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PQuake ...... Page 2 THE UbiComp ...... Page 3

Ferst season opens . . . .Page 3 Campus events ...... Page 4 WHISTLE F A C U L T Y /S T A F F N E W S P A P E R V O L U M E 25, N U M B E R 33 • O C T O B E R 8, 2001 T H E G E O R G I A I N S T I T U T E O F T E C H N O L O G Y

Lawsuit over use of name ‘Buzz’ ends with settlement

Larry Bowie Anaheim Angels. trademarks, which would have a Institute Communications “We think this case shows we significant impact on the Institute. and Public Affairs mean business when it comes to pro- Each time a licensed item bearing tecting our trademarks, and we’re a Georgia Tech trademark is sold, the -A minor league base- willing to challenge those people who Institute collects a portion of the ball team that called itself the infringe on them,” said Tammy Tuley wholesale price. Georgia Tech derives A Salt Lake Buzz agreed last Purves, a director of client communi- nearly $300,000 annually from week to pay Georgia Tech $600,000 cations for Institute Communications licensing its trademarked logos — for infringing on Tech’s trademarked and Public Affairs. revenue that funds much-needed name for its mascot “Buzz.” Last year the team scholarships, internships, and other The settlement, filed in U.S. changed its name to the Salt Lake student-focused programs. District Court in Atlanta, ends a three- Stingers. However, Tech officials were Georgia Tech and the baseball year legal battle between the minor concerned that permitting the Salt team became entangled over the league team and Tech over the rights Lake Buzz to go unchallenged could rights to the Buzz name after owner to the name Buzz. Tech, whose mas- lead to other encroachments on Tech Joe Buzas moved his baseball fran- cot Buzz is one of the best-known trademarks. chise to in the early 1990s and mascots in the country, has owned “The name Buzz is synonymous renamed it the Salt Lake Buzz, a nod the trademark for use of the word for with Georgia Tech,” Purves said. to the old Bees. sporting and entertainment purposes “With our visibility as a top-ranked The name passed unnoticed until since 1988. university, our mascot has become 1997 when Salt Lake Buzz merchan- The terms of the settlement bar one of the most popular in sports dise was seen on sale in Atlanta. the Salt Lake team from using Buzz today. This settlement is testament to Tech began negotiating with the team in the team’s name, web site, or for our ownership of the trademark, and and asked Buzas to stop using the merchandising purposes. In addition, the efforts of Tech and the Collegiate name. The team initially agreed, but a trademark application the team Licensing Company, our licensing reneged and filed a lawsuit in a Utah filed for the name “Buzzy,” the team agency, to protect our brands.” court against Tech, asking the court photo by Stanley Leary mascot, was dismissed, according to In addition, she said, trademark to allow the team to continue using Licensing logos like Buzz can generate as the settlement. The team is a AAA infringement could reduce the rev- the name. Georgia Tech filed the much as $300,000 in annual revenue. Affiliate of the enue collected from Georgia Tech’s countersuit in 1998.

