February 3, 2005

Vol. 15, No. 28

The "8 1/2 x 11 News" is published each week by the University Advancement Division. News of campus interest should be sent to one of the following editors:   Ed Delaney, 412-268-1609 (ed47@andrew.cmu.edu)
  Bruce Gerson, 412-268-1613 (bg02@andrew.cmu.edu)
  Susan Cribbs, 412-268-7521 (cribbs@andrew.cmu.edu)

The newsletter is available on the official.cmu-news and cmu.misc.news bulletin boards.

2001 Editions are available online.

2002 Editions are available online.

2003 Editions are available online.

2004 Editions are available online.

Previous editions are available online.

Carnegie Mellon and the Department of Energy's National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) have developed a new computational modeling tool that could make the production of hydrogen cheaper as the United States seeks to expand its portfolio of alternative energy supplies. The research supported by the Department of Energy's Office of Fossil Energy and reported in the current issue of the journal Science, predicts hydrogen flux through metal alloy separation membranes that could be used to produce pure hydrogen.

—"We coupled computational modeling with experimental activity to develop a predictive model for hydrogen flux through copper palladium alloys," said David Sholl, associate professor of chemical engineering at Carnegie Mellon. "We now have a solid method in the screening of other complex alloys for the future production of hydrogen. Ultimately, we see our new computational tools helping to take us into the new hydrogen economy as we scramble to harness this clean fuel, increasingly driven by our long-term worries about oil supplies as well as environmental challenges," he said. Information: http://www.cmu.edu/PR/releases05/050127_hydrogen.html

RESEARCHERS WIN SENSOR THAT WILL ADVANCE SCIENCE IN HUMANOID ROBOTICS

Researchers in the Robotics Institute's Computer Graphics and Vision and Mobile Robotics (VMR) laboratories pooled their expertise to win a real-time, 3D camera in a contest sponsored by Canesta, a San Jose, Calif., company that manufactures high-end sensors. The company is trying to find new applications for its sensor, a flash LADAR that provides real-time range measurements at short range. Research Scientist James Kuffner, Systems Scientist Daniel Huber and Project Scientist Nicolas Vandapel proposed using the Canesta sensor to improve the sensing capabilities of humanoid robots for footstep planning, manipulation and object recognition. Their idea was one of 10 that received an award from the company.

—Further information: http://www.ri.cmu.edu/projects/project_321.html.

CARNEGIE MELLON AND USC COMPETE IN ONLINE GAMING TOURNAMENT

Students from Carnegie Mellon's Entertainment Technology Center have accepted the University of Southern California's (USC) challenge to a bicoastal online gaming tournament. The tournament will take place on the Carnegie Mellon and USC campuses beginning at 3 p.m., EST, on Friday, Feb. 4. Three students from each university will compete and be scored in three rounds testing players' comprehensive skills in five major game categories. The tournament games include: "Literati," a word game played through Yahoo Games; "Burnout 3," a driving game played through X-Box Live; "Carcassonne," a strategy game played though Brettspeilwelt; "Set," a puzzle game played through www.sparkyb.net/set; and "Halo 2," a shooting game played through X-Box Live.

—The competition will be refereed by faculty advisors at both schools, who will communicate via phone.

NEWS BRIEFS

—The Master of Science in Information Technology (MSIT)program is hosting a virtual open house from 5 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 16. Log onto http://www.msit.cmu.edu to be connected with the program director and admissions representative. Have your questions answered without leaving your desk or home. This part-time program offers evening courses all year and one can begin the program in January, May and August.

—Nominations for the Carnegie Mellon Student Employee of the Year Award are due to Pati Kravetz, director of Student Employment, by Feb. 18. The award recipient will be announced at the Student Employee Appreciation Lunch on April 6. Nomination forms and general information are available in the Student Employment upcoming events section on the Career Center Web site, http://www.cmu.edu/career

—On Monday, Feb. 7, the Communications Design Group, which has been in the Publications & Printing Building for more than 20 years, will move to the first floor of the Alumni House. Design, production, project management, print expediting and proofreading/editing services will not be interrupted.

