Nanotech Innovations
Yiping Zhao, assistant professor of physics, has developed a technique that is considered a breakthrough in nanostructure manufacturing processes. This method will enable scientists to grow nanosquare springs and other 3-D structures that can be placed on a chip. Consequently, this will provide faster computers and highly sensitive environmental and biological sensors.
Where scientists used to take many steps to develop photonic crystals, Zhao now does it in one step. Photonic crystals are materials that transmit signals with light rather than electrons and make it possible to build computers and electronic devices that are much faster than ones present today.
Zhao’s research has been accepted for publication in the International Journal of Nanoscience. Other original structures Zhao has formed include triangles, pentagrams, spring-like structures, and even “nanoflowers.”
Tumor tracking
Rich Radke, assistant professor of electrical, computer, and systems engineering, and a group of scientists have developed new methods to create accurate images of tumor growth in cancer patients.
Radke and his team are using advanced algorithms so that doctors can aim radiation beams more accurately and this will reduce the exposure of healthy tissue to harmful radiation.
Normally, cancer patients would have larger-than-necessary areas irradiated because doctors couldn’t find the exact location or to take into account the movement of the patient or tumor during X-rays or MRIs.
The Department of Radiation Therapy at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston collaborated with Radke and the Center for Subsurface Sensing and Imaging Systems.
McNeil dies
Frank W. McNeil, who served as director of Rensselaer’s Student Union for 40 years, died Sunday, February 24 at the age of 98.
His contributions and achievements while at Rensselaer are best remembered in his leadership and the establishment of the Union as a center for student activities. He initiated and completed the current plan for the Union building before he retired in 1969. Today the Union’s main dinning area bears his name, the McNeil Room.
Funeral service will be held Tuesday at 1 pm at Bryce Funeral Home, on the corner of Pawling and Maple Avenues in Troy. Directions and condolence page can be found at www.brycefuneralhome.com.
Campus construction
Troy City Planning Commission formally closed the State Environmental Quality Review process for the $255 million transformation of the Institute’s south campus on Thursday, February 21.
The project includes construction of the Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies, a parking garage, the Electronic Media and Performing Arts Center, a boiler plant, a chiller facility, and an electric substation.
The Planning Commission adopted the City’s Findings Statement, which detailed what actions Rensselaer would be required to take to lessen possible environmental impacts created by the extensive construction project. These actions would be in addition to those described in the Institute’s Generic Environmental Impact Statement. However, because the Institute’s GEIS does not include detailed drawings of all buildings to be constructed, the Planning Commission will later take action on the specific site plans.
Some of the mandated actions include: making improvement to College Avenue, improving selected city intersections to enhance pedestrian safety, creating a shuttle bus system to facilitate campus parking at the Houston Field House, using “astronomy-friendly” illumination to minimize light pollution, and working closely with the city and neighborhood associations to reduce Rensselaer’s impact on parking along neighborhood streets.
The complete findings statement is available for review at City Hall and at Rensselaer’s Service Building.
