Page 1001 – Soapbox

UC awarded $3M state grant to improve titanium alloy rods in spinal implant devices

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June 9, 2009

The University of Cincinnati received a $3 million Ohio Third Frontier Wrights Project Award to develop and commercialize a technology that will strengthen biomedical material like the titanium alloy rods in spinal implant devices. The university has future plans to apply the technology to other materials too. This strengthening technique, or laser shock peening (LSP) technology, is an advanced treatment that uses laser-induced shock waves to improve the strength, life and resistance to cracking. The process strengthens products and parts by three to five times over conventional preening treatments. “This project, ‘Ohio Center for Laser Shock Processing for Advanced Materials and Devices,’ which is focused at the intersection of two of the five Wright Projects thrust areas — namely, advanced materials and biomedical devices — will be fantastic for our students, the College of Engineering, UC and Cincinnati State,” said Vijay Vasudevan, a professor in the College of Engineering's Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, and the lead of the project. The university will use the funds to buy equipment that will allow the project to move forward. GE Aviation has used the technology to enhance the life and reliability of titanium alloy fan and compressor blades in aircraft turbine engines, according to UC. The university has been working to apply this technology to aerospace components running at ambient and higher temperatures. UC is working on this project for the past four years. The university is collaborating with several local companies and institutions in making the technology commercially available. These include X-Spine Systems Inc ., LSP Technologies Inc, UES Inc. and Cincinnati State and Technical College. The Ohio Third Wright Projects program offers grants to support research for projects close to commercialization that requires a major capital outlay at universities and non-profits. The projects must involve at least one Ohio company and be in the sectors of advanced materials; advanced/alternative energy; instruments, controls and electronics; biomedical; and advanced propulsion. “In the short term, we will be applying the LSP technology for the first time to enhance the performance and reliability of spinal implants, a natural application given that implant components are made from the same titanium alloys used in aero engines, and thereby helping to develop new, high-value products manufactured and commercialized in Ohio, with the creation of new jobs and enhanced economic growth,” Vasudevan said. Writer: Feoshia HendersonSource: Wendy Beckman, University of Cincinnati Public Information Officer

Program for 700 at-risk youth trains them for jobs in advanced manufacturing, science and technology

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Innovation News

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June 9, 2009

Program for 700 at-risk youth trains them for jobs of the future in advanced manufacturing, science, technology and moreSome students have the smarts and the drive to get ahead in today’s competitive workplace, but might face barriers in continuing their education to get there.But with the help of nearly $2.4 million in federal stimulus funds, more than 700 Cincinnati youth and young adults will get a chance to make some progress. Hamilton County has identified five education and training service providers to teach valuable work skills to at-risk young people aged 14-to-24 this summer. They’ll be trained in the areas of green industries, health care, construction, education, technology, math, engineering, science and advanced manufacturing. “By making strategic investments in our young people, particularly those that are facing the greatest obstacles, we secure the future of Hamilton County while preventing problems that cost us all,” said Commissioner David Pepper. “This program will foster a strong work ethic, the job skills and experience needed to be successful in life.” Most of the programs will run from June through August. They’ll be led by Easter Seals Work Resource Center, Great Oaks Career Campuses, Jobs for Cincinnati Graduates, Arbor Employment and Training and the Urban League of Greater Cincinnati. “Our approach with stimulus dollars is to use them smartly and strategically on our priority needs,” Pepper said. “Here, we are doing just that—creating jobs, and helping create a path to success for the young people who face the greatest obstacles to making it.” Most students will not only get work training, but job placement with local employers. Some will also get computer and financial literacy training, or student aid. They’ll also be paid up to $10 an hour for their work during training, but could go one to make much more with their skills in the future. Writer: Feoshia HendersonSource: Bridget Doherty, Chief of Staff Commissioner David Pepper

Cool science jobs from cave explorers to forgery detectives

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Cincy In The News

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June 9, 2009

Being a integrative science professor may not sound like the coolest job in the world, but Hazel Barton would beg to differ. The Northern Kentucky University professor was able to travel to seven continents last year exploring caves. Barton studies the hardy forms of life that thrive in cold, dark, seemingly barren reaches below the ground that are often referred to as "extremeophiles" by scientists. Barton is one of several scientists on a panel called "Cool Jobs" at next week's World Science Festival in New York City. She will be joined by Tyrone Hayes, a biologist from the University of California at Berkeley and Maurizio Seracini who examines works of Italian art. Read full article here.

