LOCAL/STATE The Michigan Daily - Thursday, November 13, 1997 - 3A Experts hone estimate of Moon's age The Earth's moon was formed in a cataclysmic collision that left the Earth a melted rock about 4.5 billion years ago, say two University geo- chemists. Researchers Alexander Halliday and Der-Chuen Lee said the two major players in the collision weren't exactly the two bodies we know today as the Earth and the moon. } In a paper in this week's issue of Science magazine, Halliday and Der- Chuen state that 50 million years after the formation of the Earth, a planetoid collided with Earth. The impact was too forceful for the two bodies to remain together as one large planet. jnstead, the newly formed moon fell away into a stable orbit around the heavily battered Earth. While the manner of the forma- ion of the moon is generally agreed upon by experts, a specific date for its origin is not. Previously, astro- physicists thought the Moon formed at the same time as Earth and the rest of the inner solar system 4.57 Pillion years ago. Halliday and Der-Chuen used Halfnium/Tungsten radioactive decay ,'analysis of moon rocks to peg a later date for the Moon's origin - 4.5 to 4.2 billion years ago. t Research experts ,gather in D.C. Spurned in part by discussions ,,held at the University's 1996 .Wiesner Symposium, government pfficials, scientists and University 0researchers met in Washington, D.C. last month to discuss national research policy. Changes discussed would merge the goals of government and University- ,ponsored research, and highlight how society views research. The 1996 Wiesner symposium looked at principles for national pol- Icy, pointing out how universities should improve accountability for the good of public investment in research. Profs link light energy to cells University chemistry professors have developed a new range of super- molecules that are capable of convert- ing sunlight into energy and illuminat- *ng the DNA of living cells. Working with University of Illinois professors, chemistry Prof. Raoul Kopelman uncovered molecules that can funnel light energy though branches, directing it to a specific point. Work will continue with these mole- cultes to create applications with varied ..chemical and physical properties. Research is funded by the National *Science Foundation. University gets Jaser patent The University has secured a patent for a new laser that emits a fine, highly r nergetic and accurate beam. The laser technology, developed by *ientists at the Center of Ultrafast Optical Science and the Kellogg Eye Center, may be used for eye surgery as Dell as engineering applications. - Compiled by Daily Staff Reporter David Bricker and Peter Romer- Friedman. ' grads work on heart pump By Reilly Brennan Daily Staff Reporter Two alumni are taking what they learned in the University's laboratories and research facilities to significantly help medical professionals and improve the lives of their patients. Scott Merz and Patrick Montoya have begun a company, Michigan Critical Care Consultants Inc., which is more commonly known as MC3. The compa- ny develops products for the medical industry that help in surgical procedures. MC3 was formed as a result of the two alumni improving an existing prod- uct, a heart pump. Their new and improved pump, which handles extra- corporeal circulation, is better designed than other heart pumps because of its safety features, Montoya said. Merz said the University played a factor in the private company's con- ception, something MC3 recognizes and appreciates. "The program here is excellent for biomedical engineering. We benefited from the University, but the University also benefits from us," Merz said. "They get the royalties and publicity. The University also holds the patents on the products. They, in turn, license the prod- ucts to us. It's a good relationship." Merz, who received a Ph.D. in bio- engineering, and Montoya, who received a Ph.D. in mechanical engi- neering, said the business aspect came last - the two were most interested in general medical research. "This whole thing began as a result of development work we did with Dr. Bartlett," Montoya said. "It started as kind of a side-project" The Dr. Bartlett who Montoya speaks of is the pair's primary connec- tion to the University. Dr. Robert Bartlett, a University professor of surgery, is part owner in the company and originally helped the two students research their products when they were students at the University. Bartlett said the relationship between the private company and the University is something that is kept at near lily-white standards, as a shared contract makes sure all rules are in line with University policy. "As a private company, we definite- ly maintain an arm's-length relation- ship with the University," Bartlett said. "Every detail of our relationship is very clean and careful. We follow the LOUIS BROWN/Dady University alumni Scott Merz and Patrick Montoya founded Michigan Critical Care Consultants, Inc., a company that devel- ops products for the medical industry that are used in surgical procedures. letter of the law." Merz added that a major part of the University's role is to make the transi- tion between research and experimen- tation. "Moving from the academic world to the industrial application is an important function of the University," Merz said. Montoya and Merz have a full research and prototyping facility at their headquarters in Ann Arbor. MC3 is cur- rently working on other products, including a portable heart-lung machine that will be contracted to the U.S. Army and a treatment that prevents blood from clotting on plastic materials. "We're primarily a research and development company" Montoya rid; "We would like to continue developiig products. We'd like to see more of our products reach the market." I Companies look to link TV with Internet technology AP PHOTO Dr. Bohdan Pichurko, chief of pulmonary and critical care medicine at Slani Hospital, right listens as Dr. Claud Young answers questions yesterday. Cole-man Young in critcal condition By Asheley Riley Daily StaffReporter For most experienced Web surfers, access to the Internet is as simple as logging onto a computer account. But