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posted on Nov. 27: Esteemed scientist examines relationships between biology, technology

The way may be clear for scientists to take apart biological systems and understand them in the same way we understand machines. Robert Austin, professor of physics at Princeton University and a member of the National Academy of Sciences asks the question, "Will the 21st century be the century of biology?" for the 24th annual Alexander Graham Bell Lecture. The free public lecture takes place today, Nov. 27 at 2:30 p.m. in the Burke Science Building, Room 147. Austin's lecture will explore the technologies that have allowed scientists to quantify complex phenomena and the new ideas that have arisen from their understanding of biological systems. These new ideas include the possibility that scientists will have the ability to control and change biological systems. Austin's presentation will also include taking a guess at some new technologies and offering his ideas about what the future may bring. The Alexander Graham Bell Lecture, presented annually by the Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, offers outstanding speakers on a topic in information and emerging technologies that is of interest to both the members of the University community and the general public. (End of story)

posted on Nov. 26: Adventure racing team finishes 16th in China

"Skreemin' Fury" indeed. With a speed worthy of their name, a fledgling Hamilton-based team of McMaster professors and graduate students has scorched a trail through the young but growing sport of adventure racing landing a coveted spot this fall on the starting line of one of the sport's top international races. Three members of the team pitted themselves against some 30 entries from around the world in this year's Mild Seven Outdoor Quest, held earlier this month for the fourth time in China. In adventure racing, teams of three or four people tackle a succession of sports - including running, mountain biking, paddling and orienteering -- over outdoor courses ranging anywhere from 50 to 300 kilometres long and lasting from one to four days. Based on its impressive track record - Skreemin' Fury won all five of the races it entered last year after it was formed in June 2000 - the team was selected early this year from among hundreds of would-be competitors. Says team member Mike Waddington, a professor in the School of Geology & Geography, "We were the only team invited from Canada." Theirs may also be the only team made up entirely of academics rather than professional athletes. Besides Waddington, the team includes Mark Tarnopolsky, a professor of medicine, and four graduate students: Doug Mahoney, John Markez, Natalie Perkins and Gianni Parise. Tarnopolsky, Mahoney and Markez, along with Ken Sidney, a cross-country skiing champion and professor at Laurentian University, made up a foursome that finished exactly in the middle of the 32 teams that competed in the race. "I broke my ribs on the first day of the race and we were in the top seven at the time," says Tarnopolsky, about the team's showing. Although he was taped up every morning by doctors, Tarnopolsky and his team finished the race. "Not bad, given the fact that I [could not] take a deep breath. It was hard to run at 11,000 feet above sea level with shallow breaths. Overall it was a great experience." Skreemin' Fury: (l-r) Doug Mahoney, Gianni Parise, Mark Tarnopolsky and Mike Waddington train on the trails in Dundas. Photo by Simon Wilson

posted on Nov. 28: Social work association raises funds for children, needy students

A fundraiser initiated by social work students at McMaster will brighten the lives of children at McMaster's Children's Hospital and University students in need of financial assistance. The McMaster Social Work Students Association has teamed up with the hospital and its Teddy Bears Picnic program in launching a colouring calendar featuring Clifford's Creatures. Each picture is accompanied by a self-esteem building message. The groups are hoping to raise about $25,000 from the project. Gerald Walsh, president of the McMaster student group, organized the calendar as a community outreach program. He says funds raised from the sale of calendars will also support the establishment of bursaries for McMaster social work students in financial need. The calendars are $6 each and can be purchased on campus (from the hospital's gift shops) or from the Hamilton Health Sciences Foundation. They will also be sold at the Hamilton Centre Mall and area schools. Sponsors of the program, which includes a colouring contest for kids, include Laurentian, Maple Leaf, McMaster Media Productions, the School of Social Work, and the McMaster Students Union. Laurentian is providing complimentary crayons with each calendar purchased. Illustrations for the calendar were supplied by Hamilton artist J. C. Walsh. Photo: Gerald Walsh with five-year-old Tylor Grant at calendar launch. (End of story)

posted on Nov. 23: Museum looks forward to new shows, programs

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/cameraman.jpg” caption=”Cameraman films new exhibit in Museum”]The large billboard at Longwood and Aberdeen streets in Hamilton tells the story. McMaster's Museum of Art . . .

posted on Nov. 23: A mover’s headache: how to install a giant machine

It's taken almost a week to move a 74,250-kilogram giant into the McMaster Manufacturing Research Institute. Physical plant employees, security, machinery movers -- teams of people have been working on moving a new automotive sheet metal forming press into the back end of the John Hodgins Engineering building. The mammoth press has been lying on its side outside the engineering building as movers determine how to ease it through a hole in the wall, tilt it into a standing position, while at the same time positioning it into a 3.6-metre deep pit. Hydraulic lifts and conveyer belts are being used. And yes, it takes a few engineers to figure this out. The $1.6 million press, funded by the Canada Foundation for Innovation, comes from a company north of Toronto. Mukesh Jain, of the MMRI, said major automotive companies like the Ford Motor Co. would have this type of press in their manufacturing operations, but the McMaster model will be used as a highly refined research tool. "This one is unique, " said Jain, who left Alcan's Kingston operation three months ago to join McMaster. "This is well instrumented and well controlled." Jain said the McMaster operation would be one of the largest among universities in Canada. The press takes a flat sheet of metal and stamps it into a component, with the capacity to punch metal at a force of 900-tonnes. "The research will be working with material suppliers and automotive companies to try and understand the different types of metal forming processes." Jain said researchers will study topics such as how new materials and lubricants behave in the metal forming process. Once the press is ensconced in its new home, it will take a few more months to set up the instrumentation before researchers can begin conducting research using the machine. The new press is the final piece of equipment to be housed in the 15,000 sq. ft. MMRI facility, which houses 13 industrial machines and a robot. The institute is designed to meet the sophisticated research and development needs of leading manufacturers. MOVING DAYS: MMRI researcher Mukesh Jain stands in front of the new sheet metal forming press being installed in the institute. Photo by Shelly Easton

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posted on Nov. 27: Esteemed scientist examines relationships between biology, technology

posted on Nov. 26: Adventure racing team finishes 16th in China

posted on Nov. 28: Social work association raises funds for children, needy students

posted on Nov. 23: Museum looks forward to new shows, programs

posted on Nov. 23: A mover’s headache: how to install a giant machine

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