2007 News Releases

July 2007

Youth Going Green at UNH Biodiesel Lab

UNH visitors from the Seacoast Science Center of Rye, New Hampshire were shown the process to create golden translucent biodiesel from a black sludge of waste vegetable oil.  Impressed as they were converting something like sludge into environmental friendly alternative fuel, little did they know that UNH chemical engineering professor Ihab Farag had something more up his sleeve.  Walking to the other end of the lab eyes opened wide as a plain looking five-foot high (approximately a six foot diameter) cardboard container was opened. 

UNH Researchers Prove Existence of New Type of Electron Wave

When a small charge is placed close to a metal surface, standing electron waves are created. These are shown in the lower part of the figure. Another type of waves, called plasmons, are created when the charge is slightly jiggled. These plasmons, which need a rather high energy to be excited, have been known for a long time and are present on the surfaces of all metals. Bogdan Diaconescu and Karsten Pohl with their colleagues have now proved the existence of a new type of plasmon, called "acoustic," which can be excited with any energy (wavelength) and which can therefore be compared to water waves in a lake. The new type of wave is superimposed on the standing waves and is shown in the upper part of the figure. (Credit: Image courtesy of University of New Hampshire)

Biodiesel Researchers from Egypt Visit UNH

June 25-29, six researchers from the National Research Center (NRC) in Cairo, Egypt, met with UNH chemical engineering professor Ihab Farag in his biodiesel lab reuniting in their effort to introduce biodiesel technology into Egypt.   NRC is one of the largest and credible research centers in the Middle East.

June 2007

The Art of Alchemy

From Alchemy to Chemistry in Picture and Story by organic chemist Arthur Greenberg at the University of New Hampshire in Durham, published this year, presents the images and stories that emerged from chemistry's early days. The book takes a world view, covering the four primordial elements of the ancient Greeks, the pit-fired colored clay pots of the South Carolina Catawba Native Americans, and modern scientists' discovery of subatomic particles. (NHPR audio of interview with Prof. Greenberg)

May 2007

Name That Ton--Fish Feeder Naming Contest

Shaped like a huge pill box, the remotely-operated machine holds 20 tons of food and can feed four species at a time. Its development has been a priority for the fish farm whose offshore location is subject to storms and frigid temperatures that make regular feeding a challenge. Designed at UNH and built in Canada, the SBIR (for Small Business Innovation Research) feeder just recently went in the water. It will undergo further evaluation before being floated down to the Gulf of Maine and the fish farm site near White Island.

CICEET Rolls out New Goals and Objectives

The UNH / NOAA Cooperative Institute for Coastal and Estuarine Environmental Technology (CICEET) has a new strategic plan that will guide the organization through 2012. The goals and objectives in the plan will direct CICEET’s work in addressing coastal resource management challenges.

Four CEPS Faculty Receive CAREER Award

Four College of Engineering and Pysical Science faculty members at the University of New Hampshire have been awarded the NSF Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers. The NSF Early Career Award is one of the most prestigious awards to honor investigators in the early stages of promising research and education careers. The award is an honor bestowed by the United States government on scientists and engineers beginning independent careers.

UNH Biodiesel Group and Conway company team up in research project: Student wins Award of Excellence for biodiesel research

The Biodiesel Group in the UNH Chemical Engineering Department, led by Prof. Ihab Farag, has drawn up plans for an automated processor to turn waste vegetable oil into biodiesel fuel that could be used in university vehicles and other diesel-powered engines, or anywhere that heating fuel is used on campus. Hardware and process control designs are completed and testing has begun. Next year, students will add automation equipment to the manual processor at the Woodman Farm on campus and produce biodiesel.

Production of Biodiesel from Algae (NHPR audio)

New Hampshire Public Radio (NHPR) visited the UNH High Bay Biodiesel Lab, 103 Morse Hall, interviewing Chemical Engineering student Justin Ferrentino and Professor Ihab Farag. aired a segment about the production of Biodiesel from Algae.

Grants, alumns help UNH scientific studies take off

On the eve of the University of New Hampshire's 137th commencement, these graduates of the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences are landing some good jobs. Their futures appear as bright as the college's own, thanks to new state-of-the-art facilities and supportive alumni.

Working with professional engineers at the campus and in company settings offered "good insight into the real world," Lightner said. "They push you to get internships and a job at the end."

CEPS Alumni Recognized during UNH Commencement on May 19

Joining the distinguished company with former presidents George H. W. Bush and William J. Clinton are UNH College of Engineering and Physical Sciences alumni John LaMattina and James Thomson, each of whom continue to play a significant role in the nation’s history and together at this time as recipients of honorary doctoral degrees during Saturday’s UNH commencement held in Cowell Stadium.

