Dr. Sridhar Sunderam, Research Associate in the Center for Neural Engineering (CNE), has accepted a tenure-track position with the University of Kentucky’s Center for Biomedical Engineering. Dr. Sunderam’s work in CNE involved advanced experimental and computational research in neural engineering with particular relevance to epilepsy. We wish Srihar our heartiest congratulations and best wishes for a successful career at the University of Kentucky.
On September 29, 2009, Dr. Bernhard Tittmann, Schell Professor in Engineering Science and Mechanics, hosted a workshop on Application of Atomic Force Microscopes to the Life Sciences. The seminar was led by Senior Applications Scientists from Veeco’s Nano-Bio Labs with topics that included; Recent Advances in AFM for Biological Applications, and BioScope Catalyst: Accelerating Your Life Science Research Innate Immune Recognition of the Fungal Patogen Candida. Dr. Tittmann notes “The new generation of Atomic Force Microscopes will surely cause major breakthroughs in life sciences, I envision Penn State being at the forefront of these breakthroughs,” reflecting on his experience at the workshop.
Washington Monthly has once again recognized Penn State for its ability to prepare students to be valuable citizens. The University is ranked No. 7 in the publication's 2009 College Guide and Rankings.
Washington Monthly is a political, inside-the beltway publication that prioritizes its annual rankings based not only on what institutions do for their students but also what they do for the nation, based on criteria including social mobility, research and service. Topping the list were three University of California schools -- Berkeley, at No. 1, followed by U.C. San Diego (No. 2) and UCLA (No. 3). Stanford, also in California, ranked No. 4, followed by Texas A&M University and South Carolina State University.
Rather than recognizing a college or university for mastery in just one area, as many traditional rankings programs tend to do, Washington Monthly's rankings reflect excellence in a full breadth of classifications.
"Higher education isn't something that only 17-year-olds and their parents need to worry about," wrote the editors of the Washington Monthly guide. "In the information age, we all depend on colleges and universities to produce groundbreaking research and new inventions, to serve as engines of social mobility for first-generation college students, and to mold the minds of future leaders. And we all pay for it -- colleges receive enormous amounts of public money through direct subsidies and tax breaks every year. In other words, we need more than just good college rankings for prospective students -- we need good college rankings for everyone else.
"In our eyes, America's best colleges are those that work hardest to help economically disadvantaged students earn the credentials that the job market demands," the authors continued. "They're the institutions that contribute new scientific discoveries and highly trained Ph.D.s. They're the colleges that emphasize the obligations students have to serve their communities and the nation at large."
The rest of the Big Ten also fared well in Washington Monthly's rankings. Following Penn State were University of Michigan, ranked No. 18; Ohio State University, No. 20; University of Illinois, No. 24; University of Wisconsin, No. 30; Michigan State University, No. 34; Northwestern University, No. 39; Purdue University, No. 48; University of Minnesota, No. 50; University of Iowa, No. 64; and Indiana University, No. 83.
Nine other Pennsylvania schools also made the list, although only four made the top 100: University of Pittsburgh, ranked No. 43; University of Pennsylvania, No. 59; Carnegie Mellon University, No. 75; and Widener University, No. 85.
For more information about the rankings, go to http://washingtonmonthly.com
Source: Penn State Live
Washington Monthly is a political, inside-the beltway publication that prioritizes its annual rankings based not only on what institutions do for their students but also what they do for the nation, based on criteria including social mobility, research and service. Topping the list were three University of California schools -- Berkeley, at No. 1, followed by U.C. San Diego (No. 2) and UCLA (No. 3). Stanford, also in California, ranked No. 4, followed by Texas A&M University and South Carolina State University.
Rather than recognizing a college or university for mastery in just one area, as many traditional rankings programs tend to do, Washington Monthly's rankings reflect excellence in a full breadth of classifications.
"Higher education isn't something that only 17-year-olds and their parents need to worry about," wrote the editors of the Washington Monthly guide. "In the information age, we all depend on colleges and universities to produce groundbreaking research and new inventions, to serve as engines of social mobility for first-generation college students, and to mold the minds of future leaders. And we all pay for it -- colleges receive enormous amounts of public money through direct subsidies and tax breaks every year. In other words, we need more than just good college rankings for prospective students -- we need good college rankings for everyone else.
"In our eyes, America's best colleges are those that work hardest to help economically disadvantaged students earn the credentials that the job market demands," the authors continued. "They're the institutions that contribute new scientific discoveries and highly trained Ph.D.s. They're the colleges that emphasize the obligations students have to serve their communities and the nation at large."
The rest of the Big Ten also fared well in Washington Monthly's rankings. Following Penn State were University of Michigan, ranked No. 18; Ohio State University, No. 20; University of Illinois, No. 24; University of Wisconsin, No. 30; Michigan State University, No. 34; Northwestern University, No. 39; Purdue University, No. 48; University of Minnesota, No. 50; University of Iowa, No. 64; and Indiana University, No. 83.
Nine other Pennsylvania schools also made the list, although only four made the top 100: University of Pittsburgh, ranked No. 43; University of Pennsylvania, No. 59; Carnegie Mellon University, No. 75; and Widener University, No. 85.
For more information about the rankings, go to http://washingtonmonthly.com
Source: Penn State Live


