tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4892019092459195252024-03-14T10:42:46.468-07:00Laboratory for Electrochemical Advanced Power [LEAP]We are dedicated in developing new materials for next generation of electrochemical energy conversion and storage (Fuel Cells and Batteries)Chandreshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03161170157375727913noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489201909245919525.post-30741504177391247302010-10-18T09:54:00.000-07:002010-10-18T09:59:29.606-07:00Recent Editorial by Professor BardFolks, I recently came across this interesting editorial from Professor Allen Bard (UT-Austin). For those who call themselves electrochemists, Professor Bard is what we grew up with, his book being the bible of sorts. I therefore value his opinion and find the editorial very timely and apt. See below:<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/15px Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; width: auto; "><em style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">This guest editorial is by </em><strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">Allen J. Bard,</strong><em style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "> a chemistry professor and director of the Center for Electrochemistry at the University of Texas, Austin.</em></p><p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/15px Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; width: auto; "><strong style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; ">The culture</strong> of academic research has shifted over the past 50 years from research evaluation based on teaching, creativity, and productivity to one based simply on the amount of money (often now called “resources”) raised. A number of factors have played a role in this change: the “business model” for universities, an increased willingness to accept greed as a virtue in our society and as a measure of success, and a desire for an easy “objective” measure of something that is otherwise difficult to quantify.</p><p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/15px Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; width: auto; ">As a result, we have reached the point where faculty members are judged more by the amount of research funds they have raised, primarily from government agencies, than by the accomplishments that flow from the funding. Obtaining high levels of funding is considered not only desirable, but absolutely necessary, and I’ve been party to tenure discussions that have centered on this (for example, on the need for “scoring two major grants”) rather than on the quality of work.</p><p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/15px Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; width: auto; ">It is possible to rationalize this attitude by saying that funds raised are a measure of how one is evaluated by one’s peers. The fact is, however, that the final decision to fund really comes from project officers who have often become remote from the frontiers of research and often fall prey to the fad of the month. It is also true that the best grant-swingers are those who are willing shamelessly to hype their research and their field—truth and modesty be damned.</p><p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/15px Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; width: auto; ">The result of this cultural shift, as we have heard over and over from colleagues, is that one spends 70% of one’s working time writing proposals and seeking funding. Thus, not only do we operate under a model where highly trained scientists are almost immediately removed from direct hands-on research upon arriving at a faculty position, but now are also largely removed even from close research supervision of students.</p><p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/15px Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; width: auto; ">As the system develops, the probability of being funded on any given project gets smaller and smaller, so one must keep writing and sending in proposals that have to be processed and evaluated by a growing number of project officers, but, alas, by a fixed number of peers. The agencies, forever seeking more funding from the government, also keep inventing an alphabet soup of new programs. These come with an increasing bureaucratic burden of accepting the funds, thus guaranteeing an ever-increasing time commitment by investigators.</p><p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/15px Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; width: auto; ">A more recent and potentially even more damaging trend is a growing expectation by universities that faculty should help fund operations not only through overhead from research grants, but also through the generation of intellectual property (IP). Faculty is heavily encouraged to generate patents and find partners to license them, or, even better, to nucleate new start-up companies. To advance this agenda, universities are hiring highly paid administrators—with visions of Warfarin and Gatorade dancing in their heads—to head technology commercialization efforts. These are intended not only to generate additional funds for the university, but also to demonstrate to the public the “economic value” of the university to society. These kinds of activities have even been described as “critical to the mission of a university.” While such considerations have not yet become a major influence on promotion and tenure decisions, one has reason to fear for the future.