Campus News: Week of August 27, 2001

From High-Tech Shopping to Home Automation

Researchers at Rensselaer have developed a shopping cart that scans groceries as they are added to the cart for a quick and easy checkout process.

This groundbreaking technology, which uses wireless technology and an optoelectronic device, could be in grocery stores within the year.

Partha Dutta, assistant professor of electrical, computer, and systems engineering (pictured left standing), Anant Pandey '02 (pictured in cart), and Ram Viswanathan '02 perfected the idea in their summer Undergraduate Research Project (URP). The wireless technology has applications that extend much further than shopping. The students' work may lead to smart homes where VCRs, televisions, refrigerators, lights, and a host of other products can be monitored and controlled from anywhere in the world via a cell phone or PDA with Internet access.

Home automation will be a $5 billion industry by the year 2005, said Pandey. "The keys will be remote monitoring and cross-compatibility among products. Our technology addresses both of these issues. Incorporating our technology will make existing and future gadgets smarter and more active," he added.

Pandey and Viswanathan have a company in the Rensselaer Incubator called ImagenAR and filed for a patent on their concept last September.

Viswanathan says this technology could change the face of retail shopping around the world. It can be used by department stores to track shopping habits and make customers aware of discounts as they enter the store.

"It is amazing to see what these students have accomplished as undergraduates. They have been in contact with several companies and already have some industrial support. Thanks to support from the School of Engineering's URP program, these students have gained indispensable experience," said Dutta, who worked with Pandey and Viswanathan to bring their core wireless technology to market by identifying key applications.

NSF Grants $1 Million for Research Into Inverse Problems

Four researchers have received a $1 million grant from the National Science Foundation to solve a range of problems—including using the elastic properties of tissue to detect tumors in the human body—with a branch of mathematics known as inverse problems.

The recipients of the grant are Joyce McLaughlin, Ford Foundation Professor of Mathematical Sciences; Margaret Cheney, professor of mathematics; Antoinette Maniatty, associate professor of mechanical engineering; and Clifford Nolan, assistant professor of mathematics.

"It is unusual for mathematicians to get a grant of this size, and while it is not a diversity program, three of the researchers are women. I am proud of that," McLaughlin said.

Inverse problems is a branch of applied mathematics in which researchers develop non-invasive methods to gain information about inaccessible regions—for example, in the human body or in remote regions of the earth.

The three-year program is a "Focus Group" award given by the Division of Mathematical Sciences at NSF to groups of researchers working collaboratively. The first project at Rensselaer will be to develop an algorithm for a procedure that will enable doctors, using low-frequency elastic waves, to detect abnormal human tissue such as that found in tumors.

The other projects are:

• Locating sources and objects by time-reversing received signals, as in reversing a digital tape. The procedure locates submerged objects such as submarines, mines, or even kidney stones.

• Advancing near-field electromagnetic imaging systems to improve detection of small objects, especially in the human body. This work also has nondestructive testing applications such as finding cracks and corrosion in airplanes.

• Developing airborne and satellite-borne radar for locating partially hidden objects and enhancing detailed topographic maps.

"Advances in the field of inverse problems depend on a wide range of expertise - mathematical analysis, engineering, mathematical modeling, and scientific computation," McLaughlin said. "The team for each problem brings expertise in all these areas."

NSF Grant Will Support Connected Kids Project

Junior Museum Science Exhibit Photo by Mike Stern Click here for Connected Kids Photo Gallery

Rensselaer has received a three-year $900,000 grant from the National Science Foundation's Digital Government Program for Connected Kids, a joint venture by Rensselaer and the City of Troy. The project aims to create an online, self-service database of area recreational, educational, employment and training opportunities for children, their families, and teachers.

Parents, for example, could plan an entire summer of activity for their children by searching the database for events at the Junior Museum, the Boys/Girls Club, or The Arts Center.

"Troy and Rensselaer County offer a multitude of activities and services for young people but currently do not provide centralized information," says Teri Harrison, professor of communication, who heads the project with Sibel Adali, assistant professor of computer science, and Jim Zappen, associate professor of communication.

