VIRGINIA TECH COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING College of Engineering Headlines is produced annually to present highlights of the past year as well as late-breaking December 2013 news, as they appeared in the general media. Due to limited space, many of the articles appear in excerpted form and are designat- ed by ellipses. These 28 pages represent only a small sampling of news concerning Headlines the College of Engineering alumni, faculty, student, and events during 2014. Published by the News Office, College of Engineering, Virginia Tech 540-231-6641 Vol. 31 No. 1

THE NEW YORK TIMES • December 31, 2013 BBC • April 2, 2014 F.A.A. Picks Diverse Sites to Carry Out Drone Tests U.S. Navy tests by Matthew Wald are lost and, most important, how to replace the tra- WASHINGTON — The Federal Aviation Admin- ditional method for avoiding collisions. Integrating robotic fire-fighters istration will authorize test sites for drone aircraft in the aircraft into the nation’s airspace, set by Con- The Shipboard Autonomous Fire-fighting upstate New York, New Jersey and at least eight oth- gress for 2015, will be phased in gradually. … Robot (SAFFiR) has been built by engineers at er states, the agency said on Monday, preparing for a The six winners, chosen from a field of 25, in- Virginia Tech and other U.S. universities. time when unmanned aircraft of various shapes and cluded Griffiss International Airport, a former Air The robots are expected to perform a variety sizes cruise over the landscape. Force base near Rome, N.Y., which will fly some of tasks - balancing, turning valves, picking up The agency picked six institutions to operate test tests from Cape Cod in Massachusetts, and Virginia and dragging a fire hose and jetting water on locations, which will explore how to set safety stan- Tech, which will fly in Virginia and has an agree- the fire. dards, train and certify ground-based pilots, ensure ment with Rutgers University in New Jersey for test- They also have a vision system to search for that the aircraft will operate safely even if radio links See DRONE TESTS, page 2 survivors. “The human-sized autonomous robot is ca- FOX NEWS • January 31, 2014 pable of finding and suppressing shipboard fires and working seamlessly with human fire- fighters,” says the Office of Naval Research’s Football helmet design can lower website. Such a machine should be “able to withstand concussion risk, study finds See ROBOTIC, page 11 by Loren Grush proper helmet design can one helmet was much more As the Super Bowl approach- ultimately lower the inci- effective at preventing concus- THE WASHINGTON POST es on Sunday, more and more dence of concussions in the sions than the other. According March 9, 2014 attention is being paid to the game – an argument that has - concussion epidemic surround- ing the game of football. Dur- research conducted on the actuallyto the researchers, be designed their to reduce find ing the 2013 regular season, now been confirmed by new theings risk confirm of concussions that helmets during can Researchers closing in NFL players suffered a total of After embedding sensors gameplay. 121 concussions, equating to intofootball two field. different types of Study author Stefan Duma, on solving mystery more than seven concussions football helmets, research- professor and head of the per week. ers from Virginia Tech Uni- Virginia Tech – Wake Forest of how some snakes fly Many experts claim that versity have revealed that by Meeri Kim See DESIGN, page 5 An ornate, lime-green snake hangs from a branch. Upon spotting a predator, it suddenly THE WALL STREET JOURNAL • September 5, 2014 propels itself into the air, flattening and wig- gling its body until safely landing in a faraway U.S. Intelligence Community Explores tree. Flying snakes sound like creatures from a bad More Rigorous Ways to Forecast Events B-movie, but these serpents are elegant gliders that have evolved a special skill that sets them by Jo Craven McGinty “Traditional forecasting in the intelligence apart. In two new studies, engineers have used Analysts for the Central Intelligence community relied on human judgment, simulations to try to decipher how the wingless Agency, the National Security Agency and and the way in which humans make those reptile manages to remain airborne despite its more than a dozen other government orga- judgments has tended to be unstructured lack of flight appendages. … nizations depend on their ability to forecast deliberation,” said Jason G. Matheny, a In a tornado, the low-pressure region is in the national and global events to help ward off project manager for IARPA, the Intelligence center, or eye. Similarly, researchers found areas various threats to the country, but old-style Advanced Research Projects Activity, the of low pressure that form on top of the snake’s approaches can produce flawed results. research and development arm of the Office body, creating a small amount of suction and To improve quality, the government has of the Director of National Intelligence…. helping to generate lift. taken the unusual step of running tourna- EMBERS, the winning OSI project, beat In collaboration with flying-snake expert ments that invite people outside the intel- out two competitors and is led by Naren Jake Socha of Virginia Tech, Barba was able ligence community to develop better ways Ramakrishnan at Virginia Tech. To identify to visualize these swirls of air in a complex to forecast world events, and several have brewing events, the team vacuums up large computer air-flow simulation. produced notable results. See EVENTS page 15 See SNAKES, page 20 2 Headlines VIRGINIA TECH COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

USA TODAY • December 30, 2013 FAA names six sites for testing drones by Bart Jansen nical hurdles and privacy concerns remain in a and New Jersey, plans to test failure modes and The Federal Aviation Administration named regulatory program that’s already a year behind technical risks for drones, to ensure they land six teams across the nation that will host the de- schedule…. safely if they lose their connection with a pilot…. velopment and testing of drones to fly safely in The FAA will work with the chosen groups to The sites chosen are expected to attract eco- the same skies as commercial airliners. get at least one drone site operating within the nomic development. The Association for Un- The announcement represents a major mile- next six months. Out of 25 applicants, the win- manned Vehicle Systems International, pro- stone toward the goal of sharing the skies by ners are:… jected the industry will create 100,000 jobs and the end of 2015, in what is projected to become • Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State generate $82 billion in economic activity in the an industry worth billions of dollars. But tech- University, which has test locations in Virginia decade after the aircraft are allowed in general airspace…. WVTF-FM • March 5, 2014 (This article also appeared in: Reuters, The Chronicle for Higher Education, Chicago Tribune.)

Drones & Jobs WSLS-TV10 (local NBC) March 10, 2014 by Robbie Harris seven sites selected as 100,000 jobs could cluster because of our There’s been a for Drone testing re- be created, nation- current strength. So lot of attention on search projects. That wide over the next there’s room to grow Study shows Virginia Drones recently. But got Virginia Tech’s ten years. even beyond what alongside concerns office of economic “Virginia is well we already do and a ready for drone growth about privacy and development think- positioned in terms of good basis in terms of by Dawn Jeffries military applications, ing about what that technology develop- technology develop- A new Virginia Tech study shows the is potential job cre- might mean for the ment especially and ment already,” says Commonwealth is in a good position to take ation in Virginia as a state if this new in- potentially attract- Jennifer Shand, Se- flight when it comes to unmanned aircraft new industry rises. dustry takes off. Es- ing other industries nior Economic Devel- systems, also known as drones. Virginia is one of timates are as many in this larger vehicle opment specialist…. Researchers say the state asked them to look into what the Commonwealth’s CIO • February 6, 2014 strengths might be following the universi- ty’s designation as one of six federally certi- 9 Windows Azure HDInsight Big Data Success Stories fied drone test sites back in December. “Vir- ginia has the opportunity and the capability to be a national leader in the development, manufacture, and creative use of autono- Virginia Tech Transforms mous vehicles,” researchers said. ... Life Sciences Research VIRGINIA TECH COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING by Thor Olavsrud on-demand, cloud com- data every year,” says Wu Virginia Polytechnic puting model using Win- Feng, professor of Com- Institute and State Uni- dows Azure HDInsight puter Science at Vir- versity has been using the Service that helps locate ginia Tech. “Many life sci- Headlines HDInsight Service to aid undetected genes in a ences institutions simply Dean, College of Engineering: its life sciences research in massive genome data- do not have access to the Richard Benson DNA sequencing. Leverag- base. computational and storage ing a grant from the Na- “Of the estimated 2,000 resources required to work Editor and Director of News: tional Science Foundation, DNA sequences world- with data sets of this size. Lynn Nystrom Virginia Tech computer wide, they are generating We’re generating data fast- Assistant Editor: Lindsey Haugh scientists developed an 15 petabytes of genome er than we can analyze it.” Designer: David Simpkins Public Relations: Steven Mackay Virginia Tech does not discriminate against - The New York Times employees, students, or applicants on the basis DRONE TESTS of age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, (Continued from page 1) gender expression, national origin, political ing there as well. Virginia Tech plans to conduct tems.” But he said that while a 2012 law sets 2015 affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, “failure mode” testing — finding out what happens as the year by which they should be integrated into genetic information, veteran status, or any other if the aircraft’s control link is lost. … an airspace shared with conventional airplanes, basis protected by law. For inquiries regarding Mr. Huerta said the choice of the six institutions “we would envision that that would be a staged non-discrimination policies, contact the executive director for Equity and Access at 540-231-8771 marked a milestone for the aircraft, whose propo- process, as we learn more about what these aircraft or Virginia Tech, North End Center, Suite 2300 nents prefer to call them “unmanned aerial sys- are, and how they interact with other aircraft.” … (0318), 300 Turner St. NW, Blacksburg, VA 24061. VIRGINIA TECH COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING Headlines 3

ABC • April 7, 2014 BIO-MEDICINE • January 6, 2014 Virginia Tech conducts FAA- Virginia Tech’s De Vita driven experimental drone flight by George Jackson of those highly coveted spots. It’s a receives government’s In December, the Federal Avia- designation that could pay financial tion Administration chose six re- dividends for years to come. highest of engineering search and test sites for unmanned Last week, Virginia Tech host- aerial vehicles – commonly known ed its first FAA-driven experimental as drones. Virginia captured one drone flight…. honors to study pelvic

WSLS-TV10 (local NBC) • April 2, 2014 disorder In 2012, Raffaella mechanics at Virginia government on science VT students testing, flying drones De Vita received a Na- Tech, is one of 102 and engineering profes- by Jenna Zibton all thrive on adrenaline in this tional Science Founda- researchers named a sionals in the early stag- BLACKSBURG, VA – Virginia world and the payoff is great be- tion Faculty Early De- recipient of the Presi- es of their independent Tech students are testing drones cause we do things that nobody velopment (CAREER) dential Early Career research careers. at the Kentland Experimental else is doing,” said Kevin Ko- Award to lead a nation- Award for Scientists The PECASE award Air Station in Blacksburg. chersberger, an engineering al study on pelvic floor and Engineers (PE- will enhance her on- The University is one of six research associate professor. disorders, affecting CASE), the highest going efforts of the testing sites across the country The students and faculty some one third of adult honor bestowed by five-year CAREER selected by the Federal Avia- projects include: detecting radi- American women. the United States award…. tion Adminstration. ation, plant disease, physics of Today, De Vita, as- “It’s exciting work and we flight, and aerial imagery. sociate professor of en- WVTF-FM (local NPR) gineering science and April 8, 2014

AVIONICS TODAY • April 22, 2014 The Future of Unmanned Flight Jet Engines by Chelsea Bryan the Virginia Tech Aerospace and surface within two to five years, Just five years ago, the idea Ocean Engineering Department, but tech developments can’t help of the futuristic aircraft known employ UAV sensors that can UAVs go commercial without of the Future as Unmanned Aircraft Systems comb the air for pathogen spores FAA approval. … by Robbie Harris (UAS) dotting our skies seemed and even detect concentrations for Once a sense and avoid solu- The jet engine company, Rolls Royce, is more like talk of UFO sightings substances like anthrax via in-flight tion does gain FAA and other civil making good on its promise to open two, than future tech, but now, “I think micro-chemical lab processes. aviation authorities’ approval, new, state of the art, aerodynamics research you’ve got to be pretty deluded to That sampling of research UAV commercial applications not centers at Universities in the common- think that we’re not going to have underway at Virginia Tech and only become viable in different wealth. unmanned aircraft in the National Kansas State programs represent altitudes and locations, but the Virginia Tech and the University of Airspace,” says Craig Woolsey, only a fraction of international controversial autonomous system Virginia will be home to the new research director of the Virginia Cen- applications. also becomes possible. and development facilities designing the “The FAA is not excited ter for Autonomous Systems The military has been working next generation of aircraft engines for Rolls and a Virginia Tech research to develop sense and avoid since about autonomous aircraft,” says Royce. professor…. as early as 2009, according to the Woolsey, but Callahan says the Air It’s the culmination of an ongoing re- Researchers like Woolsey, Air Force’s Unmanned Aircraft Force is interested in technolo- also associate professor and Systems Flight Plan, … Woolsey gies that will make them more search relationship with the British compa- assistant department head of thinks viable solutions should autonomous. … ny, which has its North American headquar- But even bigger than the sense ters in Reston, Virginia. IN THE CAPITAL • November 11, 2014 and avoid question, says Woolsey, Rolls Royce has dozens of research cen- is regulation, which will remain a ters like this around the world but just one SAIC Donates $750K to Support the Future roadblock long after the technol- in the U.S. until now. of National Security at Virginia Tech ogy has advanced. He thinks both “So it’s quite an honor to be able to have by Molly Greenberg and Technology, leading Virginia science and regulation questions an op to work closely with Rolls Royce to could be answered, however, Science Applica- a commitment Tech’s research, do comprehensive research and technology tions International education and within 20 years. Sense and avoid that will be donat- development for them,” said Jack Lesko, Corp. announced ed to the univer- outreach programs and autonomy together in turn Associate Dean in the College of En- a gift of $750,000 sity over the next “focused on the create a need for more robust, to Virginia Tech’s five years. communication aggressive systems, which Woolsey gineering at Virginia Tech. “And for our Ted and Karyn The Hume and computation has already seen under develop- students to get an op to engage in projects Hume Center for Center is known challenges of the ment…. they’ll actually be able to see flying.”... National Security on campus for See FUTURE, page 4 4 Headlines VIRGINIA TECH COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

THE WASHINGTON TIMES • August 13, 2014 Virginia Tech to showcase drone research BLACKSBURG, Va. (AP) – Administration Administrator Mi- stration of a six-rotor, unmanned tems. State and federal leaders are visit- chael Huerta and Virginia Gov. aircraft gathering information at a Led by Virginia Tech, the mid- ing Virginia Tech to discuss re- Terry McAuliffe are scheduled mock auto accident scene. Atlantic-based component of the search being done on unmanned to visit the Blacksburg campus Last year, Virginia Tech was se- national effort will also involve the aircraft systems. Wednesday. lected by the FAA as a research University of Maryland and Rut- Officials say Federal Aviation The visit will include a demon- site for unmanned aircraft sys- gers University in New Jersey….

VIRGINIA BUSINESS USA TODAY • September 4, 2014 April 8, 2014 Universities pave the way for drone testing U. Va., Virginia Tech by Priscilla Alvarez sity of Alaska, Texas A&M that these systems can address Drones, a technology once University-Corpus Christi important commercial needs and join Rolls-Royce unknown to many, are making and Virginia Tech. do it safely,” Woolsey says…. headlines again as companies This August, the FAA For students at Virginia Tech, University Technology such as Google and Amazon announced that Virginia the test site has also opened the Centers network attempt to sharpen their com- Tech’s program was ready to opportunity to expand on re- petitive edge. conduct research – beginning search involving the capabilities Two Virginia colleges have joined Rolls- Universities, however, are also the incorporation of academia of UAS, according to Coggin. Royce’s University Technology Centers playing a critical role in their into the industry as the FAA Chris Kevorkian, 24, a (UTC) network. U. Va.’s UTC will focus on introduction to modern society develops UAS regulations. Virginia Tech graduate student the study of advanced material systems, flow for civilian use. Craig Woolsey, associate in aerospace engineering, is modelling and other fields. Virginia Tech’s In December, the Federal professor in aerospace and focusing his thesis on FAA UTC will specialize in the study of advanced Aviation Administration an- ocean engineering at Vir- regulations. The test site allows systems diagnostics, flow modelling, power nounced six test sites aimed ginia Tech, has been working him to see the process first hand electronics and other subjects. to conduct research vital to with UAS for the past seven as those regulations develop. “Rolls-Royce is one of the world’s most integrating unmanned aircraft years. “I can’t and won’t say that I’m successful and innovative companies, and we systems (UAS) into the nation’s “I think that the role that writing FAA regulations, but I’m are very excited that it has selected the cam- airspace, according to a FAA we’ve [academia] already been writing what I think should be puses of Virginia Tech and University of Vir- press release. Of the six, three playing is to help develop the in them,” Kevorkian says. “It puts ginia to award its second and third University were universities – the Univer- technology that will ensure See TESTING, page 5 Technology Centers in the U.S.,” Richard Benson, dean of Virginia Tech’s College of WSET-TV 13 (ABC) • February 20, 2014 Engineering said in a statement. Together with Rolls-Royce, the universi- Local Educators Honored by Gov. McAuliffe ties form the Commonwealth Center for Governor Terry McAuliffe honored 12 Virginia Science at Virginia Tech, is an internationally rec- Aerospace Propulsion Systems (CCAPS) educators as recipients of the 28th annual Outstand- ognized researcher in efficient parallel and distrib- and are founding members of the Common- ing Faculty Award (OFA) for excellence in teaching, uted computing. He created a computing resource for wealth Center for Advanced Manufacturing research, and public service. science and engineering that debuted as the greenest (CCAM)…. Dr. Wu-chun Feng, Professor of Computer commodity supercomputer in the U.S. in 2011….