The Center for Innovative Sintered Products is proud to announce the arrival of new scientific equipment for particle sizing. In a collaboration between CISP’s director Dr. Donald Heaney and Keith Swain of Horiba Instruments, Inc., CISP now has the newest Horiba LA-950 installed and operating in 136 Research West.
The Horiba LA-950 extends CISP's testing capabilities down to fine particles in the 10 nanometer (0.01 micrometer) range all the way up to 3.0 mm (3000 micrometers). Particles are initially dispersed in an aqueous or organic fluid, then introduced into the circulation system. The proper refractive index is selected and the dispersion streamed between two light sources and ring, side, and rear-mounted detectors which collect scattering data. Mie theory analyzes and interprets the scattered light patterns, reporting information about the size and distribution.
CISP can test metals, ceramics, pharmaceuticals and other powders in a variety of fluids. Most recently CISP has successfully tested tungsten, aluminum, and silicon carbide powders. If you’d like your powders tested or have interest and questions please contact the CISP lab or Kristina Cowan-Giger directly at 814-865-1393, kcc126@psu.edu.
The Horiba LA-950 extends CISP's testing capabilities down to fine particles in the 10 nanometer (0.01 micrometer) range all the way up to 3.0 mm (3000 micrometers). Particles are initially dispersed in an aqueous or organic fluid, then introduced into the circulation system. The proper refractive index is selected and the dispersion streamed between two light sources and ring, side, and rear-mounted detectors which collect scattering data. Mie theory analyzes and interprets the scattered light patterns, reporting information about the size and distribution.
CISP can test metals, ceramics, pharmaceuticals and other powders in a variety of fluids. Most recently CISP has successfully tested tungsten, aluminum, and silicon carbide powders. If you’d like your powders tested or have interest and questions please contact the CISP lab or Kristina Cowan-Giger directly at 814-865-1393, kcc126@psu.edu.
The Center for Innovative Sintered Products (CISP) 2009 Industrial Members’ Meeting will be held April 15-16, 2009, at the Days Inn Penn State, State College. This meeting showcases CISP's capability and is attended by refractory and hardmetals companies. CISP's world-class laboratory, faculty, and staff provide support to the sintering industrying. CISP's capabbilities include all aspects of powder processing from characterization to shape forming and sinter.
For more information contact CISP staff at: email cisp@psu.edu
Meeting information will be updated at: http://www.cisp.psu.edu/events/index.htm
For more information contact CISP staff at: email cisp@psu.edu
Meeting information will be updated at: http://www.cisp.psu.edu/events/index.htm

During a break in the competion, the students participated in a momento exchange including ESM memorabilia and Penn State Paterno masks, shown here.
Engineering Science and Mechanics has developed and is now offering a new course, E MCH 597 B, Structural Health Monitoring. Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) is the continuous or regular monitoring of the condition of a structure or system using built-in or autonomous sensory systems, and any resultant intervention to preserve structural integrity. SHM is a broad multidisciplinary field both in terms of the diverse science and technology involved as well as in its varied applications.
Students will prepare to work in the multidisciplinary field of structural health monitoring by learning fundamental issues about material damage and modeling, sensing technologies, and diagnostic methods as applied to aerospace, civil, and mechanical structures and systems.
Dr. Cliff Lissenden, Associate Professor in Engineering Science and Mechanics, will be instructing the course in the spring and will be bringing in multiple experts in the field to serve as guest speakers to reinforce concepts.
Students will prepare to work in the multidisciplinary field of structural health monitoring by learning fundamental issues about material damage and modeling, sensing technologies, and diagnostic methods as applied to aerospace, civil, and mechanical structures and systems.
Dr. Cliff Lissenden, Associate Professor in Engineering Science and Mechanics, will be instructing the course in the spring and will be bringing in multiple experts in the field to serve as guest speakers to reinforce concepts.

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