The science of Avatar

Maybe you saw Avatar (I still haven't - I'm not sure I will), or maybe you have no idea what it is (James Cameron's latest movie, which, I believe, became the highest grossing movie of all-time last weekend). But apparently, the "world" in which the movie is set has floating mountains and other sci-fi wonders. But are things like that really possible?

Below is a video from WGN TV in Chicago. They interviewed Notre Dame's Morten Eskildsen of the Physics Department. Professor Eskildsen conducts research on superconductors (or, for non-science people like me, "electric stuff that floats with liquid nitrogen"). I think all of this would be pretty interesting - if I understood the scientific jargon!

Stinson-Remick Hall

Last week, the College of Engineering opened Stinson-Remick Hall, a new $70 million, 142,000 square foot facility on Notre Dame Avenue (on the site of the old University Club--this building is just a tad bit larger). Stinson-Remick is home to a nanotechnology research center, the University's new Energy Center, a semiconductor processing and device fabrication clean room, and plenty of spaces for both undergraduate and graduate research and collaboration. As a side note: don't ask me what any of those technical "activities" are; I was a Political Science major.

Our office was fortunate to tour Stinson-Remick Hall yesterday, during which I was able to take a few pictures. I apologize for the quality--I was using the camera on my phone--but I figured these were better than nothing!

Undergraduate Learning Center

One of many study areas throughout the building

One of three "clean rooms" in the facility: one of grade 10,000, one of grade 1,000, and one of grade 100. Again, my knowledge here lacks, but apparently these are some of the "cleanest" such facilities on a college campus in the United States.

A view of the main hallway, with the clean rooms in the back.

It does not look like there is an online tour of the facility yet, though I'm guessing there will be soon. It will be posted at this website.

Notre Dame research

Notre Dame has always been known for its undergraduate education; the University often rivals liberal arts colleges in small class sizes, individual attention to students, and strong relationships between students, faculty and staff.

Recently, and especially over the past few years, Notre Dame has made efforts to strengthen its research opportunities and achievements at all levels. Personally, I am often amazed and what some of the very bright students and professors here at the University can do in their respective fields, whether it is biological sciences, electrical engineering, or economics.

The Office of News and Information has a website specifically dedicated to Notre Dame research and the many projects conducted on campus each year: http://newsinfo.nd.edu/news/category/research/. If you are anything like me, much of the information is over your head, but the page certainly highlights an impressive list of people and projects making Notre Dame proud.

Stinson Remick Hall--new engineering building

I guess I'm in a bit of a "new building mood" tonight! Another important construction project to keep in mind is that of Stinson Remick Hall, scheduled for completion by the end of 2010. As you can tell by following the above link, this state-of-the-art facility will provide our undergraduate engineering students a wonderful opportunity to work with some of the best resources in the nation. And, the great thing is just that: sure, professors and graduate students will have space in the building, but it is designed to give our undergraduate students the best educational and research experiences possible.