October 2010

Oct 8, 2010

NC State Grant to Fund Training for Global Vaccine Manufacturers

North Carolina State University will use a new grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to train vaccine manufacturers from across the globe to use best production practices to help prevent pandemic viral outbreaks. 

Oct 8, 2010

Board of Governors Honors Walden

Economist Michael L. Walden accepted the Award for Excellence in Public Service today from the Board of Governors for the University of North Carolina system. UNC President Erskine Bowles and committee chairman Charles Hayes presented Walden with the award, which includes a $7,500 cash prize. 

Oct 8, 2010

NC State Economist Receives UNC Board of Governors Award for Excellence in Public Service

Michael L. Walden, William Neal Reynolds Distinguished Professor of economics at North Carolina State University, received the Award for Excellence in Public Service today from the Board of Governors of the multi-campus University of North Carolina. The award, announced during the Board’s regular October meeting, was established in 2007 to encourage, identify, recognize, and reward distinguished… 

Oct 7, 2010

Technique Allows Researchers to Examine How Materials Bond at the Atomic Level

An approach pioneered by researchers at North Carolina State University gives scientists new insight into the way silicon bonds with other materials at the atomic level. This technique could lead to improved understanding of and control over bond formation at the atomic level, and opportunities for the creation of new devices and more efficient microchips.… 

Oct 7, 2010

Who’s Howling Now?

Momentum is building at the midpoint of the “Wolfpack Gives Back” campaign for charity. Find out which units have surpassed the 50 percent participation goal. 

Oct 7, 2010

In Plants, Small Changes Make Big Impact

You can’t see them or feel them, but right now countless biochemical interactions in your body affect your life in countless ways. These interactions are important because if they go poorly, really bad things can happen. In a simple and admittedly extreme example, poorly regulated protein interactions – interactions between molecules that are the main… 

Oct 7, 2010

By the Numbers

While NC State is in “reasonably good shape” financially, the university needs long-term strategies to make it less vulnerable to fluctuations in state funding, leaders said Wednesday at a chancellor’s budget forum. 

Oct 6, 2010

The Eyes Have It

When a team of undergrads announced the results of their senior research project, there wasn't a dry eye in the house. Literally. The five NC State biomedical engineering (BME) students had developed a special lens for patients suffering from forms of paralysis that leave them unable to blink and hydrate their eyes. 

Oct 6, 2010

Student Nominations Needed

Even though it’s only October, commencement deadlines are approaching. You can help make the ceremony sparkle by nominating outstanding students for special recognition on Dec. 18. 

Oct 6, 2010

Study: Fish Near Coal-Fired Power Plants Have Lower Levels Of Mercury

A new study from North Carolina State University finds that fish located near coal-fired power plants have lower levels of mercury than fish that live much further away. The surprising finding appears to be linked to high levels of another chemical, selenium, found near such facilities, which unfortunately poses problems of its own. 

Oct 5, 2010

The Eyes Have It

When a team of undergraduates announced the results of their senior research project, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house. That’s because the biomedical engineering students developed a moisture-saving contact lens for paralyzed patients who can't blink. 

Oct 5, 2010

Structure Of Plastic Solar Cells Impedes Their Efficiency, Researchers Find

A team of researchers from North Carolina State University and the U.K. has found that the low rate of energy conversion in all-polymer solar-cell technology is caused by the structure of the solar cells themselves. They hope that their findings will lead to the creation of more efficient solar cells. Polymeric solar cells are made… 

Oct 5, 2010

March of the Fossilized Penguins

Dr. Daniel Ksepka talks about finding fossilized feathers from a 36 million-year-old species of penguin that lived near the Equator during the Eocene period. 

Oct 5, 2010

Big Plans for NC State

Chancellor Randy Woodson is rallying the university community for the challenges ahead and evangelizing on behalf of a strategic planning effort that aims to match resources to dreams. 

Oct 5, 2010

Doctorate in the House?

NC State’s doctoral programs performed solidly in a new National Research Council report. Caution: You may need a statistician to help you sort through the reams of data on the university's 43 ranked Ph.D. programs.