Ann Arbor

U-M researchers develop new approach to eliminating software deadlock

By Newsroom

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December 10, 2008

Gadara. It’s the latest buzzword at the University of Michigan. Excerpt: Software deadlocks are the Catch-22s of the computer world. These common bugs can freeze the machine when different parts of a program end up in an endless cycle of waiting for one another as they access shared data. University of Michigan researchers developed a new way around this problem with a controller that can anticipate and prevent situations that might cause deadlock. Their controller is called Gadara. It's a plug-in that operates using feedback techniques similar to those that give us cruise control in cars and thermostats in heating systems. "This is a totally different approach to what people had done before for deadlock," said Stéphane Lafortune, a professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and a Gadara developer. "Previously, engineers would try to identify potential deadlocks through testing or program analysis and then go back and rewrite the program. The bug fixes were manual, and not automatic. Gadara automates the process." Read the rest of the story here.

Film on local principal celebrates hands-on tact

By Newsroom

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Arts & Culture

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December 10, 2008

One of Ann Arbor’s best educators is standing and delivering in a new documentary. Excerpt: In a new film about his life, Ann Arbor educator Joseph Dulin is portrayed as part drill sergeant, part psychiatrist, part motivational speaker and part Wal-Mart greeter in the halls of Roberto Clemente Student Development Center. The documentary film "Bridging the Gap" shows many scenes where troubled students and worried parents enter the principal's office. After Dulin is done with his pep talk, they are hugging and crying. There were two advance screenings of documentary about the 73-year-old Dulin Friday at the Music Hall Center in Detroit. The movie will be released later this winter when the film festivals get under way. Dulin's been principal at Clemente - an alternative Ann Arbor public school for at-risk eighth- through 12th-graders - for more than 30 years. The filmmakers followed him for three school years. Read the rest of the story here.

The New News

By Amy Whitesall

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Economic Development

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December 10, 2008

The first shot has been fired, across the paper-and-ink bow of local daily newspapers! The web-based Ypsilanti Citizen and Ann Arbor Chronicle offer on-the-spot local news that's as fresh as ten minutes ago. Are they just spunky online upstarts or the shape of things to come?

Businesses plan to innovate with Ann Arbor Region Success Strategy

By Newsroom

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General

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December 10, 2008

A large group of prominent Ann Arbor locals have transformation on the mind.Dozens of leaders (in excess of 70) from local businesses, governments, non-profits and other institutions are working on the new Ann Arbor Region Success Strategy. The idea is to change Ann Arbor into a center of innovation in the mold of Silicon Valley or Research Triangle Park.But doesn't the Ann Arbor area already enjoy that reputation? Global economic powerhouse Google set up its AdWords headquarters here. Local start-up HealthMedia just sold itself for a huge chunk of change to Johnson & Johnson, which plans to grow it even more here. This is still the home of one of the top research universities in the world – the University of Michigan.Yes and no, according to Jeff Irwin, chair of the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners and one of six co-chairs of the initiative."There is more we can do and we can build on the things we have," Irwin says. "We can also build on our opportunities to make sure Ann Arbor and Washtenaw County is the place where innovation happens."The strategy is rolling out a plan to increase job opportunities for locals residents and students, pump up demand for local products and services, create new revenues for local arts, culture and social needs. And of course it wants to help make the local community richer.It plans to do that by growing and grooming the next generation of local leaders, locating capital for start-ups, creating synergies to make the local K-12 education systems world-class and marketing the area's distinct culture.Some of 70 local leaders will be presenting the plan to local groups over the next few weeks with the idea of getting everyone on the same page about moving the area forward. Source: Jeff Irwin, chair of the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners and one of six co-chairs of the Ann Arbor Region Success StrategyWriter: Jon Zemke

Compendia Bioscience lands $3 million VC, plans to create 20 new jobs

By Newsroom

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Economic Development

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December 10, 2008

Compendia Bioscience plans to use $3 million in newly acquired venture capital to create another 20 jobs in Ann Arbor, more than doubling its current staff.Most of that $3 million, $1.75 million of it, comes from Michigan's 21st Century Jobs Fund. The rest is matching funds the bio IT firm has raised on its own.Compendia Bioscience, only 2 years old, has established itself as a leader in research-centric software development. Its products help researchers sift through mounds of biological data, enabling them to find answers to clinical questions quicker. The company counts 12 of the Top 20 cancer biopharmaceutical firms and more than 12,000 academics as customers. Compendia Bioscience's Oncomine product is now an important tool for cancer researchers in both academia and drug development companies. The company hopes to expand this platform for research on other diseases and use it to develop intellectual property. Source: Michigan Economic Development Corporation and Compendia BioscienceWriter: Jon Zemke