ABC NEWS (GOOD MORNING AMERICA) • October 23, 2014 FUTURE In The Capital Exclusive Look at Football Helmet Safety Testing (Continued from page 3) by Jim Avila and Felicia Patinkin helmet rimmed with sensors six even bid on the sale of helmets. If a national security community.”… Preventing concussions has be- feet into the air, then dropping it school puts out a call for proposals, Hume Center Director come a top priority for elite players onto a rubber-coated concrete and it’ll say we are only taking bids for Charles Clancy also spoke about and anyone with a child sporting steel block. 5-star Virginia Tech rated helmets,” the advantages of having SAIC as a football jersey, and new technol- The test mimics what players Stefan Duma, the director of the the university’s anchor education- ogy and research is racing to try to School of Biomedical Engineer- al partner has been and will be for make the game safer for all. ing and Sciences at Virginia Tech Virginia Tech. Virginia Tech University, which forcan each face onhelmet the field. tested. Then a one- to told ABC News. “I think if you are “Their support enables us to five-star safety rating is assigned educate the next generation of has tracked more than 300,000 Helmets with more stars provide a manufacturer, you can’t be in the national security leaders and tech- impacts on its football team, is the a reduction in risk compared to hel- business unless you are making nologists, and we look forward to epicenter for research into safer mets with fewer stars. 5-star helmets.” an ongoing partnership...,” Clancy helmets. Their method uses a sim- ABC News got an exclusive look said…. ple but critical test: lifting a football helmet, a lot of times you can’t See SAFETY, page12 “If you don’t make a five-star VIRGINIA TECH COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING Headlines 5

THE NEW YORK TIMES • January 31, 2014 Study Suggests That Some Football Helmets Are More Protective by Ken Belson gage in the sport of football.” According to Steve Rowson, the lead author As the scrutiny on head hits has increased in A study published in the Journal of Neuro- of the study and an assistant professor at Vir- recent years, football helmet manufacturers, no surgery on Friday did not change the prevailing ginia Tech, which has created a helmet rating doubt mindful of the potential for product liabil- logic that no helmet will ever prevent all concus- system, the study was the first to compare play- ity suits, have made it clear that their products sions. ers based on the number of times they were hit are designed mainly to prevent skull fractures, But the findings, which were based on more and the helmets they wore. not concussions. than 1.2 million head impacts by more than “Controlling for head impacts allows you to Some helmets include warning labels that 1,800 players on eight college football teams compare apples to apples,” he said. “For exam- read: “No helmet system can protect you from over six seasons, suggest that certain helmets can ple, you’re not comparing a player in one helmet serious brain and/or neck injuries, including pa- reduce the risk of a concussion by more than 50 who rarely gets hit to a player in another helmet ralysis or death. To avoid these risks, do not en- percent. type who frequently gets hit.”…

MSNBC • January 31, 2014 Newer football helmets could cut concussion risk in half, new study suggests Researchers found a 54 percent one of two helmet models made each time there was a hit. a risk. All we are saying is that by difference in concussion risk be- by the Riddell company: the older “No helmet can completely effectively adding more padding, it tween two different helmets made VSR4 and the newer Revolution. prevent concussions,” said study co- reduces the accelerations, and that by the same company in a large All the helmets had been author Stefan Duma, a professor reduces concussions.” study that included data from 1,833 equipped with sensors that and head of biomedical engi- Duma and his colleagues scru- college football players. recorded forces, or accelerations, neering at Virginia Tech-Wake tinized concussion and acceler- The players in the study wore experienced by the players’ heads Forest University. “There’s always ometer data collected from 2005 to 2010 from eight college football THE SEATTLE TIMES • February 1, 2014 teams. All the players wore either the Riddell VSR4 or the Riddell Revolution. During the years of the study Football-helmet design can cut there were a total of 322,725 head impacts in players wearing the concussion rate by half, study finds VSR4 helmets and 27 concussions, by Geoffrey Mohan of Neurosurgery, was the first to until Sunday’s game is over and its which amounted to 8.37 concus- LOS ANGELES – Super Bowl control for the number of impacts contract ends). sions per 100,000 jolts to the head. viewers might want to keep an eye different players receive. It mea- “If players had matched impacts Among those wearing the Revo- on the helmets crashing together sured head-motion changes during throughout their whole career, lution, there were 958,719 head in Sunday’s game between the more than 1.2 million impacts over you’d see about half the number of impacts and 37 concussions, which Seattle Seahawks and Denver five years of Division I NCAA concussions” in the newer helmet, amounted to 3.86 concussions per Broncos. A new study says the lids football games played by eight said the study’s lead author, Steven 100,000 head impacts. worn by opposing quarterbacks college teams. Rowson, a biomedical engineer Concussion experts called the Peyton Manning and Russell Wil- Sixty-four of those hits resulted at the Virginia Tech-Wake Forest study an important first step, but son, not to mention the dreadlock- in diagnosed concussions, and the University School of Biomedical one that needed to be duplicated… filled helmet of Seattle cornerback relative risk of being among those Engineering and Sciences…. (This article also appeared in: Richard Sherman, can reduce dizzy denizens of the gridiron was Quarterbacks had the highest DailyRx.com, Innovations Report, concussion risk by more than half, cut by roughly 54 percent if play- recorded head accelerations, fol- Medical News Today, MedicalDaily. compared with an older model. ers wore a more-advanced model lowed by running backs and wide com, MedicalXpress.com, Medin- The study adds to a growing helmet. Both helmets in the com- receivers .... dia.com, MSN Autos Canada.) consensus that helmet design parison were made by the same can impact impacts. This one, manufacturer, Riddell, which is the published Friday in the Journal official helmet of the NFL (at least DESIGN - Fox News - (Continued from page 1) School of Biomedical Engineer- of helmet to buy,” Duma said. “But ing and Sciences, has been re- there’s really nothing out there [for TESTING searching helmet design in relation guidance]. There are a lot of indi- USA Today - (Continued from page 4) to concussion risk for years, but vidual manufacturers, but no inde- me in close proximity to know more critical role in the future. is better. So that’s when we started about what’s going on.” “It’s going to revolutionize the in- ratherthis is thethan first in thestudy lab. to compare reportingpendent system on biomechanical to figure out pa what- While not directly involved with dustry as we know it. I think an es- helmet“I think differences some of theon theoriginal field, rameters.”… the site, Virginia Tech graduate sential step is to have these test sites motivation was in 2008, we were The research was published Fri- student Mark Palframan, 26, who in place to make sure everything is getting a lot of questions from our day, Jan. 31, in the Journal of Neu- has been actively involved in UAS certified and providing service to the equipment group about what type rosurgery. research, sees the test site playing a community,” Palframan says…. 6 Headlines VIRGINIA TECH COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

CBS NEWS • February 18, 2014 Football helmets don’t provide much protection from concussions, study suggests by Michelle Castillo peated head trauma may lead to mets with a version of the stan- quate” rating, while the Riddell 360 Football helmets are supposed to chronic traumatic encephalopathy dard drop test system, which is the did much better. be a source of protection, but they (CTE), a degenerative brain disease. method the National Operating “Some helmets are much bet- may do little to ward off the effects CTE causes symptoms similar to Committee on Standards for Ath- ter than others,” Stefan M. Duma, of a hit to the side of the head that Alzheimer’s, including memory letic Equipment uses to test hel- who heads the Virginia Tech-Wake can cause traumatic brain injuries loss, mood swings, cognitive issues, met safety and impact effect. The Forest School of Biomedical Engi- such as concussions. depression, confusion, aggression helmets were worn by a crash test neering and Sciences, told the Los A new study shows that blows and motor skill issues. The patient’s dummy with a neck…. Angeles Times. that cause rotational force aren’t brains sustain physical damage, in- This year, Virginia Tech-Wake The new study will be presented warded off much by the sports cluding a buildup of proteins called Forest researchers rated the Ad- at the 2014 American Academy of equipment. Rotational injury occurs tau and tangled nerve cells. It can ams a200 ProElete helmet as “not Neurology’s meeting in Philadel- when the head rotates on the neck only be definitively diagnosed af- recommended.” The helmet scored phia, which will be held from April because of the impact, causing the ter death. Traumatic brain injuries the lowest out of 18 helmets tested 26 through May 3. This meant that brain to rotate…. have also been shown to triple the due to poor protection against lin- the results are preliminary and Experts and athletes have grown risk of early death. ear and rotational acceleration. The have yet to be published in a peer- increasingly concerned that re- Researchers tested football hel- Schutt Air Advantage got an “ade- reviewed journal.

LA TIMES • February 17, 2014 Football helmets and concussion: A new study opens new questions by Melissa Healy est University School of Biomedical Engi- All these helmets have passed muster with the Here’s a novel idea, given that American par- neering and Sciences has also sought to gauge National Operating Committee on Standards for ents send almost 4 million of their children out the effectiveness of football helmets in blunting to play tackle football every year, despite mount- the forces that cause concussion. that sets standards for headgear. ing concerns about youth concussions: Maybe In ratings released early this year, the Virginia AthleticIn an interview,Equipment, Stefan the nonprofit M. Duma organization, who the helmets their kids wear should be tested and Tech-Wake Forest researchers rated the Adams heads the Virginia Tech-Wake Forest School ranked on how well they prevent concussion. A2000 ProElite “not recommended,” giving the of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, A study to be presented at a meeting of the helmet the lowest score of 18 helmets it tested cautioned that the research being presented at American Academy of Neurology attempts to do for protection against a combination of “linear the American Academy of Neurology’s meeting exactly that, comparing 10 of the most widely acceleration,” the straight front-to-back forces must be considered preliminary until it’s been used football helmets in drop tests designed to that can cause bruises and bleeding in the brain; peer-reviewed and published. But he also took measure the kinds of forces that are most likely and “rotational acceleration,” the twisting of the exception to the suggestion that there is little dif- to result in concussion…. brain within the skull that causes concussions. ference among football helmets when it comes For the record, the Virginia Tech-Wake Forest to concussion prevention. available football helmets have been tested for team awarded the Schutt Air Advantage two “Some helmets are much better than others,” howThis well is notthey the protect first timeagainst that “rotational commercially accel - stars in protecting against brain injury, labeling said Duma, whose team has compared helmets’ eration” forces -- the twisting, torquing, sheering performance not only in acceleration laborato- forces that result when the brain is knocked stars it awarded to the Riddell Revolution Speed, side-to-side as well as front-to-back inside the the post-2013helmet “adequate” Xenith X2, but the well Rawlings below the Quantum five teams’ helmet-brand use and their concussion skull. A project at the Virginia Tech-Wake For- Plus and the Riddell 360. rates….ries but on football fields, by analyzing college

POPULAR SCIENCE • January 29, 2014 Q&A: The Engineer Who Wants To Power The World With Carbs by Francie Diep that carbohydrates are able including humans, break are found in coal, natural gas, You might like carbs, but to power everything from down molecules of carbohy- and crude oil. probably not in the way cellphones to cars. drates when they need energy Just last week, Zhang and Percival Zhang does. Zhang, “In my personal view, I to breathe, eat and generally his colleagues debuted a a chemical engineer at think carbohydrates are some do all the things organisms prototype battery that uses Virginia Tech (sic), runs a lab of the best chemical com- do. On the other hand, most of maltodextrin, a carbohydrate that’s dedicated to converting pounds for energy storage,” he humanity’s inventions run on that often goes into processed carbohydrates into electricity. says. “Nature chose this one the energy that comes from foods, as its source of elec- The lab’s inventions include already.” breaking down molecules trons for producing electric- proofs of concepts showing He means that living things, called hydrocarbons, which ity…. VIRGINIA TECH COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING Headlines 7

CONSUMER AFFAIRS • May 14, 2014 Five new football helmets get five-star ratings from Virginia Tech by Truman Lewis The new helmets are Schutt’s Vengeance “Remarkable progress” Virginia Tech has updated results of its VTD and AiR XP Pro VTD, Rawlings’ “This is remarkable progress for helmet adult football helmet ratings, which are de- Tachyon; and Xenith’s EPIC and X2E. safety in football. Not only are consumers signed to identify key differences between “The Institute of Medicine released a using the ratings to purchase helmets, but the abilities of individual helmets to reduce recent report on concussion in sports that manufacturers are using our rating system the risk of concussion. found our helmet rating system to be a theo- to design new helmets to achieve five stars,” All five of the new adult football helmets retically grounded approach on how the in- added Steven Rowson, an assistant introduced this spring earned the five-star jury mitigation properties of helmets could professor of biomedical engineering mark, which is the highest rating awarded be assessed,” said Stefan Duma, the Vir- at Virginia Tech…. by the Virginia Tech Helmet Ratings. The ginia Tech Harry C. Wyatt Professor complete ratings of the helmets manufac- and department head of biomedical The Chronicle OF Higher tured by Schutt Sports and Xenith LLC, engineering, and project leader. Education • October 13, 2014 each with two new products, and Rawlings “Consumers care about safety, and as a Sporting Goods Co., with one helmet, are result, helmets that are rated poorly are not publicly available at the helmet ratings web- selling,” he added. “This is going to continue site. to drive helmet design.” Can We Predict WXIA-TV11 (NBC Atlanta) • February 24, 2014 the Next War? by Beth McMurtrie Football helmet safety Every minute of every day, computers over- seen by Virginia Tech process billions of bits of data in an attempt to predict the future. Check your school’s helmet rating Tweets from politicians, satellite images of America’s favorite sport is concussion risk by as much as star ranked helmets is very hospital parking lots, news stories about rising also one of the most danger- 50 percent. significant…. bus fares: All are mined, categorized, and fed ous ones you can play…. A That’s what they’ve used Dr. Stephan Duma says into algorithms designed to anticipate the next helmet is the player’s defense to compile a five-star rating the findings show a dramatic against a concussion or even of the most commonly used difference in how much flu outbreak or which candidate will win a city worse – a traumatic brain football helmets. different models cushion the election. As many as 50 computer-generated injury. The Virginia Tech rating impact. alerts flash daily on computer monitors and 11 Alive’s Catie Beck has system goes from a “Not “There was no way for are evaluated for accuracy at the end of each spent the past month inves- Recommended” rating, and consumers to get any idea month…. tigating the types of helmets proceeds from one to five which helmet was better,” The feedback loop is far quicker in the Vir- used in area high schools. stars. Researchers said they Dumas said. “It was purely ginia Tech-led project, known as Embers (“early The results mean a lot are most concerned with what it looks like, what it model-based event recognition using surro- when it comes to risking those helmets that are listed as costs, what the sales rep tells gates”). It uses current data to make short-term, concussions. That’s what “Not Recommended,” along me - so we were the first highly specific predictions regarding a group of researchers at Virginia Tech with one-and-two star rated group to actually present countries in Latin America. One forecast, for found in their study. helmets. They say the differ- independent biomechanical example, might say there is a 75-percent chance They say depending on ence between those helmets data, and I would absolutely that public-transit riders will protest rising fares what helmet you use, you at the bottom of the scale and encourage people to use in Rio de Janeiro next Saturday. may be able to reduce your the top-rated four-and-five it.”… “The forecasts are very fine-grained, very dif- ferent from previous forecasting programs,” WATER & WASTES DIGEST ONLINE • October 14, 2014 says Naren Ramakrishnan, an engineering professor at Virginia Tech, who leads the proj- WERF Recognizes Virginia Tech Professor for Research ect. “They want us to predict when, who, what, where, and why.” Amy J. Pruden, Ph.D., honored with WERF’s Paul L. Busch Award Embers encompasses 10 institutions and On Tuesday, Sept. 30, the Water Environ- in Applied Water Quality Research awarded about 70 academics, including political scien- ment Research Foundation (WERF) awarded $100,000 to Pruden for a research project that tists, Latin American specialists, epidemiolo- Virginia Tech civil and environmental will inform best management practices for gists, and computer scientists. Their work is sup- engineering professor Amy J. Pruden, Ph.D., advancing water reuse and to address antibiotic ported by the Intelligence Advanced Research with the Paul L. Busch Award. The award was resistance concerns. Pruden seeks to improve Projects Activity, or Iarpa, a research agency presented at WEFTEC.14 in New Orleans dur- our understanding of antibiotic-resistant within the Office of the Director of National ing the celebration of WERF’s 25th anniversary. genes (ARGs) in recycled water distribution Intelligence, which has spent about $34-million The WERF Endowment for Innovation systems…. on this and other forecasting projects…. 8 Headlines VIRGINIA TECH COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

