Megan Gilge, Tech Topics editorial assistant, 906-487-2343

You can reach us via e-mail at ttopics@mtu.edu The deadline for submitting information for Tech Topics is 5:00 p.m. the Friday before anticipated publication.

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MTU RESEARCHERS HOPE TO SAVE CONSUMERS MONEY WITH NEW CAR BRAKE ROTOR

by Laura Walikainen, student writer

Researchers at the Institute of Materials Processing could greatly improve vehicle braking systems with a new, lightweight, low-cost brake rotor.

IMP has developed an aluminum brake rotor that retains the advantages of aluminum while overcoming its disadvantages. The new design could reduce the weight by as much as 50 percent. Plus it has great corrosion resistance, faster heat dissipation, better wear resistance, and higher strength and ductility than conventional, cast-iron brake rotors. The aluminum rotor could be cheaper to maintain, matches well with existing brake pads and has equivalent braking performance. Also, after the steel surface has been worn rough, it can be machined and the rotors used for several more years.

"The automobile industry is always looking for ways to reduce weight in passenger cars," said Xiaodi Huang, senior research scientist at IMP, "especially for the future with hybrid and fuel cell cars."

A car equipped with these new brake rotors would be 20 to 25 pounds lighter, resulting in faster acceleration, a shorter stopping distance, better fuel-efficiency and lower emissions. It could also save consumers three to eight gallons of gasoline per year.

"We hope we can commercialize our research and possibly help the economy," said Huang.

The steel-clad aluminum brake rotor, which has been four years in the making, consists of an aluminum alloy body and two steel surfaces that contact the pads during braking. This design was made possible by a new, cost-effective process that bonds steel to aluminum. The cost for producing the new aluminum and steel rotors is comparable to the cost of traditional steel rotors. A patent for this technology has been applied for.

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GRAD STUDENT RECEIVES FORD FELLOWSHIP

Lizzette Rodriguez, a PhD student in geological and mining engineering and sciences, has received the Ford Foundation Predoctoral Fellowship for Minorities.

On behalf of the Ford Foundation, the National Research Council (NRC) awards approximately 60 predoctoral fellowships each year in a national competition. The fellowships support individuals who have demonstrated superior scholarship and show the greatest promise for future achievement as college or university faculty members.

Rodriguez earned bachelor's and master's degrees from the University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez and enrolled at Michigan Tech in 2001 as a doctoral student in volcanology. She monitors sulphur dioxide emissions from volcanoes and uses her research to help determine the atmospheric effects and lifetimes of these emissions.

The three-year award includes an annual stipend, tuition payment, and the opportunity to participate in three prestigious conferences of Ford Fellows.

"I'm delighted to congratulate Lizzette on her award," said Bruce Rafert, dean of the graduate school at Michigan Tech. "Her contributions to our volcanology group have been exceptional."

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SEVEN TO BE ADDED TO SPORTS HALL OF FAME

Michigan Tech will induct seven new members into its Sports Hall of Fame on Saturday, Oct. 18. The group includes hockey standout Ted Olson (1946-50), football star Mike Foltz (1969-72), men's basketball great Ray Trewhella (1953-56), women's volleyball pioneer Linda Chesebro (Rusaw) (1977-80), multi-sport athlete Ken Naples (1962-65), long-time team dentist Dr. Bob Nominelli, and former Tech physics professor Don Daavettila, a long-time MTu athletics supporter

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WEIGHT WATCHERS FALL SESSIONS TO BE OFFERED

Fall is fast approaching and with that is the start of a new Weight Watchers at Work on-campus session. The meetings will be held weekly. If you are interested in joining us or want more information, contact Nancy Bykonnen by email at nabykkon@mtu.edu or call 487-2517. Membership is open to employees and students.

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MAIL SERVICES RETURNS TO FALL HOURS

Beginning Monday, Aug. 18, Mail Services will operate from 8-11:55 a.m. and 1-4:45 p.m., Monday-Friday. The new deadlines for same-day processing of mail and packages are 3 p.m. for Federal Express, 4:15 p.m. for UPS and 4 p.m. for US Mail. For a print-out of these hours or more information, e-mail mail-services-l@mtu.edu.

NEW FUNDING

Associate Professor Judith Perlinger (CEE) has received a $24,764 grant from the United States Department of Agriculture, Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, for her project, "Analytical PTV-GC-MS System to Measure Vapor and Particle Concentrations of (Semi-) Volatile Organic Chemicals."

Professor Kurt Pregitzer (SFRES) has received a $300,001 grant from the National Science Foundation for his project, "Nitrogen Saturation: Mechanisms and Consequences of Altered Ecosystem Metabolism."

Professor James Pickens (SFRES) has received a $9,991 cooperative agreement from the United States Department of Agriculture, Forest Service Northeastern Research Station for his projeect, "Grading and Scaling the Log Database Maintained by RWU-4701: Efficient Use of the Northern Forest Resource."

Professor S. Komar Kawatra (Chemical Engineering) has received $163,980 from the United States Department of Education for his project, "Chemical Engineering Doctoral Program for Environmentally Benign Manufacturing in the Chemical Industry."

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IN PRINT

Graduate student Udaya Kalluri (SFRES) and Assistant Professor Chandrashekhar Joshi (SFRES) published a paper, "Isolation and Characterization of a New Cellulose Synthase cDNA, PtrCesA5 from Developing Xylem of Aspen Trees," in Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol. 54, Number 390.

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ON THE ROAD

Assistant Professor Chandrashekhar Joshi (SFRES) presented an invited talk, "Coordinate Expression of Three Distinct Cellulose Synthases Orchestrate the Cellulose Biosynthetic Process During Wood Development in Aspen Trees," at the American Society of Plant Biologists meeting in Honolulu, Hawaii, during July 25-30. His coauthors included graduate students Anita Samuga and Udaya Kalluri (SFRES)

Associate Professor Sonia Goltz (SBE) presented "Contract Making and Breaking: University Sex Discrimination Cases" at the Academy of Management meetings in Seattle on Aug. 5.

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MICHIGAN TECH POSITION AVAILABLE

Job descriptions will be available at 1 p.m. on Friday, or by e-mail at <JOBS@MTU.EDU>.

The following positions will be posted Friday, Aug. 15, 2003, at 1 p.m. through noon, Friday, August 22, 2003, in the Human Resources Office or at http://www.admin.mtu.edu/hro/postings/

Outreach Coordinator--School of Business and Economics

University employees are reminded to apply in writing prior to noon, Friday, August 22, 2003, to be considered as internal candidates for bargaining unit positions only. Applicants from the recall pool will be given first consideration for non-bargaining-unit positions only. Vacancy announcements are normally posted every Friday at 1 p.m. in the Human Resources Office. Complete job descriptions are available in the Human Resources Office or by calling 487-2280. More information regarding employment opportunities is available by calling the Job Line at 487-2895. Michigan Technological University is an equal opportunity educational institution/equal opportunity employer.

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