Bulletin July 2006 Volume 55, No
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
IEEE Pittsburgh Section Bulletin July 2006 Volume 55, No. 7 Included in this issue: • From the Chair • Pirates at PNC Park – Aug 11 • Roller Coasters – July 12 • Electromagnetics Report • Future of Engineering – July 19 • Become a Senior Member of IEEE • Pitt Golf Outing – July 17 • Future City Volunteers • Engineers and Public Policy – Aug 8 • PES Conference 2008 Editor of this issue: Jace Cochrane, P.E. [email protected] (412) 390-0718 Contributors: Joe Kalasky, Karl Muller, Andy Novotny, Mike Oliver, Bill Pruss, John Twigg, Chuck Urso and Dave Vaglia. All announcements for publication in a particular month’s bulletin are due to the Editor by the 20th of the previous month. The accuracy of the published material is not guaranteed. If there is any error, please bring it to the Editor’s attention. The Section’s web site www.ewh.ieee.org/r2/pittsburgh has past issues of the bulletin and lots of other useful information. Page 1 of 10 • From the Chair Section Chair & Awards Co-Chair – David J. Vaglia, P.E. Members of IEEE Pittsburgh Section, [email protected] (412) 491-6944 Vice Chair – John Twigg [email protected] (412) 795-4444 I hope that you are enjoying the summer. One of our activities this month will be a presentation with Secretary – Charles Urso, P.E. [email protected] (412) 338-4871 videos on Roller Coasters (July 12), given by David Treasurer – Harold Hagerty, P.E. Markus and David Altman. We are lucky to have [email protected] (412) 492-0943x226 experts on the subject here, along with an amusement Webmaster – Andrew Novotny [email protected] (412) 351-4954 park in our backyard that has several outstanding Immediate Past Chair – Dr. Kalyan Sen (Kal) coasters to give us thrill rides. [email protected] (724) 696-1611 John Paserba, Power Engineering Society Vice UpperMon Subsection Chair: Dr. Dimitris Korakakis President for Meetings & Activities, informed us in [email protected] (304) 293-0405 x2512 June that Pittsburgh has been selected for the PES Chapters 2008 General Meeting. The meeting is scheduled for Communications Society July 20 – 24, 2008 and will be held at the David L. Chair: Phil Cox [email protected] (724) 443-0566 Lawrence Convention Center. Computer Society – Chair: John Twigg (see above) Dr. Ralph W. Wyndrum, Jr., current President Engineering In Medicine & Biology Society of IEEE-USA, will address us and key Pittsburgh Co-Chair: Dr. Zhi-Hong Mao leaders from universities and industry on July 19. He [email protected] (412) 624-9674 Co-Chair: Bob Brooks will be talking about the status and future of [email protected] (412) 767-2400 x3506 engineering in the US today. Dr. Wyndrum is coming Electromagnetic Compatibility Society Chair: Michael J. Oliver to Pittsburgh to learn about Vision 20/10, spearheaded [email protected] (814) 763-3211 by John Twigg, our Section Vice Chair and Computer Power Engineering & Industry Applications Societies Chair: Charles Urso, P.E. (see above) Society Chapter Chair. Vice Chair: Andrew Novotny (see above) Our Section is now officially calling for Magnetics Society – Chair: Dr. Ganping Ju [email protected] (412) 918-7046 nominations for candidates to fill the Executive Robotics Society – Chair: Dr. Guy Nicoletti Committee positions of Chair, Vice-Chair, Treasurer, [email protected] (724) 836-9922 and Secretary for 2007. Please contact me for details if Signal Processing Society – Chair: Dr. Heung-No Lee [email protected] (412) 624-9677 you are interested in the nominating process. Affinity Groups We are still looking for Members who want to GOLD – Chair: Andrew Rydholm become Senior Members. It costs nothing but your [email protected] (412) 261-3200 x281 time, if you meet the requirements. (Details on page 9) Life Member – Chair: Bob Grimes, P.E. [email protected] (412) 963-9711 The Executive Committee (ExCom) is Vice-Chair: Wally Raisanen [email protected] (724) 986-4467 scheduled to meet again on July 20, when we will Committees continue to plan our activities for the rest of this Consultants Network calendar year. Please come forward and give some of Co-Chair: Dr. George Crawford, P.E. [email protected] (412) 675-9164 your valuable time. We need additional volunteers. Co-Chair: Peter Mantzouridis [email protected] (412) 780-0201 You can reach me at [email protected] or (412) Professional/Career Activities (PACE) 491-6944. Chair: Joe Kalasky, P.E. [email protected] (724) 838-6492 Dave Vaglia Student Activities – Chair: Ralph Sprang [email protected] Membership Development Chair: Dr. Karl F. Muller, P.E. th [email protected] (412) 374-6051 Celebrate the 150 anniversary of Awards – Co-Chair: Ray Valentine, P.E. Nikola Tesla’s birth on July 10, 2006. [email protected] (724) 733-5083 www.teslasociety.com Publicity – Chair: Thomas Dionise, P.E. [email protected] (724) 779-5864 IEEE Pittsburgh Section Bulletin