May 4, 2005 Techtalk S ERVING T HE M I T C OMMUNITY

Volume 49 – Number 26 Wednesday – May 4, 2005 TechTalk S ERVING T HE M I T C OMMUNITY

Hockﬁeld inauguration May 2-7, 2005

‘White Noise/ White Light’ opens festivities

Academic procession demystified

Ceremonial music previewed

See Pages 4-6

PHOTO / DONNA COVENEY PAGE 2 May 4, 2005 PEOPLE MIT Tech Talk Langer wins top medicine prize Dresselhaus Elizabeth Thomson time the Selection Committee has cho- control the release of large molecules in a honored with News Office sen an outstanding scientist who also slow, steady and controlled manner. Prior happens to be an Albany native, a true to Langer’s groundbreaking discovery, hometown hero,” said Barba. Langer was many large molecules could not be used Heinz Award born at Albany Hospital, the forerunner therapeutically because they could not be Institute Professor Robert S. Langer Institute Professor Mildred Dressel- to the Albany Medical Center for which given orally nor could they be delivered has won the $500,000 Albany Medical haus has won the 11th Heinz Award for the Albany Prize is named. via injection since the body’s enzymes Center Prize in Medicine and Biomedical Technology, the Economy and Employ- The Albany Medical Center Prize is one attacked and destroyed them. Research, America’s top prize in medicine. ment in recognition of scholarship that of the largest prizes in medicine world- The practical application of Langer’s “The world owes an infinite debt of has helped keep the United States on the wide, second only to the Nobel Prize in work has led to the development of an gratitude to Dr. Langer for his pioneering cutting edge of nanostructures and other Physiology and Medicine. array of plastic devices that are surgically work in the field of drug delivery systems technologies. Langer reported being “thrilled and implanted to deliver medicines and hor- that has improved the lives of more than Dresselhaus, an advocate for increased shocked” when he learned of the honor. mones in precisely regulated amounts 60 million people each year,” said James opportunities for women in the sciences for “It’s humbling to be in the company of the over long periods of time. J. Barba, chairman of the board, president more than four decades, is among five dis- people who’ve already won this prize,” Langer’s research is credited with pav- and chief executive officer of Albany Medi- tinguished Americans selected to receive Langer said. Previous recipients include ing the way for the advent of a radical new cal Center. the $250,000 awards, presented in five cate- Dr. Anthony S. Fauci, a scientific leader discipline called tissue engineering, which “Dr. Langer’s work has spawned revolu- gories by the Heinz Family Foundation. who was recognized for his seminal work scientists hope will one day obviate the tionary advances in cancer treatment, has “Throughout her career, Dr. Mildred on AIDS and other diseases of the immune need for donor organs. He is also cred- given birth to an entirely new field of bio- Dresselhaus has system, and Dr. Arnold J. Levine, who co- ited with helping to develop the concept of technology known as tissue engineering, combined signi- discovered the p53 protein, described as local chemotherapy. and most recently has fueled the develop- ficant scientific perhaps the most important tumor sup- The Albany Medical Center Prize was ment of cardiac stents that have virtually accomplishments pressor gene in human cancer. established in November 2000 following eliminated the risk of restenosis in patients and prominent lea- Langer was selected for the Albany a $50 million gift commitment to Albany undergoing treatment for cardiovascular dership roles with Medical Center Prize for his entire body of Medical Center from Morris “Marty” Sil- disease. an abiding commit- scientific work, most notably his seminal verman, a New York City businessman “On a personal note, this is a particu- ment to support research on polymer-based drug delivery and philanthropist who was born in Troy, larly exciting day for all of us with ties the advancement of systems, which has allowed clinicians to N.Y., and educated in nearby Albany. to the Capital Region, as this is the first women in the sciences,” said Teresa Heinz Kerry, chairman of the Heinz Women share Family Foundation. Dresselhaus “Amid public debate over the capacity of women to thrive in a scientific environment, Dr. success stories Dresselhaus’ esteemed career provides a decisive and resounding answer. Her quiet Nancy DuVergne Smith leadership, serving as a generous mentor MIT Alumni Association and role model to countless women over the years, has had a profound impact on the scientific opportunities that are avai- When chemical engineer Elisabeth Drake ’58 entered lable to women today. We are pleased to MIT 50 years ago, there were 15 women in her class, recognize her life’s work with the Heinz yet women’s leadership and community were already Award for Technology, the Economy and vital. Katherine Dexter McCormick, a 1904 graduate Employment.” and a leader in the movements for women’s suffrage Said Dresselhaus, “Among my greatest and birth control, played a large role in Drake’s era. She satisfactions—in addition to a marriage of invited female students to white-gloved teas and asked 47 years and the raising of four wonder- important questions. ful children—has been empowering the Speaking at the Women’s Leadership Conference young women who have been inspired to held April 30 at the Hotel@MIT in Cambridge, Drake pursue a scientific calling. I hope that this described her first tea: McCormick graciously turned to award will provide additional inspiration, the students and said, “Young ladies, I assume you know and I thank the Heinz Family Foundation about birth control, but I wonder if you have thought for this tremendous honor.” about how you are going to manage your career and Dresselhaus is one of the nation’s fore- your reproductive life?” most experts in the multifaceted field of McCormick’s question broke the ice that day, and carbon science. Her investigations into she proceeded to fund a women’s dormitory, which superconductivity, the electronic proper- helped increase women’s enrollment and build commu- ties of carbon, thermoelectricity and the nity. McCormick’s leadership, drive and clear focus on new physics at the nanometer scale have balancing professional development and personal life helped yield numerous discoveries. Dresselhaus is the fourth member of exemplified themes that recurred throughout the day PHOTO / DONNA COVENEY of panels and conversations among some 200 alumnae the MIT faculty to receive a Heinz Award. at the conference. The event, subtitled “Innovating Suc- Mind and hand The others are Institute Professor Robert cess,” was sponsored by the MIT Alumni Association. Langer, Institute Professor Mario Molina Leading alumnae shared stories about the challenges Martin L. Demaine, shown with an example of his glasswork, was recen- and Institute Professor John Harbison. they had overcome in their fields through determina- tly named artist-in-residence in the Department of Electrical Engineering Since 1993, the Heinz Family Foundati- tion and hard work. Some incidents, related in breakout and Computer Science. “I believe it’s important for students to be able on of Pittsburgh has recognized individu- sessions on topics ranging from “Corporate Leadership” to express themselves visually as well as technically,” said Demaine. als whose dedication, skill and generosity to “Medicine/Health Care,” were overt. A skilled physi- “Being both an artist and a researcher, I’m eager to help bridge the com- of spirit represent the best of the human cian was denied board certification in San Francisco munication gaps between the two groups, as both groups have much condition—qualities that the late Sen. because, she was told, they only accepted one woman to gain by understanding one another.” Demaine has been a visiting John Heinz (R-Pa.), for whom the award is every other year—and it was the wrong year. Some scientist in the Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory named, valued. The Heinz Awards will be challenges are ongoing, such as balancing work with since 2001. presented at a private ceremony in Was- raising children. hington, D.C., on May 24. Stata Center earns Grand Award for ‘green’ engineering The Ray and Maria Stata Center has lence Awards recognize innovation, exper- mentally friendly features. To complement water runoff is naturally treated through a won a Grand Award from the American tise and ingenuity in engineering achieve- these features, the site’s landscape design series of constructed wetlands, and some Council of Engineering Companies. ment. The council’s top honor is its Grand used a “biomimicry” concept that rein- of the stormwater is harvested for toilet Judith Nitsch Engineering of Boston, Conceptor Award, which this year went troduces natural systems such as varied flushing, which saves water and sewer which worked on the site design for the to an Everglades restoration project. The topography and vegetation into the built costs. Stata, was honored at the council’s 39th council gave out seven Grand Awards and environment. Last year, Simmons Hall, the first major annual gala in Washington, D.C., on April 16 Honor Awards. Judith Nitsch Engineering designed the building in the country to use a mixed- 11. Designed by architect Frank Gehry, infrastructure systems that made this con- mode system for ventilation, received an The ACEC’s annual Engineering Excel- the Stata Center includes many environ- cept both feasible and functional. Storm- Honor Award from the ACEC.