</p><p style="margin-top: 10px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/15px Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16px; width: auto; ">No wonder we have problems with attracting good young people to careers in academic science despite large outreach efforts. If working closely with students and doing long-term fundamental research is not the goal and money is the important thing, there are more lucrative professions than academic ones for them to pursue. I also fear that the perceived importance of money in science has led to a public backlash on issues like climate change and chemical toxicity, with the feeling that scientists are pushing these areas to get funding and not necessarily because they believe all that they report. This indeed is tragic</p></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06310483985783202434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489201909245919525.post-88127854597393521142010-08-03T09:54:00.000-07:002010-08-03T10:21:58.173-07:00Northeastern University Wins the Prestigious Princeton Review Green Rating<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Northeastern University has been chosen to be among 18 select colleges and Universities for the Princeton Reviews Green Rating. In its third annual green review, 18 institutions received the highest score of 99 when measured for the following criterion:</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.princetonreview.com/green/press-release.aspx">http://www.princetonreview.com/green/press-release.aspx</a></p></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; "><br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, 'Trebuchet MS', Tahoma, Verdana; font-size: 12px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); line-height: 18px; "><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 6px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">1) The percentage of food expenditures that goes toward local, organic or otherwise environmentally preferable food</span></span></p></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 6px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">2) Whether the school offers programs including free bus passes, universal access transit passes, bike sharing/renting, car sharing, carpool parking, vanpooling or guaranteed rides home to encourage alternatives to single-passenger automobile use for students</span></span></p></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 6px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">3) Whether the school has a formal committee with participation from students that is devoted to advancing sustainability on campus</span></span></p></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 6px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">4) Whether new buildings are required to be LEED (environmental certification of equipment/appliances) Silver certified or comparable</span></span></p></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 6px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">5) The school's overall waste diversion rate</span></span></p></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 6px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">6) Whether the school has an environmental studies major, minor or concentration</span></span></p></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 6px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">7) Whether the school has an "environmental literacy" requirement</span></span></p></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 6px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">8) Whether the school has produced a publicly available greenhouse gas emissions inventory and adopted a climate action plan consistent with 80 percent greenhouse gas reductions by 2050 targets</span></span></p></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 6px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">9) What percentage of the school’s energy consumption, including heading/cooling and electrical, is derived from renewable sources (this definition included “green tags” but not nuclear or large-scale hydropower)</span></span></p></div><div style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 6px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">10) Whether the school employs a dedicated full-time (or full-time equivalent) sustainability officer.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 6px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Among the 18 institutions are:</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 6px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Arizona State University (Tempe, AZ), College of the Atlantic (Bar Harbor, ME), Evergreen State College (Olympia, WA), Georgia Institute of Technology (Atlanta, GA), Harvard College (Cambridge, MA), Northeastern University (Boston, MA), Northland College (Ashland, WI), State University of New York, Binghampton, Unity College (Unity, ME), University of California, Berkeley, Santa Barbara and at Santa Cruz, University of Maine (Oronoro, ME), University of Maryland, College Park, Warren Wilson College (Asheville, NC), West Virginia University and Yale University.</span></span></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 6px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Congratulations to the people in the Northeastern University Sustainability program and their continued efforts to Green the campus. For more information follow the link to: </span></span><a href="http://www.northeastern.edu/sustainability/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">http://www.northeastern.edu/sustainability/</span></a></p><p style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 6px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium; "><br /></span></span></p></div></span></div></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06310483985783202434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489201909245919525.post-49377553232489085922010-07-20T10:25:00.000-07:002010-07-20T10:34:11.047-07:00Shanghai in July<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaZ2ha2dHuxInKrPWizMSq91n5qYN34E22NyfPgyHmywxhC_XSPcoqYQvMpENc25BWCFYTKeRRRVh2bXKHDkqoOfiFnjqEbcFP6Wnrb_RCQHek1x05gErsH0zQuR-F6nbaHs5WXf0dJNc/s1600/Picture+040.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaZ2ha2dHuxInKrPWizMSq91n5qYN34E22NyfPgyHmywxhC_XSPcoqYQvMpENc25BWCFYTKeRRRVh2bXKHDkqoOfiFnjqEbcFP6Wnrb_RCQHek1x05gErsH0zQuR-F6nbaHs5WXf0dJNc/s200/Picture+040.