Free Public Dialog Explores Current Topics in Science, Technology and Art

Quarterly Lunch with Leo Event Switches to Evening Timeslot for Easier Access

The Leonardo and USTAR will host their first Leonardo After Hours event titled “Cashing in on Green (Energy)!” The event will run Dec. 8th from 5:30 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the Olive Bistro, 50 West 200 South, Salt Lake City.  Leonardo After Hours is free and open to the public. Light appetizers will be served and a cash bar will be available.

Three local green technology experts will discuss what’s new and what’s next in the world of alternative energy—from laser wind mapping, to solar nanotechnology, to smart thermo siphons—and why our country’s economic future may depend on aggressively pursuing these new technologies and techniques.

Leonardo After Hours is fast-paced, highly visual, and includes ample time for audience questions, interactions with guest experts, and mingling. Reporter Kirsten Stewart will serve as the emcee at this event.

Guest experts include: Bob Barson, Center for Active Sensing and Imaging (USTAR), Utah State University; Nathan Furr, Business Management Department, Brigham Young University; Dr. Kent Udell, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Utah.

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USTAR researchers will assist in a “green city” initiative

Utah State University’s Energy Dynamics Laboratory and the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business have teamed with Park City, Utah, to conduct an energy feasibility study that will serve as a guide as Park City works to reach major milestones for environmental sustainability and alternative energy.

“This study will help Park City better understand what needs to be done so we can reduce our carbon footprint, secure alternative forms of clean energy and broaden the mix and resiliency of our energy portfolio,” said Dana Williams, mayor of Park City.

Six teams of Utah State University students, working on six projects, will conduct research that will provide innovative recommendations to Park City. The study will include research and analysis into the feasibility of the following energy projects: (more…)

As the year draws to a close, it’s a good time to look back and take stock. For the USTAR initiative, the year has been one of momentum building and an increasing pace of achievement.

Over the next few weeks, we’ll discuss in Utah Pulse the milestones USTAR is hitting in its three main program areas of Research, Buildings, and Technology Outreach. Today’s story covers Research – which represents the efforts of more than 20 leading scientists attracted to Utah through USTAR funding in the focus areas of Energy, Biomedical/Biopharma, Nanotechnology, Medical Imaging/Brain Medicine, and Digital Media.

In the Research arena, the taxpayers can see evidence of a good return on their investment. USTAR is in the phase where we are seeing significant gains in federal, industry and foundation grants attracted to the state.

As of June 30, 2009, the state's investment in USTAR research has been leveraged on a two-to-one basis.

For example, from 2008 to 2009 the University of Utah experienced 16 percent growth overall in research awards ($306 million to $355 million), an impressive performance in a very tough economy for funding. Perhaps even more impressive is that USTAR faculty accounted for 27 percent of this growth, or $13.3 million in awards in FY2009. (more…)

Acceleration in collaboration between researchers, more funding from outside of Utah, more high end jobs in Utah, increased prominence for Utah’s research universities, and progress toward solving big issues: these are some of the hoped-for benefits of recruiting leading scientists to Utah under the USTAR initiative and they are materializing, as the experience of the University of Utah’s Imaging Technology team shows.

The team – anchored by USTAR researchers Guido Gerig, Tom Fletcher and Tolga Tasdizen – puts Utah at the international forefront in the field of neuroimage analysis. The team’s goal is to develop technology and computer modeling that leads to earlier detection and more effective treatment of Alzheimer’s, Autism, Multiple Sclerosis, Depression, Schizophrenia, and other debilitating conditions.

SCI director Chris Johnson

The team includes “incumbent” U of U experts such as Scientific Computing and Imaging (SCI) Institute director Chris Johnson, as well as professors Sarang Joshi and Ross Whitaker and a cadre of graduate students and highly skilled staff members. At its core, the cadre of experts exemplifies a cross-functional collaboration between the SCI Institute and the U of U’s Brain Institute.

“Guido Gerig is one of the world’s most highly regarded neuroscientists,” said Johnson, a Distinguished Professor of Computer Science. “His participation in a grant application carries a lot of weight and has certainly made funding organizations pay more attention to what’s happening in Utah.” (more…)

Utah State University’s success as one of the state of Utah’s flagship research institutions is evident in many ways, but in 2009 USU celebrates a record level of patent activity. Five new spin-out companies – spanning markets as diverse as paperless workflow and archeological services – are further evidence of USU’s growing innovation activity.

In fiscal year 2009, after receiving 80 idea disclosures from students and professors about potential inventions, a record number of 44 patents were filed and 11 patents were issued to USU. In addition, ten commercialized technologies were copyrighted at the university.

This is the most ever generated by USU’s Technology Commercialization Office (TCO) in a single year. By comparison, in fiscal year 2008, 62 ideas were disclosed to the TCO, 26 patents filed and five patents were received by the TCO. (more…)