UNH DEMERITT HALL CLOSING ITS DOORS
Farewell Ceremony Saturday, May 5

DURHAM, N.H. – Chains and a padlock will signify the closing of the University of New Hampshire’s DeMeritt Hall during a farewell ceremony Saturday, May 5, 1:30 – 4 p.m. Celebrating the historical and scholarly achievements that have taken place within the walls of DeMeritt Hall, faculty, staff, students, alumni, and friends are invited to gather and say farewell to DeMeritt Hall. May 5 is one of the last days DeMeritt Hall will be open for public use. 

April 2007

Obama Announces Low Carbon Fuel Plan at UNH

After touring the buses Senator Barack Obama introduced his low carbon fuel plan during a news conference at the Departmento of Transportation's biodiesel fueling facility located on campus. Joe Pearson, a chemical engineering major from Barrington, introduced Obama. "It has been intriguing to learn about the dynamics of energy use in our society," he said, adding he's learned about the "blessings of energy resources and the severe consequences that come when it is treated irresponsibly."

UNH STUDENTS WITHOUT BORDERS DRAW WATER FROM THE SAND

The University of New Hampshire’s Students Without Borders (SWB) will participate in the Environmental Protection Agency’s National Sustainable Design Expo in Washington, D.C. April 24 and 25 with its Water from the Sand project. SWB is the UNH Chapter of the Engineers Without Borders-USA (EWB-USA) program: a non-profit humanitarian organization that partnerships with foreign communities to implement sustainable engineering projects.

John Olson: UNH Alum Returns to Durham to Receive Award; Donates Mass Notification System in the Wake of Virginia Tech

In the wake of the mass killings at Virginia Tech last week, the University of New Hampshire received one of its most meaningful gifts of all time: a mass notification system by UNH Alumnus John Olson, president and CEO of Whelen Engineering Company.

Five UNH Building to be awarded the ENERGY STAR rating

EPA Regional Administrator Bob Varney will be at the UNH Earth Day festivities and will announce the new ENERGY STAR buildings this Friday, April 20, at 2:00 p.m. on the Thompson Hall lawn.  This week, five UNH buildings (Randall Hitchcock, Sawyer, Jessie Doe, Woodsides PQR, and Taylor Hall) will be awarded with the ENERGY STAR rating. 

Order of the Engineer Induction of UNH Engineering Students

UNH Engineering students become newest members of the Order of the Engineer, an association for graduate and professional engineers in the United States and concentrates on professional ethics

2007 UNH Student Awards recipients

Please join us in congratulating the 2007 UNH Student Awards recipients. CEPS student, Joe Marston receives the well deserved distinguished Hood Achievement Award. [Awards will be presented by Interim President Bonnie Newman at the 2007 Student Awards Ceremony, May 8th at 3pm in Holloway Commons] Awards Determined by Other UNH Committees [Also to be presented at The Student Awards Ceremony, May 8th at 3pm in Holloway Commons]

Taking Nanotechnology to the Next Generation

Addressing the need to engage those who have a great impact on our school children with some of the brightest in the field, this past Wednesday, April 4, 2007, the University of New Hampshire hosted its third annual nanotechnology conference for New Hampshire based K-12 teachers. Karsten Pohl, Assistant Professor of Physics and the Material Science, University of New Hampshire, shared with the group that, “Nanotechnology is one-atom-at-a-time machines or building structures defined by the diameter of an atom. 

UNH Students Take Overall Championship at International Design Contest

LAS CRUCES, NEW MEXICO – Just ask any of the 34 different universities throughout the U.S., Canada, and Mexico who participated in the 17th Annual International Environmental Design Contest (EDC) April 1-4 at New Mexico State University, and they will tell you the University of New Hampshire students are the ones to beat. Their project that successfully converts cow manure to electiricty is sure to gain more than just the judges attention.

UNH Professor Receives Honorary Professorship from Astria

INNSBRUCK, AUSTRIA-Olof Echt, Professor of Physics and Materials Science, has received an Honorary Professorship from the Leopold Franzens University Innsbruck, Austria. Several students who graduated from the Institute of Ion Physics Innsbruck have benefited from Echt’s advice with the execution and interpretation of experiments involving nanoparticles. A large number of joint publications and book articles have resulted from this collaboration.

