| |
SRI International Digest #19 - Fall 2006
Subscribe to the SRI International Digest, our quarterly e-newsletter, or view previous issues.
Language translation for soldiers in Iraq, a half-century of molecular physics discoveries, and a visit from a European head of state: Learn more in this edition of the SRI Digest, the quarterly news round-up from independent research institute SRI International.
IN THIS ISSUE:
National Defense News
Computing News
Education News
Economic News
Science News
SRI News
NATIONAL DEFENSE NEWS
Portable Speech-to-Speech Translation System Deployed for Investigative Fielding in Iraq
 IraqComm(TM),
a speech-to-speech translation system, has been successfully delivered to U.S. forces in Iraq. To date, 32 units have been shipped to Iraq for an investigative fielding of two-way language translation between English and Iraqi Arabic. The system will be used by U.S. military personnel responsible for training Iraqi military and police forces.
"Troops coming back from Iraq say that one of the biggest problems they face is the language barrier," said Kristin Precoda, Director of SRI’s Speech Technology and Research (STAR) Laboratory. "IraqComm was designed to address this pressing need, providing high-accuracy translations through a very simple interface."
More information
COMPUTING NEWS
Speech Recognition Software Licensed to Adacel for Aviation Applications
 Adacel, an industry leader in simulation development, software integration, and speech recognition technology, has obtained an exclusive license for SRI’s DynaSpeak® speech recognition system for selected aviation voice-activated cockpit and mission specialist applications.
More information
Improving the Cyber Security of U.S. Oil and Gas Infrastructure
With support from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Department of the Interior, SRI has a key role in the LOGIIC Consortium, which has a goal to improve security of the nation’s oil and gas critical infrastructure by helping to protect it from computer threats such as viruses, worms and cyber terrorism. SRI, which runs the Cyber Security R&D Center for the DHS,
helped create the knowledge base with this technical expertise.
The LOGIIC Correlation Project leverages the collective resources of oil and gas companies, DHS, and technology vendors to identify and demonstrate new technologies to help protect oil and gas process control systems. Organizations such as Chevron, Sandia National Laboratories, Symantec, and Honeywell are participating.
More information
EDUCATION NEWS
 Electronic Learning Products Licenses SRI EduSpeak Software for Literacy Intervention Program
Electronic Learning Products, Inc., a Florida-based developer of interactive educational software, has licensed SRI’s EduSpeak® speech recognition system. Electronic Learning Products will use the EduSpeak engine in "Tune into Reading," its literacy intervention program, creating a new and unique method of improving literacy among struggling readers.
More information
ECONOMIC NEWS
SRI to Develop MEMS Innovation Strategy for Puebla, Mexico
 With support from the U.S.-Mexico Foundation for Science, SRI is developing a strategy for capturing opportunities offered by the growing micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) research capabilities and markets in the state of Puebla, Mexico. The Foundation was established in 1992 as a binational, nongovernmental body that helps solve issues of interest to both countries.
SRI’s Center for Science, Technology and Economic Development and Microscience and Engineering Laboratory co-lead the project, and are working with Puebla business, government, and research sectors to identify key steps needed to advance MEMS innovation in the state. The state’s capital city, also named Puebla, is the home of numerous educational centers and research institutes. “The Puebla region’s research capabilities in micro- and nano-technology and the strong ties being formed between government, universities, and private firms are very encouraging,” said Michael Vestel, a research engineer in SRI’s Microscience and Engineering Laboratory. "There is strong motivation to commercialize innovations, especially in the biomedical sector."
More information
A Visit from the Danish Prime Minister
 Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen visited SRI in June. The Prime Minister’s visit to Silicon Valley’s premier research institute is part of Denmark’s initiative to position the country as a leading knowledge-based economy by 2010. Prime Minister Rasmussen met with SRI President and CEO Curtis R. Carlson to learn how SRI’s culture supports research and innovations that have created new industries and transformed lives around the world.
"SRI is exploring potential partnerships with Denmark in emerging new market areas," added Norman Winarsky, Ph.D., SRI's Vice President, Ventures and Strategic Programs.
The Danish government recently opened an Innovation Center Denmark in Silicon Valley to foster the growth of Danish technology-based companies in the United States. The U.S. is Denmark’s largest trade partner outside the EU, with a total export value exceeding $45 billion.
More information
SCIENCE NEWS
Celebrating 50 Years of Molecular Physics Discoveries
 SRI's Molecular Physics Laboratory (MPL) celebrates 50 years of molecular physics achievements in August. One of SRI’s longest-running groups, the MPL began in 1956 with experimental and theoretical research in atomic beam collisions and chemical reaction mechanisms. Today, the laboratory provides government and commercial clients with fundamental and applied research in areas such as atmospheric chemistry and physics; trace species detection; biomedical optics; and high-temperature materials.
