Is there a different way to think about heat transfer? For about 150 years, scientists and engineers have used the concept of entropy to understand transfer of heat into mechanical work or between materials systems. Now a UC Davis professor and colleagues in China are putting forward an alternative, at least for some applications.

In January 2014, leftover pasta and other unfinished food from the dining commons will be put to use as the newly established UC Davis Renewable Energy Anaerobic Digester (UC Davis READ) converts organic waste into campus electricity.

Food scientist John R. Whitaker, a professor emeritus and former associate dean, died Sept. 28 at St. Johns Retirement Village in Woodland. He was 84 and had been suffering from Alzheimers disease.