Jan. 11: Dr. Michael Braasch, Electrical Engineering and Avionics Engineering Center, "Iron Stomachs & White Knuckles - Navigation System Flight Testing"

The sky’s the limit with Ohio’s rich aviation history. Home to the Wright Brothers’ famous cycle shop in Dayton, where Wilbur and Orville invented their first powered aircraft, Ohio is also the birthplace of 24 NASA astronauts, most notable being Neil Armstrong. In 1963, Dr. Richard McFarland continued to pave the way for progress in the area of aviation electronics (avionics), founding Ohio University’s Avionics Engineering Center (AEC). “If you have been in an airplane experiencing turbulence, imagine trying to conduct experiments in such conditions, as your ‘office’ is shaking tremendously,” describes Dr. Michael Braasch, Thomas Professor of Engineering in the School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. “That is what our researchers do routinely at the AEC.” For 26 years, Dr. Braasch has been aiding the development of aircraft navigation and landing systems, specifically via research with the global positioning system (GPS). Former Director of the Avionics Engineering Center, Dr. Braasch will be sharing a handful of the test flight stories he has collected through the years in his Science Café Discussion “Iron Stomachs and White Knuckles: Navigation System Flight Testing.” Dr. Braasch’s advice – it takes eagerness and an empty stomach.

 

April 04:  Willem Roosenburg,  Biological Sciences, "TBD"

Sept. 14:  Dr. Brian McCarthy, Environmental & Plant Biology, "From the Brink of Extinction:  the American Chestnut"

The great American chestnut used to make up nearly 25% of our entire Appalachian forest region, according to the American Chestnut Foundation. By 1940, the chestnut blight brought this majestic tree close to extinction. Through the restoration work of the American Chestnut Foundation and the research of hardwood forest ecologist Dr. Brian McCarthy, the American chestnut may have a chance at survival. In his Science Café discussion, "From the Brink of Extinction: the American Chestnut," Dr. McCarthy, Professor of Environmental and Plant Biology, will explain this tree's saga as part of the history of Appalachia. "After 30 years of breeding, the American Chestnut Foundation may have a blight resistant American chestnut," notes Dr. McCarthy. 

Sept. 28:  Dr. Erin Murphy, Biomedical Sciences, "Bacteria:  The Good, the Bad and the Resistant"

Getting up in morning is hard enough without considering the stack of dirty dishes from the night before laden with germs or the superbug we could be creating when we reach for the antimicrobial soap.  "But not all bacteria are bad," Dr. Erin Murphy, assistant professor of Biomedical Science in the College of Osteopathic Medicine, asserts.  In fact, some bacteria are good, even necessary and we owe a lot of credit to these microorganisms for helping us start our mornings.  For instance, bacteria are often used to help ferment coffee, cheese, and yogurt.  Join Dr. Murphy for her Science Cafe' Discussion where she will highlight the beneficial and harmful aspects of these misunderstood organisms, and the rising controversy of antibiotic resistance.

Oct. 12:  Dr. Dave Bayless, Mechanical Engineering, "Powering the World with Pond Scum"

According to the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity, coal was responsible for nearly 45 percent of all electricity generated in the United States in 2010 – more than natural gas and nuclear power combined. Still, the environmental impact of coal is a major concern, with US coal-burning power plants producing close to 2 billion tons of carbon dioxide (CO₂) per year. But many scientists believe this can be mitigated,  including Dr. David J. Bayless, Professor of Mechanical Engineering in the Russ College of Engineering and Technology, who studies the photosynthetic conversion of CO₂-generated from coal-burning, into algae. "Students are going to have to deal with sustainability issues far more than my generation," notes Dr. Bayless and algae may afford us an answer to turning the coal we rely on, into something green, literally. As a sustainable byproduct, the algae produced have potential uses ranging from animal feed to omega 3 fatty acid supplements.  In his Science Café discussion, "Powering the World with Pond Scum," Dr. Bayless will discuss his work on producing algal-based fuels, as well as the promise of these little photosynthetic organisms. We invite you on Wednesday, October 12th to explore with Dr. Bayless the new frontiers of clean coal research.  

Oct. 26:  Dr. James Lein, Geography, "The Geography of Tomorrow:  The Science of Futures Research"

"The best way to predict the future is to invent it," said American computer scientist Dr. Alan Kay. But how much control of the future do we really have? It may all depend on our understanding of the present. Applied geographers such as Dr. James K. Lein are developing ways to peer into the future through analyzing the decisions and technologies of the here and now. "In many respects we do invent or design our future," says Dr. Lein, Department of Geography Professor in the College of Arts and Sciences. By attempting to understand the consequences of human innovations, land use patterns, and resource management decisions, applied geographers attempt to conceptualize how the future of a given area will look. "The decisions and creations we make shape and reshape the landscapes we live in," adds Dr. Lein. Join us at the Baker Front Room on Wednesday, October 26th at 5:00 pm as Dr. Lein explores, "The Geography of Tomorrow: The Science of Futures Research." Get there earlier and a free cup of coffee may be in your future!