UNH STUDENTS COMPETE IN INTERNATIONAL DESIGN CONTEST

DURHAM, N.H. – University of New Hampshire students will be among the college and high school students from throughout the U.S., Canada, and Mexico who participate in the 17th Annual International Environmental Design Contest (EDC) April 1-4 at New Mexico State University.

March 2007

UNH Hosts 3rd Annual K-12 Nanotechnology Teacher Conference

The conference is attracting over 50 teachers from all parts of New Hampshire, making this one of the larger nanotechnology conferences for K-12 teachers.  Teachers will be exposed to topics including nanoscience research, the history of nanotechnology and societal impacts of nanotechnology.  The keynote address given by Professor Bosso is entitled “Societal Concerns about Nanotechnology—And Not What You Think.”

Build It So They Can Learn (Students Without Borders)

DURHAM-Students participating in the UNH Students Without Borders (SWB) program, engineered and built a non-human powered water system that helped to prevent child labor.  After returning from their visit to Tuareg, Niger in West Africa, Kim Morris, UNH Environmental Engineering student, reported that, “The villagers were excited to implement this efficient animal-powered pumping system that will hopefully minimize child labor and promote higher health standards.” 

Faculty Emeritus Dr. Larry Dingman to be honored at Geological Society of America Regional Meeting

Durham, NH - The Northeastern Section Meeting of the Geological Society of America is being held for the first time at the University of New Hampshire in Durham, NH from Sunday, March 11 to Wednesday, March 14, 2007.  Fifteen current and two past UNH Earth Science and five Civil Engineering faculty, 12 students and over 30 UNH alumni will be presenting current research, hosting field trips, and chairing topical sessions. Topics include climate change, health and environmental issues, archaeological geology, and Atlantic coastal processes.  

February 2007

Making Operating Rooms Safer

DURHAM, N.H. -- New research at the University of New Hampshire aims to make hospital operating rooms safer by opening the lines of communication between computerized hospital beds and blood pressure monitors.
“We’re trying to get pieces of equipment that don’t normally talk to each other to do so,” says John LaCourse, professor of electrical and computer engineering at UNH. “We’re doing something that we feel is going to save peoples’ lives.”

UNH Scientists Launch Rocket Over Alaska to Study Pulsating Aurora

A 65-foot-tall Black Brant XII sounding rocket carrying a unique, spinning camera built at UNH was launched from Alaska’s Poker Flat Research Range in the early morning hours of February 12 and soared 460 miles above Earth to photograph a little-understood phenomenon known as pulsating aurora.
Scientist Marc Lessard of the UNH Institute for the Study of Earth, Oceans, and Space (EOS) and Department of Physics led the experiment. Lessard’s Ph.D. student, Sarah Jones, designed the unique camera, which had to “despin” the digital imagery of the aurora taken from a rocket spinning at a rate of 60 revolutions per minute.

UNH "Energy & Environment" Students to work with Durham Public Works

The Department of Public Works is preparing to work with a group of UNH students who are taking Professor Ihab Farag's "Energy & Environment" class to conduct an Energy Star benchmark assessment on Town buildings.

UNH hosts regional MATHCOUNTS competition

DURHAM - Mathletes from nine middle and junior high schools from around the Seacoast area attended the annual regional MATHCOUNTS competition held Saturday, February 3, at UNH.
MATHCOUNTS is a nationwide mathematics enrichment, coaching and competition program designed to improve mathematic skills among U.S. students. More than six million students across the United States have participated in the MATHCOUNTS program.

UNH takes computer science to secondary students

This workshop is designed to bring secondary school teachers together to discuss issues surrounding the teaching of computer science. The focus will be on new approaches to teaching computer science, both in secondary school and at the university level. The presenters will include both an experienced high-school teacher and UNH faculty. The day will also include a discussion of the software design competition for high-school students that is part of the New Hampshire Science and Engineering Exposition and the presentation of a proposal for a new degree at UNH in Information Technology.

January 2007

ECE Emeritus Prof. Albert D. Frost, Receives the ILA President's Award

At the recent International Loran Association (ILA) Convention and Technical Symposium held in Groton CT, Dr. Albert D. Frost, Prof. (emeritus) of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of New Hampshire, was the recipient of the President's Award for his outstanding service and contributions to Loran and the ILA.

Seacoast MATHCOUNTS to be at UNH

Seacoast MATHCOUNTS Coaches have until January 31, 2007 to contact April Duhaime at (603) 862-1943 or aprild@unh.edu with the total number of students they will be bringing. We look forward to meeting the future MATHCOUNTS champions and problem solvers of tomorrow.