University Chapter News
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UNIVERSITY CHAPTER NEWS
MRS University Chapter at NDSU Wins 2005 “Chapter Challenge” The MRS University Chapter at North Dakota State University (NDSU) won the Materials Research Society Chapter Challenge 2005. In September 2004, MRS introduced the challenge in order to spark a little “friendly competition” among its university chapters. The chapter members were to design and carry out a creative program or activity that relates to the theme “Sustainability in Materials Science and Engineering.” The chapter members at NDSU focused on the “Role of Materials in Alternative Energy Sources” and took their message to people of different educational levels. Through activities ranging from panel discussions in the university to a booth at the mall, members of the chapter discussed materials issues surrounding their topic. The chapter held a panel discussion on March 10 at the NDSU campus in which a group of experts addressed the topic “In Search of Alternative Energy Sources: Technological, Environmental, and Economic Perspectives.” Addressing an audience of university students, faculty, staff, and members from other organizations, Bor Jang (Department of Mechanical Engineering) gave a general overview of the concern for alternative energy sources and where research is heading. Rajesh Kavasseri (Electrical Engineering) and Radu Danescu (Mechanical Engineering) talked about the possibilities and potential problems of using wind as a source of energy—an attractive alternative for North Dakota. While Eakalak Khan (Environmental Engineering) laid out environmental issues and how researchers are approaching them, Chiwon Lee (Plant Science) acquainted the audience with biomass. Lee explained how some of the grasses they see around them could serve as an alternative source of energy. Cole Gustafson from the Department of Agro-Economics captured the audience’s attention when he summarized the investment policies of the governments of different states on various alternative energy sources. The emphasis on wind energy by the people of North Dakota became obvious in a survey the chapter conducted at the West Acres Shopping Mall in Fargo on March 26. When asked what type of energy they would like to see increase in use, most of the 80 participants said wind. The next favorite was hydro energy, then solar and fuel cells, with municipal waste chosen by only a few of the participants. The majority of those surveyed said renewable energy sources should receive the highest research priority, and they were willing to pay for it if necessary. The NDSU chapter also staffed a booth MRS BULLETIN • VOLUME 30 • AUGUST 2005
Visualization of an alternative energy world. Courtesy: Tricia Porter, South High School, Fargo, ND.
The NDSU MRS University Chapter team with the science teacher, Lois Ewertz (second from right), at North High School in Fargo.
MRS University Chapter president Pijush Ghosh talks to one of the visitors at the booth in the West Acres Shopping Mall in Fargo.
NDSU MRS University Chapter member Devendra Verma (second fro
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