Faculty of Applied Science Engineering News / SPRING / summer 2010

LESSONS LEARNED FROM CHILE’S 8.8 EARTHQUAKE UBC Professors Carlos Ventura and Perry Adebar travel to Chile to observe the effects of the quake and plan how to 4 better prepare BC for a similar one. CLEAN ENERGY FOR UBC New bioenergy project to fuel campus, research and learning. 8

INGENUITY Spring 2010 / Summer 2010 WELCOME

INGENUITY / SPRING 2010 / SUMMER 2010 Dean’s Message INGENUITY is published by the Faculty of Applied Science, Taking a moment to reflect upon this past term and year within the Faculty of The University of British Columbia. Applied Science, we’ve experienced very joyous moments — the School of www.apsc.ubc.ca Contents Engineering at the Okanagan campus graduating its first class and receiving EDITOR AND WRITER ErinRose Handy accreditation, our first annual Engineering Excellence Celebration to recognize the Communications Manager FEATURES P hoto contributions of alumni and future alumni and Canada’s Olympic success, supported Email: [email protected]

C 4 redit Lessons Learned from Chile’s 8.8 Earthquake by our Own the Podium research, to name just a few. And we’ve experienced a truly CONTRIBUTING WRITERS : J

anis UBC Professors Carlos Ventura and Perry Adebar travel to Chile to observe sad moment — the untimely passing of one of our top faculty members, Professor Wendy Barthel fran Alaya Boisvert the effects of the quake and plan how to better prepare for a similar one. Chad Bennington, a young star who has truly left his mark on the pulp and paper

k Lauren Chang lin industry, revolutionizing how it runs, and in the process, ensuring the continued Tracey Charette Dr. Peter Englezos success of many companies and the continued employment of many in B.C. The Sherry Green 8 Clean Energy for UBC “Learning from our mistakes, sudden loss has left his many students, his colleagues in the Pulp and Paper Centre Jody Jacobs New bioenergy project to fuel campus, research and learning. and the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering and everyone who Anna Jamroz we must work harder to ensure Dr. Janusz Laskowski was touched by his passion, myself included, in a true state of shock. Hundreds Bud Mortenson we continue to be worthy of of students, colleagues and friends paid their respects in a service that highlighted Dr. George Poling Jeannie Scarfe 10 Celebrating Our Future Dr. Bennington’s passion for his family, his work and life in general. the responsibility society has DESIGN AND PRODUCTION History in the making — School of Engineering graduates first class, The external news in the past months has been dominated by earthquakes, oil seedideas.ca receives full accreditation. placed on our shoulders.” spills, dam failures and the resulting devastation. Throughout, we are reminded of THE FACULTY’S ENGINEERING Dean Tyseer Aboulnasr the huge responsibility on our shoulders to ensure that the systems we design are ACTIVITIES INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING: guaranteed to operate safely, even after system failures. We are equally reminded Departments and Programs NEWSWORTHY Biomedical Engineering of the incredible work engineers do to mitigate the damage that results from Chemical and Biological Engineering 12 Get the scoop on new learning initiatives and new business ventures. natural disasters, as well as disasters resulting from failures in our own designs. Civil Engineering Learn how research will benefit Canadian industry and how our people are Learning from our mistakes, we must work harder to ensure we continue to be Electrical and Computer Engineering Engineering Physics recognized for making a difference in society. Discover how friends support worthy of the responsibility society has placed on our shoulders. It is a tremendous Environmental Engineering the Faculty of Applied Science. responsibility and one that our people — faculty, students, and most importantly, Geological Engineering our professional engineering alumni — take very seriously. Integrated Engineering Materials Engineering This issue highlights the contributions of many of our people who individually Mechanical Engineering OUR PEOPLE — IN MEMORIAM and collectively have left their mark on our world. To share other stories of fellow Mining Engineering 18 With heavy hearts, we announce the loss of revered individuals. Learn how these School of Engineering alumni who have made a difference, or to comment in any way on this edition of gentlemen contributed greatly — to their fields of engineering and to society. Office of the Dean Ingenuity, please feel free to email me at [email protected]. Centre for Instructional Support Centre for Professional Skills Development Development and Alumni Relations ALUMNI UPDATES Engineering Co-op Office The Faculty participates in several research 21 Celebrating engineering excellence! Enjoy the recap of our first annual event To view past issues of Ingenuity, visit: Tyseer Aboulnasr, P. Eng. centres and laboratories, including: and reunion highlights. Nominate an alum for an Achievement Award. www.engineering.ubc.ca/publications Dean, Faculty of Applied Science Advanced Materials and Process Engineering Laboratory (AMPEL) Clean Energy Research Centre (CERC) Institute for Computing, Information and UPCOMING EVENTS Cognitive Systems (ICICS) 24 Reunions are but one way to reconnect with classmates and your alma mater. Michael Smith Laboratories Pulp and Paper Centre Discover upcoming events open to alumni and the public. UBC Engineering at a glance*: 215 Faculty (full-time tenure track faculty and lecturers) MAILING ADDRESS 4,416 Undergraduate students Ingenuity 640 Undergraduate degrees awarded UBC Faculty of Applied Science 1,197 Graduate students 5000 – 2332 Main Mall Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4 263 Graduate degrees awarded 16 Canada Research Chairs UPDATE YOUR ADDRESS Printed in BC, Canada, on a Forest Stewardship Council certified paper that is 8 Endowed Chairs Email: [email protected] 100% recycled. A total of 183 kilograms of greenhouse gases (GHGs) were emitted 1 NSERC Design Chair Phone: 604.822.8335 during the transportation of the paper. These GHG emissions together with GHGs Online: www.alumni.ubc.ca/contact/address.php emitted during the printing process of Ingenuity will be offset through investments 4 Industrial Research Chairs in energy efficiency and non-fossil fuel technologies. PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT 25 trees preserved for the future. NO. 40602510 * 72 lbs water-borne waste not created. statistics compiled from academic year 2009–2010 Return undeliverable mail to UBC Faculty of Applied Science 10,591 gal wastewater flow saved. 5000–2332 Main Mall 1,172 lbs solid waste not generated. Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4 2,307 lbs net greenhouse gases prevented. [email protected] 17,659,600 BTUs energy not consumed.

