Issue 05, Volume 123
Friday, June 14, 2012
Engineering professor receives research grant Lukosi’s research focuses on the development of a longlived, innovative nuclear battery The research of a UT protermed a High Temperature fessor working to create a batDirect Energy Conversion tery that packs several thousand (HiTDEC). The proposed battimes more energy than batteries tery operates by converting used today has received a boost radioactive energy to electrical from Oak Ridge Associated energy using a semiconducting Universities (ORAU). diamond transducer. Eric Lukosi, an assistant “Current direct energy conprofessor in nuclear engiversion nuclear batteries are very neering, received a $10,000 sensitive to radiation damage, Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty thereby limiting the useful lifeEnhancement time to a few Award, includdays,” said ing $5,000 Lukosi. “The from ORAU proposed and $5,000 nuclear batin matching tery aims to funds from surpass this the UT Office l i m i t at i o n of Research. by providing The award is power genergiven to thirty ation for over young faculty a year. This members at can be espeORAU memcially useful ber institufor spacecraft tions with the Photo courtesy of utk.edu. and sensors.” goal of enrichThe funds ing their research will be used for and professional growth, spurinitial investigations into techring new funding opportunities. niques that lessen radiation damORAU provides innovative age to the diamond transducer. scientific and technical soluThe study is important to the tions for the U.S. Department success of the HiTDEC nuclear of Energy (DOE) and other battery and will help define the federal agencies to advance achievable potential energy national priorities in science, stored in the battery. health, education, and national “ORAU is excited to supsecurity. A nonprofit corporation port thirty exciting new ideas and federal contractor, ORAU proposed by junior faculty from manages the Oak Ridge Institute member institutions,” said for Science and Education for Arlene Garrison, ORAU the DOE. vice president of University “The Powe Award is very Partnerships, in a statement. prestigious, and Eric’s impor“This funding enables creative tant research is very deserving,” exploration at a critical early said Wayne Davis, dean of the career stage.” College of Engineering. “This honor bodes well for his future success in sponsored research.”
Staff Report
McCord Pagan • The Daily Beacon
Staff and faculty members pause for a tasty Campfire Grill hot dog provided by co-owner Bill Thomas. The Campfire Grill hot dog stand can be found at the very end of Pedestrian Walkway behind the Clarence Brown Theatre Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Vendor connects with students, staff McCord Pagan Staff Writer For the past five years, students and staff alike have all found a reliable midday snack underneath the colorful umbrella at Campfire Grill, a hot dog stand that can be found at the western end of pedestrian walkway Monday through Friday. But who is the man behind the franks? Bill Thomas, a co-owner for the past five years, mainly operates the stand. Thomas was a plumbing contractor before he got his start in the hot dog stand and has not looked back since he changed careers. “I most enjoy the interaction with the people, my goal is to brighten their day, it just makes for a more enjoyable experi-
ence,” Thomas said as he slipped into an easy smile. “I love working with people, it is much better than crawling under sinks.” Thomas got into the hot dog stand business about five years ago when his contracting business started to slow down, forcing him into a part-time role. His son’s stepfather, Jason Thurston, stepped in and introduced Thomas to the Campfire Grill company. The main restaurant, located in Townsend, Tenn., has a five star rating on tripadvisor.com. Thurston, the owner of the company, operates from Townsend while Thomas works mainly at the campus location. Thomas said he attends local festivals, such as the recent Native American Flute
Festival, with his stand and spends his weekends supplying food for the rest stop Tail of the Dragon in North Carolina. He said he enjoys the company of the students when he is on campus, and has slowly gotten to know many of them. “The students here are very polite and enjoyable to be around,” Thomas said. “I even get to hear what classes they’re taking, and I like hearing their updates on their grades and what they want to do in life.” While he does not take any extra time when serving his customers, Thomas always seems to have time for a polite chat with those who come by, Although the stand is still small
Director retires
See Hotdog on Page 2
Sinkhole causes temporary closure Gage Arnold Chief Copy Editor
Gage Arnold • The Daily Beacon
The street closure is expected to be resolved and reopened by June 14. Officials confirmed a utiilities issue caused the problem.
A portion of Andy Holt Avenue between Volunteer Boulevard and UT Drive is closed for the week, UT officials announced on Tuesday afternoon through an e-mail to the student body. A sinkhole located across from Staff Lot 25, north of the Allan Jones Collegiate Aquatic Center, was the culprit. Workers are now filling the hole in and performing all necessary repairs. “From my understanding it was caused by a utility issue and the hope is that it will be resolved by Friday,” Jeff Maples, the senior associate vice chancellor for finance and administration said. “It is a city street and
a city project so we have notified the campus based on their input.” Maples said no other major delays have arisen or are expected during the summer. UT’s new transit system, The “T: Hill: shuttle” will be detoured for the week due to the closure. Staff Lot 25 and the G7 parking garage will not be affected by the construction. Construction on the new Student Union has proceeded along with streetscape improvements on Lake Loudon Boulevard and Neyland Drive. Updates on construction, including future road closures, can be found at www.conezone. utk.edu.
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• Photo Courtesy of utk.edu
Jane Pope, Student Publications Director, retires today after 40 years at the university. She has been with The Daily Beacon for the past 27 years. Student Publications Director Jane C. Pope retires today after 40 years at the university. As the primary advisor for the Evolve student yearbook, The Phoenix literary arts magazine and The Daily Beacon for the last 27 years, Mrs. Pope served countless students with rare integrity and genuine commitment to truth. The staff of The Beacon wishes her continued fulfillment in the years to come. The newsroom will not be the same without her.
The Daily Beacon is printed using soy based ink on newsprint containing recycled content, utilizing renewable sources and produced in a sustainable, environmental responsble manner.
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Check out our summer Spotify playlist on page 3