Articles written by Jessica Franklin

QB Kodi Burns: practices making passes. Auburn’s season begins Aug. 30. PLAINSMAN ARCHIVE

Auburn is counting down the days till its 2008 season opener Aug. 30, against Louisiana-Monroe. With two talented quarterbacks, a new offensive coordinator and a new defensive coordinator, there’s a lot to look forward to.

“In summer practice, we had a lot of guys that really stepped up across the board,” said junior quarterback Chris Todd. “We have a really good rotation going, and I’m excited about the talent we’ve got out there.”

Auburn was picked to win the SEC Western Division title by the league’s media at the 2008 SEC Media Days. Junior defensive lineman Sen’Derrick Marks, who was named to the preseason All-SEC first team, said that based on history, the prediction didn’t hold much weight.

“Our key goal is to win the West and go on to win the championship in Atlanta,” Marks said. “But other than that, I don’t think being picked to win the Western Division puts pressure on us. I don’t think it changes how people look at our game plan or how we are playing, so we are just going out there to play our game. We’re glad we are ranked that high, but predictions don’t mean anything for the football team personally.”

This will be the first season of Auburn running the spread offense, led by offensive coordinator Tony Franklin.

President Jay Gogue: U.S. Representative Christopher Carney and U.S. Representative Mike Rogers visit with trainer Daniel McAffee and Spike, a detection dog. Contributed

A recent Auburn graduation attracted the attention of Congress. The graduates from the Canine Detection Training Center will soon be starting their careers with federal and local law enforcement agencies.

“An effective detector dog team is the most capable, readily available and least expensive detection tool that is available to local first responders and law enforcement,” said Brian Keeter, Auburn director of public affairs. “Our goal is for Auburn to become the premier provider and certifier of detector dogs to the U.S. federal government.”

The program’s success initiated the July 22 Congressional hearing at the Canine and Detection Training Center in Anniston, at the former Fort McClellan. Members and staff of a sub-committee of the U.S. House Homeland Security Committee, including U.S. Representative, R-Ala., Mike Rogers and U.S. Representative, D-Pa., Christopher Carney, were in attendance to see the program firsthand. After touring the facilities, the congressmen watched a demonstration of the detector dogs in action.

Jim Walker, director of the Alabama Department of Homeland Security, and Dennis Schrader, deputy administrator of the National Preparedness Directorate, a component of FEMA, both testified at the hearing to an audience of more than 100, including law enforcement and first responders from around east Alabama.

Senior Nate Bettibone (left): and junior Chris Nau (right), mechanical engineering students and members of the Formula SAE team, work on a car in an on-campus shop. Lindsey Davidson / PHOTO EDITOR

Auburn’s Samuel Ginn College of Engineering is now offering an automotive engineering minor.

The curriculum is designed for students interested in pursuing a career in Alabama’s growing automotive manufacturing industry.

The 15 credit-hour minor is a joint effort between the Industrial and Mechanical Engineering programs.

The program was approved and became an official minor almost one year ago, but most of the classes were being taught before that.

According to Dr. John Evans, associate professor in Industrial and Systems Engineering, almost half of all the industrial engineering students end up working in the automotive industry. He said the program aims to prepare students for this career.

“We are trying to offer classes that can make students more than just a mechanical, electrical or industrial engineer, but one that has specific knowledge and skills related to automotive,” Evans said.

Classes include engine design, vehicle design and vehicle dynamics in mechanical engineering.

Gwynodolyn Mowbray: a junior in architecture, checks her pulse while walking. Smart clothes are designed to monitor the body’s vital signs. The clothing reviews change in body temperature, respiration or heart rate. Some types can transmit light from the front to the back, m

Imagine an outfit that fits perfectly and eliminates the worry of sweat stains and body odor. Oh, and it plays your favorite music.

It’s an idea that’s not far off in the future.

New fabrics are being developed that can regulate body temperature, conduct electricity, play music, fight bacteria and odor, repel insects, soothe dry skin and have the capacity to custom shape themselves for your body. These new “smart fabrics” have medical and military purposes as well.

The Smart Shirt was originally developed about 15 years ago by Sundaresan Jayaraman, a professor at Georgia Tech. Smart shirts have flexible circuit boards woven into the fabric. Small sensors in contact with the skin send radio signals to the circuit board, where they are analyzed and transmitted to a control center.

Dr. Gwynedd Thomas, associate professor for Polymer and Fiber Engineering, currently works with developing new nanotechnology, the science that created the Smart Shirt. She said the technology is currently marketed to the military, but could be available to the general public in the future.

