UA engineering professor creates new robotic prosthesis
ABC 33/40 (Birmingham) – May 19
Robotics and rocket fuel – it’s a combination that’s earned a University of Alabama mechanical engineer a big award for his research that could help amputees walk better. This “robotic prosthesis” is powered at the knee and the ankle by using a kind of liquid-fuel propellant. Researchers found that amputees tend to drag un-powered prosthetic limbs. But this device mimics natural joints. “With our device, it tends to work, or we expect it to work like a healthy, biological leg, which is able to generate the power according to your walking need.” As part of the award, Dr. Shen received more than $400,000 to use toward his future research.
CBS 42 (Birmingham) – May 19
UA engineer says using hurricane straps may catch on in tornado prone areas
NBC Nightly News – May 18
Tuesday marks one year since a huge and devastating tornado swept through Moore, Oklahoma, killing 25 people and injuring hundreds. Since then, engineers have been studying the damage to determine how buildings might be built differently. Among the suggestions, metal straps holding a building’s roof to its walls and the walls to its foundation. Andrew Graettinger, PhD, University of Alabama: “I think it’s gonna catch on across the country in tornado prone areas.” Briarwood and nearby Plaza Towers Elementary, where seven children died, are both being rebuilt with storm shelters.
KSNV-NBC (Las Vegas, Nev.) – May 19
WXII_NBC (Greensboro, N.C.) – May 19
WGAL-NBC (Harrisburg, Pa.) – May 19
Civil Rights Battlefront Is Now Yearning for Jobs
New York Times – May 19
For Allen Green, a native of this rural Alabama city known mostly for a violent confrontation between civil rights demonstrators and Alabama troopers nearly a half-century ago, Selma’s prolonged economic slide began when Craig Air Force Base shut down in the 1970s. “There were new people coming in, people with money, in and out of here,” said Mr. Green, whose family has run an automobile repair shop here for 54 years. “Ever since they closed, it’s sort of been a steady decline.” But now, in a county where the unemployment rate has been in the double digits for nearly seven years, there is a rare burst of economic hope involving an improbable source: Kuwait, which could decide to use the former Air Force base as a training complex for up to 300 pilots every year. Since local officials issued a vague announcement this month about the possibility of an “international pilot-training program” starting in Dallas County, where Selma is the seat, there has been a rare ripple of cautious optimism around town … “They’ve been in the running for many projects and have not made it to that last point,” said Nisa Miranda, the longtime director of the University of Alabama Center for Economic Development.
Former UA swimmer competes in triathlon in honor of John Servati
WVUA (Tuscaloosa) – May 19
The death of UA swimmer John Servati … a former swimmer competed in a triathlon in his memory. Sam Morgan crossed the finish line of Saturday s X-terra triathlon at Oak Mountain State Park with more than the race on his mind. Morgan shared Servati’s story with competitors throughout the day and says he hopes he can pass on the qualities that made Servati great person. “I decided to come out and do this race in honor of John, and in honor and support of our team and coaches and staff and his family and everybody who is still having to go through with the grief of losing John. The University of Alabama has set up a memorial scholarship fund in his honor. If you would like to donate to the fund you can go to onlinegiving.ua.edu.
University of Alabama Equestrian team to offer summer riding camp
Al.com – May 19
Competitive young equestrians hoping to hone their technique this summer can look to the University of Alabama Equestrian Team for guidance, either in an elite camp or one-on-one riding lessons. The team’s Elite Equitation Prep Camp, slated to run from June 23 to June 27, is open to female riders aged 16-18 “who are competing consistently at fence heights of 2 feet, 6 inches or higher,” according to a UA press release. Tuition for the camp is $1,500, which covers housing in UA dorms, three daily meals and transport to and from the equestrian facility located nine miles off campus. In addition to riding lessons, campers will go through classroom instruction, athletic rider training and video performance reviews before participating in a mock competition at the end of the week.