Thursday, March 14, 2013
Team aims to create high-quality, lower-cost nanofibers
Carbon nanotubes, the super-strong building blocks of nanotechnology, hold the promise of reinforcing everything from golf clubs to airplane parts, but they're difficult and expensive to process into something useful. University of Nebraska-Lincoln engineers have demonstrated a promising new way to exploit their unusual structure and properties more easily and less expensively.
The team, led by Yuris Dzenis, McBroom Professor of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, uses carbon nanotubes as a template to create a better carbon nanomaterial. They're making continuous carbon nanofibers, which offer advantages over nanotubes alone in structural materials. Read more about this research in Today@UNL.
Math master's program now online
Mathematicians today are acknowledging Pi Day, the celebration of the irrational number Pi (approximately 3.14), which is produced by dividing the circumference of a circle by its diameter. UNL's Department of Mathematics is celebrating by announcing that its Mathematics Master of Arts in Teaching program is now available online.
With the flexibility and convenience of the online format, teachers of grades 6-12 who can not come to campus can access the degree program, which helps them develop a deeper understanding of mathematics in the secondary curriculum and strengthens their skills in mathematics pedagogy. Applications for the program are being accepted for fall 2013. Read more about this program in Today@UNL.
Faculty, staff must follow conflict of interest policy
Faculty and staff are reminded to follow and review UNL's "Conflict of Interest" policy. The policy (No. 6.2.1.12, approved by the NU Board of Regents) states that the university is not permitted to purchase any goods or services from faculty or staff without prior approval of the Chris Jackson, vice chancellor for Business and Finance. Furthermore, university funds shall not be expended for the personal use of employees.
Additionally, in accordance with NU Regents policy 3.2.8.4, a conflict of interest can exist when a UNL employee or faculty member's immediate family member engages with business with the university. Read more about this policy in Today@UNL.
Free 'Spring Break Survival Kits' available
The University Health Center is handing out travel tips and free Spring Break Survival Kits from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Nebraska East Union.
Volunteers needed for human performance study
UNL's Human Performance Laboratory is conducting a research study to determine the reliability of various methods used to measure neuromuscular function in males 65 and older.
The study is about one week long and includes three visits, each lasting 60 to 90 minutes. Participants must be 65 or older; have no known cardiovascular, pulmonary or musculoskeletal disease; and can not have a pacemaker or metal hip implants. Read more about this study in Today@UNL.
Latest from the UNL Newsroom
See all UNL news releases
Alumna receives Fulbright for Indonesia study
Recent UNL graduate Lindsay Graef has been awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to go to Indonesia, where she will be an English teaching assistant. Graef, who majored in studio art at UNL, will be leaving her hometown of Lincoln for nine months this fall. Graef's award is the first announced Fulbright at UNL in 2013.
The Fulbright Program, established in 1946 and funded by the U.S. Department of State, is designed to foster understanding between the United States and other countries. The U.S. Student Fulbright program gives recent graduates, graduate students and young professionals the opportunity to conduct research, study or teach in one of 155 countries. About 8,000 grants are awarded each year and about 1,600 of those grants are awarded to U.S. students. Read more about this Fulbright in Today@UNL.
Wind Ensemble to perform
UNL's Wind Ensemble will perform at 7:30 p.m. in Kimball Recital Hall. Tickets, available at the door about one-hour before the performance, are $5 general admission, $3 students/senior citizens.
The Wind Ensemble is UNL premiere concert band and features 20th century American compositions. The group's repertoire reflects the most recent technical and innovations alongside the rich tradition of wind and percussion instruments. The ensemble is actively involved in commissioning new pieces. Composers regularly are in residence with the band.
Lectures
NEBRASKA UNION, 11:30AMWomen's Week Leadership Luncheon, "Minority Women in Mental Health Professions"
Panel discussion sponsored by Ethnic Minority Affairs Committee (EMAC) and Planned Parenthood.
Biochemistry Graduate Student Seminar - "Tuning the Electronic Absorption of Protein-Embedded All-trans retinal"
Brenna Zimmer
Biological Sciences Seminar, "Cascading Ecological Speciation Among Phytophagous Insects and Their Parasitoid Wasp Guilds"
Andrew Forbes, University of Iowa
Environmental Cognition and Education Seminar
Mark Lubell, University of California, Davis
Humanities on the Edge Lecture, "Going Home Ain't Easy: A Politics of Ethics and Advocacy in Performance Ethnography"
E. Patrick Johnson, Northwestern University
