Professors to Develop Magnetic Field Sensor Technology
(July 30, 2008) Stanko Brankovic, assistant professor of electrical engineering, has received a $500,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to fund a transformative concept using electrochemical nanofabrication that would allow the development of devices smaller than 10 nanometers. Brankovic and his team seek to develop novel magnetic field sensor technology key in the creation of a low-cost system to map magnetic objects quickly and accurately.

Energy Industry Leaders Commit $1.6M to UH Petroleum Program
(July 29, 2008) Devon Energy Corp. and Marathon Oil Corp. have committed major funding to the UH Cullen College of Engineering in support of its developing undergraduate program in petroleum engineering. Marathon pledged $600,000 in unrestricted funds to the program, while Devon pledged $1 million to support student scholarships, the renovation of a student research laboratory and other needs of the program. The new program is expected to be approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board this fall.

Engineering Researchers Part of Study on New Artificial Heart Technology
(July 7, 2008) Mechanical Engineering Professors Matthew Franchek and Ralph Metcalfe are working with area experts to create a continuous flow ventricular assist device that’s smaller and less costly than the pulsatile pumps used to date. Named on a $2.8 million National Institutes of Health grant, Franchek and Metcalfe will work alongside the lead investigator, Dr. O.H. “Bud” Frazier, chief of the Center for Cardiac Support and director of Surgical Research at the Texas Heart Institute, professors from Rice University, Texas Heart Institute physicians and MicroMed Technology, Inc.

Professors Develop Technologies to Aid Study of Nervous System
(July 2, 2008) UH Cullen College of Engineering professors have created an implantable single electrode cuff and a wireless telemetry system to better understand how certain neurons in locusts’ brains process sensory information. Electrical and Computer Engineering Professors Jack Wolfe and Richard Liu are working with Fabrizio Gabbiani, professor in the department of neuroscience at Baylor College of Medicine, on a $400,000 National Science Foundation grant to develop the technology in an effort to study the neurology of animals and insects.

BP Economist Speaks at College About Company's 2007 Energy Data
(July 1, 2008) Mark Finley, general manager of global energy markets and US Economics at BP, presented energy data from the company's 2007 Statistical Review of World Energy to University of Houston faculty and students on June 25. For the past 57 years, BP has published the review, which is regarded as one of the most authoritative publications on annual energy data used by industry, government and the general public.