February 2013

Feb 15, 2013

Force is the Key to Granular State-Shifting

Ever wonder why sand can both run through an hourglass like a liquid and be solid enough to support buildings? It’s because granular materials – like sand or dirt – can change their behavior, or state. Researchers from North Carolina State University have found that the forces individual grains exert on one another are what… 

Feb 15, 2013

Thor’s Hammer Is Not That Heavy (But It Is Scientifically Interesting)

In early February, astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson said on Twitter that the superhero Thor’s Hammer (aka Mjolnir) “weighs as much as a herd of 300 billion elephants.” News outlets pounced on this, and the news was quickly circulating online. Sadly, Tyson was wrong. Tyson’s reasoning was based on the idea that Mjolnir was “made of… 

Feb 14, 2013

No Worries for New Teachers

In her new book, Deanna Dannels helps new teachers overcome the communications worries that keep them up at night. Find out what she has to say in "Teaching Out Loud." 

Feb 14, 2013

Student Alumni Group Honored

The Alumni Association Student Ambassador Program received two awards Sunday at a conference for the southeast region of the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education. 

Feb 14, 2013

Roaches, Research and Unintended Consequences: A Cautionary Tale

When performing research, what happens when you restrict a research subject’s ability to perform some function – gluing a cockroach’s mouth closed to prevent it from eating, say, or gluing a ring around one antenna so the roach can’t control it? It’s a standard part of scientific research, most would say, to study a function… 

Feb 14, 2013

Innovation Summit Feb. 26

Chancellor Randy Woodson hosts thought leaders and university presidents from across the nation Feb. 26 to exchange ideas and discover breakthrough solutions for creating jobs and economic prosperity. 

Feb 14, 2013

Big Names and Big Ideas at EIF

Some of the state's top business and policy leaders shared the stage at the Emerging Issues Forum to push the promise of advanced manufacturing. Even Darth Vader made an appearance. 

Feb 13, 2013

Coliseum Construction

In a textbook case of bad timing, NC State launched construction of Reynolds Coliseum in 1942, shortly after the United States entered World War II. The State Archives has photos from the on-again, off-again construction project. 

Feb 13, 2013

Make an Impact

The College of Natural Resources believes in making a positive impact on society. That's the message that comes through in a video from the Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism Management. 

Feb 13, 2013

Grant Boosts Local Food Access

NC State leads a multi-pronged effort to solve the distribution challenges facing the "farm to fork" movement. Find out more about this budding initiative, fueled by a multimillion-dollar grant. 

Feb 12, 2013

Awards Honor 5 for Advising

Five undergraduate advisers are honored for their efforts to support and encourage students in their academic pursuits. Read about these extraordinary colleagues. 

Feb 12, 2013

Mobile Screenings on Campus

The Rex mobile mammography unit will be on campus from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 28. 

Feb 12, 2013

The Big Picture: Helping Companies Make Products We Actually Want

Researchers have developed a model that will, hopefully, help companies develop innovative products that people actually want to use. The model is a first step towards capturing the behavior of both companies and consumers, so that we end up with more iPods and fewer Edsels. This concept may sound obvious, but companies have difficulty grasping… 

Feb 11, 2013

Welcome to the Spring!

The days have started getting longer, and the semester is now in full swing. I’m excited to serve as your Student Body President in my final semester at N.C. State. 

Feb 11, 2013

The Write Stuff

Ready to write for a general audience? Timothy Bent, executive editor at Oxford University Press, has advice for professors with a passion to publish.