The winners of the Desal Prize, the second call for Securing Water for Food: A Grand Challenge for Development, have been announced by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Bureau of Reclamation. “The Desal Prize was developed to supply catalytic funding to capture and support the innovative ideas and new technologies that could have a significant impact.” The goal of the competition is to create cost-effective, energy efficient and environmentally sustainable desalination technologies that can provide potable water for humans and that can be used for crops in developing countries.
First place went to a team from MIT and Jain Irrigation Systems for designing a photovoltaic-powered electrodialysis reversal system. The team was led by MIT assistant professor Amos G. Winter, Ph.D. (MA D ’03). Second place went to a team from the University of Texas at El Paso from the Center for Inland Desalination Systems (CIDS). The team was led by CIDS associate director Malynda Cappelle, Ph.D. (NM B ’00), in designing a Zero Discharge Desalination technology.
Τ
Mike J. Massimino, Ph.D. (NY A ’84), will be the “first-ever guest speaker at MIT’s Investiture of Doctoral Hoods, a ceremony for Ph.D. candidates held the day before Commencement.” The event will take place Thursday, June 4, beginning at 11:30am. The ceremony is open to family and friends of doctoral candidates; no tickets are required. For more information, click here
Massimino is now a professor of professional practice at the Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science at Columbia University. He did his graduate work for his master’s and Ph.D. degrees at MIT and his graduate research on human operator control of space robotics systems led to two patents. Massimino has logged more than 570 hours in space as a NASA astronaut with the focus of his two missions on servicing the Hublle Space Telescope.
Β
The Missouri University of Science and Technology recently celebrated campus leadership and support at the 12th annual Student Leaders’ Awards program. Austin K. Anderson, MO B 2016, an electrical engineering junior received the Tau Beta Pi Member of the Semester Award for his embodiment of the organization’s values and for his academic rigor and character. Julie M. Ezzell, MO B 2015, a graduate student in engineering management received the Tau Beta Pi Graduate Electee of the Semester Award for her unwavering commitment to the organization during her time as a prospective member. Karan Madra, MO B 2015, a graduate student in engineering management and Kelly N. Dunlap, MO B 2016, a senior in chemical engineering received the Tau Beta Pi Officer of the Semester Award for their dedication to the organization and excellent leadership during their time in office. See the full list of winners and other Tau Bates from the Missouri Beta Chapter that were recognized.
Π
Tau Beta Pi 