Physics Professor's Research Paves Way for Improved Liquid Crystal Displays
Charles Rosenblatt, professor of physics and macromolecular science at Case Western Reserve University, and his research group have developed a method of 3D optical imaging of anisotropic fluids such liquid crystals, with volumetric resolution one thousand times smaller than existing techniques. A research paper detailing the team's findings appeared in the September 21 advanced online publication of Nature Physics. The print version will be available soon.
The molecules of these fluids, such as liquid crystals and ordered polymers, gels and emulsion, can be oriented by magnetic or electric fields and thus can control the polarization properties of light. This is how liquid crystal displays in televisions, laptop computers and other digital devices operate. Designing these and future devices requires a detailed knowledge of the molecular order. Until now, much of the available information was based on inference from macroscopic experiments. Read more.
East Cleveland Children Dance for a Healthier Lifestyle in New Nursing School Study
Approximately 20 children from Mayfair Elementary School in East Cleveland will bounce to the dance beat this school year in a new study by a faculty member of the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing at Case Western Reserve University.
Students will participate in a research project to increase exercise to combat the growing health concern of pediatric obesity.
"We want children to enjoy exercising," said Marjorie "Peg" Heinzer, associate professor of nursing.
Heinzer is the lead investigator on the Midwest Nursing Research Society-funded study, "Dance Pad Exercise for a Healthy Weight in Childhood." Read more.
Campus News
Members of the campus community interested in hosting activities related to the university's observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday in January 2009 are invited to submit proposals to be considered for funding. Faculty, staff and students can complete the program proposal form online; a Case Western Reserve login and password are required. The deadline to submit proposals is Monday, November 10.
"The Many Faces of STEM," a one-day outreach event for Cleveland-area eighth graders and supported by the National Science Foundation and Alcoa, will take place at 9:30 a.m. Friday, October 17, in Nord Hall and several Case School of Engineering and College of Arts and Sciences labs. Key leaders of this initiative are LaShanda Korley, assistant professor of macromolecular science and engineering; LaRuth McAfee, executive director of education, the Center for Layered Polymeric Systems (CLiPS); Chris Hernandez, assistant professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering and director, Musculoskeletal Mechanics and Materials Laboratory; and Carlos Crespo, assistant professor of chemistry. The university is hosting 55 students from Wade Park and Empire Middle Schools for a morning of demonstrations and tours in campus science and engineering laboratories. This will also serve as an opportunity to provide students with enrichment activities at Case Western Reserve and to introduce them to college-age role models in the science, technical, engineering and mathematics fields. The event is designed to motivate the students to pursue science and engineering-related opportunities throughout high school, and encourage them to pursue science and engineering careers.
The Cuyahoga County Board of Elections and the university's Office of Government Relations want all voters to be aware that they may take advantage of the vote by mail option in the November 4 General Election. All registered voters may take advantage of this option. Follow the Web link to download a ballot application.
Case Western Reserve students, faculty and staff have received a number of official-looking phish messages asking them to verify accounts by replying with their passwords and other personal information. These messages are never legitimate. Case Western Reserve will never ask for passwords or related information via e-mail. If you or somebody you know has responded to one of these messages, contact the Case Help Desk immediately for instructions on how to reset and protect your accounts. Learn more about phishing scams.
For Faculty and Staff
The Office of the Chief Information Officer/Vice President for Information Technology Services (ITS) is making available up to $250,000 during fiscal year 2008-2009 to support its initiative in Advanced Research Computing. These funds are intended to supplement external funding obtained by faculty researchers who invest in the central High Performance Computing (HPC) Resource operated as a core facility by ITS. Up to a 100 percent match may be obtained for hardware acquisition, software licensing and other expenditures related to use and support of the core facility's HPC Resource. Applications are reviewed by the Advisory Committee on Research Computing. For more information on this program, go to the Web site or contact Roger Bielefeld, director of Advanced Research Computing.
For Students
Students who want to participate in future Ohio elections can now receive a copy of a "utility bill" from the Office of Housing, Residence Life & Greek Life to verify their residency in Ohio. The Ohio Secretary of State decided that utility bills would be considered appropriate verification of residency for college students. In addition, students who registered by the state's deadline will be able to use this letter for absentee voting in the November 4 election. Students interested in obtaining this verification of residence should stop by one of three offices for the Office of Housing, Residence Life & Greek Life—Yost Hall, Wade Commons or Fribley Commons—to receive a copy of the letter.
All students are invited to attend "What is an HBCU? And Why Should You Know?" at 7 p.m., Thursday, October 23, at Wade Fireside. This event will be a panel discussion/informational forum to help the Case Western Reserve community learn more about HBCUs (historically black colleges and universities). The event is being hosted by Camille Thornton, a management student at Case Western Reserve who spent a semester at Fisk University as part of the Case-Fisk Partnership program. Refreshments will be provided. Co-sponsored by the University Program Board.
Events
The Inamori International Center for Ethics and Excellence is hosting Gary Marchant of Arizona State University, who will speak on the topic of "Murder Genes and Dangerous Minds: New Roles for Genetics and Neuroscience in the Courts?" at 12:30 p.m., Friday, October 17, at Inamori Center. Part of the Friday Public Affairs Discussion Group.
Park Lane Villa, 10510 Park Lane, is hosting an open house for all University Circle Inc. members and their guests from 5:30-7:30 p.m. this evening. The event will include complimentary refreshments and a building tour. For more information call (216) 421-0101.
The views and opinions of those invited to speak on campus do not necessarily reflect the views of the university administration or any other segment of the university community.
