USU student wants to make prosthetic hands 'feel'

It was once the stuff of science fiction.

But if Rock Lim has his way, a concept that was once the subject of an episode of “Star Trek” may be a reality.

Lim, who is studying under Utah State University professor Kerry Jordan, wants to create prosthetic limbs that have the ability to feel.

Lim is currently preparing a research proposal to test the capabilities of artificial neurons implanted in prosthetic hands. Researchers have yet to find a way to keep neurons alive in mechanical limbs because they need blood and neuralgia that the body has but the prosthesis doesn’t, Lim said.

“At the moment the level of robotics is not very high,” Lim said. “The fact that we have smart phones and automated machines but if you lose a hand, well, that’s OK, here’s a hook — it’s simply archaic. We’re using the same technology we had 600 years ago.”

“Once we get this technology we’ll not only be able to fix but enhance and make the human body better,” Lim said. “But in order to do that we first need to make mechanical limbs feel.”

Born in Seoul, South Korea, Lim came to the United States in the name of science: He moved to
Utah at the age of three when his father, Seung-Jin Lim, was accepted into the computer engineering graduate program at Brigham Young University.

Two decades and three grown sons later, Seung-Jim Lim is near completion of a computer interphase program that allows public servants such as police officers and firefighters to access incident information quickly and easily. It has the potential to “save lives due to quicker response time,” he said.

Rock Lim is responsible for proofreading his father’s scholarly journal articles, something he calls long and sometimes boring.
But researching has only become a recent passion of Lim’s.

“As a child I had no interest,” he said. “But a few years ago I got attracted to the idea that science can change peoples’ lives.”

A team of scientists from Sandia National Laboratories, the University of New Mexico and MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston have already created an artificial limb that creates quasi-real sensations using electrical transmitters embedded in the limbs interface. What Lim is proposing is the use of real neurons to create real feeling, making a prosthetic a true extension of the body.

“There already is research where your neurotransmitters in your body are connected to a machine and a guy was able to move a robotic hand using just his mind,” Lim said. “We can regrow damaged nerves, we can grow axons where there wasn’t before. So the idea is to now grow artificial neurons in the hands and get them to talk to neurons already in the body that are already there.”

Until Lim can go to a graduate school with the necessary medical equipment to start testing his proposal, he’s doing what he can to build up lab experience and a résumé. Lim and graduate student Justice Morath are studying restorative attention effect of natural scenes in children under Jordan’s direction in the Department of Psychology.

Lim plans on graduating next year and is undecided on where he will study next: California, Washington, Canada and Sweden are among the places on his short-list, “but my dad wants me to stay in the U.S.,” Lim said.

Wherever it may be, Lim is not concerned about the prestige of a renowned graduate school.

“Although a degree from Harvard would be nice,” he said. “I need to go to the university with the professors doing the most relevant research.”

David Thomas, Brie Geller, Mackinzie Hamilton, Marissa Shields, Ashley Howell and Danielle Manley contributed to this report.

USU pool players have fewer tables to practice and compete

Since 2010, the Utah State University Billiards Club has doubled in size from 15 to 30 members.

But club member Annaliesa Peterson said the group recently lost two of its eight tables. The tables were moved from the club’s location in the Fieldhouse to the Hub.

And that, Peterson said, has left less playing room club members and students enrolled in billiards classes.

“Because of the limited space, students have to pair up and therefore do not get as much practice and playing time,” Peterson said.

CClub president Chris Crook said that limits the size of tournaments that can be hosted. “It’s nearly impossible to host two schools at once,” he said. “During club nights there are times when we have more players than tables can hold.”

Crook, who also works as a teaching assistant for the billiards classes at USU, said the small space available for classes has required the teachers to change the way billiards has been taught.

“The space we have really limits how many students can participate,” Crook said. “We have already had to downsize classes due to losing tables.”

One solution to the club’s space issues could be the proposed Aggie Recreation Center. If the ARC were built, it would expand the recreation facilities available for USU students. According to Crook, the Billiards Club might have a spot in the new facility if the ARC legislation is passed — voting for the ARC is currently in process.

The club participates in monthly tournaments. It has also represented USU at the Association of College Unions International competition for several years. This coming Saturday, the club will take part in a three-school tournament in Ogden against Weber State and the University of Utah.

Abbie Lewis, Adam Barkley, Amanda Morgan, Amy Nelson, Danielle Hayes and Katelyn Swain contributed to this report.

Blue Square luxury housing starts to take shape

Starting in the fall, Blue Square student housing will offer Utah State University students a piece of luxury away from home.

Construction recently began on the new student housing building, located at 1135 N. 800 E. in Logan, directly across the street from Romney Stadium.

“We want to offer students luxury housing where even laundry and maid service is available,” Alejandra Manjarres said. Manjarres is the niece of David Miller, the entrepreneur who is building Blue Square.

