April 6, 2023

Researchers have found an ultrafast alternative to the slow oxide ion transfers of conventional fuel cells, increasing efficiency and performance by using hydrocarbon fuel directly. The commercial applications are promising.

Yun Hang Hu (MSE) and two graduate students, Hanrui Su and Wei Zhang, changed the conventional path taken by oxygen ions in a solid oxide fuel cell by creating an interface between the electrolyte and melted carbonate, which acts as an ultrafast channel for oxygen ion transfer. “This allowed us to invent an entirely new type of fuel cell, a carbonate-superstructured solid fuel cell (CSSFC),” said Hu.

Learn more about the CSSFC and its potential impact at Michigan Tech News.

The first-semester course HU2291 Spanish Language and Culture will be offered once more online this summer during Track A.

You can start learning Spanish during this summer course and continue face-to-face during the fall and spring semesters.

Students and other members of the MTU community are welcome to join. Sign up today!

This week, the Film Board is presenting "Scott Pilgrim vs. the World," which is rated PG-13.

Summary: In a magically realistic version of Toronto, a young man must defeat his new girlfriend's seven evil exes one by one in order to win her heart.

Showings:

• Friday, April 7 — 5:30 p.m., 8:30 p.m., 11:30 p.m.
• Saturday, April 8 — 5:30 p.m., 8:30 p.m., 11:30 p.m.

Located on Michigan Tech's campus in Fisher 135.

Tickets are $3 and concessions are $1. We hope to see you at the movie this weekend and have a great day.

Ph.D. in Chemistry candidate Nastaran (Nassy) Khademimoshgenani will present their doctoral defense virtually at 11 a.m. tomorrow (April 7) via Zoom.

Khademimoshgenani's dissertation is titled "Origins of Optical Properties in Natural Organic Matter and Fluorescent Animals."

Khademimoshgenani is advised by Sarah Green.

Ph.D. in Computer Science candidate Jaclyn Barnes will present her dissertation defense next Thursday (April 13) at 9 a.m. via Zoom online meeting.

The title of Barnes' dissertation is “Toward a Longitudinal Program of In Situ Social Robotics Research and Informal STEAM Education.”

Barnes’ research interests include human-robot interaction, assistive technology and usable security. She received an M.S. in Computer Science from Michigan Tech in 2017.

Join the Zoom meeting.

Read the abstract on the Computing News Blog.

For the second straight week, Michigan Tech women's tennis made an appearance in the ITA Division II Top 50 rankings, checking in at No. 48. The Huskies are 7-5 overall, including 4-1 in GLIAC play.

Tech dropped three positions from last week after a 6-1 home loss to No. 13 Wayne State, but the Huskies have won four of their last five matches. 

Read more at the Michigan Tech Athletics website.

Job Posting for Thursday, April 6, 2023

Staff and faculty job descriptions are available on the Human Resources website. For more information regarding staff positions, call 906-487-2280 or email humanresources@mtu.edu. For more information regarding faculty positions, contact the academic department in which the position is posted.

Assistant Teaching Professor – Accounting, College of Business. 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 humanresources@mtu.edu.

Bruce Lee (BioMed/IMP) is the principal investigator (PI) on a project that has received an $804,990 research and development grant from the U.S. Department of Defense.

The project is titled "Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope for Research in Additive Manufacturing, Materials Development, and Plastic Waste Recycling."

Stephen Techtmann (BioSci/IMP), Paul Sanders (MSE/IMP) and Trisha Sain (ME-EM/IMP) are co-PIs on this potential one-year project.

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Fengjing Liu (CFRES/ESC) is the PI on a project that received a $4,000 other student fellowship grant from the University of Michigan (Michigan Space Grant Consortium).

The project is titled "Understanding the Controls of Solute Transport by Streamflow Using Concentration-Discharge Relationship in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan."

Sierra Williams (CFRES/ESC) is a co-PI on this potential one-year project.

Stephen Techtmann (BioSci) and Michigan Tech were mentioned by Axios in a story discussing methods of recycling plastic and waste materials into food for astronauts in deep space.

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Michael Mullins (ChE) was interviewed by the Keweenaw Report in a story about Michigan Tech’s plans to absorb Finlandia University’s nursing program.

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The induction of Dennis Livesay (CC) into the Columbus East High School Alumni Wall of Fame was the subject of a story in the Republic of Columbus, Indiana.

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Phys.org mentioned Michigan Tech in a story about study findings that warmer temperatures above and below ground in a northern Minnesota peat bog exponentially increased the availability of nutrients throughout the below-ground peat layers. Researchers from MTU participated in the study.

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WLUC TV6 covered the selection of 36 Michigan Tech winter sports student-athletes to receive GLIAC All-Academic and All-Academic Excellence honors.

