Applying the science of mathematics to solve real-world problems

Looking at the science of applied mathematics can open doors to better understanding the value of learning advanced levels of math. In this story I crafted for the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute alumni magazine I sat down with a number of leading mathematicians there to listen to their stories about how math is or could be used in the 21st century. Here's a link to the issue containing the story I wrote.

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Saving our data for future generations

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.

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Read more about the article From a leading technological college to coaching on the NFL sidelines
Matt Patricia, on the New England Patriots sideline. (Photo credit: Boston Herald)

From a leading technological college to coaching on the NFL sidelines

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)

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Read more about the article The ‘brain’ behind IBM’s Watson computer
IBM's Watson computer faces off against the two all-time Jeopardy! winners in 2011.

The ‘brain’ behind IBM’s Watson computer

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…

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Enhanced materials imaging with neutron-scattering instruments

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)…

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