changes in cyberspace could make the experience even easier. With the new technology, anyone with a television can access the Internet through their set. These new technology packages are being called "Net computers:' "The way this works is through a device, much like those used to connect televisions to cable," said Bruce Leonard. an engineer and ITD affiliate. Web TV Networks, a leader in the tele- vision Internet market and a Microsoft affiliate, first brought Internet access through home television about a year ago. "These types of systems usually con- sist of a wireless keyboard and a set-top box," Leonard said. "They basically run at about $300 for the equipment." Netscape, a company that makes software for the World Wide Web, is working to use such devices to give consumers access to the Internet. Netscape is currently the biggest pro- ducer of Web browsers. "We're really excited for it," said Corporate Communications Associate Jodi Kramer, who added that no release date has been set. "With the demand for the Internet still so high, we expect to do quite well." But LSA first-year student Andrea Dawson said she would not buy a device that links television to the Internet since computers are already plentiful on campus. "I'll never buy that. Why should I when a computer meets all my Internet needs?" Dawson said. While Internet-accessible televisions give home users an enhanced viewing experience, the systems also- require modems, which occupy phone lines. Engineering sophomore Craig Scott uses an ethernet card, which he said lets him access the Internet efficiently. "I just got an ethernet card so that I wouldn't have to use my phone line, so I definitely wouldn't want something like Web TV until they come out with maybe a Web TV net card," Scott said. One incentive for having access to the "I definitely wouldn't want something like Web TV." -- Craig Scott Engineering sophomore Internet through television is the fact that such devices are free. The service also would change the way viewers follow television programs. For example, TV listings would be provided 48 hours in advance, and viewers could search -for information about their favorite stars while watching them on television. Though the devices linking television and the Internet would most likely be free, there is a catch: Providers would sell monthly Internet-access fees, simi- lar to how America Online charges cus- tomers to use its services. Currently, Web TV charges $19.95 per month to access Internet services. DETROIT (AP) Coleman Young, Detroit's first black mayor who served an unprecedented five terms, was in critical condition after suffering a cardiac arrest yesterday, doctors said. Young, 79, was in a coma on a ven- tilator last night, said Dr. Bohdan Pichurko, chief of pulmonary and critical care medicine at Sinai Hospital. Young, who had advanced emphy- sema and was hospitalized several times in recent years for heart and res- piratory problems, has been in inten- sive care at Sinai Hospital since Aug. 12, for pneumonia and complications. "I would never deny the possibility of recovery,.but we know this situa- tion is grave," Pichurko said. "This is perhaps the most serious of all that he's had to face." , Young suffered the cardiac arrest about 5:30 p.m. yesterday. It took about 40 minutes to resuscitate him and he remained on a ventilator and a machine to support his blood pressure. 'It's just a waiting game at this point," said Dr. Claud Young, the for- mer mayor's cousin. Pichurko said it was too soon to provide further information about his prognosis. "He has many serious and signifi- cant medical problems," he said. A longtime cigarette smoker, Young has advanced emphysema and has been hospitalized several times for breathing problems. He was released from Detroit Receiving Hospital on July 15, after four days of treatment for pneumonia in his upper right lung. As Detroit's first black mayor, he left office in 1993 after 20 years. Since then, he has had a cornea transplant, prostate gland surgery and undergone treatment for an irregular heartbeat. In March 1995, he was hospitalized for 10 days fol- lowing a minor stroke. Claud Young said doctors had hoped that the former mayor would be released from the hospital either yes- terday or today. The doctor said he had talked to his cousin about 2 p.m. and he was alert even though he had been in and out of sleep. Young was among several famous Detroiters who got involved in the bid- ding for Detroit casino licenses, which is still pending. Young headed a group with Rio Hotel and Casino Inc. of Las Vegas that has already been taken out of the running for a casino license. *1 Whatl GROUP MEETINGS U "Circle K Community Service Week Meeting," 763-1755, Michigan Union Lobby, 7 p.m. U lntervarsity Christian Fellowship, 647-6857, Chemistry Building, Room 1200, 7 p.m. U Shulchan lvrlt, 769-0500, Cava Java, Downstairs area, 5:30 p.m. U Teach for America Information Meeting, 997-7635, Amer's Deli, Basement, 6 p.m. U Undergraduate Black Male Dialogue Group, 936-1372, West Quad, Asubuhi Lounge, 7-9 p.m. U University Alkido, 668-0464, intramural Sports Building, Wrestling Room, 5 p.m. s happening in Ann Arbor today Ownership of Challenges at Hall, Room 100, 7 p.m. Home," Sponsored by Carroll J, U "Minority Marrow Registration Haas, North Campus, GG Brown Drive," Sponsored by Minority Building, lacocca Auditorium, Marrow Donor Coalition, Pierpont U 4:30-5:30 p.m. Commons, Boulevard Room, 10 D "A Young Voice for Democracy and the Environment: Hafsat Abiola," a.m.-6 p.m. Sponsored by Environmental U "Teach for America information Justice Group et.al, Law School, Meeting," Sponsored by Teach for Room 100, 8 p.m. America, Amer's Deli, Basement, U "Ben Yonas Quartet and Randy 6 p.m. Napolean," Sponsored by Michigan League Programming, SERVICES Michigan League, League Underground, 8-10 p.m. U "Bionomics: The Market Economy U Campus Information Centers, 763- as an Ecosystem," Sponsored by INFO, info@umich.edu, and College Libertarians, Modern www.umich.edu/-info on the Languages Building, Room B116, Worid Wide Web 7 p.m. U Northwalk, 763-WALK, Bursley j- I i - T 1 J . 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