Inventing Tomorrow Winter 2006 • Vol

power players When it comes to business, Institute of Technology grads have the right stuff >>

a magazine for alumni and friends of the institute of technology | winter 2006 Inventing Tomorrow Winter 2006 • Vol. 30, No. 1

Administration Dean Steven L. Crouch Associate Dean, Student Affairs Peter Hudleston Associate Dean, Academic Affairs Roberta Humphreys Associate Dean, Research and Planning Mostafa Kaveh

Editorial Staff Communications Director Managing Editor Rhonda Zurn Senior Editor Carolyn Wavrin Designer Robyn Meadows Webmaster Skeeter Burroughs Contributors Amy Barrett Jonathan Chapman Jayme Halbritter Steve Linders Judy Woodward

© 2006 University of Minnesota Inventing Tomorrow is published by the Institute of Technology communications team twice a year for alumni and friends of the college. This publication is available in alternate formats for those with visual impairments by calling 612-626-7959. The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer.

Tell us what you think Inventing Tomorrow welcomes readers’ comments about the 14 magazine and story ideas for future issues. We’re looking for students, faculty, and alumni involved in interesting projects or conducting breakthrough research. Email your comments and ideas to us at [email protected]. U.S. Mail Inventing Tomorrow Institute of Technology 105 Walter Library 117 Pleasant Street SE Minneapolis, MN 55455 Email [email protected] Fax 612-624-2841 Web www.it.umn.edu moving? Send us your new address to keep receiving Inventing Tomorrow. 12 18 36 E Printed on recycled paper winter2006 departments Inventing Tomorrow From the Dean Why the Institute of Technology is one of the U’s greatest assets, especially now • 2

Tech Digest Engineering a Better World • 12 U and top-tech rankings, IMA’s record-setting grant, Students form state’s first chapter faculty honors, fishy chemistry, solar car, missing cosmic dust, of Engineers Without Borders and more • 3 By steve linders Investing in IT New biomedical engineering fellowship, new retention Leading by Example • 14 initiative, a GEM of a program for girls • 40 Dean outlines vision for the college at a pivotal moment in U’s history Alumni News Tech-family ties, first-ever By rhonda zurn Minnesota Cup winners, career services merger, UMAA award to ITAS, and more • 42

Power Players • 18 Retrospect U researchers driven to make Survey confirms Institute of Technology’s transportation safer • 44 role as economic engine

profiles By judy woodward & amy barrett

Forces of Nature • 36

University scientists and engineers are On the Cover

finding ways to better understand, predict, A tragic accident inspired and manage nature’s dynamic powers alumnus John Weinel to found a business dedicated to making By rhonda zurn winter recreation safer • 34

Photo by Jonathan Chapman From the Dean Steven L. Crouch

Past success paints picture for the future

he beginning of a new calendar year is a natural time for contemplating the past, T celebrating the present, and planning for the future. During 2005—my first year as dean of the Institute of Technology—I talked with hundreds of people about how the college can best serve the University and our citizens during a time of transformational change. As many of you know, the University of Minne- sota has set the ambitious goal of becoming one of the world’s top three public research universities One article showcases the important research by within the next 10 years. We are in the early stages chemistry professor Thomas Hoye, who is involved in of this systemwide strategic positioning initiative, developing a nontoxic synthetic pheromone to con- with 34 task forces currently gathering information trol the sea lamprey population in the Great Lakes. I believe the and making preliminary recommendations to top Another article highlights recent support from the University leaders. National Science Foundation for groundbreaking re- Institute of In this issue of Inventing Tomorrow you will find search at the University’s Institute for Mathematics Technology evidence to support my contention that the Institute and its Applications. You’ll also learn about the re- of Technology is one of the University’s greatest as- searchers who are working to understand and predict is one of the sets, especially at this critical juncture in its history. the dynamic forces of nature in an effort to minimize University’s The college’s strengths—in research, academics, in- the impact of natural disasters. terdisciplinary collaborations, external partnerships, Serving the public good also means that we must greatest assets, and human resources—place us in an ideal position do all we can to encourage and prepare more stu- especially at this from which to serve the University’s goal and ad- dents at all educational levels to pursue careers in critical juncture vance the public good. science and engineering. A recent grant from the Many of our alumni reflect the University’s past 3M Foundation is helping us launch several outreach in its history success in their accomplishments today. In “Power programs this year to increase the number and diver- Players” we tell the stories of eight Institute of Tech- sity of engineering students in the future. In addition, nology alumni who achieved their goals by thinking a gift from Boston Scientific is establishing a fellow- big, taking risks, working hard, and solving problems ship fund in biomedical engineering that will allow creatively. us to continue to attract top graduate students. The legacy of the past and its impact on the pres- For those of us in the Institute of Technology, ent are also illustrated in “Retrospect.” The article complacency is not an option—especially at a time traces the lineage of transportation safety research when the future of our University, the state, and the at the University, from the hands-on experiments by nation is at stake. As dean, I am committed to using the legendary James “Crash” Ryan during the 1950s the college’s resources in ways that best serve our to the high-tech, interdisciplinary work now under students, faculty, stakeholders, and the larger com- way at the Center for Transportation Studies. munity. Your ideas and suggestions will help guide Today, more than ever before, people expect their our decisions during this pivotal time. public research universities to deliver breakthrough I care very deeply about this college, which has solutions in the sciences and technology. In this is- been part of my life for more than 40 years. With sue you will meet some of the college’s researchers your help, I will do everything I can to ensure its who are working to meet those expectations. bright future. n

INVENTING TOMORROW Winter 2006 techdigest>

U figures in top tech-city ranking for Minneapolis The University’s Digital Technol- ogy Center (DTC), Center for Dis- tributed Robotics, and Laboratory for Computational Science and En- gineering are three reasons why

Minneapolis ranks as America’s digital technology center top tech city, according to a recent article in Popular Science. The centers and lab are part of the Institute of Technology. The survey placed Minneapolis first among U.S. cities in innovative transportation solutions, fourth in energy technology, and above the 50th percentile in every category measured. Calling the University “home to quite a roster of innovative thinkers” and an “invention factory,” the article describes the synergy created by the DTC’s inter- Computer science and engineering graduate student Brian Ries (left) and Birali Runesha, a group manager at the disciplinary research and partner- Minnesota Supercomputing Institute, test the virtual-reality window at the Digital Technology Center. The equipment ships between the University and allows users to walk through a site simulation and see the impact of design modifications on the environment. industry, all of which typify the city’s creative mindset. The DTC, guided by director An- nized for its development of Scout of Homeland Security, the system In a related story, the St. Paul drew Odlyzko, received high marks robots—soda-can-sized search- will get a test at the Omaha airport, Pioneer Press reported that two from Popular Science for its fo- and-surveillance robots that could said Professor Maria Gini, another companies, Aveso and Innova- cus on interdisciplinary research, be used to find victims buried in a robotics expert and colleague of Light, were originally attracted numerous partnerships between collapsed building or kidnappers Papanikolopoulos. to Minnesota by nanotechnology the University and industry, and hiding in a house. The article also Popular Science also mentioned research and expertise within the programs that give students what mentions another of the center’s Paul Woodward, professor of as- Institute of Technology. Aveso, a they need to succeed in today’s projects—the design of a smart tronomy and director of the Uni- spinoff from Dow Chemical, pro- digital society. video-monitoring system to de- versity’s Laboratory for Compu- duces ultra-thin low-power printed The Center for Distributed Robot- tect unattended packages in pub- tational Science and Engineering, electronic displays. InnovaLight is ics team, led by computer science lic spaces and other suspicious who demonstrated his minutely developing a nanotech approach and engineering professor Niko- situations. Being developed with detailed 3-D simulations of the in- to making lightbulbs. laos Papanikolopoulos, was recog- funding from the U.S. Department ternal workings of stars. on s Mechanical engineering professor U ranks high in nanoscience Uwe Kortshagen has worked with The University of Minnesota was recently ranked as one of the top nancy john InnovaLight, Inc. to develop silicon five U.S. universities in nanoscience research and industry outreach nanoparticle light-emitting struc- programs in nanotechnology, according to the results of a survey con- tures. These vessels hold solutions ducted by Small Times magazine. Sent to more than 100 universities containing ~5nm (red) and ~3nm in the U.S., the survey measured respondents’ research, educational (green) particles. opportunities, resources, commercialization, and outreach programs in microtechnology and nanotechnology.

Winter 2006 INVENTING TOMORROW s

techdigest trevre andrew Mathematics institute receives $19.5 million NSF grant

The Institute for Mathematics perts to the University for long- and its Applications (IMA) re- term visits during the program. cently received a grant of $19.5 As it has in the past, the IMA as- million over five years, the largest sembled a highly interdisciplinary single math research grant ever group including mathematicians, A team of 45 students from eight majors dedicated more made by the National Science physicists, engineers, computer than 43,000 hours over a 19-month period to research, Foundation (NSF). The IMA, a re- scientists, and medical research- design, and fabricate the University’s Borealis III solar car. search center within the Institute ers. Applications being studied by of Technology, is now the nation’s researchers at the IMA range from top math institute in terms of medical to military, from petrole- A race to remember funding. um reservoirs to distant galaxies. Founded in 1982, the IMA brings Weeklong workshops and public After 11 days and more than and Michigan’s car, Momentum, together mathematicians and ex- lectures are also being conducted 54 hours of racing across the were the primary leaders. perts in a wide range of disci- on specific issues pertaining to United States and Canada, the A team of 45 University un- plines to solve important scientific, imaging. University of Minnesota’s Bo- dergraduate students from +technological, and social problems. The IMA helps forge links where realis III solar car finished sec- eight majors dedicated more With no permanent faculty, the none were seen before as it solves ond by only 11 minutes to the than 43,000 hours of extracur- IMA involves more than 1,000 problems with broad social impli- University of Michigan’s car in ricular time to research, design, people each year who focus on a cations. For example, the language the 2005 North American Solar and fabricate Borealis III over a thematic program selected by a of computer security is highly bi- Challenge. It was the second period of 19 months. Nineteen national board. ological—systems are “infected” straight runner-up finish for the students were involved with the “The IMA has become a preemi- with viruses and worms—and University in the 2,500-mile race as part of the road team. nent mathematics institute that computer scientists look to bio- biennial race for solar-powered Professor Patrick J. Starr (me- serves as a model for other insti- logical systems for inspiration to vehicles. chanical engineering) served as tutes worldwide,” said William Run- combat such attacks. In turn, biol- Twenty teams competed in advisor to the group. dell, director of mathematical sci- ogists can learn about the immune the race, which began July 17 in “We’re really proud,” said stu- ences at the NSF. “Its innovative system by studying engineered Austin, Texas, and ended July 27 dent Trevre Andrews, the Uni- interdisciplinary programs are an systems, like computer networks. in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. versity’s solar car project man- essential component of the NSF’s A few years ago, immunologists, Throughout the event, the ager, after the race. “We couldn’t portfolio.” mathematicians, and computer lead changed hands on several have done anything more, other During the 2005–06 academic scientists came together at the occasions, with the Minnesota, than catch a few [more green year, the IMA is focusing on imag- IMA to explore the issue and dis- Michigan, Massachusetts Insti- lights].” ing—any of the ways to visualize covered a breakthrough for com- tute of Technology, and the Uni- Prior to the North American data from the real world, such as a puter security systems. They versity of Missouri-Rolla teams Solar Challenge, the car finished magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) changed their approach from one all in first place for portions of in first place at the three-day scan—and then exploring how to of destroying a virus or worm to the race. However, Borealis III Formula Sun event in Kansas. get information from that data. adapting the computer system to “Basically, what we do with a survive a hostile invasion—just as program like this is to make the the human body’s immune system IMA the most exciting department springs to action when it detects Dean promotes the college during China visit focused on imaging in the world for an infection. that 10-month period,” said Doug “We’ve set an ambitious goal Steven Crouch, Institute of Kong. While in Beijing, the dean Arnold, the institute’s director. for the University of Minnesota Technology dean, was one of gave a presentation to the Chi- The IMA has hired eight post- to be one of the top three public 200 delegates who visited nese Academy of Sciences doctoral fellows and three indus- research universities in the world. China this past fall as part of the about possible collaborations trial postdoctoral fellows who are Accomplishments such as this new Minnesota-China Partner- in research. in residence at the University to move us closer to achieving that ship, a broad-based initiative The University of Minnesota participate in the imaging program goal,” said University President to strengthen the state’s long- currently has more than 1,200 and conduct research. The IMA also Robert Bruininks. standing ties with that country. visiting Chinese scholars and scoured the globe to bring many of Visit www.ima.umn.edu to find The mission featured events students, the largest population the world’s leading imaging ex- out more about the IMA. in Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong on a North American campus.

INVENTING TOMORROW Winter 2006 F a c u l t y a w a r d s

Professors E. Calvin Alexander and Chris members to receive Fulbright Scholar Grants system that recognizes specific cell types, Paola (geology and geophysics) are among for special research projects in 2005–06. which will impact the design of therapeutic 16 individuals recently inducted into the Gulliver was at the University of Chile in San- proteins as well as fundamental cell biology University’s Academy of Distinguished tiago from July to December 2005. He stud- and virology studies. Teachers. ied and gave lectures on flow and chemical transport in environmental systems. Professor Mikhail Shifman (physics) has Distinguished McKnight University Profes- been chosen to receive the 2006 Julius Edgar sor George Barany (chemistry) received the Associate Professor Ramesh Harjani (elec- Lilienfeld Prize from the American Physical Ralph F. Hirschmann Award in Peptide Chem- trical and computer engineering) has been Society. Shifman, who holds the Ida Cohen istry from the American Chemical Society for elected a Fellow of the Institute of Electrical Fine Chair in Theoretical Physics, was rec- creating pioneering methods of synthesiz- and Electronics Engineers for his contribu- ognized “for his contributions to theoretical ing peptides. tions to the design and computer-aided de- high energy physics, in particular for the un- sign of analog and radio frequency circuits. derstanding of strong interactions and dy- Distinguished McKnight University Profes- namics of supersymmetric gauge theories sor Frank Bates (chemical engineering and Assistant Professor Christy Haynes (chem- and for communicating the excitement of materials science) has been awarded the dis- istry) received the 2005 American Chemical science to the public.” tinction of Fellow by the American Associa- Society Nobel Laureate Signature Award for tion for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). Graduate Education in Chemistry for her doc- Professor Donald Truhlar (chemistry) re- The AAAS recognized Bates for outstanding toral thesis, which was completed in 2003. ceived the Peter Debye Award in Physical contributions to the development of new Chemistry from the American Chemical So- polymeric materials. Professor Joachim Heberlein (mechanical ciety for his work in developing methods for engineering) received the American Society computing the rates at which chemical reac- Professor Edward Cussler (chemical engi- for Metals–Thermal Spray Society Award tions occur. neering and materials science) received the for Outstanding Leadership and Service as 2005 Fred Merryfield Design Award from the chairman of the Journal of Thermal Spray Professor Michael Tsapatsis (chemical American Society for Engineering Education, Technology. engineering and materials science) is the which recognizes excellence in teaching en- recipient of the 2005 Stratis V. Sotirchos gineering design. Professor Wei-Shou Hu (chemical engineer- Lectureship from the Institute of Chemical ing and materials science) won the 2005 Engineering and High Temperature Chemical Shimuzu Professor Andrew Drescher (civil Marvin J. Johnson Award in Microbial and Processes. engineering) was awarded the 2005 Distin- Biochemical Technology for his work in ani- guished Engineer of the Year Award from the mal-cell biotechnology, liver tissue engineer- Professor Arkady Vainshtein (physics) re- Minnesota Federation of Engineering, Sci- ing, and metabolic engineering for antibiotic ceived the 2005 Pomeranchuk Prize from ence, and Technology Societies. production. the A.I. Alikhanov Institute for Theoretical and Experimental Physics, in Moscow, Rus- Professor Georgios Giannakis (electrical and Professor Frank Kulacki (mechanical engi- sia. Vainshtein shares the prize with his computer engineering) received the 2005 neering) received the Distinguished Service collaborator, Iosif Khriplovich of the Budker Technical Achievement Award from the Eu- Award from the American Society of Mechani- Institute of Nuclear Physics in Novosibirsk, ropean Association for Signal, Speech and cal Engineers. Russia. They were honored for outstanding Image Processing, the association’s highest contributions to the understanding of the award given to an individual. Professor Vipin Kumar (computer science properties of the standard model, especially and engineering) has been selected as a for illuminating work on weak and strong in- Professor Steven Girshick (mechanical en- Fellow of the Association for Computing Ma- teraction of quarks. gineering) received the 2005 Plasma Chem- chinery, an international professional orga- istry Award from the International Plasma nization dedicated to the advancement of Professor Bruce Wollenberg (electrical and Chemistry Society. The award is given every computer science. computer engineering) was formally induct- two years to an individual who has made sig- ed into the National Academy of Engineer- nificant, longtime research contributions to Assistant Professor Jennifer Maynard (chem- ing at a ceremony held in November 2005 plasma chemistry and plasma processing. ical engineering and materials science) was in Washington, D.C. Wollenberg was honored awarded a 2005 Packard Fellowship in Sci- for his contributions to control centers for Professor John Gulliver (civil engineering) ence and Engineering. She received the fel- electric power grids and his contributions to was one of five University faculty and staff lowship for her work on re-engineering a power engineering education.

