Daily Business Report: July 9, 2024
Research
Soft, stretchy electrode simulates touch
sensations using electrical signals
Story and photos by Liezel Labios | UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering
A team of researchers led by the University of California San Diego has developed a soft, stretchy electronic device capable of simulating the feeling of pressure or vibration when worn on the skin. This device, reported in a paper published in Science Robotics, represents a step towards creating haptic technologies that can reproduce a more varied and realistic range of touch sensations.
The device consists of a soft, stretchable electrode attached to a silicone patch. It can be worn like a sticker on either the fingertip or forearm. The electrode, in direct contact with the skin, is connected to an external power source via wires. By sending a mild electrical current through the skin, the device can produce sensations of either pressure or vibration depending on the signal’s frequency.
“Our goal is to create a wearable system that can deliver a wide gamut of touch sensations using electrical signals—without causing pain for the wearer,” said study co-first author Rachel Blau, a nano engineering postdoctoral researcher at the UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering.
Inset: Jason Chin demonstrates the softness and stretchability of the electrode device.
Existing technologies that recreate a sense of touch through electrical stimulation often induce pain due to the use of rigid metal electrodes, which do not conform well to the skin. The air gaps between these electrodes and the skin can result in painful electrical currents. To address these issues, Blau and a team of researchers led by Darren Lipomi, a professor in the Aiiso Yufeng Li Family Department of Chemical and Nano Engineering at UC San Diego, developed a soft, stretchy electrode that seamlessly conforms to the skin.
Top Photo: Soft, stretchable electrode recreates sensations of vibration or pressure on the skin through electrical stimulation. Photos by Liezel Labios/UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering
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Who are the wealthiest California legislators?
By Jeremia Kimelman | CalMatters
Four legislators reported at least $1 million invested in the stock market in 2023, but California’s limited disclosure laws don’t provide a complete picture of each lawmaker’s wealth.
The four legislators are Sen. Roger Niello, a Republican from Roseville and a prominent car dealer in the Sacramento area; Sen. Bill Dodd, a Democrat from Napa and former water company executive; Democratic Assemblymember Gail Pellerin, a former county elections administrator in Santa Cruz; and Republican Assemblymember Joe Patterson from Rocklin, who ran a small consulting business.
It’s likely there are legislators with as much or more wealth, but California disclosure laws only require them to reveal ownership of individual stocks, business holdings and income property. They are not required to report savings accounts, mutual fund investments or other financial instruments.
Even the stock disclosures are blurry since investments are reported in four huge value ranges: between $2,000 and $10,000, up to $100,000, less than $1 million and more than $1 million. Investments worth less than $2,000 don’t have to be reported.
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Point Loma Nazarene University elects new president
Point Loma Nazarene University announced the election of Kerry Fulcher as the university’s 15th president.
Fulcher has been the university’s provost and chief academic officer since 2010. Moreover, Fulcher was also a professor of biology at PLNU starting in 1994 and was biology chair from 2002 to 2008.
He earned his Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Idaho and his Bachelor of Science at Northwest Nazarene University.
In February, FaithSearch Partners conducted focus groups with faculty, staff, students, administration, alumni, external partners, and donors to fully understand and appreciate the community’s perspective on the important characteristics and experiences of the ideal presidential candidate, as well as challenges the next president will likely face.
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Keary Engle named dean of Scripps Research’s Skagg
Graduate School of Chemical and Biological Sciences
Scripps Research has appointed Professor Keary Engle to the role of Dean of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, effective July 1, 2024, and will lead the institute’s Skaggs Graduate School of Chemical and Biological Sciences and other education and training programs. Professor Phil Dawson, who has served as dean since 2017, will step into a new role as chair of the Graduate School Advisory Committee (GAC).
Engle, like Dawson before him, brings a personal perspective on graduate studies shaped by his experience as an alumnus of the program. Engle defended his graduate thesis at Scripps Research in 2013 under the mentorship of Professor Jin-Quan Yu. During this time, he was a participant in the institute’s joint Skaggs-Oxford program, affording him the opportunity to also study at the University of Oxford with Professors Véronique Gouverneur and John M. Brown.
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Salk Institute launches Neuroimmunology Initiative with $20 million gift
The Salk Institute will receive $20 million over four years from the NOMIS Foundation to launch a new Neuroimmunology Initiative within the Institute’s NOMIS Center for Immunobiology and Microbial Pathogenesis. By funding research programs, faculty recruitment, and pilot grants, the generous gift will enable Salk scientists to develop a deep understanding of the crosstalk between the immune and nervous systems and the role it plays in health and disease.
The Neuroimmunology Initiative will be co-led by ProfessorSusan Kaech, an immunologist, director of Salk’s NOMIS Center, And NOMIS Chair, and Associate Professor Nicola Allen, a neuroscientist. They will work with Professor Axel Nimmerjahn and Associate Professor Diana Hargreaves to guide the Neuroimmunology Initiative’s research aims.