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Roger Donaghy MIT Tech Talk NEWS May 4, 2005 PAGE 3 Biomedical innovation center launched In the wake of such major blows to the of neutral ground and unbiased expertise.” ‘blockbuster’ mentality. Across the board, No other center has the potential of CBI.” pharmaceutical industry as the recent Beginning with a two-day “All Stake- a lot of old models really need to be exam- “The CBI has a bold ambition: to make FDA announcement that many popular holder Summit” set for June 16-17, the ined, and CBI is where it can happen. We unimagined strides in leading-edge health pain medications pose serious health risks, center aims to create a “safe harbor” in will bring together stakeholders with the care, both for patients and society,” said MIT has announced it will bring represen- which professionals across the biomedical common objective to find solutions that MIT Dean of Engineering Thomas Mag- tatives from business, government and spectrum—from medical researchers to will transform the industry.” nanti. “I am delighted that engineering academia together to work to transform federal regulators and payers, to experts The center will also focus on emerging faculty, students and researchers will the industry. in finance and marketing—will be able to biotechnology and medical device issues. join forces with others across MIT and in Starting this summer, the MIT Center better appreciate one another’s concerns Other faculty co-directors include Profes- industry and government to address one for Biomedical Innovation (CBI) will begin and needs. Serious challenges created by sors Ernst Berndt from MIT Sloan, Steven of the world’s most pressing concerns.” developing ways to more efficiently and the recent recalls of widely utilized phar- Tannenbaum from biological engineering MIT Dean of Science Robert Silbey said safely move advances in the life sciences maceutical products make it especially and Anthony Sinskey from biology and the people involved in scientific, engineering, from the laboratory into actual public important to break through traditional Harvard-MIT Division of Health Sciences management and other aspects of the life health use. The center will build on MIT’s “silo thinking,” said Dr. Frank Douglas, and Technology. sciences industry often fail to fully commu- special strengths across the disciplines of the former executive vice president and CBI is lining up funding from a vari- nicate with one another. “CBI is a way to get science, engineering and management, chief scientific officer of Aventis SA, who ety of public and private sources. Douglas, individuals interested in the science or the while also drawing upon expertise from will lead the new center. who earned international recognition as engineering talking to people about policy Harvard Medical School. “It is very clear to me that this indus- a leader in innovation in pharmaceutical and management,” he said. “The real bene- “At MIT, we have a tradition of col- try faces serious issues,” said Douglas. research and development, said he chose ficiaries of these kinds of conversations will laborating across disciplines to work on “The productivity of large pharmaceuti- CBI over other attractive professional ultimately be the health-care public.” important challenges. This is an industry cal innovation has decreased. We lack the options. “It’s hard to find a place like the Added MIT Provost Robert Brown, “By under siege, and it is reacting enthusiasti- ability to properly predict the side effects Boston-Cambridge area, with its large integrating scientific, clinical, economic cally to CBI,” said Richard Schmalensee, of new compounds, and we don’t have hospitals, large life sciences sector, large and regulatory perspectives, CBI has the dean of the MIT Sloan School of Manage- good ways to monitor and assess them insurers, clinical research organizations, potential to translate biomedical innova- ment. “We don’t necessarily promise to be once they are in the market. Pricing mod- and institutions such as Harvard and MIT tion much more effectively from labora- an industry ally, but we offer the promise els have become untenable. So has the that are excited about working together. tory to patient.” MIT report debunks housing myths

