GOULD STREET

The proposed Hyperloop would consist of two massive tubes connecting San Francisco and Los Angeles, transporting pods at speeds of up to 700 mph. Aerospace engineering graduate students, Graeme Klim, Min Prasad Adhikari, Wintta Ghebreiyesus; 2017 graduates Moeid Elahi, Tayo Shoniba Re; and undergraduate Jesse Brito, designed a wheel-deployment system that would act as a safety precaution if the pod’s magnetic levitation or air bearings fail.

The technology has a patent pending at the U.S. Patent Office, and the system is on display at the Safran Landing Systems headquarters in France. It will be shown in Rome, Singapore, Las Vegas and China during the Safran Landing Systems Airlines Conference.

—Antoinette Mercurio

Ryerson is the most-applied-to university in Ontario relative to available space.

PSYCHOLOGY

Are you afraid of the dark?

No matter how old we get, darkness can still scare us. Walking down a dark street. Sitting in the dark watching a horror movie. The lights going out. On CNN.com, psychology professor Martin Antony said that “in the dark, our visual sense vanishes, and we are unable to detect who or what is around us. We rely on our visual system to help protect us from harm. Being scared of the dark is a prepared fear.” Although fear is a natural emotion, it can become an issue if it gets excessive, Antony notes. “Excessive fear of the dark can be caused by a variety of factors. This fear can then become a phobia – specifically nyctophobia – when it begins interfering with relationships or work.” Working with a professional to be gradually exposed to each fear can help alleviate the phobia, Antony said.

– Antoinette Mercurio

SUPPORT

Athletics receives record $1-million donation

Ryerson’s hockey program is about to transform, thanks to the largest single donation to Ryerson Athletics in the university’s history.

Al and Brigitte Kavanagh’s $1-million donation will create new opportunities for player and team development and a series of financial awards for student-athletes in the men’s and women’s hockey programs.

“The Kavanagh family is helping Ryerson write a new chapter for hockey in this storied building,” said Ivan Joseph, director of Athletics. “We are grateful for their generosity and vision. Al’s love for the game, and his insight and expertise, will be of exceptional value to students and coaches alike. This gift will take hockey at Ryerson to a whole new level of achievement.”