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Grinding & Surface Finishing, Industrial Distribution and Gear Technology mentioned Michigan Tech in stories about the new CEO of Weiler Abrasives Group: Arjang Roshan-Rouz ’92 (B.S. Electrical Engineering).

CS Colloquium Lecture with Genevieve Flaspohler

Genevieve Flaspohler, chief data officer at nLine Inc., will present an on-campus Department of Computer Science (CS) Colloquium lecture tomorrow (April 7) from 3-4 p.m. in Rekhi 214.

The title of Flaspohler's talk is “From the Ocean to the Electric Grid: Mobilizing Algorithms, Robots, and Sensors for Society."

Flaspohler is an independent auditor for the world’s electric grids, measuring and improving investments in grid infrastructure, solar mini-grids and electricity access across seven countries in sub-Saharan Africa. She received her Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from MIT, with a joint degree in applied ocean engineering from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, focusing on uncertainty quantification and adaptive sensing.

Flaspohler has deep roots in her home state of Michigan: she received a B.S.E. in Computer Engineering from the University of Michigan and grew up in the beautiful Keweenaw Peninsula.

Learn more and read the talk abstract on the Computing News Blog.

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This Week's C3 Luncheon

Menu for Thursday (April 6):

• Beef Goulash (Gluten Friendly)
• Spaetzle (Vegetarian)
• Braised Red Cabbage (Vegan)
• Roasted Spring Vegetables (Vegan)
• Polish Cucumber Salad (Vegetarian)

Dining Services presents this week's C3 Luncheon, being held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Memorial Union Alumni Lounge (MUB 107). All faculty and staff, along with their guests, are invited.

The C3 lunch buffet menus are created and prepared by executive chef Michael Landini and his culinary team. As the name suggests, the meals are meant to foster conversation, community and collegiality. Attendees may bring their lunch instead of purchasing the buffet. Fruit-infused water, coffee, tea, cookies and fruit are available free to all attendees.

The buffet lunch is $12 per person. Cash, credit cards and gift cards are accepted. Gift cards can be purchased in the Memorial Union office (MUB 101). You can submit C3 feedback using our Google form. To join the C3 Google group and receive weekly menus, email business-support@mtu.edu.

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BioSci Seminar with Ronald Zalesny Jr.

Ronald S. Zalesny Jr. will present as part of the Department of Biological Sciences (BioSci) Seminar Series from 3-4 p.m. today (April 6). The virtual presentation will be held via Zoom (use passcode 046347).

Zalesny is a supervisory research plant geneticist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service, Northern Research Station, Institute for Applied Ecosystem Studies in Rhinelander, Wisconsin.

The presentation is titled "Phytotechnologies for ecological and community benefits."

From the abstract:
There is a need for nature-based solutions to reduce ecological degradation and community health impacts from increased human activities in rural and urban communities. Phytotechnologies, the strategic use of plants to solve environmental problems by remediating soil, water, and air resources, are sustainable solutions used worldwide to restore ecosystem services in managed landscapes. The presentation will focus on phytoremediation used to stabilize, trap, and break down pollutants at landfills to prevent their movement into groundwater and nearby waters, as well as other real-world phytotechnology applications that provide ecological and community benefits.

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ME-EM Graduate Seminar Speaker: Ibrahim Guven

The next Department of Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics (ME-EM) Graduate Seminar speaker will present at 4 p.m. today (April 6 in MEEM 112.

Ibrahim Guven will present “Peridynamic Analysis of Hypersonic Weather Encounters.”

Guven is an associate professor of mechanical and nuclear engineering at Virginia Commonwealth University.

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Physics Colloquium with Steven Rehse

Steven Rehse from the University of Windsor will be presenting at this week's Physics Colloquium. The seminar will be presented in person at 4 p.m. today (April 6) in Fisher 139.

Rehse's presentation is titled "Healing humanity one spark at a time: diagnosing bacterial pathogens with laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy."

Read the abstract on the University Events Calendar.

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GSG Cultural Night

Get ready to experience a night of cultural celebration with Graduate Student Government (GSG) and a collaboration of student organizations representing African, Indian, Bangladeshi, Nepali and Iranian cultures!

Our Cultural Night event is bringing together diverse communities to share their unique traditions, music and delicious snacks from around the world. Join us for an evening of dance, socialization and fun as we play music from different cultures and indulge in cultural snacks that represent the diversity of our student body.

This is an opportunity to learn about and appreciate the richness of different cultures while making new friends and having a great time. We hope to see you there on Saturday (April 8) from 6:30-9:30 p.m. at the MUB Ballroom to experience this vibrant and colorful celebration!

