News & Events: Week of March 5

March 6 CSIS Seminar: Dr. Indrani Pal, CEAS Sustainable Infrastructure Systems Faculty Candidate

March 7 CEAS seminar: Dexter Sinistre and the Left Hand of Darkness: Neural Interfaces for the Control of Dexterous Artificial Hands

March 8 CEAS seminar: Smart Grids and Optimization Problems on Distribution Networks

Dan Connors and Jason Ren Awarded Outstanding Faculty Awards

CE faculty attend 45^th Annual High School Bridge Building competition

Assistant Professor Wes Marshall and former CE faculty Stephan Durham featured in Prism

Research and Creative Activities Symposium scheduled for April 27

Colorado Center for Health and Wellness membership enrollment now open

If you have news and events you’d like to share with the college, contact Erica Lefeave at erica.lefeave@ucdenver.edu.

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March 6 CSIS Seminar: Dr. Indrani Pal, CEAS Sustainable Infrastructure Systems Faculty Candidate

The Center for Sustainable Infrastructure Systems presents: Dr. Indrani Pal, CEAS Sustainable Infrastructure Systems Faculty Candidate.
North Classroom Building, Room 1805A,
Tuesday, March 6, 2012, 11 a.m.

PRESENTATION OVERVIEW
The presentation will focus on the Influence of climate dynamics on river flow: A case study from the Western Himalayas and will discuss the use of historic climate information to understand the dynamics of and predict the fresh water availability of a snow/glacier fed Himalayan River that has significant contribution to many components of the socio-economic system in India. The presentation will center around the predictability and diagnostics of Satluj River flow in spring as a case study, which is the lifeline for the ‘breadbasket’ of India. This case study will explain how fluctuation of winter ocean temperatures and pressures remotely alter the concurrent seasonal participation events and the frequency of different states (e.g. dry/wet), which are the primary determinants of springtime Satluj River flow.

For information or comments on CSIS seminar, contact Zeljko Spiric.

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March 7 CEAS seminar: Dexter Sinistre and the Left Hand of Darkness: Neural Interfaces for the Control of Dexterous Artificial Hands

UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER
College of Engineering and Applied Science
Spring 2012 Seminar Series
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Wednesday, March 7, 2012
10 a.m., NC 2607/09

Dexter Sinistre and the Left Hand of Darkness: Neural Interfaces for the Control of Dexterous Artificial Hands
Richard Weir, Ph.D
Department of Bioengineering
University of Colorado Denver

Abstract
This talk will focus on our development work on both control interfaces for advanced prosthetic limbs, as well as the design of the advanced limb systems themselves, and the issues involved in this.  Our laboratory has been involved in the design of a number of initiatives for design of advanced prosthetic hand/arm systems.  Such systems require novel techniques to take advantage of the limited number of control sources available to the user.  This talk will discuss the current state of the art in resolving these issues along with some of the approaches our group is using.

Bio.
Richard Weir, PhD, is director of the Biomechatronics Development Laboratory and an Associate Research Professor in the Department of Bioengineering, College of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Colorado Denver | Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO. Dr. Weir is also a Research Healthcare Scientist for the Eastern Colorado Health Care System (ECHCS) Denver VAMC and Director for Research for Advanced Arm Dynamics.

Dr. Weir has over 20 years experience in upper-limb prosthetics research and specializes in the design of advanced artificial hand/arm replacements.  Dr. Weir’s research covers all aspects of the problem ranging from development of neural control interfaces and clinical deployment of these systems, to mechatronic design and development of novel prosthetic components.  Dr. Weir’s laboratory was extensively involved both of the recent DARPA Revolutionizing Prosthetics initiatives.

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March 8 CEAS seminar: Smart Grids and Optimization Problems on Distribution Networks

UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO DENVER
College of Engineering and Applied Science
Spring 2012 Seminar Series
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Thursday, March 8, 2012
10 a.m., NC 2607/09

Smart Grids and Optimization Problems on Distribution Networks
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1st Part: Modern Techniques for Optimization Problems on Distribution Networks with Embedded Generation

Francesco Riganti Fulginei (PhD and Assistant Professor at Department of Applied Electronics, Roma Tre University, Rome, Italy)

Abstract:
The seminar will present novel optimization techniques based on soft computing. In particular, it will be shown the architectures of the most widely used modern heuristics. Soft computing represents an innovative computational technique based on the integration of methodologies and algorithms such as, for example, swarm intelligence, artificial neural networks, genetic algorithms, which allows to challenge complex problems which are characteristic of electronic and electric engineering. After a preliminary critical evaluation and comparison of advantages and limitations of the algorithms currently used in engineering, the seminar will carry on with description of new methods able to use more sophisticated and accurate computing approaches, so that two targets could be pursued at the same time: a) to achieve more reliable computational results; b) to obtain a significantly reducing of the required time to carry out a full analysis.