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496042395261402034" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxbKQde0yaSWyV8438scMOLqJHeQZZyErLtP5G3-04WkRbznUX5haXEnRJ2adBNT-NWJxNBchFEmwZGJk255QqohKFe7QO3zYaGoC6p1jnzMQp8F44hPcHTI7jss6cxgImziTyqnvJvio/s1600/Picture+019.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 134px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxbKQde0yaSWyV8438scMOLqJHeQZZyErLtP5G3-04WkRbznUX5haXEnRJ2adBNT-NWJxNBchFEmwZGJk255QqohKFe7QO3zYaGoC6p1jnzMQp8F44hPcHTI7jss6cxgImziTyqnvJvio/s200/Picture+019.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5496041830054533586" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 17px; font-family:Verdana, sans-serif;font-size:11px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: normal; font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:16px;">Reached Shanghai for the 8th International Symposium on New Materials for Electrochemical Systems organized by Ecole Polytechnique de Montreal and Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Shanghai at this time of the year is steamy and wet. However the city never ceases to amaze me with the level of growth and sheer force of its development. Stayed a the Jianguo Hotel on Caioxi Road, which was very centrally located. Was received by Dr. Wen Wen at the airport, he is doing very well and at the present works as a staff scientist at the new Shanghai light source. He seemed to be well settled with all the trappings (car, apartment and socially as well). It was a good conference with a lot of papers and posters from students and postdocs, exuding the confidence and energy of China. I am posting some of the pictures which I took in Shanghai during my brief but enjoyable trips out of the hotel into the usual tourist places in Shanghai.<div>Most visited spot was in the bund area where the muddy Huangpu river bends with the very impressive sky scrappers over on the other side called Pudong. I have a video of this posted to show the impressive scale of the buildings. Nanjing road on the other side is the usual tourist area with shops and touts selling imitation stuff such as watches etc. Visited the famous bare M on the bund which is located in building no 7. Also went to the old Shanghai with its crowded markets and bustling commerce. One of the highlights was Dongtai road where amongst more quieter environs one could browse among the many antique shops selling exotic stuff such as the Mao's red book etc.</div><div>On the whole was a memorable trip, one among many to be made to this emerging economy.</div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: normal; font-family:Georgia, serif;font-size:16px;">See video a t<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:13px;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAUvH7fAtBg" target="_new" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 13px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 51, 204); text-decoration: underline; ">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fAUvH7fAtBg</a></span></span>Reached Shanghai forthe<br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 17px; font-family:Verdana, sans-serif;font-size:11px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; color: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 17px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: normal; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; "><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uldO_Tbk9zY" target="_new" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; border-style: initial; border-color: initial; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; font-size: 13px; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; color: rgb(0, 51, 204); text-decoration: underline; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uldO_Tbk9zY</a></span>ational Symposium on New Materials for Electrochemical Systems organized by Ecole Polytechnique de Montreal and Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Shanghai at this time of the year is steamy and wet. However the city never ceases to amaze me with the level of growth and sheer force of its development. Stayed a the Jianguo Hotel on Caioxi Road, which was very centrally located. Was received by Dr. Wen Wen at the airport, he is doing very well and at the present works as a staff scientist at the new Shanghai light source. He seemed to be well settled with all the trappings (car, apartment and socially as well). It was a good conference with a lot of papers and posters from students and postdocs, exuding the confidence and energy of China. I am posting some of the pictures which I took in Shanghai during my brief but enjoyable trips out of the hotel into the usual tourist places in Shanghai.</span><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" color: rgb(255, 255, 255); line-height: 17px; font-family:Verdana, sans-serif;font-size:11px;"><div>Most visited spot was in the bund area where the muddy Huangpu river bends with the very impressive sky scrappers over on the other side called Pudong. I have a video of this posted to show the impressive scale of the buildings. Nanjing road on the other side is the usual tourist area with shops and touts selling imitation stuff such as watches etc. Visited the famous bare M on the bund which is located in building no 7. Also went to the old Shanghai with its crowded markets and bustling commerce. One of the highlights was Dongtai road where amongst more quieter environs one could browse among the many antique shops selling exotic stuff such as the Mao's red book etc.</div><div>On the whole was a memorable trip, one among many to be made to this emerging economy.</div></span></div></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06310483985783202434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489201909245919525.post-20276477462641045022009-04-05T12:12:00.000-07:002009-04-05T12:16:39.293-07:00NUCRET Energy Challenges for the New MillenniumWelcome! <p>NUCRET (The Northeastern University Center for Renewable Energy Technology) is pleased to present the <strong>Symposium on Energy Challenges for the New Millennium, April 27 - April 29, 2009. </strong></p> <p>The symposium will feature:<br /><br /><strong>- Dr. Abdul Kalam, </strong>Hon. Former President of India<br /><strong>- Prof. John Holdren</strong>, Science Advisor to President Barack Obama<br />- <strong>Dr. Radha Jalan, </strong>CEO of Electrochem. Inc<br /><br />and many other influential speakers. The events, forums and lectures, are **OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FOR FREE!