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Events for April 05, 2017

  • Astani Civil and Environmental Engineering Seminar

    Wed, Apr 05, 2017 @ 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

    Sonny Astani Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

    Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars


    Speaker: Dr. Monica Kohler, Research Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical and Civil Engineering, Caltech

    Talk Title: Damage Detection in Buildings Using

    More Information: Kohler Seminar Announcement April 5.pdf

    Location: Kaprielian Hall (KAP) - 140

    Audiences: Everyone Is Invited

    Contact: Evangeline Reyes

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  • Computer Science General Faculty Meeting

    Wed, Apr 05, 2017 @ 12:00 PM - 02:00 PM

    Thomas Lord Department of Computer Science

    Receptions & Special Events


    Bi-Weekly regular faculty meeting for invited full-time Computer Science faculty only. Event details emailed directly to attendees.

    Location: Hughes Aircraft Electrical Engineering Center (EEB) - 248

    Audiences: Invited Faculty Only

    Contact: Assistant to CS chair

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  • Matthew Gilbert - Nano Science & Technology Seminar Series, Wednesday, April 5th at 2:00pm in KAP 209

    Wed, Apr 05, 2017 @ 02:00 PM - 03:30 PM

    Ming Hsieh Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

    Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars


    Speaker: Matthew J. Gilbert, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

    Talk Title: Unconventional Superconductivity in Topological Heterostructures

    Abstract: The search for materials and systems that exhibit unconventional superconductivity, or superconductivity beyond the canonical s-wave pairing as predicted in BCS theory, is one of the most active areas within condensed matter physics. This effort has been reinvigorated by the interesting properties inherent to a new class of materials that possess topological phases. A topological phase is unique in that it does not break any of the underlying symmetries of the system and cannot be described by a local order parameter. In other words, the inherent properties of the system cannot be changed by adiabatic shifts in materials parameters unless the system passes a quantum critical point associated with a phase transition. More recently, this search has taken on additional significance due to the fact that systems that possess unconventional superconductivity may enable a new type of fault tolerant quantum information processing that may significantly increase computing power when compared to traditional information processing. In this talk, I will discuss the appearance and signatures of unconventional superconductivity and review some of the most prominent systems that have been predicted to exhibit unconventional superconductivity. In particular, I will focus on heterostructures containing s-wave superconductors and proximity-coupled 3D time-reversal invariant topological insulators. I will explain some of the experimentally relevant conditions that must be satisfied in order to observe the features of unconventional superconductivity and conclude by examining the potential for finding unconventional superconductivity in emergent topological materials such as semimetals and crystalline insulators.

    Biography: Matthew J. Gilbert is an Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). He is affiliated with the Micro and Nanotechnology Laboratory, the Department of Physics and the Institute for Condensed Matter Theory at UIUC. His research broadly focuses on theoretically elucidating new phenomena in emergent nanoscale systems with the goal of developing new types of nanoelectronic and nanophotonic devices and functionality for next-generation information processing systems. The majority of his current work revolves around understanding the properties of topological materials, including insulators, semimetals and superconductors, with the goal of understanding their potential role in the post-CMOS device landscape. This research also includes examinations into the appearance and stability of unconventional superconductivity and non-Abelian anyons, such as Majorana and parafermions, in topological systems for the purposes of topological quantum computation. His emerging research interests include: the role of interactions in the classification and properties of topological systems, dissipation and relaxation in non-equilibrium materials and systems, transport properties and phenomena in 2D materials particularly those under strain, energy harvesting using topological materials, and designer layered quantum materials. He has authored more than 70-refereed publications, and has given presentations at over 50 international conferences.

    Host: Wang, Zhou, Cronin, Wu - MHI

    Location: Kaprielian Hall (KAP) - 209

    Audiences: Everyone Is Invited

    Contact: Marilyn Poplawski

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  • MHI CommNetS seminar

    Wed, Apr 05, 2017 @ 02:00 PM - 03:00 PM

    Ming Hsieh Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

    Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars


    Speaker: Hamidreza Tavafoghi, University of Michigan

    Talk Title: Dynamic Market Mechanisms for Wind Energy

    Series: CommNetS

    Abstract: We investigate the problem of market mechanism design for wind energy integration into the power grid. We show that the current static two-settlement market structure is not efficient for the integration of wind energy, and does not provide appropriate information for scheduling of flexible loads/reserves. We consider a dynamic two-step model with strategic seller(s) with wind generation and one buyer, who trade energy through a mechanism determined by a designer (ISO). The seller has private information about his technology and wind condition, which he learns dynamically over time. We consider the existing (static) forward and real-time mechanisms that take place at times T = 1 and T = 2, respectively. We propose a dynamic mechanism that provides a coupling between the outcomes of the forward and real-time markets, and show that the dynamic mechanism outperforms the forward and real-time mechanisms for a general objective of the designer. We demonstrate that the advantages of our proposed dynamic mechanism come from the designer's ability to price discriminate and the seller's exposure to penalty risk. Moreover, our proposed mechanism reveals (probabilistic) information about wind generation in advance so as to schedule flexible loads/reserves efficiently. We further analyze variants of the dynamic mechanism that guarantee no penalty risk for sellers, and/or monitor the wind condition.