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Registration opens for 2024 RE/MAX Broker Owner Conference
RE/MAX, the No. 1 name in real estate, announced that registration is open for the highly anticipated 2024 RE/MAX Broker Owner Conference (BOC). Set to take place from Aug. 19-21, 2024, at the Marriott Marquis in San Diego, this premier event will bring together RE/MAX Broker/Owners and Managers from around the world to explore the latest best practices, innovations, and trends in real estate. Hundreds of RE/MAX affiliates and guests will enjoy a three-day event featuring panel discussions, top-notch networking, industry experts, and notable speakers such as:
Myra Chack Fleischer joins team at Moore, Schulman & Moore APC
Myra Chack Fleischer has spent decades honing her skills and earning a distinguished reputation for her personal and legal prowess as a founder of Fleischer & Ravreby. She’s now joining the team at Moore, Schulman & Moore APC. Myra is a Certified Family law Specialist (CLS-F) with extensive trial and accounting experience. Her unique skillset in family law and accounting gives her clients a distinct advantage whether she mediates or litigates their family law issues. Myra’s signature style has a personal touch that underscores her emphasis on having a connection with her clients.
Amtrack Pacific Surfliner adds extra capacity ahead of Comic-Con
Pacific Surfliner, the popular coastal rail service connecting San Diego, Orange, Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo counties, has announced additional weekend train services and increased capacity starting July 20, 2024. These enhancements will accommodate the surge of passengers attending San Diego Comic-Con and the Del Mar Race season, providing a convenient and enjoyable travel option for these exciting events. Starting July 20 and continuing through Labor Day on Sept. 2, 2024, Pacific Surfliner will add four weekend trains to the schedule—two northbound and two southbound—on Saturdays and Sundays.
Navy awards launch services contract for space telescope mission
NASA has selected Space Exploration Technologies Corporation (SpaceX) of Hawthorne, California, to provide launch services for the COSI (Compton Spectrometer and Imager) mission. The firm-fixed-price contract has a value of approximately $69 million, which includes launch services and other mission related costs. The COSI mission currently is targeted to launch August 2027 on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The mission is a collaboration between the University of California, Berkeley’sSpace Sciences Laboratory, the University of California, San Diego, the Naval Research Laboratory, NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, and Northrop Grumman.
NanoCellect launnches VERLO
NanoCellect Biomedical, a leader in microfluidic cell sorting technology, announced the launch of VERLO™Image-Guided Cell Sorter, a groundbreaking cell sorter poised to redefine the landscape of single-cell visualization and gentle flow cytometry analysis and cell sorting. Building upon NanoCellect’s innovative WOLF cell sorter platform, VERLO represents a significant leap forward in flow cytometry and cell sorting technology by seamlessly integrating brightfield imaging and fluorescent detection with the microfluidic sorting capabilities of the WOLF cell sorter.
Blanchard Institute awards Ken and Margie Blanchard Family Scholarships
Blanchard, a global pioneer in leadership development, consulting, and coaching for more than 40 years, announced that Blanchard Institute has awarded the Ken and Margie Blanchard Family Scholarships to 10 graduating high school seniors. Each one will receive a $2,500 scholarship based on their achievements and commitments to education, and it can be applied to tuition, room and board, or books and materials. The scholarship recipients successfully completed the Student Self Leadership program offered through Blanchard Institute
San Diego Hyundai dealers donate a 2024 Hyundai Palisade
Local San Diego Hyundai dealers donated a 2024 Hyundai Palisade to the Emilio Nares Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping families with children battling cancer and other life-threatening diseases. The vehicle will be used for the foundation’s “Ride With Emilio” program, which provides free transportation for underserved children and their caregivers to and from hospital appointments. The donation complements Hyundai’s longstanding support of the pediatric cancer community through Hyundai Hope On Wheels, a nonprofit organization supported by Hyundai Motor America and its 835 U.S. dealers.
Soapy Joe’s Car Wash launches Build a Ballpark promotion
Soapy Joe’s Car Wash, the family-owned car wash with locations across San Diego County, announced the launch of its newest promotion for Wash Club members: Build a Ballpark, featuring San Diego Padres’ pitcher, Joe Musgrove. Now through Sept. 30, Wash Club members can visit all 24 Soapy Joe’s locations to collect exclusive Joe Musgrove air fresheners and qualify to win swag and cash prizes. The promotion celebrates the newest elite car-protection technology that is now available to Magic Joe-level members: Magic Graphene.
NASA awards support STEM research at minority serving institutions
NASA has selected 23 minority-serving institutions, including San Diego State University, to receive $1.2 million to grow their research and technology capabilities, collaborate on research projects, and contribute to the agency’s missions for the benefit of humanity. Through NASA’s Minority University Research and Education Project (MUREP) Partnership Learning Annual Notification (MPLAN) award, selected institutions will receive up to $50,000 each for a six-month period to work directly on STEM projects with subject matter experts in NASA’s mission directorates.
Cetera welcomes $113 million in AUA advisor duo to Cetera Advisor Networks
Cetera Financial Group, the premier financian advisor Wealth Hub, announced that Paul Seymore and Nicole Parker have joined Cetera Advisors via Summit Financial Networks. Seymour and Parker’s firm, Financial Services,, provides comprehenive financial planning and investment advice to clients and had more than $113 million in assets under administration as of March 1, 2024. Seymour and Parker have 50 years of industry experience between the two of them. Seymour formed Financial Services to serve the Plattsburgh, New Yorkcommunity in 1995 and was joined by Parker in 2007.