**<br /><br />Please use the links on the right to view our events schedule, register for events, learn about our Center, find information about parking and registration, or contact us with questions.<br /></p><strong><br />Monday, April 27: Policy and Entrepreneurship Forums<br /></strong>Highlights will include a remarks by Dr. Abdul Kalam, Hon. Former President of India; Prof. John Holdren, Science Advisor to President Barack Obama; and Ms. Radha Jalan, CEO of Electrochem, Inc. <a target="_self" href="http://www.northeastern.edu/cas/Monday.html" class="" title="">More>> </a><br /><br /><strong>Tuesday, April 28: High School Outreach Event with MOS<br /></strong>On Tuesday, NUCRET and the Museum of Science will host an event for an invited group of local high school science students. <a target="_self" href="http://www.northeastern.edu/cas/tuesday.html" class="" title="">Learn More about Tuesday's Outreach Event>></a><br /><br /><strong>Wednesday, April 29 - Scientific Sessions</strong><br />Wednesday's Scientific Sessions will feature 13 outstanding international speakers on the topic of "Materials Challenges for Clean Energy in the New Millennium." <a target="_self" href="http://www.northeastern.edu/cas/wednesday.html" class="" title="">More>> </a>Chandreshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03161170157375727913noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489201909245919525.post-62874565409227190202009-02-19T00:13:00.000-08:002009-02-19T00:16:59.886-08:00Joe's e-mail<strong>Dear All,</strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong> Happy new year! By the way, does Joe has a private e-mail account? I sent him an e-mail to his neu account, however it was bounced back. Please let me know if possible. Thanks!</strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>Best,</strong><br /><strong>Wen </strong>文闻http://www.blogger.com/profile/15576454513542682598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489201909245919525.post-57026074997137023432009-02-17T15:40:00.000-08:002009-02-17T15:41:08.628-08:00The amounts of funding opportunities in the final Stimulus Bill<span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-family:Symbol;font-size:100%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-family: Symbol; color: windowtext;"><span style=""><span style="font-weight: bold;">·</span><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:78%;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none;"> </span></span></span></span></span><b><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-weight: bold;">Renewable Energy Loan Guarantees: </span></span></b><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">$6 billion for loans for <b style=""><span style="font-weight: bold;">renewable energy power generation</span></b> <i style=""><span style="font-style: italic;">(think wind, tide, and solar)</span></i> and transmission projects. </span></span> <p class="Default"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">• <b><span style="font-weight: bold;">Local Government Energy Efficiency Grants: </span></b>$6.3 billion to help state and <b style=""><span style="font-weight: bold;">local governments</span></b> make investments that make them more energy efficient and reduce carbon emissions. </span></span></p> <p class="Default"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">• <b><span style="font-weight: bold;">Energy Efficiency Housing Retrofits: </span></b>$250 million for a new program to upgrade HUD sponsored low-income housing to increase energy efficiency, including new insulation, windows, and furnaces. Funds will be competitively awarded. </span></span></p> <p class="Default"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">• <b><span style="font-weight: bold;">Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Research: </span></b>$2.5 billion for energy efficiency and renewable energy research, development, demonstration, and deployment activities to foster energy independence, reduce carbon emissions, and cut utility bills. Funds are awarded on a competitive basis to universities, companies, and national laboratories. </span></span></p> <p class="Default"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">• <b><span style="font-weight: bold;">Advanced </span></b></span></span><b><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-weight: bold;">Battery</span></span></b><b><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt; font-weight: bold;"> Grants: </span></span></b><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">$2 billion for the Advanced Battery Grants Program, to support </span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">U.S.</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"> manufacturers of advanced vehicle batteries and battery systems. </span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">America</span></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;"> should lead the world in <b style=""><span style="font-weight: bold;">transforming the way automobiles</span></b> are powered. </span></span></p> <p class="Default"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">• <b><span style="font-weight: bold;">Home Weatherization: </span></b>$5 billion to help <b style=""><span style="font-weight: bold;">low-income families </span></b>reduce their energy costs<b style=""><span style="font-weight: bold;"> </span></b>by<b style=""><span style="font-weight: bold;"> weatherizing their homes</span></b> and make our country more energy efficient. </span></span></p> <p class="Default"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">• <b><span style="font-weight: bold;">Smart Appliances: </span></b>$300 million to provide consumers with rebates for buying energy