The project focuses on a diverse audience of 10- to 18-year-olds, their parents, employees of not-for-profit and government agencies, teachers, guidance counselors, and social workers.

Adali and her students are developing software that will allow people with different skill levels and needs to launch, maintain, and share information and images easily. The program is called CIRCLE (Collaborative Information Retrieval, Creation and Linkage Environment).

Connected Kids was developed by researchers at Rensselaer with representatives from city and county governments, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, area school systems, and more than 20 youth-services agencies.

Connected Kids is part of a larger effort called Troy Community Networking Project that aims to develop an area electronic community. It has received support from a $100,000 Urban Challenge Grant from 3Com to the City of Troy, and the Rubin Community Fellows Program. An additional $250,000 in cost-sharing comes from the School of Humanities and Social Sciences.

They're Back!

Members of the Class of 2005 descended on campus last week to become the newest members of the Rensselaer community. Moving-in day took place on Tuesday, Aug. 21, and tired students were rewarded with a "welcome barbecue" hosted by the Rensselaer Alumni Association.

Click here for more photos.

Rensselaer Plan Update: School of Humanities and Social Sciences

The School of Humanities and Social Sciences (H&SS) has hired new faculty, revamped programs, and added new degrees to align its 2002 fiscal year performance plan to the goals of the Rensselaer Plan, says Dean Faye Duchin.

The Department of Science and Technology Studies (STS) has hired a director to head the new Product Design and Innovation (PDI) program, an interdisciplinary dual major program between STS and mechanical engineering.

Engineering for Civilization, a new dual degree that integrates STS courses in science, technology, and society with courses in civil engineering, also is being launched this fall.

In the Department of Language, Literature, and Communication (LL&C), two new undergraduate concentrations have been added: Web Design and Analysis, and Computer-Mediated Communications. The latter major will begin when new faculty are hired. LL&C's Human Computer Interaction (HCI) program, a certificate-based program of four courses, has been expanded to a master's degree.

"H&SS used to be essentially a service unit supporting other schools at Rensselaer. However, over the past several years, we have developed new academic programs and attracted majors of our own. These programs, many of which offer students the opportunity to have a dual major in an H&SS program along with a major in another school, benefits Rensselaer as a whole," Duchin says.

H&SS is also reaching out to the community, highlighting Rensselaer's commitment to "communiversity," as it prepares to launch its Social and Behavioral Research Laboratory, expected to open in the Gurley Building in Troy early next year. The million-dollar facility will conduct cross-department research on a variety of issues related to the use of technology by individuals, groups, and communities.

H&SS also is playing a major role in preparing for the electronic media and performing arts center, a first-year priority of the Rensselaer Plan. The Arts Department has hired four new faculty to begin teaching this fall.

The Department of Philosophy, Psychology, and Cognitive Sciences has been renamed the Department of Cognitive Science to reflect the focus of its research programs. It also has active undergraduate studies in philosophy and psychology, as well as the popular Minds and Machines major.

Faculty in the Economics Department are carrying out several research projects about sustainable economic development with collaboration from the doctoral studies in Ecological Economics.

Rensselaer Plan Update: Student Life

Student life at Rensselaer is undergoing a revolution, a fundamental change exemplified by a new emphasis on the first-year experience of students.

"We are doing what we say is our fundamental mission—creating the leaders of tomorrow. We are preparing students for their first year at Rensselaer, but also for the rest of their time here, and for the rest of their lives and careers," said Eddie Ade Knowles, vice president for student life.

In support of the Rensselaer Plan, Knowles and his colleagues in Student Life have identified the first-year experience as the highest priority. A new position, dean of the first-year experience, has been created and filled by Lisa Trahan.

Orientation programs for freshmen have been restructured, and programs focused on wilderness, community, and cultural team-building activities are already in place. A new emphasis on entrepreneurship also has been introduced into the entire first-year experience.

First on the list of additional Student Life priorities is leadership education, focused on the Archer Center for Student Leadership Development. Such education will emphasize interdisciplinary collaboration, ethical awareness, teamwork, discovery, creativity, and action that bridges theory to practice.