Bio:
Francesco Riganti Fulginei is an Assistant Professor at the Roma Tre University (Rome, Italy), where he teaches and directs research in Non-Linear Optimization and Inverse Problems as a faculty member of the Department of Applied Electronics . Prof. Francesco Riganti Fulginei received the degree in electronics engineering from the Roma Tre Univerisy, Rome, Italy, on 2000, and PhD degree in Engineering of Biomedical Electronics, Electromagnetism and Telecommunications from the same University, on 2007. He is author of several international publications and of an international patent about energy recovery from urban traffic within cities. Currently, Prof. Francesco Riganti Fulginei is the manager of an international project that involves the University Of Colorado Denver (Denver, Colorado, USA), the Roma TRE University (Rome, Italy) and the Okayama University (Okayama, Japan). Moreover, he is the Italian coordinator of the framework agreement between the University Of Colorado Denver and the Roma Tre University. His research interests include Non-Linear Optimization and Inverse Problems applied to complex systems, in particular power electronics and electromagnetic devices.

2nd Part: Smart Grids: a new concept of distribution network.
Daniele Altomonte (Phd student at Department of Applied Electronics, Roma Tre University, Rome, Italy)

Abstract:
This seminar has the aim to present the main problems related to smart grid and its implementation, mainly on medium and low voltage networks with PV energy production, in order to achieve more intelligent and flexible distribution networks than they are nowadays. Voltage regulation issues and Islanding detection methods will be shown. The key feature of the approach is the use of a simulator, which will allow us to control, on demand, the electrical parameters on the grid, which are unknown in the case of inversion of power flow. Particular attention will be devoted to the use of Energy Storage System (ESS) in grid-connected PV plants, with the main aim of overcoming some important power quality problems of real distribution grids.

Bio:
Daniele Altomonte is a PhD Student in Engineering of Biomedical Electronics, Electromagnetism and Telecommunications at the Roma Tre University (Rome, Italy). Eng. Daniele Altomonte received the degree in electronics engineering from the same University on 2008. He is author of an international patent about energy recovery from urban traffic within cities. His research interests include distribution network, energy system, smart grids and optimization problems in power electronics. Currently he also works for Enel Distribuzione S.p.A., which is the most important electric company in Italy and the second most important Utility company in Europe.

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Dan Connors and Jason Ren Awarded Outstanding Faculty Awards

Congratulations to Dan Connors, electrical engineering, and Jason Ren, civil engineering, on receiving the 2012 College of Engineering and Applied Science Outstanding Faculty Awards.

Connors received the Outstanding Faculty in Teaching Award, and will be considered for the campuswide Annual Award for Excellence in Teaching. Ren received the Outstanding Faculty in Research Award and will be recommended for the campuswide Annual Award for Excellence in Research/Creative Activities. Both were nominated by their department chairs and will receive their awards at the college’s Year-End Celebration and Awards Ceremony in May.

Congratulations again to Dan and Jason on this achievement, and best of luck with the campus-level award.

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CE faculty attend 45th Annual High School Bridge Building competition

The 45th Annual High School Model Bridge Building Contest was held at the Bureau of Reclamation’s materials lab at the Denver Federal Center on Saturday, Feb. 25.  CE Assistant Professor Fred Rutz represented the college by manning an information table at the event.

The contest, sponsored by the National Society of Professional Engineers, presents an environment for practicing engineers and high school students to interact with one another. The underlying goals of the event are to expose high school students to engineering careers and begin establishing their relationships with the professional community.

There were 60 student entries in this academic competition. Students, teachers and parents attended.

For more information, visit www.pec.org/BridgeBuilding.html.

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Assistant Professor Wes Marshall and former CE faculty Stephan Durham featured in ASEE magazine

Two CE faculty share their advice and experiences on how to succeed as an engineering assistant professor at the ASEE’s 2011 annual conference. Some excerpts are featured in the Sept. 2011 issue of Prism: www.prism-magazine.org/sept11/tt_01.cfm.

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Research and Creative Activities Symposium scheduled for April 27

The 2012 Research and Creative Activities Symposium has been scheduled for April 27 at the Anschutz Medical Campus. Faculty from both campuses are asked to encourage student participation. In addition to the traditional poster session and presentations, workshops about how to present research at conferences, writing abstract and more also will be offered to students.

Student applications are due by March 30. Learn more at http://www.ucdenver.edu/about/newsroom/newsreleases/Pages/RaCAS-2012-Planning.aspx?source=today.

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Colorado Center for Health and Wellness membership enrollment now open

The Colorado Center for Health and Wellness at the Anschutz Medical Campus is thrilled to announce that membership enrollment is now open.

JOIN NOW! Lowest possible rates available until March 31. Only a limited number of memberships are available during early enrollment, and a quick sellout is anticipated.

Contact the Membership Office today to secure your membership: membership@coloradocenter.com or call 303-724-WELL.

Alternatively, you may visit our office at the Colorado Center for Health and Wellness at the corner of Quentin and Montview. Office hours will be extended to Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with weekend hours to be announced in the future. Stop by any time Monday through Friday, between 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., or call for an appointment.

The Colorado Center for Health and Wellness will deliver world-class programs and services in a superior facility designed to engage people on all spectrums of health and wellness. Whether you’re just thinking about how to live a healthier lifestyle or you’re a trained athlete, you will find the facility and the staff approachable, engaging and fun!

Click here for a special SNEAK PEEK >>>> <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhghjjKgfPA>

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