efficient Energy Star products to replace old appliances, which will lower energy bills. </span></span></p> <p class="Default"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">• <b><span style="font-weight: bold;">Electric Transportation: </span></b>$400 million for a new grant program to <b style=""><span style="font-weight: bold;">encourage electric vehicle technologies</span></b>. </span></span></p> <p class="Default"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">• <b><span style="font-weight: bold;">Alternative Buses and Trucks: </span></b>$300 million to help state and <b style=""><span style="font-weight: bold;">local governments purchase efficient alternative fuel vehicles</span></b> to reduce fuel costs and carbon emissions. </span></span></p> <p class="Default"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">• <b><span style="font-weight: bold;">Diesel Emissions Reduction: </span></b>$300 million for grants and loans to state and local governments for projects that reduce diesel emissions, benefiting public health and reducing global warming. This includes technologies to retrofit emission exhaust systems on <b style=""><span style="font-weight: bold;">school buses</span></b>, replace engines and vehicles, and establish <b style=""><span style="font-weight: bold;">anti-idling</span></b> programs. Last year EPA was able to fund only 27% of the applications received. </span></span></p> <p class="Default"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;font-size:100%;color:black;"><span style="font-size: 11.5pt;">• <b><span style="font-weight: bold;">Training for Green Jobs: </span></b>$500 million to prepare workers for careers in energy efficiency and renewable energy fields. </span></span></p>Brian Hulthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08009762456201723572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489201909245919525.post-48730573104647699522009-01-03T21:00:00.000-08:002009-01-03T21:16:26.923-08:00SSRF EXAFSHopefully, I can catch for this event too! I'm looking forward for it.<br /><br />It was a pity that I have not taken any pictures of Qinggang and his lovely wife. They were just too busy these days and are hopping around among 4-5 cities. However, indeed, I can tell that, both of them are pretty happy!<br /><br />By the way, the EXAFS group (two professors) will launch at Boston pretty soon. (Jan. 8th ).文闻http://www.blogger.com/profile/15576454513542682598noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489201909245919525.post-74258086103345031602009-01-02T10:52:00.000-08:002009-01-02T10:58:16.036-08:00Happy New YearFolks, here it is, A brand new year. We had a great end of the year party on the 20th. Sorry forgot to take any pictures. Following this I have had a two week R&R. Hope all others have had a great break. It is time to get back to our mission. We have a lot in front of us. <br />First let me wish the newly married couple Qingang and his spouse a hearty welcome. I hope Jimmy will post some pictures on the blog soon.<br />Second I want to wish our couple to be all the best. A lot of good things are expected from Tom and Jaimy. Including their graduation some time at the end of summer.<br />Third, we hope to get some new members to join us soon. We need to swell our ranks for this to continue.<br />Details of the plans etc. would be discussed in our group meeting.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06310483985783202434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489201909245919525.post-19565763108953252302008-12-30T17:12:00.001-08:002008-12-30T17:13:19.190-08:00Happy New Year!Dear All,<br /><br /> I met with Qinggang last sunday and also his wife. His wife is very beautiful! In professor Zi-feng Ma's group, there are about 11 people gotten married in the year of 2008 and thus, he held a quite large celebration party for this. I was quite lucky to be able to attend this event!<br /><br /> By the way, have a happy new year!<br /><br />All the best,<br />Wen Wen文闻http://www.blogger.com/profile/15576454513542682598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489201909245919525.post-4229626955767221692008-12-14T16:54:00.000-08:002008-12-14T17:25:59.228-08:00Shanghai Light Source<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUPh4zmJ8oSMTFXo0haGLahV0kYTUbQ9In1XgRXppOYi31cThzWClD88RthvwO07Kg9OxCWD8Oey8GL4yvgIcxwvVFed20Kwqf5iL2WqfuATS9AiqNErPXB88T6514wQkuTV2xNTzs1KtM/s1600-h/1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279821725426066194" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUPh4zmJ8oSMTFXo0haGLahV0kYTUbQ9In1XgRXppOYi31cThzWClD88RthvwO07Kg9OxCWD8Oey8GL4yvgIcxwvVFed20Kwqf5iL2WqfuATS9AiqNErPXB88T6514wQkuTV2xNTzs1KtM/s320/1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>I would like to try sky-diving sometime! Seems exciting! </div><br /><div>Please also see one of my picture taken in front of SSRF. </div>文闻http://www.blogger.com/profile/15576454513542682598noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489201909245919525.post-83788477003794633252008-12-09T12:20:00.000-08:002008-12-09T12:31:45.742-08:00Sky Diving<p align="center">Apart from squeaking around in the lab, I found some time jump out of a plane at about 8000 feet altitude. Here is a short video of my sky diving experience. Dear fellow graduate students, here is a possible way to toss our boss!</p><p align="center"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz_QE1YVRksbm9HRZT45eE7vLmCuqNeHC111hv64t_Fli1HlpBkTgU0y-nC9Ogz_M9aUt8K-taFuMm3uiuM2A' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></p>Scooterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00148974569334261063noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489201909245919525.post-14684382356668358012008-11-24T14:16:00.000-08:002008-11-24T14:26:32.633-08:00Cutting out Carbon by meeting virtually VEF - Dec 10&11Virtual Energy Forum<br /><br /><a href="http://www.virtualenergyforum.com/">http://www.virtualenergyforum.com/</a><br />December 10th and 11th, 2008.