    Biography: Hamidreza Tavafoghi is a Ph.D. candidate in the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science department at the University of Michigan working with Prof. Demosthenis Teneketzis, where he also pursues a M.A. in Economics. His research interests lie in stochastic control, game theory, mechanism design, and strategic learning. Currently, he is working on the design and analysis of informational and monetary incentive mechanisms for cyber-physical systems with applications to power systems, transportation networks, and security. Hamidreza received his B.Sc. in Electrical Engineering from Sharif University of Technology, Tehran, Iran, 2011, and his M.Sc. in Electrical Engineering: Systems from the University of Michigan, 2013. He was awarded the Dow Sustainability Fellowship in 2015. He is a Silver medalist of 37th International Physics Olympiad, Singapore, 2006, and a Gold medalist of 18th National Physics Olympiad, Iran, 2005.

    Host: Prof. Ashutosh Nayyar

    Location: Hughes Aircraft Electrical Engineering Center (EEB) - 248

    Audiences: Everyone Is Invited

    Contact: Annie Yu

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  • Aerospace & Mechanical Engineering Seminar

    Wed, Apr 05, 2017 @ 03:30 PM - 04:30 PM

    Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering

    Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars


    Speaker: Michael W. Plesniak, Professor, Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, The George Washington University

    Talk Title: Fluid Dynamics of Phonation

    Abstract: Speech production involves unsteady pulsatile flow and turbulent structures that affect the aeroacoustics and fluid-tissue interaction. The goal of our human phonation research program is to investigate the dynamics of flow past the vocal folds (VF) and the aerodynamic interaction with the VF. Over the course of the program we have studied static, driven and self-oscillating models of the VF system. Silicone-based, self-oscillating synthetic vocal fold (VF) models are fabricated with material properties representative of the different layers of human VFs and then evaluated experimentally in a life-size vocal tract simulator to replicate physiological conditions. Our experimental investigations utilize high-speed imaging, particle image velocimetry (PIV), pressure transducers and microphones, and the clinical Rothenberg mask. Studies are performed under both normal and pathological conditions of speech. In particular, recent attention has been focused on understanding the role of polyps (growths on the VF) in altering voice quality. This has led to very fundamental studies of 3D flow separation in pulsatile flows. We have also collaborated with colleagues in the Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences to better understand the effects of ageing on voice. Our overarching motivation for studying flow associated with phonation is to facilitate evaluation and design of treatment interventions and for surgical planning, i.e. to enable physicians to assess the outcomes of surgical procedures by using faithful computer simulations. Such simulations are on the horizon with the advent of increasingly more powerful high performance computing and cyberinfrastructure, but they still lack many of the necessary physical models. We also seek to inform non-surgical clinical treatment strategies of voice disorders.

    Biography: Michael W. Plesniak is Professor and Chair of the Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering at The George Washington University, with a secondary appointment in the Department of Biomedical Engineering. He was formerly Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Purdue University and Eugene Kleiner Professor for Innovation in Mechanical Engineering at Polytechnic University in Brooklyn, NY. He served as the Director of the Fluid Dynamics & Hydraulics program at the National Science Foundation from 2002-2006. Prof. Plesniak earned his Ph.D. degree from Stanford University, and his M.S. and B.S degrees from the Illinois Institute of Technology; all in Mechanical Engineering. Dr. Plesniak is a Fellow of AIAA, ASME, the American Physical Society (APS), the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE) and the Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). He has authored over two hundred fifty refereed archival publications, conference papers and presentations. He has presented numerous invited seminars and keynote addresses. His research group is currently studying the physics of phonation and cardiovascular flows. Dr. Plesniak is the Director of GW's Center for Biomimetics and Bioinspired Engineering. Prof. Plesniak was a recipient of the 2017 ASME Fluids Engineering Award, the 2011 NASA DC Space Grant Consortium's Outstanding STEM Faculty Award, awarded to faculty that make an outstanding contribution to STEM that goes above and beyond the classroom. Dr. Plesniak was also named the American Institute for Aeronautics and Astronautics, National Capital Section Engineer of the Year 2010-2011.

    Host: Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering

    More Info: https://ame.usc.edu/about/seminars/

    Location: Seaver Science Library (SSL) - 150

    Audiences: Everyone Is Invited

    Contact: Ashleen Knutsen

    Event Link: https://ame.usc.edu/about/seminars/

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  • Riot Games Talk and LoL

    Wed, Apr 05, 2017 @ 07:00 PM - 10:00 PM

    Thomas Lord Department of Computer Science

    Workshops & Infosessions


    Riot Games Talk and LoL
    Wednesday 4/5, 7PM // MHP B7B
    An Evening with Riot

    As you're coming back from spring break, we have some exciting events coming up!

    We will be hosting a talk with Riot Games on Wednesday, April 5th at 7pm (location MHP B7B). Rioters will be coming in to speak about the game - primarily champion ideation and design, from a programming, design, and graphics perspective. They will also go over the company, what it's like to work there, and what it takes to work there.

    After the talk, there will be a mini League of Legends tournament of sorts, where you'll get to join a game of LoL with the Rioters! Make sure to sign up below if you would like a chance to play. (We will be selecting players by lottery leading up to the event). Sign ups will close on Sunday, April 2nd at 11:59pm.


    Event RSVP: https://www.facebook.com/events/270662613390090/

    LoL Tournament Sign up: https://docs.google.com/a/usc.edu/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc3c4w1TFdh9amefCBveNSjpnGXfHMI5JOYsd8gMQ2hftaHkg/viewform?c=0&w=1

    Location: Seeley Wintersmith Mudd Memorial Hall (of Philosophy) (MHP) - B7B

    Audiences: Everyone Is Invited

    Contact: Ryan Rozan

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