ESPN NFL • February 4, 2014 Seattle’s win could transform NFL by Gregg Easterbrook In July 2011, I detailed Virginia Tech re- erating Committee on Standards for Athletic …In football safety news, for years this column search showing that the Riddell VSR4, the Equipment – to which the NFL defers, though has rolled the drums for the idea that although no most common helmet, was dangerous compared NOCSAE seems to function mainly as a rubber- football helmet can prevent concussions, newer to newer models. My new book “The King of stamp – criticized the Virginia Tech research designs reduce the risk. Three years ago at Super Sports” details how James Collins, football coach as based on lab tests, not real-world data. Bowl time, I wanted to know why the NFL would of the public high school nearest my home, Fair enough. Last week, Virginia Tech re- not disclose which helmet models its players wear; junked the school’s VSR4s and replaced them leased the results of six years of real- and why the NFL does not mandate that only im- with the modern Riddell Revo, owing to safety world data comparing total head hits to concus- proved models be worn: “This is a short-sighted concerns. Collins did this in 2003, a full decade sions, by helmet types, at eight Division I college policy TMQ has been objecting to since the Rid- ago! Yet VSR4s are still on players’ heads, includ- football teams. The finding: Correcting for inci- dell Revolution, the first-generation helmet engi- ing in the NFL. dence and severity of hits, a player wearing the neered to reduce concussion risk, went on sale.” Helmet manufacturers and the National Op- Riddell Revo had a 54 percent lower risk of con- cussion than a player wearing a VSR4. PHYSICIANS NEWS DIGEST • January 31, 2014 This study is a bombshell. For many years the NFL and NOCSAE have contended it is impos- sible to determine whether any particular helmet reduces concussion risk. Virginia Tech has now NFL concussions are down; new put hard data on the table. The study is another feather in the cap for Virginia Tech, which helmet design curbs brain injuries has become the national leader in seeking by Brad Broker helmets. Duma said that even with football safety. On Sunday, we celebrate the All of the helmets were improvements in equipment, It also raises disturbing questions regarding current national pastime – the equipped with sensors head injuries will continue to whether the NFL has always been more con- Super Bowl. In addition to dis- that measured head accelera- occur. But the “most effective cerned with avoiding legal liability – the league secting the game, the pools, tion for each impact players strategies are altering league believes that mandating a helmet type makes it the fantasy projections and the experienced. Players wearing rules and teaching players better liable for any concussion sustained in that head- commercials, the NFL wants the newer Revolution hel- techniques.”… gear – than with the health of players…. everyone to know about the mets experienced a 54 percent progress made in efforts to curb reduction in concussion risk U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT • March 20, 2014 concussions. compared to players wear- The NFL announced this ing the VSR4, which showed week that concussions for the higher head accelerations re- Latest Equipment a Must 2013 season were reduced by sulting from impact. 13 percent from last season and Researchers said that the concussions caused by helmet- newer helmet design was a for Engineering Grad Students to-helmet hits had decreased by significant factor. “It all de- by Ron Cowen bolt on additional pieces…. 23 percent…. pends on the way you build A couple of years ago, Matthew Many engineering schools now in- Perhaps one reason for the the shell, the type of pad- Woodward, an engineering grad stu- corporate formal experiential learning decline in concussions is an ad- ding you use and other fac- dent at Carnegie Mellon University in into the graduate school experience. vancement in player equipment, tors,” study co-author Stefan Pittsburgh, began building a palm-size Internships and co-op programs, which particularly the helmets. A new Duma, a professor and head robot that could crouch, jump and fly typically alternate a term of work with study published today in the of biomedical engineering at like a vampire bat. The device also a term of academic instruction, also Journal of Neurosurgery found Virginia Tech-Wake Forest had to be agile enough to slip through give future engineers a chance to im- that proper helmet design can University told the New York narrow passageways and navigate press companies…. reduce the incidence of concus- Times. “While some helmets such hazardous environments as the How can a would-be grad student sions in football. will reduce risk more than inside of a nuclear reactor.... assess whether an engineering school Researchers studied eight others, no helmet can elimi- To assure that the robot would be has what he or she will need? … college football teams – Vir- nate risk” entirely. lightweight but durable, Woodward You can also talk to graduate stu- ginia Tech, University of North According to the Centers needed to use a state-of-the-art 3D dents and professors engaged in active Carolina, University of Okla- for Disease Control, foot- printer to fabricate precision compo- research at your undergraduate institu- homa, Dartmouth College, ball is the number one sport nents. Churning out tiny parts in a few tion about the kind of equipment they Brown University, University for concussions resulting in hours would have been impossible use, says Doug Bowman, director of of Minnesota, Indiana Univer- emergency room visits and by conventional computer-controlled the Center for Human-Computer In- sity, and University of Illinois traumatic brain injury. Almost techniques; the 3D printer enabled teraction at Virginia Tech in Blacks- — over a six year period and 30% of such sports related Woodward to build much of the bio- burg. “It helps you establish a baseline: compared players wearing an injuries come from football. logically inspired robot as a single How does this school compare to the older model Riddell VSR4 vs. Soccer is second with 16%; block of material rather than having to school I’m attending now?”… the newer Riddell Revolution basketball had 15%. VIRGINIA TECH COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING Headlines 9

TIME MAGAZINE • September 18, 2014 The Tragic Risks of American Football by Sean Gregory head collided with the runner’s play. Suddenly his legs turned soft; “That’s the level you might see in Sixteen-year-old Chad Stover right thigh as the ballcarrier dodged teammate David Richardson, one car crashes,” says Stefan Duma, a died playing a game after suffering the tackle to gain another few yards. of Chad’s best friends since grade Virginia Tech professor…. a traumatic brain injury. Is the game Chad went down, and his helmet school, caught him as he col- Changing the Game worth it? smacked into the ground. lapsed…. Other attempts to make football ...The Tipton Cardinals needed “Was it a crazy-hard hit?” asks The Brutal Reality safer have focused on the equip- a tackle. With the team trailing Ben Smeltzer, a Sacred Heart wide Even football’s youngest, smallest ment… But many high schools Sacred Heart 27-18 in the opening receiver who was blocking Stover players are susceptible to brain in- can’t afford the latest gear, and no round of the Missouri high school on the play. “No.” juries. Virginia Tech’s biomedical- helmet on the market can prevent a playoffs, a stop here – on first down Chad wobbled to his feet, and engineering department tracked 19 concussion. “We are very careful to and 10 with less than seven minutes after a time-out, he jogged to the boys ages 7 and 8 during the 2011 say that helmets are the third level to play – would help keep its fading sideline. Twice, a Tipton assistant and 2012 seasons. The researchers of protection for football players,” season alive. coach asked if he felt well enough counted 3,061 blows to the heads of says Virginia Tech’s Duma, an As the running back took the to return to the game. Twice, the boys, 60% of which occurred in expert in helmet safety. “The first handoff and sprinted right, Tipton’s Chad said he was good. He went practice. None of the kids suffered is the rules, the second is coaching. Chad Stover, a 16-year-old defen- back in, and Tipton huddled up. a concussion, but some of the shots Kids shouldn’t be doing silly drills in sive back, dived at the player’s legs “Something’s wrong,” Chad told a they took were brutal: 11 of the hits practice where they’re hitting each with his arms outstretched. Chad’s teammate before lining up for the registered a g-force of 80 or greater. other in the head.”…

BLOOMBERG BUSINESS WEEK • May 19, 2014 THE NEW YORK TIMES August 23, 2014 Rawlings’ New NRG Tachyon In Race to Develop Safer Football Helmet Earns 5-Star Rating Football Helmets, Many PRNewswire – The Rawl- helmet’s 5-Star rating follows “Very Good” in this year’s study. ings NRG Tachyon™ football its Bronze Edison Award™ The complete ratings are pub- Questions Remain helmet, the newest adult-size win this April in the applied licly available online at http:// ASSOCIATED PRESS – Arkansas Coach football helmet from Rawlings technology-protective systems www.sbes.vt.edu/helmet. Bret Bielema proudly posted a message on Sporting Goods Company, Inc., category. The NRG Tachyon is “With the new NRG Tachyon Twitter last spring that featured the Razor- a subsidiary of Jarden Corpora- the only 5 Star-rated football helmet 5-Star rating, we see this backs’ new helmets – a futuristic design by tion (NYSE: JAH), was rated as helmet to have won the presti- as a validation of our product Riddell called the SpeedFlex that is supposed 5 Stars, the “Best Available” rat- gious honor.... performance strategy to manu- to be the latest in head protection. A vocal proponent of player safety, Bielema ing in the 2014 Virginia Tech The NRG Tachyon joins facture the protective products is happy to be a part of the cutting edge. But Helmet Ratings™. This news was its predecessor the Rawlings football helmet consumers de- it is a bit of a leap of faith. He has no proof announced Wednesday by Dr. NRG Quantum Plus™ as Raw- mand,” said David Hill, senior that the SpeedFlex, or any other helmet, Stefan Duma, professor of bio- lings’ premier 5 Star-rated vice president and general man- can reduce the risk of a devastating head medical engineering and head football helmets. In addition, ager of Rawlings’ field and court injury…. of the Virginia Tech-Wake Rawlings’ NRG Quantum™ division. “The football helmet Dr. Stefan Duma, the department Forest School of Biomedical and NRG Impulse™ football consumer is telling us that the leader of the Virginia Tech-Wake Forest Engineering and Sciences. helmets maintained their Virginia Tech Helmet Ratings School of Biomedical Engineering and The NRG Tachyon football 4-Star ratings, classified as is an important component Sciences, has been a pioneer in releasing in- in their product-buying deci- dependent ratings for the safety that football helmets provide. THE ROANOKE TIMES • October 25, 2014 sions....” His team tests helmets by buying three, Students test new ways of Only adult-size football hel- then performing 40 tests on each helmet that mets available at retail were as- measure front, top, side and back impacts. teaching and learning at Virginia Tech sessed using the STAR (Sum- The researchers aggregate the scores from by Tonia Moxley come and go,” Kafura said. mation of Tests for the Analysis all impacts and assign each helmet a rating of BLACKSBURG — After But last year when he was of Risk) evaluation system, one to five stars, with five the highest…. nearly four decades teaching teaching a junior level com- which was developed by Dr. (This article also appeared in: Fox 5 Morn- ing News, The Advocate, Atlanta Journal- computer science, Virginia puter science class in the tra- Duma and Dr. Steven Rowson, Constitution, Augusta Chronicle, CSNS News, Tech professor Dennis Ka- ditional way — lecture with assistant professor of biomedi- cal engineering at Virginia Bucks County Courier Times, Bennington fura is not one to jump on ev- slides and homework assign- Banner, Columbus Ledger-Enquirer, Connect- Tech. To date, a total of 23 adult ery passing bandwagon touting ments — Kafura noticed the icut Post, CTV News Channel, CTV Toronto, change. occasional student surfing football helmet models have Daily Hampshire Gazette, Davis Clipper, “I’m not much for education- Facebook. And attendance been evaluated, using more Enquirer-Herald, Farmington Daily Times.) al fads because I’ve seen them See TEACHING, page 28 than 2,700 laboratory tests. ... 10 Headlines VIRGINIA TECH COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

POPULAR MECHANICS • August 25, 2014 THE NEW YORK TIMES July 22, 2014 These helmets will save the NFL from itself For the past couple of years it’s damage is widely suspected to have in large part to Dr. Stefan Duma, Spartan been hard to ignore: Football hurts led to his suicide in 2012. head of Biomedical Engineering football players. And not in the But there is hope. Last year was at Virginia Tech. Duma and his Hockey sore-knee, it’ll-take-a-little-longer- already big for the NFL in terms of team developed a five-star rating to-get-out-of-the-lounger-when- safety. The league put independent system that subjects helmets to Helmets I’m-retired kind of way. neurologists on sidelines, banned 120 various impacts, simulating the More in the way of Jermichael high-risk tackles, and pledged more types of hits a player might take Going Under Finley, who had one hit end his than $765 million to help retired during a game. In 2011, when the 2013 season – and almost his ability players and fund medical exams and first ratings were released, only one Microscope to walk. Or worse, in the way of research. Helmet manufacturers are helmet received five stars. This year by Jeff Z. Klein Junior Seau, whose chronic brain making improvements too, thanks nine did…. BLACKSBURG, Va. – Hockey helmets may be on the CHIEF LEARNING OFFICER • January 8, 2014 verge of a radical makeover, as scientists and engineers at USN&WR announces 2014 Best Online Programs Virginia Tech prepare a rat- ing system that measures each U.S. News & World Report released its 2014 and computer information technology, as well as brand’s and model’s ability to Best Online Programs rankings. The rankings, information on the costs of an online degree and reduce the risk of concussion. now in their third year, are a resource for stu- tips for being a successful distance learner…. “After football, hockey is the dents who are seeking online education programs Best Online Graduate Computer Informa- sport that produces the high- for degree completion and career advancement. tion Technology Programs est rate of concussion,” said The 2014 U.S. News Best Online Programs 1. University of Southern California Dr. Stefan M. Duma, a Vir- include online bachelor’s and master’s degrees 2. Boston University (MA) ginia Tech professor and in engineering, business, education, nursing 2. Virginia Tech… See HOCKEY, page 11

WDBJ-TV7 (local CBS) • May 7, 2014 Past Virginia Tech president says teaching remains his first love BLACKSBURG, Va. - Doing any job for more “Ok, it’s time to get started.” Lorrie Sanders is a Human Nutrition Food and than 50 years is an incredible feat. In 56 years Tall and trim, this engineer -over five decades- Exercise Major, not an engineer. She’d heard that one man at Virginia Tech has been a dean and the has been around the block. As department head, Torgerson taught with kindness, concern and a lot of school’s president. Dean and president of Virginia Tech. He was asked common sense…. But Dr. Paul Torgersen said teaching has always to lead the Hokie nation. Torgersen agreed, but only Engineering Dean Dr. Richard Benson shook been his first love. if he could keep teaching too Dr. Torgerson’s hand, smiled and had his picture Wednesday morning, mostly engineering students “The people in charge said ‘We need you’. I said taken. watched one last time as Paul Torgersen shuffled into ‘are you sure?’ They said ‘we need you.’ Well I “[Dr. Torgerson] is our best teacher, you may his “Theory of Organization” class in the basement made a condition, I’ll become an administrator, but have heard me say that but it’s actually true. We of Pamplin School of Business at Virginia Tech. I’m not going to leave the classroom.” know that repeatedly from comments from stu- Fifty-six straight years and never missing a sin- Torgersen and Tech both kept their word. Each dents.’’ gle semester and Torgerson wasn’t about to start. year students have packed his classes. Word spread Students don’t treat Torgersen like a dean or pro- Watching and waiting until his students had found on campus about Dr. Torgersen and the life lessons fessor or even a university president, they treat him their assigned seats, then he was very clear. he included. like a rock star….

AL JAZEERA AMERICA • Sept. 8, 2014 THE DENVER POST • March 14, 2014 Stefan Duma, head risk of concussion. It’s dialing the phone, not talking, that distracts drivers of Virginia Tech’s Look at this 100 g hit. by Vincent Carroll banning such use ... is “appropriate.” But biomedical engineer- Professor Duma says a The most common anecdotes for why as he and colleagues wrote in a study for ing department has cellphone use while driving is dangerous the U.S. Department of Transportation, spent the last decade the concussion just as are deeply misleading. ... “Talking on a cellphone, regardless of the five star helmet can cut studying the Hokies … “We’ve got five different data sets,” on type of interface, was not associated with and trying to make the risk in a collision. cellphone use while driving, Greg Fitch an increased SCE,” or safety critical event, game safer by creating fiveIt’s star going cars to reduce take a the of the Virginia Tech Transportation In- meaning a crash, a near-crash, or less seri- an independent rating mean helmet to prevent stitute (VTTI) told me, and none found ous incident. system for helmets based these concussions with extra risk for talking on the phone. A study published January in The New on how they reduce the these players…. Fitch is no apologist for hand-held England Journal of Medicine, also involv- cellphone use in cars. In fact, he thinks ing the institute’s work ... VIRGINIA TECH COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING Headlines 11