The one thing that everybody close to Boston talks about—besides the Red Sox—is the high cost of housing. But affordable housing can be an even more controversial subject than the Sox. Fortunately, one point of contention has now been authoritatively resolved. A report from the Center for Real Estate (MIT/CRE) debunks the notion that affordable housing developments depress the values of nearby single-family dwellings. MIT/CRE researchers completed a painstaking study of seven affordable housing projects in six towns in suburban Boston and found that these mixed- income, high-density rental developments—so-called 40B developments—have no adverse effects on nearby property values. The projects studied—two in Littleton and one each in Mansfield, Norwood, Randolph, Wilmington and Woburn—were deliberately chosen because they included “suburbanites’ worst nightmares,” some of the most dense and controversial 40B projects completed in Massachusetts between 1980 and 2000. The researchers—Henry Pollakowski, David Ritchay and Zoe Weinrobe—established carefully drawn “impact areas” to delineate the neighborhoods in which developments were located. To define the boundaries of the impact areas, they tapped many different sources of information, including zoning and land use maps, aerial photographs, road atlases, site visits and meetings with local officials. Property values in the impact areas were then compared to values in the rest of the town over a number of years, using data from 36,000 property sales between 1982 and 2003. The study’s findings were presented by Pollakowski, the team leader as well as director of MIT/CRE’s new PHOTO / DONNA COVENEY Housing Affordability Initiative, during a briefing and panel discussion on April 27. The results, Pollakowski Entertainers from Acorn Event Productions perform for those who visited the Stata Center lobby on April 28 in one of many says, were striking: In all cases, house price movements in events held on campus in celebration of MIT’s Earth Day. the impact areas simply “tracked” those in nearby market areas. The panelists, representing the full spectrum of state and municipal perspectives on affordable housing, were Campus events celebrate the earth not surprised by the study’s results. Fred Habib, deputy director of the Massachusetts Department of Housing Sasha Brown Center lobby where the Working Group for Support Staff and Community Development, commented, “We never News Office Issues Recycling Committee set up a booth along with hear complaints about the developments themselves once Office Depot, which marketed “green” office supplies. they’re actually built.” But he was relieved that independent Additional activities in Stata included videos on sustainabil- research could confirm what up until now has been merely Colorfully dressed men on stilts, belly dancers, plants ity and the environment as well as raffles and entertainers. anecdotal evidence. As Habib summed up, “I absolutely and a clothing swap were just some of the highlights of “It has been a good afternoon,” said Anne Wasserman think [the report] will be viewed with suspicion—all these MIT’s own Earth Day, celebrated on April 28 in two loca- of the Working Group, who, along with other members of things are—but it’s got MIT behind it.” tions on campus. the team, was busy handing out plantable bookmarks that The panelists quickly moved on, noting that the debate Though Earth Day is celebrated elsewhere on April 22, sprout in water and information on campus recycling. “We would now shift to other areas. Marc Draisen, executive MIT’s Earth Day is celebrated just after spring weekend, have had many people come through.” director of the Metropolitan Area Planning Council, which was the weekend of April 23 this year. During the Earth Day celebration, both Random Hall touched a nerve when he said that much of the opposition For the first time, there were two MIT celebrations, one and Westgate received prizes for participating in Recycle- to affordable housing is expressed in “code.” “The at the Stata Center Student Street and another at Kresge Mania, a contest to see which of about 40 U.S. universities arguments [against affordable housing] are arguments Oval. could collect the most recyclables in two months. MIT fin- of race and class,” he said, “but it’s no longer polite to say Rain hampered the outdoor activities, but the large tent ished in the top 10 overall and Random and Westgate were those things, and it’s no longer polite for public officials to on the oval and the crowd of bikes on the lawn still drew the top finishers among the MIT dorms. make the statement I just made.” One study won’t change more than 100 students to the lawn to listen to live jazz On April 29, Steven Lanou, program manager for things, he noted, but he hoped that “the center’s work will and Latin music, attend a bike repair workshop, swap used sustainability initiatives in the Environmental Programs chip away at the armor we use to oppose these things; clothing and eat inexpensive vegetarian fare. Office, led a “Walking Green Campus Tour” of earth- more studies and forceful and dramatic leadership will “We had more people last year,” said Elke Hodson who friendly campus spots, including the co-generation power lead to a gradual turn-around.” organized the celebration along with senior Jessica Lee. plant and the Stata Center’s biofiltration installation. The full report, “Effects of Mixed-Income, Multi-Family Both are members of Students for Global Sustainability, “Earth Day is really about getting the word out,” said Housing Developments on Single-Family Housing Values,” one of the many sponsors of the event. Lee. “It is just another chance to tell everyone about con- which includes an executive summary, is available on Hundreds of people also walked through the Stata servation.” MIT/CRE’s web site, web.mit.edu/cre/. PAGE 4 May 4, 2005 INAUGURATION MIT Tech Talk Academic procession steeped in tradition Sasha Brown academic schools. A cardinal red stole News Office outlined in silver–gray piping displays Ceremony centers on MIT charter 16 decorative horizontal ‘figure 8’ motifs, representing the number of MIT presi- The inaugural ceremony on May 6 cel- For all the pomp and circumstance chancellor of Cambridge University, dents and is draped over the left shoul- ebrates not only the beginning of Susan surrounding inauguration week, the key who has been chosen to offer greetings der. The sleeves and yoke are lined with Hockfield’s official term as MIT’s 16th event is surprisingly simple. to Hockfield on behalf of the Academy. red satin. An eight–sided, silver–gray tam president, but also marks a new phase for President Susan Hockfield will offi- Richard served as the provost of Yale with a metallic–silver tassel is worn with the Institute itself. cially become the 16th president of MIT University for eight years just preceding the robe.” Hockfield chose not to wear the Hockfield will be welcomed by more when she accepts the university char- Hockfield’s tenure in that post. hood of her alma mater as part of her pres- than 60 delegates from the worldwide aca- ter from Dana Mead, chairman of the After accepting the charter, Hockfield idential regalia. demic community who will have traveled Corporation at the ceremony on Friday, will deliver her inaugural address. There are standards for the hoods worn to MIT from Japan, England, California, May 6. For those interested in learning by the Academy. According to the inaugu- North Carolina, Minnesota and elsewhere The Corporation is the supreme gov- more, the MIT Museum is presenting ration web site: “All hoods are black and both to celebrate the Institute’s new presi- erning body of the Institute. a small display, “A Celebration of MIT lined with the color or colors of the insti- dent and to participate in one of the main Mead will be assisted in the investi- Presidents and Inaugurations Past,” tution conferring the degree. The velvet traditions of academe—the inaugural cer- ture by Presidents Emerti Paul E. Gray, which features photographs and inaugu- trim is indicative of the subject to which emony. Howard W. Johnson and Charles M. Vest. ral ephemera from the MIT General Col- the degree pertains. No hood should ever The word inauguration is defined as a Mead, who is essentially the master lection. A separate case will highlight have its trim divided to represent more “rite of passage that marks a formal induc- of ceremonies for the inauguration, is Hockfield’s inauguration. The display than one degree. tion to an office,” according to MIT’s offi- also going to open the ceremony and will run through the summer. “Black mortarboards with black tassels cial inauguration web site. The many dele- introduce Professor Alison Richard, vice —Sasha Brown are the standard to be worn by all degree gates from the Academy come to celebrate recipients. The only exception is for those this start of a new era for MIT. founded in 1249. David Good of the Uni- institution. Since the robes worn by gov- with a doctoral degree or officials of insti- In accordance with tradition, an aca- versity of Cambridge, founded in 1284, will erning board members and other officials tutions who may wear a tam with a gold demic procession will precede the cer- follow. The first delegate from an Ameri- are often quite different from the standard, tassel or of a color coordinated to special emony. The delegates will march in aca- can University will be Lawrence Summers, there should be a variety of robes on view design regalia.” demic dress from Walker Memorial to president of Harvard University, founded Friday. Once the procession arrives at Killian Killian Court starting at about 1:45 p.m. in 1636, who will be third in line. Former Hockfield’s robe is based on the robe Court, an honor guard, made up of mem- Friday. Following the traditional order for MIT Chancellor Lawrence Bacow, now the worn by President Emeritus Paul Gray bers of the MIT Campus Police Honor an inauguration, delegates of academic president of Tufts University in Medford, during commencements, which is not the Guard and MIT ROTC cadets, will head institutions will be followed by delegates will also process. one he wore for his own inauguration. It down the center aisle of the ceremony of learned societies and other associations, The academic robes that delegates is described on the official inauguration tent, ascend the stage and present flags. followed by faculty, trustees and speakers. wear date back to the 12th and 13th cen- web site as a “modified doctoral degree Next, the delegates will be led down the The new president processes last. turies and are a holdover from the days robe in silver–gray with silver–gray velvet aisle by the chief marshal, who will carry a Delegates march in order of the found- when most academics were also clerics. front panels, extending around the neck ceremonial mace. ing dates of their institutions. Black is the standard color of robes for to a V–point in the back, and to the bottom The chief marshal is James Champy, life For Hockfield’s inauguration, the first bachelor and master degree robes. Doc- of the hem in front. There are five cardi- member of the MIT Corporation. Champy delegate to process will be Neil Malcolm toral degree robes can be either black or a nal red bars outlined in silver-gray piping headed the Corporation Committee on the of the University of Oxford, which was special design and color designated by the on the left sleeve, representing MIT’s five Presidency. Robot contest puts design into action

