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2 ON CAMPUS FEBRUARY 1, 2008 Lina Kattan is an expert in systems that integrate, for example, the way traffic lights, buses and C-trains interact. Smart traffic New research chair helps keep city moving By Brandy Calvert A new research chair in transportation systems has been established at the University of Calgary to work with the City of Calgary to enhance mobility—that is, the flow of cars, buses, trains, bicycles and people. Lina Kattan is the Urban Alliance Professor in Transportation Systems Optimization, the first of several chairs to head up major research programs as part of the Urban Alliance partnership between the U of C and the city. “I will be taking a new direction that looks at the way artificial intelligence can be used to develop modern controls and techniques— ‘smart’ traffic systems that work in real time,” says Kattan. Kattan, who will collaborate with the city’s transportation Take Two department, is an expert in systems that integrate, for example, the way traffic lights, buses and C-trains interact, determining how traffic will flow around construction sites, and how electronic message boards and other routing techniques work best. All of these traffic control systems can be integrated so that each point in the system can adapt to changes introduced at any other point in the system—whether it is a car collision, construction zone or poor weather conditions. “A fast-growing city like Calgary is an ideal research environment for understanding urban traffic congestion because it provides so many opportunities to see what is working, where and why,” says Tom Brown, head of the department of civil engineering at the Schulich School of Engineering. “Dr. Kattan’s expertise will enhance the city’s mobility initiatives and help plan for long-term sustainable ‘smart’ systems that keep traffic moving amid growth, construction and repair.” Kattan’s five-year research program, with initial funding of $625,000 over five years, is funded as part of the Urban Alliance. “We’re delighted to have the expertise of Dr. Kattan and her team working collaboratively on optimizing Calgary’s transportation system,” agrees Troy McLeod, manager of Transportation Optimization at the City of Calgary. “This is an excellent example of the power of the Urban Alliance— City of Calgary staff working with the very impressive research talent at the University of Calgary to build a better city.” KEN BENDIKTSEN Car share hits campus Vehicle available for use by co-op members The University of Calgary now has a “car share” vehicle on campus, located just south of the Biological Sciences building, thanks to a local car share service and support from the university. “We encourage people to use transit, cycling and carpooling to get to campus,” says Peter Fraser, associate VP of Ancillaries and Infrastructure, who initiated the project. “Car sharing can help us overcome the last remaining obstacle of someone possibly needing a vehicle when on campus.” With this shared car now on campus, people can access a vehicle when needed once they become a member of the co-op service. They are billed for their use based on all-inclusive rates that include insurance and fuel costs. “With car sharing, people will be more inclined to use transportation alternatives to get to and from campus,” says Susan Austen, manager of U of C Parking Services, who provided the parking space. “This will let us make better use of the parking lots that we have now.” Members not only benefit from low rates but can also take advantage of overnight or all-day discounts and can earn credit for helping with light maintenance tasks. They can pay with Canadian Tire money and Calgary Dollars, as well as currency. “Car sharing is more than just a vehicle on campus,” says Cody Torgerson, co-founder and coordinator for the Calgary Alternative Transportation Co-op, which provides the service. “Our members save thousands of dollars a year compared to owning their own vehicle.” Co-op members can access any vehicle in the fleet, including a gaselectric hybrid Toyota Prius, a Smart fortwo and a mini-van. Most are located within walking distance of LRT stations. For now, there is just the one vehicle on campus, but there are plans to add more vehicles in the near future. Already this month the vehicle has seen more than 200 hours of use. “With car sharing, I get all the convenience of owning a car but without owning a car,” says Rev. Tim Nethercott, from the U of C’s Multi-Faith Chaplains’ Centre. “In fact, instead of losing money with an owned vehicle, I am now saving money and getting more exercise and reducing my CO 2 emissions. It’s great.” For more information, call Torgerson at 264-2422 or go to www.catco-op.org. PURE deadline looms By Nicole Davis If you are an undergraduate student who’s ready to conduct research alongside top U of C researchers, apply for a PURE award today. Programs for Undergraduate Research