Winter 2006 INVENTING TOMORROW techdigest

The sea la mpre y pheromone-based control program. Given the extract’s po- has been around for tency, the scientists reasoned, a synthetic version of the The nose 400 million years, pure pheromone would be even more effective in luring so it’s a safe bet migrating lampreys to traps where they could be sterilized, the parasitic eel- killed, or moved to streams unsuitable for spawning. like fish comes Sorensen spent more than a decade testing the hypoth- knows equipped with top- esis that a pheromonal cue guided migratory adult lampreys University researchers work to of-the-line sur- to spawning sites. Using mass spectrometry his team had eliminate scourge of the Great Lakes vival tools. But detected the pheromone’s three primary components, two the scourge of of which were unknown. The next step was to isolate sam- the Great Lakes ples of each of the pheromone’s chemical components for may finally have analysis. met its match. That’s when Hoye and his team joined the study. About Chemistry pro- four years ago Jared Fine, then a beginning graduate re- fessor Thomas Hoye searcher in Sorensen’s group, sought Hoye’s expertise in and several graduate students in his lab are members of a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, a non- University research team intent on converting one of the destructive analytical tool for determining precise chemi- lamprey’s most powerful assets into a liability. They are col- cal structure. laborating with a group led by Peter Sorensen, a professor After purifying 8,000 liters of water from holding tanks in the Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation containing 35,000 larvae, Fine obtained only 600 to 700 Biology, to develop a species-specific, nontoxic synthetic micrograms of a fine white powder—the equivalent of about chemical attractant (pheromone) as a means of controlling 10 grains of salt. But it was enough. the sea lamprey population. “NMR spectroscopy is a sufficiently sensitive technique, An ocean native, the lamprey invaded the Great Lakes so you need only a tiny amount,” said Hoye. “And it’s nonde- early in the 20th century and soon decimated stocks of structive, which means that after we had finished our analy- lake trout, whitefish, chub, and other commercially valuable sis I could return the samples to Jared intact for subsequent species. Although it spends only about a year of its life as biological studies.” Personally, an adult parasite, each lamprey kills on average 40 pounds Matching the NMR data to known spectral patterns, Hoye the most of fish, according to the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, and students Vadims Dvornikovs, Christopher Jeffrey, and “ which is responsible for sea lamprey control. Last year alone, Jizhou Wang identified the two components and pieced to- rewarding the U.S. and Canada spent more than $16 million on lamprey gether their molecular structure. They discovered that the part of this control, primarily through the use of lampricides that kill the most abundant pheromonal component, petromyzonamine larvae but also some innocent species. disulfate (PADS), has a structure similar to that of squala- work has As adult lampreys near the end of their lives, they have mine, a chemical produced by the dogfish shark. Using that been to watch only a few weeks in which to migrate from their normal information as a resource, Dvornikovs and Jeffrey, together habitat in lakes or coastal waters to freshwater streams with students Feng Shao and Kari Anderson, produced a my students where they spawn. However, only about one in 10 fresh- small amount of synthetic PADS—about six milligrams to grow and water streams provides a suitable spawning ground and date. This initial synthesis required a linear sequence of nine nursery habitat for larval lampreys, which spend three to 20 chemical reactions and took nearly a year to develop. develop into years burrowed into the stream- really skilled bed. Adults locate these streams by following the scent of a pow- chemists. erful pheromone emitted by the toothless, blind larvae. ” The pheromone works so well that simply using extracts of wa-

ter from larval lamprey nurseries hoye s a improved adult attraction rates m y tho

sixfold during experiments in Mich- s rte

igan streams. However, the proto- u cols for isolating even the crude pheromone from huge volumes of photo co stream water are so cumbersome An interdisciplinary research team intends to hoodwink the lamprey’s keen sense of that this approach is unlikely to smell. Collaborators include (from left) Jared Fine, Professor Peter Sorensen, Professor support the needs of a large-scale, Thomas Hoye, Christopher Jeffrey, Vadims Dvornikovs, and Feng Shao.

INVENTING TOMORROW Winter 2006 Professor writes new book on physics of superheroes

Anyone who has taken Professor casts out his web and stops her fall. James Kakalios’ freshman seminar But when he hauls her up, he discov- knows that he’s adept at breaking ers she is dead. Kakalios blames her the fear-of-science barrier. demise on Spidey himself. He taught Newton’s famous equa- “Assuming that Spidey’s webbing tion F=ma not as a dry explanation catches her after she has fallen ap-

hoye of how a force imparts acceleration proximately 300 feet, Gwen’s veloci- s a m to a mass but as the inescapable ty turns out to be nearly 95 mph,” he y tho

s principle behind the death of Spider- explained. Using Newton’s second rte

u Man’s girlfriend, Gwen Stacy (in the law of motion, Kakalios shows how comic book, not the movies). His Spidey’s web would have slowed photo co seminar, “Everything I Know About her down almost instantaneously, With a face only a mother (or a chemist) could love and a repel- Science I Learned From Reading exerting a force strong enough to lent eel-like body, the sea lamprey hasn’t much going for it in Comic Books,” was a hit, and with snap her neck. the looks department. But when it comes to sexual chemistry, the 2002 release of the first Spider- In the chapter titled “Me Am Bi- the sea lamprey is a powerful player in the game of survival. Man movie, Kakalios’ class made zarro! Superhero Bloopers,” Kaka- Chemistry professor Thomas Hoye is among the researchers him an instant celebrity of sorts. lios’ book provides many funny ex- who are creating a synthetic version of the pheromone that at- Now, everybody can get the ben- amples of physics errors in comic tracts the parasitic species to its spawning grounds. The faux efit of Kakalios’ wit and wisdom. He books. If the laws of physics ap- pheromone would be used to lure migrating lampreys to traps. has put his ideas into a new book, plied, Spider-Man foe Doctor Oc- The Physics of Superheroes, which topus would be a comically inept To hoodwink the sea lamprey’s keen sense of smell, a is illustrated with panels from fa- villain with a tendency to tip over synthetic compound must replicate the natural pheromone mous comic books featuring Super- whenever he raised and moved precisely. Of the chemical produced in his lab Hoye said, “It man, The Flash, The Atom, and, of the heavy robotic arms fused to is exactly the same in every way. Not even the animal can course, Spider-Man. his body. distinguish it from nature’s version.” If you somehow missed the rash Another glaring error is a comic PADS is extremely potent. A pound of it (about 500 grams) of news reports of Kakalios’ semi- book panel depicting an early stage could treat the volume of water that spills over Niagara Falls nar three years ago, you’re probably in the career of The Atom that im- in a month—at the rate of 100,000 cubic feet of water per wondering what happened to Gwen plies “in the mid-1960s, physics second. However, laboratory tests suggest that the phero- Stacy and what Isaac Newton had to professors typically drove Cadillac mone may function even more effectively as a mixture. Even do with her. When the Green Goblin convertibles.” Kakalios certainly at elevated concentrations, a single component generated pushes Gwen off the George Wash- doesn’t need any formulas to know less lamprey activity than the larval water extract. ington Bridge, Spider-Man quickly that isn’t true. In November 2004 Hoye and Sorensen filed a patent application on PADS. The researchers’ findings mark the discovery of the first migratory pheromone identified in a fish. Currently, Hoye is conducting studies to synthesize the second major component, petromyzosterol disulfate. The next challenge will be to refine the synthesis of the pheromone so that large-scale production is affordable. Hoye ex- pects that process to take between two and three years. “Personally, the most rewarding part of this work has been to watch my students grow and develop into really skilled chemists in a context that likely will have a direct benefit,” Hoye said. “It’s great to have a hand in something that may actually get used.” an The research was supported by the University’s Agricul- m tural Experiment Station, the National Institutes of Health, and the Great Lakes Fishery Commission.  carolyn wavrin jonathan chap Professor James Kakalios makes physics fun in his new book The Physics of for more information see www.chem.umn.edu/groups/hoye Superheroes, which features illustrations from famous comic books.

Winter 2006 INVENTING TOMORROW techdigest Taking the plunge for science Dean names new department nets researchers unique award heads, center directors Professor Vipin Kumar is the new head of the Depart- Except in your most nightmarish annually by the Annals of Improbable ment of Computer Science and Engineering. He suc- dreams, you will never find yourself Research, a publication dedicated to sci- ceeds Professor Pen-Chung Yew, who had held the swimming in a slimy, greenish swamp or entific humor. post since 2000. in a sticky pool of maple syrup. But if you In designing their experiment, Cussler did, your top speed would likely be close and Gettelfinger asked whether swim- Professor David Lilja recently succeeded Professor to whatever you can clock in a regular mers would be slowed by a gooier me- Mos Kaveh as head of the Department of Electrical swimming pool. dium or whether such a medium would and Computer Engineering. Kaveh, who served as That little nugget comes from an ex- give swimmers something more solid to department head since 1990, became the college’s periment by chemical engineering and push against, thereby imparting more associate dean for research and planning. materials science professor Ed Cussler thrust. After securing necessary permis- and his former student Brian Gettelfinger sions and recruiting University swim- Distinguished McKnight University Professor Timo- (ChemE ’04). In August 2003 they filled mers to be volunteer test subjects, the thy P. Lodge has been selected as the director of a Cooke Hall pool with a syrupy concoc- researchers filled the pool with guar gum, the University’s Materials Research Science and En- tion and timed male and female Univer- a food-thickening agent. Then Cussler, an gineering Center (MRSEC). He began his new duties sity swimmers to find out how a gooey avid runner, swimmer, and cyclist, made on Dec. 1. Lodge is a professor in both the chemistry medium would affect swimming speeds. the first leap into the guar-laced pool to and the chemical engineering and materials science In a ceremony at Harvard University last test the waters before beginning the ex- departments. fall, the two received an Ig Nobel Prize for periment. their efforts, joining the immortal ranks The volunteers swam timed laps in the Thomas Misa, associate professor of history at Illinois of scientists whose work tickles the goop and then in a control pool. Results Institute of Technology, will be the new director of funny bone en route to making a serious showed no significant difference in the the Charles Babbage Institute, effective July 1, 2006. scientific point. swimmers’ speed in the treated pool In January, he began the phase-in process, working Awarded at the same time and gener- compared to ordinary water. with current director Arthur Norberg. Also beginning ally in the same fields as the real Nobel Cussler explained the results with an in July, Misa will hold concurrent appointments as Prize, the “Igs” celebrate research that equation that showed how moving to a Engineering Research Associates (ERA) Chair in the both amuses and enlightens. The tongue- gooier medium would slow down a small History of Technology, as a faculty member in the in-cheek Ig awards ceremony is staged swimmer, such as a bacterial cell, but not Program in the History of Science and Technology, something as large as the human body. and as professor of history of science and technol- For the bacterium to maintain speed, it ogy within the Department of Electrical and Computer must keep a smooth flow of fluid over Engineering. its “body,” a feat that’s harder in goop, he explained. Distinguished McKnight University Professor Jeffrey “But for humans, it doesn’t matter,” Roberts is the new head of the Department of Chem- said Cussler. “When you’re big, the impor- istry. He succeeds Professor Wayne Gladfelter, who tant mechanism is just pushing water out had held the post since 1999. of the way,” a phenomenon that applies equally to syrup. Distinguished McKnight University Professor Shashi The only expense incurred during the Shekhar (computer science and engineering) was re- no-frills experiment was the cost of the cently named director of the Army High Performance guar, which Cussler bought with consult- Computing Research Center. He succeeds Professor ing fees. Vipin Kumar, who became head of the Department of Honored for his research and teaching, Computer Science and Engineering. an m Cussler is an expert on distillation who has found ways to purify drugs, gases, Fotis Sotiropoulos joined the Institute of Technology and water, among other things. He is a as director of the St. Anthony Falls Laboratory and jonathan chap member of the National Academy of En- professor of civil engineering in January. Sotiropoulos Professor Ed Cussler recently accepted an gineering, a distinction currently held formerly was an associate professor of civil and envi- Ig Nobel Prize for his experiment that tested by only 2,340 engineers in the United ronmental engineering at Georgia Institute of Technol- swimmers’ speeds in a gooey medium. States and abroad, including six of his col- ogy, where he held a joint appointment in the School The tongue-in-cheek Ig awards celebrate leagues in the chemical engineering and of Civil and Environmental Engineering and in the G.W. research that both amuses and enlightens. materials science department. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering.

INVENTING TOMORROW Winter 2006 In memoriam

Rutherford Aris Paul Ellis Rutherford “Gus” Aris, Re- in teaching these new methods to Paul Ellis, professor of physics, gents Professor Emeritus of students and professional engi- died Feb. 20, 2005, at his home Chemical Engineering, died Nov. neers. He published 13 books and in St. Louis Park, Minn. He was 2, 2005, in Edina, Minn. He was more than 300 research articles, 63. Born in Northampton, U.K., 76. and mentored more than 65 mas- Ellis received an undergradu- He held a joint appointment in ter’s and Ph.D. students. ate degree in physics from the the Department of Classical and Born in Bournemouth, U.K., on University of Bristol in 1962 Near Eastern Studies, where he Sept. 15, 1929, Aris completed and a doctorate in physics from conducted research and taught the requirements for an honors the University of Manchester in classes in paleontology. degree in mathematics from the 1966. He joined the University A brilliant scholar, Aris had an University of London at age 16, of Minnesota faculty in 1973. A enormous impact on the field of but the university did not think it member of the department’s chemical engineering through his was proper to award a degree to nuclear physics group, Ellis research, publications, teaching, someone so young and delayed studied the many-body theory of and advising. Among his most giving Aris the degree until he nuclei and nuclear matter at zero important contributions are de- was 19. He later received external and finite temperature using tailed explanations for sudden Ph.D. and D.Sc. degrees from the relativistic approaches. Ellis ile photo

temperature runaways and oscil- University of London. f published more than 100 original lating behavior of processes in- Aris was hired in 1958 as an research articles and co-edited volving chemical reactions, work assistant professor by Neal Aris was elected to the Nation- the first two volumes of Trends that led to improved design of Amundson, then head of the Uni- al Academy of Engineering (1975) in Theoretical Physics, the first potentially explosive chemical versity of Minnesota’s chemical and to the American Academy of in a series associated with the processes and safer industrial engineering and materials sci- Arts and Sciences (1988). He re- University’s Theoretical Phys- operations. ence department, who had a keen ceived many honorary degrees ics Institute. He was elected a He led the way in developing eye for talent. In 1974 Aris suc- and distinguished lectureships Fellow of the American Physical new mathematical techniques for ceeded Amundson as department and more than a dozen presti- Society in 1998 and received the optimizing and controlling chemi- head and served in that capacity gious awards from engineering college’s Best Instructor Award cal manufacturing processes and until 1978. and scientific societies. in physics for 1980–81.

