December 2011

Dec 14, 2011

First attempts, lasting impressions for engineering freshmen

Each year, freshman engineering majors compete at Freshmen Engineering Design Day. The end-of-semester event rewards persistence, teamwork and creativity. 

Dec 14, 2011

NC State To Hold Commencement Ceremonies Dec. 17

North Carolina State University will confer more than 3,400 degrees on graduating students during its fall commencement exercises, beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, in the RBC Center in Raleigh. Media coverage is welcomed. During the ceremony, Chancellor Randy Woodson will confer 3,437 degrees – 87 associate’s, 2,105 bachelor’s, 988 master’s, 254 doctoral and… 

Dec 14, 2011

Winning Ways

When an NC State colleague nominates you for an award, you're doing something right. When faculty and students line up to rave about you, you're Hermine Kabbendjian, winner of the Governor’s Award for Excellence. 

Dec 14, 2011

Helping Museums Pursue Interactive Technology

In an attempt to better engage and educate the public about everything from space exploration to art history, museums are becoming increasingly interactive. But many museums lack the resources or expertise to take full advantage of emerging technologies. What to do? Researchers from NC State and the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences are working to… 

Dec 14, 2011

Four Named IEEE Fellows

Four NC State engineering professors have been named 2012 fellows of IEEE, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. 

Dec 13, 2011

Learning with the Lights Off

Devin and Marsha Orgeron, associate professors of film studies, explore the influence of nontheatrical and educational films in a new book. 

Dec 13, 2011

Ferzli Wins New Teacher Award

Biology professor Miriam Ferzli won a top teaching award from the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities. 

Dec 13, 2011

Microneedle Sensors May Allow Real-Time Monitoring Of Body Chemistry

Researchers from North Carolina State University, Sandia National Laboratories, and the University of California, San Diego have developed new technology that uses microneedles to allow doctors to detect real-time chemical changes in the body – and to continuously do so for an extended period of time. 

Dec 12, 2011

How To Avoid Scams Targeting Older Adults

Research tells us that scams targeting older adults are becoming increasingly prevalent, and can have devastating effects on the finances of seniors and their families. I’ve spoken to researchers at NC State who focus on this issue to get information you can use to help you protect yourself and your loved ones. Public awareness is a… 

Dec 12, 2011

New Dye Will Lead To More Efficient Solar Energy Technology

A North Carolina State University invention has significant potential to improve the efficiency of solar cells and other technologies that derive energy from light. 

Dec 12, 2011

Events Preceding the Helvetican Renaissance (Part IV)

Editor’s Note: Readers of The Abstract are generally interested in research, science and technology. People that fall into that camp are often also devotees of science fiction. So, in a throw back to the serialized storytelling of the golden age of sci-fi, we decided to serialize some science fiction by one of our favorite authors… 

Dec 9, 2011

Woodson Elected to Leadership Post

Chancellor Randy Woodson has been elected to a leadership position in the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities. 

Dec 9, 2011

Insects And Evolution

Editor’s Note: This is a guest post by post-doctoral researcher Michelle Trautwein, whose work at NC State focuses on entomology, genetics and evolution. Here she explains what we know about insect evolution – and why it matters. Our planet is swarming with insects. Literally. Six-legged creatures account for the majority of life on earth, by far… 

Dec 8, 2011

Reiman’s Retirement Reception Dec. 14

Friends and colleagues of Evelyn Reiman, associate vice chancellor for Student Affairs, are invited to her retirement reception from 3 to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 14 in the Walnut Room of Talley Student Center. 

Dec 8, 2011

Mallette’s Parting Wisdom

After 31 years of helping families find a way to pay for college, Julie Mallette is retiring. But there's just enough time for a reception and a few final words of wisdom from the director of scholarships and financial aid.