I first met the amazing computer science professor Francine Berman while I worked on the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's News and Editorial team. She was just beginning to lead a worldwide effort to take a hard look at how we can ensure all of our millions of bits of data are saved for future generations. Here's a link to the issue containing the story I wrote about her work for the RPI alumni magazine.
When he studied at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in the 1990s, Matt Patricia focused on aeronautical engineering, envisioning a future in aircraft design. He also played football at the Division Three level there, and eventually found his way to the NFL sidelines as a coach. I had the opportunity to talk to Matt in 2016 and wrote this cover article for the RPI alumni magazine. It was, for Matt, a fascinating, unusual journey. Here's a link to the magazine issue. Matt Patricia, on the New England Patriots sideline. (Photo credit: Boston Herald)
While working on Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's News and Editorial team I had the opportunity to talk to and write about some amazing people. One of them was RPI graduate David Ferrucci. He led the team that developed IBM's astounding talking and thinking Watson computer. You might recall Watson in its early days as the computer that beat the all-time Jeopardy! champions in a three-night televised challenge. Here's a link to my article about Watson and Ferrucci on the RPI magazine's website. IBM's Watson computer faces off against the two all-time Jeopardy! winners…
New modality introduces energy-resolved imaging to existing facility in Australia. From: American Institute of Physics Scilights online publication, April 26, 2019 By Mark Marchand Neutron-scattering techniques can peer deep into materials to conduct advanced, non-destructive imaging studies, making them especially attractive for examining historic artifacts, geological specimens, and critical metal welds. It is also unique because many materials are opaque to X-rays and other imaging techniques based on electrons or photons. A new paper reports enhancements to an existing neutron-scattering instrument by adding a new modality to “Bilby,” a Small Angle Neutron Scattering (SANS)…
New research seeks keys to better design approaches for hypersonic vehicles. From: American Institute of Physics Scilights online publication, Feb. 8, 2019 By Mark Marchand Aircraft designers and scientists are trying to understand the relation between supersonic modes and the hypersonic flows around aircraft or projectiles at hypersonic speeds, specifically regarding the transition from smooth laminar flow to irregular turbulence. The onset of turbulence generally leads to increased drag and heating, which impair engine performance and control. The rapidly rising temperature at Mach 5 and above is particularly challenging, and solutions such…