E. Bruce Lee E. Bruce Lee, Vincentine Hermes-Luh Professor of was a senior research engineer with Honeywell from Electrical and Computer Engineering and an IT Distin- 1956 until 1963, when he joined the University as an guished Professor, died April 15, 2005, at age 73. associate professor of electrical engineering. Lee was the longtime leader of the systems and A leading educator and scholar in his field, Lee su- controls group in the Department of Electrical and pervised more than 50 Ph.D. and numerous master’s Computer Engineering. He was a founder of the Cen- theses. His book, Foundations of Optimal Control Theo- ter for Control Science and Dynamical Systems and ry, which he co-authored with L. Markus, is considered was its co-director for many years. The strength of one of the most influential textbooks in the field. his reputation helped attract some of the world’s top Lee was elected a Fellow of the Institute of Electri- control scientists and engineers to Minnesota and also cal and Electronics Engineers and a Foreign Member helped forge collaborations with faculty and students of the Polish Academy of Sciences. He received the in several Institute of Technology departments. Warsaw University of Technology Medal for the devel- During his University career he also served terms as opment of control theory and the establishment of head and acting head of the electrical engineering de- cooperative research with Polish scientists. He held partment and as acting head of computer science. visiting professorships at California Institute of Tech- Lee studied mechanical engineering at the Univer- nology, Technical University of Warsaw, Université de sity of North Dakota, earning a bachelor’s degree in Montréal, and the University of Florida, and also was 1955 and a master’s degree in 1956. He received a a senior visiting fellow at the Science Research Coun-

ile photo Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota in 1960. He cil, England. f

Winter 2006 INVENTING TOMORROW techdigest

George Freier Christie Geankoplis Walter Weyhmann George Freier, 90, retired pro- Christie Geankoplis, 84, professor of chemical Walter Weyhmann, professor emeritus of phys- fessor of physics, died May 13, engineering and materials science, died Nov. 15, ics and former head of the School of Physics and 2005, in St. Joseph’s Hospital, 2005, in Edina, Minn. Astronomy, died Sept. 24, 2005, in New Brighton, St. Paul, after a brief illness. Geankoplis’ research focused on transport pro- Minn. He was 69. Freier grew up on a farm near cesses in biochemical engineering and biochemical Weyhmann received a bachelor of science with Ellsworth, Wis., and graduated reactor engineering. He wrote the chemical engi- distinction from Duke University in 1957 and a from River Falls State Teachers neering texts Transport Processes and Separation Ph.D. in physics from Harvard University in 1963. College in 1938. After receiving Process Principles, Fourth Edition, and Mass Trans- He joined the University of Minnesota faculty in his degree he taught science port Phenomena. He also published more than 50 1964. He made several important contributions in and mathematics in White research articles. the area of experimental low-temperature phys- Lake, Wis., for three years. He Geankoplis was born June 18, 1921, in Minne- ics, including pioneering techniques in nuclear received a master of arts from apolis and graduated from the University of Minne- cooling. the University of Minnesota in sota in 1943 with a bachelor of science in chemical Weyhmann served as head of the School from 1941 and worked in the Naval engineering. He attended graduate school at the 1975 to 1982 and as acting head from 1973 to Ordnance Laboratory from University of Pennsylvania, where he received a 1974. In 1989 he was appointed associate dean for 1942 to 1944. Freier received master of science in chemical engineering in 1946 research in the Graduate School and continued in a doctorate in nuclear physics and a Ph.D. in 1949. that position until 1993. During this period he also from the University in 1949 From 1943 to 1946, Geankoplis was chief en- served as acting dean of the Graduate School for but switched to atmospheric gineer for Atlantic Richfield Corporation, where two quarters. He retired in 2001 but continued his physics 10 years later. He joined he was in charge of process research to produce research until about a year ago. the physics faculty in 1949 and aviation gasoline for the armed forces. He was a retired in 1985. member of the chemical engineering faculty at Ohio Freier studied the meteor- State University from 1949 until 1982, before com- ology and physics of large ing to the University of Minnesota. thunderstorms, especially the Geankoplis was a consultant for 20 years for electrical aspects. He developed General Mills Chemicals and for Battelle Memorial a theory of rain formation in Research Institute, Columbus, Ohio. which radioactive atoms played A fine athlete, Geankoplis was the state high a role in nucleation of water school singles tennis champion in 1939 and won to form droplets. He took an the doubles title twice. He was captain of the tennis s interest in weather lore and team at the University of Minnesota in 1942 and ity archive frequently answered reporters’ 1943. He was awarded the Big Ten Western Confer- s

questions about the validity of ence Medal in 1943 for the outstanding scholar and niver u y weather proverbs. He also wrote athlete at Minnesota, the first time the award ever s rte u

a book about weather proverbs. went to an athlete in a minor sport. co

Miles Kersten Miles Kersten, retired professor of civil en- ing from the University. In 1935 he took a job as gineering, died Aug. 28, 2005, in Minneapolis. a soils engineer for the Minnesota Department He was 92. of Highways. He joined the University faculty A member of the civil engineering faculty for in 1945 and retired in 1978. After retiring he 33 years, Kersten was instrumental in develop- served as an advisor to the Minnesota Depart- ing programs in soil mechanics and highway en- ment of Transportation. gineering related to soils and pavement design. He was an honorary member of the American In his research Kersten concentrated on frost Society of Civil Engineers and a member of the action in the design of highways. He also stud- National Society of Professional Engineers. In ied the thermal conductivity of soils, work that 1990 the Department of Civil Engineering cre- still finds application in a variety of problems. ated the Miles Kersten Land Grant Chair with Kersten was born in St. Paul in 1913 and grad- gifts from the highway industry and friends in uated from Minneapolis South High School. He Minnesota. In 1995 he received the first Richard received bachelor’s (1934), master’s (1936), P. Braun Distinguished Service Award from the

ile photo and doctoral (1945) degrees in civil engineer- University’s Center for Transportation Studies. f

10 INVENTING TOMORROW Winter 2006 University astronomers discover absence of fine cosmic dust

The iron in your blood was forged in the only because it is cooled to minus 450 degrees heart of a massive star, but the gold and silver F. If it were much warmer, its own heat would in your jewelry—plus mercury, lead, and other drown out the signals from the Crab. useful heavy metals—were created when that “The images are exciting because we’re filling star exploded in a supernova. in the puzzle with infrared,” Temim said. “Infra- When a supernova explodes, it ejects huge red is where we can find out information about amounts of gas and dust into space, where the formation of dust.” they become the building blocks of stellar Now researchers are beginning work on systems like our solar system. Remnants of solving the big mystery: What accounts for the supernova explosions therefore have much to absence of the smallest dust particles? ile photo f tell us about the origins of our world. One possible culprit is the rapidly spinning A team of University astronomers studying neutron star at the core of the Crab Nebula. Anatoly Larkin the Crab Nebula, a filamentous remnant of a The star is pumping out intense ultraviolet Anatoly Larkin, University profes- star that exploded in A.D. 1054 in the constel- radiation, which might vaporize small par- sor and world-renowned physicist, lation Taurus, has detected the absence of a ticles. The core is also throwing out protons died unexpectedly Aug. 4, 2005, in type of fine cosmic dust. Images from the new and electrons at rates approaching the speed Aspen, Colo., where he was attending Spitzer Space Telescope, which operates at of light, and they could also be destroying the a workshop. He was 72. infrared wavelengths, show none of the tiny fine dust. This premise offers an attractive ex- Larkin was a major contributor to dust particles expected to condense out of planation: Fine dust forms within a year of an the fundamental understanding of supernova ejecta. explosion, but the intense radiation from the superconductivity and the theory of The finding was a big surprise to the Uni- core doesn’t develop until long after coarse phase transitions. His research was versity team’s leader, graduate student Tea dust has coalesced. also instrumental to the study of the Temim. Most astronomers expected a young Temim has mapped the energy distribution physics of one-dimensional systems supernova remnant like the Crab Nebula to be from these ultrafast particles (called syn- and clusters used in the fields of nano- packed with micron-wide dust motes. How- chrotron radiation) coming from the neutron science and nanotechnology. ever, the Spitzer images show that the Crab star. This data will show how these particles He was born Oct. 14, 1932, in the contains only much coarser dust—particles spread out and mix with the rest of the ejected Moscow region of the former Soviet that, although only a few millionths of a meter material. Union. In 1956 he received a master in size, are still 10 to 100 times larger than Temim’s advisors, astronomy professors of science from the Moscow Physi- the fine stuff. Robert Gehrz and Charles Woodward, are cal Engineering Institute, where he These images of the Crab—which is located among the co-authors of the research paper, worked as a researcher for nine years. 6,500 light-years away—could not have been which was presented recently at an American During this time he received his doc- made from a ground-based telescope because Astronomical Society meeting. The study has torate from the Kurchatov Institute Earth’s atmosphere filters out much infrared been highlighted in articles in Science and As- of Atomic Energy. From 1966 to 1995, light. Spitzer can pick up faint infrared signals tronomy magazines. Larkin was a department head at the Landau Institute for Theoretical Phys- a/arc) ics and worked concurrently as a Mos- A team of University of s cow State University professor for 21 Minnesota astronomers of these years. Larkin joined the Uni- took this picture of the Crab

Nebula, a wispy remnant of ), t. roellig (na

versity of Minnesota physics faculty m

a supernova that exploded o in 1995 as the William I. and Bianca u M. Fine Professor at the William I. Fine in A.D. 1054. Images from Theoretical Physics Institute. the new Spitzer Space Telescope, which operates Larkin was one of the founders of , c. woodward ( m i the famous Russian school of theo- at infrared wavelengths, m retical physics. Many of his former show none of the fine, ehrz, t. te students hold leading academic posi- micron-wide dust particles G

expected to condense out c/r.

tions at universities and institutes in ss Russia, the United Kingdom, Germany, of supernova ejecta. a/jpl/ s

the United States, and Israel. na

Winter 2006 INVENTING TOMORROW 11 n a cold, damp Minnesota morning, David Gasperino sat in the corner of a Sta- O dium Village coffee shop, his expression a model of intense concentration. Anyone who didn’t know the chemical engineering graduate student might have assumed he was preoccupied with an upcoming test, paper, or presentation. But education wasn’t on Gasperino’s mind—not the kind of education one gets in a classroom, any- way. He believes that engineering students can make a positive difference in the world—right now—and he’s on a personal quest to transform their ideals into action and education. More than 30 Institute of Technology engineering students who share his convictions came together to form Engineers Without Borders–University of Min- nesota, of which Gasperino is president. The group is the first Minnesota chapter of Engi- neers Without Borders–USA, which links engineering students and professionals nationwide with developing communities around the world. Students work on small-scale engineering projects developed in part- nership with community residents. “I think in every engineering class there are people who have a deep interest in social issues,” said Gas- perino. “I want to make sure there are ways for those people to make a difference through their disciplines and perhaps shape their careers in a positive way.” Most Engineers Without Borders projects focus on improving energy sources or creating clean water supplies, but others address such issues as the digital divide and enterprise development. All projects are designed to be environmentally and economi- cally sustainable while giving students the chance to broaden their education. Engineers Without Borders–USA was founded in 2000 by an engineering professor at the University of Colorado. The nonprofit humanitarian organization currently has more than 100 active projects in 30 countries, including the United States, Guatemala, Peru, Ghana, China, India, Niger, and the Dominican Republic. The group has 87 university and 32 professional chapters nationwide.

Caring for others near and far Not that long ago, Gasperino was working toward a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering at the University of Washington. He noticed that many Sudanese refugees living in the area lacked warm clothes for winter. He and his friends began visiting fraternities, sororities, and student-housing laundry rooms to collect unused or discarded winter cloth-

ritter ing to give to the refugees. b “You’d hand them a coat, they’d take it from your David Gasperino e hal m hands and put it on right away. It felt good to know jay

12 INVENTING TOMORROW Winter 2006 Engineering ABetterWorld

Students form state’s first chapter of Engineers Without Borders

we were helping people,” he said. communities. The goal is to Those acts of kindness provided immediate relief develop a community-based to people in need, but Gasperino and the Minnesota boarding school that educates students are discovering that making a difference the children within their cul- through Engineers Without Borders will require tural environment. Doi Santi’s

more patience. proximity to the other villages s During its first year the University chapter elected will allow students to visit on order b t

officers, shared ideas, and began searching for a proj- weekends and maintain close u ect, a process that entails significant hurdles. ties to their families. witho All projects must satisfy selective criteria estab- The project will convert the s lished by the national organization. The rigorous school from one small build- engineer application process takes time, and chapters must ing into a larger complex with fund their own projects. And then there’s the issue student dormitories and a water sanitation system. University engineering of finding a project with enough opportunities for After joining the project, the Minnesota students students are helping hands-on work. began planning drainage and erosion-control mea- to build a student “It’s been difficult to find a project where everyone sures, as requested. But progress has slowed because dormitory for Doi Santi, who wants to be involved can be involved,” admits they have had to spend most of their time building a village in Thailand’s Gasperino. “But we’ve got two good ones now that bridges to potential donors. Chiang Mai province. we’re trying to get off the ground.” “We are working on creating a water sanitation The project is a major system for the village and the school,” said Vladimir step in creating a Building stronger communities Makarov, an electrical engineering student and the regional school for In February 2005 the group partnered with the Engi- chapter’s treasurer. “Unfortunately, it will take us a 10 remote hill tribe neers Without Borders chapters at the University of little longer than we originally anticipated.” communities. Wisconsin–Madison and Seattle University to work The project’s scope—planning, designing, and on a project in Doi Santi, Thailand. A small village labor—means that several University students will written by comprised of 38 huts, Doi Santi is vital to the future have to spend up to two weeks in Doi Santi complet- steve linders of children in the region. ing the project. The chapter must raise about $20,000 Most of Thailand’s schools are located in large ur- to support its participation. ban areas. Traditionally, the hill tribes of northern “We’re going to raise the money,” Makarov said. Thailand have regarded formal education as a threat “We’re going to do it because we believe that people because elders fear their children will not return are equal—they just live in different circumstances. home after experiencing city life. If we can help provide an education for the people With the aid of Engineers Without Borders–USA, living in those villages, we can change their circum- Thai officials plan to transform Doi Santi, the only stances for the better.” area village with an elementary school, into an educational hub serving families from 10 rural A Better World continues on page 39 ª

