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Stretchable conductors enable robotic elbows

Stretchable conductors enable robotic elbows

The stuff of science fiction is fast becoming fact in a Princeton laboratory, where electrical engineering professor Sigurd Wagner and researcher Stephanie Lacour are developing a new sensitive skin that will revolutionize robotics and medical technology.This skin is made from a corrugated gold film, just 25 nanometers thick embedded in a silicone membrane, that can stretch at least 15 percent while still conducting electricity.Wagner compared the skin to an electronic surface that can "stretch like rubber."One of the primary applications for this new technology, Wagner said, is to "make a skin that is like a human skin for robots." Since the skin is elastic enough to accommodate a large range of movement and is also an electrical conductor, it will allow robots greater sensory abilities."The first step is to get robots and machines that are cautious," said Wagner.

NEWS | 12/10/2003

Campus decks the halls of Frist to celebrate the winter season

Amid the frantic studying and paper writing of the last week of the semester, students and community members came together for a unique holiday celebration in Frist Campus Center.The festivities culminated last night with a Winter Festival Cultural Show that included music, dancing and holiday food.The Religious Life Council sponsored an Interfaith Holiday Exhibit and information table featuring different religious holiday traditions."I think its really important to make sure all holidays are acknowledged," said Ellen Horrow '04, an RLC member."Members of minority religions can sometimes feel everything is about Christmas.

NEWS | 12/10/2003

Malcolm X's daughter looks at race, identity

Attallah Shabazz, daughter of Malcolm X, engaged the Princeton community yesterday in an active discussion on racial, cultural and national identity.Shabazz discussed Malcolm X's role as a public leader and father, but her talk focused mostly on personal identity and its relationship to race and culture."In this country you need to be everything you are without risk," she said.During her almost two hour talk Shabazz was animated and engaging, sometimes almost dancing behind the podium.

NEWS | 12/09/2003

Gehry-designed library to be built soon

In three years, a new science library building designed by Frank Gehry will grace Princeton's campus with bold curves and organic, non-rectangular shapes finished in titanium and glass.A $60 million gift from Peter Lewis '55 will fund the construction of the building, which is to be located at the corner of Ivy Lane and Washington Road and on the field between Fine and Peyton Halls.Lewis' 2000 donation of $55 million helped establish the Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics.Robert Barnett, assistant director of Physical planning and project manager for the new building, has worked closely with his physical planning team and local construction group, Los Angeles-based firm Gehry Partners, LLP.

NEWS | 12/09/2003

Alcohol ordinance still on hold after Borough Council meeting

Despite objections that student binge drinking has worsened this fall, the Borough Council took no action on the controversial alcohol ordinance last night.Instead, the council heard from student leaders, University administrators and community groups on how to combat a "culture" of drinking on campus and at the eating clubs."I am encouraged that the University is getting involved," said Borough Councilman David Goldfarb, who has supported the alcohol ordinance.The ordinance would allow police to cite underage drinkers on private property, including the eating clubs.Representatives of the Princeton Alcohol and Drug Alliance opened the discussion with a call for more education and prevention rather than passage of the ordinance.At the council's April 23 meeting, when the ordinance was tabled by a unanimous vote, PADA was charged with reporting on efforts made by the University and student groups to curb dangerous drinking.Inter-Club Council and former Quadrangle Club president Corey Sanders '04 spoke on what he said were extensive safeguards taken by the eating clubs to prevent excessive and underage drinking."All clubs use wristbands for students of legal drinking age," Sanders said.

NEWS | 12/09/2003

Exchange students adapt to campus life

No, it's not a British invasion. This year, 12 students from Oxford University are studying at the University as part of its new foreign exchange program.

NEWS | 12/09/2003

OWL presents panel on first female students

For female students at Princeton, finding a bathroom in any campus building is not a problem.This was not the case, however, for Margaret Cannella, Ellen Ebert, Sally Fields, Harriet Hawkins and Robin Krasny, all members of the class of '73.

NEWS | 12/09/2003

USG announces election runoffs

Juniors Matt Margolin and Jacqui Perlman will compete for USG president in a runoff election beginning this afternoon while sophomores Shaun Callaghan and Frances Schendle will face off for vice president.Margolin garnered 33 percent of the first round vote, or 848 votes, while Perlman came in second with 18 percent, or 463 votes.

