Research News
August 2008 IssueTable of Contents:
IIT Research Report - A Cleaner Planet
MMAE Hosts Symposium on Sustainability and Product Development
Ganesh Raman wins 2008 Lindbergh-Lycoming Grant
American Cancer Society Requests Applications in Two Areas of Healthcare
Grant Submission Announcement
Acknowledgements
IIT Research Report - A Cleaner Planet
Researchers the world over are striving to find ways to clean and preserve air, water, and land, reduce dependency on fossil fuels, create alternate energy sources and recycle used materials. At the Illinois Institute of Technology, researchers are developing new technologies and conducting fundamental research that will aid in improvement of energy utilization and sustainability of the planet. This report highlights some of the research being performed by IIT faculty.
MMAE Hosts Symposium on Sustainability and Product Development
America’s ability to innovate has been one of its greatest strengths. Through economic and market expansions and downturns, innovation has been the cornerstone of the United States economy’s resilience. However, in today’s global economy, manufacturers face many challenges; product development has competition from all corners of the world, consumers and legislators are calling for more sustainable manufacturing processes, and the digital solutions that can help address both these issues are evolving at an ever-faster pace. Small- and medium-sized companies can be overwhelmed by the impact these factors can have on even day-to-day operations, and as a result suffer drastically.
“The purpose of our symposium was inherently to foster local innovation,” states Jamal Yagoobi, chair of the First Annual Symposium on Sustainability and Product Development.“Manufacturers looking for fresh ideas to maintain an edge over global competition in new product development were able to meet the brainpower that is leading the way, focusing on the areas of advanced manufacturing, sustainable manufacturing, and digital design.”
Held at IIT August 7–8, the symposium was organized by the MMAE department, in conjunction with Argonne National Laboratory, Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, and the Chicago Manufacturing Center, and funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration. The program featured expert speakers from the nation’s top engineering programs along with manufacturing leaders who shared ideas, success stories, and best practices in the areas of advanced manufacturing, digital design, and sustainability. Companies in attendance ranged from small operations such as O’Hare Spring Company and reXorce to household names like Kraft and Boeing.
Another draw of the symposium was an initiative led by IIT and Argonne National Laboratory, in which businesses were offered the opportunity to meet one-on-one with technology experts from Argonne National Laboratory and IIT for one or two days of personal consultation. These sessions were deemed a great success, helping companies answer questions on a range of topics, including product and process design, advanced manufacturing, and manufacturing sustainability.
A speaker at the event, Congresswoman Melissa Bean, U.S. Representative to Illinois' Eighth Congressional District and a strong advocate for local small businesses, commented on the importance of the symposium: “I applaud the partnering of IIT, Argonne National Lab, the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, the Chicago Manufacturing Center, and our academic community. Today’s event is just one example of their ongoing efforts to strengthen our business community and stimulate growth through innovation.
Ganesh Raman wins 2008 Lindbergh-Lycoming Grant
Dr. Raman has been awarded the 2008 Lindbergh-Lycoming Grant for his project entitled, “Ultrasonic Actuators for Quiet Aircraft.” The Lindbergh-Lycoming grant specifically funds aviation and aerospace innovation projects that focus on a balance between advancement in technology and preservation of the human and natural environment.
The noise from jet aircraft engines poses both potential psychological and physiological health hazards to millions of people who live and work in the vicinity of airports. Jet aircraft noise can also be a hindrance to economic development of a region as prevalent noise abatement techniques and procedures often restrict the maximum use of airports and air transportation, and can result in reduced payload capacity and fuel efficiency.
Dr. Raman's project is to develop a noise suppression technology that can be selectively activated and operated, for example, in the vicinity of airports, but turned off in cruise for fuel economy. The project employs an ultrasonic powered resonance tube intended to reduce audible jet engine noise with a minimal impact on performance. Dr. Raman has an extensive background in the research and design of noise suppression technology.
American Cancer Society Requests Applications in Two Areas of Healthcare
Request for Applications (RFA):The Role of Healthcare and Insurance in Improving Outcomes in Cancer Prevention, Early Detection and Treatment
The American Cancer Society is announcing this RFA to investigate the impact of healthcare costs, healthcare system and capacity, insurance status, social factors and delivery of health care services, on outcomes in cancer prevention, early detection and treatment. The purpose of this RFA is to stimulate research on the effects of the US healthcare system structure and the role of insurance on access to screenings and treatment.Of particular interest is research using linked databases such as SEER, Medicare payment data, State data and NCHS data; other existing databases. Studies may be at the state, multi-state, or national levels, or otherwise involve large populations. Respondents should specifically describe how their results would generalize to the broader corresponding U.S. populations. More information...
The American Cancer Society MEN2 Thyroid Cancer Consortium Research Scholars/Mentored Research Scholars/Postdoctoral Fellows
The American Cancer Society announces this Request for Applications for the American Cancer Society MEN2 Thyroid Cancer Consortium. The scope of research in this Consortium will cover all aspects of MEN2-related cancer research. While the consortium will focus on the function of RET as an oncogene, appropriate areas of investigation include, but are not limited to: understanding consequences of RET mutations, and the molecular events underlying the development of MEN2-related (thyroid and other) tumors, improved animal models of MEN2, new screening and monitoring tools, new imaging approaches, and new pharmacologic and other strategies to blunt the effects of RET mutations. More information...
When there are limitations or restrictions on the number of applications that can be submitted by an organization, an internal competition is announced. More information...
Acknowledgements
Ali Cinar, Ph.D.
Dean of the Graduate College and
Vice Provost for Research
312.567.3637
cinar@iit.edu
Ganesh Raman, Ph.D.
Associate Dean for Research
312.567.3554
raman@iit.edu
Julia Chase, M.S.
Editor and Production Coordinator
chasej@iit.edu
The Staff of Research Support Services:
Toni R. Allen
Associate Director
Office of Sponsored Research & Programs
312.567.3035
allen@iit.edu
Glenn Krell, M.P.A., C.R.A
Director
Office of Research Compliance and Proposal Development
312.567.7141
krell@iit.edu
Robert Lapointe, M.B.A, J.D.
Manager, Research Marketing & Business Development
Graduate College
312.567.7135
lapointe@iit.edu
Domenica G. Pappas, C.R.A
Director
Office of Sponsored Research & Programs
312.567.3035
pappas@iit.edu
Flo Redmond, M.B.A, C.R.A.
Associate Director
312.567.3340
redmond@iit.edu