Kinesiology gets a promotion at the University of Michigan

By Newsroom

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Education

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December 3, 2008

The University of Michigan’s long-time Division of Kinesiology just became the School of Kinesiology. Excerpt: Kinesiology recently received a new home on the University of Michigan campus. Now it's getting a more prestigious name. The academic unit's name is changing from the Division of Kinesiology to the School of Kinesiology, effective Dec. 1. The U-M Board of Regents approved the change at its regular monthly meeting Thursday. Kinesiology involves the study of movement and was established in 1990 from its precursor, the department of physical education. With an undergraduate enrollment of 800 students, it now has the fourth highest number of undergraduates among the 12 schools and colleges with undergraduate programs on campus. Read the rest of the story here.

Video Aernnova Lands In Ann Arbor

By Keith Jefferies

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Economic Development

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December 3, 2008

When you've got 20,000 engineering students within 100 miles of your community, it's easy to make the case that Ann Arbor is the place for engineering firms to set up shop. And that just what U-M's Business Engagement Center did when it attracted Aernnova to The Deuce.

U-M saves energy, cash with green computing

By Newsroom

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Education

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December 3, 2008

The University of Michigan is trying to make its computers as green as their motherboards with an environmental mission that is expected to save the university hundreds of thousands of dollars.Excerpt:Spurred into action by a phone call from Google cofounder Larry Page, the University of Michigan is on its way to becoming a leader in green computing, hoping to save money and the environment.The campus-wide volunteer effort, which officially kicked off in March, involves a number of initiatives designed to save hundreds of thousands of dollars in energy used to power the school's 80,000 desktop computers, half a dozen data centers and more than 100 server rooms.Teams of more than 90 U-M students, faculty and staff members are working to purchase more energy-efficient computers and other technological devices, reduce the number of server rooms on campus and get everyone to turn off computers and printers when they are not using them and print only necessary documents.One group set up a program that allows people to use computer equipment that others no longer want. Another is looking at switching to systems that allow one computer to do the job of multiple ones. And one plan involves certifying university departments that meet energy efficiency standards."There is such a groundswell of support," said Bill Wrobleski, the director of U-M's technical infrastructure operations who is leading the effort. "A lot of little things make a big thing."Read the rest of the story here and how U-M is highlighting its green efforts here.

Student’s leadership at U-M, abroad garners Rhodes honor

By Newsroom

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Education

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December 3, 2008

The University of Michigan is pulling in accolades again. This time one of its students has been named a Rhodes Scholar.Excerpt:Abdul El-Sayed has traveled to various parts of the world turning educational opportunities into chances to help people. The 24-year-old University of Michigan student has led a medical mission to Peru and conducted health studies in Guatemala.His efforts in the classroom and in the field have El-Sayed lining up for yet another trip abroad. Next year, he will study at England's Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar. Read the rest of the story here.

Bgreen looks to make greenbacks selling green products in Ann Arbor

By Newsroom

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Entrepreneurship

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December 3, 2008

Tucked away in a small retail space next door to the Colonial Lanes bowling alley is the newest environmental feather in Ann Arbor's cap – Bgreen.Daniel Stephens, of Ethnic Creations fame, started putting the business together about six months ago before opening in November. Now his new store sells environmentally-friendly home building and cleaning products, such as Low-VOC paint.Stephens has been a retailer for about 20 years (his Ethnic Creations store is still open in Petoskey). The Ann Arbor resident has worked in the environmental movement for year and was looking for a new product mix. He put two and two together and came up with Bgreen."We try to be very comprehensive and we're growing everyday," Stephens says.Low-VOC paint is one of the firm's main products, but it also offers sustainable flooring such as bamboo wood and countertops made of recycled materials. He also sells 100 percent biodegradable products, such as plates, eating utensils and cleaning products."There are very few cleaning products that you can let go down the drain," Stephen says.The store employs five people right now, but Stephens expects that number to rise as the mainstream America works more and more sustainable options into its life.Source: Daniel Stephens, owner and CEO of BgreenWriter: Jon Zemke