Winter 2006 INVENTING TOMORROW 13 Steven Crouch

14 INVENTING TOMORROW Winter 2006 Dean outlines vision for the college at a pivotal moment in U’s history

ow that he is dean of the Institute of ics within the Institute of Technology,” Crouch said. written by Technology, Steve Crouch is ready to start “They also involve us working closely with the College rhonda zurn N bragging. True to his nature, however, the of Biological Sciences, the Academic Health Center, straightforward, unassuming leader won’t be brag- and others.” ging about himself. Instead, he wants others to He is convinced that maintaining these rela- know about the strengths and achievements of the tionships is vital to the future of science and en- college. gineering programs. Furthermore, he believes, the “I believe that the Institute of Technology is one Institute of Technology’s future will be tied closely of the strongest colleges within the University of to the college’s success in the biological and health Minnesota,” Crouch said. “Many people don’t know sciences—and to its selectivity in pinpointing tar- about our highly ranked aca- get areas within these broad demic programs, top research- categories. ers, and research centers with “I think one area where world prominence. It’s impor- I think one area where we could achieve some real tant for all of us to tell our we could achieve some prominence is in nanomedi- story so we can continue to “ cine, especially in relation to secure resources and attract real prominence is in research that could lead to top-notch faculty, staff, and nanomedicine, especially new medical devices,” he said. students who will carry us “The University is uniquely into the future.” in relation to research positioned here because of Crouch is proud of the col- that could lead to new strong relationships that our lege’s legacy of breakthrough college’s scientists and engi- research and inventions, but medical devices. neers have with the Medical he has set his sights on the School and medical-device future. He points out that the ” companies in Minnesota.” University needs strong Institute of Technology pro- Another of the dean’s long-term goals is to se- grams in science, engineering, and mathematics in cure resources to fund a new physics building with order to reach its goal of being one of the world’s top an attached nanotechnology center, a project that three public research universities. was recently made part of the University’s six-year capital plan. Focus on the future “I see this capital request as very critical to the Since becoming dean in January 2005, Crouch has future health of this college and to the University as held numerous meetings to tell the college’s story a whole,” Crouch said. and share his vision for the future. Attracting and retaining the most talented young Four broad, interdisciplinary areas form the scholars from a diverse student population also is a nucleus of that vision: medical-device technology, high priority. nanotechnology, renewable energy, and digital tech- “Some of our new programs focus on incoming an nology. students and students in middle school and high m “These priorities have received interest and sup- school,” Crouch said. “The goal is to make sure they port in the past and in some way involve almost have the science background and educational sup-

jonathan chap every area of engineering, science, and mathemat- port to succeed when they arrive at the University.”

Winter 2006 INVENTING TOMORROW 15 The man behind the vision versity. “My sister enticed me to meet this guy she As might be expected of a dean, Crouch is the In- said was ‘really cute, played football in high school, stitute of Technology’s strongest advocate, but his and was very smart.’ We went on the date, and the heartfelt dedication to the college and the Univer- rest is history.” Married for 40 years, the couple has sity is rooted in personal experience. three adult children and three grandchildren. A private man who rarely talks about his personal Crouch received his bachelor’s, master’s, and doc- life, he nevertheless is quick to credit the University toral degrees in mineral engineering from the Uni- with altering the course of his life. versity (in 1966, 1967, and 1970, respectively). Crouch, 62, grew up in southwestern Minnesota in In 1964, while working as an undergraduate lab the small town of Sleepy Eye. His father died when assistant, Crouch met a visiting researcher who was Crouch was nine, and his mother died seven years director of the Mining Research Laboratory of the later. The young man went to live with a relative of Chamber of Mines of South Africa. The industry-sup- a friend and finished high school in 1961. ported research organization was considered then to “My mother had always encouraged me to think be the premier place in the world for research in rock big—to be a doctor, lawyer, or engineer,” Crouch said. mechanics, an area in which Crouch had decided to “When I knew I wanted to become an engineer, the specialize. He was invited to South Africa in 1968 to My place to go for engineering school was the Institute become a research officer in the lab while working mother of Technology at the University of Minnesota.” on his Ph.D. thesis. “ He worked his way through school at various “My wife and I really enjoyed our years in South had always jobs, including stints as a janitor at the University’s Africa,” Crouch said. “The way of life there was so encouraged animal hospital and as a busboy in a sorority house. different. For example, at that time no one there When his academic advisor offered him an oppor- had television. I remember listening to radio news me to think tunity to work in a research laboratory, Crouch ini- reports about the 1969 moon landing, sitting in big—to be tially resisted because he was earning $1.44 an hour front of a coal fireplace in the dead of a July winter as a janitor as compared to the $1.25 hourly wage he in South Africa.” a doctor, would make in the lab. Crouch returned to Minnesota in 1970 to join the lawyer, or Later that spring he decided to take the lab posi- University faculty as an assistant professor in what tion but kept the other two jobs—all while carrying is now the Department of Civil Engineering. He later engineer. 18 credits. Realizing that he was “not having much was promoted to associate professor and professor. fun,” however, he decided to chuck it all and join From 1987 to 1997 he served as department head ” the U.S. Navy. and in 1997 became the college’s associate dean for Fate intervened when Crouch broke his leg while finance and planning. In 2005 he was named dean. playing in an intramural softball game. The Navy In his time away from work, Crouch enjoys fly- was no longer an option, and the injury also forced him to quit working as a janitor and busboy. The laboratory job was all he had left, but his experience there changed his life. “I realized how much I loved to do research, and I was getting paid to do something I loved,” he said. While he was at the Univer- sity, something else happened to Crouch that would change his life forever—he met his future wife. “We met on a blind date through my sister, when Steve was a junior,” said Karen Crouch, who also was a stu- When not at work, Crouch enjoys his time with family. He is pictured here with his three dent at the time and now is an grandchildren, (left to right) Erin, 7, Natasha, 2, and Connor, 8. Crouch has three adult chil- academic advisor at the Uni- dren and has been married to his wife, Karen, for more than 40 years.

16 INVENTING TOMORROW Winter 2006 fishing, gardening, woodworking, furniture making, the Institute of Technology at a pivotal moment in and reading. the University’s history. In many ways, his leader- “When I first started fly-fishing I had to really -con ship style is quintessentially Minnesotan—down-to- I can’t centrate on delivering the fly in the right way in the earth, hardworking, progressive, and sensible—traits always tell right place,” he said. “I had to concentrate so much that will serve the college well as the University un- “ that I really couldn’t think about much else, so it dergoes a far-reaching transformation. people ‘yes’ was a good way for me to flush my mind of every- “I’ve worked very hard over the last 35 years to es- or give them thing else.” tablish a reputation for being honest, fair, and forth- Crouch also enjoys getting outdoors to do some right,” Crouch said. “I can’t always tell people ‘yes’ or what they backyard gardening. According to Karen Crouch, in give them what they want, but I believe very strongly want, but I the early spring their house often doubles as a make- that they need to be treated fairly. I don’t make ‘se- shift greenhouse. cret deals’ with anybody.” believe very “Every spring our living room is filled with Steve’s Crouch said he wanted to be dean for the same strongly that flats of seedlings sitting on tables by the windows,” reasons he wanted to be department head years ago. she said. “I have ideas for improvements, and I want to be the they need to Crouch and his wife have lived in the same house one to lead people through the change,” he said. be treated for 33 years. During that time Crouch has made some In his first year as dean, he said, he is most proud of the home’s furniture, including several dining of building his team, which includes new college fairly. room tables and desks used by their children as they administrators, three new department heads, and were growing up. four new center directors. Crouch said he also has ” “Steve and I love being in the home where all of worked hard to rise above University politics and to our children grew up and where we still enjoy many continue collaborations with other University col- family gatherings,” Karen said. leges, especially in relation to the University’s strategic positioning. Leadership for change “The University talks about transformational Over the years the University has been Crouch’s change, not small, incremental change,” Crouch said. home away from home and the focus of his profes- “I hope that by the time I’m done as dean, I will have sional life. On most days, a predawn stroll past Wal- been able to be a part of leading some of that trans- ter Library will find the lights in his corner office formational change.” shining brightly, and if not, it’s safe to assume the Now that would give anyone, even someone as dean is en route to a breakfast meeting. modest as Crouch, something to brag about.  No one was surprised when this highly regarded leader with a robust work ethic was picked to lead For more information see www.it.umn.edu/about/crouch.html

Steven L. Crouch Personal > Age 62; grew up in Sleepy Research > Early research dealt with Eye, Minn.; married 40 years; three the stability of underground mine adult children and three grandchildren openings; later research studied numerical stress analysis techniques Education > Bachelor’s, master’s, and for fiber-reinforced and particulate- doctoral degrees in mineral engineer- composite materials ing from the University of Minnesota Awards > Charles W. Britzius Distin- Career > Research officer, Mining guished Engineer Award from the Research Laboratory of the Chamber Minnesota Federation of Engineering, of Mines of South Africa (1968–1970); Science and Technology Societies; assistant professor, professor, depart- U.S. National Committee for Rock Me- ment head, associate dean, and dean, chanics Applied Research Award; and University of Minnesota (1970–pres- Minnesota Council on Quality Award ent); Theodore W. Bennett Chair in Mining Engineering and Rock Mechan- Hobbies > Fly-fishing, gardening, ics, Department of Civil Engineering woodworking, furniture making, (1997–present) and reading

Winter 2006 INVENTING TOMORROW 17 Power Players

Survey confirms Institute of Technology’s role as economic engine Founders2005

Profiles written by judy woodward & a m y barrett photos by jonathan chapm an

nstitute of Technology (IT) alumni are well aware of

the impact the college and the University of Minnesota I have had on their lives. Recent survey results show that the entrepreneurial spirit of IT alumni also has had a deep IT FOUNDERS 2005

impact on the economies of the state, nation, and world. WORLDWIDE ACTIVE COMPANIES

Results of a survey released by IT in late spring 2005 companies founded by other IT alumni. Control Data 4,150 show that about 4,150 alumni-founded companies and Medtronic, for example, served as the training employees active today employ more than half a million peo- ground for the founders of more than three dozen 551,000 ple worldwide and generate $90 billion in annual companies. annual revenue revenue. The survey updates a 1993 project that identified $90 BILLION About two-thirds of the companies are based in more than 1,000 companies with roots in IT. At the Minnesota. These companies employ more than time, these companies collectively employed more IN MINNESOTA 175,000 people and generate approximately $46 bil- than 150,000 people and generated annual sales in ACTIVE COMPANIES lion in annual revenue. excess of $20.3 billion. The current survey, conduct- 2,600 Companies founded by IT alumni span many ed in fall 2004 by Questar and supported by a grant employees high-tech fields, including manufacturing, biotech- from the Mr. and Mrs. George W. Taylor Foundation, 175,000 nology, communications, software, electronics, and drew more than 15,000 responses from the college’s annual revenue engineering. But alumni also branched out into other 48,000 alumni. $46 BILLION fields, from health care to the hospitality industry. “The survey turned up twice as many companies What makes them tick? as we had expected, and their economic impact is So who are these entrepreneurs and how did they just amazing,” says Mostafa Kaveh, IT’s associate achieve success? The following stories profile eight dean for research and planning. “Clearly, IT has a alumni, founders of companies large and small, huge impact on our state and the nation, and our col- tracing their paths from University student to busi- lege is just one example of the University’s powerful ness leader. A willingness to take risks, an ability to economic engine.” find solutions to problems, and a vision for the - fu Many alumni who founded companies reported ture are the common threads that tie together these that they gained experience early in their careers at stories of success. >>

For more information or to download the complete IT Founders 2005 report, see www.it.umn.edu

Winter 2006 INVENTING TOMORROW 19 Earl Bakken The man who created an industry

ne day during the 1930s when Earl O Bakken was a nine-year-old kid growing up in Columbia Heights, Minn., he went

to see the movie Frankenstein. For Bakken it

was a thrilling experience. “I said, ‘That’s

what I want to do—bring people back to life

with electricity’,” Bakken remembered.

It’s probably safe to say that thousands of young boys back then were dazzled by the cinematic bolts of electricity that reanimated the clumsily stitched- together monster played by Boris Karloff. But only one of them—Bakken—grew up to found a whole industry on the idea. In 1949, only a year after graduating from the University with a degree in electrical engineering, Every six Bakken co-founded Medtronic in a northeast Minne- seconds apolis garage. In 1957 he worked with the University to invent the world’s first reliable cardiac pacemaker, someone the groundbreaking device that produces electric im- somewhere pulses to regulate the rhythm of a flagging heart. At 82, Medtronic founder Earl Bakken is quick to point out that Today, Medtronic has 34,000 employees world- he’s “still working” on projects ranging from the support of in the world wide and produces a mind-boggling range of devic- environmental research in Hawaii to the development of inno- receives a es designed, in the words of its founder, to “rebuild vative healing techniques that partner sophisticated medical people to be…normal.” From defibrillators and im- technology with traditional “high touch” healing methods like Medtronic plantable insulin pumps to stimulation devices for massage and acupuncture. implant. the brain and muscles to pacemakers that govern medical problems as diverse as incontinence and together…,” he said. obesity, there’s hardly an organ of the body that is One event that always brings him back to Min- beyond the help of a Medtronic device. Every six nesota is Medtronic’s annual convocation of some of seconds someone somewhere in the world receives the company’s living success stories. a Medtronic implant. “In December we bring in six patients who have Through the years Bakken has remained famous- our devices,” he explained. “They come with their ly loyal to the University that helped give him his doctors. The doctors tell why the devices were im- start. Now a resident of Hawaii, he returns several planted, and the patients talk about the difference times a year to visit the University and confer with the devices have made in their lives.” The meeting, administrators and researchers. “I still love getting which is broadcast to Medtronic’s employees around

20 INVENTING TOMORROW Winter 2006 Working with the U has created “ many of our products over the years.”

the globe, is an opportunity for them to “see the dif- what he calls “blended medicine.” big business ference that their work has made.” “Most hospitals are warehouses for sick bodies,” he Nineteen companies on Bakken values Medtronic’s historically close re- said. “This hospital is built for patients.” the 2005 “Star Tribune lationship with the University. “Working with the Bakken’s focus remains resolutely on the future. 100” (the newspaper’s list of the 100 largest U has created many of our products over the years,” In the mid-1970s he founded the Bakken Library and public companies he said. Museum in Minneapolis to share with a younger gen- in Minnesota) were He also maintained friendships with faculty, in- eration his fascination with electricity. In the 1980s founded by IT alumni:

cluding the late Otto H. Schmitt, professor of physics he helped launch the Pavek Museum of Broadcast- n ADC Telecom- and electrical engineering, whom he describes as a ing, located in St. Louis Park, Minn. Both museums munications n ASV Inc. “great leader and thinker” who helped train many of share the goal of fostering interest in engineering n August Technology Medtronic’s future leaders. as a career. n CNS Inc. Bakken’s connection to the University’s Institute “We need so many engineers,” Bakken said. “We’re n Ceridian of Technology stretches back to the years right after getting short of them in the U.S. Other countries are n Compex Technologies World War II, when he studied electrical engineer- beating us in training engineers. The Bakken and the n CyberOptics Corp. n Datalink Corp. ing. “I had good teachers in electrical engineering,” Pavek train a lot of kids. We hope we can get some of n Digital River he recalled. them to [attend] the University.” n Donaldson Company He also noted tongue-in-cheek that the Institute of Bakken also remains interested in new areas of n Fastenal Technology might have had a previously undisclosed research at the University. Regents Professor Lanny n Hawkins Inc. role in jump-starting his entrepreneurial career. Schmidt of the chemical engineering and materials n MGI Pharma n MTS Systems In graduate school Bakken indulged his love of science department, an expert on renewable energy n Medtronic mathematics by taking three courses in the dis- resources, said that on a recent trip to the Minne- n Pemstar cipline simultaneously. “Then I got into advanced apolis campus Bakken called to ask if he could visit n Pentair thermodynamics in physics. That threw me, kinda.” Schmidt’s lab. n Possis Medical He paused. “So I dropped out [of grad school] and Schmidt was impressed with Bakken’s enthusi- n RTW Inc. edtronic m started Medtronic.” asm for renewable energy and his support for devel- Bakken has more than recovered from his status oping alternative energy sources near his home in as a grad school dropout. To date, four institutions, Hawaii. “He’s a fantastic fellow,” Schmidt added. including the University, have awarded him hon- Ironically, Bakken may have achieved an even orary doctorates. His record of service to Minne- more personal understanding of the importance sota and to his adopted state of Hawaii has earned of his life’s work in recent years. “I have Medtronic him numerous honors, including the Outstanding stents in my heart and an In late 1957, after only Achievement Award, the University of Minnesota’s implanted insulin pump. four weeks of work,

highest alumni award. His list of professional honors I keep going only because edtronic m Medtronic delivered is a virtual catalog of awards in the fields of engineer- of Medtronic,” he quips. the world’s first wear- ing, health, business, and philanthropy. When asked to sum up able, battery-powered, At 82, Bakken is quick to point out that he’s “still the deepest satisfaction transistorized cardiac working” on projects ranging from the support of en- of his long life, he doesn’t pacemaker to surgeons vironmental research on the “Big Island” of Hawaii hesitate: “What could be at the University of Min- to the development of innovative healing techniques better work than know- nesota. Within hours that partner sophisticated medical technology with ing that you’re restoring the device was helping traditional “high touch” healing methods like mas- someone as a whole per- keep a pediatric heart sage and acupuncture. He has helped the North Ha- son in body, mind, and patient alive. waii Community Hospital grow into a showcase for spirit?”  JW