July 2006 Volume 55 No. 7 Page 2 of 10 • A History of Thrills – Roller Coasters Bring the family to this one! Speakers: David Markus and David Altman Date: Wednesday, July 12, 2006 Time: 6:30 PM Videos of coasters from around the world 7:00 PM Presentation Place: West Tower Auditorium Westinghouse Energy Center, Monroeville Directions on page 8. Cost: No charge RSVP: REQUIRED to Andy Novotny at [email protected] or (412) 351-4954. Limited to 50 people. Sponsor: PES and IAS Chapters Abstract: The parks are open! ARE YOU READY for a Summer of the greatest of the thrill rides – the Roller Coaster? This presentation will trace the history of the King of Thrill Rides. We will look back to the 1400s and follow the evolution to rides over 450 ft high and faster than 120 mph. The key role that Pennsylvania played in their development and preservation will be revealed. See how the modern steel thrill machines began and evolved. Hear about the first steel coasters and the first to turn you upside down. We will visit the rides and designers of the First Golden Age – the 1920s; the decline of coasters and their rebirth in the 1970s; and the Second Golden Age – the 1990s. Learn about the designers – John Miller, John Allen, Harry Traver, Ron Toomer, Walter Bollinger, Claude Mabillard, Werner Stendle, and the great builders – PTC, Arrow Dynamics, B&M, GCI, Intamin, Vekoma, Permier Rides, and others. About the speakers: Dave Markus is a member of American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE), and Dave Altman is an Assistant Regional Representative for western Pennsylvania and former treasurer of ACE. Dave Markus has made this presentation on coaster history at the Monroeville Public Library and is a regular guest lecturer on coaster design topics for Carnegie Mellon University’s Entertainment Engineering course offered by the Mechanical Engineering Department. Dave Altman has been a member of ACE since 1985 and has ridden nearly 600 different coasters in 15 countries. He has written articles for ACE’s member publications and has made several presentations on foreign amusement parks at the local ACE midwinter events. Both speakers work at the Westinghouse Energy Center. To get you in the mood, coaster videos begin at 6:30 PM. So drop by a little early! IEEE Pittsburgh Section Bulletin July 2006 Volume 55 No. 7 Page 3 of 10 • Improving the State of Engineering in the United States Speaker: Dr. Ralph Wyndrum, Jr 2006 President of IEEE-USA and IEEE Fellow Date: Wednesday, July 19, 2006 Time: 6:00 PM Refreshments and networking 7:00 PM Presentation Place: Software Engineering Institute, Carnegie Mellon University, 4500 Fifth Ave, Oakland, Pittsburgh PA 15213 A public parking garage is available behind the Software Engineering Institute. Sponsors: IEEE Pittsburgh Section and Computer Society Chapter RSVP: By July 18 to John Twigg at (412) 795-4444 or [email protected] Abstract: In ‘Improving the State of Engineering in the United States’, IEEE-USA President Ralph W. Wyndrum, Jr. will be addressing how US engineers can succeed in the new global environment in which technology has opened up challenges and opportunities for engineers worldwide. Dr. Wyndrum will discuss specific IEEE and IEEE-USA programs to provide continuing education for IEEE members, as well as cover precollege education programs to help maintain US leadership in innovation by preparing future generations. About the speaker: Dr. Wyndrum is currently CEO of Executive Engineering Consultants, focusing on R&D portfolio management. A member of Eta Kappa Nu, IEEE Pittsburgh Section Sigma Xi, and Beta Gamma Sigma, he has authored 40+ technical papers and textbook chapters. Wyndrum joined warmly welcomes the Bell Laboratories in 1963 and held various positions in President of IEEE-USA, Integrated Circuit Design and Transmission Development Dr. Ralph Wyndrum, Jr. and 6 patents. In 1980-1987 he led the SLCR-5 digital loop carrier systems development, now serving over five million telephone customers globally. From 1987-1995, Wyndrum was Director of Systems Analysis, Director of Process Engineering, and Director of Quality, Engineering, Software and Technology. In 1996 he was appointed Technology Vice President at AT&T Labs. In 1999 he was appointed Program Planning and Management Vice President at AT&T Labs. Wyndrum was Adjunct Professor at Stevens Institute from 1980-1988 and now teaches at Rutgers University. He began his IEEE affiliation at Columbia University where he earned his BSEE and MSEE. He earned a Eng.Sc.D. at NYU and an MS in Business Administration at Columbia. About IEEE-USA: IEEE-USA advances the public good and promotes the careers and public policy interests of more than 220,000 engineers, scientists, and allied professionals who are US members of the IEEE. IEEE-USA is part of the IEEE, the world’s largest technical professional society with 360,000 members in 150 countries.