Experience (PURE) offer undergrads an opportunity to conduct research outside of the classroom under the direction and mentorship of top researchers. Established in 2006 by the Teaching and Learning Funding Committee, the award demonstrates the university’s commitment to teaching and learning, and to student involvement in research. Last summer, a total of 130 applications were submitted and 58 undergrads representing 10 faculties spent their summers looking for answers to some of life’s most intriguing questions. Research topics varied from ectoparasites and the health of bat populations, to bicycle helmet safety and the origin of Santa Claus. Students who participate in the program learn how to write research proposals, seek research funding, undertake or participate in substantive projects, learn discipline-specific skills and report research results. “The research experience was good for me to take my studies to the next level,” says Erin Swerdfeger, who researched bat health. Results of the competition will be announced in early March. Awards are available for 16 weeks ($6,000), 12 weeks ($4,500) or 8 weeks ($3,000). For information on award criteria and to apply, fill out the online application form at www.ucalgary.ca/TLFC/awards/ undergrad/. ONCAMPUS Volume 5, Number 8 OnCampus welcomes comments and suggestions for stories. Tel: (403) 220-5726 | Fax: (403) 282-8413 | Email: uofcnews@ucalgary.ca Web: www.ucalgary.ca/news/uofcpublications/oncampus/weekly/index Post: Administration 113, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, T2N 1N4 KEN BENDIKTSEN OnCampus is published by the office of the Vice-President (External Relations) Editorial Editor: Colleen Turner, Senior Director, Communications | 220-2920 | colleen.turner@ucalgary.ca Assistant editor: Beth Frank | 618-4647 | bfrank@ucalgary.ca Assistant editor OnCampus Online: Veronica Hoskins | 220-3506 | vhoskins@ucalgary.ca Copy editor: Matthew Fox | 220-7109 | mbfox@ucalgary.ca PAUL VERHOEF joined the U of C chaplains’ office almost four years ago and says his biggest challenge is to choose how and where to put his time and energy. “Social justice work? Book groups? Creating communities of compassion? Mentoring students? If there were 10 of me, we’d all have plenty to do.” He enjoys working at the university because it allows him to engage in the spiritual discipline of lifelong learning alongside other lifelong learners. “Before coming here I was studying at a seminary and my work in Ugaritic and Ancient Near Eastern mythology led me to the writings of Peter Craigie—who was in some sense a scholar-hero of mine. Now I’m sitting on the Craigie Lecture committee.” And in his spare time .... “I haven’t heard much about that concept since Monique and I had two kids (aged 4 and 2). As someone who grew up in Southern California, it’s a full-time job just to not be outclassed on ice skates by my four-year-old. We love getting into the mountains for hikes, floating down the Bow River, going for walks along the ridge and reading books in our free time.” Design | Production | Photography | Events Ken Bendiktsen | 220-3502 | kenben@ucalgary.ca Advertising Kathy Sieben | 220-5726 | ksieben@ucalgary.ca Printer Calgary Colorpress Next OnCampus: Feb. 29, 2008 Next OnCampus Online: Feb. 7, 2008 Contents may be reprinted with acknowledgement to the U of C. Publication Mail Agreement No: 40064590 Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: OnCampus, Administration 113, University of Calgary, Calgary AB T2N 1N4
CPO partnership hits right note ON CAMPUS FEBRUARY 1, 2008 3 By Gail Fredrickson A challenging new program designed to test and reward exceptional music students is underway in the music department at the University of Calgary. Part of a partnership between the U of C and the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra (CPO), the Musi- Can Protégé Program provides gifted music students with a glimpse into life as a professional musician working in an orchestra. The program is one of only two in Canada; the National Arts Centre Orchestra in Ottawa has a similar offering. “This opportunity will attract gifted music students to the U of C and keep them here,” says Jeremy Brown, head of the music department. As part of the MusiCan Protégé Program, students observe and rehearse with CPO musicians and learn what it takes to perform with an orchestra. One of the goals is to provide students with knowledge and experience that will help them launch their performance careers. “Orchestral jobs are extremely difficult to ‘win.’ Positions rarely open up, and when they do, the competition is tough and the audition process can be painfully trying,” says Nick Bedell, CPO’s manager of outreach and education. “Ability is one thing and a great thing, but experience builds and strengthens ability and is a big ‘plus point’ on a resume.” CPO members mentor students through rehearsals and technique classes. Students will also attend master classes with CPO music director Maestro Roberto Minczuk and other visiting conductors and musicians. In addition, students in the program receive complimentary tickets to concerts. “Training with the CPO has given me more ideas, not just on the performing aspect, but on the discipline and sheer commitment that it takes to be part of a major orchestra,” says flutist and graduate student Maria Noriega. The program also provides students with valuable networking opportunities. TONY FIELD Flutist Maria Noreiga says the chance to play with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra gave her a new appreciation for the discipline and commitment it takes to be part of a major orchestra. The global classroom Student brings overseas skills to Alberta Global Forum project By Everett Wilson A communication and culture student will use her international experience to coordinate the University of Calgary’s first global classroom—using technologies such as web broadcasting, teleconferencing and e-learning software to link students with classes at universities in India, Denmark and Arizona. Claire Cummings, BA’03 and an MA candidate in culture and society, will work with the Alberta Global Forum as a part of a scholarship agreement—the funds for which were donated by the U of C Alumni Association. “It is a unique and exciting educational experiment where students will complete similar assignments, discuss ideas, collaborate on projects and give online presentations,” says David Taras, director of the Alberta Global Forum. Cummings says she hopes the experiences and contacts made possible by the Global Classroom will encourage greater cultural sensitivity. “I see the initiative as a chance to facilitate open dialogue and mutual understanding, both locally and globally. The more everybody knows about different cultures, the better.” After earning her BA with Distinction in Art History at the U of C, Cummings taught English as a Second Language to children and adults in Seoul, Korea. In addition to her fluent knowledge of French, Cummings learned conversational Korean while away. “Working overseas really made me aware of the challenges of intercultural communication and drew me to problems in multiculturalism, immigration and diversity as areas of research,” she says. For Cummings’ thesis she will research the contexts of aboriginal arts policy, funding and institutional practices in Alberta, from the perspective of practising artists in the aboriginal community. The Global Classroom will be integrated into courses next fall. David Cramb (left) and George Shimizu have discovered an entirely new way of storing gas. Storing gas, nano style Process has potential for fuel cells, CO 2 capture By Grady Semmens A new process for catching gas from the environment and holding it indefinitely in molecular-sized containers has been developed by a team of University of Calgary researchers. The novel method of gas storage could yield benefits for capturing, storing and transporting gases more safely and efficiently. “This represents an entirely new way of storing gas, not just improving on a method that already exists,” says U of C chemistry professor George Shimizu. “We have come up with a material that mechanically traps gas at high densities without having to use high pressures, which require special storage tanks and generate safety concerns.” In a paper published in the current online version of the world’s leading material science journal Nature-Materials, Shimizu, fellow U of C professor David Cramb, chemistry grad student Brett Chandler and colleagues at the National Research Council call their invention “molecular nanovalves.” Using the orderly crystal structure of a barium organotrisulfonate, the researchers developed a unique solid structure that is able to convert from a series of open channels to a collection of air-tight chambers. The transition happens quickly and is controlled by simply heating the material to close the nanovalves, then adding water to the substance to re-open them and release the trapped gas. The paper includes video footage of the process taking place under a microscope, showing gas bubbles escaping from the crystals with the introduction of water. “The process is highly controllable and because we’re not breaking any strong chemical bonds, the material is completely recyclable and can be used indefinitely,” Shimizu says. The team intends to continue developing the nanovalve concept by trying to create similar structures using lighter chemicals such as sodium and lithium and structures that are capable of capturing the lightest and smallest of all gases—hydrogen and helium. “These materials could help push forward the development of hydrogen fuel cells and the creation of filters to catch and store gases like CO 2 or hydrogen sulfide from industrial operations in Alberta,” Cramb says. The paper is available at: www.nature.com/nmat/index.html. KEN BENDIKTSEN
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