Winter 2006 INVENTING TOMORROW 21 Brian Brockway The heart of a thriving business

ack in 1979, when Brian Brockway monitoring technology so that it can help keep human heart-failure patients out of the hospital and B graduated from the University with emergency room. For example, a wireless pressure sensor implanted in a person’s heart could alert a a master’s degree in electrical engineering, physician to a dangerous change in blood pressure. The doctor could then intervene immediately, possi- the last thing on his mind was starting a bly with a solution as simple as telling the patient to take an extra half pill of diuretic (a drug commonly company. Today he runs a business with 200 prescribed to eliminate excess fluid from the body). This activity would happen before the patient was employees and annual sales of $25 million. aware that anything was wrong. “It’s kind of like a guardian angel for a heart-fail- “Back then I wasn’t even interested in getting involved ure patient,” he said. in business as a manager,” he said. FDA approval for the device would give Transo- That changed after he went to work at Cardiac ma access to an estimated $750 million market, in Pacemakers Inc. (CPI), now a division of Guidant. “I started listening to people talk over lunch about certain decisions that were made, and I became curi- ous about why things were being done,” he said. He started reading books by CEOs and entrepreneurs and became so intrigued with business that he left CPI to start his own company—Transoma Medical— For our in 1983, when he was only 29 years old. type of “I was extremely naive,” he said. “At that age you “ think you’re invulnerable, that you can do anything, business, but it’s not so easy.” Minnesota Transoma (a Greek word meaning “through the body”) manufactures wireless, implantable devices is hands- that help monitor the health of laboratory animals down the involved in drug safety research. The company is headquartered in Arden Hills, Minn. best place in Brockway’s success as an engineer-turned-CEO the world has made him something of a celebrity in the biomedical community, even landing him on the cover to be. of the September 2004 issue of Minnesota Business magazine. ” “For our type of business, Minnesota is hands- down the best place in the world to be,” he said. “When technology and innovation are such a big Transoma Medical manufactures wireless, implantable piece of the business, you need to be where you can devices that help monitor the health of laboratory animals hire the best people, and there’s a great pool of tal- involved in drug safety research. The company is now adapting ent in this area.” the monitoring technology so it can be used to track serious Brockway’s current challenge is to adapt the health conditions in humans.

22 INVENTING TOMORROW Winter 2006 which his relatively small company would compete The origins of Brian Brockway’s success as an engineer-turned-CEO can be traced to with medical-device giants like Medtronic or Guidant, the experience he gained as an electrical engineering graduate student working with where his wife is a scientist. Dr. Franz Halberg. Brockway created an implantable monitor that was used in lab Brockway, the father of five children, grew up on animals to wirelessly transmit data to researchers. Years later he founded his business a farm in southwestern Minnesota. His interest in on the technology. technology dates back to fifth grade, when a friend gave him an electronics kit for his birthday. until he completed a bachelor’s degree in electrical Running “After the party I opened it up and immediately engineering in 1975. a business became fascinated with electronics,” he recalled. He “The education I got at the U really wasn’t about “ also took up ham radio, building his own transmit- circuits, electronics, or semiconductor physics,” is really ters, antennas, and receivers whenever he wasn’t in Brockway said. “It was really about important funda- school or helping out on the farm. He soon decided mentals—how to creatively come up with solutions all about to be an electrical engineer when he grew up. to problems and how to learn things quickly.” creative His three older brothers had attended the Univer- That’s what Brockway spends most of his time do- sity, and Brockway saw no reason to break with tra- ing these days as Transoma’s CEO. problem dition. But what really sold him was the University’s “From figuring out where the product line is going solving. marching band. A trombone player in high school, to caring for customers to dealing with a problem in he was truly dazzled when he visited campus and HR, running a business is really all about creative ” watched one of his brothers perform in a marching problem solving,” Brockway said. band roughly the size of his hometown. Obviously, this entrepreneur isn’t so naive any- He went on to march in the band for four years, more.  AB

Winter 2006 INVENTING TOMORROW 23 John cheung Cutting out a path to success

or many entrepreneurs, the most dif- in order to study at a university he’d barely heard of before. It was a gamble in every sense of the word, F ficult risk is the first—mustering the but Cheung succeeded brilliantly. “Being a foreigner and leaving home as a teenager courage and self-confidence to go it alone. trained me to be less sensitive to what is called risk,” said Cheung, who believes his early training in self- John Cheung, who received his undergraduate, gradu- sufficiency helped him make the switch from engi- ate, and doctoral degrees from the University, would neering researcher to independent entrepreneur. You agree with that assessment. Cheung is the founder might say it was simply a matter of doing what fol- and chairman of OMAX Corporation, a manufacturer lowed logically from his education in the University’s of sophisticated precision water-jet machining equip- Institute of Technology. ment, headquartered in Kent, Wash. “My previous company used water pump technol- But when Cheung talks about that audacious first ogy to set up new companies. When [my partner and step, he isn’t referring to the day he and his busi- I] got the idea of [using a] water jet as a machining Being a ness partner decided to found OMAX. It’s the deci- tool, it wasn’t a big leap of faith to say, ‘We’ll do it on foreigner sion he made 45 years ago when he was a teenager our own.’ So we started a business.” “ in Hong Kong. Although Cheung never formally studied business and leaving He took the biggest risk of all when he left his administration, he said that his education (bachelor home as a family and home for a remote place called Minnesota of science in aeronautical engineering, 1965; mas- teenager trained me to be less sensitive to what is called risk.” corporation (3) x a m o

Although most of OMAX’s business involves machining parts for industrial applications, design studios often use OMAX equipment to make intricate stone, metal, and tile designs. Princess Cruises and several Las Vegas casinos are among the customers that have used OMAX machines to produce decorative art.

24 INVENTING TOMORROW Winter 2006 ter of science in mechanics, 1967; and doctorate in He acknowledges the importance of his engineer- John Cheung’s history mechanics and materials, 1970) gave him important ing and science background but also remembers a with water-jet technol-

corporation tools for a business career. critical lesson in human relations he learned from ogy dates back to x a m o In studying science and engineering, Cheung said, his undergraduate advisor, aerospace engineering 1973, when he worked students learn how to solve a problem using the fun- and mechanics professor Robert Plunkett. as a research engineer damentals—a technique that transfers well to the In their first encounter, Plunkett asked the young in the U.S. Bureau of business world. student where he was living. Cheung, who had resist- Mines. He is an accom- “When confronted with any new problem,” he ex- ed the temptation to create a little island of home by plished engineer who plained, “I say, ‘What is involved and what is a logical rooming with other Chinese students, replied that he founded or co-founded approach to handling it?’” was living with some American graduate students. three other businesses After earning his doctorate, Cheung worked at “Great,” Plunkett replied. “Otherwise, [if you were before starting OMAX the U.S. Bureau of Mines, where he researched high- living in a Chinese-speaking environment] I would in 1993. speed water-jet technology as a method of breaking tell you to move out right now!” rocks for mining excavation. Cheung said his advisor was right: “That way I OMAX was born in 1993 when Cheung recognized could learn American ways. It was great business the technology’s potential as a precision tool that advice.” could hew a delicate butterfly from a block of stone. When it came to his personal life, however, Although most of OMAX’s business involves ma- Cheung made his own decisions and married a wom- chining parts for industrial applications ranging an from Hong Kong. They now have three children from automotive components to medical appliances, and several grandchildren. Cheung is delighted that his equipment is also used When he isn’t working, he likes to practice anoth- by design studios for intricate stone, metal, and tile er skill picked up in Minnesota. “I learned to fish by inlays and for other decorative fabrications. Several catching bass in Lake Minnetonka,” he noted. Las Vegas casinos and Princess Cruises are among It’s been a satisfying life, said Cheung, and there’s the customers that have used OMAX machines to one thing that makes him proudest of his success as produce decorative art. On working with design-ori- an entrepreneur. “I [was] able to get into the business ented clients, Cheung said, “It’s fun for us.” side and still maintain my integrity.”  JW

Winter 2006 INVENTING TOMORROW 25 Bob gower Investment in small invention leads to big business

niversity alumnus Bob Gower had his “We decided this was something worth trying to build a business on,” Gower said. “What we’re trying U postretirement plans all worked out. to do is to take a transforming technology—transforming in the same sense as computers and the In- After leaving Lyondell Petrochemical in 1996, ternet—into commercial activity.” Gower invested in Houston-based Carbon Nano- he would buy some small companies and technologies, Inc. (CNI) and signed on as president and CEO. The company’s subsequent growth and suc- improve their operations. cess confirm that the marriage of Smalley’s patents in nanotube production and Gower’s business acu- “I planned to do that on a small scale,” he said. men is a winning combination. Instead, he now finds himself on the leading edge “It’s one thing to have a strong patent position, but of what the National Science Foundation predicts will it doesn’t make much difference if you can’t make be a $1 trillion global marketplace by 2015. and sell the material,” said Gower. It all started with a phone call from a friend who Gower had learned many important life lessons invited him to a meeting with the late Dr. Richard throughout his career. After earning a Ph.D. in organ- Smalley, a professor at Houston’s Rice University and ic chemistry from the University in 1963, he worked world-renowned pioneer in nanotechnology. Smal- in research and later moved into operational and ley, along with two other scientists, had received managerial positions for companies such as Sinclair the 1996 Nobel Prize in chemistry for discovering and Atlantic Richfield before joiningL yondell, where fullerene, a new form of carbon. The breakthrough discovery led to an explosion of nanotechnology research, including Smalley’s development of the carbon nanotube. “I don’t know anything about it, and I don’t know if I’d be willing to invest or not,” Gower told the friend who invited him to meet Smalley, “but I don’t know any Nobel Prize winners, so I’ll come just for that.” During that fateful meeting, Gower became in- creasingly intrigued as Smalley described possible applications for carbon nanotubes—stronger car , inc. bumpers and bulletproof vests, fuel cells capable s of powering cell phones and laptops for weeks at a stretch, maybe even a more effective way to fight cancer. on nanotechnologie Carbon nanotubes, often called “buckytubes,” re- b semble tiny rolled-up pieces of chicken wire that car measure only a billionth of a meter in diameter. The Carbon nanotubes, also called “buckytubes,” resemble tiny tubes, made of carbon atoms, are noted for their rolled-up pieces of chicken wire that measure only a billionth strength (100 times stronger than steel at one-sixth of a meter in diameter. The tubes, made of carbon atoms, are the weight), electrical conductivity, and thermal noted for their strength, electrical conductivity, and thermal properties. They show great potential for a wide properties. This graphic of a buckytube shows it wrapped with range of commercial applications. four peptide rings.

26 INVENTING TOMORROW Winter 2006 According to Bob Gower, president and chief executive of Carbon Nanotechnol- ogies, Inc., about a dozen of the 30 patents the company holds related to carbon The photo of Bob Gower reprinted from nanotubes will give it the lock on what is the Houston Chronicle is unavailable expected to become a booming market. online due to copyright issues.

he became president and then chairman. Samsung, which hopes to have a flat-screen nano “Getting the Ph.D. was extremely important to me,” TV on the market by late 2006. Meanwhile, corporate Gower said. “It convinced me that I’m relatively ca- research and development departments around the pable and can do a wide range of things.” world are racing to perfect and patent other applica- houston chronicle © Family and community have also been important tions for nanotubes before their competitors. to Gower throughout his career. He and his wife have been married for 46 years and have three daughters, all living in the Houston area, where Gower has been It’s hard to think of an industry that active in his church, with the United Way, and on the board of a dropout prevention program. “ wouldn’t have an application for nanotubes. Gower credits the late Edward Leete, a professor of organic chemistry who was his advisor at the Uni- ” versity, with helping him acquire the knowledge and So far, CNI has been supplying nanotubes free to confidence he needed to become a successful busi- many of its customers for research purposes. In ex- ness executive and entrepreneur. Running a com- change, if any of those customers markets a product pany requires total self-confidence and the certainty that uses nanotubes, the client will purchase at least that you can get the job done, said Gower, and Leete three-quarters of its supply from CNI. The company expected no less from his doctoral students. has been ramping up its production capabilities so “His typical manner was to give whatever amount that when the demand hits—when, not if, according of assistance you asked for,” Gower said. “I wanted to to industry observers—CNI will be ready. prove I could do things on my own, and for the most Although CNI is not the small-scale business ven- part, he was willing to let me do that.” ture he’d planned for his retirement, Gower is certain CNI’s success certainly proves that Gower is adept that small-scale technology is going to be big. at doing things on his own. Today the company has “It’s hard to think of an industry that wouldn’t about 700 clients, many of which are located in Asia. have an application for nanotubes,” Gower said. “In Among them is South Korean electronics company time, we’ll see them in almost everything.”  AB

Winter 2006 INVENTING TOMORROW 27 Bob gravier Building a successful company one block at a time

ne thing Bob Gravier has learned O during his career is that engineering teaches discipline and persistence.

