kuhf, houston public radio series: UH Moment

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UH Moment: "Mathematical Biosciences"

March 17, 2010
by: Marisa Ramirez

What if you could determine the challenges of important heart research before costly experimental testing? It's a role being filled by mathematics. Learn how in this week's UH Moment.

> click to listen

Math sparks stressful memories of high school homework stumpers and late-night cramming for midterms. Math has not always been our friend. But at the University of Houston, math is proving a valuable guide for design solutions, and is fastly becoming a partner with its disciplinary cousins, the hard sciences. At the Center for the Mathematical Biosciences, math computations and models are an integral part important cardiovascular research.

A mathematical model of a heart stent
Click here for see the model in motion

"We can suggest optimal stent designs, for example," said UH Cullen Distinguished Professor Suncica Canic, co-director of the center, which partners with area universities and Texas Medical Center entities to use mathematical algorithms and models to describe certain applied problems. "We write mathematical equations that describe the behavior of those devices, stents, when they are inserted in a human artery. If you, for example, have an artery that is very curved, with time the artery may deform the stent and the stent may obstruct the flow of blood. By looking at mathematical models we can suggest a design for a stent that will eventually avoid complications of this kind."

Canic, through the center, currently is working with researchers at the Texas Heart Institute, St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital, Rice University, UT Health Science Center in Houston, Baylor College of Medicine and M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. She says using math this way is efficient and reduces the cost of experimental testing.

"Only a small number of suggested designs would have to be tested to see which performs best in a given situation instead of having experiments done on a large number of possibilities," she said. "This is a fertile ground for this kind of research to be produced in Houston and UH. We are almost uniquely positioned to carry first rate research in this particular area."

Mathematical Biosciences are part of what's happening at the University of Houston. I'm Marisa Ramirez.

Telling the stories of the University of Houston, this UH Moment is brought to you by KUHF, listener supported radio from the University of Houston.

UH Moment: "Applied Research Hub"

March 10, 2010
by: Marisa Ramirez

Solar and wind power are part of our energy vernacular. Research at the UH Texas Center for Superconductivity is what's making it work. Learn more in this week's UH Moment.

> click to listen

Superconductive wire developed at the UH Texas Center for Superconductivity

A superconductive wire developed at the University of Houston may revolutionize how power is generated, transported and used.

"Superconductivity is sort of a magical phenomenon," said Venkat Selvamanickam, professor and director of the Center's Applied Research Hub. "Over 20 years ago, right here at the University of Houston, Paul Chu and his colleagues created a new class of superconductors. That makes it amazingly powerful to carry a lot of current, useful in a variety of applications, mainly transmitting power over long distances, making electrical machinery efficient."

Superconductivity defines certain metals and ceramics that lose their electrical resistance when they are cooled to the temperature of liquid nitrogen. That means power current can flow freely and efficiently through them.

UH Texas Center for Superconductivity's Applied Research Hub

Selvamanickam and his research colleagues have developed a superconductive wire that is flexible and thin and can be used to carry current over many miles. A prototype was installed in the grid in Upstate New York as a successful model of modernizing the U.S.'s aging power grid with high temperature superconducting wire. In less than five years, the wire will used as part of a fault limiting superconducting transformer in Southern California Edison utility substation, California's largest grid.

"The project with Waukesha Electric, the University of Houston, Oak Ridge National Laboratory and SuperPower (Selvamanickam's former company) will build the device incorporated into a transformer. When there is a power surge, the material limits the surge to allow a limited amount of power through, so the power never goes away," he said. "This is the future because as we are concerned with energy efficiency, superconductors can play a major role."

High Temperature Superconductivity is part of what's happening at the University of Houston. I'm Marisa Ramirez.

Telling the stories of the University of Houston, this UH Moment is brought to you by KUHF, listener supported radio from the University of Houston.

UH Moment is a weekly feature heard Wednesdays at 7:49 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Each week, you'll hear students, faculty and administrators telling stories of the innovative research, programs and successes that make up the story of the University of Houston.

UH Moment is written by the staff of University Communication and voiced by Marisa Ramirez, a UH alum. The program is produced by Paul Franklin, audio specialist for KUHF.

The music that introduces the segment is the original work of Brad Sayles, composer and KUHF Senior Recording Engineer. Brad is the 2003 and 2007 first laureate of the Louisa Stude Sarofim Composition Competition for his chamber suite New England Journey and his dramatic voice and chamber ensemble piece The Lily. He's also a UH alum.

UH Moment: "Women's Studies"

March 3, 2010
by: Marisa Ramirez

Women Studies programs aren't just for women and aren't just in the classroom. Find out what's happening with UH's Women's Studies program in this week's UH Moment.
> read complete article > click to listen

UH Moment: "ExoGlove"

February 23, 2010
by: Marisa Ramirez

Inspiration for brilliant technological advances can come from surprising sources. Like the case of two University of Houston undergrads. Listen to this week's UH Moment.
> read complete article > click to listen

UH Moment: "Green to Go"

February 17, 2010
by: Marisa Ramirez

Lunchtime at the University of Houston dining halls comes with a side order of environmentalism. Listen to this week's UH Moment.
> read complete article > click to listen

UH Moment: "Diversity"

February 10, 2010
by: Marisa Ramirez

The University of Houston is home to star programs and premier researchers. It is also reflective of the city in which it resides. Learn more in this week's UH Moment.
> read complete article > click to listen

UH Moment: "Space Architecture"

February 3, 2010
by: Marisa Ramirez

A bird's-eye view can help you see something clearly, unless you have the perspective on one UH graduate student. Listen to this week's UH Moment.
> read complete article > click to listen

UH Moment: "Environmental Chamber"

January 27, 2010
by: Marisa Ramirez

Working out can keep you healthy. Working out in extreme hot or cold can work against you. Hear about new research in this UH Moment.
> read complete article > click to listen

> view archived UH Moment articles