HOCKEY THE WASHINGTON POST • April 22, 2014 New York Times (Continued from page 10) the head of the university’s Chuck Hagel met a life-sized robot today. biomedical engineering de- partment. “We want to produce And no one seems that concerned. a mechanism to try and reduce by Chris Cillizza limb technology – dem- lenge to DARPA to cre- Boston Dynamics, loomed that risk of concussion.” Defense Secretary onstrated by a longtime ate a robot that could go menacingly in the back- That mechanism is a five- Chuck Hagel spent Tues- friend of Hagel’s who lost into places too danger- ground as Hagel was shown point rating scale called the day at the Pentagon, check- an arm in Vietnam – and ous for humans. Here’s a video of robots walking STAR system, which the Vir- ing out the five new inno- a hand-and-arm appara- how Stars and Stripes de- over uneven ground and ginia Tech football team began vations from the Defense tus that responds to brain scribed the robot. carrying things. applying to its helmets in 2011. Advanced Research Proj- impulses. Virginia Tech’s en- Except for LED lighting, While there is still disagree- ects Agency (DARPA). Then there was the trant in the contest, the however, the 330-pound ment on whether concussions Among the exhibits were life-sized robot, devel- hulking 6-foot-2-inch humanoid appeared to be can be reduced by improving the latest in prosthetic oped as part of a chal- Atlas robot developed by switched off…. helmets, the football rating sys- tem quickly became influential, CNBC • March 25, 2014 leading manufacturers to sub- stantially increase internal pad- ding. Sales for five-star football NRL Autonomy Lab Hosts helmets have soared, and those for low-rated helmets plunged. Duma and Dr. Steven Row- Shipboard Fire Robotics Consortium son, who also teaches bio- medical engineering at The U.S. Naval Research Labora- temperatures and rapid decline of techniques, includes development Virginia Tech and is a co-in- tory (NRL) Laboratory for Autono- environmental and structural integ- of the novel robotic platform and vestigator in the project, have mous Systems Research (LASR), rities, can at times prove challeng- been conducting preliminary partner in the Navy’s Damage Con- - Tech), algorithms for perception tests to perfect their methodol- trol for the 21st Century project andfire-hardened navigation materials autonomy (Virginia (Penn), ogy for hockey helmets for more (DC-21), recently hosted robotics ingTo to mitigate even the these most risks,seasoned NRL firere- human-robot interaction technol- than a year. They hoped to start research teams from the Virginia searchersfighting veteran. at LASR … and NRL’s Navy ogy, and computational cognitive testing hockey helmets in about Polytechnic Institute and State Center for Applied Research in Arti- models that will allow the robotic a month and to release ratings University (Virginia Tech) and the for about 30 models this fall or University of Pennsylvania (Penn) direction and funding from the Of- shoulder and interact naturally with winter. to demonstrate the most current ficial Intelligence (NCARAI), under firefighter to work shoulder-to- “This is going to hit hockey developments of advanced autono- working with university research- “SAFFiR is being designed to like a ton of bricks,” said Dale mous systems to assist in discovery, fice of Naval Research (ONR), are movenaval firefightersautonomously (NCARAI). throughout … a Pfriem, president of ICS Labora- control, and damage control of in- - ship to learn ship layout, interact tories, an Ohio-based company ingers humanoidto develop robotsadvanced … firefighting with people, patrol for structural that tests and assesses personal technologies for shipboard fires us anomalies, and handle many of the protective equipment. Pfriem extremecipient fires. unpredictability, high was part of a group of hockey Fighting fires, inherent by its This highly specialized research, normally performed by humans,” helmet manufacturers and tes- to promote advanced firefighting dangerous firefighting tasks that are ters invited to Virginia Tech to THE FISCAL TIMES • April 10, 2014 McKenna said. The robot is de- review the center’s methodology signed with enhanced multi-modal before formal testing begins. … sensor technology for advanced We’re One Step Closer navigation and a sensor suite that includes a camera, gas sensor, and to Robots on the Battlefield stereo infrared (IR) and ultravio- ROBOTICS by David Francis machines ever developed. There let (UV) cameras to enable it to see Last week, the robotics indus- are two versions of the robot - through smoke and detect sources BBC of excess heat. … (Continued from page 1) try made a huge leap forward, one that stands five feet tall was with the Navy announcing that a simple legs and control mecha- Dr. Brian Lattimer, associate higher heat for longer periods it planned to test a humanoid nisms. Its six-foot tall brother professor at Virginia Tech’s De- than human fire-fighters,” it adds. robot built to fight fires at sea is more advanced, capable of partment of Mechanical Engi- Two versions of the robot, this August. complicated locomotion. … neering, additionally commented made by researchers at Virginia The robot, called the Ship- SAFFiR is just one of many that what we are now seeing is the Tech and the universities of Cali- result of a multidisciplinary project board Autonomous Firefighting robots currently being developed, fornia, Los Angeles and Pennsyl- combined to perform all the critical vania, will be tested on board the Robot (SAFFiR) and developed and many of the projects are by a team of scientists from the funded by DARPA, the secretive decommissioned USS Shadwell. by a humanoid robot. Naval Research Laboratory, Vir- defense research branch of the The ship is regularly set on fire tasks(This necessary article also for fireappeared suppression in: ginia Tech, the University of U.S. military. DARPA is also to test new equipment…. 4-traders, Fort Mill Times, The Her- California, Los Angeles and the offering a $2 million prize for ald, Marinelink.com SYS-CON Me- University of Pennsylvania, is companies and universities to dia, Ulitzer.) one of the most advanced robotic develop robot technology…. 12 Headlines VIRGINIA TECH COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

SCIENCE DAILY • September 2, 2014 So ... do you know what’s in your water? Would you like your This $1.6 million contract topics as: improving cancer engineering graduate stu- Laboratory at the Blacks- glass of water with a little asked her to investigate therapy through odor dent at Virginia Tech, and burg, Virginia, university. iron it? Or do you prefer connections between cor- and taste intervention; she started reaching out to Sain’s main project with a copper taste? Possibly rosion of home plumbing prevention and treatment faculty, she found the public Dietrich has focused pri- manganese? Did you realize materials, tastes-and-odors of obesity by drinking more health element of Dietrich’s marily on a specific aspect that there are more than in drinking water, econom- water; health effects of iron work fascinating. of human health – what is two dozen flavors to water, ics, and consumer health and copper in drinking In turn, Dietrich was able the impact of exposure to not all of which are as concerns. water; and risks to people to secure funding for Sain’s manganese in water and yummy as say, rocky road For her research efforts, over 50 for unhealthy over- studies, using resources air…. ice cream? Dietrich has registered exposure to iron in water. from the Institute for (Editor’s Note: This article For several decades An- a number of firsts with So when Amanda Sain of Critical Technology and also appeared: Innovations drea Dietrich, who trains journal papers reflecting Concord, North Carolina, Applied Science (ICTAS) Report, and Sciencecodex. utility staff and managers her work on such diverse arrived as an environmental and the Water INTERface com.) around the U.S. and across the globe on how to use ENVIRONMENT HEALTH SAFETY (EHS) TODAY • April 7, 2014 sensory analysis to detect changes in water quality, has worked in the area of Effects of West Virginia Chemical Spill Still Linger in the Air assessing taste, odor, and by Josh Cable professor of civil and environmental engineering visual perception of chemi- On Jan. 9, a leak in a Freedom Industries chemical- at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State Univer- cal elements in water. storage facility contaminated the Elk River with 4-methylcy- sity. “People are still afraid to drink the water. Odors persist Dietrich, a professor of clohexane methanol, leaving 300,000 West Virginia residents in schools, residences and businesses. Data are still lacking civil and environmental without tap water for several days. Nearly three months after for the properties of the mixture of chemicals in the crude engineering at Virginia the spill, researchers have found that the accident continues MCHM that spilled.“ Tech, has received numer- to affect the water and air quality in the Mountain State. Dietrich and her research team received a National Sci- ous grants in this area, “Based on our increasing understanding of the chemicals ence Foundation grant to analyze the properties of crude including one from the Na- involved in the water crisis, the complexities and implica- 4-methylcyclohexane methanol, or MCHM, the major com- tional Science Foundation. tions of the spill keep growing,” said Andrea Dietrich, ponent in the chemicals that spilled into the Elk River….

FOX NEWS • June 10, 2014 WVTF-FM (local public radio) Robot rescue: First-responders of the future March 26, 2014 by Molly Line will be protected with a resin shield to prevent West Virginia From nuclear disasters, to natural catas- heat and water damage. The humanoid creation at Virginia Tech is Water Doesn’t Pass stand-in for humans in dangerous places are the Smell Test undertrophes development…. and blazing hot fires, robots that can Robot – or (SAFFiR) program. part of the Shipboard Autonomous Firefighting by Robbie Harris What happens when the challenge is burning It can balance on unstable surfaces – like a Scientists at Virginia Tech say a chemi- hot? At Virginia Tech, mechanical engineers ship at sea – navigate tight quarters and using cal that contaminated the Elk River in are leading a team, including researchers at West Virginia early this year, is more com- UCLA and the University of Pennsylvania, to cre- “We’ve seen robots go from walking very clues, like smoke, locate a fire. plex than previously known. A new study slowly and not being able to balance well to may explain why a telltale smell persists, being able to balance like on a ship and being ate a firefighting robot for the U.S. Navy, one that after officials declared the water safe to able to navigate on a ship,” said Prof. Brian drink, more than two months ago. SAFETY - ABC News Lattimer, the director of the Extreme Envi- Before the chemical spill January 9th, (Continued from page 4) ronments, Robotics & Materials Laboratory little was known about something called inside the Virginia Tech lab, where engineers (ExtReMe Lab) at Virginia Tech. crude methylcyclohexane methanol or are doing something not unlike crash testing The robot will be tested later this year on MCHM. Long used as a cleaning agent in for automobiles. … the coal industry, 10,000 gallons spilled (Editor’s Note: This article also appeared which is moored in Alabama. the Navy’s fire test ship, the ex-U.S.S. Shadwell into the Elk River, contaminating much of in the Morning Report - Newschannel 8, ABC The ultimate goal- to keep people out of the state’s water and leaving it with what News Radio Online, KARX-FM Online, KBKR- harm’s way. many describe as the scent of licorice. AM, KBOI-AM, KCFX-FM, KPUR-FM, KRMD- “We’re not only looking to use the technology “The smell is present at much lower FM, KSFO-A, KZRK-FM, MyCentralOregon.com, concentrations than what the CDC says SoMdNews.com, WEAN-FM, WIVK-FM, WJBD- “Our big push is to not be sending people into people could drink,” says Andrea burningfor ships buildings but for fires and in structures buildings,” but said to Lattimer.send AM/FM, WJJK-FM, WJR-AM, and WOSH-AM.) See SMELL, page 13 robots into these harsh conditions.”… VIRGINIA TECH COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING Headlines 13

THE WALL STREET JOURNAL NSF SCIENCE 360 • March 27, 2014 November 8, 2014 Tests elucidate the odor properties of the See a quick way through contaminants affecting West Virginia residents traffic? Not so fast The complexities and implications of the water; odors persist in schools, residences, and by Jo Craven McGinty chemical spill into West Virginia’s Elk River keep businesses; data are still lacking for the proper- The next time you speed an hour in stop and growing, according to a study. ties of the mixture of chemicals in the crude go traffic, go ahead – blame the drivers. Chanc- In the more than two months since the Jan. 9 MCHM that spilled.“ es are, it’s their fault. And may be yours, too. chemical spill into West Virginia’s Elk River, new The lack of data motivated Dietrich and her When traffic thickens on freeways, drivers findings reveal the nature of the chemicals that research team to take on essential odor-related often make decisions that worsen conditions. were released into the water and then into the air research that went beyond their National Science They speed up when they should slow down. in residents’ houses. Foundation Rapid Response Research grant to They change lanes when they should stay “Based on our increasing understanding of better understand the properties of the chemi- put…. the chemicals involved in the water crisis, the cal mixture called crude 4-methylcyclohexane In effect, they leave no room to react…. complexities and implications of the spill keep methanol, the major component in the crude “Everyone is selfish and wants maximal growing,” said Andrea Dietrich, professor of mix of the spilled chemicals into the Elk River. time versus optimal time for everyone,” said civil and environmental engineering at Vir- It is used in the separation and cleaning of coal Hesham Rakha, a professor of civil and ginia Tech environmental engineering at Virginia . “People are still afraid to drink the products. … Tech. “By being selfish you make the system worse.” CHARLESTON DAILY MAIL • March 27, 2014 See TRAFFIC, page 14 New report differs in MCHM data SMELL – WVTF-FM by Dave Boucher “Experts and consumers using the exact crude MCHM (Continued from page 12) A new report from Virginia can detect the licorice odor plus PPH that leaked into the Dietrich, a professor of civil and envi- Tech could shed light on what, caused by Crude MCHM Elk River, then was processed ronmental engineering at Virginia Tech. exactly, makes crude MCHM far lower than 7 ppb,” said through the water treatment She led a study that found the human smell like licorice, and how Mike McGuire, a California- plant and distributed through nose can detect MCHM at more than one- much needs to be in the air and based scientist and WVTAP pipes to consumer tap water,” hundred times lower than the guideline water for people to smell it. team member, in a statement she said in an email to the Daily recommended by the Centers for Disease Some of the findings differ released late Wednesday. Mail. “At this point, no one Control. “The people in West Virginia significantly from those re- He argues the Virginia has data on how the chemical have been smelling this methylcyclohex- leased by the team of scientists Tech team studied pure composition of crude MCHM ane compound for almost two months hired by Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin MCHM, not crude MCHM, changed from the tank to the now. And any type of odor that persists to conduct the state Testing As- which he says contains t ap.” for a long time, is annoying to people.” sessment Project, or WVTAP. compounds with a sharper Dietrich’s team reached its Her team began studying the chemical The Virginia Tech team, led licorice odor. conclusion by using equipment soon after the January ninth spill, with a by civil and environmental The state says they believe that can determine different Rapid Response grant from the National engineering professor Andrea a combination of MCHM characteristics of the compo- Science Foundation. But Dietrich, an Dietrich, determined people and another chemical called nents of MCHM. … expert in water testing, went beyond its can smell MCHM in water at PPH were the only substances Staff Writer Whitney Bur- scope to find out what was causing the any concentration greater than involved in the spill discov- dette contributed to this report. persistent odor. They found the chemical 7 parts per billion, accord- ered Jan. 9. They are relying (Editor’s Note: This article is easily vaporized and that’s what causes ing to a press release from the on data provided by Freedom also appeared in: Iowa Ag Con- what they call the ‘odor threshold’ to be university. Industries, the company that nection, Lab Manager Magazine, lower than previously thought. They also It’s a considerably higher owned the faulty storage tank. Michigan Ag Connection, Min- found that MCHM is actually a two-part threshold than the 0.15 parts Dietrich says no research nesota Ag Connection, Missouri molecule and only one of them is respon- per billion level determined and team is using exactly what Ag Connection, Ohio Ag, South sible for the strong smell. … released in the WVTAP team leaked into the Elk River. Dakota Ag, Pennsylvania Ag, study. “No odor researcher is Wisconsin Ag Net, usagnet.)

THE EXPONENT TELEGRAM • March 10, 2014 Virginia Tech researchers assess chemical that contaminated water Virginia Tech faculty engi- residents of West Virginia. crude 4-methylcyclohexane includes associate professor neers and students are unrav- Fueled by a $50,000 National methanol (MCHM), according to Daniel Gallagher, assistant elling fundamental chemical Science Foundation Rapid Re- study leader Andrea Dietrich, professor Robert Scar- and health properties of the sponse Research grant, the team a professor of civil and envi- dina, and senior analytical chemical that contaminated seeks to understand the proper- ronmental engineering. chemist Jody Smiley of the the drinking water for the ties of a chemical mixture called The research team, which See CHEMICAL, page 14 14 Headlines VIRGINIA TECH COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

THE CHARLESTON GAZETTE • March 26, 2014 Virginia Tech experts pinpoint MCHM odors by Ken Ward, Jr. A team led by Virginia Tech environ- burden. If you can smell it, it’s still around.” CHARLESTON, W.Va. – Researchers mental engineer Andrea Dietrich es- Dietrich is an expert on water quality at Virginia Tech believe they have pin- timated the odor threshold for that form of and treatment, as well as on taste and odor pointed a form of the chemical MCHM that MCHM at 7 parts per billion. That’s 100 assessments of water. After the Freedom could be causing licorice-like odors to linger times less than the levels the U.S. Centers for Industries chemical spill, she received an in the region’s drinking water long after the Disease Control advised were acceptable for emergency grant from the National Science January chemical spill that contaminated people to drink. But the CDC’s 1-part-per- Foundation to study MCHM and its poten- drinking water supplies for 300,000 residents million number remains controversial, and Di- tial impacts, and one focus of the Virginia in a nine-county region of West Virginia. etrich said that the continuing odor problems Tech team is the coal-cleaning chemical’s Using specialized equipment, experts at have their own important impacts on residents. odor…. Virginia Tech’s College of Engineer- “The toxicity aside, annoying odors have a (Editor’s Note: This article also appeared in: ing traced the odors to one of MCHM’s two psychological burden,” Dietrich said. “Let’s Bio-Medicine, DailyNewsEn.com, Data Center chemical structures, or isomers, and analyzed hope this chemical doesn’t have any toxicity Journal, HealthCanal.com, Homeland Security at what levels that form of MCHM could be and the CDC is right. But if people are liv- Newswire, Industrial Safety and Security Source, smelled in the air and estimated what con- ing with it for two or three months, it imparts Kentucky Ag Connection, Phys.org, and Science- centrations could be smelled in water. a fear and a reminder, and it’s a psychological Daily.)

CHEMICAL – The Exponent Telegram – (Continued from page 13) Department of Civil and “Residents were alerted by MCHM. As is typical of chemi- long-term fate of the chemical Environmental Engineer- a strong licorice odor that led cals that were grandfathered in water systems. The research ing (http://www.cee.vt.edu/), is many people to think at first under the Toxic Substances will provide fundamental determining the long-term fate that the air was polluted,” Control Act, not a lot of data ex- chemical properties that can of the chemicals in the drink- Dietrich said. “In that respect, ists about the product.” be used to estimate human ex- ing water distribution system consumers are important senti- Dietrich said many knowledge posure through drinking water and the environment…. nels for exposure to low levels of gaps exist about the short- and and indoor air pollution….

