Charan Srinivasan (ESM doctoral candidate) has brought international recognition to his research on hybrid approaches to nanolithography and chemical patterning as a Materials Research Society (MRS) Fall Meeting 2007 Graduate Student Silver Medalist (November 2007). MRS recognizes graduate students who author/co-author symposium papers that exemplify significant and timely research. Recently, he was the lead author in a paper titled ‘Scanning Electron Microscopy of Nanoscale Chemical Patterns,’ in the journal ACS Nano (October 2007). His previous work was featured as a cover image in the journal Applied Physics Letters and was highlighted in the Editor’s Choice section of Science magazine (February 2007). For more information on Charan’s research visit his website.

When engineering science seniors were asked to develop their senior capstone and design research projects, Eli Katz's view of problem solving moved beyond the laboratory. Eli, who describes himself as committed to community service (he has just applied to the Teach For America program), sought out Thomas Colledge, faculty adviser to Penn State's Engineers for a Sustainable World, and presented his idea for incorporating his engineering skills and teaching interests into self help modules for engineers who are involved in community service projects. Says Eli, “The goal of my thesis is to develop two modules (weather station and survey) that will provide young engineers with practical tools to create strategies and identify resources that are both innovative, such as wind energy, and practical such as surveying land for infrastructure”. Once developed, the effectiveness of the modules will be assessed at Jacob’s Ladder, a 6,000 resident self-sustainable Mustard Seed community currently being developed for handicapped adults in Moneague, Jamaica. Eli notes, “If successful, these modules will serve as a template for similar future endeavors in economically challenged areas such as Nicaragua and Africa”. To learn more about Penn State’s Engineers for a Sustainable World, visit their website.

Howard Eichenbaum
Department of Psychology
Center for Memory and Brain, Boston University


Wednesday, December 12, 2007
4:00 p.m.
108 Wartik Lab

ESM is proud to announce that Stephen Koytek received the William J. and Ethel Harer Madden Memorial Honors Scholarship for the 2007-08 academic year.

Stephen recently transferred to University Park from the Worthington Scranton Campus and is currently pursuing a bachelors degree in Engineering Science. In addition, he is also planning to minor in astrophysics and mathematics, as well as becoming involved in campus activities such as Tau Beta Pi (Engineering Honor Society), Society for Engineering Scientist, Science Lions, and Veritas.

Join us in congratulating Stephen on his many accomplishments and aspirations.

Nicholas Fieldhouse and Sean Pursel, currently pursuing their Master of Science, Engineering Science degrees, along with Andrew Serfass traveled to Austin Texas on Thursday, November 1, 2007 to attend and participate at the Global Idea to Product Competition.

Their “idea/product” is the Skier Advancement System (SAS) which has the ability to provide accurate performance data that can be analyzed to improve ski technique and enhance the overall sport experience. Through BluetoothTM technology to an audible readout on the skier, it records performance data about ski tilt, inclination, vibration, and position on the mountain. With this new way to manipulate the technology, it’ll make the most amateur skier a veteran on the slopes.

The team presented their idea at the competition, though they didn't win a prize, it was an excellent learning experience and they were able to build some great contacts.