![[University of Waterloo]](/goldbar.gif)
| Yesterday |
Wednesday July 16, 2003
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Editor: Chris Redmond credmond@uwaterloo.ca |
Midnight Sun falls to fifth placeUW's Midnight Sun VII solar race car experienced problems with its steering and alignment yesterday, causing the team to finish the day's racing in fifth place. Nonetheless, after working hard to repair the problems, "things are looking positive," says team member Calli Citron. "We're not that far off the lead car, and we're hoping to close the gap." Citron estimates there are 1,800 miles left to go in the 2003 American Solar Challenge event. Today the team is heading for Tulsa, Oklahoma. |
![[campers]](/images/2003/camperslunch.gif)
Photo by Barbara ElveLittle campers are hard at work and play on campus these days, many taking lunch breaks in the Peter Russell Rock Garden. Arts Computer Experience and Engineering Science Quest are among the kids' summer programs running on campus this week. |
TARSAS has begun using the unique characteristics of Shape Memory Alloys (SMA), "smart materials," so named because they remember their initial crystal form. Even after plastic deformation, they can be prodded to return to their original shape.
Gorbet, Raafat Mansour (also of E&CE), and master's student Brian Keats are currently involved in a development project using SMAs to produce inexpensive, self-tuning, cavity wave-guides for satellite receivers. Temperature swings in space greatly affect the performance of satellite systems. Historically these devices have used expensive non-thermal reacting alloys. Using SMAs, wave-guides made of more practical and inexpensive materials can sense temperature swings and adapt to maintain their original properties. (Gorbet already has an SMA test specimen slated to go on the next Mars lander.)
SMAs can potentially be scaled down to a few crystals in size, opening the way for the development of surgical instruments small enough to autonomously travel through the body to the site of injury.
![[Shaw]](/images/2003/0701shaw.gif)
As chair of her department, "Shaw works hard at balancing her administrative responsibilities with teaching, supervising graduate students, and research," says a profile published in the Gazette recently as a free ad for the Keystone Campaign. Her research focuses on the areas of leisure and gender, family leisure, social, interactional and political aspects of leisure, and qualitative and quantitative research methods.
What do you enjoy most about teaching? "It's most rewarding when students learn that there are different perspectives and different ways to look at things. This can provide insight and understanding into a range of social issues."
What do you personally value about the university? "The attitude of openness and willingness to try new things and take risks -- we're not bogged down in 300 years of tradition."
And, about the Keystone Campaign itself, What project have you designated your gift to? "With the cutbacks and the increasing cost of graduate education, I've given to Graduate Student scholarships. Grad students are interested and highly motivated, they have given up jobs to continue their studies, and there is just not the financial support needed available for these students."
Have you lived in other interesting places? "I was born in England and grew up there. In my early 20s, I spent four years in Africa, three in Uganda, and then another year in Zambia. It was such an impressionable time in my life and it gave me an understanding of diversity and different cultures, how challenging life can be for others, and how people have the courage to persevere."
The university welcomes and encourages applications from the designated employment equity groups: visible minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and aboriginal people. For more information call ext. 2524.
CKMS -- Radio Waterloo is seeking a part-time music coordinator. Applicants must have knowledge of a variety of music styles, some computer experience and fast typing skills. Some non-profit radio experience and post-secondary training in music, communications, or broadcasting would also be an asset. The position is for 20 hours per week and the salary range is $12 to $15 per hour depending on experience. Heather Majaury, station manager for CKMS, will accept applications until July 25.
All graphics copy centres will be closed from noon to 1 p.m. today, so that staff members may attend a departmental meeting.
"Make reading part of the summer fun!" says a flyer from the UW Bookstore. All kids' fiction is 25 percent off for the month of July. For more summer reading picks, check out the bookstore's website.
C&PA