2 INGENUITY Spring 2010 / Summer 2010 INGENUITY Spring 2010 / Summer 2010 3 FEATURE FEATURE

ENGINEERING RESEARCH

The brand-new, 14-story Alto Rio

apartment building in Concepción C photo still had units remaining for sale prior to its collapse. redit : P A erry de b ar On February 27, 2010, a magnitude 8.8 earthquake shook Chile. Intense shaking lasted for about two minutes. Approximately 500 people died, at least 100 went missing and approximately 800,000 were injured or displaced. Damage is estimated at $30 billion.

The fifth largest earthquake ever recorded by seis- A few days after the 8.8 quake, a Canadian recon- mographs, the quake was a subduction earthquake, naissance team went to Chile and traveled through caused by up to 13 meters of eastward slip of the the country from Santiago to Concepción to observe Nazca plate beneath South America. The rupture the effects of the quake and its resulting tsunami on zone extended nearly 800 kilometres along the Chile buildings, bridges, schools and hospitals. The team coast and covered the most populated region of the was led by UBC Civil Engineering Professor Carlos country — extending from south of Concepción to just Ventura and included Professor Perry Adebar. south of Valparaiso (near the latitude of Santiago). British Columbia sits along a similar fault, the Cascadia subduction zone — which stretches from Vancouver Island to northern California — where the Juan de Fuca and North America plates converge. Experts believe the Cascadia region is due for a larger, more devastating earthquake than the one in Chile — perhaps as high as magnitude 9, which could produce severe shaking for up to five minutes.

