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September 23, 2003

GE Innovation Summit presents panels, students offered fun and prizes

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue University experts will talk about the latest in research and development at the GE Innovation Summit, and students can take part in activities and win prizes at Innovation Village.

The village will take place from 10 a.m. —3 p.m. on Monday (9/29) on the Memorial Mall. The summit will follow at 7 p.m. in Fowler Hall, Stewart Center.

"This forum allows students and faculty to discuss the importance of innovation – what's next in research and development – with leading business leaders," said Howard Sypher, coordinator for the panel and professor and head of the communication department. "During this panel discussion we'll learn about advancements in industries such as aviation and aerospace, engineering and communications."

The Purdue panelists will highlight Purdue research in their areas of expertise. The representatives from GE will comment on Purdue's efforts and present their perspectives on innovation in engineering on a global scale. A question-and answer-session will follow the panel discussion. The summit is free and open to the public.

The panelists are:

  • Sypher, an expert in communication and technology, serves on Purdue's Center for Education and Research in Information Awareness and Security Advisory Board. He also has been involved in the Purdue Communication, Time and Technology Study.
  • Tom Farris, professor and head of the School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, is studying experimental and analytical characterization of aircraft-material fatigue. He also is conducting manufacturing process research, which includes experimental and analytical work on grinding and super finishing of hardened steels and ceramics for precision components.
  • Jay Gore, Reilly Professor of Combustion Engineering and associate dean for the Schools of Engineering, is an expert in combustion, flame radiation, combustion and heat transfer in materials processing and pollutant reduction.
  • Alexander King, professor and head of the school of materials engineering, specializes in the study of grain boundaries, the tiny features that define the properties of metals.
  • Sanjay Correa, technology leader for Advanced Energy Technologies at GE Global Research, is an expert in computational fluid dynamics, combustion and emissions technology for gas turbines, and jet propulsion technology.
  • Robyn Brands, from GE Aircraft Systems and a graduate of Purdue's Schools of Engineering Purdue, is an expert of the GE-90 Engine, the world's largest commercial aircraft engine.

Dan Skinner, station manager of WBAA radio station, will moderate the panel.

Innovation Village, sponsored by the Purdue Student Union Board, will feature an Innovation Postcard, a 9-feet by 15-feet blank canvas on which students and faculty can share their thoughts about innovation both on campus and globally.

Students and other visitors also can play Innovation IQ, a quiz show in which contestants compete with each other for prizes.

Another attraction is the Esquire Best and Brightest Photo Station, where people can have their faces superimposed on the cover of Esquire Magazine. While at the photo station, entries can be submitted for the Best and Brightest Essay Contest. The author of the best essay on innovation will win a free trip for two to New York City for Esquire’s Best and Brightest gala in November.

Writers: Amy Patterson-Neubert, (765) 494-9723, apatterson@purdue.edu

Marydell Forbes (765) 496-7704, mforbes@purdue.edu

Sources: Howard Sypher, (765) 494-3300, HSypher@sla.purdue.edu

Heather Owen, PSUB program advisor, (765) 494-8909, owenh@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu


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