FOX NEWS • March 13, 2014 FOX SPORTS • October 25, 2014 Professor cooks up recipe for Danica Patrick on new crew turning wood chips into food chief: ‘I’m not scared of change’ by Linda Zeldovich it someday in a facility that will by Jared Turner nearly two years. That person, Would you like wood chips look like a giant brewery…. Stewart-Haas Racing an- rookie crew chief Daniel with that? nounced earlier this week that Knost, has worked with Busch Someday, restaurants will beginning with next weekend’s since the 2004 Sprint Cup Series Sprint Cup Series race at Texas serve wood chips the same way TRAFFIC champion joined Stewart-Haas they now serve mashed potatoes Motor Speedway, Danica Patrick ahead of this season…. and grits. Also on the menu will Wall Street Journal and Kurt Busch will swap crew Knost, a first-year crew chief (Continued from page 13) be corn stems, husks and other chiefs and road crews although with a doctorate degree in me- The Federal Highway Adminis- unappetizing plant parts. And the drivers’ respective over-the- chanical engineering from tration estimates that 40 % of all what’s more, diners will love the wall crews will remain in place. Virginia Tech, brings skills to congestion nationwide can be at- This means that Patrick ... will the table that differ starkly from stuff. tributed to recurring bottlenecks. That’s what Virginia Tech soon have someone else atop those of Gibson -- an old-school The problem cost the country $78 her pit box for the first time in crew chief… professor Y.H. Percival Zhang is billion last year in wasted time promising the world. and fuel…. U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT • November 12, 2014 Zhang, who studies biological Mr. Rakha compares it to pour- systems engineering at the uni- ing sand through a funnel. “If you NASCAR driver Patrick gives STEM a boost versity’s College of Agriculture pour sand suddenly, not so much by Lauren Boyer and Life Sciences, has developed goes through as if you pour exact- Danica Patrick thrives as a woman in a man’s world. a process that can transform ly the amount the funnel needs,” wood chips, corn stems and he said. “There is more through- the most successful and well-known women in the history of racing. put by pouring less into the fun- other agricultural refuse into ed- SheThe didn’t32-year-old get there – the by first stooping female to driver gender to stereotypes. lead at the Indy 500 – is one of ible starches. And he hopes to do nel.”… See BOOST, page 18 VIRGINIA TECH COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING Headlines 15

EVENTS NOVA NEXT • March 26, 2014 The Wall Street Journal (Continued from page 1) volumes of publicly available data, includ- The Inevitability of Predicting the Future ing online news, blogs, social media such by Tim De Chant ing homicide rate, started in predict the future…. as Twitter posts, Wikipedia pages, weather In February, while the world Chacao and quickly spread to EMBERS is the result of data, crime rates and images of, for example, was watching citizens of the the capital, Caracas. years’ worth of work by Ramak- parking lots outside hospitals—to name a Ukraine topple their govern- For a while, demonstrations rishnan and his team, which few of the myriad sources. ment from behind barricades of took place nearly every day. includes computer scientists, The group looks for classes of events, flaming tires, computer scientist Since the unrest began, at least statisticians, political scientists, such as political unrest or disease outbreaks. Naren Ramakrishnan and his 32 people have died. social scientists, and an epide- However, instead of attempting to build a research team were intently For years, Ramakrishnan, miologist. single computer model to accommodate all watching a similar situation a professor at Virginia Tech, It is the winning entrant types of forecasts, the team created many unfold in Venezuela. and his team have been sifting in the Open Source Initiative separate models with different strengths The South American nation through tweets, blog posts, at the Intelligence Advanced and weaknesses. Each event class has about has been a tinderbox since and news articles about Latin Research Projects Activ- eight models, and the conclusions produced early February when Leopoldo America, keeping a close eye ity, a part of the Office of the by each are weighted and combined to pro- Lopez, mayor of Chacao and on events in ten countries, Director of National Intelli- duce a single forecast. an opposition leader, tweeted including Venezuela. These past gence. IARPA, according to its “You can think of it as a little marketplace a call for #LaSalida on Friday, couple of months have been no website, “invests in high-risk, of algorithms all competing with each other, January 31. We will meet this different. high-payoff research programs trying to outdo other predictions,” Mr. Sunday, his tweet read, for But Ramakrishnan and his that have the potential to Ramakrishnan said. #TheExit. colleagues haven’t been bent provide the United States with To help gauge the success of OSI, IARPA The hashtag was a thinly over newspapers or straining an overwhelming intelligence catalogues world events as they happen coded call for the ouster of their eyes scanning streams advantage over future adversar- and compares the list to events previously President Nicolas Maduro, of tweets. Rather, they were ies.” forecast by OSI. On average, the program Hugo Chavez’s successor. The monitoring the dashboard of The ability to accurately has detected 90% of all eventual events of protests, which decry high EMBERS, their computer forecast civil unrest, epidemics, interest…. inflation, shortages of staple program that draws on tweets, and elections around the world goods, and the country’s soar- news articles, and more to could do exactly that…. MEDICAL NEWS TODAY April 25, 2014 FUTURE TENSE • April 1, 2014 Following a protein’s Symptoms of violence travel inside cells by Patrick Tucker Nieto, a young, handsome, not conspicuously is a key to improving The date is June 30, 2012. Computer scientist bright former governor of the state of México, is Naren Ramakrishnan is in his Virginia Tech lab seen by many as something of a figurehead for a patient monitoring watching a map of the Americas on his computer murky, wellfunded machine. and drug development screen. Having met him, I can attest that he can be very A band of hundreds of red dots hovers over charming, smiles easily, and has a firm handshake. Virginia Tech chemical engineer Chang Lu Mexico City; another band is over the Brazil-Para- As a governor, he is best known for allowing a and his colleagues have used a National Sci- guay border. The dot cluster is ringed by concentric particularly brutal army assault on protesters in the ence Foundation grant to develop a technique circles of yellow, green, and blue. It looks almost city of San Salvador Atenco. to detect subcellular location of a protein. like a radiant heat map, as though the capital of The June 30 reddot cluster over Mexico indi- In science, “simple and accessible detec- Mexico and the Brazilian border town of Foz do cates a lit fuse around the topic of Nieto on Twitter. tion methods that can rapidly screen a large Iguaçu are on fire, but they aren’t – at least, not yet. At 11:15 p.m. on July 1, as soon as the election cell population with the resolution of a single These dots represent geotagged tweets contain- is called for the PRI, the student movement group cell inside that population has been seriously ing the terms “país,” “trabajador,” “trabaj,” “presi- Yo Soy 132 (I Am 132) will spring into action, lacking,” said Virginia Tech chemical engineer dent,” and “protest.” The controversial Enrique challenging the results and accusing the PRI of Chang Lu. Peña Nieto is about to be officially elected the fraud and voter suppression. In the Royal Society of Chemistry journal president of Mexico, and the geotagged tweets rep- The next month will be marked by massive Chemical Science, Lu has announced that he resent a march taking form to protest his election. protests, marches, clashes with police, and arrests. and his coworkers have developed a novel In 2012 Nieto represented the return to power This is the future that these red dots on Ramakrish- technique that detects the subcellular loca- of the Partido Revolucionario Institucional (PRI). nan’s monitor foretell. tion of a protein. The significance of this Despite the insurgent sounding moniker, the PRI is The cluster in Brazil relates to a sudden rise in method is that the technique will allow the very much the old power party in Mexico, having the use of “país” (“country”), “protest,” “empres” scientific and technological communities a governed the country for 71 years until 2000. It has simple and improved method for studying ef- (businesspeople), “ciudad” (“city”), and “gobiern” fectiveness of therapies for disease, including long been associated with chronic corruption and (“govern”). In a few days 2,500 people will close cancer ..... even collusion with drug cartels. See SYMPTOMS, page 16 16 Headlines VIRGINIA TECH COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

THE WASHINGTON POST • May 25, 2014 An inventor takes the helm at Virginia Tech by Nick Anderson When Timothy D. Sands reinvented. “The trick is not to leave it on BLACKSBURG, Va. – The takes office June 1 as the 16th As a professor of materials the wayside, but to pick it up and incoming president of Virginia president of what is formally science and engineering, first do something with it,” Sands said Tech, a public university that known as Virginia Polytechnic at the University of California at in an interview here this month. seeks to be known as an engine Institute and State University, Berkeley and then at Purdue Uni- “You don’t know which ones are of innovation, holds 17 patents he will bring an inventor’s eye versity in Indiana, Sands exhorted going to be valuable.” and was co-inventor of a laser for unexpected breakthroughs his students to keep careful notes The same might well be true of process crucial for making white- to his job at a moment when and exploit “things that happen experimentation in research and light-emitting diodes. higher education itself is being by the wayside” in a laboratory. teaching at universities….

VIRGINIA BUSINESS • October 30, 2014 Look, Mom: no hands TORC Robotics in Blacksburg was a pioneer in the technology behind driverless cars by Joan Tupponce working on and have deployed.” one of three teams [Carnegie Mellon and Stan- Autonomous or driverless vehicles may be The year TORC opened, it partnered with - Virginia Tech to compete in a challenge spon- lenge. That was our claim to fame.”… the technology behind those vehicles isn’t new sored by the Department of Defense Advanced fordFleming were the was other a graduate two] that student finished in engi the -chal toa new Michael buzzword Fleming, within CEO the of TORC auto industry, Robotics butLLC Research Projects Agency (DARPA). Teams neering when he started his company. He be- in Blacksburg. The company has been working were tasked with developing a fully autono- gan with four partners, all Virginia Tech engi- with the technology since it opened its doors mous vehicle that had to travel 60 miles of ur- neering professors and graduate students. in 2007. ban and off-road environments in less than six - “The autonomous technology is not yet be- hours. ect at Virginia Tech when they discovered that ing used by consumers, but it is coming,” says “We were competing with 89 teams from industriesThe five werehad been interested working in theiron a robotic technol proj- Fleming. “ … It’s the same technology we are around the world,” Fleming recalls. “We were ogy....

ONLINE COLLEGES • February 19, 2014 Tech Thoughts: Jeff Reed – Virginia Tech by Eric C. Lipsky on a mass-scale today that would Students can’t know everything Technology is one of the biggest have required your own personal about everything. However, they drivers of change in industry and TV network a few decades ago.... theA way big changeyou teach in teachingin your field has need to be able to assemble com- lifestyle. We asked Dr. Jeff Reed, the changecome about over duethe lastto untethering five years? plex operations together to grasp Think about it: In the last six Director for Wireless@Virgin- the professor to walk around how things work. years we’ve gone from cell phones ia Tech – one of the largest and with his wireless tablet with stu- For instance, simulation is of- that were merely capable of text most comprehensive university dents who also have tablets and ten used as a teaching tool and in- messaging, making phone calls, wireless research groups in the can interact wirelessly and in real stead of building up a simulation and some Internet functional- U.S. – for his thoughts on technol- time with the professor and each from scratch at the lowest level, ity, to smartphones that are more ogy and how it is impacting edu- other. more software modules are now cation, and here’s what he had Complexity of technology has available that encapsulate much used to help land a man on the to say. required us to take more of a sys- of the complexity of an individual moon.powerful We’re than able the to computers interact, cap first- Technology is a fast chang- tems engineering approach to component in order to grasp con- ture, and transmit information ing industry, how have you seen teaching. cepts of more complex systems….

SYMPTOMS - Future Tense - (Continued from page15) the Friendship Bridge connecting the Brazilian city Research Projects Activity (IARPA), which is fund- are evaluated monthly on the basis of what their of Foz de Iguaçu to the Paraguayan Ciudad del Este, ing Ramakrishnan through a program called Open predictions were, how much lead time the prediction another episode in the impeachment drama of Para- Source Indicators (OSI). The program seeks to use provided, confidence in the prediction, and other guayan President Fernando Lugo. available public data to model potential future events factors. As soon as clusters appear on Ramakrishnan’s before they happen. Ramakrishnan and his team Correctly forecasting a military invasion in Africa computer, the system automatically sends an alert to are one of several candidates competing for IARPA used to be the sort of thing only a superpower could government analysis with the Intelligence Advanced funds for further development. The different teams do; now it’s a semester project …. VIRGINIA TECH COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING Headlines 17

POPULAR SCIENCE • September 17, 2014 The Brilliant Ten: Abaid Studies Bats To Make Drones Smarter Learning how bats avoid radar jamming could help scientists control huge swarms of robots. by Veronique Greenwood China to line the bat cave with infrared cameras KTEN-TV, KTRE-TV, KTUL-TV, KTVN-TV, and Cassandra Willyard and an ultra-sonic mic that could gather data KUAM-TV, KUSI-TV, KWES-TV, KWQC-TV, As the sun set over the mountains near Jinan, to verify her model. “The big idea is to tell if KWTV-TV, KYTX-TV, MinyanVille, MLive. China, Nicole Abaid sat by the narrow mouth and how they use each others’ signals,” she says. com, MoneyShow.com, Oceania, On Top of of a cave and watched a colony of bats emerge. At the same time, she’s designing bat-inspired Politics, Review Seeker, Roanoke Star-Sentinel, Unlike the radar that humans use, the bats’ ultrasonic sensors to improve communications Sparta Independent, Staten Island Advance, Sun echolocation didn’t seem to jam as the animals among robots…. News, Sys-Con Italy, TickerTech.com, Townhall, converged into a thin stream. Abaid, a mechani- (Editor’s Note: This article also appeared Virtual Strategy Magazine, Vision Monday, cal engineer and mathematician at Virginia in: MSNBC’s Morning Joe, BioSpace, Broad- WAFB-TV, WAFF-TV, WAVE-TV, WBOC-TV, Tech, was there to discover why – an insight that wayWorld, CBS Detroit, Indianapolis Business WCIV-TV, WCSC-TV, WDRB-TV, WFIE-TV, could lead to more intelligent robots. Journal, IT Business Net, IT News, ITbriefing, WFMJ-TV, WFSB-TV, WGCL-TV, WGFL-TV, After getting her start by studying how KAIT-TV, KATV-TV, KAUZ-TV, KBMT-TV WICU/WSEE, WIS-TV, WJRT-TV, WJSU-TV, schooling fish come to consensus, Abaid has & K-JAC, KCBD-TV, KCEN-TV, KCTV-TV, WKRN-TV, WLBT-TV, WLNS-TV, WLOX-TV, broken new ground with bat colonies. Bats can KFJX-TV, KFMB-TV, KFVS-TV, KHGI-TV, WLTZ-TV, WMDT-TV, WNEM-TV, WOIO- adjust their signals so they don’t overlap with KHQ-TV, KIII-TV, KLKN-TV, KLTV-TV, TV, WOWK-TV, WRCB-TV, WRIC-TV, their neighbors’ frequencies. Abaid suspected KMEG-TV, KMPH-TV, KNDU-TV, KNOE-TV, WSET-TV, WSFX-TV, WSHM-T, WSMV-TV, they may be able to share information too, so KOLD-TV, KOTV-TV, KPHO-TV, KPLC-TV, WTOC-TV, WTOL-TV, WTVM-TV, WUPV- she modeled how they might listen in on each KPTM-TV, KPTV-TV, KRHD-TV, KSFY-TV, TV, WVNS-TV, WWBT-TV, WWTV-TV, other to better avoid obstacles. She went to KSLA-TV, KSTC-TV, KSWO-TV, KSWT-TV, WXIX-TV, WXTX-TV, WZDX-TV.)

WVTF-FM (local NPR radio) • January 31, 2014

by Robbie Harris private sector partner- use power electronics to Virginia Tech is one of ship for the President’s convert electricity from the seven partners selected for Clean Energy Manufactur- outlet into the proper mode Charging Up a nationwide push to create ing Innovation Institute, for the device to operate. manufacturing hubs, which headquartered at North Professor of Electrical President Barack Obama Carolina State University. Engineering at Virginia Innovation mentioned in his State Of The How many devices do Tech, Dushan Boroyevich is Union Address this week. you plug in every day? part of a team that will head Tech just found out it was Every smart phone, laptop up the effort to improve those selected for the government/ and many other portables little black boxes….

THE ROANOKE TIMES • February 5, 2014 Virginia Tech named partner in semiconductor innovation institute Virginia Tech has been named one processes for power electronics devices based on Lee, center co-director Dushan Boroyevich, of seven partners in the Clean Energy wide bandgap semiconductors. associate professor Rolando Burgos, and Manufacturing Innovation Institute. Power electronics devices are used by almost assistant professor Qiang Li, also of electri- all modern electrical devices -- from cell phones cal and computer engineering, will tackle The institute is charged with inventing to electric cars -- and by the equipment control- wide bandgap applications in power electronics technology and manufacturing processes ling the power grid. Using inverters and convert- systems involving silicon carbide (SiC) and Gal- that will make power electronics devices ers, power electronics converts electricity into lium nitride (GaN). more efficient. Tech will receive $3 the voltage and current needed by the device. Virginia Tech will receive $3 million across a million over five years for its work with Today’s power electronics devices are not 100 five-year period…. percent efficient and some energy is lost as heat Alex Huang, professor of electrical and the institute. during the conversion process. Improving power computer engineering at North Carolina State BLACKSBURG, Va. – Virginia Tech is one electronics efficiency could cut U.S. electrical University, led the successful proposal effort. of seven university or laboratory partners in the energy consumption significantly, according to Huang currently serves as director of the Na- Clean Energy Manufacturing Innovation In- Fred Lee, professor of electrical and computer tional Science Foundation Engineering Research stitute announced recently by President Barack engineering and director of Virginia Tech’s Center, the FREEDM Systems Center. Obama. Center for Power Electronics Systems…. From 1994 to 2004, Huang was on the The $140 million institute, headquartered at Virginia Tech will lead the power electronics electrical and computer engineering faculty at North Carolina State University, is charged with research and applications thrust of the Clean Virginia Tech and served as a technical lead at inventing the technology and manufacturing Energy Manufacturing Innovation Institute. the Center for Power Electronics Systems…. 18 Headlines VIRGINIA TECH COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

THE NEW YORK TIMES • June 10, 2014 If Robots Drove, How Much Safer Would Roads Be? Human error is the culprit in 93 percent of But two studies by researchers at Virginia that sense an impending collision and automati- automobile crashes – including the pileup last Tech – H. Clay Gabler, a professor of biomedi- cally brake. They used a representative sample weekend that left Tracy Morgan in critical con- cal engineering, and Kristofer D. Kusano, a of real-world crashes nationwide and simulated dition, caused, prosecutors say, by a truck driver research associate – suggest how much safer what would have happened had the automation who had been awake for 24 hours. robot cars might be. They found that even cars been in place. Robots, on the other hand, don’t need to that are not fully autonomous but that automate sleep. Nor do they get drunk or distracted by some of the most dangerous aspects of driving safer overall than human-driven ones. Humans cellphones. That is why Marc Andreessen, the could have as big an effect as seatbelts have had. areFully prone automated to error, making cars would phone definitely calls, being... be far venture capitalist, wrote on Twitter about the The studies, which were sponsored in part Another drawback is price, which will affect accident, with his usual bravado, “Self-driving acceptance of the cars. Even Mr. Gabler, who cars and trucks are a moral imperative.” and fatalities that could have been prevented studies this for a living, owns a car without any How much safer would driving be if robots by carsToyota that Motor, alert analyzeddrivers when the crashes, they drift injuries out of automation at all. “I’m an academic, so I don’t replaced humans on the roads?... their lane or correct the car’s course, and those drive brand-new expensive things,” he said.

