Note: This document is hosted here for archival purposes only. It does not necessarily represent the values of the Iron Warrior or Waterloo Engineering Society in the present day. 1 THE NEWSPAPER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF WATERLOO ENGINEERING SOCIETY VOLUME 29 ISSUE 12 | WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2008 Connect to The Iron Warrior Point Vs. Counterpoint: Basic Fix-Its: with SOEIE Should Voting Be Mandatory? Plumbing for Plummers Page 8 Page 11 Page 12 http://iwarrior.uwaterloo.ca Detecting Extrasolar Planets OM PATANGE due to the presence of an orbiting planet. and using an instrument that fit on an 3B NANOTECHNOLOGY This wobble is the effect used for the de- optical breadboard of a few meters tection of the majority of planets found squared. The first general meeting of the term so far. At UW, Prof. Hajian will continue for the Waterloo Space Society took The task of measuring these changes his research in astrophysics as well as place on Wednesday, September 24. New in distances, explained Prof. Hajian, is embark on the development of new arrival to Systems Design Engineering, made even harder if optical methods are kinds of medical detection systems. Professor Arsen Hajian, gave a presenta- used, such as optical Doppler shifts. This Prior to Prof. Hajian’s lecture, the tion on methods of detecting extrasolar is due to the wavelength of the light that WSS executive introduced them- planets. is used to make the measurements, which selves, showcased past events and Prof. Hajian hails from the US Na- is on the order of 500 nm. Traditionally, promoted various events they hope to val Observatory where he was leading for astronomical observations, the opti- run this term. A very eclectic group of a group in the detection of extrasolar cal equipment has been large enough to people comprise the executive rang- planets using a novel spectrometer he fill a small tutorial room in RCH. Thus, ing from an English major to Engi- invented – the dispersed Fourier Trans- a small change in temperature over time neering students. The message of in- form Spectrometer. and distance of the machine will cause clusivity was made very clear – all are His interest in extrasolar planets was fluctuations in the dimensions of the welcome to join the WSS. spurred by discussions he had during equipment that are on the order of the Some events to keep an eye out for his graduate work at Cornell University. wavelength of the light. So, the signal include field trips to space-compa- At that time he realized how difficult measured will have drastic errors. nies, seminars, rocketry workshops, it was to measure distances concerning Prof. Hajian’s dFTS instrument solved and a University Rover Competition celestial bodies from our planet. As an these problems by being small and fast. entry. If you are interested in getting example of this, consider that stars are Using the concept of an artifact that dis- involved in this exciting campus-wide 13 Om Patange on the order of many light-years (~10 perses the light at the output of a tra- club, visit http://spacesoc.uwaterloo. Dr. Hajian discussing his work km) away from us. On the other hand, a ditional FTS, Prof. Hajian was able to ca/index.html and be sure to attend finding extrasolar planets star will wobble on the order of 103 km make measurements 11,000 times faster their next event. Dana Porter Renovations Planning Begins for JOAN ANG doors. 2B SYSTEMS DESIGN Overall, I was very impressed with the new Engineering VI look and feel of the main floor. During the For those new or returning to campus, find- tour, one thing that left an impression was the MATTHEW CASSWELL Chemical Engineering Dept. to be the ing out that the main floor of the Dana Porter amount of natural sunlight and the view of the 2A CIVIL sole occupant the building. Library was closed for renovations may have surroundings from inside the library. The other IW: What are some of the new facili- come as a surprise and inconvenience. thing that excites me is the new lounge space With the construction of the Engineer- ties and features that the new E6 building Well there’s good news! The renovations and how the walls around Graphics help cre- ing V building already well underway will bring to UW? are approaching completion. ate the space. The walls will prevent the dark- across from the Davis Centre, the atten- DK: I can’t give specifics as to what The renovation plans, announced earlier this ness and feeling of emptiness that occurred tion of the University is turning to the new facilities will be there (I don’t know year in January, were guided by five principles: when the Copy Centre is closed (if you don’t next phase of its expansion, the Engi- the specifics at this point). What