President’s Colloquia for faculty resuming Sept. 18

The President’s Colloquia for faculty members are continuing this fall with three events. The colloquia, which are hosted by President Mitch Daniels, provide opportunities to hear faculty experts discuss their research in presentations designed specifically for non-experts.

The fall 2018 faculty colloquia are scheduled for 4-6 p.m. at Westwood, the president's home. Access to Westwood is from the north via McCormick Road, which is scheduled to be closed from just south of Westwood to Third Street through November. The roundabout at McCormick and Stadium Avenue is open.

To register for the colloquia or to find out more information, visit the President’s Colloquia webpage.

Sept. 18

Hong Wan, associate professor of industrial engineering, on “Blockchain Basics: Myths and Opportunities”

A blockchain is a distributed database that maintains a dynamic list of records, secured against tampering and revision. The main hypothesis is that the blockchain establishes a system that creates distributed consensus in the digital online world. This provides a guarantee to participating entities that a digital event actually happened by creating an incorruptible record in a public ledger. It opens the door for developing an open and scalable digital economy from a centralized one.

Blockchain has caught most of its attention from cryptocurrency — encrypted media for financial transactions. However, the technology goes far beyond this specific application. In her talk, Wan will give a brief introduction of the blockchain, how people misunderstand it, and the potential applications of the blockchain technology. She also will discuss the efforts in her lab to study and design blockchain systems. There will be time for questions and discussions.

Oct. 17

David Whittinghill, associate professor of computer graphics technology and computer and information technology, on “Virtual Reality’s Simulator Sickness Problem: Where We Are Today” 

Simulator sickness is a phenomenon experienced in virtual reality applications that causes users to experience an intense sensation of vertigo and, in extreme cases, nausea. The simulator sickness problem is multidimensional and complex, having roots in technology, psychology and physiology. At present, a reliable, inexpensive and nonintrusive treatment has yet to be found. Despite the combined efforts of not only the research community but several of the largest technology companies in the world — who have a strong market incentive to be the first to market with a solution — a solution remains elusive.

In this talk, Whittinghill will discuss the science of simulator sickness in depth to help shed light on this stubborn usability problem. He will summarize and evaluate existing attempts to address the issue, as well as his own research, according to their respective strengths and weaknesses.

Nov. 29

Vilas Pol, associate professor of chemical engineering, on “The Quest for Safer Rechargeable Batteries”

The ViPER (Vilas Pol Energy Research) laboratory focuses on the development of high-capacity electrode materials, their engineering for longer cycle life and improved safety. Considering the advantages and limitations of known synthesis techniques, a solventless, single-step processing technology has been developed to fabricate a variety of unique anode and cathode materials for Li-ion, Na-ion, K-ion and Li-S batteries.

Pol’s talk also will discuss how tailored spherical, solid, dense carbon-particle anodes could make Li-ion batteries safer by distributing current uniformly during charging, minimizing excess solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) formation and dendritic growth. He also will demonstrate ViPER’s recent efforts on structural, morphological, compositional and electrochemical properties of various fascinating electro-chemistries. Additionally, he will discuss ViPER’s determinations on the transformative science, engineering and technology.

Writer: Jaclyn Lawmaster, 574-301-9049, jlawmast@purdue.edu
Source: Robin D. French, 765-494-9708, rdfrench@purdue.edu