Sarah H. Wright News Office

MIT’s 35th annual festival of anguish, elation and extreme engineering —the 2.007 Mech E Design Contest–takes place on May 12 and 13 at 6 p.m. in Johnson Athletic Center. The mother of all robot contests, 2.007 has been replicated worldwide in engineering schools and on television. This week, visitors and robot contest fans have a unique chance to view a video history of 2.007 and to get an insider’s preview of the 2005 contest in an inauguration week event, “Learning by Design,” to be held Thursday, May 5, from 1 to 3 p.m. in Build- ing 10-250. Alexander Slocum, professor of mechanical engineering and MacVicar PHOTO / DONNA COVENEY Fellow, emcees the two-night elimination Danielle Chou, left, helps with a machine tournament every year. For “Learning in its early design phase during the 2002 by Design,” Slocum will comment on the contest. 2.007 experience and on the types of contest entries he’s seen—from “bulldozers” on retooling for victory. to “extendo lazy-tongs bifurcated doo-hop- “It is the purest form of design you will pers.” The event will open with a video of ever experience. It changed my perception contestants from past competitions biting on engineering and design, as well as my their nails and shouting for joy. own ability and confidence,” said Aaron G. Meanwhile, down in the Pappalardo Flores (S.B. 1991, S.M., Ph.D.) winner of Lab (Building 3-030), students are revving “Not in My Backyard,” 1989. up for the final rounds of this year’s con- “I cheer myself up by recalling that I test on May 13th. The annual 2.007 con- won 2.007, and when I speak to alumni test concludes the mechanical engineer- I refer to winning as the highlight of my ing course Design and Manufacturing academic career,” said Brian G. R. Hughes I, taught by MIT faculty and staff under (S.B. 1977), Alumni Association president Slocum’s direction. The contest is a final 1999-2000 and winner of “The Great Can exam, “two evenings of reality-meets-the- Test” in 1976. ory. This is when physics hits the road,” “Sometimes I still have nightmares,” said Slocum. said George S. Lechter (S.B. 1975, S.M.), winner of “The Great Water Waiter Race,” Inside 2.007 1972. Course 2.007 begins in February, when PHOTO / L. BARRY HETHERINGTON Thomas H. Massie (S.B. 1993) returned each one of 130 students in the class is Dean Ljubicic, right, scores the winning shot in the 2004 contest, ‘The Big Dig.’ Co-driver to compete in an anniversary alumni con- given a kit of nearly 100 items ranging Salvatore Pallante, left, leads a victory cheer. test in 2000, seven years after his victory from electric motors to structural ele- in “Pipe Dreams.” Massie and his wife, ments (wooden slats, aluminum sheets, The 2.007 contest (originally the 2.70 Tech Toe” is inspired by the façade of Sim- Rhonda, worked for three days and nights steel rods, plastic tubing, rubber bands) to contest) evolved from a 1970 “creativ- mons Hall. to build a silvery one-armed rock-sweeper springs, gears and bearings. ity kit,” developed with the help of then- for the battle. The Massies’ machine was Machines designed and built for 2.007 graduate student Woodie S. Flowers, now Motor memory fierce, but not triumphant. must fit into a box roughly the size of a MIT’s Pappalardo Professor of Mechanical Each round of the contest is a mere But the spell doesn’t wane. As Massie picnic hamper. On contest night, each Engineering. sliver of time, but those seconds can affect and his family packed up to leave Johnson, machine has 45 seconds to complete cer- Contests are named annually. “A Better a lifetime. No one seems to recover from the 2.007 veteran surveyed the familiar tain tasks—gathering plastic bottles, ping- Mousetrap” occurred in 1972. Since then, 2.007. Past winners and contestants who scene—cables running every which way, pong balls or hockey pucks, moving glass 2.007 titles have ranged from the politi- returned to MIT to celebrate the con- elated students shouting, children chasing marbles, or playing tug of war—while a cal (“Watergater,” 1974) to the pop-cul- test’s 30th birthday in 2000 spoke about street hockey balls—with happiness. For competing machine does the same tasks tural (“The Cuckoo’s Nest,” 1988) to the the course as if they were still compet- an engineer, there’s something irresistible within the playing area. The final rounds extreme-environmental (“Ballcano,” 1997; ing. Some keep portraits of their robots about building, rebuilding and starting all of 2.007 are invariably crowd-pleasers. “MechEverest,” 1998). This year’s “Tic handy, like family pictures. Others brood over again. MIT Tech Talk INAUGURATION May 4, 2005 PAGE 5 Celebration begins with a joyful ‘Noise’ Sasha Brown to get to know the students of this remarkable News Office institution.” She said one of the best features of MIT is the “creative blood that flows through everything we do.” And then she signaled for the President Susan Hockfield and her fam- official opening of the installation: “Let the ‘White ily became the first at MIT to walk through Noise/White Light’ begin.” the “White Noise/White Light” art installation, Physics major Vasudha Shivamoggi said she which opened May 2 before a crowd of more had heard Hockfield speak before and found her than 100 students, faculty and staff to officially to be both impressive and inspiring. Shivamog- signal the start of the inauguration week. gi, a senior, said she is sad to be leaving just as The installation, designed by J. Meejin Yoon, Hockfield begins her time here. “I wish I had assistant professor of architecture at MIT and more time to find out what will happen,” she said. commissioned by the city of Athens, Greece, for “I am really excited about her.” the 2004 Olympics, consists of a grid of chest- The tent on Kresge Oval started filling up high rods that light up and emit soft noises as around 7 p.m. on Monday. Colored balloons were people walk through them. It will be open displayed along all the walkways leading up the throughout the week from dusk to 11 p.m. tent. As the light began to fade, the dancing started. Monday’s opening ceremony stayed true to Professor Steven Lerman of civil and environ- the inaugural theme, “Uncommon | In common,” mental engineering opened the ceremony in his by providing a variety of “uncommon” desserts, role as chair of the Inaugural Committee. including fried cheesecake, s’mores fondue, fla- “Events like these give us all an opportunity vored crème brulée, build-your-own Napoleons to come together and take note of this wonderful and assorted other miniature treats. institution,” said Lerman who called the week “a “I came for the food,” joked freshman Mike celebration not just of our new president, but of Yee, who was impressed by the variety and the MIT itself.” creativity of the desserts. He said he was looking Lerman noted that, “All of us at MIT are too forward to hearing from the new president, add- often like fish in the ocean—we never stop to ing that he had confidence that she would be a enjoy the water.” Inaugural week is designed to good leader for the Institute. help people at MIT pause to notice the “things The evening also featured tap dancing by that make MIT uniquely uncommon,” he said. the MIT Dance/Theater Ensemble, directed Graduate Student Council President Barun by Associate Professor Tommy DeFrantz. The Singh introduced Hockfield, whom he has group of three women entertained the crowd in worked with closely these past few months to fedoras, MIT T-shirts and black pants while tap- help her understand the “student perspective.” PHOTO / DONNA COVENEY ping to energizing instrumental jazz. “Any unique institution requires a unique ‘White Noise/White Light’ lights up as Yi Fan runs through the exhibit Monday When she took the podium, to thunderous leader,” said Singh in his remarks. “She is cer- evening on Kresge Oval. The boy’s father is a Sloan professor visiting from applause, Hockfield thanked the community for tainly up to the challenge of inspiring this insti- Beijing. all its support. “It has been one of my great joys tute and leading us forward.”

