Story Ideas for Media 8-8-05
News
OSU ranked one of nation's top 10 public research universities. Ohio State University is now one of the top 10 public research universities in the country, based on rankings just posted by the National Science Foundation, Division of Science Resources Statistics.
The university moved into 10th place among public universities, up from 12th place, and into 15th place among all research universities, public and private, up from 18th place. The report is based on total research expenditures for Fiscal Year 2002-2003, the latest information available.
Through this achievement, Ohio State fulfills a major goal set by the institution's leadership to earn inclusion into this select tier of public research universities. According to Robert McGrath, senior vice president for research at Ohio State, "Attaining a spot on the top 10 list is a remarkable achievement considering that the competition for research funding has intensified dramatically in recent years."
Contact: Robert McGrath, (614) 292-1582 or mcgrath.66@osu.edu
Research
Sensor could detect concealed weapons without X-rays. A new sensor being patented by Ohio State University could be used to detect concealed weapons or help pilots see better through rain and fog. Unlike X-ray machines or radar instruments, the sensor doesn't have to generate a signal to detect objects – it spots them based on how brightly they reflect the natural radiation that is all around us every day. There is always a certain amount of radiation – light, heat, and even microwaves – in the environment. Every object – the human body, a gun or knife, or an asphalt runway – reflects this ambient radiation differently.
Paul Berger, professor of electrical and computer engineering and physics at Ohio State and head of the team that is developing the sensor, likened this reflection to the way glossy and satin-finish paints reflect light differently to the eye.
Contact: Paul Berger, (614) 247-6235 or pberger@ieee.org
See: http://researchnews.osu.edu/archive/bakdiode.htm
Events
Professor will discuss federal judicial selection issues – Aug. 10. Elliot Slotnick, professor of political science at Ohio State, will discuss the "Federal Judicial Selection: Business as Usual or Nuclear Warfare?" in a Columbus Metropolitan Club forum at noon on Wednesday (8/10) at the Athletic Club of Columbus, 136 East Broad St. Slotnick, an expert in the area of federal judicial selection, will examine the Bush administration's selection and subsequent confirmation processes, as well as the causes and consequences of the filibustering of judicial nominees. Contact: Columbus Metropolitan Club, (614) 464-3220.
Get turned on to physics at the Ohio State Fair – Aug. 12 and 13. Members of Sigma Pi Sigma (SPS), the physics honor society, will be at the 2005 Ohio State Fair on Friday and Saturday (8/12-13) as part of their outreach program. The goal of these dedicated students is to spread interest in physics among the general public, especially children. In a booth set up in the Lausche Building, home to Ohio 4-H, SPS will offer numerous experiments, from dropping balloons in liquid nitrogen to putting CDs in a microwave oven. Each experiment is attended by a physics student who explains to the audience what is happening and why. Children are encouraged to take a hands-on approach by asking questions and even performing some additional tabletop demonstrations themselves, with guidance from the SPS students. The program has been a popular addition to the 4-H projects for the past two years.
Contact: Melissa L. Weber, Mathematical and Physical Sciences (614) 292-2254.
South Campus Gateway offers jobs, bookstore opening – Aug. 12 and 15.
The South Campus Gateway will sponsor a job fair on Friday (8/12) for those interested in part-time jobs and full-time career opportunities in retail, food service, security, parking and custodial services. The job fair will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the lobby of the building at 1595 North High Street at West 11th Avenue. Parking will be available in the Gateway garage off East 9th and East 11th Avenues. Among the employers represented will be Eddie George's Grill 27, Panera Bread, Pot Belly Sandwich Works, Barnes & Noble - The Ohio State University Book Store*, Finish Line and EB Games. Contact: Lynda Pomeroy, Griffin Communications, (614) 341-6439 or Jerry Johnson, Marketing Director, South Campus Gateway, (614) 330-7530.
*Barnes & Noble - The Ohio State University Bookstore plans to open on Monday (8/15). Retail books are currently being stocked on the shelves as final preparations are being made. Textbooks will begin arriving the week of August 15. Media may photograph books arriving at the store.
Contact: Lynda Pomeroy, Griffin Communications, (614) 341-6439 or Kathy Smith, bookstore general manager (614) 294-4674, extension 238.
The person listed as CONTACT will have the best information about the story. Call on our media relations staff for help with any Ohio State story – Liz Cook, (614) 292-7276; and Amy Murray, (614) 292-8385.