4 INGENUITY Spring 2010 / Summer 2010 INGENUITY Spring 2010 / Summer 2010 5 FEATURE FEATURE

the knowledge gained to better inform the develop- ment of Canada’s future codes. The next code will be published in 2014. “Few buildings in Chile actually collapsed, and relatively few people were killed, so in that regard, the buildings, which are mostly made of concrete there, performed extremely well,” says Adebar. “But, surprisingly, many brand-new buildings were badly damaged, leaving thousands of people homeless. The question of why so many brand-new buildings were damaged needs to be answered.” Adebar found common features among damaged buildings. Many of the newer buildings had thinner walls and columns, which he suspects have a propensity to deteriorate more quickly under continued shaking.

Adebar and some of his graduate students are C photo

conducting tests at UBC this summer to investigate redit : P

whether this is an important part of the explanation A erry

for the damage to new buildings. de b Another observation Adebar made was that many ar irregular buildings — those with small windows on some sides and mostly glass on the others, for example — were badly damaged. These buildings have hospitals and schools — but he and Adebar converge Both Adebar and Ventura also converged on their Residents were able to escape this badly damaged apartment an uneven distribution of stiffness, which causes such on the topic of codes. roles as engineers to help people. building. B.C.’s infrastructure buildings to twist, resulting in more damage on one side. What should the desired performance objectives be? “Wearing a hard hat and saying only ‘el ingeniero must be secured to minimize fatalities. “Earthquakes always find the problem with the Modern building codes are meant to protect life; should Canada,’ we were given access by the police and army design,” says Adebar. they instead ensure future habitability and functionality? to all the damaged buildings, and people living nearby C photo “In their design calculations, engineers typically In his infrastructure assessment, Ventura found 20 would invite us into their homes to see the damage,” redit ignore the nonstructural facade of a building, but badly damaged bridges, with an estimated repair cost says Adebar. “And they were very grateful when we : M

D artin some facades are stiff and can significantly affect the of about $1 billion; damage to 2,750 schools — affecting told them their home was still safe.”

ee structural response of a building during an earthquake,” 800,000 students — costing about $1.6 billion; and 25 Ventura adds that people he encountered were also he adds. “Architects and building owners want their severely damaged hospitals that will cost $2.5 billion. very grateful. “‘You came all the way from Canada to buildings to be unique, but complex architecture greatly In the Maule region, hospitals lost nearly half their beds. see us,’ people would tell me. Not only were we collect- adds to the challenge of designing safe buildings.” “Losing 45 per cent capacity to serve injured people ing information, but as engineers, we were bringing a The new buildings that were so badly damaged during an emergency is unacceptable,” says Ventura. level of hope and reassurance.” did meet the design objective of the current Chilean “If you lose the ability to treat the injured, injuries can The reconnaissance team has recently been featured in the building code, which is similar to the current Canadian quickly become fatalities.” Discovery Channel’s “Monster Quake — Will We Survive?”

Professors Perry Adebar (left) code. This makes Adebar question the performance Ventura works extensively with British Columbia’s and Carlos Ventura inspect a “It’s typical in the engineering community to gather objective of building codes: “Is it enough to ensure Ministers of Education and Transportation; the infor- concrete block wall recently tested in the UBC Structures information from real-life occurrences,” says Ventura, collapse prevention? Or should we be doing more to mation he gathered in Chile will help inform future Laboratory to prepare Director of UBC’s Earthquake Engineering Research prevent the loss of people’s homes?” decisions in the province. British Columbia for future Facility. “With construction and tsunami concerns earthquakes. “Looking at the damaged buildings, I’d think, ‘If the “Schools in B.C. adhere to code for life protection. similar to those of British Columbia, this earthquake engineer had just had done this one thing different However, if buildings are ruined, they may become provides a real-life laboratory, revealing the conse- in the design, which would cost very little to do, the uninhabitable — which means that thousands of chil- quences of engineering decisions. Earthquakes expose building would still be livable, rather than slated for dren cannot go to school,” says Ventura. flaws in design, so there are many lessons to be learned.” demolition.’ The problem is that our design methods Currently, over 700 schools in British Columbia are The experts asked two questions: Why did particular are not sophisticated enough yet to allow us to spot slated for earthquake retrofits. structures fail? And why did other, seemingly similar that one change in the design. We still need the earth- “Understandably, the minister’s role is to look after structures nearby not fail? quake to point it out to us.” education, but we really must accelerate the program Adebar, an expert in high-rise concrete buildings, Professor Ventura’s research interests include to ensure not only that lives are saved, but also to chairs the committee on seismic design of concrete emergency preparedness and risk assessment of all minimize the overall impact when a very large earth- structures for the Canadian building code; he will use infrastructure — including buildings, bridges, roads, quake occurs,” says Ventura.