Tech professor garners nation’s top prize in physical chemistry

Sean Selman Tech.” of Sciences is proud to be associated Institute Communications The 2002 Irving Langmuir Award with Professor El-Sayed, as he repre- and Public Affairs — sponsored by The General Electric sents the very best in the tradition of Fund and the General Electric great scientists and great academi- egents’ Professor Mostafa Corporate Research and Development cians. I am honored to call him a col- El-Sayed, the Julius Brown Center — will be given to El-Sayed by league and a friend.” R Professor in the School of the American Chemical Society (ACS), The Irving Langmuir Award in Chemistry and Biochemistry, is to a not-for-profit membership organiza- Chemical Physics was established in receive the 2002 Irving Langmuir tion founded in 1876 and chartered 1964 by the General Electric Award in Chemical Physics, the by a 1937 Act of the U.S. Congress. Foundation to recognize and encour- nation’s highest prize in that field. With a membership of almost age interdisciplinary research in Professor El-Sayed, director of the 159,000 chemists, chemical engi- chemistry and physics. Its namesake, Laser Dynamics Laboratory, is one of neers and other practitioners of the Irving Langmuir, earned the 1932 the top physical scientists in the chemical sciences, the ACS is the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. His work on world. He earned the Langmuir Award world’s largest scientific society. filaments in gases led directly to the for his work using short-burst lasers “Professor El-Sayed is a giant in invention of the gas-filled incandes- to study the transportation of elec- the field of chemical physics,” said cent lamp and to the discovery of trons within different materials, Gary Schuster, dean of the College of atomic hydrogen. He later used the including semi-conductor and metal- Sciences. “His contributions have latter discovery to develop the atomic lic nanoparticles and photosynthetic photo by Stanley Leary expanded understanding in numer- hydrogen welding process. systems. Despite his stature as a researcher, El- ous areas. He is a pioneer who has “Although the Langmuir Prize rec- “I feel so honored to receive this Sayed continues to teach freshmen, saying charted a path that many have fol- ognizes his outstanding scientific dis- award,” El-Sayed said. “I am especial- “Interacting with really bright students is lowed. His contributions to science coveries, Professor El-Sayed’s ly pleased because it is given for a one of the major attractions here at Tech.” extend far beyond his research dis- achievements as a mentor and body of work rather than one specific coveries. teacher are certainly as profound,” thing. I came to Georgia Tech specifi- “The Langmuir Prize is a recogni- said Laren Tolbert, chair of the cally because they allowed me to cre- the 10 years I have spent conducting tion of these spectacular achieve- ate the laser dynamics lab. Seven of this research have been here at ments,” Schuster said. “The College El-Sayed continued, page 2

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“QUOTE- Tech team to assess damage in New York City Larry Bowie The focus of this assessment will Institute Communications be to document the type of struc- and Public Affairs ture as well as specifics of damage UNQUOTE” incurred as a result of the event. avid Frost, a professor of Qualitative and quantitative informa- civil engineering and director tion on structural and non-structural “The security is really loose. of the Georgia Tech Regional damage will be gathered. In addi- Airlines do not X-ray cargo on a D Engineering Program, will lead a tion, digital photographic records regular basis. There are all team of faculty and graduate stu- will be geo-referenced to the kinds of security threats going dents to collect damage assessment descriptive information through the into the belly of aircraft ... A data of the World Trade Center vicin- use of GPS technology. whole host of new processes ity using an advanced digital data When field data has been collect- will have to be implemented, system he developed for earthquake ed, the entire results of the survey including electronic scans and reconnaissance missions. will be uploaded into a GIS data- dogs.” The National Science Foundation base and examined for detailed syn- —Mo Bazaraa, managing direc- (NSF) awarded Frost $20,000 to col- thesis and analysis of damage tor of Tech’s Logistics Institute, lect and analyze data on structural degree and extent. on the potential security hole engineering and damage assessment PQuake was successfully utilized that exists in the airlines’ han- while debris is being removed. Frost earlier this year following the devas- dling of air cargo. and his team are one of eight univer- Frost’s team received one of eight uni- tating earthquake in Gujarat, India. (Atlanta Business Chronicle) sity-based engineering and social sci- versity research grants to collect data It is ideally suited to form the core ence research teams from across on the impact of the WTC damage. of post-event damage surveys in the country that were awarded New York, Frost said. “The laws of physics reveal the grants last week. Frost has participated as a mem- Frost and his team will use a new potential for 20 more years of To cover the logistical support ber of numerous post-earthquake software application for the palmtop exponential progress ahead of required for this effort, Georgia Tech reconnaissance teams including computer that his research group us. If the engineers are clever has agreed to match the NSF award teams that responded to the Loma has developed called “PQuake.” enough -- which historically with an additional $10,000. Prieta, Northridge, Izmit and Gujarat The software allows several teams they have been -- they will be “As part of the recovery efforts events. As a result of these experi- to simultaneously collect and input able to find ways to produce following the terrorist attacks, there ences and his ongoing research in digital data, digital photos and the nanoelectronic structures is a need to gather high quality infor- using imaging and information sys- Global Positioning System (GPS) that physics says are feasible mation to assess the condition of tems in civil engineering research, coordinates as they assess the vicini- and reasonable.” buildings in the vicinity of the World he created a group to develop cus- ty. Frost will lead as many as three —James Meindl, professor of Trade Center, the damage they sus- tom applications for personal digital teams, each consisting of three peo- electrical and computer engi- tained, and rate how they performed assistants, including the PQuake sys- ple using the customized handheld neering and director of the as a result,” Frost said. tem, to be used in the New York software, along with GPS and digital Microelectronics Research The data will be used in engineer- project. photographic equipment, that will Center, on the fundamental ing studies to help improve the All aspects of the field work — survey the entire area impacted by limit of silicon semiconductors. structural integrity of the nation’s including access permissions, team the attack in a consistent, compre- buildings, utilities and other infra- safety, daily activity planning and hensive manner. Each three-person structure during fires, earthquakes, coordination with other team will include a structural engi- explosions and other hazards. They groups/organizations conducting neer experienced in conducting will also be used to improve the reconnaissance activities — will be damage reconnaissance. nation’s response to such threats. coordinated by Frost.