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

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance by Appointment

Thursday, April 6, 12 a.m. | Academic Office Building (AOB), G015

The College of Business is pleased to again offer Volunteer Income Tax Assistance. Accounting majors will provide free income tax preparation assistance for students and...

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Michigan Tech Art Presents: Snowsports Faculty and Staff Art Show

Thursday, April 6, 8 a.m.–8 p.m. |

MICHIGAN TECH ART PRESENTS SNOWSPORTS FACULTY AND STAFF ART SHOW WEDNESDAY, MARCH 22, 2023 THROUGH SATURDAY APRIL 29, 2023 A-SPACE HOURS: M-F 8 A.M.-8 P.M.

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Master's Defense: Wasiu Olawale Amobi

Thursday, April 6, 10–11 a.m. | Academic Office Building (AOB), Conference Room 101

Applied Natural Resource Economics Advisor: Gary Campbell Effect of Natural Resources and Land on Economic Growth in Africa Attend Virtually:...

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PhD Defense: Sarvada Hemant Chipkar

Thursday, April 6, 12 p.m.–1 p.m. | Chemical Sciences and Engineering Building, 201

Chemical Engineering Advisor: Rebecca Ong Studying Effect of Drought on Switchgrass and Identifying Associated Yeast Inhibitors Attend Virtually:...

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Biological Science Seminar Series - Dr. Ron Zalesny

Thursday, April 6, 3 p.m.–4 p.m.

Link for the recorded seminar: https://michigantech.zoom.us/rec/share/2RkYa64TGW2Ox5pRCBSiHp_2XmenI90z15mWCtJDR6o-KbQ5YbPPFvuEhE-Jizhk.kGLH_q82lcr_ZtGg Passcode: C@Qy!tN4 ...

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Master's Defense: Courtney Archambeau

Thursday, April 6, 3:30 p.m.–4:30 p.m. | Rekhi Hall, 214

Environmental & Energy Policy Advisor: Angela Carter Feeding Our Local Communities The Benefit of Food Assistance Programs at Local Farmers Markets Attend Virtually:...

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Peridynamic Analysis of Hypersonic Weather Encounters

Thursday, April 6, 4 p.m. | R. L. Smith Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics Building (MEEM), 112

ME-EM Graduate Seminar Speaker Series proudly presents Ibrahim Guven, PhD Virginia Commonwealth University Abstract The main concern with continuum mechanics-based...

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Physics Colloquium - Dr. Steven Rehse

Thursday, April 6, 4 p.m.–5 p.m. | Fisher Hall, 139

Steven Rhese from the University of Windsor will be presenting at this week's Physics Colloquium. Please join this in-person presentation at 4 p.m. Thursday (April 6) in...

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Adult Huskies Swim Lessons Spring 2023 Session 3

Thursday, April 6, 5:00 p.m.–5:50 p.m. | Student Development Complex (SDC), Pool

Adult Huskies Swim Lessons provides aquatic education for the beginner to the intermediate swimmer who is looking to become more comfortable in the water and learn the...

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Adult Huskies Swim Training Spring 2023 Session 3

Thursday, April 6, 5:00 p.m.–5:50 p.m. | Student Development Complex (SDC), Pool

Adult Huskies Swim Training provides additional attention and competitive guidance to swimmers ages 18 and older who are looking to improve their swimming skills and fitness...

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Outdoor Venture Crew Weekly Meeting

Thursday, April 6, 5:15 p.m.–7:00 p.m. | Fisher 129

We'll be voting on our weekly trip and discussing other relevant information. While our meetings run until 7:00 PM, they don't usually last longer than 20 or 30 minutes. Feel...

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Michigan Tech Music Presents: Trombone Choir

Thursday, April 6, 6 p.m. |

MICHIGAN TECH MUSIC PRESENTS TROMBONE CHOIR PROGRAM Run Time TBD

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TKE - Dodgeball

Thursday, April 6, 6 p.m.–8 p.m. | SDC Multi-Purpose Courts

Join the brothers of Tau Kappa Epsilon for this fantastic event. Stop by to learn more about how we can help you create lifelong relationships that enhance educational,...

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The Evil Twins of Technocracy and Transhumanism

Thursday, April 6, 7:00 p.m.–8:30 p.m. | Electrical Energy Resources Center - Room 103

Patrick M. Wood, a knowledgeable US scholar, critic of globalization, and the author of several books on technocracy, will be coming to MTU to give a presentation on the...

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Club Roll

Thursday, April 6, 8:00 p.m.–9:30 p.m. | SDC Pool

Come join the Log Rolling Club in the SDC Pool. No experience needed, we would be more than happy to help you learn and have a great time! Everyone that participates in...