6 INGENUITY Spring 2010 / Summer 2010 INGENUITY Spring 2010 / Summer 2010 7 FEATURE FEATURE b rendering ENGINEERING RESEARCH y : M c M F arland

A arceau Clean Energy for UBC L rchitects

. td New bioenergy project to fuel campus, research and learning

Artist’s rendering of UBC’s Sometimes big ideas with tremendous impact start Water & Power, in February. It will be the first North “This innovative approach allows the accelerated university to announce it has achieved targets set by Bioenergy Research and Demonstration Project, which with small conversations. Such is the case with UBC’s American demonstration of a new biomass-fueled development, demonstration and commercialization the Kyoto Protocol and to set bold greenhouse-gas will break ground this fall. Bioenergy Research and Demonstration Project. heat-and-power application that combines Nexterra’s of clean-energy technology for domestic use and reduction targets for the future. “The origin of the project was a conversation I had gasification system with GE’s Jenbacher engines. global export,” says Professor David Wilkinson, CERC “The project demonstrates that UBC is willing and with Jonathan Rhone, President and CEO of Nexterra, Biomass refers to renewable organic matter, such Director. “The UBC campus is a contained community, able to work with local companies to do research an excellent local company that has developed a as wood or wood waste and organic components of which allows better control and monitoring of installed and provide leadership in responding to important biomass gasification technology for heat and power,” municipal and industrial wastes. clean-energy technologies; it provides an ideal analyti- environmental issues,” says Grace. says Professor John Grace, former Acting Director of “This project demonstrates UBC’s leadership in cal model for research and learning and will also provide UBC’s Clean Energy Research Centre (CERC). “There sustainability and our concept of the campus as a municipalities with data to set better standards for was an opportunity to have UBC, the company, and living laboratory,” says Toope. “This groundbreaking future bioenergy operations.” the environment benefit from collaborating on a partnership is helping UBC achieve its sustainability UBC research collaborators include CERC; the demonstration project on campus. I was delighted goals through the convergence of research, operations Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability;

that so many sectors of the university came together and industry in the bioenergy sphere.” the Centre for Interactive Research on Sustainability; C photo

to realize the project.” The project at UBC’s Vancouver campus will include the Faculty of Applied Science; and the Sauder School redit