2002 Faculty Awards opens call for nominations

he Faculty Honors Committee • Outstanding Service Award, pre- Innovative Use of Education is soliciting nominations of sented to a member of the general Technology Award, recognizing a T faculty members as candi- faculty who has benefited the member of the faculty who has dates for recognition in six award Institute, profession, school/depart- developed and instituted innovative categories. ment or the general public in an techniques to improve the learning • Class of 1934 Distinguished exemplary manner; environment and the learning Professor Award, recognizing sus- • Outstanding Continuing Education process. tained outstanding achievement in Award, for a member of the general Professor Carol Colatrella, Faculty teaching, research and service. It is faculty who has made significant Honors Committee chair, may be THE the highest award given to a faculty contributions to the Institute, profes- contacted at 894-1241 or by e-mail WHISTLE member; sion, industry/government and/or at [email protected]. • Class of 1940 W. Roane Beard general public in the area of continu- Other members of the 2001-2002 Outstanding Teacher Award and ing education; Faculty Honors Committee are Editor: Michael Hagearty Class of 1940 W. Howard Ector • Class of 1934 Outstanding Richard LeBlanc (Computing), Jack Published by Institute Outstanding Teacher Award, present- Interdisciplinary Activities Award, to Marr (Psychology), Paul Steffes Communications and Public Affairs. ed each year to faculty members the faculty who have made signifi- (ECE), Linda Thomas-Mobley cant interdisciplinary contributions (Architecture) and a student repre- Publication is weekly throughout who have taught at least six semes- the academic year and biweekly ter hours during the previous aca- to teaching and research; and sentative. More information is avail- throughout the summer. demic year; • Class of 1934 Outstanding able at www.lcc.gatech.edu/honors. The Whistle can be accessed electronically through the Georgia Tech web page, or directly at www.whistle.gatech.edu. El-Sayed, continued from page 1 map by raising our sights, and he is In 1994 El-Sayed joined the facul- a cherished and loyal friend,” ty at Georgia Tech. Today he is an E-mail Whistle submissions to [email protected], School of Chemistry and Tolbert said. “We are richly blessed elected member of the Third World or fax to Michael at 404-894-7214 Biochemistry. “He has a lifetime to have him as a member of our Academy of Science, in addition to at least 10 days prior to desired community.” his membership at the U.S. National publication date. For more record in teaching both professional information, call 404-894-8324. scientists and college freshmen in El-Sayed was Georgia Tech’s first Academy of Sciences. He also is an the mysteries of chemistry, and his member of the National Academy of elected Fellow of the American Cost/$675 Copies/5,200 enthusiasm and love for science Sciences. He received his bachelor’s Academy of Arts and Sciences, the degree from Ain Shams University in American Physical Society and the Institute Communications infect all those around him. and Public Affairs “He is an inspiring colleague who Cairo and his doctorate from Florida American Association for the Wardlaw Center State University. Advancement of Science. 177 North Avenue has helped put Georgia Tech on the Atlanta, Georgia 30332-0181

Georgia Tech is a unit of the University System of Georgia. Correction: An article on page 1 of the August 20 issue mistakenly referred to a gift from the Goizueta Foundation as earmarked for the College of Engineering. In fact, the $4.25 million grant will go to support faculty and students Institute-wide.

