VOLuMe ISSUE ndsu february 2010 2 8 it’s happening at state 24 Published by the Office of the Vice President for University Relations. NDSU and Triton Systems Inc. partner on coatings research in 1905 and continues its international reputation for coatings research and licensing of coatings technology to global companies.” NDSU’s Department of Coatings and Polymeric Materials and the Center for Nanoscale Science and Engineering specialize in coatings research. “We see this as a great growth opportunity for Triton and for the NDSU community,” said Philip Boudjouk, vice president for re- search, creative activities and technology transfer at NDSU. “Triton’s partnership with NDSU leverages more than a century of experience in coatings research on campus and nearly a decade of cutting-edge expertise in robotics applied to polymers research and development. The support of U.S. Sen. Byron Dorgan and the Red River Valley Philip Boudjouk (left) and U.S. Sen. Byron Dorgon (right) announce the new Research Corridor for NDSU’s marine and antimicrobial coatings pro- research partnership at a press conference on Feb. 19. gram laid the foundation for this significant new opportunity. We’re very excited to have Triton join our high-tech community.” NDSU and Triton Systems Inc., a Massachusetts-based materials products company, announced a research partnership and Triton’s plan Being close to the world-class facilities at NDSU will enable Triton to establish a new facility in the NDSU Research and Technology Park. to leverage the capabilities of NDSU researchers and Centers of The company’s Fargo facility will primarily be devoted to applications Excellence with Triton’s engineering and manufacturing expertise engineering and manufacturing of advanced coatings for military to support concepts all the way to full production of coatings prod- products including bed nets, tent fabrics and military garments. Future ucts. “Establishing this facility at this juncture, in partnership with applications include chemical detection sensing systems. the State of North Dakota, strongly complements the commercial- ization path that we’re on,” said Ross Haghighat, Triton president The Triton facility will house Triton’s novel and environmentally and CEO. “Our customers will benefit immensely from the synergy friendly ASSET coatings capabilities. The ASSET (Advanced between Triton and NDSU.” Solutions in Surface Engineering Technology) coating method is a unique and powerful process enabling ultrathin, rugged, highly Arjan Giaya, Triton vice president of technology, also noted, functional surface modifications and coatings for such broad appli- “Anti-microbial (anti-bacterial) coatings are increasingly important cations as biomedical devices, textiles, optical systems and electron- to the U.S. Military as service personnel deployed overseas are ics. The coatings can be applied to almost any surface making it exposed to environmental conditions that can cause illnesses from ideal for a variety of new products. Initially, the facility will be set airborne diseases and physical contact.” The specialty coatings that up to support applications engineering for a number of end-uses Triton is developing for fabrics (garments, tents, etc.) and medi- for the Department of Defense in partnership with NDSU. Triton cal systems help to markedly reduce the risk of these diseases. The plans to acquire approximately 3,000 square feet of space with the Triton-designed bed nets also combine unprecedented insecticide goal of doubling that space within 24 months. performance with a form, fit and function that promise to bring enhanced protection and added functionality. “We are excited that the company recognizes the opportunities and expertise available in partnership with NDSU,” commented NDSU “Having Triton open this facility defines the model of success that we’re President Richard A. Hanson. “NDSU offered the first coatings course continuing to build on – to reach out to new technology companies to cont. www.ndsu.edu/itshappening NDSU celebrates Women’s Week Spring break hours announced Hanson sets open forum Transition updates available NDSU will celebrate its 28th an- During the week of spring President Richard A. Hanson For information about the transi- nual Women’s Week March 1-5. For break, hours for NDSU has scheduled an open forum tion to NDSU’s 14th president, go more information about events, go employees will be 7:30 a.m. for Thursday, March 11, at to www.ndsu/news/transition. to www.ndsu.edu/wgs. to 4 p.m. with a 30-minute 10:30 a.m. in Memorial Union lunch break. Spring break is Century Theater. March 15-19. page 2 it’s happening at state partner with us and to continue this path of success together,” explained Tony Grindberg, executive director, NDSU