Hard work and ingenuity have paid off for Gravier, a civil engineering alumnus, entrepreneur, and inven- tor. Products developed by his company, Allan Block, have been used for landscaping near high-profile landmarks such as Olympic Field Stadium in Atlan- ta, the Statue of Liberty, and even Camp David, the presidential retreat in Maryland. But Gravier’s start wasn’t fast or easy. Take his My college degree, for example. Before graduating in engineering 1980, he spent 11 years in academia, a consequence of “ changing schools (transferring from Michigan Tech training was to the University after his freshman year), chang- invaluable ing majors (from civil engineering to architecture to landscape architecture and back to civil engineering), to me when and dropping out for two years to focus on a grow- I started this ing landscaping business he and a friend started as teenagers. retaining walls, and fences. Gravier, whose middle business, The business, Up A Tree, which began as a tree- name is Allan, designed the blocks after inspecting and it still is trimming service for homeowners, had expanded to some walls he’d built with treated timber—the prod- include snowplowing, landscaping, and construction. uct of choice in the 1970s. After only ten years the today. “We had a 40-acre nursery in Maple Grove, [Minn.], walls were falling apart, despite industry claims that a fleet of trucks, and five crews in season,” Gravier they would last for 50. ” said. “I realized I was building with inferior materials, He got married, bought a house, and had a child so I sat down at my drawing board and came up with on the way when he had a falling-out with his busi- an alternative,” he said. “There’s an Allen wrench, so ness partner and suddenly found himself unem- I figured, ‘Why not an Allan block?’” ployed. His original patent was for a hollow-core block “Engineers can always get a job,” he said, “so I de- with a raised front lip that creates a locking mecha- cided to go back to college.” nism and allows the blocks to be “dry stacked,” with- To help pay for tuition and to support his fam- out using fasteners or mortar. The company has since ily, he launched another landscaping company. By developed and patented other mortarless block sys- the time he graduated, he was making more money tems, which it licenses to its worldwide network of running the company than he could earn as an entry- manufacturers. level engineer, so he invested his engineering skills Allan Block also helped pioneer the use of in the business. “geogrid,” a flexible synthetic mesh, as an efficient That company, Allan Block, is now a leading pro- way to reinforce the soil behind the walls. vider of stackable concrete blocks for landscape walls, The reinforced walls offer unprecedented stability.

28 INVENTING TOMORROW Winter 2006 With a little innovation and a lot of hard work, Bob Gravier turned a small landscaping business into a global company that continues to expand operations in Canada, Asia, Australia, and Europe. His Edina, Minn., office includes an area he calls the “sandbox,” where he conducts seminars for contractors and showcases his products.

throws at you. You also need to know how to mul- titask because in the beginning you’re doing everything.” Early on, Gravier was surprised to discover how illogical the marketplace could be. From his perspec- tive, the advantages of switching to Allan Blocks should have been obvious to customers. “My formula said, ‘Allan Blocks are profitable for the manufacturer and the contractor and a great value for the owner. These guys are going to buy millions of Allan Blocks the day after they meet me,’” Gravier said. Instead, it took years of training, marketing, and engineering refinement to convince customers that it would indeed be profitable to use Allan Blocks rather than treated timber and other products. His University classes taught Gravier only part of what he needed to know. He mastered sales by sitting at the kitchen tables of potential customers three nights a week for 10 years, and he learned construction by “playing in the dirt.” Nevertheless, he’s glad he persisted for 11 years According to recent seismic research in Japan spon- and received his degree. His diploma now hangs in sored by Allan Block, the walls can even withstand his office alongside some of his first patents. earthquakes. “My engineering training was invaluable to me “You can throw a 7.2 on the Richter scale at an Al- when I started this business, and it still is today,” he lan Block wall, and nothing happens. The forces go said.  AB right through,” Gravier said. His block doesn’t need to withstand those kinds of forces in his company’s headquarters in Edina, Minn., where he has created a parklike indoor environment. Employees work behind cubicle walls made of Allan Block units, and a waterfall trickles into a beautifully landscaped fishpond located near

Gravier’s corner office. k loc

Reflecting on what it takes to succeed in business, b Gravier ticked off a list of essential entrepreneurial allan traits. “Introducing a new technology to the engineer- In addition to enhancing many backyards and parks, Allan ing and construction market is a real challenge. You Block products have been used for landscaping near high- need to be very determined, and at the same time profile landmarks such as Olympic Field Stadium in Atlanta, you have to be flexible,” he said. “There’s no recipe. the Statue of Liberty, and even Camp David, the presidential You have to adapt to the challenges the marketplace retreat in Maryland.

Winter 2006 INVENTING TOMORROW 29 Jimmishek Prototype of an entrepreneur

he next time you go shopping the finished product until it appears on the market months after they’ve created the prototype. T for electronics, hardware, general “We get so many orders, we don’t know what we’re making sometimes,” he says. “We don’t want merchandise, or even groceries, take a look to know. For example, we made the casing for the Microsoft Xbox, but we didn’t know what it was.” A around the store. Take note of the gadgets, couple of years later Mishek’s employees spotted the Xbox for sale, and that’s when the mental light- widgets, tools, and containers you see. bulbs went on.

If the items were made in Minnesota, chances are they have passed through Jim Mishek’s plant on their way to a merchandise display shelf near you. Mishek, a 1974 University materials science graduate, is president of Vista Technologies, a manufacturer of industrial prototypes. With the aid of state-of-the-art milling machines and other computerized production equipment, Mishek and his 27 employees transform the dreams of designers and inventors into three-dimensional working models. Don’t get Last year the company, based in Vadnais Heights, wrapped up Minn., celebrated its ninth anniversary by doing “ more than $6 million worth of business. in theory. To describe the company’s clientele as varied un- Look past derstates the sheer breadth of human ingenuity required of Mishek and his team. They have produced [preconcep- models of Calphalon cookware, NordicWare Bundt tions]. Don’t pans and muffin tins, Toro lawn mowers, medical devices from Medtronic and St. Jude Medical, indus- get tunnel trial equipment for 3M, a chubby plastic prototype vision. of a squeezable Pillsbury Doughboy syrup container, and a prosthetic jaw ordered by a Duluth surgeon for ” a cancer patient. This list doesn’t even include what appears to be a man’s size-25 shoe produced in special cooperation with the Red Wing Shoe Company for Igor, a young man originally from Ukraine, who stands 7 feet 8 inches in his stocking feet. The shoes were a Christ- This cell-phone casing is just one of the many recognizable mas gift from Vista Technologies, and Mishek says prototypes created by Vista Technologies. The company has there wasn’t a dry eye in the room when Igor tried produced three-dimensional models of Calphalon cookware, them on, turned to his mother, and beamed, “Oh, Ma, Toro lawn mowers, medical devices for Medtronic and St. Jude this is the best I’ve ever felt.” Medical, 3M industrial equipment, Pillsbury syrup containers, Sometimes Mishek and his staff don’t recognize and much more.

30 INVENTING TOMORROW Winter 2006 When Jim Mishek We get so many orders, we don’t know what we’re making founded Vista Tech- sometimes. We don’t want to know. For example, we made the nologies with his wife, “ Lorinda, nine years casing for the Microsoft Xbox, but we didn’t know what it was. ago, the company had four employees, one In a spotless production room at Vista Technolo- he said. “We’ve been married for 32 ”years.” prototyping machine, gies, three large rectangular machines unencum- Love may have brought him to the University, and zero customers. bered by human attendants are tethered to nearby but it was the quality education that made him stay. Now the company computer monitors and positioned over vats of costly “There were only six students in most of my classes has 27 employees, resin. Known as StereoLithographic Apparatus [SLA] [in materials science]. It was very small, very inti- state-of-the-art units, they are building layer by layer the first three- mate,” he said. technology, and 600 dimensional version of a new housing for an elec- Mishek remembers a class in failure analysis customers worldwide tronic gadget. taught by Professor William Gerberich of the chemi- that generated more The prototype will emerge untouched by human cal engineering and materials science department. than $6 million worth hands, and “that’s when my wife takes over,” Mishek The course, structured as a series of case studies, of business. said. required the students to determine the causes of Vista Technologies is very much a family compa- real-life engineering disasters. ny. Two of the Misheks’ three children work for the “You had to pull everything together. It was a mys- company—one as sales manager and the other as tery you had to solve,” he said. “Everybody failed operations manager. His wife, Lorinda Mishek, who the first case study, though. A soil pipe [had] broken, studied design at the University, is “in charge of the and we all missed the most obvious fact. There was arts and crafts side of the business,” he said. She no flaw in the pipe. It broke because the load was sands, smoothes, and finishes the prototype models, too big.” an integral part of the company’s work, before the The lesson Mishek learned? “Don’t get wrapped final unveiling. up in theory. Look past [preconceptions]. Don’t get She’s also the reason Jim Mishek attended the tunnel vision,” he said. University. “I went to Iowa State for my first year of To most entrepreneurs, that advice sounds like a college, but I had a love interest back in Minnesota,” prototype for success.  JW

Winter 2006 INVENTING TOMORROW 31 Susan rani Profile in courage

hen University alumna Susan Rani employees and three part-timers—has conducted considerable business with wastewater treatment W founded her engineering consulting plants. Originally from Korea, Rani came to the United firm, she took as her motto the famous dec- States when she was 12 years old. With a mother who taught high school algebra and a father who was a laration by Franklin D. Roosevelt: “The only civil and mechanical engineer, she, too, gravitated toward math and science. thing we have to fear is fear itself.” Like her father, she chose to attend the University of Minnesota. She majored in engineering, she said, Today, it looks as if Rani doesn’t have much to fear “because it was a well-respected profession, and you anymore. could earn a decent living after college.” When she started her business in 1993, very few In addition to her bachelor’s degree in civil en- women engineers were in decision-making posi- gineering, which she completed in 1982, she also tions, she said. received an MBA from the Carlson School of Man- But Rani was ready for the challenge. She had agement in 1994. Both degrees give her credibility, worked for a variety of public and private sector em- but trial by fire has been the best teacher of all, she ployers, including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, said. The worst the Minnesota Department of Transportation, and Bechtel Power Corporation in San Francisco. thing you She also has what she believes it takes to be a suc- “ cessful entrepreneur—persistence, patience, and a can do is to willingness to take calculated risks. be afraid to “It’s difficult to take a risk, especially when you make a deci- don’t know what the benefits are,” she said. “Yet that’s what you need to do to get started.” sion because Based in St. Paul, Minn., Rani Engineering pro- you think vides civil, transportation, and water resources engineering services nationwide. Over the years, projects you’ll fail. have included everything from levees to light rail. Landing a design contract for a $5 million flood- ” control levee and walking trail in Lake County, Ind., was an early coup for the company. Having to com- mute back and forth and get approvals from local agencies was new and challenging then, but it also “gave us a lot of confidence,” Rani said. One of her firm’s most high-profile projects was the new Hiawatha Light Rail Transit Line, which links downtown Minneapolis, the airport, and the Mall of One of Rani Engineering’s most high-profile projects was America. For this Metropolitan Council project, Rani the Hiawatha Light Rail Transit Line, which links downtown designed parking lots, drainage systems, and utility Minneapolis, the airport, and the Mall of America. For this Met- at rail stations. ropolitan Council project, Rani designed parking lots, drainage More recently, the firm—now up to eight full-time systems, and utility at rail stations.

32 INVENTING TOMORROW Winter 2006 This past fall Susan Rani took time in a park near her St. Paul office to reflect on her 13 years as an entrepreneur. She believes that persistence, patience, and risk taking are the traits needed to be a successful entrepreneur.

For example, negotiating skills simply had to be Rani appreciates the strong support she’s received learned the hard way. Some of the offers her com- from her family while she’s endured the ups and pany has received have been insulting, and the per- downs of starting a company. Her husband, Robert, ception that women and minorities will do the same is an electrical engineer who graduated from the work for less money troubles her. University in 1982, and they have two daughters “One engineering company, which shall remain ages 14 and 6. nameless, said we should be able to do a project for “I spend less time with them than if I were an em- x [dollars], and I said, ‘For x [dollars], you can keep ployee and not an active business owner,” she says, it,’” Rani said. Taking that risk paid off. The company “but they understand Mom’s work is important and called back and asked her to do the project—and to do their part to help the family.” name her price. Every day in the CEO’s chair brings with it the She now spends less time on project details, de- responsibility for making many decisions. The good voting most of her efforts to communicating with news, according to Rani, is that it gets easier with clients, reviewing and submitting proposals, finding practice. subcontractors, and working on staff development. “As you make more and more decisions—good, bad, “We’ve been in business 13 years, and it takes that or indifferent—your quality of decisions improves,” long to establish a track record,” Rani says. “Trust is she said. “The worst thing you can do is to be afraid very high on the list of selection criteria” for con- to make a decision because you think you’ll fail.” tract work. FDR couldn’t have said it better himself.  AB

Winter 2006 INVENTING TOMORROW 33 Johnweinel Aiming to save lives through innovation

ne winter morning in 1992, a young The students took their specially rigged snowmobile to Medicine Lake in Hennepin County for a test O man drowned when his snowmobile run. One daring volunteer agreed to “water skip” the craft into the distinctly unfrozen late-August waters. plunged through the ice on a lake near Two other students waited nearby in a rescue boat. After a suspense-filled moment, the system worked. John Weinel’s suburban Minneapolis home. “It floated the snowmobile beneath the water and all three strapping students onto the surface,” Wei- Weinel remembers his first reaction: nel said. The combination of Weinel’s entrepreneurial flair “There should be an automatic flotation and the students’ enthusiastic research provided a textbook example of the way academic/industrial device for snowmobiles.” partnerships should work. The Nebulus Emergency Flotation Device, as the students named it, is now Weinel, a 1984 mechanical engineering graduate, was being marketed as standard equipment for law en- working for his family’s sign fabrication business at forcement agencies and fire departments as far away the time. He was in no position to act on his idea, so as Alaska. As soon as he filed the thought away for “someday” in the- fu “My goal is to get a Nebulus device in the trunk of ture. But as the years went by, Weinel, the father of every state patrol car,” Weinel said. the Nebulus six daughters, couldn’t forget the tragedy that had The ripcord version of the Nebulus has been in “ struck that young man and his family. saves its Weinel learned that an estimated 50 people first life, I’m throughout the United States and Canada are killed going to call in similar accidents each year and that the number of fatalities is increasing as the popularity of off-road the parents ATVs rises. Finally, in summer 1999, Weinel decided [of the 1992 that “someday” had arrived. Resolved to translate his concept of snowmobile accident safety into reality, Weinel knew just where to turn victim]. I for help. He contacted mechanical engineering professor Virgil Marple, who taught ME 4054, a hands- want to tell on class in which engineering students show what llc them that they’ve learned. s

Officially known as Design Projects, “it’s the last ociate ss their son did class that seniors in mechanical engineering take jtw a not die in [before graduation],” Weinel explained. Students in teams apply their skills to real-life problems posed The Nebulus device weighs only 17 pounds and inflates in vain. by carefully chosen “industry advisors.” less than 30 seconds after its ripcord is pulled. It can keep By the end of the summer, the five students de- three people afloat above the water line and support a sub- ” veloping Weinel’s idea had created a working proto- merged ATV or snowmobile just beneath the water’s surface. type of an inflatable flotation device that would—in The device is now used by a variety of law enforcement and theory, at least—deploy from the seat of a snowmo- rescue organizations as a safety tool on the snowmobiles bile in an emergency. and ATVs they ride when patrolling lakes and rivers.

34 INVENTING TOMORROW Winter 2006 John Weinel’s company, JTW Associates, worked with more than a dozen teams of mechanical engineering students over the last six years to develop the Nebulus Emergency Flotation Device.

