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1. Drill Here! Locating Drinking Water Under Challenging Conditions |
by Jennifer Donovan, public relations director
Volcanic ground is a challenging place to drill water wells. In central Nicaragua, situated on volcanic bedrock, only three of every 10 wells drilled produce sufficient water for even one household.
That's because, in volcanic rock, groundwater flows primarily through fracture zones that can't be seen on the earth's surface. Locating those underground fractures can improve the well-drilling success rate dramatically. But up to now, there has been virtually no funding for groundwater exploration and little research into using remote sensors such as satellite images to identify the location of subsurface faults and fractures.
As part of a larger, National Science Foundation-funded research project titled "Remote Sensing for Hazards Mitigation and Resource Protection in Latin America," a graduate student in geological and mining engineering and sciences designed a map using remote sensing images to locate underground fractures.
Jill Bruning, who recently received her master's degree from Michigan Tech, faculty advisor John Gierke, an associate professor of geological and mining engineering and sciences, and other students then took the map to Nicaragua for field testing. The goal of their research was to determine which data-processing tools work best with various types of remotely sensed images, field observations and other data to create an effective, efficient method for identifying the best places to drill in challenging terrain.
Bruning's research asked and answered three questions:
* What type of image or combination of image types will best detect lineaments, which are surface characteristics that reveal subsurface structures?
* What processing and interpretation techniques enhance the surface appearance that indicates fracturing below ground?
* How do lineaments identified from remotely sensed images compare to field observations?
She used several kinds of satellite images and several data-processing techniques, overlaying the results to find areas of coincidence between lineament interpretations from the different images. In addition to developing the method, Bruning determined that RADARSAT-1 products are superior to other types of satellite images because they maximize the topographic, or surface, features of the ground.
No single type of satellite image identified all the lineaments in the final map. However, says Bruning, the method of employing images from multiple sensors is a low-cost, non-invasive way to improve groundwater exploration in remote and geologically challenging areas. |
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2. Stream Named GLIAC Player of the Week |
by Wes Frahm, director of athletic marketing and communications
Sarah Stream is the third Michigan Tech women's basketball player to earn Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference North Division Player of the Week title this season. The Ishpeming native averaged 16.5 points, 2.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists without a single turnover in two GLIAC wins last week.
Stream tallied 13 points and four assists in just 17 minutes of action in a 91-43 victory over Saginaw Valley State Thursday, Jan. 22. The 5-7 junior point guard followed that up with 20 points and six assists in a 74-56 triumph over Lake Superior State Saturday, Jan. 24. She was 11-of-17 from the field, 4-of-5 from 3-point range and 7-of-8 from the foul line on the week.
Stream, who joins Danae Danen and Katie Wysocky as Tech's 2008-09 women's basketball players of the week, averages 10.6 points and 3.9 assists per game. She leads the GLIAC in assist-to-turnover ratio at 3.0-to-1.
Michigan Tech is 15-2 overall and 12-0 in the GLIAC. The 10th-ranked Huskies will host Grand Valley State and Ferris State at the SDC Gym this week. Thursday's (Jan. 29) game versus GVSU (15-2, 11-1 GLIAC) will be for first place in the GLIAC. |
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3. Reminder: Michigan Tech vs. NMU Blood and Food Drives Today |
submitted by Counseling and Wellness Services
The UP Regional Blood Center and student leadership organization Circle K will host this year's blood drive versus Northern Michigan University, and a food drive will be added to the competition. The two drives will be held today, Wednesday, Jan. 28, from noon to 6 p.m. in the West McNair Lounge.
The blood drive competition is in its ninth year, and Michigan Tech has squeaked by with a win every single year. We need your help to keep this winning streak alive. And our standards have been set high. Last year, Tech shattered the entire competition's record by donating 192 pints of blood. Let's see if we can do it again.
This is the first year for a food drive competition, so let's be sure to come out strong and beat the Wildcats.
Guidelines for Donating Blood
Donors must be healthy, at least 17 years old and at least 110 pounds. Bring a picture ID, be sure to eat within two hours of donating and make sure you're well hydrated. No pre-registration is required. Refreshments will be served to all donors.
Guidelines for Donating Food
Bring nonperishable food items only. Avoid glass containers--food items packaged in plastic containers or tin cans and boxed items are best. Some of the most-needed donation items include canned meats, such as chicken, turkey, ham and beef stew; canned fish, such as tuna, mackerel and salmon; canned vegetables; canned fruits; soups; peanut butter; pasta; rice; and macaroni and cheese.
Help us save lives, fight hunger and beat NMU.
Email questions to wellness@mtu.edu or call Counseling and Wellness Services at 487-2538. |
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4. Students, Alumni Win Prizes at SBE Hockey Reception |
Students, faculty and alumni enjoyed food, hockey and social networking at a reception hosted by the School of Business and Economics at the Begg Conference Center. At the reception, held Friday, Jan. 16, during the intermissions of the Michigan Tech hockey game versus North Dakota, five lucky Huskies fans scored great prizes.
* Elizabeth Gilreath, a family member of an alumnus, won a $15 gift certificate to the Campus Bookstore.
* Undergraduate Theresa Laubrick won a $25 gift certificate to the Campus Bookstore.
* Undergraduate Josh Floyd won an SBE sweatshirt.
* Alumnus Robert Peters won an SBE prize bag.
* Alumna Kelly Johnson took home a hockey stick signed by the Huskies. |
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5. Reminder: Lunch and Learn Today on Autism |
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The Benefits Office, along with Little Huskies Child Development Center, will host a Lunch and Learn today, Wednesday, Jan. 28, from noon to 1 p.m. in Memorial Union Alumni Lounge A. Linda Reynolds, special education and autism coordinator of the Copper Country Intermediate School District, will present "What is Autism?" Bring your lunch; beverages will be provided. |
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6. Job Posting |
Staff job descriptions are available in the Human Resources Office or at http://www.admin.mtu.edu/hro/postings . For more information regarding staff positions, call 487-2280 or email jobs@mtu.edu .
Faculty job descriptions can be found at www.admin.mtu.edu/hro/facpers/facvac.htm . For more information regarding faculty positions, contact the academic department in which the position is posted.
Faculty Position
Non-Tenure-Track Lecturer
Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics
Michigan Technological University is an equal opportunity educational institution/equal opportunity employer. |
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