Contact: Amber Anderson Skrabek

External Communications Specialist

amber_skrabek@umanitoba.ca

Upcoming Events:

May 6 Let’s Talk Science Challenge & Competition, EITC Atrium

May 7 Science Rendezvous Public Open House, EITC Atrium

May 8-11 CICS 2011 Conference, University of Manitoba

May 12 Friends of Engineering Research Dinner & Tours, E2-229

May 31 Engineering Convocation, Investor’s Group Athletic Centre

June 11-12 Continental Cordwood Conference / Design Day, U of M

June 16 Making Links Engineering Golf Classic, Quarry Oaks

Engineering Professor Wins the Killam Prize

Dr. Lotfollah Shafai, Canada Research Chair in Applied

Electromagnetics in the Faculty of Engineering at the University

of Manitoba is now the 2011 Killam Prize winner. In his state-

of-the-art anechoic (non-echoing) chambers in the Applied

Electromagnetics Laboratory he and his team are credited with

the development of compact antennas used today in wireless and

satellite communications, remote sensing, telemedicine, smart

vehicles and navigation systems. The impact of these

technologies is great and felt every day around the world by

anyone using technology to communicate.

Shafai’s accomplishments span a career of many decades and many awards. His most recent

honour, the 2011 Killam Prize in Engineering, is Canada’s most distinguished research award for

outstanding career achievements. The award is made possible through the Killam Trusts by a

bequest from Mrs. Dorothy J. Killam. Recipients are chosen by a committee of 15 eminent

Canadian scholars appointed by the Canada Council.

NEW BIKE STIMULATOR IMPROVING THE LIVES OF

PATIENTS WITH SPINAL CORD INJURIES It looks like a cross between an abdominal exerciser and a stationary bike, but it’s a revolutionary

approach to treating patients with spinal cord injuries.

Designed and constructed by two graduate students in the University of Manitoba’s Faculty of

Engineering, this device, called “Neuro Mechano Stimulator Pedals”, stimulates mechano-

receptors on the lateral ridge of the sole of the foot. The hypothesis behind this device

development is that simultaneous stimulation of sensory inputs and spinal reflexes may lead to

neuroplasticity, causing generation of new neural pathways in the spine.

“NASA has been using special shoes to stimulate the mechanoreceptors of the foot sole for

astronauts to compensate for the void of stimulation due to being in zero-gravity; hence enabling

them to walk normally when they get back to earth,” says Dr. Zahra Moussavi, Professor of

Electrical Engineering at the U of M. “What we’ve done here is to use that idea, combine it with

other sensory input stimulation, and apply it to patients with spinal cord injuries.”

The first 8 week trial of this device has recently ended, with patients reporting a noticeable and

liberating improvement in their mobility. “When I began the program I was using a walker, and

tiring quickly,” says Rod, a patient who has suffered a spinal cord injury for 9 years. “Now I’m

able to walk without my walker!” Fellow patient, Carry, had difficulty walking and standing due

to her spinal cord injury. She can now stand longer, walk easier, and even dance again!

U of M SAE Aero Team Takes Home Hardware!

Congratulations to the U of M SAE Aero team who just returned

from their international competition in Georgia. The team took 1st

Place in the NASA Systems Engineering competition, 1st Place for

their presentation (receiving the highest mark ever given for a

presentation in the SAE Aero competition!), and finished 9th

overall against 47 teams from all over the world! The U of M

team was the second highest finishing Canadian school, and came

in 5th for their design. All in all, an incredible showing for this

Aero team!

Engineering IS for Girls Event On April 14 approximately 60 girls in Grade 11 and

12 were provided with the opportunity to attend

the first ever “Engineering IS for Girls!” event

hosted by the Faculty of Engineering at the

University of Manitoba. Students had an

opportunity to network with female engineering

professionals, professors, and students. The

afternoon session addressed topics such as the

engineering profession, how to become an

engineer, and what it is like to be an engineering

student at the U of M. Following the

presentations, students also participated in guided

tours that featured labs, student council offices,

lecture theatres and computer labs.

Faculty of Engineering Booth Wins Prize at Rotary Career Symposium

Congratulations to all the student and staff

volunteers who helped make this year’s Faculty of

Engineering booth at the Rotary Career

Symposium such a success. Not only did we

speak to thousands of potential engineering

students, the booth won the coveted FUMA Award

(Fun, Unique, Most informative, Amazing). The

judges, made up primarily of female high school

students, said the “A” could also stand for

attractive guys!

On June 11-12, 2011 cordwood/stackwall enthusiasts from all over the world will convene, once again, for a conference to share the latest developments, code test results, photo/video presentations and the newest innovations relating to the ongoing evolution of best practices with cordwood/stackwall construction. The conference will be held at the University of Manitoba's Faculty of Engineering’s Alternative Village in Winnipeg. It will be hosted by long time cordwood/stackwall author and U of M researcher Dr. Kris J. Dick, PEng.

This fourth Cordwood Conference will be directed toward two major themes: Energy Efficiency and Best Practices. It will also detail the latest developments in this old fashioned alternative building technique. Presentations of many 'state of the art' and hybrid examples of cordwood/stackwall buildings will be forthcoming. The conference will feature speakers on a wide variety of log-end topics, presentation of papers and testing results, sponsor booths, demonstration projects, hands-on cordwood techniques (double wall, papercrete, single wall, lime putty mortar, bottle ends, artistic designs), socializing (evening get-together) house plan and blueprint review, and panel discussions.

The 2011 Cordwood Conference will be held in conjunction with the University of Manitoba's Northern Climates Alternative Building Design Day. A cordwood/stackwall workshop is being planned for June 8-10, 2011 (registration information forthcoming) and an Alternative Village Cordwood Entrance Kiosk will be built to provide demonstrations of the various wall styles available to builders. Tours of historic and current cordwood homes in the surrounding area are in the planning stages and will give attendees the chance to see a wonderful collection buildings constructed using the cordwood/stackwall technique.

For more information go to: http://www.umanitoba.ca/engineering/design

Cordwood Home in Parsons, BC