August 18, 2022

Assistant Professor Paul van Susante (ME-EM/MARC) and the Planetary Surface Technology Development Lab, aka Huskyworks, are one of seven teams advancing to Phase 2, Level 2 of NASA's Watts on the Moon Challenge.

The advancement comes with a $200,000 award, building on the team's previous Phase 2, Level 1 award of $100,000, and supports NASA's Artemis I mission, the first in a series designed to enable sustainable human exploration of the moon and Mars.

Winners of the first stage of the challenge were eligible to compete for the second phase's design competition, submitting technical documentation for their solutions. The seven winning teams will move on to compete for additional funding in Phase 2, Level 2.

"It's really exciting because we're developing new technology that will enable continuous human presence on the lunar surface," noted Rob Button, deputy chief of the Power Division at NASA's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio. "Specifically, we're addressing long distance power transmission and energy storage in very cold conditions." 

Van Susante designed and leads HuskyWorks' research facilities, one of eight academic facilities listed on NASA's ARES Dust Testing Facilities webpage. The central piece of the PSTDL is a custom-built rectangular Dusty Thermal Vacuum chamber (DTVAC) that can be cooled as low as minus 196°C and heated as high as 150°C, reach a vacuum of 10-6 Torr (10-4 Torr with simulant) and contain a box with up to 3,000 pounds of regolith simulant. For more details on the lab's capabilities, visit the PSTDL's Facilities page.

As we all get ready to welcome new incoming students this weekend, and returning students the following week, Facilities Management would like to provide a quick update on the H-STEM Complex construction underway in the middle of campus.

The site demolition and new underground utility work has been completed. The concrete work for the new basement and the building foundations are ongoing, and will continue for the rest of August into September. Demolition work to the outside of Chem Sci for the connection between the new building and the existing building is getting started, while the demolition on the inside is scheduled to start in September. The steel for the new building will start to be installed sometime in late September, depending on when the actual material delivery occurs.

The project is still on schedule to be open in early 2024!

Please visit the H-STEM Building Project website or check out the live H-STEM Complex Construction webcam for more information. Also note the story boards regarding the project located behind the Husky Statue.
Please use caution when walking near the construction site. Thank you.

The Office of the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs has revised the way in which the Pavlis Honors College, Enterprise Program, Jackson Center for Teaching and Learning and Registrar’s Office report to the provost. 

Though no staffing changes took place, for reporting purposes, a phased implementation was completed July 1. All four units now report to the Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education and Dean of the Pavlis Honors College as their parent unit.

This reorganization was made to streamline processes.

Job Postings for Thursday, Aug. 18, 2022

Staff and faculty job descriptions are available on the Human Resources website. For more information regarding staff positions, call 906-487-2280 or email mtujobs@mtu.edu.

For more information regarding faculty positions, contact the academic department in which the position is posted.

Patrol Sergeant #22230, Public Safety and Police Services (POA posting dates Aug. 18 to Aug. 24, 2022 — external applicants are encouraged to apply; however, internal POA applicants are given first consideration if they apply during the internal POA posting dates). Apply online.

Senior Administrative Aide (12 months/ 40 hours/ first shift) #22231, Residence Education and Housing Services (UAW posting dates Aug. 18 to Aug. 24, 2022 — external applicants are encouraged to apply; however, internal UAW applicants are given first consideration if they apply during the internal UAW posting dates). Apply online.

Coordinator, Center for Educational Outreach. Apply online.

Senior Advisor for Career Readiness and Professional Development, Career Services. Apply online.

Advisor for Career Readiness and Professional Development, Career Services. Apply online.

Michigan Technological University is an Equal Opportunity Educational Institution/Equal Opportunity Employer that provides equal opportunity for all, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Accommodations are available. If you require any auxiliary aids, services, or other accommodations to apply for employment, or for an interview, at Michigan Technological University, please notify the Human Resources office at 906-487-2280 or mtujobs@mtu.edu.

Laura Marohnic (OIC) is the principal investigator (PI) on a project that has received a $430,539 other sponsored activities co-op/joint agreement with Grand Valley State University.

The project is titled "2022 Region 1 MI-SBDC Host."

