Abstract:

In the first part of the talk, I will discuss how light can be used to move and reposition microscale objects. Our work has demonstrated novel applications of optical forces within integrated microphotonic devices-a type of "optical circuits" that use light rather than electrons to carry information. I will present designs for devices that rotate the polarization of light by taking advantage of light forces. In the second part of the talk, I will discuss how computational electromagnetic modeling can be used to design higher-efficiency solar cells. We calculate the optical absorption of vertically aligned silicon nanowire arrays. We optimize the ultimate efficiency of the solar cell with respect to filling ratio and lattice constant. We identify two enhancement mechanisms, an increase in field concentration within the nanowire and the excitation of guided resonance modes. Our results show that an optimized silicon nanowire array can have higher efficiency that a solid thin film. Michelle Povinelli is an Assistant Professor of Electrical Engineering and holder of the WiSE Jr. Gabilan Chair at the University of Southern California. She is a recipient of a NSF CAREER Award and an Army Young Investigator Award. She received a BA from the University of Chicago, an MPhil from the University of Cambridge, where she studied as a Churchill Scholar, and a PhD from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, all in Physics. She completed postdoctoral research in the Electrical Engineering Department at Stanford University and was selected as one of five national recipients of a L'Oreal For Women in Science Postdoctoral Fellowship. She has co-authored over twenty-five refereed journal articles and holds two US Patents.]]> http://viterbi.usc.edu/cgi-bin/cal_make.pl?p1=SEM200911131300135000.000.015 http://viterbi.usc.edu/cgi-bin/cal_make.pl?p1=WOR200911171800193000.000.015 For more detailed information please visit the Spotlight website at - http://viterbi.usc.edu/students/undergrad/fye/spotlight.htm\

Dinner is provided.

RSVP to viterbi.studentservices@usc.edu with subject line: "RSVP for Spotlight on 11/17".]]> http://viterbi.usc.edu/cgi-bin/cal_make.pl?p1=SEM200911181730190000.000.015 Featured Speaker: Dr. Christina Smolke

Dr. Smolke is a winner of the 2009 World Technology Award for Biotechnology. She conducts research at Stanford University, integrating concepts from bioengineering, molecular biology, and biochemistry to study complex gene regulatory networks and develop gene expression technologies. She is a Trojan alum of the Chemical Engineering department!]]> http://viterbi.usc.edu/cgi-bin/cal_make.pl?p1=OTH200911201030130000.000.015 Compete in the Engineering Kidz Design Challenge! Team with inner-city 5th grade students and participate in unique challenges where you design working heart models, flapping birds or light weight vehicles. You will get a chance to mentor and work with children and inspire them to pursue a career in engineering or science.

Register online: www.IridescentLearning.org, under Engineering Kidz Design Challenge.\NRegister by November 10th to get a free t-shirt.

Contact: Tara Chklovski at 310.309.0766 / tchklovs@usc.edu\N]]> http://viterbi.usc.edu/cgi-bin/cal_make.pl?p1=SEM200911201300135000.000.015 http://viterbi.usc.edu/cgi-bin/cal_make.pl?p1=SEM200912021400150000.000.006 ABSTRACT:

A Bayesian network (BN) is a directed acyclic probabilistic graph encoding the interdependence between a set of random variables. In application to seismic risk assessment of infrastructure systems, the variables may represent uncertain demands or capacities, or the states of the system and its components. Upon entering evidence (observations) on one or more variables, this information propagates throughout the BN, thus providing an up-to-date probabilistic characterization of the system state as the available information evolves. The BN can be augmented with utility and decision nodes to provide a tool for optimal decision making under uncertain and evolving information.

This talk will demonstrate the usefulness of the BN methodology for risk assessment and management of infrastructure systems that are subject to earthquake hazard. An application to the proposed California High Speed Rail system will be presented. \N]]> http://viterbi.usc.edu/cgi-bin/cal_make.pl?p1=WOR200912021215133000.000.015 http://viterbi.usc.edu/cgi-bin/cal_make.pl?p1=SEM200912101400150000.000.006 Speaker: Dr. Geraldine Knatz, Executive Director, The Port of Los Angeles.

Women in Science & Engineering Seminar Speaker in Celebration of the WISE 10th Anniversary

Abstract:

From its early beginning as a merchant port serving the needs of Spanish traders, to what it is now – America's premier gateway for goods and services – the Port of Los Angeles has changed in many ways. Certainly, one of the major challenges is the precarious balancing act between expansion and environment. As the Port grew over the decades, so did its pollution. Lawsuits ensued, regulations changed and -- coupled with California's every-stringent criteria regarding coastal development of any kind -- the Port of Los Angeles was at an impasse between profits and pollution.

Which would ultimately win? Under the leadership of Executive Director Dr. Geraldine Knatz, the answer is both. With her background in biology and environmental studies, coupled with a pragmatic view of how the world works financially, Dr. Knatz is leading the way to create a new era in major port operations where the needs of commerce go hand-in-hand with the needs of the environment. The result is a series of operational breakthroughs that are not only improving the regional environment, but are setting new standards for port operators the world over.

Dr. Knatz will discuss these "green growth" challenges first hand and detail the specific initiatives that are making the Port of Los Angeles a true success story.

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