FOX NEWS • July 28, 2014 BOOST U.S. Marines testing autonomous GUSS off-roader U.S. News & World Report by Gary Gastelu completed the first live tests of a The small, Jeep-like ve- (Continued from page 14) The U.S. Marine Corps motto new autonomous off-roader called hicle was developed by TORC “If it’s something you’re really interested in, “Semper Fidelis” is Latin for “al- the Ground Unmanned Sup- Robotics, Virginia Tech ways faithful,” and it could soon port Surrogate – GUSS – that is University and the Naval Sur- commitment and drive to make yourself suc- have a vehicle that lives up to it. designed to follow troops into the face Warfare Center Dahlgren cessful,”then you’re she going tells U.S. to have News the. ... confidence and The Marines have just field, literally. Division…. These days, the NASCAR driver pays that attitude forward by empowering a younger THE ROANOKE TIMES • March 6, 2014 generation of women to forge their own paths in the male-dominated arenas of science, tech- nology, engineering, and math. Inca builders inspire a modern engineer Since the end of October, the rear green by Tonia Moxley teams of students and experts to Cusco, Peru panel of her No. 10 Chevy race car has sport- BLACKSBURG – Four years’ worth of to study the ancient road building methods of ed the hashtag #STEM, a feature chosen by research on the ancient Inca Road of the the Qhapaq Ñan, or Main Andean Road. tech company sponsor GoDaddy…. Andes led by a Virginia Tech engineering Some of the project’s findings were surpris- It doesn’t hurt that the sport of racing relies professor will be part of a major Smithson- ing, like the lack of a stone foundation for the on mastering the principles inherent in STEM. ian Institution exhibit scheduled to open next road, Fiori said. And others, like sophisticated “If an engineer doesn’t know what they’re year. hydraulic features show how ancient tech- doing, it makes your life a living hell. The car Christine Fiori, associate director of nologies could inform modern construction. won’t handle well. It’s not comfortable. It’s not Tech’s Myers-Lawson School of Construc- But mostly, Fiori said the road could serve consistent. It makes a huge difference,” Pat- tion and a professor of engineering practice, as a way to interest young people in engi- rick says. secured a $90,000 grant from the National neering careers – a goal she is committed to Take, for example, the relationship between Science Foundation to lead multidisciplinary realizing in the future…. downforce and drag. Downforce is the force of air onto the car, INNOVATIONS REPORT • January 29, 2014 an element that helps the wheels hug the ground when a driver rounds a corner. Drag is the amount of wind and air resistance a car Virginia Tech biomedical engineer pursues might experience as it goes around the track. “You’re trying to improve the amount of development of 5-D imaging technology downforce and reduce the amount of drag,” Currently, the medical noninvasive imaging techniques an unprecedented, 5-D micro- says Daniel Knost, Patrick’s crew chief. “We do community has limited to accurately model athero- computer tomography scan- a lot of computer simulation so we can predict ability in clinically assessing sclerotic plaques in vivo,” said ner for the in vivo imaging what the car is going to do and how we’re go- blockages called atheroscle- Guohua Cao, assistant profes- of atherosclerotic plaques in ing to set it up.” rotic plaques in the human sor of biomedical engineering transgenic mouse models…. Knost, 35, who holds a doctorate in me- body. at Virginia Tech. “Our innovative approach chanical engineering from Virginia Tech, These dangerous blockages With the award of a National is to combine three separately says his job includes everything from thermo- that can lead to heart attacks Science Foundation CAREER developed technologies into dynamics – extracting maximum power from and strokes are not easily grant valued at $400,000, Cao is one synergistic imaging sys- diagnosed due to “the lack of currently working on developing tem,” Cao explained…. tunnels to build a more aerodynamic vehicle… the gas an engine burns – to utilizing wind VIRGINIA TECH COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING Headlines 19

THE WEATHER CHANNEL • February 3, 2014 Flying Snakes Surprisingly Aerodynamic, New Study Shows by Michele Berger eventually shallowing its path, weather.com. But “how it is that disi: How a bluff body cross-sec- - so as not to hit the ground with a they glide?” In other words, how tional shape contributes to gliding prise – it’s part of group nick- “thud.” do they stay in the air? performance,” can be found online That a snake can fly isn’t a sur Jake Socha, Ph.D., wanted to Socha and his colleagues broad- at The Journal of Experimental What’s fascinating is how it ac- know how this reptile produces ly answer this question in a paper Biology. namedcomplishes “the theflying feat: snakes,” As the after snake all. enough aerodynamic force to trav- published today in The Journal of (Editor’s Note: This article also el nearly 100 feet by air. “We know Experimental Biology. … appeared in: Korean Herald, its body. Then, as it begins to fall, that the animal glides,” the Virgin- The paper, “Aerodynamics of Christian Science Monitor, CBS itleaps makes into an the undulating air, it flattens S motion, out ia Tech assistant professor told - News.)

the flying snake Chrysopelea para BBC NEWS • January 29, 2014 DISCOVERY NEWS January 29, 2014 Secrets of flying snakes revealed by Rebecca Morelle aerodynamic forces needed to not be able to glide’. And in its Snakes Take on The mystery of how flying perform this feat. normal body configuration that snakes stay aloft may have been The findings are published is probably true. UFO Shape to Fly solved by scientists. in the Journal of Experimen- “But when it enters the air, by Jennifer Viegas These unusual reptiles, tal Biology. when it takes off and jumps and “Flying UFO-shaped snakes” sounds like which are found in rainforests Professor Jake Socha, leaps from a branch, it mas- fodder for a late-night horror flick, but some in Southeast Asia, are able to from Virginia Tech in the sively transforms its body.”… snakes really do sail through the air and look fling themselves from trees and U.S., who carried out the (Editor’s Note: An article like UFOs in the process... elegantly glide through the air. study, said: “The snake is on this work also appeared in: The study, published in the latest Journal Scientists say that the definitely not an intuitive Science World Report, French of Experimental Biology, helps to explain how serpents radically alter their glider. When you look at it, Tribune, East African Stan- such snakes (in the genus Chrysopelea) can body shape to generate the you say: ‘that thing should dard.) remain airborne for up to 100 feet... The snakes launch from seemingly any THE NEW YORK TIMES • February 19, 2014 position on a tree, flexing their ribs as they initiate a glide. They then stretch and flat- ten their bodies from a circle into an arched semi-circle. Slithering through the air “It looks like someone’s version of a UFO,” co-author Jake Socha of Virginia with the greatest of ease Tech’s College of Engineering said in a press release. The snakes launch themselves by James Gorman tree snake, one of a group of five gliding into air to move around their treetop home Some people might view a snake that can snakes from Southeast Asia, for more than and to escape predators. They are mildly ven- launch itself from trees and glide through a decade. And he and others have spent a omous, and prefer to take flight rather than the air as their worst nightmare, something good amount of time launching the snakes fight. ... to be avoided, proof positive that human from platforms and videotaping their flight. “They look like they are swimming,” he beings were not meant to venture out of They have documented how the snakes said. “They turn their whole body into one doors. leap and how they move when they fly. And aerodynamic surface.” They probably don’t study aerodynamics. in a paper in the Feb. 1 issue of The Journal Once they fully unravel the snake’s tech- For John J. Socha, how a snake’s body, of Experimental Biology, Daniel Holden, nique, they plan to use it to design tiny aerial when flattened with ribs spread, achieves Dr. Socha and colleagues at Virginia robots for search and rescue missions, reach- ing places that larger devices and humans aerodynamic lift is an irresistible question. Tech and Purdue University analyzed what could not otherwise go. Dr. Socha has been studying the paradise kind of wing a snake’s body becomes….

R&D MAGAZINE • November 3, 2014 New technology shows promise for delivery of therapeutics to the brain A new technology that may as- According to the authors, the the delivery of drugs out of blood Engineering and Sciences de- sist in the treatment of brain can- current medical use of chemo- vessels and into the tumor. scribed in their article that they cer and other neurological dis- therapy to treat brain cancer The researchers from the have created “a tool for blood- eases is the subject of an article Virginia Tech - Wake Forest barrier-brain disruption that in Technology. blood-brain-barrier that impedes Univ. School of Biomedical See PROMISE, page 26 can be inefficient because of the 20 Headlines VIRGINIA TECH COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

DISCOVERY NEWS • May 20, 2014 SNAKES The Washington Post (Continued from page 1) Biotech Factories to Farm Fake Meat An earlier study by Socha, by Eric Nüler Dutch researchers are taking this neering at Virginia Tech, agreed published in the Journal of The movement to sell locally idea a step further, proposing the that the technology is already there Experimental Biology in January, sourced, artisanal food and drink creation of village-level “meat facto- to build bio-beef, it just cost a lot. also investigated the flattened has picked up steam in recent ries” that would produce unique fla- “The type of culture they are de- shape by using a 3-D printed years as many consumers demand vors of artificial beef, pork or chick- scribing is relatively simple,” Ruder snake model submerged in a better quality products with a en, all from a biotech reactor…. said. “We’ve been making artificial tank of flowing water. smaller environmental footprint Warren Ruder, assistant pro- muscle in the laboratory for a de- Both experiments found that, and traceable pedigree. But some fessor of biological systems engi- cade.”… surprisingly, the reptile has an excellent capacity to generate VIRGINIA BUSINESS online • September 18, 2014 propelling flight forces, or lift. They are called “flying snakes,” but to be more precise, Virginia Tech names new engineering they are masters of the glide. As a biomechanist, Socha works at the intersection of building Goodwin Hall in recognition biology and physics, studying flying snakes for almost 20 years. of record donation ... Socha has found that serpents Virginia Tech has renamed its Sig- Hall to the continued growth and a l i t y.”… tend to maintain angles of attack nature Engineering Building in rec- excellence of our college cannot be The Virginia Tech Board of Visi- of about 20 to 40 degrees. ognition of the philanthropy of Alice overstated,” said Richard Benson, tors approved the building naming on Also, some portions of the and Bill Goodwin. dean of the Virginia Tech College Sept. 15. It also approved the naming snake’s body are perpendicular Goodwin Hall, located near the of Engineering. “Speaking not only of dozens of prominent, interior spac- to the trajectory they are moving corner of Prices Fork Road and for myself, but for all our students, es within the building in recognition in, so they become like little Stanger Street, will be formally dedi- faculty, and staff, I want to thank the of major gifts by other donors. sections of a wing. They hit the cated on Oct. 24 at 10:30 a.m. Goodwins for their leadership gift on Among those spaces were the wind sideways, allowing for The Goodwins of Richmond com- this project, and to also thank each Quillen Family Auditorium named in more lift. “If the cross-section mitted the largest single donation in and every one of the more than 150 recognition of a $3 million gift led by was round, there’s no way it Virginia Tech history to help fund donors whose generosity helped us alumnus Michael Quillen and given would glide at all would be our construction of the 155,000-square- make this spectacular building a re- by his family…. guess,” he said…. foot, $95.2 million facility. It opened in June to faculty, and students start- BIOSPACE.COM • June 11, 2014 ed attending classes there in August, when the fall semester began. “The mechanical engineering de- UMD, GW, and VT add Johns Hopkins to NSF’s DC gree I earned from Virginia Tech helped me, and I believe in giving I-Corps Node and NSF’s National Innovation Network back,” Bill Goodwin said in a state- The University of Maryland, nodes established nationwide by Lesko, associate dean for research ment. He graduated with a bachelor’s along with the George Washing- the NSF, and the first to expand its & graduate studies, College of degree in 1962 and later earned an ton University and Virginia Tech, membership. Engineering, Virginia Tech. … MBA from the University of Virginia. have added the Johns Hopkins Together, these five nodes cur- UMD, GW, and VT have all The Goodwins initially made their University to the National Science rently form the basis of the National woven elements of the I-Corps gift anonymously. They have a long Foundation’s Innovation Corps Innovation Network, which links methodology into courses for history of supporting Virginia Tech. (I-Corps ™) regional collaboration together select universities with both undergraduate and graduate The Goodwins are charter members called DC I-Corps. established entrepreneurs and students. Together, UMD, GW, of the President’s Circle of the Ut JHU becomes the newest venture capitalists to train fac- VT and JHU have sent 18 teams Prosim Society, the university’s most member university of the National ulty and student researchers from to the national I-Corps program prestigious donor recognition group. Science Foundation’s National In- throughout the U.S. to transform and many more to the regional DC In 2005, Bill Goodwin received Vir- novation Network. ideas into products and get them on I-Corps program. … ginia Tech’s University Distinguished The NSF has approved a request the market…. (Editor’s Note: This article also Achievement Award, one of the uni- from the three original universities Along with the lead principal appeared in: 4-Traders, The Herald, versity’s highest honors. to officially include Johns Hopkins investigator Dean Chang, the co- The Indianapolis Business Journal, Bill Goodwin is retired chairman in the I-Corps program’s “node” principal investigators for the DC I- KEYC-TV, KHGI-TV, KLKN-TV, and president of CCA Industries, a in the Mid-Atlantic called DC Corps regional node are Jim Chung, KMAX-TV, 16 other TV outlets, holding company with assets that in- I-Corps, which was formed last executive director of the Office MLive.com, Moneyshow.com, clude golf resorts and hotels. year with $3.75 million in NSF of Entrepreneurship, the George MSN Money, TickerTech.com, and “The importance of Goodwin funding. It is one of five regional Washington University, and Jack WND.com.) VIRGINIA TECH COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING Headlines 21

CHEMISTRY WORLD • September 8, 2014 Higher levels of some metals in e-cigarette smoke by Harriet Brewerton This has left regulators behind and led to confu- pounds that have adverse health effects, and some A study comparing secondhand emissions from sion for users. E-cigarette use is starting to be re- of the metals are of particular concern.” e-cigarettes and conventional tobacco ones reveals stricted in some public areas such as the London According to this study, the source of the metals that although e-cigarettes release much lower lev- Underground, some airports and most schools, and appears to be the e-cigarette cartridge rather than els of most harmful compounds, they actually dis- the World Health Organization has recently called the e-liquid, highlighting the need for manufactur- charge more nickel and silver than tobacco ciga- for vaping to be banned in all indoor areas…. ing processes to be closely regulated. rettes. Air quality expert Linsey Marr, of Virginia Ruprecht says the team hope this research will E-cigarettes are electronic devices that aero- Tech, U.S., says although the work shows that e-cig- help to verify the health hazards for smokers and solise nicotine-containing liquids, called e-liquids, arettes seem to produce much lower exposures to for persons exposed to secondhand aerosols from for users to inhale.… little research exists on what many of the worrisome compounds in secondhand e-cigarettes in indoor environments. “The results effects e-cigarettes have on users or those in the smoke, she would be wary of sitting near someone could be valuable in setting policies for the use of e- vicinity…. using one indoors. “E-Cigarettes still release com- cigarettes in public spaces,” adds Marr.