PHOTO / DONNA COVENEY PHOTO / DONNA COVENEY Tap dancers from the MIT Dance Ensemble add to festivities on Kresge Oval Monday night as a week Susan Hockfield, center, enjoys a performance by the MIT Dance/Theater Ensemble of inaugural events got under way. From left, Kameka Dempsey, a graduate student at Harvard, is with her husband, Dr. Thomas Byrne, and their daughter, Elizabeth Byrne, at the joined by MIT alumna Stephanie Chiesi (currently at Draper) and sophomore Anna Massie. opening ceremony of inauguration week. Uncommon music composed to honor president Mary Haller Africa, is currently directed by Senegalese Harbison’s two-minute piece was Music Professor Peter Child will also Office of the Arts percussionist Lamine Touré, an MIT art- inspired by Pindar’s odes of two millen- be contributing to the inaugural ceremony. ist-in-residence. nia ago and composed especially for the His “Fanfare and Fugue” will mark the Ziporyn and Toure collaborated for inaugural ceremony. Pindar, renowned beginning of the recessional. The live music for Susan Hockfield’s the first time in composing “Sabar Gong.” lyric poet of ancient Greece, praised vic- Scored for brass and timpani, the three- inauguration combines multicultural, Their goal was to “find common ground, tories achieved in the Pythian, Olympic minute piece is the composer’s second ancient and modern elements thanks to build a piece around that and make a joy- and Nemean games with songs of joy and commission for an MIT inaugural ceremo- four diverse works commissioned for the ful noise,” Ziporyn said. thanksgiving. ny; the first was for the inauguration of event Friday, May 6, in Killian Court. The inaugural theme–Uncommon/ Harbison joined the MIT faculty in President Charles Vest in 1991. Child has “Sabar Gong,” featuring MIT’s Gamelan In common—also inspired Ziporyn, he 1969 and won the Pulitzer Prize in 1987 in composed award-winning music in many Galak Tika and members of MIT’s Sen- said. “I thought it would be nice to use it music for The Flight Into Egypt, a choral- genres, and has been a member of MIT’s egalese Drumming Ensemble, Rambax, to represent all the non-Western perform- instrumental ensemble. music faculty since 1986. will open the ceremony, which follows the ing traditions at MIT. ‘Sabar Gong’ also Lecturer Elena Ruehr was also inspired The ceremony will also feature the a inaugural procession. represents the spirit of collaboration and by poetry in composing her piece, “In cappella group The MIT Chorallaries sing- Gamelan Galak Tika, founded in 1993 the unusual results that come from putting Time of Silver Rain,” a two-minute fanfare ing the national anthem and the school by Evan Ziporyn, Kenan Sabin Distin- diverse minds together,” he said. to be performed by the ensemble Mass song, “In Praise of MIT.” guished Professor of Music and head of Rambax and Galak Tika share rehears- Brass under the direction of Lawrence In reviewing the musical lineup for MIT’s Music and Theater Arts Section, al space in MIT’s World Music Center in Isaacson at the opening of the ceremony. inauguration day, Associate Provost for the is based on the small orchestra of mostly Building N52. The title comes from a Langston Arts Alan Brody commented, “MIT musi- metallic percussion instruments—gongs, “Chorus From Pindar,” Institute Profes- Hughes poem by the same name that cians have always had a significant role to xylophones and hand drums—that is the sor John Harbison’s piece for unison cho- Ruehr says is “a celebration of spring and play in major MIT events and in campus primary source of all religious and concert rus and brass quartet, will be performed new life and is full of rhythmic energy.” life. We are all thrilled at the way in which music in Bali, Indonesia. by the MIT Chamber Chorus under the A lecturer in MIT’s Music Section since President Hockfield has embraced and Rambax, an ensemble dedicated to the direction of Lecturer William Cutter, MIT’s 1992, Ruehr is also composer in residence art of sabar, a vibrant drum and dance tra- Director of Choral Programs, just prior to with the Boston Modern Orchestra Proj- See MUSIC dition of the Wolof people of Senegal, West the presentation of President Hockfield. ect. Page 6 PAGE 6 May 4, 2005 INAUGURATION MIT Tech Talk MIT pulls out stops for block party Students offer Sasha Brown activities from the artistic to the aerobic. and American Idol participant Chris Vu News Office It is planned as a day filled with “inter- and from the MIT Juggling Club, among advice to esting talent that you won’t see every others. day,” said Ted Johnson of the MIT Com- Those who enjoy testing their skills Once President Susan Hockfield has munity Services Office and the Uncom- will likely enjoy the “Field of Games”: president been officially inaugurated, it will be time mon Block Party Committee. Conquer the climbing wall, run an obsta- Sasha Brown to party! More than 25 different MIT perform- cle course in a clear, plastic bubble or News Office Musicians, dancers, magicians and ing groups will be featured at the block play chess with giant pieces. There will jugglers will entertain the crowds at an party, the largest event of its kind ever also be inflatable games, bungee basket- Uncommon Block Party, the culminating held at MIT. Three stages will be set up ball and other unusual activities. After months of meetings, the Student event of the weeklong celebration held for music and dance, and guests will get At least 2,000 people are expected Advisory Board to MIT’s 16th President to mark the inauguration. The party will a chance to try origami, juggling and silk to attend the party, according to John- released its final report to the community take place on Kresge Lawn and Stein- screening as well as salsa, Indian classi- son, who added that he hopes the event on April 27, offering insights into students’ brenner Stadium from 3 to 7 p.m. on Sat- cal dance, a cappella singing and much brings students together with faculty and needs and desires in almost every arena, urday, May 7. more. staff and their families, since the event from academics to extracurricular activi- Students, faculty and staff are invit- The MIT Muses, Mariachi Interna- is designed to appeal to all ages. In case ties to the future of the Institute. ed to wander, sample a rich choice of cional del Tecnolugico and Happy the of rain, the party will take place in tents Back in December, when the group foods—from the healthy and spicy to the Clown are slated to perform. There will on Killian Court. For more information, of 21 students first started meeting with sweet and decadent—and enjoy myriad also be entertainment from MIT student visit: web.mit.edu/inauguration. President Susan Hockfield, Graduate Stu- dent Council President Barun Singh, who co-chaired the board along with Under- graduate Association President Harel Wil- Concerts showcase MIT’s musical talents lams, said he hoped that the group would help Hockfield understand the MIT cul- Mary Haller ture. Last week, Singh said that goal has Office of the Arts been met. “She’s just amazing,” he said. “She has been really receptive to students’ views and concerns.” Gustav Mahler’s Sixth Symphony is not Singh and others on the board solic- for the faint of heart. ited information from students through “Exhilirating,” “cathartic” and “devas- a number of open forums and via online tating” are some of the adjectives that lis- feedback. The final 40-page report “rep- teners and critics have used to describe resents a snapshot of the many facets of this famous and powerful piece, to be MIT experience, and what we might work performed tomorrow night by the MIT toward for the future from the student per- Symphony Orchestra (MITSO) under the spective,” the report says. direction of Dante Anzolini in a special The group met with Hockfield four Inaugural Concert. times over the course of three months and Yet its nickname —the Tragic Sym- provided background reports for her on phony—has never fully stuck, says Larry three main topics of concern: academic, Rothe of the San Francisco Symphony, research and professional development; perhaps because the term is too limiting. community life and extracurriculars; and “Mahler said that a symphony should global connections and long-term and stra- encompass the world,” writes Rothe, “giv- tegic planning. ing a sense not just of the sublime and the In the final report, students encouraged victorious, but also a sense of the dangers the Institute to continue “to recruit the and the struggles.” most promising students and strive for an For MITSO director Dante Anzolini, appropriate and well-considered balance.” the piece is noteworthy not only for its They also suggested MIT “rethink the role drama and “tragic” nature, but because “it and content of core requirements” and pay happens to be one of the most finished PHOTO / THOMAS MAXISCH “close attention to balancing quality and works of art he—or anyone else—ever The MIT Symphony Orchestra, shown last fall, will perform Mahler’s Sixth Symphony in the quantity of the student workload.” created.” Inaugural Concert tomorrow night. Students expressed an interest in form- What’s more significant for Anzolini, ing better relationships with their profes- however, is that MITSO has undertaken gram on Friday, May 6, at 8 p.m. in Kresge “Requiem.” Elisabeth Hon (G), soprano; sors and academic advisors, including this ambitious piece. Given the “great Auditorium. Tickets for this second per- Elizabeth Smith ’05, mezzo soprano; more mentorship. skills our students need in order to actu- formance are $5 at the door; free advance Sudeep Agarwala (G), tenor; and Eduardo The report also touches on the gen- ally perform this incredible symphony,” its tickets are available to members of the Montemayor ’07, bass, will perform under eral well-being of students, community selection “sends a very direct message… MIT community in Room 4-243 this week the direction of William Cutter. resources and personal development. that music is alive, well and very healthy between 1 and 5 p.m. Considered one of Mozart’s most per- “MIT must be careful not to let organiza- at MIT,” he said. “It can be used as a very A second Inaugural Concert will be sonal and impassioned works, the Requi- tional bureaucracy or ‘professionalization’ powerful argument for the importance and held Saturday, May 7, by the MIT Con- em—his last composition—has long been diminish the powerful experiential learn- relevance of the arts here.” cert Choir. The performance will feature shrouded in mystery. Commissioned by an ing and risk-taking that are crucial to forg- The free Inaugural Concert will begin four MIT student soloists in yet another anonymous Austrian nobleman, the work ing and sharpening our innovative ‘MIT at 8 p.m. in Kresge Auditorium. revered and much-discussed piece of was incomplete when Mozart died; it is Edge,’” the report states. MITSO will repeat the Mahler 6 pro- music, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s said that his widow hired one of Mozart’s Additionally, students stressed the students to finish it. importance of orientation to the general The piece has four vocal soloists, but it well-being of both graduates and under- MUSIC is the chorus, which is featured in nearly graduates. Students urged the administra- Continued from Page 5 class research and academic programs in every movement, that is really the star of tion to encourage more student input into engineering, science and management. the piece. planning orientation programs. supported all the arts as components of What is less well known is the extraordi- The Concert Choir will also perform Finally, the report talks about stu- her inauguration week.” nary strength of the arts programs here. Bach’s “Cantata No. 50” and Beethoven’s dents’ hopes for their alma mater. From Steven Lerman, chair of the Inaugural We are privileged to have extraordinary “Elegy.” the report: “We urge MIT faculty and Committee, agreed. “The wide inclusion of composers on our music faculty, and the Admission is $5 at the door but mem- administrators at all levels to be more vis- the arts into the inauguration week events Inaugural Committee wanted to honor bers of the MIT community can reserve a ible leaders, that is, to rally us and the reflects the committee’s deep interest in President Hockfield with some special free ticket by contacting Vanessa Gardner world at large, to voice our core values, showcasing all the talents that are at MIT.” music composed for this occasion,” Ler- in the Concerts Office; call 617-253-2826 or and to craft unifying Institute goals and “We’re known globally for our world- man said. e-mail [email protected]. directions.” CLASSIFIED ADS

