National High Magnetic Field Laboratory

Bird named Distinguished University Scholar

May 12, 2010

Media Contact:
Susan Ray
(850) 644-9651
sray@magnet.fsu.edu

Mark Bird

The Florida State University Council on Research & Creativity has selected Mark Bird, director of Magnet Science and Technology, as one of just three Distinguished University Scholar Award winners for 2009-2010.

The award recognizes outstanding performance by non-tenure-track seeking employees who have longstanding track records of research at the university, and who hold senior level positions. The award was presented in April at the university’s Faculty Awards program, and comes with a one-time award of $10,000.

Bird, a Scholar/Scientist at FSU, has been with the Magnet Lab since 1992 and was part of the young Magnet Lab engineering team responsible for creating “Florida Bitter” technology, which took resistive magnets to new highs. Since the invention of Florida Bitter plates, the Magnet Lab has continuously held the world record for magnetic-field strength.

Mag Lab staff recognized for innovation

FSU’s Office of Research recognized two Magnet Lab scientists for making strides to commercialize their research and creative activity at the 2009-2010 Florida State University Innovators reception.

Associate in Research Michael Davidson was recognized for licensing various photomicrograph libraries, and Associate Scholar/Scientist Ryan Rodgers was recognized for the development of crude-oil analysis technology. Kirby Kemper, vice president for research, presented the innovators with Newton's Cradles as token of appreciation.

Principal investigators who submitted an invention or work disclosure, had a U.S. patent application filed, and/or had a U.S. patent issued during the 2009 fiscal year also were formally recognized at the reception:

U.S. Issued Patents

• Tom Painter, Magnetic Shimming Configuration with Optimized Turn Geometry and Electrical Circuitry, U.S. Patent No. 7427,908 (issued 9/23/2008).

Patent Applications

• Mark Bird, Conical Florida-Bitter Magnet, U.S. Patent Application No. 12/287,278 (filed 10/8/2008)
• Tim Cross, Divisional Patent Applications for Solid-State NMR Method For Screening Cell Membrane Protein Binding Drug Candidates, U.S. Patent Application Nos. 12/366,173 and 12/366,190 (filed 2/5/2009).

Disclosures

• William Brey, Cylindrical Configuration of Superconductive RF Coils for NMR.
• Mark Emmett, Quantification of Cellular Sphingolipids by Metabolic Labeling with Isotope-labeled Serine and Serine Inhibitors.
• Denis Markiewicz, Inside Crossover for Pancake Wound Superconducting Tape Magnet.
• Tom Painter, Zero Delta Temperature (ZDT) Thermal Link Florida Solderless Joint Technology; Bi2212 High Temperature Superconducting Wire.
• Chunqi Qian (affiliated with NMR program), Impedence Matching in NMR Probe with an Adjustable Segmented Transmission Line.

The National High Magnetic Field Laboratory develops and operates state-of-the-art, high-magnetic-field facilities that faculty and visiting scientists and engineers use for research. The laboratory is sponsored by the National Science Foundation and the state of Florida. To learn more visit www.magnet.fsu.edu.