Research & Inventions
— DRUG DISCOVERY —
HIV Medication
Arun K. Ghosh, the Ian P. Rothwell Distinguished Professor of Chemistry and Medicinal Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, created a molecule that was developed into the first FDA-approved treatment for drug-resistant HIV.
— RESEARCH —
“Smart” Stickers
Researchers led by Ramses Martinez, an assistant professor of industrial engineering and biomedical engineer- ing, have developed a sticker the works as a heart monitor. The “smart” stickers (implantable epidermal paper-based electronics), which are made of cellulose, making them both biocompatible and breathable, can monitor physical activity and alert the wearer about a possible health con- cern in real time. Because they can conform to internal organs, they can be implanted, and athletes can use them while exercising and sleeping. The stickers are thin and stretchable; further, they are coated to repel water, oil, dust, and bacteria. And, at about five cents each, they are also inexpensive and easy to produce.
— RESEARCH —
System for Telementoring with Augmented Reality (STAR)
Juan Wachs, the James A. and Sharon M. Tompkins Rising Star Associate Professor of Industrial Engineering, has developed augmented reality research applications that aid in the telementoring of physicians so that more experienced surgeons can remotely assist medics in the field, such as in war zones or other isolated areas, with critical procedures. The STAR platform relies on displays, touchscreens, and tablets that improve the quality of the communication, enhancing the experience on both ends.
— RESEARCH —
Resilient ExtraTerrestrial Habitats institute (RETH)
Engineering professor Shirley Dyke leads the Resilient ExtraTerrestrial Habitats institute, a new space technology endeavor that is funded by NASA. RETH will help develop and design deep-space habitats, continuing Purdue’s leadership and commitment to science, engineering, and space exploration. RETH is a collaboration with the University of Connecticut, Harvard University, and the University of Texas at San Antonio.
— INVENTIONS —
Fiberglas
A one-time tuba player in the “All-American” Marching Band, R. Games Slayter (ChE’21, HDR E’49) worked at Owens-Illinois Glass Co. in Toledo, Ohio, in the early part of his career. There, he first created the coarse fibers that led to the production of Fiberglass. He applied for a patent for the process to create what he called “glass wool” in 1933. He became vice president for research and development at the new Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corp. in 1938, remaining until his retirement in 1963.
— RESEARCH —
Discovery Park
Discovery Park, a multidisciplinary research park on 40 acres on the southwest edge of cam- pus, offers an open, collaborative research environment where interdisciplinary projects are connected throughout the University, Purdue Research Park, and the world. Founded in 2001 with a $26 million gif from the Lilly Foundation, the Birck Nanotechnology Center, Burton D. Morgan Center for Entrepreneurship, the Center for Advanced Manufacturing, the Discovery Learning Research Center, and the e-Enterprise Center launched the project. Four years later, the Lilly Endowment contributed another $25 million, challenging Purdue to expand the mission.
— RESEARCH —
Zika Virus
A team led by Purdue researchers was the first to determine the structure of the Zika virus, which revealed insights critical to the development of effective antiviral treatments and vaccines.
— RESEARCH —
Thermophysics
Born to Armenian parents in Turkey, Yeram S. Touloukian (PhD ME’46) was renowned for his work in thermophysics. He established the Thermophysical Properties Research Center (now known as CINDAS) at Purdue. The center the first of its kind — gained national and international recognition as a clearinghouse for data in the field. The American Society of Mechanical Engineers established an award in his name.
— RESEARCH —
Tornado Machine
A 4m x 7m tornado vortex generator is housed in the Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences, allowing for experimentation and obtainment of information about thunderstorm and tornado systems.
— RESEARCH —
Eli Lily Partnership
Purdue’s 2017 partnership with Eli Lilly on a five-year agreement, where Lilly will provide up to $52 million, marks the University’s largest strategic collaboration with a single company. Research will focus on improved delivery of injectable therapies and development of predictive models to reduce risks associated with drug development.
— RESEARCH —
Nanotechnology
With his research interests ranging from nano-electronics to green carbons to hydrogen storage on nanoengineered carbon scaffolds, James Tour (PhD S’86) is a leading synthetic organic chemist. He is noted for his developing strategies for retarding chemical terrorist attacks. He has also developed the Nano-Kids curriculum for K–12 education in nanoscale science as well as interactive video game packages for science education.
— PSYCHOLOGY —
Industrial Psychology
Known as the father and mother of modern management, Frank and Lillian Gilbreth were pioneers in what is now known as industrial and organizational psychology, conducting research that introduced using photography and motion pictures to study and improve the efficiency of industrial workers and minimize worker fatigue. Lillian Gilbreth taught at Purdue beginning in the 1930s, becoming the country’s first female engineering professor. Described as “a genius in the art of living,” her family life with her husband and their 12 children was recounted by two of her children in the book Cheaper by the Dozen, which later inspired film versions in 1950, starring Clifton Webb and Myrna Loy, and 2003, starring Bonnie Hunt and Steve Martin.
— ECONOMICS —
Market Science
Frank Bass joined the Krannert School of Management faculty in 1961. He earned a reputation as the father of market science after developing the Bass diffusion model, a mathematical formula that describes the adoption of new products and technologies by first-time buyers.
— INVENTIONS —
Dimmable Lighting
The first electronic solid-state dimmer to ft in a standard wall box for use in the home was developed by Joel Spira (S’48, HDR E’03) in 1959. To produce and sell his invention to homeowners, Spira founded Lutron Electronics, a leading supplier of lighting products for residential and commercial uses.
— INVENTIONS —
Cryo-Electron Microscope
A cryo-electron microscope, which allows scientists to look at how proteins and viruses are made, atom by atom, will be coming to campus. The machine, whose innovation won its developers the 2017 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, will be housed in the Wayne T. and Mary T. Hockmeyer Hall of Structural Biology in Discovery Park after $1 million in renovations, including a stabilization platform. It will be the second cryo-electron microscope at Purdue. This one is being purchased through a collaboration with five other life science entities: Indiana University School of Medicine, Indiana University Bloomington, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Eli Lilly and Co., and the Indiana Biosciences Research Institute.