Research being done at the University of Washington (UW) is using lasers to refrigerate water. A paper on this research was recently published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. The senior author was Peter J. Pauzauskie, Ph.D. (KS G ’02), an assistant professor of materials science and engineering at UW. “Typically, when you go to the movies and see Star Wars laser blasters, they heat things up. This is the first example of a laser beam that will refrigerate liquids like water under everyday conditions,” Dr. Pauzauskie said.
Read the article for more details on the development of laser refrigeration and its practical applications.
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The Chronicle of Higher Education posted a listing for five open faculty positions in the department of mechanical engineering at Virginia Tech. The five areas of positions are in combustion, energy (nuclear engineering), energy, advanced manufacturing/ materials, and bio-inspired science and engineering. According to the listing, applicants must hold a doctorate degree in engineering or a closely related discipline. Review of applications for all positions will begin on December 10, 2015, and will continue until the positions are filled.
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Linda B. Katehi, Ph.D. (IL A ’77), was recently profiled by The Sacramento Bee. Dr. Katehi is currently the chancellor of the University of California Davis, a member of the National Academy of Engineering, and past Provost and Vice Chancellor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The article details her journey from the Greek island of Salamis to earning three electrical engineering degrees.
Click here to learn more about her path to leadership and her ability to overcome obstacles on her way to a successful (engineering) career in academia.
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Tau Beta Pi 