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; color: rgb(255, 0, 0); font-family: arial;">Featured Speakers (multiple others):</span><br />Joseph T. Kelliher, Chairman<a name="50"></a><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"><br />US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission</span><br /><br />Nick d'Arbeloff, Executive Director<a name="58"></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">New England Clean Energy Council</span><span style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 11px; color: rgb(153, 153, 153);"><br /><br /></span>Kevin W. Billings, Acting Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Installations, Environment and Logistics<a name="73"></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">U.S. Air Force</span><br /><br />Douglas Kaempf, Program Manager<a name="60"></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Industrial Technologies Program US Department of Energy<br /><br /></span>Julia Hamm, Executive Director<a name="56"></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA)</span><br /><span style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 11px; color: rgb(153, 153, 153);"><br /></span>Sarah Hetznecker, Project Development Director<a name="63"></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Conergy Projects Group</span><span style="font-weight: normal; font-size: 11px; color: rgb(153, 153, 153);"></span>Brian Hulthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08009762456201723572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489201909245919525.post-90477991431668165532008-11-15T08:56:00.000-08:002008-11-15T09:05:39.353-08:00Powering Sensing Systems with Tree Power!<a href="http://www.boston.com/news/sci">http://www.boston.com/news/sci</a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGwA_xIESzp5qVkDtxzQwCpYds2McvcbBeIfz8hkiA-NGth_wJlbHD5R70t8fYwp9sA00tkLd0HOYFa6LPOolbD9nUZPkZ7mIl4JiVVbQ78gpoSgR3wsGBHyN6GaH5KYgN9KXWpvFLfRCQ/s1600-h/journal_pone_0002963_g001.png"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5268929925664264402" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 326px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGwA_xIESzp5qVkDtxzQwCpYds2McvcbBeIfz8hkiA-NGth_wJlbHD5R70t8fYwp9sA00tkLd0HOYFa6LPOolbD9nUZPkZ7mIl4JiVVbQ78gpoSgR3wsGBHyN6GaH5KYgN9KXWpvFLfRCQ/s400/journal_pone_0002963_g001.png" border="0" /></a><a href="http://www.boston.com/news/science/articles/2008/10/13/scientists_tap_into_tree_power/">ence/articles/2008/10/13/scientists_tap_into_tree_power/</a> <div> </div><div><em>Image from:</em></div><div>Love CJ, Zhang S, Mershin A (2008) Source of Sustained Voltage Difference between the Xylem of a Potted Ficus benjamina Tree and Its Soil. PLoS ONE 3(8): e2963. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0002963</div><div> </div><div> </div>Brian Hulthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08009762456201723572noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489201909245919525.post-20536943949875341432008-11-11T19:47:00.000-08:002008-11-11T20:01:27.667-08:00History of ElectrochemistryCheck out the link. This is an article published in the latest volume of the Interface. It gives a good description of the evolution of electrochemistry and some world famous electrochemists. It pays tribute to some of the modern day electrochemists including Brian Conway. However, I was quite disappointing that it did not mention anything about Srini. Some day when we are driving around in a fuel cell car, I hope people look back at his contributions and thank him for it.<br /><br />http://www.electrochem.org/dl/interface/fal/fal08/fal08_p31-39.pdfThe Reason is...http://www.blogger.com/profile/06506698047646224818noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489201909245919525.post-16624258271067417242008-11-10T09:30:00.000-08:002008-11-10T09:35:51.838-08:00New Protein Based Disk RecordingFolks check out the new paper by Professor Renugopalakrishnan on some novel protein based disk recording concept. This has been recently published as an article in the MRS bulletin. <br />"Protein based Disk Recording at Areal Densities beyond 10 Terabits/square inch.<br />S. Khizroev, R. Ikkawi, N. Amos, R. Chomko, V. Renugopalakrishnan, and D. Litvinov, MRS Bulletin, Volume 33, September 2008. Copy of this article will be placed in our newly created secure ftp server.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06310483985783202434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489201909245919525.post-13619899410725590192008-11-10T09:19:00.000-08:002008-11-10T09:30:11.938-08:00Bio-Solar Initiative Flying HighFolks our Bio-Solar initiative is now flying high with Professor Renugopalakrishnan's efforts. Several new proposals in this area have been initiated. In addition there are high impact papers with him as co-author containing Northeastern University affiliation. We look forward to more of such scholarly output and germination of new ideas through our center (NUCRET). The title of the latest papers is:<br />(1)"Controlled electron injection and transport at materials interface in dye sensitized solar cells," Materials Science and Engineering R (2008) In Press. [Impact factor 14+]Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06310483985783202434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489201909245919525.post-64275694310275810392008-11-06T04:32:00.001-08:002008-11-06T04:35:21.054-08:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicIxZiyrHH-m-qJzg96NQ1tDfL1IQJzhBlUOA3MadSIzE1gLXQ6621KIpaC4rYeXjTRORHOzTqwH-2tsHkuoxPWrR5Y_s9e-qjFTCUZ0WLMTdD82h4va1c-H-TYfT8jiJvfEMb1kDGNEml/s1600-h/CIMG5592.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicIxZiyrHH-m-qJzg96NQ1tDfL1IQJzhBlUOA3MadSIzE1gLXQ6621KIpaC4rYeXjTRORHOzTqwH-2tsHkuoxPWrR5Y_s9e-qjFTCUZ0WLMTdD82h4va1c-H-TYfT8jiJvfEMb1kDGNEml/s320/CIMG5592.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265521688729550466" border="0" /></a><br />In honor of our new President-elect Barack Obama, I've decided to post a photograph of his lovely home state Hawaii at sunrise! Enjoy.Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06456624338978829948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489201909245919525.post-68377393128846262952008-11-05T15:32:00.000-08:002008-11-05T16:05:37.315-08:00BNL NSLS X7B Beamtime - Oct/Nov 2008<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4oYIF1kpwZ_Wd64xXAPU5KvPR4YLmRyVgEWy2s13jGt8SJ9kBrmMhNyiKdaTM2ukHFbs6yKxi-XSc7KY_A6VhiDn8yLd7b68Hs4ju2ZhEnRqmNd2XytvIGS5wvdS-avToorMPmAoFveYO/s1600-h/DSCF3964.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 276px; height: 208px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4oYIF1kpwZ_Wd64xXAPU5KvPR4YLmRyVgEWy2s13jGt8SJ9kBrmMhNyiKdaTM2ukHFbs6yKxi-XSc7KY_A6VhiDn8yLd7b68Hs4ju2ZhEnRqmNd2XytvIGS5wvdS-avToorMPmAoFveYO/s400/DSCF3964.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265320715248826818" border="0" /></a>I will post this picture as an ode to Wen. Our former labmate who has completed his Postdoctoral position at Brookhaven National Laboratory(<a href="http://www.bnl.gov/">BNL.gov</a>) wasn't there this time for our experimenting at the National Synchrotron Light Source (<a href="http://www.nsls.bnl.gov/">NSLS</a>) @ beamline X7B (XRD). We will miss our host as he has gone back to his native land to work with the Shanghai Synchrotron that is being completed over in China.<br /><br />(<span style="font-style: italic;">Pictured from left to right</span> - Brian Hult, Chris Allen, Dr. Wen Wen, and Dr. Jonathan Hanson [BNL Chemistry Staff and NSLS X7B Host])<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX9CmMBZT0TYpP_-7MxHqGjp_C2rh7-z4v-jM6bLWTz3mFJPcYPB3OWchUoAkCZpK18v2YiU6d79eR_Ve_4PpnrobXbSxyeDGPlTw3vQmBM5p3muZew0kBFtG8AwTpsDsQpcdctrIFVTiZ/s1600-h/DSCF3946.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 273px; height: 205px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX9CmMBZT0TYpP_-7MxHqGjp_C2rh7-z4v-jM6bLWTz3mFJPcYPB3OWchUoAkCZpK18v2YiU6d79eR_Ve_4PpnrobXbSxyeDGPlTw3vQmBM5p3muZew0kBFtG8AwTpsDsQpcdctrIFVTiZ/s400/DSCF3946.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265322094759799234" border="0" /></a>Our research group is currently testing newly synthesized cathode materials for use in Lithium Ion Battery (LIB) applications. Pictured to the left is our pair of Arbin Battery Cyclers as they are setup on our research excursion to the NSLS.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbZkcTuFsGcvfgyWiGoD6tPeH0y76uCFSnirtVFZb6bJjIHGesLhCz2vVmWVES2nLwVngLAJ0HnbLuOcwsXZwNsPj7QFsEjAFajei3u5vhSvN8aKWoOvPe_t8Cel6RkMzrc8zJqcp_eYEr/s1600-h/DSCF3958.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 273px; height: 204px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbZkcTuFsGcvfgyWiGoD6tPeH0y76uCFSnirtVFZb6bJjIHGesLhCz2vVmWVES2nLwVngLAJ0HnbLuOcwsXZwNsPj7QFsEjAFajei3u5vhSvN8aKWoOvPe_t8Cel6RkMzrc8zJqcp_eYEr/s400/DSCF3958.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265324074032313570" border="0" /></a>To the left you will see how we position our <span style="font-style: italic;">in-situ </span>LIB cells such that we can collect x-ray diffraction data from the cells at different states of charge (SOC). The incident x-ray beam is coming from the left to right in this picture, the beam comes out of a guide (tube) below the red LED towards the upper center of the picture.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMYckT8jUZ_9c2-w_jd17cwU99e_NjvdbCg5xCociiP4TTPpvPDzes6ay3Uw86yiBNXG3jUyddrw-wpCJsHZA7B-9yS-gOpw1GayNskL7enmKKApZDQ16TT4EF4fvodAIsl83sD6nt9hn8/s1600-h/DSCF3959.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 259px; height: 345px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMYckT8jUZ_9c2-w_jd17cwU99e_NjvdbCg5xCociiP4TTPpvPDzes6ay3Uw86yiBNXG3jUyddrw-wpCJsHZA7B-9yS-gOpw1GayNskL7enmKKApZDQ16TT4EF4fvodAIsl83sD6nt9hn8/s400/DSCF3959.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265325687892952258" border="0" /></a>To the left you will see the circular black body, which is the XRD detector for the beamline. The incident beam will hit the sample and diffract the x-rays at discrete angles which correlate to the planes within the crystal lattices of the sample and will be absorbed by the element in detector which will later be scanned (similar to a traditional photographic plate) and then converted to a typical abs. vs. 2 theta angle XRD spectra by integrating the image.<br /><br />Stay TUNED for more!<br /><br />If you are interesting in knowing more, please leave us a post with your email address!<br /><br />Cheers,<br />BrianBrian Hulthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08009762456201723572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489201909245919525.post-83882153068715455982008-11-05T14:02:00.001-08:002008-11-05T14:03:47.341-08:00Hot like lava<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEvpX-kvCJ2hZjIOzJR8JTcWobToO24Sk7ThjMlRSUaLyI5hv8st5Rnl1AU_gHMtVD1m1q9KCsLzM9jjDrC5on5VbPu1PxfKQLP8w9y6RqwVW0nq_LZkEy4PYn4zMQ5BnNToEOQykNgdaG/s1600-h/CIMG5495.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEvpX-kvCJ2hZjIOzJR8JTcWobToO24Sk7ThjMlRSUaLyI5hv8st5Rnl1AU_gHMtVD1m1q9KCsLzM9jjDrC5on5VbPu1PxfKQLP8w9y6RqwVW0nq_LZkEy4PYn4zMQ5BnNToEOQykNgdaG/s320/CIMG5495.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5265297427235022018" border="0" /></a>Ever wonder what it's like to walk around an active lava flow? Its hot!Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06456624338978829948noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489201909245919525.post-24505942958814235032008-11-05T13:26:00.000-08:002008-11-05T13:27:42.425-08:00An American ElectionIt is the 5th of November and we are all waking to a new reality. For some of us who are new citizen's this was an amazing awakening almost as if suddenly a new door had opened with hope for the future. A course correction which till yesterday was clouded in fear and ciniscism. Most of us were in doubt of our own ability to transcent color for reason and hope. Folks what a ride this has been. I have never been so involved in politics and as of now feel rewarded. I am not alone, spontaneous show of joy in several major cities including my favorite place, Time Sq., NY had never been seen here. This is a completely game changing event. I hope the new leadership which will come in is able to meet the expectations of all. I wish us well and hope we can keep our smiles for a few days more.