Jim Baker (VPR) and Jon Leinonen (COB) are co-PIs on this potential 15-month project.

A NASA press release announced that the Michigan Tech Planetary Surface Technology Development Lab has advanced to the next phase of the Watts on the Moon Challenge.

The lab will receive $200,000 in additional funding and move on to compete in Phase 2, Level 2 of the challenge.

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Jeff Naber (ME-EM/APSRC) was quoted by WJMN Local 3 in a story on the opening of the U.S. Department of Energy’s newest Solar Energy Regional Test Center in Calumet. WLUC TV6 also ran a story on the event.

MTU and Sandia National Laboratories partnered to open the facility, which is housed at Tech’s Advanced Power Systems Research Center, aka APSLABS. The location will allow research on the effectiveness of new solar power technology in severe winter environments.

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Bill Roberts was quoted by the Mining Journal in a story on Michigan Tech’s upcoming dedication of the Nara Family Maple Center.

Located at the Nara Family Forest in Torch Lake Township, the center will be a site for K-12 outreach and education, teaching students about the history, heritage and products of sugar maple trees.

The story was picked up from the Daily Mining Gazette.

Zoom Licensing Update

Michigan Tech has updated our educational license with Zoom.

Faculty, staff and students will need to log in at the Michigan Tech Zoom Account page to relicense their account to retain access to all the features of our university zoom license, e.g., unlimited duration for Zoom meetings.

If you have any questions, we can help. Contact IT at it-help@mtu.edu or call 7-1111.

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ChE Departmental Retreat

Department of Chemical Engineering (ChE) faculty will be unavailable tomorrow (Aug. 19) from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for a departmental retreat.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

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Parking During Move-In: Friday and Saturday

It’s an exciting time! We are finalizing our preparations for students to return to campus. Over two days, we will welcome our first-year students, who will experience a huge milestone moment as they move into their residence halls, meet new roommates, say goodbye to parents and get their first taste of college life.

Move-In will take place tomorrow (Aug.19) from noon to 6 p.m. and Saturday (Aug. 20) from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Splitting the traditional one-day event into two allows us to reduce congestion and provide a more relaxed atmosphere for our new Huskies.

Because tomorrow is a business day, we need your assistance and ask that if your regular parking lot is closed, or you wish to avoid the Move-In traffic, you park in an alternative location (see below). This would be a huge help to the students and would also ensure you are able to leave campus more easily at the end of the day.

Parking Lots Closed for Friday:

• Lot 27 (Admin visitor lot)
• Lot 11 (Admin black permit lot)

Recommended Staff Parking for Friday:

• Lot 2 (north of AOB)
• Lot 8 (north of Walker and the Rozsa)
• Lot 10 (commuter lot east of the Rozsa)
• Lot 12 (south of the MUB and Library)
• Lot 14 (east of CDI)
• Lot 33 (west of Meese — strongly recommended for those looking to avoid traffic)
• Lot 1, west side only (will be a high-traffic area for Move-In)

Parking for Saturday:

• Lot 10 (commuter lot east of the Rozsa)
• Lot 33 (west of Meese)
• All other lots will be closed

Cliff Drive Traffic Changes:

• One-way operation heading eastbound

The Waino Wahtera Center for Student Success and Residence Education and Housing Services appreciate your support as we make these changes to improve the process of welcoming new students to campus, ensuring a great start to their Husky experience.

To have your event automatically appear, please submit them to the University Events Calendar.

Men's League Playoffs/Junior Championship

Thursday, August 18, 8 a.m. | Portage Lake Golf Course

Men's League Playoffs/Junior Championship - Members only 8:00 AM and 1:00 PM *Some events and times may change

PhD Defense: Victor Claremboux

Thursday, August 18, 9:30–10:30 a.m.

Chemical Engineering Co-advisors: Surendra Kawatra and Timothy Eisele Understanding Strength of Dried Iron Ore Pellets Attend Virtually:...

Nara Family Maple Center Ribbon Cutting

Thursday, August 18, 10 a.m. | Nara Family Forest

Join Michigan Tech in celebrating the newly constructed Nara Family Maple Center, located at the Nara Family Forest in Lake Linden. The ribbon cutting will take place on...