This winter the company plans to field-test a new model of the Nebulus. Built into the seat of a snowmobile or ATV, this version will inflate automatically if the vehicle breaks through the ice.

production for a year and a half. The target user for teams from ME 4054 have worked on various as- this model is a “first responder,” like a state patrol pects of the device. After graduation, a few of those officer who is first on the scene of an accident but individuals have been hired to work for Weinel’s whose rescue efforts may be hampered by lack of company, JTW Associates, in Lakeville, Minn. Oth- technology. ers have forged relationships with the company as “Typically the first responder is an officer on his outside consultants. belly lying on the ice with an outstretched stick, Weinel said he has benefited greatly from his col- waiting for the rescue crew to arrive…. Now first re- laboration with the University. sponders can commandeer any snowmobile on the “I owe everything to the University,” he said. “I’m scene, attach the [Nebulus] device, and drive out a true Gopher.” across the ice to [the rescue],” Weinel said. That’s not the only interaction with his alma Another version of the Nebulus can be used by mater that interests him, however. To put it plainly, ultralight aircraft during an emergency landing over Weinel wants to be an inspiration. water. “I was a terrible, terrible engineering student,” Still in development is the automatic version, he confessed. He hopes that his example of perse- which Weinel hopes will become a standard safety verance will motivate “all those guys sitting in the feature in snowmobiles just as air bags are in auto- back row of class with nobody to tell them to keep mobiles. Also being tested is a model for use in ava- trying.” lanche rescues. Weinel has another goal as well. “As soon as the University students have been involved in every Nebulus saves its first life, I’m going to call the par- phase of the Nebulus’ development. Weinel esti- ents [of the 1992 accident victim],” he said. “I want to mates that since 1999 at least a dozen other student tell them that their son did not die in vain.”  JW

Winter 2006 INVENTING TOMORROW 35 written by rhonda zurn

photos by jonathan chapm an Forces of Last year’s headlines stunned us with their litany of natural disasters:

Tsunami in Indian Ocean kills more than 200,000 people in 11 countries Hurricane Katrina kills more than 1,000 and displaces more than a million Hurricane Rita destroys more than 35,000 homes and kills up to 100 Devastating earthquake in Pakistan kills more than 79,000 and injures 75,000

The scope of these disasters shocked even the scientists and engineers most familiar with nature’s destructive powers. For many researchers at the Uni- versity of Minnesota, the events also fortified their resolve to find better ways to manage disasters, improve infrastructures, and save lives. At the Institute of Technology’s St. Anthony Falls Laboratory, University researchers conduct experiments to learn more about our environment and human impact on it. “While we humans have learned how to change our environment, it’s obvious we haven’t been very successful in fully controlling it,” said Chris Paola, director of the University’s National Center for Earth- surface Dynamics (NCED).

At St. Anthony Falls Laboratory, graduate student Michal Tal studies the effect of riverbank vegetation on stream flow, sedimentation, and channel formation. Here she uses a laboratory channel containing alfalfa and a stream of water infused with environmentally safe red dye. Researchers at NCED use experimental data to create accurate models of rivers and to better understand the role that vegetation plays in stream dynamics.

36 INVENTING TOMORROW Winter 2006 University scientists and engineers are finding ways to better understand, predict, and manage nature’s dynamic powers

NPaola’s research hasa focused on thet Mississippi uing computerized toolsr such as evacuatione route River and changes in the earth’s surface in relation planning software,” Shekhar said. “In addition, com- to natural deposits of sediment. Management of sedi- puterized software tools allow cities to examine the ment along the river, intended to improve shipping interaction among emergency plans of neighboring navigation, has left the coastal area more vulnerable cities. This is especially critical in large metropolitan to hurricane damage. areas with multiple cities and townships.” “New Orleans is right on the edge of the water,” Better forecasting will improve preparedness, Paola said. “If we would’ve allowed sediment to form and well-managed evacuations can save lives, but more deltas, this low-lying land may have helped ab- the scale of a disaster is determined in part by other sorb some of the force of Hurricane Katrina.” factors, said Justin Revenaugh, a professor of geology Better evacuation planning also could have less- and geophysics. ened the death toll from Katrina, said Shashi Shek- People live in seismically active zones and in lo- har, director of the Institute of Technology’s Army cations prone to other types of natural disasters be- High Performance Computing Research Center. With cause these areas are often naturally beautiful and support from the Army Research Laboratory and the agriculturally fertile as well, he said. Minnesota Department of Transportation, Shekhar “These are not bad places to build, provided you and other researchers are developing more efficient build smart,” he added. “It’s all about building style evacuation route plans. and quality and population density—primary factors According to Shekhar, the problems in New Or- in earthquake fatalities.” leans were exacerbated by several factors: insuffi- Arturo Schultz, an associate professor of civil en- cient planning and resources for responding to levee gineering, has done extensive research on unrein- breaches, for evacuating people needing assistance, forced masonry walls (no steel reinforcement within and for getting information to decision makers. Miles- the mortar joints or grouted internal cavities). Such long traffic jams on Texas freeways during the Hur- construction, common in Pakistan, India, and other ricane Rita evacuation also exposed the limitations parts of the world, has very little resistance to earth- of the transportation network and the inadequate quake forces, according to Schultz. evacuation route planning. “Upon reaching their load capacity, improperly de- “I do not want to be a ‘Monday-morning quarter- signed, unreinforced masonry buildings are prone to back.’ However, it would have been useful if decision collapse, making this form of construction extremely makers had fully funded and completed planning for hazardous,” he said. catastrophic events, such as the levee breach in New Schultz has witnessed firsthand the damage that Orleans, even if the probabilities were small that they strong earthquakes can inflict on other types of would occur,” Shekhar said. building structures in countries around the world. He He is a strong advocate of using new technologies was in Turkey following the 1999 earthquakes and in to upgrade disaster preparedness. Mexico City after the 1986 earthquake. On both occa- “Our research here at the University shows that sions he saw evidence of structural failure. cities can improve existing emergency plans by us- In his capacity as chair of the Masonry Society’s

Winter 2006 INVENTING TOMORROW 37 Investigating Disasters Program, Schultz has orga- nized and coordinated teams of masonry experts who investigated the effects of earthquakes and tor- nadoes on masonry construction. “These observations have allowed us to identify many commonalities in the patterns of damage and failure to masonry structures during earthquakes and sustained high-velocity winds,” Schultz said. The structural engineering technology used to build stronger buildings in the U.S., Japan, New Zea- land, Canada, Western Europe, and other industrial- ized regions would save lives if used in developing countries, but the cost is often prohibitive. “That kind of structural engineering technology becomes a luxury that many developing countries cannot afford [because they have so many other oratory

needs],” Schultz said. “I think the United Nations, b t la

World Bank, U.S. government, European Union, and s a others should establish an international program to m develop seismic-design solutions for developing na- Researchers at the University’s Multi-Axial Subassemblage tions—for example, economical solutions that can be Testing (MAST) facility conduct large-scale structural testing implemented by individuals who do not have engi- and analysis, including model-based simulations, of the neering and architectural design expertise, such as integrity of structures subjected to earthquakes and other homeowners and small builders.” extreme forces. MAST can accommodate test structures up to For one Institute of Technology alumnus, the im- 25 feet high and 20 feet wide. pact of natural disasters on developing countries hit close to home. Hettiarachchi delayed his departure from Sri “I was in Sri Lanka in December 2004 when the Lanka for three weeks in order to help with the re- tsunami hit,” said Suresh Hettiarachchi, a 1998 civil lief and rebuilding efforts. He returned briefly to engineering graduate. Originally from Sri Lanka, he Minnesota to prepare for a longer trip, a 10-week now works as a water resources engineer in the Min- leave of absence from his job to volunteer with the neapolis office of HDR Engineering, Inc. United States Agency for International Develop- “I was not staying in the hardest-hit area, but I ment. During that time he worked with the group soon heard about the devastation,” he said. “It was to reconstruct water systems, roads, and other criti- unbelievable that in 15 minutes the tsunami killed cal systems. In December 2005 he returned again to more than 30,000 people in Sri Lanka and destroyed Sri Lanka to check on the progress and to find more two-thirds of the country’s coast. It really showed ways to help. me the power of this tsunami and how nature can “What really surprised me in the tsunami was the change things in an instant.” resiliency of the people to try again,” he said. “I was also impressed with the overall level of planning to do things better and consider the environmental impact of their actions.” Hettiarachchi said the experience changed his life and confirmed his career path. “I always considered myself an ‘accidental engineer’ because I never really planned to become an engineer,” Hettiarachchi said. “My experience in the tsunami relief and rebuilding efforts made me feel better about being an engineer because I was able to clearly see that my skills were of real value to the people as they put their lives and their country back To investigate the formation of river deltas, NCED researchers at St. Anthony Falls together again.”  Laboratory introduce a mix of sediment and water at a single infeed point in one corner of this experimental basin. Then they take various measurements and study the for more information see www.nced.umn.edu, www.safl.umn.edu, sediment stratification. and www.ahpcrc.org

38 INVENTING TOMORROW Winter 2006 A Better World continued from page 13 Although the Doi Santi project seems to have hit a financial roadblock, Gasperino and Makarov are confident the group will find a way around it. They are, after all, engineers. If we can help provide an education Over the last several months, members of the University chapter have been working the phones, “ for the people living in those villages, soliciting donations from area businesses and professional engineers. Callers also inform potential we can change their circumstances donors that Engineers Without Borders is working to help communities right here at home, too. for the better. Vladimir Makarov ” s order b t u witho s engineer Boarding facilities will allow the children to get an education while maintaining close ties to their families and culture.

“We’ve got this great project started with the In- dian Health Service (IHS) in Bemidji, [Minn.] It’s an important project that a lot of people can get involved with,” Gasperino said. Residents of the Grand Portage Reservation, located at the northeastern tip of Minnesota’s Arrowhead Region, get their drinking water from Lake Superior. Because the reservation is located near several major point sources of pollution along the lake, individual homes are equipped with UV filtration units to en- s sure that people have potable water. Unfortunately, order b

something is causing the units to malfunction, and t u the IHS has asked the student engineers to research witho the problem and come up with a diagnostics proto- s col. In addition, they will investigate the possibility engineer of using an alternative filtration system. “This is an important project for Engineers With- Several chapters of Engineers Without Borders–USA are collaborating with out Borders because water quality is something that local residents to design and build new dormitories for the children of Doi Santi no engineer [will question],” Gasperino said. “Water and neighboring villages. University of Minnesota students are working on quality is the basis of a stable civilization. And the erosion control and drainage measures for the project. project’s local, so a lot of people can be working on the ground, really making a difference.” To Gasperino, making a living and making a difference are one and the same—and engineering a better world begins right here, right now. 

for more information see www.tc.umn.edu/~ewb

Winter 2006 INVENTING TOMORROW 39 Investing in IT

3M Foundation funds new initiative

he Institute of Technology has received a grant from the 3M Foundation to fund a new T effort to increase the number and diversity of engineering students. The $93,000 grant, which is renewable for up to three additional years, has a special focus on retaining women and members of underrepresented populations. ks Grant supports The 3M Foundation Retention Initiative provides financial support for new components of existing greg hendric efforts to programs offered by the Institute of Technology Civil engineering graduate student Jennifer Bean (far left) increase number Program for Women, Academic Programs for Excel- lence in Engineering and Science (APEXES), and the demonstrates a shake table for three members of Minneapolis and diversity of Roosevelt High School’s High Tech Girls’ Society during their Institute of Technology Center for Educational Pro- visit to the civil engineering structures laboratory. A new grant future engineers grams. The new components include: from the 3M Foundation will fund new program components • a 10-week summer bridge program for 20 incom- aimed at attracting more students to science and engineering. ing Institute of Technology freshmen, starting in summer 2006; thing about that problem,” said Barbara Kaufmann, • a one-week career exploration program for high manager of education giving at 3M Foundation. “The school girls being piloted in summer 2006 in first step is to draw more students into the field in which the students will learn about four research the early years and then make sure they’re success- areas: chemistry, computer science/robotics, ful. We think the programs funded by this grant help earth-surface dynamics, and nanotechnology; to do just that.”  • a new elective course for Institute of Technology freshmen introducing them to the field of engineering, offered in spring semester 2006; and • involvement in Project Lead the Way, an innova- Giving to IT tive engineering curriculum for high school and The Institute of Technology (IT) plays a central middle school students that currently is being role in helping the University prepare for a time of taught in 42 states. unparalleled scientific and technological change. “Women and people of color have been underrep- IT faculty and students are conducting cutting-edge resented in the fields of engineering and physical sci- research and forging alliances with business and ences throughout our country’s history,” said Roberta industry to improve our quality of life. Humphreys, Institute of Technology associate dean The future requires a substantial investment of for academic affairs. “As our country faces enormous intellectual and financial resources. Only with challenges in these areas in the future, we must fos- private support can we meet the ongoing challenge ter the development of the best and brightest from of inventing tomorrow. our entire population. By offering more opportuni- For more information on areas of specific need or ties earlier in students’ education, we can help them instructions on how to give, visit the IT Web site at overcome barriers and achieve success.” www.it.umn.edu and click on the “Make a Gift to IT” 3M Foundation officials agree. “We’ve seen the link in the Spotlight section. news about the overall decrease in engineering graduates in our country, and we think we can do some-

40 INVENTING TOMORROW Winter 2006 DEVELOPMENT TEAM IT’s experienced professional Boston Scientifi c gives $500,000 development offi cers can help you determine your best options for biomedical engineering fellowships for supporting the college. They can give you information about THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA has received a gift IT programs with funding needs of $500,000 from Boston Scientifi c Corporation to that match your interests as well as information about ways of giving fund the creation of the Boston Scientifi c Corpora- that best fi t your fi nancial situation. tion Biomedical Engineering Fellowship Fund. The fund will help support new full-time biomedical Tom Burk engineering graduate students during their fi rst 612-624-6360 [email protected] semester. • corporate relations “This gift from Boston Scientifi c is a critical fi rst step in our goal to continue to attract top biomedical engineering graduate students to the University of Minnesota,” said Bob Tranquillo, head of the Depart- BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT ment of Biomedical Engineering. “Graduate students Jennifer Clarke are a vital part of the engine that drives our research. engineering graduate students each fall. About a 612-626-9354 By offering fellowship support up front, we can at- third of the contribution will be used immediately [email protected] tract students who will continue the University’s for graduate fellowships, while the remainder will • astronomy legacy of breakthrough research in the medical de- be placed in an endowment to earn interest and • civil engineering • computer science vice industry and help chart the frontiers of biomedi- fund fellowships over time. The goal over fi ve years • electrical and cal engineering.” is to raise at least $2 million for fellowships. These computer engineering “Boston Scientifi c is committed to aiding the de- funds will be matched by the University to gener- • mechanical engineering velopment of tomorrow’s scientists, engineers, and ate an estimated $200,000 per year to support 20 David Hoffman mathematicians,” said Fred Colen, Boston Scientif- graduate students. 612-625-6035 ic’s executive vice president and chief technology “Biomedical engineering plays a pivotal role in our [email protected] offi cer. “These same students might someday de- goal to build stronger ties among biology, medicine, • aerospace engineering velop medical technologies that could help save or and engineering at the University, especially in the • chemistry • IT centers improve the lives of patients around the globe.” area of medical devices,” said Steven Crouch, In- • mathematics The contribution from Boston Scientifi c, which will stitute of Technology dean. “This gift from Boston be spread over fi ve years, is a lead gift in a campaign Scientifi c is not only important to the biomedical to create an endowment designed to ultimately engineering department but also to the future of the Jennifer Pogatchnik support the entire class of fi rst-year biomedical entire Institute of Technology.” 612-626-9501 [email protected] • biomedical engineering • chemical engineering and materials science Grant encourages girls ematical patterns and their relationship to nature. • geology and geophysics • physics to study math They also will participate in the ITCEP Family Fun Fair in March. THE MINNEAPOLIS-BASED Center for Energy and the “Young girls are consistently underrepresented Offi ce of Development Environment (CEE) recently issued an initial grant in accelerated math programs,” said Sheldon Strom, Institute of Technology of $6,500 to the Institute of Technology Center for CEE executive director. “We hope this initial grant 105 Walter Library Educational Programs (ITCEP) targeted at training will become the fi rst phase of a long-term partner- 117 Pleasant Street SE Minneapolis, MN 55455 teachers and encouraging girls to achieve in math. ship with ITCEP to help train teachers as they work [email protected] The grant, the fi rst-ever award issued by the non- to change the perception of math education and sci- www.it.umn.edu/giving profi t CEE, helped establish the Girls Excel in Math ence careers among girls and young women.” 612-624-5537 (GEM) pilot program. During its fi rst year, GEM aims ITCEP is seeking additional follow-up funding for 800-587-3884 to strengthen the math teaching skills of fi ve teach- the GEM program. Over the last three years ITCEP ers and provide challenging math programming for has been working with various metro school districts TO MAKE A GIFT about 50 girls in grades 4 through 7 in fi ve public to strengthen upper elementary and middle school To support a project you’ve read about in Inventing Tomorrow or school districts (Anoka-Hennepin, Centennial, Rose- teachers’ knowledge of fundamental mathematical to designate a gift for any purpose, mount-Apple Valley-Eagan, Roseville, and Le Center). ideas and their connections to the Minnesota K-12 you may contact a development Students and teachers are currently attending Academic Standards. To that end, ITCEP developed a offi cer directly or call 800-587-3884 workshops designed for girls ages 10 to 12. In this professional development program designed specifi - for more information. year’s program, students are investigating math- cally for teachers.