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Ubi What? Young field draws international audience IN BRIEF: Elizabeth Campell said Heather Richter, a fifth-year with hundreds of millions of Institute Communications computing doctoral student personal computers — has and Public Affairs who presented a paper about slowed, leaving ubiquitous com- an application developed in col- puting to fill the void. He also New technology licensing director named ore than 200 comput- laboration with IBM Research predicted the next wave of tech- Last month, the Georgia Tech Research ing researchers, profes- and Boeing that records video, nological breakthroughs will Corporation (GTRC) welcomed George Harker as M sors and graduate stu- audio and text of workplace occur as the fields of informa- the new director of the Office of Technology dents from around the world meetings. tion technology, biotechnology Licensing. Dr. Harker comes to Tech from West participated in the Ubicomp Ubicomp offered an excel- and nanotechnology begin to Virginia University, where he held the position 2001 conference in Atlanta last lent opportunity to demonstrate converge. of director in the Office of Technology Transfer. week, despite heightened con- Computing’s expertise. The session on privacy and Jilda Garton, associate vice provost for cerns about air travel. Ubicomp, Attendees enjoyed an evening challenges of ubiquitous com- research and general of GTRC, said, short for ubiquitous computing, on campus of viewing more puting in the home generated “George’s strengths in alliance building, coupled is still a relatively young field, than 30 demonstrations in the the most discussion. Abowd with his experience in industry and higher edu- focused on the idea of moving College of Computing, the GVU said he thought it was the best cation, and his background in finance and the the computer away from the Center, and the Aware Home overall session of the confer- legal arena, will well serve the Georgia Tech current desktop paradigm to Research Initiative in the ence. research mission. We are fortunate to have him other models that have been Broadband Institute Residential Some of the universities rep- on our team.” called pervasive, invisible and Laboratory, plus a half dozen resented included MIT, Carnegie Equally enthusiastic is Tech’s vice provost for wearable computing. demos from visitors to the con- Mellon, Stanford, UC Davis, and research, Charles Liotta. “We are just now revis- As general chair of the con- ference. universities in England, Sweden, ing our campus policy on intellectual property,” ference, Gregory Abowd, togeth- “Having Ubicomp in Atlanta Switzerland, Norway and Japan. he said, “so George’s expertise in this area is er with the College of and at Georgia Tech is an Fourth-year computing doc- particularly welcome. His background is an Computing and the Graphics implicit indication that the inter- toral student Khai Truong pre- excellent match for our unique mission here. Visualization and Usability national community sees sented a paper that he, fellow The search committee interviewed some very (GVU) Center, organized and Georgia Tech, the College of Ph.D. student Jason Brotherton, impressive candidates, and I think they made hosted the conference. Abowd, Computing and the GVU Center and Abowd wrote about design absolutely the best selection for our institute.” an associate professor in the as a leading international issues of capture and access College of Computing, said the research center in ubiquitous applications. Tech among ‘wired’ elite conference had a more explicit computing,” said Abowd. “Ubiquitous computing is a Three years ago, Yahoo! Internet Life magazine agenda this year to be inclusive Larry Smarr, professor of very exciting field right now,” published its annual list of America’s most of the wide range of computer computer science at the Truong said. “The Future wired colleges, and for some reason Georgia science themes that impact University of California at San Computing Environments group Tech didn’t even make the cut. It wasn’t even in ubiquitous computing, which Diego and director of the has been doing research in this the top 100. In fact, no Georgia colleges were was reflected in the internation- California Institute for area since 1995. Additionally, on the list. After tinkering with the questions al and intellectual distribution Telecommunications & we do research in many of and streamlining