Members of the MIT community may submit Belmont. 253-7708 or [email protected]. 1–Aug 31. $1,375/mo. includes all utils except Admiral’s Hill, Chelsea: 1 BR condo for sale in one classified ad each issue. Ads can be resub- phone/cable. Free parking. 800 sq. ft. Three beautiful historic bldg. Hdwd floors, 10-foot ceil- mitted, but not two weeks in a row. Ads should Next generation iPod mini, 6Gb, 1500 song mins to Porter T, 15 to MIT. [email protected]. ings, arched windows. Pool, pkg, storage. Easy be 30 words maximum; they will be edited. capacity, PC+Mac, silver, brand new, box still commute to MIT. $235,000. 617-887-1985. Submit by e-mail to [email protected] or mail shrink-wrapped, $200. Jennifer at 253-6381 or Provincetown Waterfront Cottage. 3 BR. avail. to Classifieds, Rm 11-400. Deadline is noon [email protected]. June, Sept., Oct. [email protected] or 617-497- Wednesday the week before publication. 5937. 1998 Honda Civic LX. Single owner, ex. cond. WANTED $5,500/bst. 781-938-0053. Vacation cottage, 50’ private beach. Sleeps 6; separate studio-house for guests, adolescents. Flagstones and whole bricks for small yard FOR SALE Abuts conservation-land. Avail. Aug. $800/week. improvement project. Donations only, please. Will Andy at 617-876-6257 or Steve at 617-876- pick up within 25 miles of Acton. [email protected]. Very good cond. 5 year old Sofa and Loveseat, HOUSING 6121. $300. Maple bedroom set dresser, chest of Cape Cod Cottage: 2 BR (sleeps 5) on private draws, night stand, $200. 617-253-5977 or road, short walk to beautiful bay beaches, deck, Castine, Maine: 2 BR cottage in ocean-side village [email protected]. STUDENT POSITIONS BBQ, cable TV/VCR, enclosed outdoor shower, on Penobscot Bay. Walking distance to harbor, golf and tennis. $650/week. [email protected]. Positions for students with work study eligibility. Media furniture. Light wood stereo cabinet, bike paths nearby. 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Rent ME: 2BD/1BA w/living/kitchen area; picture win- Computing Lab seeks student consultant for 253-3116 or [email protected]. and utilities shared (split 3-ways, Rent currently dows, deck overlooking water; stairway to beach. summer/fall, 2005. Info and desc.: http://web. $440). 781.275.5770 or [email protected]. Mins from Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor. mit.edu/atic/www. [email protected]. $12.50/hr, Butcher Block table. 3 foot by 5 foot, trestle. Cambridge Sublet: Furnished apt. avail. June $1,000/week June–Sept. Steve at 253-5757 or 5–15 hrs/week during term, 10–20hrs/wk dur- 1.75 inch thick top. Oil finish. $300. Pick up in [email protected]. ing summer. MIT Tech Talk RESEARCH May 4, 2005 PAGE 7 Physicists serve up the ‘perfect’ liquid Elizabeth Thomson Picture a stream of honey, then a have been working to re-create that gas, or have about 50 people,” he said. (BRAHMS News Office stream of water. “Water flows much more quark-gluon plasma, by building ever-larg- is also small.) easily than honey, and the new liquid er atom smashers. “The idea is to accel- Nevertheless, the PHOBOS team got we’ve created seems to flow much more erate nuclei to nearly the speed of light, the first physics results from three of the Physicists working to re-create the mat- easily than water,” said Wit Busza, leader then have them crash head-on,” Busza five RHIC experimental runs and tied ter that existed at the birth of the universe of the MIT team and the Francis Friedman said. “Under those conditions the plasma for first on a fourth. (The fifth run is still expected something like a gas and ended Professor of Physics. Other MIT faculty is expected to form.” The current results being analyzed.) up with the “perfect” liquid, four teams of involved in the work are Professor Bolek were achieved at the Relativistic Heavy Ion For one of those runs, the team collect- researchers reported at an April 18 meet- Wyslouch and Associate Professor Gun- Collider located at the DOE’s Brookhaven ed the data, analyzed them and submitted ing of the American Physical Society. One ther Roland, both of physics. National Laboratory. a paper on the work all within five weeks. of the teams is led by MIT. Busza notes that the results don’t rule RHIC accelerates gold nuclei in a circu- “That’s unheard of in high-energy phys- “These truly stunning findings have led out that a gas-like form of matter existed at lar tube some 2 kilometers in diameter. In ics,” said Busza, who credits Roland with us to conclude that we are seeing some- some point in the young universe, but the four places the nuclei collide, and around the fast turnaround. “He was the person thing completely new—an unexpected data do suggest “something different, and those sites teams of scientists have built who managed the extraction of the phys- form of matter—which is opening new maybe even more interesting, at the lower detectors to collect the data. The four ics from the data.” avenues of thought about the fundamen- energy densities created at RHIC (Relativ- instruments—STAR, PHENIX, PHOBOS tal properties of matter and the conditions istic Heavy Ion Collider).” and BRAHMS—vary in their approaches What’s next? that existed just after [the Big Bang],” The research has also led to several to tracking and analyzing particles’ behav- Although the larger RHIC detectors said Raymond Orbach, director of the U.S. other surprises. For example, “there is ior. The work reported at the APS meeting will continue to collect data, PHOBOS has Department of Energy’s Office of Science, an elegance we see in the data that is not summarizes the first three years of RHIC been retired. “From a cost-benefit per- the primary supporter of the research. reflected in our theoretical understand- results from all four devices. Papers from spective, we feel we’ve extracted as much Unlike ordinary liquids, in which indi- ing—yet,” said Roland. each team will also be published simulta- knowledge as we can from such a small vidual molecules move about randomly, neously in an upcoming issue of the jour- experiment,” Busza said. the new matter seems to move in a pattern Birth of the universe nal Nuclear Physics A. MIT research staff currently involved that exhibits a high degree of coordina- About ten millionths of a second after MIT is the lead institution for PHOBOS, in PHOBOS are Maarten Ballintijn, Piotr tion among the particles—something like the Big Bang, physicists believe that the a collaboration between the United States, Kulinich, Christof Roland, George Stepha- a school of fish that responds as one entity universe was composed of a gas of weakly Poland and Taiwan. “We are very small,” ns, Robin Verdier, Gerrit vanNieuwenhui- while moving through a changing environ- interacting objects, quarks and gluons that said Busza, who developed the concept zen and Constantin Loizides. Six graduate ment. That