UA student’s invention could prevent water shortage
Tuscaloosa News –Nov. 21
Mike Wofsey…a doctoral student studying theoretical molecular physics at the University of Alabama, had devised what he now calls “science-y, Frankenstein-y” projects that used electrical sparks and discharges after an adviser asked him to brainstorm ways people in India could remove arsenic from groundwater. It turns out, the better answer was coming in through his office window…Solar energy, he eventually realized, would be a cheap, easy way to purify saltwater or groundwater, making it an ideal way for people in developing countries with limited resources to get access to drinkable water, he said. The self-contained Solar Evaporation Array panel is getting a lot of attention. Wofsey and his team recently received $9,840 in grant money from the United States Environmental Protection Agency and won $50,000 from Alabama Launchpad, a nonprofit organization that supports entrepreneurs. That money will be used to continue development of the SEA panels…
Worst car crash day next Wednesday
United Press International – Nov. 20
The worst day for car crashes in Alabama was the day before Thanksgiving, three times greater than on Thanksgiving itself, a University of Alabama study found…Significantly fewer crashes were reported Monday and Tuesday of Thanksgiving week, the study by the university’s CARE Research & Development Laboratory reported…“This is definitely a time to be avoided on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, especially if bad weather is a possibility,” laboratory Director Allen Parrish said. The safest day of the week to be on the road is Thanksgiving itself, since most road travelers have already reached their destinations, the study found…
Times of the Internet (Ohio) – Nov. 21
RedOrbit.com – Nov. 21
istockanalyst.com –Nov. 21
More holiday shopping tips to help you stick to your budget
The Phoenix (Az.) Examiner – Nov. 21
I found these wonderful tips from Jan Brakefield, assistant professor of consumer sciences at the University of Alabama. I love her “envelope” idea: Use the “envelope method.” Prepare one envelope per person, placing money in each envelope. When the envelope is empty, you are finished buying for that person…
Bryant Drive to be re-dedicated
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – Nov. 20
Road work on Bryant Drive is complete, and next Tuesday, Tuscaloosa city leaders and University of Alabama officials will come together for a rededication ceremony…
Parenting Assistance Line (PAL) receives $100,000 from Wal-Mart foundation
WAKA (Montgomery) – Nov. 20
WSFA (Montgomery) – Nov. 20
PAL is collaborating with the University of Alabama and other resources…