Miller graduated from USU in 1987 with his bachelor’s degree in business and finance. He resides in Florida, but maintains a full staff in Logan. Both the contractor and project manager are USU alumni who Miller graduated with.

Miller said his main goal is to give back to the school that provided him with his education and contributed to his success.

“I have always dreamed of giving back to my school,” he said.

The project will be built in three phases. Phase one will include four levels. The first level will include a retail courtyard and the remaining three levels will include 36 living units. The units range from single, to four person units. Each has a private bedroom, private bathroom and walk-in closet. Each unit also has common living areas such as the kitchen, living and dining areas.

Manjarres said a high number of students have inquired about living at Blue Square, so construction on phase two and three will begin soon.

Blue Square is focused on providing a large number of amenities for its tenants, including a fitness center, a sky room study lounge and an Aggie shuttle stop in front of the building.

Mike Graham is a contractor for the American First Builders, a company owned and operated by a USU alumnus. According to Graham, much of the funding for the new complex is being donated by other USU alumni.

“This is a special project to be partaking in,” Graham said. “I am excited that we are able to be giving something back to the place that helped shape many of the people in the area. They have played a big part in the design for the complex.”

Project representative Jane Smith feels that Blue Square is a great option for students that want to be off-campus and still feel close to the university.

“It is a short walk to campus, or a few minutes on the bus,” Smith said. “Blue Square is still close to the school, but at the same time away from all the hassle that school brings. It’s the perfect way to still be part of the Aggie experience. It is close to all of the major sporting venues as well.”

Blue Square will consist of 88 furnished units. There will be a 42” flat screen television, private bedrooms and bathrooms, walk-in closets and iPod docking station in every unit.

The complex will have fire pits, media and game rooms, BBQ pavilions and workout equipment. Complex management is currently looking to fill potential retail and restaurant space. They want Blue Square to become a place for students to hang out after a long day of classes or major sporting event.

Depending on how many bedrooms are in each suite, prices vary from $450-$700 per month.

Ali Davis, a sophomore living with her parents, said the complex will help her transition to campus life.

“I’ve always lived at home, so the idea of moving on campus is sort of scary,” Davis said. “It’s kind of expensive, but I think it will be worth it for me. It has everything I could possibly need and is still fairly close to everything. I’m kind of excited to see it finished.”

Blue Square’s managers would like to attract a tanning salon, a coffee shop and a restaurant for the retail courtyard.

“We want to support local businesses, but at the same time want to attract large names too,” Manjarres said.

Kyndall Peterson, Jill Dean, Lauren Handy, Cambria VandeMerwe, Heather Foster, Aaron Griffiths, Paige Sjoblom, Kyndall Peterson, Jill Dean, Lauren Handy, Cambria VandeMerwe, Heather Foster, Aaron Griffiths and Paige Sjoblom contributed to this report.

Largest in the state, career fair is 'testament' to USU students

From careers to internships, the Utah State University Career Fair gave students access to potential employers on Wednesday.

For 23 years, USU Career Services has been providing students with the opportunity to network with different employers. This year more than 140 representatives from companies including Target Corp. and Intermountain Healthcare Inc. attended.

“We are almost always, including this year, the largest in the state, which is a testament to our students that these employers come because they love what they see,” said Donna Crow, the executive director of Career Services at USU.”

Several employers expressed satisfaction and admiration with the crop of USU students that attended the fair.

“We get well-qualified graduates that come look at our positions,” said Tracy Taggart, the human resource recruiter from Zions Bank. “What a better way than the career fair to come up and network.”

According to Crow, employers and students are not the only ones who attended the career fair. Other institutions such as The University of Utah, Weber State University and Westminster College also attended to learn how USU Career Services has implemented its student and employer involvement.

Unique to the USU career fair is the student host program, Crow said. Through the program, students are given the opportunity to work closely and individually with specific employers. The student hosts cater to the employers’ needs while at the fair.

“It is a stress-free avenue for a student to closely network because they’re not trying to get an interview,” Crow said. “It’s a wonderful way to get a connection.”

Jason Neil, a student host who is working on his master’s degree, said that being a student host at the career fair has been very beneficial for him. Neil attended the fair last year and he said it was a great way to interact with multiple employers and learn what they want.

“You can definitely tell those who are maybe a step above the average student by the way they interact and how serious they are,” said Brian Chambers, the director of operations for West Host, a web-hosting company. “They need to be professional and can demonstrate to me in an interview that they can make the step from college to real world experience.”

Neil also said that it is very important for students to be prepared to talk and interact with future employers before going to the career fair.

“You have all these companies coming here to offer good jobs and I don’t know if students recognize how valuable that is,” Chambers said.

Rebecca Eisenhower, Eric Jungblut, Trevor Anderson, Ryan Neeley, Marisa Nielsen, Trey Williams, Nicole Murray, Bailey Nielsen contributed to this report.