The UBC Bioenergy Research and Demonstration the complete biomass gasification system, research of Business. DEE : MARTIN Project will break ground this fall. It will generate enough laboratories and a building made of a demonstration Funding support for the project comes from the clean electricity to power 1,500 homes; reduce the lumber product. The co-generation system will produce BC Bioenergy Network, Natural Resources Canada’s university’s natural gas consumption by up to 12 per cent two megawatts of cost-effective clean electricity and Clean Energy Fund, Sustainable Development The following UBC people have played an active role in bringing the UBC Bioenergy Research and Demonstration Project forward: and eliminate up to 4,500 tonnes of greenhouse-gas will also generate enough steam to displace up to 12 Technology Canada, the Province of British Columbia, From left, back: John Grace (APSc, CERC), David Woodson (Building Operations), emissions per year — the equivalent of taking 1,100 per cent of the natural gas that UBC uses for campus FPInnovations and UBC. Steve Cockcroft (APSc, CERC), Jeff Giffen (Building Operations, CERC), Aaron Mogerman cars off the road. heating. It will also provide research and learning UBC is one of the most sustainable postsecondary (Infrastructure Development), David Wilkinson (APSc, CERC) B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell and UBC President opportunities for faculty and students, yield valuable campuses in the world, earning top grade in Front: Patricia Tewfik (Treasury), Jason Cantas (Building Operations), Ron Loewen (APSc), Andrew Collins (Infrastructure Development), David Rodgers (Building Operations), Andrea Wink (APSc) Professor Stephen Toope announced the project, a new knowledge in the clean-energy sector and establish the Sustainable Endowments Institute’s College Not pictured: John Robinson (Sustainability, CERC); James Tansey (Sauder School of Business, CERC); partnership with Vancouver-based Nexterra and GE new global standards for bioenergy system performance. Sustainability Report Card. It is the first Canadian Brent Sauder (Office of the VP Research and International)

8 INGENUITY Spring 2010 / Summer 2010 INGENUITY Spring 2010 / Summer 2010 9 FEATURE FEATURE C photo redit : R L ussell a mountain

The School of Engineering’s inaugural class graduates “Building strong relationships with the university is the leadership and direction from former Dean of the June 11, 2010. critical for our industry,” said Dick Fletcher, P.Eng, Faculty of Applied Science Michael Isaacson, current HISTORY IN THE MAKING and principal with Urban Systems Ltd. “We are Dean Tyseer Aboulnasr, and the Director of the School strongly committed to supporting the development of of Engineering, Spiro Yannacopoulos.” School of Engineering we are history in the making… UBC Okanagan’s engineering graduates. Their knowledge and skills will “This is a significant achievement,” says Dean reputation will be what we make of it.” ultimately benefit the engineering profession and Aboulnasr. “Accreditation indicates the strength of graduates first class, Spiro Yannacopoulos, Associate Dean and Director of contribute to our ability to provide the services required our programs and their acceptance within the profes- the School of Engineering, echoed L’Orsa’s sentiments. to develop a sustainable society in a global economy.” sional community. We are very proud of what has receives full accreditation “The ultimate goal of the School of Engineering is Undergraduate student numbers have skyrocketed been achieved by the School of Engineering over the to graduate people who will make a difference in the since the School’s inception in 2005, increasing from 76 past five years, its graduates and the support and world. As a school, we will measure our success by the to 482. Today, the School has 36 master’s students and excellent relationships we have with industry.” success of our graduates.” 34 doctoral students; the graduate program has received On Friday, June 11, 2010, the School of Engineering at Thanks in part to a dedicated and diverse group hundreds of applications from all over the world. UBC Okanagan School of Engineering — At a Glance UBC’s Okanagan campus made history. of faculty, staff and industry professionals, To accommodate the ever-expanding group of students, 2005 Today Its first-ever graduates — a cohort of 56 students Yannacopoulos is confident that graduating students faculty and staff, a brand-new $68 million building will Undergraduate students 67 482 who began their studies in 2005 — received their have the tools they need to contribute to the engineering soon become home to the School of Engineering. Master’s students 0 36 Bachelor of Applied Science degrees in civil, mechanical profession and the world. Major research-funding agencies — the Natural Doctoral students 0 34 and electrical engineering. “We hire faculty and staff who are extremely Sciences and Engineering Research Council and the Faculty 5 33 Staff 1 8 Rachael L’Orsa, graduating with a BASc in mechanical dedicated. With small classes, our professors are Canada Foundation for Innovation — are also paying engineering, spoke on behalf of her class. familiar with individual students,” he said. “We have attention to what’s happening at the School. Research “We have chosen professions in which each of us put together an innovative curriculum, and our grants for engineering this year reached more than has the ability make an impact on individuals, where professors are excellent researchers who keep up $4.8 million, up from $40,440 in 2005. we have the power to work for the betterment and with the latest advancements in engineering science. And on graduation day, students and faculty learned protection of people, places and species,” said L’Orsa. “Faculty members engage students in their research, that the School of Engineering received full accredita- tion from the Canadian Engineering Accreditation “We are all bound by our experiences, by our commit- which means undergraduate students have the photo

ment and by our achievement here today because we opportunity to see the applications of the engineering Board (CEAB). C redit “The School of Engineering’s three programs have are all members of a community that begins here at principles they are taught in the classroom.” : J ody

