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July 24, 2014
In the Spotlight
Spinach gave Popeye super strength, but it also holds the promise of a different power for a group of scientists: the ability to convert sunlight into a clean, efficient alternative fuel. Purdue physicists are part of an international group using spinach to study the proteins involved in photosynthesis, the process by which plants convert the sun's energy into carbohydrates used to power cellular processes.
Faculty and staff news
The Administrative and Professional Staff Advisory Committee and the Clerical and Service Staff Advisory Committee are accepting nominations for the Community Spirit Award. The nomination deadline is Aug. 29.
Purdue employees traveling overseas should be aware of enhanced security measures the U.S. Transportation Security Administration recently implemented at certain overseas airports with direct flights to the United States.
Research news
Researchers have discovered a previously unknown mechanism for wear in metals: a swirling, fluid-like microscopic behavior in a solid piece of metal sliding over another.
Here is a list of research studies that currently are looking for participants.
General news
Startups that have licensed innovations developed at Purdue or startups that are based in the four-site Purdue Research Park network are eligible to apply for a round of funding from the Emerging Innovations Fund. The cumulative funding of all awards could total up to $150,000.
Students taking the Zero-Gravity Flight Experiment course at Purdue will see their creation soar to the upper atmosphere to study a new green propellant, partnering with Aerojet Rocketdyne to demonstrate that the propellant can replace the traditional but highly toxic hydrazine fuel.
Fourteen high school students from Colombia have been studying at Purdue this month through the efforts of a Colombia-Purdue partnership and a Purdue summer program for gifted students.
Many countries will mark the 100th anniversary of the start of World War I this summer, and even though America's military role in the conflict came later, now is a chance to learn about a war that is often overlooked, says a Purdue historian.
The television movie "Sharknado" phenomenon is a different take on the bad film genre thanks to social media, but what helps make it so popular also makes it toothless, says a Purdue film expert.
People
Chancellor James B. Dworkin of Purdue North Central has published a children's book called "The Dog and The Dolphin." Dworkin will donate part of the proceeds to endow a scholarship for students in the PNC Early Childhood Education program.
Purdue sports
As part of its strategic plan, Intercollegiate Athletics releases comprehensive annual updates.
Rob Bradley, Purdue men's golf head coach, has released a 14-tournament 2014-15 schedule, including the Boilermaker Invitational on April 18-19. The invitational is the lone home event of the year.
Nine track and field Boilermakers, including five men and four women, were among the 1,223 individual All-Academic winners announced by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association on Tuesday (July 22).
For more information on Purdue sports, go to www.purduesports.com.
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