News

Mechatronic system featured in keynote address at international engineering conference

Troy, N.Y. — The Department of Cognitive Science at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute will host the 2006 North American Computing and Philosophy (NA-CAP) conference Aug. 10 – 12, 2006. The three-day symposium will feature lectures and demonstrations from leading researchers in the fields of cognitive science, philosophy, artificial intelligence (AI), computer science, information technology, and engineering.

Troy, N.Y. — Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s Lighting Research Center (LRC) has demonstrated that headlight glare may increase driver discomfort and result in poor visibility.

TROY, N.Y. — Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute President Shirley Ann Jackson today announced the appointment of Donald R. Fry as vice president for institute advancement. The vice president for institute advancement is responsible for oversight of the division of advancement strategy, services, and infrastructure; alumni relations; and development, including the Rensselaer Annual Fund, and individual, corporate, foundation, and international advancement.

TROY, N.Y. — Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have discovered a communication signal between cells that plays an important role in cell adhesion and detachment. The finding provides new information about how cells and tissues determine when to let go from surfaces during new growth, according to the researchers.

TROY, N.Y. — Linda B. McGown, professor and chair of chemistry and chemical biology at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, has been appointed the William Weightman Walker Chair of Chemistry and Chemical Biology at Rensselaer. Established in 1905, the Walker Chair is one of the two oldest named professorships at Rensselaer.

Troy, N.Y. — Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has received notification that the Middle States Commission acted to reaffirm the Institute’s accreditation at its June 22 session.  Jessica S. Kozloff, chair of the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, wrote in a letter that the Commission “commended” Rensselaer for the quality of the self-study report submitted in conjunction with the accreditation process.

Businesses Focused on Vibro-Diagnostics, Renewable Energy, 3-D Modeling, “Zombie-Zapping” Aviation Safety, and Terahertz Instrumentation Troy, N.Y. — Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s Incubator Program today announced that six new high-technology companies will join the Incubator. The companies — represented by members of the Rensselaer community and beyond — are focused on vibro-diagnostics, renewable energy, 3-D modeling, zombie-zapping, aviation safety, and terahertz instrumentation technologies.

Troy, N.Y. — Researchers have created organic gel nanomaterials that could be used to encapsulate pharmaceutical, food, and cosmetic products and to build 3-D biological scaffolds for tissue engineering. Using olive oil and six other liquid solvents, the scientists added a simple enzyme to chemically activate a sugar that changed the liquids to organic gels.