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06310483985783202434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489201909245919525.post-15715950600006358172008-11-04T12:44:00.000-08:002008-11-04T12:48:18.087-08:00Fun after ECS meeting<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiyytfvLuflzoRf4gSFgWzmWSdBOFYfvy5fqulGQnSgUX4BSCeI0EIZoTp_VAEv1DDoisiLvSbyqmdCXr5JEZFNWRn0kq1T382_mnii4Fs2MfdlOdGKxvdn_GGg2YTei6dtdPJ7JtQLvDY/s1600-h/CIMG4897.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiyytfvLuflzoRf4gSFgWzmWSdBOFYfvy5fqulGQnSgUX4BSCeI0EIZoTp_VAEv1DDoisiLvSbyqmdCXr5JEZFNWRn0kq1T382_mnii4Fs2MfdlOdGKxvdn_GGg2YTei6dtdPJ7JtQLvDY/s320/CIMG4897.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5264906901582505554" /></a><br />After a week of intense science we took in the view of Honolulu from high atop the Diamondhead Crater!Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06456624338978829948noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489201909245919525.post-85079322595427654852008-10-28T16:15:00.001-07:002008-10-28T16:21:03.753-07:00lab videoHi check out this new vidoe I created, this is the first of its kind. Go to animoto.com and check out this cool feature. Dont forget to post the Hawaii pictures<br /><br /><script src="http://widgets.clearspring.com/o/46928cc51133af17/49079d273635a4d8/46928cc5788deb29/b181c18a/widget.js" type="text/javascript"></script>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06310483985783202434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489201909245919525.post-66229916672344411122008-10-23T08:37:00.000-07:002008-10-23T08:59:54.663-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXbm3J4T9XhpkgHMc5c54JFcaCbR64RwKtziIE1Ujw8ooxeKScd5voGljJcrac1mmskkRYxzEzytYwTFyT0qS0pGTiosE7vmFNgFaZLukqfK4Veed_OMMFzV7GKXI9jXJVHrMuKIavbpg/s1600-h/deaqd+sea-2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXbm3J4T9XhpkgHMc5c54JFcaCbR64RwKtziIE1Ujw8ooxeKScd5voGljJcrac1mmskkRYxzEzytYwTFyT0qS0pGTiosE7vmFNgFaZLukqfK4Veed_OMMFzV7GKXI9jXJVHrMuKIavbpg/s200/deaqd+sea-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260379599819574466" border="0" /></a><br />Hi, I just wanted to put in some of the pictures from our trip to Israel. Was a great experience. Meeting with Professor Peled's group and exchanges with the team on EnStorage lead by Arnon was a pleasure. We need a far greater exchange of pure science in order to come up with an ultimate solution (this is all I can say in this open blog). Best restaurant in Tel Aviv according to me was Tandoor, this is opposite to the Cinema Hotel. The restaurant serves North Indian fare with flare and style. We ate a lot and could not eat the following day till noon time. Renting a car was a good decision. Driving in Israel is very easy, however remember to bring a detailed map. We had a gps but this was not useful in several places, especially near Jerusalem. Stayed in the very historic King David Hotel, actually both of them. The new one is called the King David Citadel Hotel and the old one bears the tradition king David Hotel name. I was surprised at how small the old historic King David Hotel was. This hotel must have the maximum number of VVIP's in its list of patrons. Almost all US Presidents dating back to Eisenhower have stayed here. Jerusalem is sublime and well worth the time and money. For a Pagan it is also most interesting place. I spent a lot of time in the Jewish section especially the wailing wall. Also the trip along the via dela Rosa is a must ending in the Church of the Holy Sepulcur.<br />Dead sea is an amazing place, just 45 minutes from Jerusalem. The landscape change is so amazing that you feel that you are in a different planet. Workshop was extremely well organized by Yair Ein-Eli and Youssi Diamond. Even the minutest detail was taken care of. It was hot (110 F) but the views of the sea and the landscape around more than compensated for the heat. All the talks were of high quality including I hope mine. Visited the dead sea. See picture below, I may regret this some day.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06310483985783202434noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489201909245919525.post-77622856392112422112008-10-22T15:45:00.000-07:002008-10-22T15:47:54.964-07:00A visit from Einstein<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxoIIAifhHnC-mW015fPDP4LlE0CCjdrD3UMU7AvRwTHRll9QqX98WNX9GWsabwjuvWOmwEkfiZxwLEYTQXp5SXuhG7n6J977PPq31kGOmG0sTtyhS7Z90icbAtSmglsgebO7E7scLmsFB/s1600-h/LEAP.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxoIIAifhHnC-mW015fPDP4LlE0CCjdrD3UMU7AvRwTHRll9QqX98WNX9GWsabwjuvWOmwEkfiZxwLEYTQXp5SXuhG7n6J977PPq31kGOmG0sTtyhS7Z90icbAtSmglsgebO7E7scLmsFB/s400/LEAP.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260113360225153058" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Even Einstein was here!!</span><br /><br />(http://www.hetemeel.com/einsteinform.php)<br /></div>Brian Hulthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08009762456201723572noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-489201909245919525.post-25287954564866834912008-10-22T08:57:00.000-07:002008-10-22T09:01:18.071-07:00Invitation to Blogspot for the Lab (LEAP)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY2of8UBOwBa9ubMV4ohuGUyMb3Yba98SD8rriBEXVGWBHHubHUT-ehQSCB4VKa7KiLddw0k7bHNxxwgxsNH0VkEbkQAFH7SlhcPiPjKfutnmUJ44Elr2DAKEo_DFKr4QmASf7AfJHIJM/s1600-h/sanjeevesmall_001.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260008951580314818" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY2of8UBOwBa9ubMV4ohuGUyMb3Yba98SD8rriBEXVGWBHHubHUT-ehQSCB4VKa7KiLddw0k7bHNxxwgxsNH0VkEbkQAFH7SlhcPiPjKfutnmUJ44Elr2DAKEo_DFKr4QmASf7AfJHIJM/s320/sanjeevesmall_001.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><div>Hello, This is the start of what would hopefully turn into a vibrant blog site related to Chemistry and all things related to clean energy. PLease upload your picture into the invitations to be sent by Chandresh</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06310483985783202434noreply@blogger.com0