Boeing Donates Patents Worth
$2.4 Million to CSULB

Acknowledging CSULB' evolution as both a "campus of choice" for future scholars as well as a center for high-caliber applied research, The Boeing Co. donated five patents to the university with a fair market value of $2.4 million.

"We are certainly excited about this donation because of the near- and long-term ramifications it can have for Cal State Long Beach," said President Robert C. Maxson. "It shows the extreme confidence that Boeing has in the programs and professors at this university and I share that confidence."

Donation of the patents from Boeing's Intellectual Property Division will continue to expand a highly successful partnership between CSULB and the firm.

The main application for these patents is in the applied physics program in the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics and materials engineering in the College of Engineering.

They include a method of detecting defects in non-magnetic metal alloy castings, methods of forming and isolating nanoscale metal particles that can be used in magnetic applications, a method of creating ceramic oxide compounds that can be cast, extruded or drawn, and a method of producing silica "green" tapes employed in fabricating circuit boards.

The contribution is a clear indication of Boeing's confidence in the university, said Elizabeth Ambos, associate vice president for research and external support. "This donation came to us because, in my opinion, we have reached a certain level of recognition and depth in our research programs, particularly in engineering and science, the areas for which the patents apply."

Engineering Students Win
Bridge Design Competition

A team of CSULB civil engineering students captured first place in the steel bridge design competition at the 2005 American Society of Civil Engineers' Pacific Southwest Regional Conference in April at Cal State Fullerton.

The team's "keep it simple" approach to engineering contributed to their winning time of three minutes, 30 seconds, with no penalties.

Seniors Jeffrey Roi, James Gunderson, Michael Swords, Daniel Torres, Glen Robison, Nathan Shuy and Susan Hanson, who served as an alternate, competed against universities from across the Pacific Southwest to construct a 21-foot-long steel bridge that met specific design criteria such as assembly time, final weight, deflection under various loads and aesthetics.

Their win qualified the team for the national competition in Orlando, Fla., in which they took first place in the construction speed and economy categories and 19th place overall among 44 competitors.