Research
Sponsored by The National Science Foundation, the Engineering Research Centers (ERCs) conduct engineered systems-focused interdisciplinary research, linking universities across the United States with industry. The collaborative project exposes "prospective students (both graduate and undergraduate) to industrial views in order to build competence in engineering practice and to produce engineering graduates with the depth and breadth of education needed for success in technological innovation and for effective leadership of interdisciplinary teams throughout their careers." Current centers cover a range of topics including: Microelectronic Systems and Information Technology, Earthquake Engineering, Design and Manufacturing, and Bioengineering. Visitors can read more about the work of the Centers from the extensive Achievements Showcase, or about the ERC concept through a Best Practices Manual on developing a similar university-industry partnership. Curricula developed for graduate and undergraduate instruction, and information on other education programs are also available online. [VF]
The Institute of Environmental Sciences and Technology (IEST) is a not-for-profit association of individuals from multiple disciplines recognized internationally for their contributions to the environmental sciences. IEST covers the areas of contamination control in electronics manufacturing and pharmaceutical processes; design, test, and evaluation of commercial and military equipment; and product reliability issues associated with commercial and military systems. The ISO Standards and Drafts developed by IEST are only available for a fee through the Publications Store. Other resources include a job board, a journal (also only for paying members) and information on technical services and professional development courses and conferences offered through IEST. [VF]
http://www.gametheory.net/html/links.html#journals
This website has a wealth of resources on game theory and its applications to economics, business, political science, computer science, and other disciplines. Some of the resources include links to journals, associations, teaching resources, and major web portals. From the links provided, visitors can read about the history of game theory, experiment with games that demonstrate key concepts in a fun, interactive way, and review course syllabi and other relevant documents on game theory. The collection is intended to provide resources that make the material more approachable for students. Educators are requested to submit lecture notes, teaching strategies, comments on textbooks, or other suggestions; while students are encouraged to submit commentary on their experiences with learning game theory. [VF]
http://www.etc.cmu.edu/projects/dome/
This website describes the Interactive Dome Project of the Carnegie Mellon University Entertainment Technology Center. The project explores how interactivity can work effectively in a dome environment and the possibilities for building something "to show off the capabilities of the dome." This is the initial project in a series of many that will run a 3D engine to explore uses of the dome and ultimately build and package a prototype experience. Some psychadelic photos and quicktime videos that combine "playful interactivity with psychedelic visuals and atmospheric beats" are available online, as well as photos of the inflated dome and various hardware. Documentation is ultimately part of the project, but not yet posted online. A timeline indicates final presentations will be in May, 2004. [VF]
http://www4.nationalacademies.org/news.nsf/isbn/0309091632
This news release from the National Academies reviews findings on the challenges and opportunities for a Hydrogen Economy. According to the report, "A transition to hydrogen as a major fuel in the next 50 years could significantly change the U.S. energy economy, reducing air emissions and expanding domestic energy resources, but technical, economic, and infrastructure barriers need to be overcome." A link to the full report online includes chapters on: A Framework for Thinking About the Hydrogen Economy, The Demand Side: Hydrogen End-Use Technologies, Transportation, Distribution, and Storage of Hydrogen, Supply Chains for Hydrogen and Estimated Costs of Hydrogen Supply, Implications of a Transition to Hydrogen in Vehicles for the U.S. Energy System, Carbon Capture and Storage, Hydrogen Production Technologies, and Crosscutting Issues. The Executive Summary includes some implications for policy. [VF]
http://ppewww.ph.gla.ac.uk/~doherty/CoreMemIndex.html
A researcher from the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Glasgow provides this website on Magnetic RAM (MRAM) -- a non-volatile memory storage system similar to Flash memory except that it uses less power and switches faster. Predicting that "2005 could see mass production of MRAM parts" to be used in powering instant-on computers and computers that are in stand-by power-savings mode (as is currently done with PDAs and laptops), the author reviews some of the physical challenges yet to be overcome. The website provides some basic information on magnetic memory and binary notation, as well as sections on: the Principle of the Magnetic Memory, The Rectangular Hysterisis Loop, A Magnetic Memory Element, Arrangement of Magnetic Core Memories, Relation between the Decimal and Binary Codes, How Numbers Are Stored in a Memory, How a Binary-Coded Decimal Digit is 'written in,' How a Digit is 'read out,' and a Complete Wiring Diagram of a Matrix Plane. [VF]
http://www.che.caltech.edu/groups/jfb/
This website describes a research project focused on fluid mechanics and transport processes, with an emphasis on "problems at the interface between continuum mechanics and statistical mechanics." The John F. Brady research group uses its own computational method known as Stokesian Dynamics to study complex fluids, and develop and solve macroscopic equations to describe transport in heterogeneous media. Most of the abstracts from the more recent publications are available online. Videos produced as part of the group's research include, Diffusion in Simple Shear Flow, Stokesian Dynamics: Pressure Driven Flow of Suspensions, Stokesian Dynamics Simulation of an Electroreological Fluid, Statistical Mechanics of Bubbly Liquids, Simulation of Colloidal, and Brownian Dynamics. There are also a few presentations that are available online in the pdf format. [VF]
The Lighting Research Center is part of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (offering the world's only M.S. degree in lighting study) and provides "objective information about lighting technologies, applications, and products." The center also provides training programs for government agencies, contractors, and other lighting professionals. Specifically, the research addresses energy efficiency, new products and technologies, lighting design, and human factors issues. The online newsletter reviews some of this research, and a number of full reports are in are available to download. Online educational courses and seminars are offered online for a fee. [VF]
