SPORTS
VOLLEYBALL
EVENTS
Warren excels after transferring to UH
Students stand out in the dark.
Player making big impact on team, even though she sat out for a season. SEE PAGE 5
Student Program Board made the Houston Room glow Saturday night. SEE PAGE 7 AUGUST
CALENDAR CHECK: 21
Bayou Bucket. T-minus 5 days until there will be no owls left on the field.
THE DAILY COUGAR
T H E
O F F I C I A L
S T U D E N T
N E W S PA P E R
O F
T H E
U N I V E R S I T Y
Monday, September 16, 2013
Issue 12, Volume 79
O F
H O U S T O N
S I N C E
1 9 3 4
ONLINE EXCLUSIVES AT THEDAILYCOUGAR.COM
SCIENCE
ACADEMICS
Professor’s company electrifies research
Students find opportunities at career fair
Tristan Reickhoff Staff writer
Institute for NanoEnergy associate professor Seamus Curran is leading the charge to turn cutting-edge research into real, everyday products. If he had his way, we would be living in, walking on and wearing materials lined with an invisible coating developed here at UH. Curran’s company, C-Voltaics, was recognized by the 2013 International Conference on Commercializing Micro and Nanotechnology with the Young Technology Award for their super-hydrophobic protective coatings. “This award is important for the University,” Curran said. “It proves
that the research dollars invested in UH create the next generation of technologies that future American jobs depend on.” Curran and his team at C-Voltaics are poised to start producing up to 400 gallons of this coating per day in a plain, brick-lined room at the Energy Research Park this semester. What sets them apart from their competitors is the ability to consistently manufacture large amounts of a nano-based product. The line of coatings are invisible to the naked eye and imperceptible to touch — yet so effective at repelling fluids that you can pour a cup of coffee on a pair of jeans and the RESEARCH continues on page 3
Akash Sharma Staff writer
The room was bustling with chatter Thursday as students, faculty and alumni celebrated the grand opening of the new Bauer Honors Commons. In addition, attendees were able to join in the annual Bauer Honors Fall Mixer, where they networked and learned about the latest updates within the program. “I am so excited about the new Bauer Honors Commons opening,” said pre-business freshman Leslie Zorzi. “It’s going to be a place where all of us can go together, meet up and socialize with alumni, professors and each other and have a great learning environment.” Within the Bauer Honors Commons, the Hamill Commons Room includes two classrooms, two offices for the academic advisers and a large common area, which is equipped with couches and chairs where students can relax, do homework and interact with each other. “It is a really exciting time, especially for commuter students like myself,” said Matt Null, a finance senior and former Bauer honors mentor. “There is finally a place for us to be on campus.”
The Cullen College of Engineering held its biannual Engineering Career Fair Thursday in conjunction with student organizations, like the National Society of Black Engineers, the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers and the Society of Women Engineers. “It is a great opportunity to find a suitable position, and more importantly, to network with potential employers and find out what they are looking for in their candidates,” said civil engineering first year masters student Raghu Kapoor. “As an international graduate student, that is very critical. Students turned out to meet potential employers and to promote their student organization or learn about other organizations. “The company professionals were highly impressed by our students, especially by their demeanor and preparedness,” said Senior Director of Professional Development Vita P. Como. “They love the idea that our freshmen go (to the event), as it helps them get over being scared, which is in fact crucial when the time comes for them to apply.” The fair was organized at the Hilton UH, with nearly 92 companies registered. “It was great to see a lot of employers relevant to my major. The career fair was a great experience, but I hope there could be separate timings for freshmen (in the future), as the career fair got overcrowded,” said petroleum engineering junior Farah Azari. The fair utilized eConnection, an online portal where students can apply for jobs and schedule
BAUER continues on page 3
CAREER continues on page 3
C-Voltaics, a company led by UH associate professor Seamus Curran, will begin producing 400 pounds of hydrophobic coating a day from a lab in the Energy Research Park this semester. | Tristan Reickhoff/The Daily Cougar
EVENT
Bauer Honors program welcomes new home Hadiya Iqbal Staff writer
The new Bauer Honors Commons, which was built this past summer and opened this fall, gives students a space to relax, socialize and study. | Amanda Wilkinson/The Daily Cougar