The Molecular Physics Laboratory has worked on research projects for a large number of government clients, including: NASA, National Science Foundation, National Institute of Health, Department of Energy and the Department of Defense.
Over the past five decades, the MPL’s research and technology achievements have included:
- Planetary airglow: In the 1960’s, SRI pioneered the use of laboratory measurements to explain atmospheric observations of airglow. In 2001, SRI led a team that made the first observation of visible light emitted by oxygen atoms in the night airglow of Venus, offering new insight into the planet’s atmosphere.
- Laser development: In the 1970s, SRI pioneered the development of the ultraviolet excimer lasers that have been widely used for lithography by the semiconductor fabrication industry.
- Surface Analysis by Laser Ionization (SALI): In 1984, SRI developed this method for analyzing metals, semiconductors, composites, ceramics, and polymers.
- Ozone research: SRI's experimental investigations of chemical reactions on nitric acid and water ice particles helped explain the Antarctic ozone hole and were recognized by the AAAS Newcomb-Cleveland Prize for 1987.
- Modeling complex chemical systems: In the 1990s, SRI and collaborators created comprehensive chemical mechanisms and models for natural gas combustion, of particular importance for controlling pollutant generation.
- Trace species detection: SRI is developing advanced laser-based vapor detection instrumentation, offering exceptional sensitivity and chemical specificity.
More information
SRI NEWS
SRI Wins Golden Acorn Award
The Menlo Park, California Chamber of Commerce recently selected SRI for a 2006 Golden Acorn Award. The annual civic awards are given to recognize community service and business excellence in the city. SRI was honored for “Innovation and Technology Advancement,” a new award category this year. With the majority of its 1,400 staff members located in Menlo Park, SRI is one of the city’s largest employers.
More information
Meet SRI at Upcoming Tradeshows and Conferences
SRI will present its R&D solutions at these upcoming events:
Institute of Navigation - Global Navigation Satellite System (ION-GNSS) 2006
September 26-29, Ft. Worth, TX
Association of the U.S. Army (AUSA) Annual Meeting
October 9-11, Washington, D.C.
Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting
October 14-18, Atlanta, GA
American Association of Pharmaceutical Scientists (AAPS) Annual Meeting
October 29 - November 2, San Antonio, TX
Speaking Engagements
SRI CEO Dr. Curt Carlson will speak on the Five Disciplines of Innovation at these upcoming venues:
Meet Some of Our Staff
 |
Alicia Schoolcraft
Benefits Analyst, Human Resources Department |
 |
Roger Sherman,
Information Specialist, Information Technology Services, Archiving and Research (SRI Library)
|
 |
Jennie Wang, Program Director, Pharmaceutical Sciences Laboratory
|
 |
Gary Bridges,
Director, Client Services, Cyber Security Research & Development Center
|
In the Press
Can Beirut Make Another Comeback? (New York Times, August 7)
This article about the future of tourism in Lebanon describes that SRI has been working to develop tourism in that country. John "Matty" Mathieson, director of SRI's Center for Science, Technology and Economic Development (CSTED) and Katherine Johnston, a CSTED economist, are quoted in the article.
House Committee Pushes Changes to IT Security Law (Government Executive, July 24)
This article reports that the House Veteran’s Affairs Committee is seeking a significant change in the law governing agency information security. Marcus Sachs, deputy director in SRI’s Computer Science Laboratory, is quoted.
AI Believers Tout Optimism for Technology (Associated Press, July 19)
This article reports on the 50th anniversary of artificial intelligence, and discusses the future of AI. The article mentions that at the American Association for Artificial Intelligence annual meeting, an SRI researcher demonstrated a program that can schedule meetings, delegate tasks and book trips for a harried office worker, asking for guidance from a human when conflicts arise. Visit SRI's AI Center website.
CONTACT US
For more information on SRI's innovations and how we can help you, contact
SRI Digest editor Marty Mallonee at marty.mallonee@sri.com. The SRI Digest welcomes your feedback. Please send suggestions or comments to newsletter@sri.com. Start or discontinue a subscription by sending an email to newsletter@sri.com.
Read the SRI Digest in Japanese (Spring 2006 edition).
 Learn about SRI's breakthrough ideas and real-world solutions for clients. Our new brochure is available. To request a copy, email your name and address to Marty Mallonee, SRI Digest editor.
Copyright 2006 SRI International. All rights reserved.
|
|
R&D Divisions