Paris Hilton helps kick off Cincinnati club

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Cincy In The News

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June 9, 2009

Celebrity socialite Paris Hilton was in Cincinnati this past week to help kick off the transformation of popular downtown Cincinnati destination Bang Nightclub into Lush. Paris was was joined with her boyfriend Doug Reinhardt. An estimated 500 people showed up and paid $20 a person to get in, or $500 for a VIP table. Also in the crowd was former 98 Degrees member and reality television star Nick Lachey. Read full article here.

Electric cars park free in Cincinnati

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Cincy In The News

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June 9, 2009

In an effort to further put the Green Cincinnati Initiative into action the City will soon be offering free parking to anyone driving an all-electric vehicle. Vice Mayor David Crowley says that while only a small number of people will be affected at first, the new program is a symbolic effort. "This is a concrete step of some economic value to people willing to invest in all-electric vehicles or who drive them," says Crowley. Those wishing to take advantage of the program will have to display a city-issued sticker to park without charge. Read full article here.

Cincinnati Zoo attendance skyrockets

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Arts + Culture

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June 9, 2009

The Cincinnati Zoo has seen explosive attendance growth in 2009 when compared to the previous year. So far in the first five months, of the year, the Zoo has seen a 40% increase in attendance which totals up to more than 370,000 visitors so far. Those numbers include the second-best April and May attendance in zoo history. May 23 also marked the highest attendance of any May day in history with nearly 13,000 people visiting the zoo. The Zoo recently opened a new main entrance off of Vine Street and credit this for some of the increase in attendance. They also said that an aggressive marketing campaign and a variety of national rankings putting the Cincinnati Zoo as one of the best zoos for families in the country. Read full article here.

New president will find changes at University of Cincinnati

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Cincy In The News

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June 9, 2009

The University of Cincinnati has experienced dynamic changes over the past several years. These changes will greet the next president of the nearly 40,000 student university. The University's main campus has been entirely rebuilt and now boasts one of the most impressive collections of architecture of any university campus, academics and athletics have improved across the board and the university is expecting its largest freshman class ever this year. Dr. Nancy Zimpher left the University of Cincinnati to take the chancellor position of the State University of New York. Read full article here.

Revitalizing Over-the-Rhine: The Legacy & The Challenge

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Architecture + Design

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June 9, 2009

Cincinnati's historic Over-the-Rhine neighborhood is in the midst of a major transformation. The neighborhood that saw serious decline over the past several decades is finally starting to rebound. With this revitalization comes new challenges. Kaid Benfield looks at the neighborhood and examines how revitalization might continue without further jeopardizing any additional historic structures, how the neighborhood might be revitalized in a sustainable and environmentally friendly manner and how to do all of this while staying true to the culture of Over-the-Rhine past and present. Kaid Benfield is the director of the Smart Growth Program with the Natural Resources Defense Council in Washington D.C. Read full article here.

Restoration work to begin at Cincinnati’s Union Terminal

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Architecture + Design

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June 9, 2009

A $9 million first phase will kick off a larger $120 million restoration effort at Cincinnati's historic art deco Union Terminal that opened in 1933 as a railroad station. The first phase will be begin soon and include the remodeling of several dining and banquet rooms that will be made available to the public for rental. Also included in the work is the cleaning and restoration of ceiling murals, wood veneer and light fixtures, and installing new windows and wiring. Read full article here.

First African-American female rabbi ordained

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Cincy In The News

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June 9, 2009

Cleveland native Alysa Stanton was ordained as the first African-American female rabbi in Cincinnati. Stanton is a graduate of the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati. She was one of 14 rabbis ordained this past week at Cincinnati's Plum Street Temple. Stanton will begin her work as the spiritual leader of Congregation Bayt Shalom in Greenville, South Carolina. Read full article here.