NEWS | 12/09/2003

Balanced budget projected as tenure system defended

Provost Amy Gutmann addressed the University's financial status at yesterday's meeting of the Council of the Princeton University Community and announced the Priorities Committee's next project.

NEWS | 12/08/2003

Administration VP Kalmbach to resign after little over a year

Charles Kalmbach '68, University senior vice president for administration, announced Friday he intends to leave his post at the University by January."It has been a privilege to apply the knowledge I have acquired over the more than 20 years of helping organizations become better places to Princeton as its chief administrative officer," he said in an email.

NEWS | 12/08/2003

New Zealander Sainsbury '04 wins Rhodes for Oxford study

Willow Sainsbury '04 has won an international Rhodes Scholarship, of which she was notified last Thursday.

NEWS | 12/08/2003

Fred Fisher '54, Whitney Fisher '98: California winemakers strive for the perfect blend

Though the path from Princeton student to wine consumer is clear, the road of Fred Fisher '54 is less traveled.Fisher, the owner of five California vineyards, has gained national recognition for his wines.It sounds like a wonderful life, and in some respects it is.

NEWS | 12/08/2003

Tower president charged, resigns

A member of Tower Club was charged Friday with making alcohol available to a minor and maintaining a nuisance, Princeton Borough Police said without releasing the name of the member charged.

NEWS | 12/08/2003

With eye on wellness, University task force seeks to improve student health

Across the nation, universities and colleges are improving their recreational facilities and programs in the interest of the health and wellness of students, faculty and staff.

NEWS | 12/08/2003

USG proposes change to dorm furnishings

The USG passed a resolution last night recommending priority requests for major maintenance on campus.

NEWS | 12/07/2003

Randall reflects on his term as president of USG

For most students on campus, this week is just one more election in the history of the University's student government.

NEWS | 12/07/2003

Ivy Council prepares for summit on leadership and globalization

On Feb. 27, 200 Ivy League students will gather in New York City for the Ivy Leadership Summit and an opportunity to "discuss issues pertinent to leadership with proven leaders from distinct professions," according to an Ivy Council press release.The Ivy Council, a body that fosters unity and communication among seven of the eight Ivy League schools, is organizing the conference.The summit's goal is to "allow students who are interested and committed to the conference's issues to learn about them together," said Zach Goldstein '05, Princeton's Ivy Leadership Summit liaison.While the Ivy Council has held leadership summits in the past, this year's summit plans to be the largest and most publicized one yet.

NEWS | 12/07/2003

Cottage to appeal tax-exempt denial

The University Cottage Club filed an appeal last Monday with the Appellate Division of Superior Court to reverse the New Jersey State Department of Environmental Protection's October decision, which denied the club's petition to attain property tax-exempt status."The (DEP's) denial of historic site certification under (state law) was arbitrary and capricious," the appeal said, according to The Princeton Packet.The appeal also claims DEP Commissioner Bradley Campbell's denial was unlawful and that Cottage Club never received a hearing to determine their eligibility for certification.Cottage president John Richmond '04 could not be reached for comment.According to state law, any nonprofit organizations classified as historic sites can file for certification as a tax-exempt property, but the DEP stipulates the public must have access to the site as well.The Princeton Packet reported on Friday that Princeton Borough intends to file court papers opposing the club's certification.In 2001, Cottage filed a petition with the DEP to have the building certified as a historic property, which would have exempted the eating club from local property taxes amounting to about $50,000 a year, Borough mayor Marvin Reed said.Cottage Club attorney Thomas Olson requested a ruling on the matter earlier this year.

NEWS | 12/07/2003

L'Atelier presents scenes from classical French plays

The Rocky Common Room transformed into a grand French theater Wednesday evening as L'Atelier, also known as the French Theater Workshop, presented its first Cours Publique of the year.

NEWS | 12/04/2003

Candidates open up about themselves, their goals

Forget about George W. Bush, Howard Dean, John Kerry and the other United States presidential hopefuls, because for the next week, only one political race will dominate campus: the USG elections.As the beginning of voting draws near, candidates for the USG executive and senatorial slots are politicking across campus.Message boards are filled with fluorescent flyers.

NEWS | 12/04/2003

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