DURHAM, N.C. – The ability to use genetic material to assemble nanoscopic particles of gold could be an important step toward creating tiny “spies” that will be able to infiltrate individual cells and report back in real time on the cell’s inner workings.A team of Duke University materials engineers and chemists has developed tiny gold nanostructures that can create signals from subtle changes in light reflecting off their nanoscale surfaces.
Professor Tod Laursen has been named chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science, Dean Robert Clark and Dean designee Tom Katsouleas announced on June 26. He succeeds professor Franklin H. Cocks, who served as interim chair during the 2007/2008 academic year.
MESSAGE FROM DEAN ROBERT CLARK AND DEAN DESIGNEE TOM KATSOULEAS
Dear Pratt Community,
It is our pleasure to announce that Tod Laursen has agreed to assume the Chairmanship of the Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science Department effective July 1 for a three-year term. Tod will replace Hadley Cocks, who is completing his term as interim Chair on June 30. The Department and School are extremely fortunate to have benefited from Hadley's experienced leadership during this transition.
Residence hall/laboratory receives state's first platinum LEED rating
DURHAM, NC -- The Home Depot Smart Home at Duke University, a 10-person student residence hall for green living and learning, has achieved a top-level platinum standard for its design from the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED rating system. The building becomes the first in North Carolina to achieve that standard.
LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.
By Richard MerrittThe rapid convergence of social networks, mobile phones and global positioning technology has given Duke University engineers the ability to create something they call "virtual sticky notes," site-specific messages that people can leave for others to pick up on their mobile phones.
2007/2008 - The Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant (TA) Awards for 2007-2008 were presented to Faisal Reza and Rebecca Wilusz; the Outstanding Undergraduate TA award was presented to Kassity Liu: and the Outstanding Undergraduate Grader award was presented to Ian Peikon. Honorable mentions for TAs went to Yu Tanouchi, Pavel Yarmolenko, Matt Novak and Grader to Caitlin Fearing.
Seizures, the often frightening and historically misunderstood outward manifestations of epilepsy, have long challenged physicians and struck fear in patients. Although there are drugs on the market to control seizures, many patients receive little benefit.But there may now be a reason to hope for some of these patients.
DURHAM, N.C. – A genetic tool used by medical researchers may also be used in a novel approach to remove harmful microbes and viruses from drinking water.In a series of proof-of-concept experiments, Duke University engineers demonstrated that short strands of genetic material could successfully target a matching portion of a gene in a common fungus found in water and make it stop working.