fluid motion is nearly “perfect,” would ultimately clump together to form for the device. “STAR and PHENIX each students are also on the team; the research as defined by the equations of hydrody- atomic nuclei and matter as we know it. cost about $100 million and have some 400 has already resulted in five theses, with namics. So, over the last 25 years, scientists staff. We cost less than $10 million and two on the way. MIT scientists improve detection of explosives MIT researchers have announced a general,” said Swager, who has previously scientific breakthrough that could greatly developed a range of polymeric explosives improve explosives detection for military detection systems. “I predict there will be and civilian security applications. many new fluorescent sensory schemes Scientists have developed a new poly- based on this principle.” mer that greatly increases the sensitivity of Swager and Bulovic’s invention is part chemical detection systems for explosives of a larger program in sensing technology such as trinitrotoluene (TNT). In the April at MIT’s Institute for Soldier Nanotech- 14 issue of Nature, scientists describe a nologies (ISN), a research center devoted polymer that undergoes lasing action at to improving soldier survivability through lower operating powers than previously nanotechnology. New technologies for observed, and they demonstrate that the explosives sensing could help protect sol- stimulated light emission from the lasing diers from improvised explosive devices, modes of the polymer displays inherently one of the greatest threats facing coalition greater sensitivity to explosives vapors. forces in Iraq. Enhancing the sensitivity “What we have done is add another of these detection systems could increase layer of amplification to the most sensi- the distance at which explosives can be tive TNT sensor available,” said Professor identified. Vladimir Bulovic. Swager’s previous work in explosives Bulovic (electrical engineering and detection systems has been licensed from computer science) and Professor Tim Swa- MIT and commercialized by Nomadics ger (chemistry) led the team that designed Inc., an Oklahoma-based company work- the novel semiconducting organic polymer ing with the ISN. Their Fido explosives (SOP) and invented the new chemosens- detection system, which rivals the detec- ing method. When exposed to ultraviolet tion ability of a trained dog, is currently light above a threshold intensity, the mate- undergoing tests by the U.S. Army and rial undergoes a stimulated emission or a Marine Corps in Iraq and by the U.S. Air lasing process, manifested by a directed Force for cargo screening operations. beam of light emanating from the thin SOP “The ISN has been very helpful in film. When TNT is present, it binds to the bringing this technology to the attention SOP surface and quenches the beam. of senior leaders of the Army and Marine Because the new polymer undergoes Corps,” said Dr. Larry Hancock from stimulated emission at lower thresholds Nomadics. “We are very excited by the than earlier SOP materials, the intensity successes we have had in field demonstra- of the ultraviolet light needed to start the tions and we are working hard with the lasing action (pump power) is reduced by Army, Marine Corps and Air Force to meet more than tenfold. This lowers the opti- their operational needs.” cal damage usually caused to organic mol- According to Bulovic, the present inno- ecules under intense illumination in air. By vation can greatly increase the sensitivity adjusting the pump power to just over the of the Fido device. PHOTO / DONNA COVENEY threshold needed for lasing, it is possible Dr. Aimee Rose, a member of the team Engineering success story to dramatically attenuate the lasing emis- who made the discovery, predicts it will save sion with parts-per-billion doses of TNT many lives, both military and civilian. “To Adjunct Professor Ernesto Blanco of mechanical engineering displayed some of his vapor. The result is a thirtyfold increase in turn a laboratory discovery into a potential- inventions in the department’s first-floor lounge earlier this week. Blanco, who first the detection sensitivity when the system ly lifesaving device has been an extremely came to MIT in 1960, has taught Elements of Mechanical Design (2.72) since 1996. In is operating near the lasing threshold. gratifying experience,” she said. “As a scien- that time, seven patents have come out of the course, including one used in the push- “This amplification method is extremely tist, that is about as good as it gets.” button operated “disappearing seats” in the Cadillac SRX. Blanco has 200 patents, but is best known for his Flip-It pancake flipper. His safety trocar (above) would prevent surgeons from accidentally puncturing internal organs during endoscopic surgery. AWARDS & HONORS Shaping Muslim Democratic Futures.” Professor Klaus-Jürgen Bathe of mechanical engineering received the Michael M. J. Fischer, professor of Jacob P. Den Hartog Distinguished Major building project in works anthropology and science and technol- Educator Award during a meeting of the A special Town Hall Meeting will be months. Jim Collins, president of Payette ogy studies, is one of 16 new Carnegie department’s faculty on April 22. The held on Thursday, May 12, from 11 a.m. Associates Architects, will provide details Scholars. Carnegie Scholars receive up citation reads, “For excellence in teach- to noon in Room 6-120 to provide the MIT of the project and the Facilities Depart- to $100,000 over a two-year period to ing mechanical engineering which has community with information about a major ment staff will review the schedule and pursue research. This year all 16 of the served as an inspiration for students and renovation project in Buildings 2, 4, 6, construction impacts. Dean Robert Silbey new scholars will study themes focusing has fostered the development of physi- and 8 of the main group. This project will from the School of Science, Marc Kastner, on Islam and the modern world. The cal insight and engineering judgment.” provide new and renovated space for the chair of physics, and Bill Anderson, chief title of Fischer’s Carnegie research proj- The award includes a $5,000 honorari- departments of Physics, Material Science facilities officer, will be present to provide ect is, “Emergent Forms of Life, Deep um and requires the winner to deliver a and Engineering, and Spectroscopy as well additional information and answer ques- Play and Ethical Plateaus in the Social talk. Bathe will present the Den Hartog as significant infrastructure. The project is tions. All interested MIT community mem- and Technoscientific Infrastructures: Memorial Lecture in the fall. scheduled to begin in June and will last 18 bers are strongly encouraged to attend. PAGE 8 May 4, 2005 CALENDAR MIT Tech Talk