ASEE PRISM CHEMISTRY WORLD • January 24, 2014 September 2014 Nanomaterials: Bin and burn? 20 under 40 by Megan Tyler study, the team tried to elucidate the majority of the nanomaterials parti- by Sarah Khan, Mary Lord, and Scientists in the U.S. have begun fate of nanomaterials that end up tion into the ash at the bottom of the Mark Matthews addressing the question of whether in incinerators. There are concerns incinerator, but a particularly inter- They hail from across the the disposal of nanomaterials could that some nanomaterials may be esting discovery was that nanopar- United States and beyond, mi- damage the environment, by inves- toxic to certain organisms and as the grating to engineering education tigating the fate of nanomaterials in use of nanotechnology increases it is via pathways as far flung as an incinerators. inevitable that some nanomaterials incineratorticles in the aswaste well could as the influence composi - entrepreneurial start-up, com- Over the past few decades, will enter the waste stream and be tionthe efficiency of the emissions of combustion released. in Forthe petitive gymnastics, medicine, nanomaterials have proven to be incinerated. As such, it is important example, metal oxide nanomaterials and the Navy. Their research extremely useful, and as our under- to fully understand what happens to topics are equally varied, from standing of their unique properties nanomaterials during the incinera- of combustion and decrease the cancer to energy storage and a has increased, so has the variety of tion process. emissionwere found of totoxic increase polycyclic the efficiency aromatic field so rarefied – nanogeochem- applications for which they have Although the group’s research is hydrocarbons (PAHs). Meanwhile istry – that its Facebook page been used. For example, nanoma- still in its early stages, it did throw silver nanoparticles decreased has just four “Likes.” terials make excellent catalysts due up some pretty interesting results. What these accomplished to their very large surface area to PAH emissions…. under-40 academics all share, volume ratios, and they are very combustion efficiency and increased however, is a demonstrated popular in the medical industry as TheMONITOR principal finding GLOBAL was that OUTLOOKthe • May 19, 2014 talent for teaching, real-world vehicles for the delivery of drugs research, or – as is often the into the body. But it’s not only in case – both. They were picked to industry that nanomaterials have Behind mine disaster, highlight the role of engineering been making their mark, they are and engineering technology in- slowly but surely making their way stitutions in shaping a globally into a myriad of consumer products Turkey’s push for growth competitive workforce, based as well. Nanomaterials are already The push for cheap energy to countries with mature safety on recommendations by schools fuel rapid economic growth lies cultures [to those without] is key and colleagues and research by cream and in cosmetics as colou- behind last week’s mining disaster to accelerating change,“ says Kray Prism staff…. rants,being usedand nanosilver as UV filters is becomingin sun in Turkey. Luxbacher, associate professor The common denominator is popular as an antibacterial agent in Booming growth is driving of mining and minerals engi- imagination. …. fabrics and cleaning products…. demand for access to cheap, easy neering at Virginia Polytechnic Raffaella De Vita The presence of metal and metal coal throughout much of the Institute and State University in Mother of Invention oxide nanoparticles in incinerated developing world. Blacksburg, Va. “These systems Eureka moments can strike in products may actively reduce emis- But when efforts to boost have already been developed, odd places. sions of other potentially harmful production bypass the modern so we don’t have to start from Raffaella De Vita, a soft- chemicals…. techniques that have dramatically ground zero.”… tissue expert and associate A study by Linsey Marr and improved safety records in many “In mature safety cultures, professor of engineering co-workers from Virginia Tech nations, mines become accidents no one believes that losing your science and mechanics at in Blacksburg suggests that the waiting to happen…. life is the cost of having a job in Virginia Tech, discovered her “Transferring some of the a mine,” Ms. Luxbacher said in a niche at the forefront of repro- to look into the potential impacts technology in the developed telephone interview…. See UNDER, page 22 ofscientific nanomaterial community disposal. is starting In their 22 Headlines VIRGINIA TECH COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

CIRCUIT CELLULAR • July 16, 2014 CBS-DC June 15, 2014 Embedded Security (EE Tip #139) Researchers: by C.J. Abate engineering. When attackers tion at a given level of complexity. Embedded security is one of get their hands on your embed- Think about the following four Nicotine ‘Can the most important topics in ded system, it is only a matter of observations before you start de- Initiate A our industry. You could build an time and sufficient eyeballs be- signing an embedded security im- amazing microcontroller-based fore someone finds a flaw and ex- plementation. Cancer State’ design, but if it is vulnerable to at- ploits it.” First, you have to understand Researchers have discovered that tack, it could become useless or So, what can you do? In CC25, the threats that you are facing. If products like the nicotine patch, even a liability. Patrick Schaumont provided you don’t have a threat model, it may actually do more harm than Virginia Tech professor Pat- some tips: makes no sense to design a pro- good. rick Schaumont explains, “per- As design engineers, we should tection—there’s no threat! … Virginia Bioinformatics Insti- fect embedded security cannot understand what can and what Second, make a distinction be- tute researchers found that using exist. Attackers have a wide vari- cannot be done. If we understand tween what you trust and what nicotine-infused smoking cessation ety of techniques at their disposal, the risks, we can create designs you cannot trust. … products may not be the safest way ranging from analysis to reverse that give the best possible protec- Third, security has a cost. … to help people addicted to smoking quit the habit. They found that the RICHMOND TIMES DISPATCH • June 7, 2014 carcinogenic qualities of nicotine used excessively mutates a cell’s DNA. Carbon dioxide technology’s future Harold “Skip” Garner, a profes- sor of biological science, computer science, and basic science affiliated may be tied to natural gas with the College of Science, the by Peter Bacqué Virginia Center for Coal and in coal beds…. College of Engineering, and the Unwanted carbon diox- Energy Research is testing “If we could capture and sell Virginia Tech Carilion School of ide from power plants may be the potential of unmineable coal CO2 at a reasonable price, then Medicine, and geneticist Jasmin the key to unlocking valuable seams in Southwest Virginia’s there’s the potential for this in- Bavarva discovered that nicotine natural gas sealed deep under- Buchanan County to store car- dustry to thrive,” Ripepi said. causes thousands of mutations called ground in coal seams, Virginia bon dioxide and, at the same But to do that, “you’d need single nucleotide polymorphisms Tech researchers say. time, produce natural gas — a pipeline network,” he said. (SNPs) in exposed cells, compared

And, better yet, injecting CO2 methane — otherwise trapped “Right now we’re buying food- with control cells that were not ex- into coal and shale-gas forma- 1,500 to 2,000 feet underground grade CO2 and trucking it in.” posed, a press release detailed…. tions locks the waste product up, they said, where it can’t contribute to the greenhouse effect. UNDER - ASEE Prism - (Continued from page 21) By itself, carbon capture and ductive health while seven a third of female U.S. adults. daughter of an Olivetti worker storage is un-economically ex- month’s pregnant with her Startling, too, was the lack in Italy that her career trajec- pensive. second child. She was cross- of scientific research guiding tory would include a Ph.D. in

“Storing the CO2 is not go- ing campus, pondering how surgery – costing Americans $1 mechanical engineering from ing to pay,” said Michael E. to craft a ligament-research billion annually – to treat such the University of Pittsburgh Karmis, professor of mining proposal “novel” enough to conditions. and meeting a U.S. President. and minerals engineering, pass NSF muster, when she De Vita suddenly saw where Since struggling to find her and director of Tech’s coal felt pain on both sides of her her work could make a differ- initial collaborator, an Army research center, but it could abdomen. ence. Weeks after giving birth, gynecologist and researcher, if the carbon dioxide could be “That’s interesting,” she she refined and submitted a De Vita has seen growing used to produce more high-val- thought, and hit Google for winning NSF CAREER proposal interest in her field, with the ue natural gas. possible causes. Nothing to study the elastic and visco- world conference of biomechan- “If you can do that, you can turned up. Even the names elastic properties of two major ics holding sessions on female offset the cost of capturing and and anatomical descriptions ligaments supporting the uterus reproductive mechanics. Mean- transporting CO2,” said Kar- of ligaments supporting the and the vagina. while, her email is flooded with mis’ Virginia Tech engineer- uterus and vagina varied The following year, 2013, she requests for guidance on disor- ing colleague Nino Ripepi. widely. won a Presidential Early Career ders that many women were, “It could have a big benefit for “It was really a mess!” Award for Scientists and Engi- until recently, too embarrassed economic development.” recalls De Vita. That seemed neers (PECASE). to discuss. Not so her kids, 3 With funding from the U.S. surprising given that inconti- “Having a baby really in- and 8, by now accustomed to Department of Energy, and nence, pelvic-organ prolapses, spired this research,” says De clinical talk laced with words support from Dominion Vir- and other disorders affect Vita, who never imagined as the like “vagina.”… ginia Power, Virginia Tech’s VIRGINIA TECH COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING Headlines 23

ELECTRONIC COMPONENT NEWS • September 29, 2014 Can cartoons be used to teach machines to understand the visual world? An enormous gap exists between human said Devi Parikh, assistant professor in computer to understand the visual world like abilities and machine performance when it the Bradley Department of Electrical humans do. comes to understanding the visual world from and Computer Engineering at Virginia Parikh has expertise in computing areas such images and videos. Humans are still way out Tech. “If we can figure out a way for people as computer vision and pattern recognition. in front. to effectively teach machines, machines will be Based on her earlier successful creative work on “People are the best vision systems we have,” much more intelligent than they are today.” how to learn from visual abstractions, Google In her research, Parikh is proposing to use has selected Parikh to receive one of its Faculty RICHMOND TIMES-DISPATCH visual abstractions or cartoons to teach ma- Research Awards. November 2, 2014 chines. She works from the idea that concepts Google’s innovative award provides Parikh that are difficult to describe textually may be with $92,000 of unrestricted funds and allows Dominion’s David Christian: easier to illustrate. By having thousands of on- her to work directly with Google researchers line crowd workers manipulate clipart images and engineers as they explore how to best learn ‘The most interested to mimic photographs, she seeks to teach a from visual information….

man in the company’ SPECIALTY FABRICS REVIEW • March 5, 2014 by Peter Bacqué For Dave Christian, life’s either an all-out adventure or it’s nothing at all. The energy around us A Virginia Tech graduate and mechanical engineer by education, he’s Energy harvesting re- wireless sensor nodes, surveil- What could happen in the head of Dominion Resources Inc.’s searcher Dr. Shashank Pri- lance components and health the research (what would multi-state, multi-megawatt power-gen- ya, Virginia Tech, responds monitoring systems. A lot of be “breakthrough”) that erating arm, responsible for $8.7 billion in to questions about the status progress has also been made on could change the picture? operational and capital budgets. of kinetic energy harvesting water flow energy harvesting There are two main met- And he’s a commercial pilot, a mountain technology. systems, and they should find rics that need to be im- climber, a rock climber, a musician, a phi- What is your assessment deployment for remote moni- proved: power density and lanthropist and community volunteer, a of the commercial viability of toring applications. bandwidth. In order to do voracious reader and a thoughtful leader. kinetic energy harvesting? What markets and appli- so, more research needs to “Dave always makes me think he’s the Kinetic energy harvest- cations are most likely to be be conducted on improving most interesting man in the company,” ing prototypes have been (or will continue to be) early the material performance said his boss at Dominion Resources, demonstrated by several re- adopters? and implementation of Thomas Farrell II. “He’s certainly the search laboratories and large Wireless sensor nodes, sur- these material architectures most interested man in the company.” companies, such as Exelis veillance components, and on the desired substrates. Behind the switch Inc. There are a variety of health monitoring systems are In addition, research is re- As CEO of Dominion Resources’ platforms where this tech- the prime applications for plat- quired to further the design generation unit, Christian is responsible nology is being targeted, forms, such as buildings, au- of low-frequency struc- for overseeing the more than 23,600 such as trains, aircrafts and tomobiles, trains, aircraft and tures, non-linear concepts megawatts of electricity generated by buildings for powering the ships. and efficient circuits…. the power stations of the company’s merchant and regulated electric utility businesses…. PHYS.ORG • April 21, 2014 Speaking up for Virginia Tech Virginia Tech, Christian’s alma mater, terminated its graduate program in New material coating technology nuclear engineering in 1986. But when Richard Benson became dean of mimics nature’s lotus effect Tech’s College of Engineering in 2005, Ever stop to consider why lotus plant leaves the development of unmanned underwater he wanted the university to bring it back. always look clean? The hydrophobic – water vehicles. Other researchers are observing the When state education officials ques- repelling – characteristic of the leaf, termed extraordinary navigational abilities of bats tioned whether the proposed program was the “Lotus effect,” helps the plant survive in that might lead to new ways to reconfigure important to Virginia Tech, the state and muddy swamps, repelling dirt and producing aviation highways in the skies. the nation, Christian spoke up. “He didn’t oversell, he didn’t use a heavy hand,” Ben- beautiful flowers. Ranga Pitchumani, professor of me- son recalled, but “he has a lot of authority. Of late, engineers have been paying more chanical engineering at Virginia Tech “When he spoke it was really influen- and more attention to nature’s efficien- and currently on an invitational assignment as tial,” the Virginia Tech dean said. .... cies, such as the Lotus effect, and studying the chief scientist and director of the Concen- Tech’s graduate nuclear engineering its behavior in order to make advances in trating Solar Power and Systems Integration program became official Jan. 1…. technology. As one example, learning more programs of the U.S. Department of Energy’s about swarming schools of fish is aiding in See COATING, page 24 24 Headlines VIRGINIA TECH COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

COATING BALTIMORE SUN • January 4, 2014 Phys.Org (Continued from page 23) Maryland teen gets worldwide stage SunShot Initiative, would like to see more efficiencies and clever designs in technology. His work after winning Intel award reflects this philosophy. by Jean Marbella his freshman year in college, he can just be Jack, His recent development of a The whiteboard that keeps track of Jack An- regular boy, as opposed to whiz-kid scientist on type of coating for materials that draka’s schedule would be an exhausting blur the public stage. But in the Andraka household, has little to no affinity for water for anyone, let alone a 16-year-old high school the norm hovers on a more elevated plane. emulates the Lotus effect. Com- student: Last-minute requests are squeezed into Luke, 18, similarly bloomed early. Now at Vir- already full days, scientific conferences bump up ginia Tech, his gift is engineering – like his monplace material coatings are against speaking engagements, successive trips father, a civil engineer who works for a devel- as simple as paints and varnishes. to India, Ireland and Harvard seem one missed opment company, and others in his extended fam- More sophisticated coatings connection away from a cascading disaster. ily. “Strange TVs, old kitchen equipment would might be used for resistance to It’s no wonder the extraordinarily in-demand follow him home and become something differ- corrosion, fire, or explosives. Andraka is sleepy-eyed on this recent day, but as ent,” his mother Jane said. The American Chemical it turns out, the reason is entirely ordinary – he At 13, Luke’s science fair project, remediat- Society recognized the impact was up late studying for a test at North County ing mining damage in a stream, placed fourth in of the work of Pitchumani High School in Glen Burnie…. a national science competition for middle-school and Atieh Haghdoost, a recent Andraka has had anything but a normal time students. In 2010, he won $96,000 in the Intel doctoral graduate from Pit- since winning the top $75,000 prize at the 2012 competitions, including the “Genius Scholarship,” chumani’s Advanced Materials Intel Science and Engineering Fair for his prom- and the following year, the THINK award given ising invention of an early-stage test for pancre- by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology to and Technologies Laboratory, atic cancer. With his voluble personality, he has students whose projects benefit their communi- featuring their research on the become something of an ambassador-at-large for ties. cover of its April 15 issue of the the cause of research and education, turning up All of which read like a challenge to his young- publication Langmuir, a highly- everywhere from “The Colbert Report” to the kind er brother. “So, of course I had to beat him,” Jack cited, peer reviewed journal. The of international summits where, as he wryly puts said. article can be found at: http:// it, “you could Wikipedia everyone at your table.” The national middle-school science competition pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/ But Andraka always comes home, eventually, was discontinued by the time Jack was eligible, la403509d, which includes a as he did for the holidays. It’s tempting to say but Jack says he “got back” by winning the top In- video demonstration of the coat- that back home in Crownsville, with his parents tel prize, in addition to victories in other catego- ing…. Jane and Steve and his brother, Luke, home from ries that pushed his total take to $100,500…. (Editor’s Note: This article also appeared in: Science Daily, THE COLLEGIATE TIMES • January 30, 2014 AZoM, Bio-Medicine, BioPortfolio, DailyNewsEn.com, Data Center Journal, Electronic Component Tech alumnus’ commercial News (ECN) – Online, Phys. org, Product Design & Development, contends for Super Bowl spot ScienceDaily, ScienceNewsline, Labo- ratory Equipment, ORNL Review, by Aastha Batra per Bowl is the variety of commercials that air during and R&D magazine.) For some, the most exciting part of watching the Su- the game. But few think about the process of selecting the commercials, or even the process of producing them. RICHMOND TIMES DISPATCH • June 3, 2014 Raj Suri, a computer science graduate of Vir- ginia Tech, came to understand the process firsthand this past year when he produced a Doritos commercial. Regulations’ impact on electric rates is unclear ... The pair competed against 5,500 other commer- by Peter Bacqué its Dominion Virginia Power unit is one of cials from all around the world. What effect the EPA’s proposed rules on the least, officials said. What sets the pair’s commercial apart among this carbon emissions will have on electric rates in “There’s not an easy option (to reduce year’s submissions is the amount of money that was used Virginia is up in the air, officials said Monday. carbon emissions) other than to close coal to produce it. Unlike other competitors who spend mil- And learning what that impact will be will and open natural gas plants,” said Nino lions of dollars in making their commercials, Suri and take years, they said, as the state develops its Ripepi, an assistant professor in Virginia his coworker were able to do it for about $300 by hav- plan to implement the federal regulations Tech’s Department of Mining and Minerals ing it shot it in their neighborhood, with the main roles covering existing power plants…. Engineering. “That’s very troublesome.” played by Anderson’s six-year-old son and dog. The American Electric Power system, of “What this reduction would do on a global Doritos will select two winners from the applicant which Appalachian Power is a part, is one of scale is not significant,” Ripepi said. “There are pool. The first is selected by popular vote and will re- the most carbon-intensive power companies too many emissions from too many sources. I ceive $1 million…. in the nation, while Dominion Resources and think it’s clear and everyone knows that.”… (Editor’s Note: Suri won the competition.) VIRGINIA TECH COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING Headlines 25

ENVIRONMENT HEALTH SAFETY TODAY • July 23, 2014 Study: Obese Workers Are More Prone to Fatigue by Josh Cable sembly operation – involved periods of work and age on endurance times, which is contrary to previ- Obese workers have less endurance and are more rest, and included pacing demands similar to those ous findings.”… prone to fatigue than their non-obese co-workers, a experienced by workers in manufacturing settings. … According to Cavuoto and Nussbaum, the results new study suggests. “Previous studies have indicated that both age from this and related studies will contribute to a bet- Published in the Journal of Occupational and Envi- and obesity lead to decreased mobility, particularly ter understanding of the ergonomic impacts of obe- ronmental Hygiene, the study examined the endurance when it comes to walking and performing lower- sity and age, which is important for describing the of 32 individuals in four categories (non-obese young, extremity tasks,” said Maury Nussbaum, Ph.D., link between personal factors and the risk of work- obese young, non-obese older and obese older) who a professor in the Department of Industrial place injury…. completed three distinct tasks that involved a range and Systems Engineering at Virginia Tech, (Editor’s Note: This article also appeared in Insur- of upper-extremity demands. The tasks – hand grip, who also worked on the study. “However, we found ance Journal, healthcanal.com, Science World Report, intermittent shoulder elevation and a simulated as- no evidence of an interactive effect of obesity and and ScienceNewsline.)