WINTER 2006 INVENTING TOMORROW 41 Alumni News

second to none.” According to Chris, she and her husband, Steve (an electrical engineering graduate), didn’t pressure Daniel to attend the University. At one point they even put money down at another school. “We tried to be supportive, even though we both had our own opinions,” Chris said. “But I didn’t pull Succeeding out the article about our family or anything. I didn’t want him to feel like he had to attend the University generations of Minnesota to carry on a family legacy.” Daniel, who was captain of the football, hockey, and baseball teams at Saint Anthony Village High aniel Schober was eight years old School in St. Anthony, Minn., said his parents left when his family was featured in the fall the final decision to him. D 1995 issue of Inventing Tomorrow. The story, “My parents and I talked about the options, but “All in the IT Family,” outlined the close connections they didn’t try to persuade me,” he said. “They knew that more than 10 members of Daniel’s family have that I wanted to play sports, and they knew that I to the Institute of Technology—ties that spanned want a great education. In the end, when it comes three generations. down to athletics versus education, education wins Freshman Today Daniel is 18, a University freshman plan- every time in my family.” ning to major in biomedical engineering. His en- Education trumped athletics during the past 70 engineering rollment extends that connection through four years of Schober family history, but Daniel has not student extends consecutive generations. given up on athletics at the University. family’s IT But believe it or not, his decision to follow in the “I’ve joined the snowboarding club, and I’m going footsteps of his mother, father, uncles, aunts, grand- to play club sports,” he said. “The opportunities here connection to father, grandmother, great-uncles, and great-great- are endless, and I know I made the right decision.” four generations uncle wasn’t a foregone conclusion. And after Daniel decided to attend the University “Daniel is a talented athlete as well as a gifted stu- and major in engineering, his parents showed him dent, and he seriously considered a school where he’d the articles and photos documenting their family’s have a better chance of playing baseball,” said his Institute of Technology pedigree. mother, Chris, a mechanical engineering alumna. “It was cool,” Daniel said. “I knew about some “I was torn because he loves sports, and I wanted of the people who graduated from IT but not all of to see him continue to play,” she said. “But I know them. It’s great to be part of family tradition.”  well that the education he will receive here will be steve linders

The opportunities here are endless, and I know I made the right decision.

“ Last fall Daniel Schober ” (far left) became the first member of the fourth generation of his family to enroll in the Institute of Technology. More than 10 of Daniel’s relatives have ties to the college, including (from left to right) his parents, Chris Schober (ME ’80, MME ’83), and Steve Schober (EE ’78); grandmother Dorothy Leonard (who studied

rn metallurgy); aunt Martha u Matern (ME ’83) and uncle

rhonda z Mark Matern (ME ’83).

42 INVENTING TOMORROW Winter 2006 IT Alumni Society ITAS named Alumni Alumni notes Society of the Year Executive Committee President The Institute of John Berger (ME ’84, MBA ’93) Robert W. Gore (ChemE Ph.D. ’63) Dick Clarke (ME ’53) Technology Alumni Society and David Emmons (ME ’84) re- has recently received the Perkin President-elect and (ITAS) was recently named cently won the first-ever Minne- Medal from the Society of Chemi- VP, K-12 Outreach Dawn Spanhake (CivE ’92) Society of the Year by the sota Cup, a statewide contest cal Industry, one of the indus- University of Minnesota launched in 2005 that seeks out try’s highest honors. Gore is best VP, Alumni Relations Alumni Association. Last and supports Minnesota’s most known for his invention of Gore- Lori Clark (ChemE ’77) year, ITAS members innovative business ideas. They Tex, the world’s first breathable VP, Corporate Relations continued a thriving won the top award for their inven- waterproof fabric. In addition to Bill Thiesse (EE, Math ’81) mentor program and raised tion, Arcswitch, a new low-cost clothing, Gore-Tex is used today VP, Student Relations $25,000 for scholarships optical switch and attenuator for in numerous commercial appli- Ellen Sorenson (CSci/Music Ed ’81, SoftwareE M.S. ’88) at the annual Science & rerouting information carried on cations, including artificial arter- Technology Banquet. ITAS fiber-optic networks. They will ies, dental floss, specialty guitar VP, University Relations Cassian Lee (ChemE ’83) also participated in the dean receive $25,000 in seed capi- strings, and pipe seals. search and hosted the ITAS tal, Wells Fargo Advisory Board UMAA National Board Representative Rich Newell (Chem Ph.D. ’75) Day at The Works technology services, and business support Jack A. Salmela (Civil ’80) is the museum, which drew about services. author of a new fiction book enti- Past President 250 adults and children. tled The Messiah Medallions. The Durga Panda ITAS currently has about Harry S. Brenner (Aero ’45), presi- book is a mystery set in the year Director of Alumni Relations 6,500 members. Visit dent of Almay Consultants in 2020 in which a female graduate Sara Beyer www.it.umn.edu/alumni/itas Los Angeles, has been honored student in astrophysics discov- for more information about with the 2005 Fred F. Weingru- ers her connections to the Per- Board Members ITAS or ways to get involved ber Award from ASTM Interna- sian Magi. The book’s foreword Melissa Barnes (CivE ’04) in the organization. tional, one of the world’s largest includes a tribute to the late Professor E. Dan Dahlberg standards-development organi- Karlis Kaufmanis, the University Faculty representative zations. The award is the highest professor of Adam Dally Career center ASTM award in leadership and astronomy Student representative sustained service in the field of whose Star Kevin Grotheim (ME ’01) changes name, fasteners. Brenner founded Al- of Bethle- Dick Hedger (EE ’62, M.S. ’68) expands services may Research and Testing Cor- hem lecture poration to test and research fas- was a holi- Ryan Jahnke Student representative Career Center for Science teners for the aerospace, nuclear, day tradi- and Engineering is the new automotive, construction, and tion for gen- Jim Pichler (CompE ’92, name of the career services electronics industries. He found- erations of SoftwareE M.S. ’03) office for Institute of Technol- ed Almay Consultants in 2003. Minnesotans. Salmela credits Steven Savitt (EE ’71, CSci Ph.D. ’92) ogy students and alumni. Kaufmanis for inspiring him to Doug Seitz (Geology ’92) The center will now also serve Jonathan DeRocher (ChemE ’05) research and write the book. Jerry Sosinske (EE ’78) students and alumni of the is one of only 35 people nation- College of Biological Sciences. wide who received the Gates Kevin R. Wald (Aero ’85) recently Nangah Tabah (ChemE ’05) “Merging career services for Cambridge Scholarship to study received the Southwest Minne- Brian Tomich the two colleges was a logical at the University of Cambridge, sota Entrepreneurial Business Student representative step because many of the em- England. DeRocher is the first of the Year Award presented by ployers who work with us hire University of Minnesota graduate Gov. Tim Pawlenty. The award IT Alumni Society people from both colleges,” to receive the scholarship funded recognized Wald’s outstanding 105 Walter Library said Mark Sorenson-Wagner, by the Bill and Melinda Gates accomplishments as president of 117 Pleasant Street SE Minneapolis, MN 55455 the center’s director. “This Foundation. While at Cambridge, SpecSys, Inc., an engineering and [email protected] merger makes the University DeRocher is studying materials manufacturing firm with facilities www.it.umn.edu/alumni/itas more efficient, which means called block copolymers, used in Granite Falls and Montevideo, 612-626-8282 we’ll be able to help more to make nanoporous thin films. Minn. Wald founded the company 800-587-3884 students and graduates find Such materials have the potential in 1997. It now employs nearly good jobs.” For more informa- to filter viruses out of water and 150 employees and generates tion, call the Career Center could ultimately replace chemi- more than $25 million in annual at 612-624-4090. cal treatment of water. revenue.

Winter 2006 INVENTING TOMORROW 43 Retrospect

Crash impact: Driven to save lives

he letter from Athelstan Spilhaus suggest- ed somewhat wryly that perhaps Professor T James J. Ryan’s crusade for auto safety should begin a bit closer to home. Spilhaus, dean of the Institute of Technology at the time, even offered a practical solution. “I am sending you a copy of the description of an Legendary anthropomorphic test dummy put out by a firm of

which a friend of mine is director of research,” Spil- ile photo f U professor haus wrote to Ryan on December 30, 1952. “It occurs paved way for to me that you might wish, in the course of your body on the line in the interest of auto safety. He today’s traffic automobile crash experiments, to destroy a dummy conducted dozens of hands-on crash tests that made before proceeding to living destruction tests.” him a campus legend during the 1950s. safety research Although “Crash” Ryan was behind the wheel In experiments conducted indoors, sleds were of test cars that slammed into concrete barricades driven into a barrier with Ryan—restrained by a seat behind the University’s mechanical engineering belt, of course—at the wheel. In another test, an emp- building, no doubt his dean was the one left with ty vehicle was dropped from a crane to the ground to a headache. The mechanical engineering professor simulate a crash speed of 40 miles per hour. earned his nickname by putting his middle-aged “Cars are a deadly weapon now, and everyone should know as much as possible about them, especially what happens during crashes,” Ryan told the Minnesota Daily in October 1952. Ryan eventually abdicated the role of test subject in favor of human-size dummies and remote-con- trolled “crash cars,” but his dedication to the cause of auto safety never faltered. His research led to improvements in shock-absorbing hydraulic bumpers, recessed dashboards, collapsible steering columns, and safety seat belts—and generated public support for establishing minimum safety standards for cars. Ryan retired from the University in 1963—the year he obtained a patent for the first automatic retract- ile photo f able safety seat belt. Just three years later, Congress Safety first passed legislation authorizing the federal govern- “Crash” Ryan’s retractable safety belt wasn’t his only ment to set and regulate standards for motor vehi- notable invention. In 1960 he received a patent for cles and highways. Experts today estimate that the a “black box” flight recorder, a mechanical unit that safety belt has saved more than 195,000 lives from recorded data from several sensors as impressions on 1975 to 2004. metal film. Descendants of his invention are required “I don’t think we can say enough about his con- equipment on all commercial and military aircraft. tributions to the safety of the vehicles we drive ev- Ryan, who died in 1973, was a member of the ery day,” said Max Donath, mechanical engineering mechanical engineering faculty from 1931–63. professor and director of the University’s Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) Institute. “He created

44 INVENTING TOMORROW Winter 2006 test drive Hands-on research isn’t what it used to be. James Ryan (far left), in the dual role of researcher and test subject, buckled up in preparation for one of his famous crash tests. (Left) A researcher takes the Hu- manFIRST laboratory’s immersive, virtual-reality simulator for a test drive. The simulator operates with re- alistic force feedback

an on the steering and m power-assist feel for the braking. jonathan chap

a lasting legacy of what University of Minnesota re- Thanks to modern technology, researchers can search has contributed nationally.” study the interaction between people and today’s Despite the remarkable success of these safety complex transportation systems—without risking measures, motor vehicle crashes are still a leading life and limb. The centerpiece of the HumanFIRST cause of unintentional injury-related death in the (Human Factors Interdisciplinary Research in Sim- U.S. According to the National Highway Traffic Safe- ulation and Transportation) laboratory is a state- ty Administration, 43,005 people died in crashes in of-the-art multimedia driving simulator used by 2002. For people ages 3 to 33, crashes are the leading engineers, computer scientists, and cognitive psy- cause of death. chologists to study driver performance. The University continues to be a leader in transportation safety research. ITS, part of the Center for Transportation Studies (CTS), recently received a five- I don’t think we can say enough year, $16 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to conduct a wide array of transpor- “ about his contributions to the safety tation research focused on using technology to enhance safety and mobility. The grant will fund efforts of the vehicles we drive every day. to improve understanding of traffic behavior through improved sensing, Global Positioning System devices professor ma x donath ” that improve feedback to drivers, and measures designed to predict and avoid rear-end crashes. In Ryan’s day, auto safety efforts focused primar- Motor vehicles may be safer than they were in ily on the vehicle, but transportation data shows that “Crash” Ryan’s day, but research shows that in the driver error is the direct cause of most crashes and hands of distracted, inexperienced, or impaired driv- resulting fatalities. ers, they are still deadly weapons. Donath said current research focuses on human- To determine what happens during a crash, the centered technologies that enhance driving ability intrepid Ryan put himself in the driver’s seat and his and reduce driver error caused by distractions, fa- personal safety on the line. CTS researchers have at tigue, and difficult driving situations. their disposal a range of technology he could never At CTS, affiliated faculty from 25 departments in have imagined, but Ryan’s legacy—the zeal for saving seven colleges study such issues as driver behavior, lives—remains the driving force behind transporta- assistive technology, vehicle design, public policy, tion studies at the University.  caroly n wavrin transportation system design, and problems unique to rural and urban areas. for more information see www.its.umn.edu

Winter 2006 INVENTING TOMORROW 45 INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY University of Minnesota 105 Walter Library 117 Pleasant Street SE Minneapolis, MN 55455

OTHER UPCOMING EVENTS

Science ITAS Day at The Works: ChemFest Technology Saturday, February 25, 2006 & IT Day at the Capitol Banquet Wednesday, March 8, 2006

Tuesday, April 11, 2006 • 5:30-8:30 p.m. IT Commencement Hilton Minneapolis Friday, May 5, 2006

The Institute of Technology Alumni Society presents UMAA Annual Celebration DR. PAUL M. HORN Tuesday, May 23, 2006 Senior vice president and director, IBM Research U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, keynote speaker DR. PAUL M. HORN oversees the world’s largest and most proliﬁc research organization Visit www.it.umn.edu/alumni for more dedicated to information technology, with information on these and other events. 3,000 researchers at eight labs worldwide. Under Horn’s leadership, IBM Research has produced an unmatched string of technological breakthroughs, including the chess- playing supercomputer Deep Blue and the world’s ﬁrst copper chip. A physicist by training, Horn has also led IBM Research into a distinctly cross-disciplinary “grand challenge” with Blue Gene—a $100 million project dedicated to exploring the frontiers of supercomputing, including the use of computation to advance our understanding of important biological processes. Registration begins in February. All proceeds from the banquet are designated for Institute of Technology student scholarships. For more information call 612-626-1802, email [email protected], or visit www.it.umn.edu/banquet.