UBC Okanagan and that will spread across the world The program has built close ties with industry. In all received full accreditation for three years, which is J aco b s as we seek our individual places within it. fact, the School of Engineering was established, in the maximum accreditation period attainable for new “By attending the vibrant young campus of such part, through the efforts of people in local industry. programs,” said Professor Alaa Abd-El-Aziz, Provost a well-established, respected university, we have This year, fourth-year engineering students worked and Vice-Principal at UBC’s Okanagan campus. “This Standing near the construction site of the future home of Engineering achievement is the result of the hard work and dedica- at UBC’s Okanagan campus, Spiro Yannacopoulos, Associate Dean afforded ourselves phenomenal opportunities… We on projects submitted directly by industry through a and Director of the School of Engineering, holds a small version of the have also put ourselves in a unique position in which mandatory Capstone Design Project course. tion of many faculty, staff and students, in addition to “E” that has become an icon of this rapidly growing school.

10 INGENUITY Spring 2010 / Summer 2010 INGENUITY Spring 2010 / Summer 2010 11 NEWSWORTHY NEWSWORTHY

FACULTY Working with community partners to generate, test Civil Engineering partners with “We strongly believe in the benefits of working and evaluate solutions has been shown to engender a closely with and maintaining partnerships with industry, Newsworthy sense of active citizenship and a sense of self-efficacy. SNC-Lavalin to establish new position to ensure a strong transfer of knowledge from our STUDENTS “Offering more CSL experiences within the curriculum research to market, and to ensure that our research will help broaden the professional skill set of our The Department of Civil Engineering recently and education programs are as relevant to current Community Service Learning graduating engineers in areas such as leadership, announced a new assistant professor position in practices as possible,” said Department Head Reza critical thinking, creative problem solving and commu- Transportation and Infrastructure Planning, which Vaziri. “We are extremely pleased to have the part- nication,” says Dean Aboulnasr. “It is crucial that our will be held jointly with the School of Community nership of SNC-Lavalin.” students understand that the technology they create and Regional Planning. The new position was made “This new partnership with UBC’s Department will be used by humans to solve real problems. CSL possible through a partnership with SNC-Lavalin, of Civil Engineering is part of our commitment to experience provides students with a context for which is contributing $250,000 over five years bridging the outstanding education and knowledge their technology.” toward the professorship. that UBC brings together with the transportation Senior Instructor Susan Nesbit introduced CSL into a The new assistant professor will bring an inter- infrastructure implementation experience that SNC- technology and society course (APSC 262) in 2006-07. disciplinary approach to solving urban problems, Lavalin is known for locally and internationally,” says After witnessing the power of CSL to help students including land use, transportation systems and civil Stephan Mehr, Manager of Transportation Planning. connect engineering to societal issues, she has infrastructure — increasingly complex problems that “We believe that the inclusion of practical experience become a strong proponent and integrates CSL into result from urbanization and a growing population. gained in implementing large projects, such as the the second-year Civil Engineering curriculum. SNC-Lavalin’s expertise in transportation systems Canada Line, will bring added value to the engineering Nesbit says, “Every student team puts tremendous and interest in sustainable development will greatly student’s experience, and we look forward to the interest- effort into ensuring that their community-identified, benefit the new assistant professor, who will work ing initiatives that will result from this new position.” sustainability-oriented project is completed to very closely with the company on projects and research Applied Science extends its sincere appreciation to high standards. In doing this, students begin to connect of mutual interest. SNC-Lavalin for making this new position possible. their knowledge and skills as engineers and informed citizens to the concerns of the broader community.” P C hoto Students in her courses tackled 21 community- redit identified projects, including designing