the way the surveys are sent to of the program committee. Information Technology, gave aspects of the field — context- colleges, Internet Life has gotten a step closer “I was very impressed with the keynote speech entitled awareness, capture-and-access to a more accurate survey. This year, Tech the caliber and breadth of “Assembling the Planetary and natural interfaces — in ranked third among the nation’s most wired papers. I was pleased to see Computer.” Smarr noted that many different ways. As a schools — behind only Carnegie Mellon and that many emphasized evaluat- after 20 years, the incredible result, we have a lot of different Stanford — and two places ahead of the ing systems in real settings,” growth of the wired Internet — work in this area to present.” Massachusetts Institute of Technology, which finished fifth. Georgia State was 46th, the University of Georgia was 54th, and Valdosta State broke into the top 100 at No. 97, thanks to a recent $8 million infrastructure update. For the complete list, go to www.wiredcolleges.com. Make your presence known In an effort to improve the usability and effec- tiveness of the Georgia Tech Web presence, the Curtain rises on Ferst Center’s 10th season Institute is conducting a review of its look, Barbara Wilson celebrate,” said Meyers. design, content, and organization. Faculty and Auxiliary Services “Advance ticket sales are at staff are encouraged to participate in a market their highest level ever. Our sea- research survey to better understand how the or ten years the Ferst son is strong, with one of the Web is used on campus and how it could be Center for the Arts has country’s outstanding dance improved. To participate, click on the Buzz but- Dance Theatre been host to a world-class companies as the season open- ton on the Georgia Tech home page. of Harlem F Participants will be eligible for a drawing for a repertoire, bringing the arts to er.” Georgia Tech students, faculty, Dance Theatre of Harlem was $100 gift certificate. and staff, and to the Atlanta arts co-founded in 1969 by Arthur community. This anniversary Mitchell and the late Karel Final numbers season is no exception as the Shook. Mitchell undertook this The pot keeps growing. As of last week, the stu- Dance Theatre of Harlem (DTH) dance troupe as his personal dent-organized “25K by the 21st” fundraiser for comes to the theater for its commitment to the people of the American Red Cross reached the $36,000 first-ever performance at the Harlem following the assassina- plateau. The final check will be presented prior Ferst Center. tion of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to the October 11 Tech-Maryland football game. Ferst Center Director Andrea Now 32 years later, Dance Hoffer is excited about the Theatre of Harlem is viewed as Youth science new season premiere. a cultural institution encom- The Georgia Tech K*I*D*S Club (Kids Interested “We are thrilled passing a world-class ballet in Discovering Science) is designed to tap and about the opening company. nourish children’s natural curiosity and enthusi- of our10th anniver- The DTH will be performing asm for mathematics, science and technology. sary season,” said its Apollo Theater Program, a Students in grades 4-6 are invited to join the Hoffer. “The Dance Theatre blending of cultures from South club. Membership includes three newsletters a of Harlem is an example of America to the southern part of year with articles, games and puzzles. In addi- the type of performance that America, with a little James tion, three hands-on workshops are scheduled makes us a leader in the Brown and Aretha Franklin for November 3, January 12, and March 2. A Atlanta arts community.” sprinkled throughout. one-year membership is $25. Auxiliary Services Tickets for the Dance To receive your application, go to Associate Vice President Theatre of Harlem are still avail- www.ceismc.gatech.edu, link to KIDS Club and Rosalind Meyers echoes this able and can be purchased at print the application form. sentiment. the Ferst Center Box Office For further information contact Sandra Mack “As we begin our 10th located in the Student Center, or Shirley Bennett at 894-4850 or send an anniversary year, the or by calling 894-9600. The e-mail to one of the following addresses: Ferst Center has next performance is jazz vocal- [email protected] or reason to ist Diane Schuur on Oct. 27. [email protected].

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