The Smart Shirt monitors the body’s vital signs. When a soldier is injured, the shirt monitors a change in body temperature, respiration or heart rate and automatically sends a signal back to headquarters. The wounded can be picked up within minutes and have a much higher chance of survival.

Another form of smart fabric has variations in optical properties. Some can transmit light from the front or back, making the wearer reflect their environment like a chameleon.

Dr. Dongye Zhao: associate professor of civil and enrivonmental engineering, has been developing nanotechnology that will help reduce petroleum contamination. Elizabeth Williams / NEWS EDITOR

Dr. Dongye Zhao, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering, led a research team at Auburn University to develop a new environmental remediation technology for cleaning up contaminated sites, soil and groundwater.

Zhao was invited to Ecuador in June to lead an international workshop for environmental remediation based on his developments in nanotechnology. The lectures explained how to use the technology developed at Auburn and its environment impact. Ecuador has a widespread petroleum contamination problem because of oil fields.

Groundwater contamination is a serious problem in Ecuador. Organic contaminants and heavy metals such as mercury, copper and lead leach into the soil and pollute the drinking water, making crops unable to grow.

Traditional remediation of contaminated soils or sediments requires excavation and landfill. This method is impractical when the contamination is spread over a large area, because it requires digging up the soil.

“You cannot landfill everything because it is too costly and environmentally disruptive,” Zhao said. “The Environmental Ministry of Ecuador wants to do something cheaper, more effective and more environmentally friendly.”

Auburn will join the rest of the SEC teams for XM Satellite Radio’s live sports line-up in the fall.

XM Satellite Radio is now the official satellite radio provider of the Southeastern Conference, and fall 2008 will be the first time all 12 schools are broadcast. Now fans across the country can hear play-by-play of every football game in the SEC.

Other schools joining the fall lineup include the University of Florida, University of Alabama, South Carolina and Vanderbilt.

Gymnasts filled the McWhorter Center the past few days, learning new skills and hoping to be the next Auburn champion.

The five-day gymnastic camp was hosted by Auburn University coaches and players June 15-19 and 22-26.

“The college girls are role models to them,” Associate head coach Rachelle Thompson said. “It’s who they watch and keep up with on TV and online, and then to actually work with them is very exciting.”

Campers ranged from level four beginners (ages 6 or 7) to level 10 girls (ages 16 and 17).

Lacey Ryffel: a senior in nutrition/dietetics, exercises her brain by playing Sudoku. This popular mind game is said to strengthen thinking skills and sharpness.Brain exercise is all fun and games, thanks to the new Brain Age software for Nintendo DS.

 

 

In a time when people are ever increasing their dependence on technology, the Brain Age software wakes up those lazy brain cells for a workout.

Participants: of the Auburn University high school girl's soccer camp went through college-level training in the sport during the three-day program. Diane Phelps / PHOTO STAFF

High school girls experienced what it’s like to be a college soccer player last weekend when the Auburn women’s soccer coaches and players hosted an elite soccer camp June 13-15.

Campers trained each morning and played a match in each afternoon or night. They covered film and scouting reports.

“I think what really makes it unique is the format, the content,” said Karen Hoppa, Auburn soccer head coach and camp director. “It’s different than anything else that I see in any other soccer camps all summer. It really gives them an idea of what the next level is all about.”

The girls learned NCAA rules as they completed the same type of training as a college player. By having a high coach-to-player ratio, the girls received individual instruction and feedback during training sessions and games. Written individual evaluations are given during some of the longer camps, but not at the elite camp.

Summer Ragsdale, a senior in marketing, was one of the Auburn players who worked as an assistant coach at the camp. She said the college players assisting at the camp participate in the practices with the campers and act as role models. The assistant coaches give guidance and criticism during the training sessions.

“As a player, we provide a lot of information for the girls when it comes to them having questions about college and college sports,” Ragsdale said. “It’s just a good time for them to figure out if it is something they want to pursue and something they want to do.”

Upon arrival, the girls were split into teams. Each team was assigned a head coach from a local high school or college.

The Auburn University Challenge Course offers an opportunity for student groups who are looking for a team-building experience, and an outlet for individuals who want to challenge themselves on an outdoor adventure.

Located about 6.5 miles from campus, the ropes course is a creative way for groups to learn leadership and communication skills while bonding with each other.

Built in January 2007, it features five low elements that are 2-3 feet off the ground, along with 11 high elements that average 35 feet tall. All of the low elements involve partnerships or teams, and are geared toward team-building and leadership development.