Troy, N.Y. — Carbon nanotubes have enticed researchers since their discovery in 1991, offering an impressive combination of high strength and low weight. Now a new study suggests that they also act like “super-compressible” springs, opening the door to foam-like materials for just about any application where strength and flexibility are needed, from disposable coffee cups to the exterior of the space shuttle.

Troy, N.Y . — From tissue engineering to treating water with nanotubes, more than 30 scientists from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute will be presenting findings at the 2005 Materials Research Society (MRS) Fall Meeting Nov. 28-Dec. 2 in Boston. The meeting, with 42 technical symposia and almost 4,700 oral and poster presentations, will feature the latest materials research in fields ranging from biomimetics to environmental nanotechnology. Below are highlights of the presentations from Rensselaer researchers: 

Troy, N.Y. — It is clear that there were multiple causes for the levee failures in New Orleans, but researchers need to gather more data to better understand what they were and how to rebuild properly after the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina, according to testimony today before the U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works.

TROY, N.Y. — Governor George E. Pataki today announced that Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has received one of six New York State Office of Science, Technology, and Academic Research (NYSTAR) James D. Watson Investigator Program Awards. The Watson Program is designed to recognize and support outstanding scientists and engineers who, early in their careers, show potential for leadership and scientific discovery in the field of biotechnology.

Troy, N.Y. — Omkaram “Om” Nalamasu, vice president for research at Rensselaer, has been honored with the Pride of India Gold award. Presented by the NRI Institute, the award recognizes nonresident Indians for outstanding achievements in their chosen fields and for contributions toward the economic development of India and the country of their adoption.

TROY, N.Y. — Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute researchers have started a new fundamental research project on the component that is often referred to as the heart of a fuel cell — the polymer membrane. Researchers are testing a new type of polymer membrane, created at Rensselaer, for potential use in proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell and hydrogen applications. The project is funded by a projected three-year, $900,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Energy.

Troy, N.Y. — Echoes of a “hydrogen economy” are reverberating across the country, but a number of roadblocks stand in the way. One of the biggest, experts say, is the high cost of manufacturing fuel cells. A new research project at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute aims to tackle the challenge of mass production by using robots to assemble fuel cell stacks.

Troy, N.Y. — Researchers investigating levee failures in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina have released their preliminary findings. In a report presented to the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Nov. 2, the team, which included an engineer from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, suggested that many of the New Orleans levee and floodwall breaches occurred at weak-link junctions where different levee or wall sections came together.

Troy, N.Y. — A Rensselaer researcher has been awarded $845,000 in federal funding to create improved computer representations of terrain on the surface of the Earth and beyond. The research could have a variety of both military and civilian applications, from strategically positioning soldiers to placing radio towers on the moon.

Troy, N.Y. — Michael Shur, the Patricia W. and C. Sheldon Roberts ’48 Chaired Professor in Solid State Electronics at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, has been elected as a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). Shur is one of 376 newly elected fellows recognized for their efforts to advance science applications that are deemed scientifically or socially distinguished, according to AAAS. The announcement was made in today’s issue of Science.