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1. Tech Receives Funding for Innovation and Commercializing Research |
by John Gagnon, promotional writer
Michigan Tech has received more than $200,000 to help take scientific research to the marketplace, promote industry and university collaboration, and advance the state's economy.
John Diebel, licensing associate, was one of several staff in Technology and Economic Development who helped attract the funds from the Michigan Initiative for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (MIIE).
MIIE helps all fifteen public universities in Michigan promote entrepreneurship, transfer technology to the private sector, and create partnerships within industry.
MIEE is supported by the New Economy Initiative of Southeast Michigan, a consortium of ten local and national foundations. It has also received funds from the C.S. Mott Foundation.
"The initiative helps get technology off the shelf and into industry," Diebel said. "It also helps to attract private investment. And it's an effort to spur job creation and economic growth in the state."
This spring, MIIE awarded $1.4 million in grants; Michigan Tech's portion was $228,512 for four initiatives.
* $100,000 for the consolidation and improvement of a laboratory to test engines, power trains and instrumentation, in partnership with several automotive companies. The leaders involved are all from ME-EM: Associate Professors Jeffrey Naber and Jason Blough and Research Engineer Jeremy Worm.
* $62,512 for using Upper Michigan's ubiquitous stamp sand, which contains copper, a biocide that leaches out and kills the growth of algae and mold, applied to roofing shingles. Spearheading the effort are Associate Professor Ralph Hodek (CEE), Bowen Li (MSE) and Professor Jiann-Yang (Jim) Hwang (MSE).
* $35,000 for a student-led consulting unit that addresses business development, talent retention, and entrepreneurship. This is a collaboration of the Michigan Tech Enterprise Corporation SmartZone and Bob Mark, professor of practice (SBE) and director of Michigan Tech's Center for Technological Innovation, Leadership and Entrepreneurship.
* $28,075 for advancing technology, discovered in the lab of Assistant Professor Ryan Gilbert (biomedical engineering), that could be used for such applications as spinal cord injuries and tendon repair.
This is the third round of MIIE awards. Some of the projects that MIIE and its predecessor, the Michigan Universities Commercialization Initiative, supported in the past have included the treatment and prevention of osteoporosis; lighter-weight, better-performing batteries; fuel-cell advances; and acoustical procedures to assess the oil in sandalwood, a tree prized for its fragrant oil.
Diebel said that one reason for Tech's successful solicitation of MIIE funds is corporate involvement. Most of Tech's projects have an industry sponsor or partner, he noted, a factor that MIIE reviewers favor because it moves a project closer to the marketplace and improves the chances of success. The ME-EM laboratory project, for example, is supported by General Motors, the Chrysler Foundation and the AVL Group.
"Industry cooperation goes a long way toward viability," Diebel said. "These business partners are closely attuned to the market. If they see dramatic change or improvement, they're going to get involved and make a commitment of financial or in-kind support."
"MIIE support," Diebel added, "is designed to give university researchers the means to get across what is commonly called 'the valley of death' in innovation--to go from a good laboratory idea to industry, to go from a concept to a prototype."
Diebel, who serves on one of MIIE's review committees, said that the MIIE review process is efficient and timely. The outlays occur whenever the MIIE has money to disperse, which could be two or three times per year.
The quick turnaround on applications is good, Diebel said. "It's a fast path to commercialization. We're very pleased about that because technology changes so fast--often too fast--it's hard to stay current with a long lag time between proposal submission and funding. The market doesn't wait." |
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2. Enroll in Michigan Tech's Retirement Matching Program in July |
July is open enrollment month for the 2-percent matching program in the Michigan Tech Base Retirement Plan (TIAA-CREF and/or Fidelity). Eligible employees have the option to pay in an additional 2 percent of their salary to have it matched by Michigan Tech.
If you would like to participate in the matching program, return the appropriate enrollment form to the Benefits Office by Wednesday, July 15. If you have questions about the matching program or would like to request a form, call the Benefits Office at 487-2517 or email Nancy Bykkonen at nabykkon@mtu.edu . |
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3. Rozsa Center Seeking Artificial Christmas Trees |
submitted by Erin Ross, Class Acts coordinator
The Rozsa Center is looking forward to Christmas in July.
When you're uncluttering your basement or attic this summer, keep the Rozsa Center in mind. Instead of throwing away that old Christmas tree or selling it in a rummage sale, consider donating it to the Class Acts program.
