In the News

bwtech@UMBC in the Catonsville Times
Two companies at bwtech@UMBC are among the 18 finalists named by the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development, the Maryland Technology Development Corporation, RSM McGladrey Inc., and Saul Ewing LLC for the ninth annual Maryland Incubator Company of the Year Awards. The Catonsville Times reported that Amethyst Technologies and Columbia BioSystems, Inc. were among those nominated for the awards, which recognize the achievements of current and graduate companies within Maryland’s incubators. The story, “UMBC Research Park Companies Finalists for State Honors,” ran Wednesday, May 13.
http://www.explorebaltimorecounty.com/business/99052/umbc-research-park-companies-finalists-state-honors/
CUERE in Earth Magazine
Environmentalists today are working with pervious concrete, a pavement made with a cement-like binding material devoid of the sand-like particles for which traditional concrete is know. “You can literally dump a five-gallon bucket of water on this stuff and not get your shoes wet,” Stu Schwartz, a senior research scientist at the Center for Urban Environmental Research, told Earth magazine. “It lends itself to some dramatic photos, like fire hoses being discharged onto it, and the water just disappears into the pavement.” The magazine described the center’s study of chemical changes in water flowing into and out of the pavement system. The article, “Dull as Concrete? Think Again,” ran in the June issue.

www.earthmagazine.org

Ray Hoff, Physics, in ScientificAmerican.com
The Web site for Scientific American reported on the “Smog Blog” established at UMBC under the direction of Ray Hoff, professor of physics. “The idea is to put all that [air quality] data in one place and put a story together,” Hoff said. “We aim to be a one-stop shop.” Hoff has run the Smog Blog with a team of current and former graduate students and other volunteers since 2003. The piece, “Slide Show: Painting the Picture of Air Quality with Satellite Data,” ran Thursday, May 7.
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=smog-satellite-data
Don Norris, Public Policy, in the Baltimore Sun
Political observers in Maryland believe that Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith will ultimately run for state comptroller next year. “If Smith runs, he will have the support of the governor and the governor’s organization,” Don Norris, professor of public policy and director of MIPAR, told the Baltimore Sun. “If Smith gets out there early enough, he will be a viable candidate.” The story, “Smith Expected to Challenge Franchot,” ran Sunday, May 10.
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/baltimore_county/bal-md.co.smith10may10,0,3522059.story

UMBC in the Washington Post
The Washington Post reported that David Phelps, a high school student from Prince George’s County received the Barry A. Lanman Award for Oral History from the Martha Ross Center for Oral History at UMBC. The news item, “Names in the News,” ran Thursday, May 14.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/13/AR2009051301910.html?referrer=emailarticle