and constructing STUDENTS : H A asan a waste-themed prototype exhibit for Science l Azz World, a multipurpose shed for the Urban Aboriginal Engineering field school, and several student prizes awi Shell Canada renews Campus Community Kitchen Garden, and a biofilter for grey- and clubs. Shell will also have the opportunity to water recycling and a wheelchair-height garden bed Ambassador Program at UBC participate in undergraduate education within Applied From left: Alvin Tse, Andrew In our increasingly complex and globalized world, UBC for YWCA’s rooftop garden in Vancouver’s downtown. Science through guest lectures and design-project Bround, Adam Gerber, Matthew Engineering students must learn to view their work assistance and feedback. Most importantly, the Demedeiros and Megan Pate “Since our resources were greatly limited, we had to with planter table constructed within broad contexts and understand the implications think through all our decisions very carefully as a team Shell Canada launched its Campus Ambassador Program program connects students with engineering in partnership with the YWCA of technology’s impact on society and the environment. (CAP) in 2006, in partnership with select universities professionals working in the field, for networking and for its rooftop food garden. before we moved into construction,” says student Vasyl Applied Science has identified Community Service Odyegov. “We consulted extensively with experienced across Canada, to bolster educational programs and mentoring opportunities. Learning (CSL) — an experiential approach to education professionals, which confirmed for us that our final student activities. In spring 2009, following the success “Shell Canada’s Campus Ambassador Program is a — as a mechanism for reaching this objective. solution was the most rational and efficient. This was of the first three years of the program, Shell Canada great asset to our students’ learning experience,” says CSL integrates service work with academics and a unique opportunity to experience professional provided $400,000 through the Shell Student Dean Aboulnasr. “It provides an exceptional opportunity reflection. Students utilize their knowledge and skills in relations with other engineers, stakeholders and Development Fund to renew CAP at the University of for students to learn from practicing engineers. This response to community-identified priorities, and their the public. We were able to bring something new to British Columbia. Shell Canada will continue its support exposure to real-world applications is essential to stu- service is linked to academic objectives. Structured the world, made by our own hands.” of and involvement with students in Mining, Chemical, dents’ understanding of what engineering is all about. reflection — such as oral presentations, journal Students in the new Clean Energy Engineering Geological, Mechanical and Civil Engineering. CAP has We are proud to have the partnership of Shell Canada.” writing or group discussion — challenges students to graduate program recently worked on a Vancouver also been renewed for students in the Sauder School of “Over the past decade, Shell has invested more than make connections between their studies and their School Board project to reduce energy consumption. Business and for Geophysics and Geological Sciences $15 million with post secondary institutions across the community experiences. They performed energy audits at 11 schools and students in the Faculty of Science. country,” said Lorraine Mitchelmore, President and When community service comes together with the provided recommendations to the board. The program renewal will again give students a Country Chair, Shell Canada. “Our goal is simple — to application of classroom learning and critical reflec- If you have suggestions for community service taste of real-world engineering through Shell’s par- bring out the best in Canada’s students today knowing tion of theory and application, “it can be a powerful, learning projects or ideas for integrating with course- ticipation in various classroom and co-curricular they will become the leaders of tomorrow.” transformative learning experience for both students work, contact Alaya Boisvert at [email protected] activities. Over the next three academic years, Shell Applied Science sincerely thanks Shell Canada and and community partners,” says Alaya Boisvert, or at 604-822-0493. Canada’s CAP contribution will support student field its Campus Ambassador Program for their continued Community Service Learning Coordinator. trips to the Shell Scotford facility, UBC’s Geological support of students and educational programs at UBC.