The Rozsa Center will accept two-to-four-foot Christmas trees for its 2009 Silent Christmas Tree Auction. The proceeds from the auction will go toward the Center's Class Acts series of performing arts events that benefit thousands of K-12 students.
If your department would like to decorate a tree for this year's auction, contact Erin Ross at the Rozsa Center for more information, 487-2390 or enross@mtu.edu . Trees will be on display and bids will be taken Dec. 1-11. |
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4. Reminder: Sail on a Great Lakes Schooner, Earn Continuing Education Credit |
Michigan Tech is partnering with the Keweenaw Land Trust to offer one continuing education credit for a two-day Lake Superior expedition on the Great Lakes Schooner S/V Denis Sullivan on June 29 and 30.
The expedition is a hands-on experience where participants will learn the rigging and traditional sailing techniques of a three-masted Great Lakes schooner and US Coast Guard-certified sailing-school vessel. Everyone will raise a sail and take a turn at the wheel. During the expedition, participants will explore terrestrial and lake ecology and conservation and study history and culture through a maritime lens.
The schooner will also take several two-to-three-hour day sails from the Houghton waterfront on June 27 and 28. During these trips, the crew will explain the construction of the vessel and share stories of Great Lakes maritime history.
For information and tickets, call the Keweenaw Land Trust at 482-0820 or email info@keweenawlandtrust.org . |
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5. Portage Lake Golf Course Junior Tournament Sunday |
The Portage Lake Golf Course announces its Junior Tournament, set for Sunday, June 28, with the following divisions: boys and girls 17 and under (can be 18 if still attending high school), 14 and under, 12 and under, and 10 and under.
Registration begins at 12:30 p.m. for 17 and under and 14 and under divisions. Registration begins at 1:30 p.m. for 12 and under and 10 and under divisions.
Tee Times begin at 1 p.m., and the cost is $15 for members and $20 for nonmembers and includes hot dogs, chips and soda. The entry deadline is Friday, June 26. |
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6. Graduate School Seminar July 7: Introduction to Adobe Acrobat |
Join the Graduate School for a seminar on the basics of Adobe Acrobat Tuesday, July 7, at 2 p.m. Michigan Tech has a site license for Acrobat, and all theses and dissertations are required to be submitted in a pdf file format.
Topics include how to generate and edit a pdf file, embed fonts and insert hyperlinks and bookmarks.
To register, visit www.gradschool2.mtu.edu/registration/events/ .
Once you register, you will receive a confirmation email with the seminar location. Space is limited, so register early.
A video of the seminar will be available online at a later date for those unable to attend. |
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7. Michigan Tech Notables |
John W. Sutherland, the Henes Chair Professor of Mechanical Engineering, was honored with the Society of Manufacturing Engineers Education Award during the society's recent annual conference, in Philadelphia. Sutherland was selected for his efforts to develop manufacturing curricula and inspire students to enter the profession of manufacturing.
Sutherland's curricula contributions include establishing innovative sustainability courses in environmentally responsible design and manufacturing. He has also secured $20 million for his green research efforts, mentored more than 70 graduate students and authored nearly 250 papers.
As the current director of the Sustainable Futures Institute, Sutherland has fostered its growth and image as an international leader in sustainability research, education and outreach. |
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8. Job Posting |
Staff job descriptions are available in Human Resources 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.
Staff Job Posting
06/24/09-06/30/09
Custodian
Memorial Union Building
AFSCME internal and external posting
(Part-time, 12-month, no-base position; primarily first and second shift, occasionally third shift; will often entail evenings and weekends)
Michigan Technological University is an equal opportunity educational institution/equal opportunity employer. |
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9. In the News: Raindrops Research |
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Raymond Shaw's and Alex Kostinski's raindrops research has once again garnered media coverage, this time in the Los Angeles Times, here, and in the Chicago Tribune, here. |
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10. Surplus Items in ME-EM |
The ME-EM department has three surplus items available for free.
* a 28-inch stroke hydraulic press, nonfunctional, with a good electric motor, pump and cylinder. The electric controls have been stripped. It's in need of attention but could be put back into working order.
* a 300-horsepower, 1987 Cummins diesel engine, model LTA10. The engine was run on a dynamometer as part of a research project and still starts and runs.
* a Brown & Sharpe metal grinder, 460 volts, measuring 65 by 63 by 51 inches. Surface grinder is functional.
Contact Gerry Dion ( gpdion@mtu.edu or 487-2577) for more information.
University property may only be transferred between departments; it may not be given or sold to individuals. |
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