I can creating a welcoming vital space, opening up know what I’m talking about, check out the neering VI building. The Iron Warrior say is that the current ChemEng spaces exterior views to the public, increasing the DC library at night). had the chance to sit down and ask B-Soc are around 50 years old and any new fa- amount of public space, encouraging informa- With most of the work complete, the car- User Committee Student Representative, cilities in E6 will be an improvement to tion discovery and maximizing flexibility in pet and furnishings are being installed, books David Kadish some questions. Additional those current facilities. physical design. During the planning stages, are returning to their shelves and the floor will information came from Sue Gooding and IW: Is there going to be any direct con- input from students, faculty and others was soon be open to staff. Ron Venter. nection (ie. tunnel or bridge) connection collected via surveys, informal interviews, a And the question that still remains…when Iron Warrior: Is the new E6 build- from E6 to E5/E7? furniture charrette, and a six-week “mini case” will the main floor reopen to students? ing going to be solely occupied by the DK: At the moment there are no plans done by students in Systems Design 348. Tuesday, October 14th! Chemical Engineering Department upon for a direct connection to E5/E7 that I am On October 1, I had the opportunity to tour For pictures, updates and more information the buildings’ completion? aware of. the mostly finished floor with Alex McCul- on the renovations visit: http://www.lib.uwa- David Kadish: Yes. The plan at the IW: The new building would be locat- loch, Chair of the Renovation Planning Team, terloo.ca/porter_reno/index.html moment - pending funding - is for the ed on the far east side of campus, away and Nancy Collins, Communications and Li- from the current cluster of engineering aison Librarian. buildings. Are there any current plans to For the most part, McCulloch explained, the try and better integrate the new building services offered and layout of the floor have with the rest of campus? not changed, as they worked well before. The DK: The building is located where it is most noticeable changes are the increase in simply because there is no space left in- student space and the relocation of the Adap- side Ring Road to develop new buildings. tive Technology Centre. There are now three I’m not completely sure what you mean main areas for students, one for individual by integrating new buildings with the rest study, one for group study and a lounge by of campus. East campus - currently home Browsers Café and Graphics Copy Centre. to Fine Arts and the under-construction The Adaptive Technology Centre is no longer E5 and the likely location for E6 - will be beside Graphics, but is now located across and connected to E3 via an enclosed bridge to the right of the main entrance. that runs over the railroad tracks. Other Of course there are many other changes. than that, I’m not aware of any additional The number of work stations has increased, integration plans. electrical and network connections are avail- IW: Are there any cost estimates for able at all study tables and also in the lounge to the building right now? accommodate laptops, the bookshelves have been refinished, furniture has been replaced Dana Porter Renovations Team See E6 ON THE HORIZON or refurbished and main entrance has sliding The new Circulation and Reserves desk at Dana Porter library. on Page 13 2 WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2008 Letter from the Editor Be Thankful this Weekend! The Newspaper of the University roes of our squeaky clean North American municate are growing fewer and fewer. of Waterloo Engineering Society lives. Knowing What Time of Day It Is STUART Those Little Plastic Things on the End I went camping once and I forgot my PEARSON of Your Shoelaces watch at home. With no way to mark the Editor-in-Chief EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Called an aglet, that little plastic bit passing of time, I decided to adapt by cre- Stuart Pearson is an integral part of the device. Once it ating a makeshift sundial (ie. ramming a Hi everyone! I hope that your term is breaks, I usually just replace my laces be- stick into the ground). However, I neglect- Assistant Editors going well so far and that you’re not too cause as far as I’m concerned, they’re es- ed to account for cloudy skies and found Michelle Croal stressed out just yet. September is already sentially useless without them. They fray myself staring at a shadowless stick in the David Morris over, October is whizzing by and midterms and become difficult to thread through the ground with no idea of how long I had been are practically on top of us.