Mark Lande has been named interim director of the Center for Nanoscale Science and Engineering at North Dakota State University. The appointment, effective Dec. 1, was announced by Philip Boudjouk, vice president for research, creative activities and technology transfer at NDSU. 

Lande is a certified public accountant with experience in municipal government, public accounting, residential realestate development and as a controller for public broadcasting. He joined the NDSU Center for Nanoscale Science and Engineering in 2004 as finance specialist and was named assistant director for administrative and  financial services in 2006. Lande’s role includes financial management of the center’s research programs, financial reporting, accounting and projections, and operational compliance standards. 

“The main duties of the interim director will be the administration of CNSE’s finances and the restructuring of CNSE to enhance its potential to attract private sector funding,” Boudjouk said. “The technical focal points of CNSE will focus on microelectronics and combinatorial science and technology. The term of the position is expected to be at least six months,” he said. 

NDSU’s Center for Nanoscale Science and Engineering, Fargo, conducts multidisciplinary research with partners in government, industry, private and university sectors. Its scientific capabilities include flexible electronics and materials, electronics miniaturization, wireless sensors, RFID, bioactive materials, combinatorial science and coatings technologies. Research conducted at the center has been featured in the Journal of Bioadhesion and Biofilm, Journal of Combinatorial Chemistry, New Electronics, Innovations Report, IEEE Transactions on Advanced Packaging, Chip Scale Review, Wired magazine, the Financial Times and other scientific and business publications and conference proceedings. 

With winter driving season around the corner, all motorists are reminded of the hazardous conditions they will face on the roads when snowplows are present, as the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s new Public Service Announcement demonstrates.

The 30-second PSA features actual radio chatter from snowplow dispatchers, video of snowplows in action and real photos from crashes that result when vehicles and snowplows collide.

“It’s imperative that motorists understand and fully realize the hazards and potential harm that can come from following snowplows too closely or otherwise failing to drive for winter conditions,” said MnDOT Commissioner Tom Sorel.

“Snowplows weigh up to 17 times more than a typical car or SUV, and in a vehicle versus snowplow crash the snowplow is going to win,” he added.

The PSA is available in two formats, including full broadcast-quality, on the MnDOT web site: http://www.dot.state.mn.us/workzone/media.html

By Doug Neville

Chief Public Information Officer

ST. PAUL — Law enforcement agencies statewide will deliver added DWI patrols in December, the peak month for alcohol-related crashes during the last three years. The Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over heightened enforcement is in place all of December.

Extra enforcement will also run nationwide.

Municipal and county sheriff law enforcement agencies will partner with the Minnesota State Patrol. in the state’s campaign coordinated by the Department of Public Safety (DPS) Office of Traffic Safety. The effort will include 8,500 extra hours of DWI patrols on the roads.

There were 1,097 alcohol-related crashes in Decembers, 2008–2010, resulting in 24 fatalities. Despite the high number of crashes, December is among the lowest months for alcohol-related fatalities.

―There is always a great potential for alcohol-related traffic crashes surrounding holiday celebrations when people don’t plan ahead for a sober ride,‖ says Col. Kevin Daly, chief of the Minnesota State Patrol. ―If you make the mistake of driving impaired, you will face the consequences.‖

There were 131 alcohol-related traffic deaths in 2010 in the state, the fewest on record and down 21 percent from five years ago. Still, during 2006–2010, 791 people were killed in alcohol-related crashes — reflecting impaired driving as a factor annually in one-third of the state’s road fatalities.

Each year, 30,000 motorists are arrested for DWI; one in seven Minnesota drivers has a DWI on record.

A DWI offense can result in loss of license for up to a year, thousands in costs and possible jail time. Stronger DWI sanctions are also now in effect for all repeat DWI offenders, as well as for motorists arrested for a first-time DWI with a 0.16 and above alcohol-concentration level. Under these sanctions, offenders must use ignition interlock for at least one year or face at least a year without driving privileges.

Interlock requires a driver to provide a breath sample under 0.02 for the vehicle to start. Safety officials say interlock ensures DWI offenders are driving legally and safely. Potential participants of program can learn more at www.minnesotaignitioninterlock.org.

DPS encourages Minnesotans to:

Plan for a safe ride — Designate a sober driver, use a cab/public transportation, or stay at the location of the celebration. Families should let each other know that they will be available to offer a safe ride home.

Report impaired driving — Call 911 when witnessing impaired driving behavior. Witnesses must be prepared to provide location, license plate and observed dangerous behavior.

Minnesotans are also encouraged to ―give the gift of a safe lift with a ―Designated Driver Gift Card. Card-givers offer to serve as a designated driver to support safe and sober roads. Gift cards can be downloaded at ots.dps.mn.gov. The campaign is supported by a statewide advertising campaign featuring the ―Elf Arrested for DWI! TV spot.

To-date in 2011 there have been 313 traffic deaths compared to 369 at this time in 2010.