Troy, N.Y. — Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is partnering with Cornell University to test the effects of earthquakes on underground pipeline systems used for water, electric power, gas and liquid fuel, telecommunications, transportation, and waste. The four-year project is funded by a $2 million National Science Foundation (NSF) Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation (NEES) research grant. Cornell University is leading the project, with Rensselaer’s portion of the grant totaling $746,822.

$4.8 Million Investment To Prepare the Next Generation of Fuel Cell Researchers Troy, N.Y. — Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, as part of its continued expansion of energy research, today announced a $4.8 million novel interdisciplinary program to train doctoral students in fuel cell science and engineering. The program is supported by a $3.2 million, first-of-its-kind fuel cell research education grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) combined with a $1.6 million investment by Rensselaer.

Troy, N.Y. — Three teams of architecture majors at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute received recognition for their ideas and designs to create an alternative master plan for the Palestinian village of Ein Hud in Israel.

Troy, N.Y — Richard T. Lahey Jr., a pioneer in the field of nuclear reactor technology and safety who is now exploring sonofusion, a new form of nuclear fusion, has been awarded an Alexander von Humboldt Senior Scientist Fellowship, one of the most prestigious honors given to senior researchers around the world. Lahey is the Edward Hood Jr. Professor of Engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

Troy, N.Y. — Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and Ben-Gurion University in Israel have published results of a new experiment that found water molecules are made up of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom, even during very short time intervals. The results dispute previous claims made by another research group suggesting a change in the chemical formula of water.

New energy research center in partnership with Cornell University and Brookhaven National Lab

Troy, N.Y. — Christopher Bystroff, associate professor of biology at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, has been awarded a Faculty Early Career Development Award (CAREER) from the National Science Foundation (NSF). Bystroff will use the projected five-year, $783,768 grant to work on developing five statistical models that represent various stages in the folding of proteins. 

Rensselaer Researchers Detail Potential for Smart Lighting in Science Troy, N.Y. — “Smart” solid-state light sources now being developed not only have the potential to provide significant energy savings, but also offer new opportunities for applications that go well beyond the lighting provided by conventional incandescent and fluorescent sources, according to E. Fred Schubert and Jong Kyu Kim of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

Honorary degree recipients also include Paul A. Volcker, Robert T. Coonrod, and Joé Juneau ’91 Troy, N.Y. — United States Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-N.Y.) encouraged the Class of 2005 to “always stand true to yourselves” and to “stand up for research and for open inquiry” in her address today to approximately 1,100 graduates at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute’s 199th Commencement at the Harkness Field.

Troy, N.Y. — Each year, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute recognizes graduates who strive to maximize their potential through high-ranking achievements in academics, athletics, community service, and leadership. Following are three examples of students who have worked to better the standing of Rensselaer both on and off campus, through their contributions and service to Rensselaer and the local community.