Engineering FYI, November 2009, Part II

New research at Princeton University will allow “scientists an unprecedented look at a special class of proteins called histones.”

The research is being done by a team of biologists and engineers. Included in the team are graduate students Peter DiMaggio, RI B ’04, and Richard Baliban, PA D ’06.

The results of the research will be published in the October issue of Molecular & Cellular Proteomics, highlighting the new technique that is faster and requires less materials to achieve a “much more nuanced result than existing methods.”
Read article from ScienceDaily LLC

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Through efforts to “design the ideal thermal-to-electric converter,” researchers at MIT are working on technology that could allow for the “conversion of waste heat into electricity with an efficiency several times greater than existing devices.”

The next step is for the development of a key device in the process, quantum dot devices. Development of more devices is underway to maximize efficiency and high levels of throughput. Read news release

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The U.S. Green Building Council has selected the No. 1 “Outstanding Single Family Project” for 2009.

The Sage, located in Eugene, OR, was chosen from approximately 1,300 LEED certified houses.

The Sage recorded the highest score ever, 110, for a LEED house. Developers of the house are proud of its aesthetics, which make it seem like less of a “green house” and more homey. Read article

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