students every opportunity to succeed not just in college, but also in life. This new degree program is another example of Marian University’s continued effort to provide our students with the best education and opportunities,” Enneking said. Enneking and David Russomanno, dean of the Purdue School of Engineering and Technology, have worked together to develop the dual degree program since an initial meeting arranged by Ted Gary, a Marian University Board of Trustees member. Gary, president of AMG Engineering & Machining Inc., introduced Enneking to Russomanno with the hope of establishing a partnership between the two schools. “This agreement is a win-win partnership to provide more highly qualified engineering graduates in critical areas of need for the State of Indiana and our nation," Russomanno said. "The program will provide Marian University students a world-class engineering education from one of America’s premier urban schools of engineering and technology, recognized regionally, nationally and internationally for its excellence in teaching, research and civic engagement.” IUPUI Chancellor Charles R. Bantz said, “Partnering with other institutions has increasingly become part of IUPUI’s strategy to promote education in STEM fields. Since we have the only engineering degree program in the state’s capital city and largest population center, collaborations like these have the potential for real impact on filling the STEM academic and workforce pipeline.” The Engineering Dual Degree Program has a curriculum that integrates engineering, science, mathematics, computer science, social sciences, humanities and fine arts courses. Unlike traditional 3-2 dual degree programs that require students to spend three years in a liberal arts program and then transfer to an engineering school to complete their education, the new Marian program allows residence and enrollment at Marian University for the duration of the program. “This program provides a pathway for students at Marian University to earn an engineering degree -- a degree very much in demand in today’s economy. We are confident that outstanding students seeking a stronger liberal arts foundation in this vibrant and faith-based community will thrive in this new program. This new partnership will attract talented students who desire an education that will prepare them to not only secure challenging and well-paid jobs upon graduation, but also a rich and rewarding life,” Marian President Daniel J. Elsener said. For enrollment information, contact Lynn Thomas, instructor of physics, at lthomas@marian.edu or 317-955-6000.     About Marian University Indianapolis Marian University, founded in Indianapolis in 1937, is the only Catholic liberal arts university in central Indiana. It serves a student body of more than 2,500 from 31 states and eight countries through dedication to excellent teaching and learning in the Franciscan and liberal arts traditions. Marian University is one of Indiana’s 31 independent colleges and one of 244 Catholic colleges and universities nationwide.     Tue, 16 Oct 2012 00:00:00 -0400 http://newscenter.iupui.edu/images/60_sq_iupui and marian university engineering dual degree program partners _7db8703 (2)0.jpg http://newscenter.iupui.edu/images/200_iupui and marian university engineering dual degree program partners _7db8703 (2)0.jpg http://newscenter.iupui.edu/5817/Nanomanufacturing-expert-to-give-free-public-talks-at-IUPUI http://newscenter.iupui.edu/5817/Nanomanufacturing-expert-to-give-free-public-talks-at-IUPUI A nanomanufacturing expert will deliver two free public talks for researchers and the general public this month at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis. Nanoscience, nanotechnology and nanomanufacturing involve a brave new world in which scientists and others are studying, manipulating and controlling individual atoms and molecules. The goal is to take advantage of the “alternate” reality found at extremely small -- nano -- levels of matter. Gases, liquids and solids at the nanoscale -- one nanometer is a billionth of a meter -- can exhibit unusual physical, chemical and biological properties. Today's scientists and engineers are finding ways to make materials 1 to 100 nanometers in size in order to harness their properties such as higher strength, increased control of light spectrum and greater chemical reactivity than larger-scale counterparts. Charalabos "Haris" Doumanidis, founding director of the Nanomanufacturing Program at the National Science Foundation and a consultant for the automation, optoelectronics, biomedical and automotive industries, will present a lecture titled “Nanotechnology Initiative and National Science Foundation Nanomanufacturing Program” from 2 to 3:15 p.m. Monday, Oct. 22, in Room 1116 of University Library, 755 W. Michigan St. Doumanidis will also present the lecture “Nano-World as Manufacturing Opportunities for Engineering and Medicine Initiative and National Science Foundation Nanomanufacturing Program” from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 23, in the Lilly Auditorium of University Library. Doumanidis’ talks at IUPUI will provide an overview of the philosophy and background of his research group, which is studying thermomechanical materials processing and manufacturing process modeling and control. Doumanidis will also discuss his current investigations in such nanotech projects as intestinal tissue engineering on electrospun nanofiber scaffolds and the targeted delivery of antibiotics and cancer drugs to fight diseases. Visit the IUPUI Parking Services website for parking information.     