Campus FYI for 10/5

Hakan Gurocak patents two inventions

Hakan Gurocak, professor and director of the School of Engineering and Computer Science, received two U.S. patents over the summer. They are the only issued U.S. patents held by a current faculty member.

The patents stem from Hakan’s research on haptic technology—technology that conveys a sense of touch. Haptic technology exists today in the automotive industry, dental training and videogames, among others, but it has not spread to everyday computer use.

Haptic technology relies on actuators—a generic term describing motors, electronic brakes and pneumatic systems. Actuators create a vibration or force that generates the touch sensation. But current actuator technology is limited.

One of Hakan’s patents can help develop electronically controlled brakes, and the other offers an improved internal design that will allow for a much smaller but more powerful actuator. These two patents are steps toward haptic interfaces—possibly something wearable, like a type of glove—that will enable many more applications for the technology in the future. Imagine, for example, being able to “feel” the clothing you order online.

“It’s very exciting to me personally, and it was quite a learning process to go from ‘I have an idea, I wonder if it would work,’ and ending up with a U.S. patent,” Hakan said.

Hakan worked with WSU’s Office of Commercialization in Pullman to disclose the inventions and file the patent applications. The Office of Commercialization will pursue additional commercialization activities, including licensing the patents to an industry partner or a start-up company. Although all intellectual property developed by faculty is owned by the university, WSU creates incentives for inventors by sharing revenues generated through the commercialization of their intellectual property.

“We are very excited to be engaging more with Vancouver faculty,” said Preeti Malik-Kale, technology licensing associate for WSU. “Our hope is that more faculty reach out to our office if they have questions on intellectual property.”

Hakan’s patents:

• Magnetorheological devices and associated methods of control
• Linear MR-brake as a high force and low off-state friction actuator

Learn more at the WSU Vancouver ResearchNow! website.

Enrollment Management Plan available to view

Are you wondering what is happening with the Enrollment Management Task Force? The task force completed the first phase of its work in June. High-priority strategies from each of the Strategy Teams were provided to the consultants at SEM Works, who worked over the summer to write an Enrollment Management Plan. With the final plan now in hand, the Enrollment Management Task Force is working to identify remaining resource gaps and propose an implementation timeline.

The Enrollment Plan, Executive Summary and Enrollment Goals are available for your review on sharepoint. You are invited to read them and direct questions you may have to the Enrollment Management Task Force co-leaders: June Canty  or Laurel Rea-Bullion.

Time changed for Tuesday’s Lockdown Drill

10:45 – 11:15 a.m. Oct. 6
Campus-wide

WSU Vancouver Public Safety and Emergency Management will conduct a campus-wide Lockdown Drill at 10:45 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6. The drill was bumped ahead 45 minutes to better accommodate Tuesday/Thursday class schedules. The drill will be announced using the mass notification system and campus public address systems.

Faculty, please take a moment at the beginning of class to make sure all students are aware of the drill. There may be heightened anxiety for some members of the campus community after the shootings last Thursday at Umpqua Community College. This drill along with earthquake and fire evacuation drills are an important part of preparing for an emergency and keeping faculty, staff and students safe.

Take a free self-defense seminar

6 – 8:15 p.m. Oct. 20
Dengerink Administration Building, Room 129

Join Sensei Jeff Wynn, of the Vancouver Institute of Self Defense, as he teaches basic self-defense specifically focused for WSU Vancouver. The class is limited to current WSU Vancouver students, employees and guests. Attendees must be a minimum of 14 years of age. Registration is mandatory and class size is limited. To register, call 6-9001 or email wsuvcops@wsu.edu.