—Graduate Support Programs is hosting two graduate women's luncheons next week. At 12:15 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 8, there will be a Connecting Luncheon for female graduates in the Connan room, UC. At noon, Friday, Feb. 11, Linda Babcock, professor of economics at the Heinz School, will speak on "Women and Negotiation" in Rangos 2. To register, go to http://gposerver.as.cmu.edu/registration/multiregis.html

—The International Association for the Leisure and Entertainment Industries (IALEI), based in Hillsboro, N.H., and the Carnegie Mellon Entertainment Technology Center (ETC) have formed a partnership that will make IALEI's vast resources and experience in family entertainment centers available to the ETC, while bringing ETC technologies to the attention of IALEI members. This exclusive agreement will provide numerous educational and professional opportunities for ETC students, faculty and staff.

—The American Cancer Society's "Daffodil Days" are March 14 - 20. Orders and payment must be received by Monday, Feb. 28. Proceeds from Daffodil Days benefit American Cancer Society research, education, advocacy and patient services. The list of items available, and contact information for campus representatives, are posted on official.cmu-news, Jan. 26. Orders will be available for pick-up on Tuesday, March 15.

PERSONAL MENTION

—Erika Linke, associate dean of University Libraries, has been elected to a three-year term on the PALINET board of trustees. PALINET is a cooperative membership organization of institutions that collect, preserve and provide access to the record of humankind.

—The Reference and User Services Association of the American Library Association has selected Paul Neuhaus, social sciences librarian at Hunt Library, to receive the 2005 Reference Service Press Award. The award recognizes the most outstanding article published in "Reference & User Services Quarterly" during the preceding year. Neuhaus was honored for "Current Issues: Privacy and Confidentiality in Digital Reference" in the Fall 2003 issue.

—Raj Reddy, the Herbert A. Simon University Professor of Computer Science and Robotics, has been awarded the 2005 International Joint Conferences on Artificial Intelligence Donald E. Walker Distinguished Service Award for his pioneering research in Artificial Intelligence and human-computer interaction.

—Michael Johnson, associate professor of management science and urban affairs in the Heinz School, has been featured as a standout scholar in the journal "Black Issues in Higher Education." Johnson applies management science and information technology tools to issues of housing. Further information is posted at: http://www.heinz.cmu.edu/whatsnew/poised.html

—Sandra Slaughter, associate professor of information systems at theTepper School, has been appointed senior editor of the journal "Information Systems Research" for a three-year term.

—Jim Kownacki, manager of the Bookstore, is one of a small group of college store professionals who have successfully passed a nationally audited test to earn the distinction of Certified Collegiate Retailer. Candidates were tested on their core knowledge of store operations and fiscal management; intellectual property; general retailing concepts and practices; marketing and leadership and business stewardship.

—Research Biologist Yi-Jen Lin Wu won first prize in the Best Basic Science Research category for his presentation at the annual conference of the Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance. Wu and his colleagues in Professor Chien Ho's research group at the Pittsburgh NMR Center for Biomedical Research work on "in vivo tracking with MRI."

CALENDAR HIGHLIGHTS

—Friday, Feb. 4: Center for the Foundation of Robotics and TechBridgeWorld Seminar. "Meeting Arab Socio-Economic Development Needs Through Information and Communications Technologies." Fouad Mrad, professor of electrical and computer engineering, American University, Beirut, Lebanon. 12:30 p.m., 1305 Newell-Simon Hall.

—Saturday, Feb. 12: The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra (PSO) invites Carnegie Mellon students, alumni, staff and faculty to enjoy "Carnegie Mellon University Night at the Symphony," 8 p.m., Heinz Hall. A dessert buffet for Carnegie Mellon guests and PSO musicians will follow the concert. Discount tickets for the Carnegie Mellon community must be purchased by 2 p.m., Friday, Feb. 11, at the UC Information Desk. Tickets are $12, Gallery; $17, Family Circle; and $25, Orchestra.

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