MIT EVENT HIGHLIGHTS MAY 4–8

WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY May 4 May 5 May 6 May 7 May 8

Science/ Performance Architecture/ Humanities Inaugural K-12 Yom Hashoa— Media in “COLLISION- Harpsichord Technology Planning Midway Holocaust Transition box” performance Meet col- Memorial Day Conference New merg- Noon. MIT leagues who “Reading of Explores story- ings of art and Chapel. manage K-12 outreach Names” telling as a cultural prac- technology with a duo of programs on campus Public reading of names tice. Info and registra- interactive video-based Two-piano Music Exhibit Reading Special and learn about their of the 6 million Jewish tion: web.mit.edu/comm- displays. MIT Museum. performance Interest activities. 11 a.m.–2 p.m. victims of the Holocaust. forum/mit4/ Noon–5 p.m. 253-4444. 1:30 p.m. Walker Memorial. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Lobby Kresge 10. 253-2982. Symposium: Walking Auditorium. “An Islamic Tour of Stata Assessment of “Zheng Cities in the Center DanceTroupe Business/ Film Sports Featured Iraq Two Years He’s Seven Classical Age A “point and Spring Concert Money Event After the End Voyages” Special event of the Aga talk” tour of the Stata 2–4 p.m. $7 in of Major Combat” Professor Jin Khan Program for Islamic Center by representa- advance, $10 Talk by Professor Roger Wu of National Cheng Architecture at MIT. May tives of the companies at door. Little Kresge Petersen. Noon. Room Kung University, former 6 from 2–5:30 p.m. May that built it. 1 p.m. Stata Theater. E38, 6th floor conference Chinese minister of edu- 7 from 10 a.m.–12:30 information desk. 253- room. 253-8092. cation, discusses the p.m. and 2–6 p.m. Room 5297. MIT Women’s mariner’s 15th-century 6-120. 253-1400. Chorale Spring Artist Behind voyages of discovery. Memorial Concert the Desk 6:30 p.m. MIT Museum. Inaugural Reading for Program Classical flut- 253-5297. Community Robert Creeley includes Vivaldi’s ist Bonnie Reception Celebration of “Gloria,” Moravian duets Cochran, office assistant, HTC Forum Reception for the life of Robert Creeley by Dvorak and American MIT Card Office. Noon. Talk by Susan Hockfield. 3:30 (1926-2005). 4 p.m. songs. 3 p.m. McCormick Killian Hall. 253-9821. Gwendolyn p.m. Killian Court. Room 10-250. Hall. 484-8187. Dubois Shaw, Inaugural Harvard University. MIT Symphony Inaugural MIT MIT Chamber Art and Sponsored by History, Dante Anzolini, Concert Choir Music Society Technology Theory and Criticism music direc- William Cutter, Student Symposium of Architecture and tor. Mahler’s music direc- Concert Inaugural symposium Art, Department of Symphony No. 6. $5. 8 tor. $5. 8 p.m. Kresge Mendelssohn’s Piano moderated by Alan Architecture. 6:30 p.m. p.m. Kresge Auditorium. Auditorium. 253-9800. Quartet. 5 p.m. Killian Brody. Part of a week- Room 32-144. 258-8438. 253-9800. Hall. 253-9800. long celebration of the Resonance inauguration. 4–6 p.m. Inaugural “Yeoman of Spring MIT Chamber Hidden Jewels Kirsch Auditorium. 253- Concert the Guard” Concert Music Society 4796. MIT Symphony MIT Gilbert A cappella Student This painting by Zekiye Karaca will be presented in the Orchestra plays & Sullivan group. 9 p.m. Room Concert “Hidden Jewels of Our Community Art Exhibit,” which fea- Mahler’s Symphony Players production. $12; 10-250. Moszkowski’s Suite. 7 tures professional and amateur paintings, drawings, ceram- No. 6. 8 p.m. Kresge $10 MIT community. p.m. Killian Hall. 253- ics, photography and textiles by spouses and partners Auditorium. 253-9800. May 5–8. 8 p.m. Sala de 9800. of MIT graduate students. The exhibit will be in the Bush Puerto Rico. 253-0190. Room on May 10, 2–6 p.m. and May 11, 9 a.m.–1 p.m.

Go Online! For complete events listings, see the MIT Events Calendar at: http://events.mit.edu. Go Online! Ofﬁce of the Arts website at: http://web.mit.edu/arts/ofﬁce.

INAUGURATION WEEK HIGHLIGHTS

LEARNING BY INAUGURAL UNCOMMON BLOCK DESIGN 2.007 May 5 CEREMONY May 6 PARTY May 7 A retrospective exhibit on President Susan Hockfield Food and music to celebrate MIT’s famous robot design Room 10-250 is handed the MIT charter. Killian Court MIT. Kresge Oval Music by Gamelan Galak contest. 1–3 p.m. 2 p.m. 3–7 p.m. Tika, Rambax and others.

MIT EVENT HIGHLIGHTS MAY 9–15

MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY May 9 May 10 May 11 May 12 May 13 May 14 May 15 MIT Depression: Spring Pottery/ Artist Talk: Harold Walking Tour of “The Clipper Atmospheric Diagnosis and Ceramics Sale Sturtevant & Arlene Stata Center Ship Era” Science Treatment 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Presented in Schnitzer Prize A landscape 19th-century Seminars Annual Lobby 10. 253- conjunction with in the Visual tour of the lithographs, rare Talk by Robert Talbot of Symposium. 1-4 p.m. 7019. “Sturtevant: The Brutal Arts Award Winners Stata Center presented plans, photos, clipper the University of New The Bartos Theater. 253- Truth.” 6 p.m. List Visual Exhibit in conjunction with ship cards and excep- Hampshire. Noon. Room 3091. “Hidden Arts Center. 253-4680. Through June 30. 24 “Constructing Stata: tional models. Exhibition 54-915. 253-3715. Jewels of Our hours. Wiesner Student Photographs by Richard focuses on the design, Physical Community Art Course 2.007 Art Gallery. 253-7019. Sobol” at the Compton construction, speed and MIT Chamber Mathematics Exhibit” Competition, Gallery through June 15. social experience of the Music Society Seminar Works by spouses and “Tic-Tech-Toe” 4th Annual Meet at Stata information clipper ship era. Noon–5 Student Niles Pierce talk. partners of MIT graduate Robotic com- Pappalardo desk at 2 p.m. 253-5297. p.m. MIT Museum. 253- Concert 2:30 p.m. Room 2-338. students. 9 a.m.–1 p.m. petition. First night of a Fellowships 4444. Mendelssohn’s Piano 253-1713. Room 10-105. 253-1614. two-night event. 6–9 p.m. in Physics MIT Ballroom Quartet, Bach’s Sonata Johnson Athletic Center Symposium End of School MIT Swapfest in G Minor and Reicha’s 2005 Awards MIT Chamber Ice Rink. 452-2275. Talks by five Pappalardo Dance MIT’s electron- Quintet. 7 p.m. Killian Convocation Music Society Fellows. 2–5 p.m. MIT Evening of ics and ham Hall. 253-9800. 4 p.m. Room 10- Student IFILM Seminar Faculty Club. 253-4800. social dancing including radio flea mar- 250. 253-7546. Concert Movie based ballroom and latin danc- ket. $5. 9 a.m.–2 p.m. Trivia Night at 7 p.m. Killian Hall. 253- on Marguerite MIT Chamber es, along with favorites Albany Street Garage. the Thirsty Ear MIT Chamber 9800. Duras’ Music Society such as salsa, hustle and 253-3776. Every Monday Music Society “L’Amant.” 8–10 p.m. Student merengue. 8 p.m. Morss is Trivia Night. Student EAPS Room 4-237. Concert Hall. Yana Averbuck. 686- International 21+. ID required. 9 p.m. Concert Department Nielsen’s Quintet and 0823. Folk Dancing The Thirsty Ear Pub. Brahms’ Fünf Gesänge. 5 Lecture Series “Composing other works. 5 p.m. (participatory) p.m. Killian Hall. 253-9800. Talk by a Life: Killian Hall. 253-9800. 8 p.m. Lobdell Benjamin Lane, “Detailed Explorations of Dining Hall. 253-FOLK. MIT Chamber Studies of Extrasolar Self Through Shakespeare Music Society Planets.” 4 p.m. Room Photography, Art and Ensemble Student 54-915. 253-3382. Writing” Scene Night: Concert Mixed media autobiog- Battle of the Debussy’s Sonata. 7 p.m. Opening raphies by Experimental Sexes Killian Hall. 253-9800. Reception: Study Group students, Scenes from “Cymbeline” “Sturtevant: self-portrait in books and and “Henry VI” by Chicks Make The Brutal clothes by senior Teal Shakespeare, and “Rivers Flicks Truth” Guidici. Weisner Gallery, of China” by Alma de Stephanie Reception for the Paris- Stratton Student Center Groen. May 13–14. 8 Higgins, “The based American artist. second floor. p.m. Kresge Rehearsal Gay Marriage Thing.” 7 5:30–7:30 p.m. List Visual Room A. 253-2903. p.m. Room 1-190. Arts Center. 253-4680.