INNOVATIONS REPORT • June 6, 2014 New proactive approach unveiled to malware in networked computers and data Cybercrime comes in all forms isolates infected computer hosts that differentiates human-user computer science at Virginia these days. One recent headline and detects in advance stealthy computer interaction from mal- Tech. She worked with Naren told of the creepware or silent malware also known as malicious ware http://www.nsf.gov/award- Ramakrishnan http://www. computer snooping that resulted software. search/showAward?AWD_ID=0953 cs.vt.edu/user/ramakrishnan, the in the arrest of some 90 people in The work was conducted under 638&HistoricalAwards=false. Thomas L. Phillips Professor 19 countries. Miss Teen USA was the auspices of a 2010 National That $530,000 award was pre- of Engineering, and her gradu- among the victims. Her computer Science Foundation CAREER sented to Danfeng (Daphne) ate student Hao Zhang of Beijing, had been turned into a camera Award grant to develop software Yao, associate professor of See PROACTIVE, page 26 and used to spy on her in her own bedroom. FCW: THE BUSINESS OF FEDERAL TECHNOLOGY ELECTRONIC On the commercial front, Target June 16, 2014 COMPONENT NEWS suffered the largest retail hack in November 3, 2014 U.S. history during the Christmas Malware methodology, drone shopping season of 2013, and now the Fortune 500 company’s outlook launchers and a health IT departure Ant behavior might is bleak with steep drops in profits. NSF grantee finds new malware approach New research to be announced shed insight on at the June 2014 ACM Symposium by FCW staff computers and data. problems facing on Information, Computer and Research funded by a Findings from the 2010 Communications Security http:// National Science Founda- NSF CAREER Award grant electronics design asiaccs2014.nict.go.jp/ in Kyoto, tion grant resulted in the to develop software that by EurekaAlert Japan has unveiled the causal uncovering of a new proactive differentiates human-user Michael Hsiao plans to harness relations among computer net- methodology for detecting ma- computer interaction from swarm intelligence based on the ef- work events. The work effectively licious software in networked See MALWARE, page 26 ficient behavior of ants. Why would this matter? Ant colo- IN THE CAPITAL • November 14, 2014 nies are known for their efficiency in finding the best route to food sources. So Hsiao, professor of electrical and computer engineering at Virginia Virginia Tech Professors Help Create Tech, and an expert in design verifica- tion has tackled one of the major VR Bat Display For the Smithsonian problems facing electronics design in by Molly Greenberg mobile app called “Skin & Bones” to allow Smithsonian a novel way. A bat display at the Smithsonian has been brought to visitors the chance to see a 3-D digital vampire bat skel- He has developed mathematical life thanks to professors at Virginia Tech. eton “descend from the actual skeleton and run away as formulas that simulate the methods Rolf Mueller, an associate professor of mechanical only vampire bats can,” reads a university article about used by the ants when they are seek- engineering at the Blacksburg school, scanned a Na- the project…. ing nourishment. tional Museum of Natural History vampire bat speci- Mueller developed layers of high-resolution images Hsiao plans to use these algorithms men that was then animated by Dane Webster, faculty of vampire bat specimen from the Smithsonian that al- to improve the accuracy in electron- at the Institute for Creativity, Arts, and Technology at low viewers at museum touch-screen displays the ability ics design when one needs to validate Virginia Tech, and a group of students. Mueller and to superimpose the skin surface over the bone struc- and verify that the design meets the Webster are collaborators on efforts to update the Hall ture…. spec. of Bones; a project led by Robert Costello of the Smith- Mueller added that “Bat biosonar is one of the most The National Science Foundation sonian’s National Museum of Natural History. sophisticated sonar systems in existence. And, yes, that has awarded him a grant of $418,345 The National Museum of Natural History designed a includes manmade sonar systems.” ... to continue exploring his ideas. .... 26 Headlines VIRGINIA TECH COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

POPULAR SCIENCE • February 19, 2014 Modeling Bat-Mobility to Build Better Robobats by Rebecca Boyle But it’s difficult to tease out how says. (Editor’s Note: This article Seagull drones, RoboBees, and they do this. You have to stick a lot The end goal: A simplified bat- also appeared in: Mother Nature human-powered aircraft – all these of sensors on a bat and let it fly, flight model, which engineers could Network, International Business flying machines borrow heavily measuring aerodynamic forces. use to make a robobat that flies like Times, and Christian Science from nature’s designs. But building Then computer simulations must a real one.... Monitor.) animal-inspired robots requires un- crunch these readings to model the derstanding how the animals work, fluid dynamics of flight. THE WHY FILES • February 27, 2014 at least on a basic level. Humans Tafti’s team recently did the latter, may never build something as using recorded measurements com- complex as a bat, but we can build pleted by a Brown University group. a simplified version that borrows a They modeled the flow field that a bat’s key tricks. Danesh Tafti and bat’s wing produces, something that Bats on the wing colleagues at Virginia Tech are is very difficult to measure in experi- by David J. Tenenbaum In an extremely complex manner, doing the hard work of making this ments – imagine watching a bat flap With a small body mounting is the gist of a new study that, based job a little easier. around in a wind tunnel, and trying giant wings built on the highly on data about the actual flight of Bat wings are actually arms and to make sense of the physics. articulated bone structure of the a fruit bat, built a detailed picture hands covered with a stretchy, “This thing is moving all over mammalian arm, the bat’s herky- of the variations in air pressure sensitive membrane. By literally lift- the place, so to get a quantitative jerky motion is almost inevitable. that keep the bat aloft and moving ing a finger, bats can make minute assessment of what the flow field But how does their flapping affect forward. course corrections in mid-air. looks like is extremely difficult,” Tafti the airflow around the wings? The thousand-odd species of bats are the only true flying mammal, and their wings have the structure R&D Magazine - (Continued from page 19) PROMISE - of a mammal’s arm and hand, which using minimally invasive elec- uses bursts of sub-microsecond Biomolecular Imaging. makes their flight – and the move- trodes inserted into the skull bipolar pulses to enhance the The new tool is called Vascu- ment of the surrounding air – rather transfer of large molecules to lar Enabled Nanosecond pulse complicated. male rats. They varied the the brain.” or VEIN pulse. It will “reversibly The data on flight tracked the pulseof each duration of the 18 within anesthetized a burst, The members of the bio- open the blood-brain-barrier to position of 50 points on a fruit bat the total number of bursts (90 medical school are: Rafael V. facilitate the treatment of brain wing during a climbing flight, says Davalos, associate professor of cancer,” Davalos explained. senior author Danesh Tafti, a pro- A key element of their suc- biomedical engineering; John “The sub-lethal nature of these fessor of mechanical engineering cessto 900), was and that the the applied pulses field.alter- H. Rossmeisl Jr. and Thomas electrical bursts indicates that at Virginia Tech. “The experiment- nated in polarity to help elimi- Rogers-Cotrone of the Virginia- the VEIN pulse may be useful for ers put markers on the wings, and nate muscle contractions and Maryland College of Veterinary treating other neurological disor- used two or three cameras to cap- the need for a neuromuscular Medicine; Christopher Arena, ders such as Parkinson’s disease, ture the motion. We got the spatial blockade. Paulo A. Garcia and Michael B. - coordinates of these points that tell The next step in this research Sano of the Bioelectromechani- ease,” Davalos added. us where they are in space.” epilepsy and Alzheimer’s dis would be to move to large ani- cal Systems Laboratory and In their testing, the VEIN pulse But the fluid dynamics equations mal, pre-clinical trials. John D. Olson of the Center for treatments were administered Tafti was using were thirsty for detail. “You have to know the spatial location of each point on the wing PROACTIVE – Innovations Report – (Continued from page 25) at each time point in the simula- China, a doctoral candidate in computer science. “This type of semantic reasoning is new and very tion,” he says. Since each wingbeat The Virginia Tech computer scientists used caus- powerful,” Yao said…. requires tens of thousands of simu- al relations to determine whether or not network ac- (This article also appeared in HPC Wire on June 4, lation steps, “we have to interpolate tivities have justifiable and legitimate causes to occur. 2014.) a lot of points.” Because it’s nearly impossible to actually measure air flow and pres- MALWARE – FCW – (Continued from page 25) sure near the wing, computer simu- malware were revealed at the computer hosts in advance. departure from that.” lation is the only way to explore the ACM Symposium on Informa- “The true significance of Yao had previously gar- fluid dynamics of bat flight.… tion, Computer and Commu- this security approach is nered a three-year grant from Ultimately, the study is part of nications Security in Kyoto, its potential [as a] proac- the Office of Naval Research “bio-inspired design,” that aims to Japan, earlier this month. tive defense capability,” Yao on cybersecurity to quantita- understand and replicate flapping Danfeng Yao, associ- said. “Conventional security tively detect anomalies in De- flight, says Tafti, who notes that ate professor of computer systems scan for known attack fense Department computers, nature’s designs are usually more science at Virginia Tech, patterns, which is reactive. mobile devices, command and efficient than human ones. “We’d worked with a fellow professor Our anomaly detection based control servers, and embed- like to take the essentials and use and a graduate student on de- on enforcing benign properties ded systems deployed on U.S. them to design a vehicle that would tecting malware and infected in network traffic is a clear Navy ships. … fly like a bat.” VIRGINIA TECH COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING Headlines 27

THE WASHINGTON TIMES NBC NEWS • November 11, 2014 July 21, 2014

Va. Tech institute receives Physicists Study Why Dogs Are 2 federal contracts The federal government has awarded two Sloppier Drinkers Than Cats Popular web videos showing that “cats rule Massachusetts Institute of Technology, among contracts potentially worth $55 million to other schools, discovered how cats lap water. Ba- Virginia Tech’s Transportation Institute. support that felinophilic sentiment, at least when sically, felines touch their tongue to the water’s Virginia Tech said Monday that the Fed- itand comes dogs to drool” drinking. have While new scientific cats expertly evidence ma- to surface without penetrating it and pull up a col- eral Motor Carrier Safety Administration nipulate water to quench their thirst neatly, dogs umn of liquid. In contrast, high-speed cameras awarded a contract to further study commer- smash, slosh, spill and splash their way through revealed that a dog’s tongue smashes forcefully cial truck driver safety. The contract is for up a drink, according to research presented Monday through the water’s surface to scoop up a drink. to five years and up to $30 million. at a meeting of the American Physical Society. Dogs “make lots of splashing, but a cat never The institute also received a contract from Neither cats nor dogs can close their cheeks does,” said Virginia Tech biomechanical engi- the National Highway Safety Administration tightly enough to create suction, as humans do, neer Sunny Jung, one of the study’s authors. … to research automated-vehicle technology. The The cat-lapping study was published today on contract is for up to five years and a maximum 2010, engineers at Princeton University and the the journal Science’s website…. $25 million. so exactly how they manage had been a puzzle. In THE ROANOKE TIMES • September 28, 2014 COMPUTERWORLD UK The Signature Engineering Building September 17, 2014 expands possibilities at Virginia Tech Virginia Tech by Tonia Moxley Smart Infrastructure researchers say. researchers devise BLACKSBURG — You can Laboratory, overseen by So far the team, which tiptoe through the second mechanical engineering includes several graduate traffic app to rival Virginia Tech’s professors Pablo Taraza- students, has installed about a newly opened Signature ga and Mary Kasarda. weather apps Engineeringfloor of Building, but Their students work on known as accelerometers, by Sharon Gaudin no matter how light your making “smart materials” arounddozen sophisticated the building, sensors,with Before many travelers head to the beach or footsteps, the echoes will by embedding sensors into plans to increase that number up to the mountains to go apple picking or ski- register as data in what of- architectural media, such to more than 240. The sen- ing, they check a weather app. as steel used in construc- sors will be hard-wired to the One day, they also may check a traffic app instrumented public building tion. These processes may data collection system with that will help them get to the beach or the inficials the country.say will be the most eventually allow building 10 miles of cable, or enough mountains without getting stuck in a traffic jam components to moni- or waylaid by an accident. make the 155,000-square-foot tor their own structural Researchers at the Virginia Tech Trans- researchGround and zero classroom of the effort build to- health and signal problems to circle the Drillfield 14 portation Institute are working on a cloud- ing a test bed for everything as they occur — a much studentstimes, Tarazaga will be said....able to jump based application that will use real-time infor- - cheaper and more accurate in Eventually,the hallway Tarazaga and see the said, mation and historical data to predict when and tems to building health and process than using human vibration translated onto See TRAFFIC APP, page 28 safetyfrom energy monitoring efficiency is Tech’s sys inspectors for the job, the monitors outside the lab....

BUSINESS STANDARD • August 12, 2014 New tech could display traffic signs inside vehicles A new technology may allow a dashboard section, the driver would be allowed to pass spearheading the proof of concept adaptive screen inside the car to display traffic signs through and go on, researchers said. stop-yield study with funding from the US and alert the driver of what actions to take. “The idea is there would be no physical Department of Transportation. Researchers at the Virginia Tech Trans- stop or yield signs on the side of the road, Noble is working under direction of her portation Institute are in the early stages but they would be inside the vehicle,” said adviser and project manager, Thomas A of a novel idea to move stop and yield signs, Alexandria Noble of Newark, Delaware, Dingus, the institute’s director and an among other posted traffic, from the side of a master’s student with the Virginia Tech endowed professor of civil and environ- the road into the car itself. Charles E Via Jr Department of Civil mental engineering at Virginia Tech…. A dashboard screen will automatically and Environmental Engineering. (Editor’s Note: This article also appeared in alert the driver of what actions to take, if Noble, who is also working with the Vir- Financial Express, Government Technology, and any. If no other car is present at the inter- ginia Tech Transportation Institute, is the Times of India.) News Office, College of Engineering Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage Virginia Tech PAID Blacksburg, VA 24061 Blacksburg VA 24060 Permit No. 28

PULSE OF THE PLANET (National Public Radio) THE AUTO CHANNEL • July 17, 2014 February 11, 2014 EcoCAR 2 Team Wins MathWorks Award NATICK, MA -- July 17, 2014: competition where students were Prevention Through Design MathWorks today announced that tasked with the real-world challenge When a new product is So that ultimately their end prod- University of Victoria has won the of reengineering a 2013 Chevrolet produced or a new procedure ucts will have little or no risks to MathWorks Modeling Award as Malibu by improving its fuel ef- introduced into the work place, the end user, the general public part of the EcoCAR 2 collegiate ficiency and reducing its emissions how do we know it’s safe? and the environment…. engineering competition. The while retaining its performance and Ambience: Construction This concept of prevention award recognizes the team’s use consumer appeal. Other schools to I’m Jim Metzner and this is the through design is being advocated of MATLAB and Simulink for place included Ohio State University Pulse of the Planet. by the National Institute for Model-Based Design during the and Virginia Tech, winning second Deborah Young-Corbett: I’m Occupational Safety and Health, three-year project-based learning and third place respectively…. working in a field called preven- a federal agency. So that when en- tion through design. gineers go out into the workforce Deborah Young-Corbett is and design various things, they TRAFFIC APP – ComputerWorld UK an assistant professor at the will have this in their minds, that (Continued from page 27) Institute for Critical Technology they should be thinking about where traffic is likely to snarl and slow a trip. and Applied Science at Virginia what risks their designs might To build the travel app, university researchers created an algorithm Tech. pose. that combines historical and real-time data to predict traffic patterns and Young-Corbett: This is a …Pulse of the Planet is made congestion, according to Virginia Tech…. relatively new field in engineering possible in part by the National “Most people think traffic prediction has been implemented, used where the engineers factor in risk Science Foundation. I’m Jim long ago, but it’s actually new,” said Hao Chen, a Ph.D. candidate at reduction into the design process. Metzner. Virginia Tech and a researcher on the project…. Mapping applications typically rely on mileage and speed limits to pre- dict travel times, and digital traffic warning signs set up beside highways TEACHING - Roanoke Times - (Continued from page 9) tend to only announce traffic jams that are already happening. was sometimes low. al student Cory Bart have brought “They don’t have the confidence to tell you what will happen,” Chen An idea from 2010 came back to a new project: developing a added in a statement. “We can provide on average 95% prediction accu- to the professor, based on a more computer science course for every- racy for travel time.” experimental course he had one, even the liberal arts people. Researchers noted that one of the challenges they faced with creating taught that used in-class exercises They have put in months of a smartphone app that can predict traffic patterns and travel times is the and minimized lectures. work developing an online, in- sheer volume of information needed. “I was impressed by the teractive textbook and working To overcome that, they used cloud computing. “All the information resides up in the cloud,” said change that approach brought out a new teaching model for Wu Feng, a pro- fessor in the departments of Computer Science and Electrical into the classroom,” Kafura said. the course, which is intended to and Computer Engineering at Virginia Tech. “An end user merely “It struck me as being more in- make students, no matter their queries the cloud. The cloud computes the answer and then ships it back teresting for me, and more inter- major, comfortable using big data to your phone or laptop. The big data simply remains in the cloud.” esting for them.” to answer important questions in (Editor’s Note: This article also appears in Computer World Singapore It’s a lesson Kafura and doctor- their fields…. online, Linux World online, MIS Asia online.)