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eMaterials Newsletters

 

Tuesday, September 8, 2003Volume 3, Issue 10

 

Director's Message

It is the beginning of the school year, and it is once again time to update your listing in the MRI Directory. There is a simple on-line form that will serve two purposes: to update our directory AND to update your one-page research profile on the MRI web site.

 

Please visit the MRI web site at www.mri.psu.edu and click on the "Directory" link in the menu bar.You can browse for your one-page research profile or, to get an idea as to what your colleagues have written, view the profiles of other faculty members. Once you are ready to complete the form, return to the "Directory" page and click on the link "Update Your Profile." You can login using your Penn State User ID and Password to complete the form.

 

This will not take much time, and is an important aspect of your MRI affiliation.These profiles are intended to help us market you and your research, as well as to assemble new interdisciplinary research teams.

 

Best wishes for a productive year.
Carlo Pantano

MRI Annual Picnic

MRI's 3rd annual picnic was a resounding success with nearly 300 participants. We had an ideal day to step back and relax. The food was great, the conversations were even better and many took the opportunity to play their favorite recreational activity. One of the highlights of the picnic was Carlo's unveiling of his Italian-made, full-body swim suit. Faculty, staff and students alike took part in the attempt to "splash the boss." Other dunkees were Susan Trolier-McKinstry, Clive Randall, John Hellmann (complete with cigar), Bob Cornwall, Kathy Moir, April Benson, and Kevin Abbey.

 

picnichellman

Summer Get-Togethers Wrap-Up

The Thursday afternoon wine-and-cheese Summer Get-Togethers provided interested parties an opportunity to explore new or proposed materials research centers. Collaborative programs for new research initiatives were pitched and team formation and funding were discussed. All initiatives are in the formative stages and we welcome your interest and contribution to the ongoing effort! These Get-Togethers are held in the summer - a somewhat less hectic time of year- but if you missed any, you can contact the speaker/discussion leader directly for their PowerPoint presentation or to talk with them about their initiative.

 

Hydrogen Energy Center
Bruce Logan
June 5, 2003

 

MEMS Initiative
Srinivas Tadigadapa
June 19, 2003

 

Sensor Technology Center
Mike Pishko and Craig Grimes
July 10, 2003

 

Laser/Materials Interactions "Instrumentation for Manufacturing Technology"
Judith Todd
July 17, 2003

 

Center for Functional Polymers
Ralph Colby
July 24, 2003

 

Center for Space Research
John Nousek
July 31, 2003

 

Materials Simulation
Zi Kui Liu
August 7, 2003

 

Bio Materials
Erwin Vogler and Jim Runt
August 21, 2003

NSF Nanoscale Science & Engineering Proposals

A University selection committee selected 5 Nanoscale Interdisciplinary Research Team (NIRT) pre-proposals from a total of 13 entries and 4 Nanoscale Exploratory Research (NER) from a total of 13 to submit full proposals to the fourth annual NSF Nanoscale Science & Engineering initiative. NSF criteria stipulated that 1 proposal from each category had to have an environmental or social science focus.

 

The five NIRTs selected include the following:

 

 

The four NER proposals included:

 

Worldwide Universities Network (WUN)

Bringing the "Wow" of Nanotechnology to the Public and the Science of Nanotechnology to the College Classroom

 

When: Tuesday 16 September 2003 at 12:00 p.m.
What: Videoconference Seminar
Where: 101 Technology Center

 

Sponsored by: University of Wisconsin-Madison MRSEC in conjunction with the Worldwide Universities Network Advanced Materials Group

 

Given by: Prof. Wendy Crone, Assistant Professor in the Department of Engineering Physics and Director of the Interdisciplinary Education Group (IEG) of the MRSEC on Nanostructured Materials and Interfaces

 

Abstract: This seminar will present an overview of methods and resources developed at the University of Wisconsin-Madison MRSEC/IEG for engaging the public in the exciting field of nanotechnology and for exploring science and engineering concepts through nanotechnology and advanced materials at the college level. The IEG has developed content resources such as educational kits, activity guides, web-based lab experiments, video libraries, and journal publications designed to interest and inform people of all ages about nanotechnology. Novel hands-on demonstrations and innovative laboratory experiments aimed at middle school, high school, and college students will be highlighted.

 

Educational product summary at:
http://www.mrsec.wisc.edu/nano/

IMAPS Annual Luncheon Meeting

The Keystone Chapter of the International Microelectronic and Packaging Society (IMAPS) announces:

 

Keystone IMAPS Annual Luncheon Meeting
Wednesday September 17, 2003
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Nittany Lion Inn (Fireside Room and Alumni Lounge)
Speakers: Dean Anderson and Srinivas Tadigadapa

 

Students are encouraged to attend and present posters; a total of $100 in prizes will be awarded. Easels will be provided for the posters (poster must be mounted appropriately for display on an easel).

 

To view full details go to:
http://www.mri.psu.edu/ematerials/v03i10/IMAPS.pdf

 

Contracts & Grants

Materials research accounted for more than $7.2 million in contracts and grants for the month of August! The largest of these contracts and grants (those greater than $200K) are listed below, along with a link to the complete list of contracts and grants. These data are provided by OSPs Strategic Information Management System.

 

Guo, Ruyan; Bhalla, Amar S; Local Dynamic Origins of Relaxor Ferroelectricity, National Science Foundation

 

Hancock, William; Jackson, Thomas N; Molecular Motor Biophotonics, National Science Foundation

 

Janowiak, John; Hoover, Kelli; Ray Sr, Charles D; Halbrendt, John M; Agrawal, Dinesh K; Dielectric and Microwave for the Phytosanitary Treatment of Wood Packing Material, U.S. Department of Agriculture

 

Pishko, Michael; Grimes, Craig A; Vibrating Nanostructures for Prevention of Biofouling on Implanted Devices, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

 

Snyder, David; Everson, William J; Advanced Semi-Insulating Silicon Carbide Substrate Technology, U.S. Department of the Navy

 

Thompson, Donald; Novel Starch Ingredients from Molecularly Dispersed High Amylose Maize Starch, U.S. Department of Agriculture

 

Velegol, Darrell; Fichthorn, Kristen A; Mayer, Theresa S; Keating, Christine D; NIRT: Bottom up assembly of metal and semiconductor nanowires: Fundamental forces to nanoelectronic circuits, National Science Foundation

 

Materials Seminars

Thursday, September 11, 2003

Time: 1:15 PM
Location: 26 Hosler Building
Title: Nanoscience with Electron Microscopy
Speaker: Jim Zuo, University of Illinois

Friday, September 19, 2003

Time: 3:35 PM
Location: 114 EES Building
Title: DOE center for integrated nanotechnologies
Speaker: Neal D. Shinn, Sandia National Laboratories
Series: Engineering Science & Mechanics Seminar

For a complete list of upcoming materials-related seminars go to:
http://www.mri.psu.edu/seminars.asp

Funding Opportunities