Tue, 16 Oct 2012 00:00:00 -0400 http://newscenter.iupui.edu/5797/IUPUI-awarded-halfmilliondollar-National-Science-Foundation-grant-for-stateoftheart-electron-microscope http://newscenter.iupui.edu/5797/IUPUI-awarded-halfmilliondollar-National-Science-Foundation-grant-for-stateoftheart-electron-microscope Instrument to foster translational research, industry and community partnerships The National Science Foundation has awarded the Integrated Nanosystems Development Institute at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis a $495,744 grant for the purchase of a state-of-the-art Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope with Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy, through the Major Research Instrumentation Program. The enhanced imaging resolution and elemental analysis capabilities of the microscope will greatly advance research projects, including those in energy, sensors and materials development, and molecular and cellular roles in biological systems. “The advanced capabilities of the FESEM will significantly enhance our existing nanotechnology initiatives, create new avenues for research and education at IUPUI, promote economic development opportunities in Indiana and stimulate interdisciplinary research collaborations across campus and with industry partners,” said Mangilal Agarwal, interim director of the Integrated Nanosystems Development Institute. “We’re extremely grateful to the National Science Foundation for their investment and excited to see the many ways it will benefit the community at large.” Rather than the visible light photons used by standard microscopes, the FESEM uses electron beams to provide the high-resolution magnification of materials at nanoscale -- up to 100,000 times smaller than the diameter of a human hair -- as well as the elemental analysis capabilities necessary for current nanoscale research. Through the understanding and control of matter at these minute nanoscale dimensions, where new functionalities and properties of matter are observed, researchers may create functional materials, devices and systems, which have a broad range of applications. Examples of these applications include smaller, faster and more powerful computing systems, improved solar and fuel cells, lightweight and high-capacity batteries, targeted drug delivery systems, and consumer goods such as cosmetics, textiles and advance packaging materials. “The FESEM will also provide students with valuable hands-on experience in operating state-of-the-art instrumentation, an essential skill for students interested in future graduate studies and careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields,” said Jian Xie, principal investigator and assistant professor of mechanical engineering and the new energy engineering degree program at IUPUI. “Additionally, the instrument will be used to strengthen planned community outreach activities, including existing nanotechnology discovery summer camps for K-12 students and teachers,” added Agarwal, who also serves as the program leader for these summer camps. “This instrument will allow the exploration of nanoscale materials and structures, as well as a better understanding of nanotechnology concepts for these students and teachers.” The expertise and resources in nanoscale science and engineering at IUPUI, coupled with the desire of faculty and student researchers from diverse disciplines to develop nanotechnology-based systems addressing important societal and economic needs, have constituted the main driving forces for the establishment of the Integrated Nanosystems Development Institute. “Funded by IUPUI’s Signature Centers Initiative, INDI provides the organizational platform and resources necessary for a cutting-edge interdisciplinary research program in nanotechnology,” said Kody Varahramyan, vice chancellor for research, who oversees the Signature Centers Initiative on the IUPUI campus. INDI unites a highly motivated group of faculty with strong track records in nanomaterials, devices, systems design, development and applications from the School of Engineering and Technology, School of Science, School of Dentistry and School of Medicine. About the Integrated Nanosystems Development Institute at IUPUI: INDI is an interdisciplinary institute supported through the IUPUI Signature Centers Initiative in partnership with the School of Engineering and Technology, the School of Science and the School of Medicine. Over 30 faculty members from these schools are associated with INDI. These researchers have expertise in a wide range of fields, including chemistry, physics, biology, electrical and computer engineering, mechanical engineering, orthopedics, pathology and laboratory medicine. About the Purdue School of Engineering and Technology at IUPUI: The mission of the Purdue School of Engineering and Technology at IUPUI is to be one of the best urban university leaders in the disciplines of engineering and technology recognized locally, nationally and internationally. The school’s goal is to provide students an education that will give them the leverage to be leaders in their communities, industry and society. About the National Science Foundation: The National Science Foundation is an independent federal agency that supports fundamental research and education across all fields of science and engineering. In fiscal year 2012, its budget is $7 billion. NSF funds reach all 50 states through grants to nearly 2,000 colleges, universities and other institutions. Each year, NSF receives over 50,000 competitive requests for funding and makes about 11,000 new funding awards. NSF also awards nearly $420 million in professional and service contracts yearly.   Wed, 03 Oct 2012 00:00:00 -0400 http://newscenter.iupui.edu/images/60_sq_school of engineering logo image001.jpg http://newscenter.iupui.edu/images/200_school of engineering logo image001.jpg