Research NDSU approved for Kazakhstan’s and Technology Park. “We want our young talent to stay in North Bolashak Science Intern Program Dakota – we want companies to move in.” NDSU has been approved to be part of the Kazakhstan govern- Triton has a proven track record of forging global alliances to ment’s Bolashak Science Intern Program. The program covers transition product concepts out of the lab and into the market- all expenses for Kazakhstan university faculty to go to foreign place, partnering with numerous Fortune 500 companies and universities and conduct research. major universities alike to mature ideas to marketable products. Triton plans to hire applications engineering, processing and An NDSU delegation made up of D.C. Coston, vice president for manufacturing positions in Fargo. agriculture and university extension; Kerri Spiering, associate vice president for equity, diversity, and global outreach; David Wittrock, dean of the College of Graduate and Interdisciplinary Studies; and David Saxowsky, chair of agribusiness and applied econom- President Hanson updates ics, traveled to Kazakhstan this past June with officials from the North Dakota Trade Office. The delegation met with the Ministry campus about Minard Hall of Agriculture, Ministry of Education, Bolashak Program and vari- President Richard A. Hanson sent an update on the progress and ous universities to develop collaboration and trade opportunities safety of Minard Hall in an e-mail to NDSU students, faculty and between the university, state and Kazakhstan. staff on Feb. 18. The e-mail stated: Last fall, a proposal for NDSU to become an approved school in “Students, faculty and staff, the Bolashak Program was submitted to program officials and the Ministry of Education. Since NDSU has been approved, the “I am writing to provide an update on the progress and safety Bolashak Program has started sending resumes and research of Minard Hall. proposals from people in various academic disciplines interested “This week contractors will finish stabilizing the northwest sec- in coming to NDSU to conduct research. tion of the building by attaching galvanized steel supports that reach down approximately 95 feet. We also have monitors in place throughout the 1929 and 1918 sections of the building to measure building movement. As an extra precaution, we are also monitor- Steinhaus-Rhinehart Scholarship ing the Heating Plant smoke stack to ensure that the structure is applications available not compromised. In addition, contractors have started removing loose brick on the outside of the collapsed area, and after that is Applications for the NDSU Development Foundation Steinhaus- completed, the floors in the collapsed area will be demolished. Rhinehart Scholarship are available at Student Financial Services in Ceres Hall 202. Students with a senior standing as of fall 2010 “The architects for this project have agreed to provide a new plan can apply for the $670 scholarship until the March 22 deadline. for the addition by May 28, which means we will have lost about six months from the original schedule. The endowment provides scholarship assistance to students in the College of Science and Mathematics or College of Agriculture, Please know we are monitoring the situation closely and taking Food Systems, and Natural Resources who are majoring in a bio- precautions at all times for the safety of our campus community.” logical science (animal and range science, biochemistry, biological sciences, biotechnology, biotic resources science, botany, crop and weed sciences, horticulture, microbiology or zoology) and who FACE Award nominations plan to do research and attend graduate school in the area of biological science. Students must have a cumulative grade- being accepted point average of 3.0 or greater. Nominations are being accepted for the second season of FACE A committee of faculty from each of the two colleges will monitor Awards. The FACE Award reflects the spirit of exemplary individuals applications. The recipient will be determined by mid-April and whose personal integrity motivates them to go above and beyond the award will be made during fall 2010 semester. the expectations of their roles. They have demonstrated through recurring exceptional interactions, or perhaps a specific, one-time, save-the-day experience, that they have reached a recognizable next level of accomplishment in their service to the university. Committee will not elect Submissions can be made in electronic or hard-copy formats. 2010 Faculty Lecturer Guidelines for a written narrative, instructions for submission and The NDSU faculty lectureship committee has decided not to elect the nomination form are available at www.ndsu.edu/vpfa. Follow a 52nd annual Faculty Lecturer. According