Troy, N.Y. — The Lighting Research Center (LRC) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, N.Y., has been selected by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to join its “Centers of Excellence” program.
Monthly lectures to be videoconferenced to new partners at Cornell University’s Center for Life Science Enterprise, Syracuse Technology Garden Incubator, and CNY MedTech
Troy, N.Y. — Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has appointed John Wen as the new director of the Center for Automation Technologies and Systems (CATS). Wen brings extensive experience in robotics to the center, which matches Rensselaer research with targeted industrial applications ranging from manufacturing and microsystems assembly to the automation of medical systems.
First Student Awards for “Idea Competition” Presented at Homecoming Today Troy, N.Y. — Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute alumnus and entrepreneur Sean O’Sullivan ’85 has donated $1 million to create the “Change the World Challenge,” an initiative to support entrepreneurship education and stimulate ideas to improve the human condition. The program was officially launched today with the first round of $1,000 awards presented to five Rensselaer students.
Troy, N.Y. — Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute are exploring the potential of nanomechanical systems by making and testing springs, rods, and beams on the nanoscale. They have been awarded a $1.15 million grant from the National Science Foundation for the research.
Troy, N.Y. — Diamonds have always been alluring, but now a team of scientists has made them truly magnetic — on the nanoscale. In a paper published in the Aug. 26 issue of Physical Review Letters, the researchers report a technique to make magnetic diamond particles only 4-5 nanometers across. The tiny diamond magnets could find use in fields ranging from medicine to information technology.
Samuel Palmisano also to receive honorary doctorate in humane letters
Portion of 8th Street to be named for Garnet Douglass Baltimore Troy, N.Y. — Garnet Douglass Baltimore, a distinguished civil engineer and landscape designer, who was the first African-American to earn a bachelor’s degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, will be celebrated on Sept. 8, when the city of Troy ceremonially renames a portion of 8th Street in his honor.
Arthur C. Sanderson to outline study findings on U.S. competitiveness in robotic vehicles
Troy, N.Y. — In response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute officials announced that the university will open its doors to 100 students from Tulane University and Xavier University of Louisiana in New Orleans, along with students who are from the New York state Capital Region and who also have been displaced from their academic pursuits by this tragedy.