To facilitate leadership, appropriate courses have been incorporated throughout the undergraduate curriculum; training is provided for student clubs, organizations, teams, and student staff. Interactive experiences with industry are encouraged.

Residence renewal is the second priority. The goal is to undertake rolling renovation of residence halls and expand the base of housing options beyond the existing housing stock. Student Life and Administration are reviewing strategies and options.

Third, Rensselaer's pipeline programs for underrepresented groups—minorities and women—are being expanded and strengthened. As part of this effort, graduate and undergraduate support initiatives by the Office of Minority Student Affairs are being stepped up, and OMSA pre-college initiatives enhanced.

Fourth, to boost Rensselaer's athletics program, a marketing and promotions plan will be developed, and new athletic facilities will be developed on the east side of the campus. A search will be conducted for a manager of athletics marketing and promotions.

"It is important for us to have a significant involvement and influence with students," Knowles said. "You don't produce leaders without nurturing them, and we won't change the world without leaders."

Rensselaer Ranks in Top Ten Best Local Private Employers

The Capital District Business Review ranked Rensselaer as one of the top 10 of the "area's best private-sector employers" in its Aug. 6-12 edition.

This is the first year for the rankings, which were compiled through a survey completed by the employers. Employers were ranked on such factors as employee retention rate, the percentage employees pay for health insurance, fitness programs, profit-sharing, and reimbursed education expenses.

Rensselaer has garnered national attention in a variety of media outlets recently.

For a more complete listing, go to: www.rpi.edu/web/News/home.html.

The Associated Press and CNN.com carried a story about Brendan Harnett, an architecture major, who is paying his way through Rensselaer in cash. Harnett parlayed money he made mowing lawns and investing in the stock market into a college education. The AP wire services 95 percent of daily newspapers in the country.

The 2002 Kaplan/Newsweek guide, "How to Get Into College," and MSNBC.com featured President Jackson among nine college presidents offering advice on choosing a college. Additionally, Teresa Duffy, dean of enrollment management, offers tips on beating the competition and how to pick a college consultant.

United Press International wire service ran an Aug. 15 story about Richard Bopp's research linking mercury deposition to coal-burning in Central Park Lake. Bopp found mercury levels to be 10 times the amount found in industrial areas.

The New York Times Public Lives section on Aug. 13, profiled Rensselaer alumnus Michael West, CEO of Advanced Cell Technology, which plans to harvest stem cells from cloned human embryos. West predicts it will lead to tailor-made cures for some of mankind's most devastating diseases. The Boston Globe ran a similar article on Aug. 19.

The July 5 edition of The New York Times featured an illustration and story about the proposed electronic media and performing arts center in a story titled "So Electrons May Dance While College Actors Strut."

The June 20 edition of USA Today  featured Joseph Walther, editor of The Journal of Online Behavior and professor of communications, in a story about the increasing use of Instant Messaging by teens. Walther says teens can communicate with multiple people at once in the IM format.

Women in Technology International to Launch Tech Valley Chapter

Women in Technology International (WITI) has announced that it will launch a local chapter this fall to meet the career needs of area women working in technology. WITI helps women develop the core competencies in demand by all levels of technology organizations and brings women to the attention of organizations and boards looking for strong talent.

In 2000, President Shirley Ann Jackson was inducted into the WITI Hall of Fame, which recognizes, honors, and promotes the outstanding contributions women make to the scientific and technological communities, and to society at large.

Bettyjo Howland '98, marketing manager in the Severino Center for Technological Entrepreneurship in the Lally School of Management and Technology, has been appointed to the local chapter's board and will oversee the Membership Development Committee.

The WITI Foundation, established in 1989, is a national association dedicated to advancing women in technology by increasing the number of women in executive roles in technology-based companies, helping women become more financially independent and technology-literate, and encouraging young women to choose careers in science and technology. For more information on the Tech Valley chapter of WITI, contact info@think-one.com. For more information on the national organization, go to www.witi.com.