Eliminating Life-Threatening
Respiratory Disorders
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Chronic lung diseases such as pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema afflict more than 13 million Americans and have no cure. For patients to survive, they require transplantation of a living human lung. However, geographic obstacles and a patient's state of health often impede donor-recipient matches. Those needing a transplant wait an average of two years for a lung; 80 percent die before receiving one.
College of Engineering researchers are currently conducting two programs - the Total Artificial Lung (TAL) and Total Liquid Ventilation (TLV) - that not only might lead to the relief or elimination of many life-threatening respiratory disorders, but also could someday sustain those who require a lung transplant but must wait for an available compatible organ. 
Predicting Solar Storms
Around May 10, 1989 a massive stream of charged gases exploded from the Sun. On May 13, the super-heated plasma slammed into the Earth, knocking out a Quebec power grid and leaving six million people helpless for nine hours. Scientists blame the same solar storm for damaging a gas pipeline that exploded and demolished part of the Trans-Siberian Railroad, engulfing two passenger trains in flames. Directly and indirectly, the storm took human life and drained billions of dollars from the world economy.
Similar solar storms continue to bombard the Earth in a cycle that peaks approximately every 11 years. Whereas there's nothing scientists can do to prevent these life-threatening events, they could take preventative measures that would preserve life, resources and money - if they had the ability to predict the storms.
They've lacked this predictive ability, until now.
An Engine in Your Pocket
When today's soldiers set off on a mission, they frequently carry payloads that include 40-pound battery packs - a lot of weight for even the broadest shoulders. But Aerospace Engineering Professor Werner Dahm, together with Mechanical Engineering Professor Jun Ni and their research team, is developing a small, portable, efficient power source that just might replace those hefty batteries and lighten the load: the micro internal combustion swing engine (MICSE).
