News

“Cutting edge” nanomaterial could be used in hydrogen storage Troy, N.Y. — Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have created a razor-like material that is truly on the “cutting edge” of nanotechnology. Called nanoblades, these first-of-their-kind magnesium nanomaterials challenge conventional wisdom about nanostructure growth, and could have applications in energy storage and fuel cell technology. The discovery is detailed in the September 2007 issue of the Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology.

Troy, N.Y. — Eleven senior faculty members, representing the five schools of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, have been appointed to a committee that will review the university’s faculty governance system. The Faculty Governance Review Committee, announced by Provost Robert Palazzo in a letter to the faculty Sept. 21, will be chaired by Jacob Fish, the Rosalind and John J. Redfern Jr. ’33 Professor of Engineering.

Troy, N.Y. — A group of computer scientists, mathematicians, and biologists from around the world have developed a computer algorithm that can help trace the genetic ancestry of thousands of individuals in minutes, without any prior knowledge of their background. The team’s findings will be published in the September 2007 edition of the journal PLoS Genetics.

Professor Jonathan Dordick honored by the American Chemical Society Troy, N.Y. — Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute had an impressive showing at the 234th American Chemical Society Meeting held in late August in Boston, Mass. Along with professor Jonathan S. Dordick winning a pair of major awards, nearly 60 faculty, researchers, and students presented papers and research findings on diverse topics ranging from proteomics to bioinformatics and the design of functional nanostructure materials.

Troy, N.Y. — Geochemists at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute are challenging commonly held ideas about how gases are expelled from the Earth. Their theory, which is described in the Sept. 20 issue of the journal Nature, could change the way scientists view the formation of Earth’s atmosphere and those of our distant neighbors, Mars and Venus. Their data throw into doubt the timing and mechanism of atmospheric formation on terrestrial planets.

Engineering professor Rich Radke participates in prestigious DARPA program Troy, N.Y. — It’s not every day an engineering professor gets to rub elbows with top military brass, watch from a few meters away as three F-15 fighter jets refuel in mid air, and stroll through a “petting zoo” of Cold War era Soviet machines of war.

Troy, N.Y. — George Makhatadze is a designer. But instead of expensive jeans and haute handbags, he is creating custom proteins that could improve everything from medication to detergent. Makhatadze is bringing his expertise in biology, chemistry, and computation to Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute as a chaired professor in the Biocomputation and Bioinformatics research constellation.

Professor Charles Malmborg Photo credit: RPI/Jill Evans

Two groups of researchers provide tools to speed stem cell research Troy, N.Y. — Engineers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have developed tools to help solve two of the main problems slowing the progress of stem cell research — how to quickly test stem cell response to different drugs or genes, and how to create a large supply of healthy, viable stem cells to study from only a few available cells.

New inductees range from stadium architects to designers of aircraft and international bridges Troy, N.Y. — Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute honored the achievements of seven extraordinary alumni by inducting them into the Alumni Hall of Fame on Sept. 7. With talents spanning a variety of disciplines including architecture, aircraft and bridge design, geology, chemical engineering, and communications, the 2007 Hall of Fame inductees continue the exceptional heritage of Rensselaer’s distinguished graduates.