12 INGENUITY Spring 2010 / Summer 2010 INGENUITY Spring 2010 / Summer 2010 13 NEWSWORTHY NEWSWORTHY

STUDENTS (CHBE) and commerce students Scott Schaffter and STUDENTS Peter Stein. UBC Engineering teams sweep Aeos Biomedical — which also grew out of a New The Engineering Student Centre Venture Design course collaboration — won third National Business Plan Competition place. Aeos is dedicated to improving patient care The Faculty of Applied Science, together with the The new centre will be a strong symbol for UBC’s and reducing medical errors by increasing the amount Engineering Undergraduate Society (EUS), is working Engineering community and will provide a dedicated of patient-specific information available to surgeons. to gain approval and funding for a new Engineering and welcoming home for engineering students and Dragonfly Instruments, co-founded by UBC Engineering Aeos’s current device, Target Tape, contains semi- Student Centre — a facility that will provide students alumni alike. students Lin Watt (CHBE) and Tagg Jefferson (IGEN), permanent ink and radiopaque materials in a ruler with study, meeting, and social spaces. The building We are inviting alumni to support this project. If you won first place in the Enterprize Canada Business Plan or grid pattern, aiding medical imaging by allowing a will bring together students from across engineering would like more information about the Engineering Competition, held February 5-7, 2010, in Vancouver. surgeon to correlate information from an X-ray based disciplines, allowing students to learn from each other Student Centre or have ideas to share, please contact: The company’s initial product is a portable field device scan to the patient. The team includes engineering and to form networks that will enhance their careers as Debbie Woo, Development and Alumni Relations at that measures water quality with laboratory-grade students Patricia Backlund (ENVE) and Colin O’Neill well-rounded professional engineers. 604-822-6856 or [email protected] accuracy, allowing environmental field technicians to (IGEN) and commerce students Nicholas Seto, Wylie get results in minutes, instead of days. Technicians Spencer and Emi Yamada. will be able to modify where and how they sample MNB Devices, founded by engineering student on-site, producing better-quality results and significant Graeham Douglas (MECH) and political-science EDUCATION savings in both cost and time. student Andrei Pop, placed third in the Enterprize Tagg Jefferson (left) and Lin regional competition. The company produces the Watt, co-founders of Dragonfly In addition to Dragonfly Instruments, two other Dan Gelbart supports Instruments, won first place in teams from UBC placed in the top three nationally. Cerv360, a powered head-support system for people In addition to the time and expertise Gelbart has the Enterprize Canada Business Aegis, developed through the APSC 486/New with late-stage amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, Mechanical Engineering Plan Competition dedicated to our programs, he has also recently con- Venture Design course, won second place. Aegis’s or Lou Gehrig’s disease). The Cerv360 allows for Dan Gelbart (LLD ‘09) — gifted entrepreneur, tributed $80,000 to Mechanical Engineering for the main product is software that connects students, comfortable resting of the head and a return of neck co-founder of Kardium Inc. and co-founder and purchase of a water-jet cutter for use in undergraduate teachers and parents through an online portal con- function to people who experience extreme weakness former president of Creo Products — has been a teaching labs, as well as in graduate and faculty taining grades, assignments and other information. and fatigue of the neck muscles because of the disease. long-time supporter of the Department of Mechanical research. The new equipment will enhance the Founders include engineering students Winnie Lai No effective device providing this kind of support for Engineering. He has volunteered his time and expertise department’s leading-edge education, and engineering

(ENPH), Edwin Jaury (EECE) and Christopher Chan people living with ALS currently exists. on the department’s advisory council, lectured on students will graduate with the skills, expertise and technical design, and this year is teaching a graduate techniques needed in industry today. course about industrial sensors and actuators, for Applied Science expresses its considerable appre- which he is freely giving his time and providing all ciation to Mr. Gelbart for his tremendous support for equipment and material resources. UBC’s Mechanical Engineering students. EDUCATION entrepreneurship@UBC: a new initiative UBC has an excellent record of commercialization of its research initiatives, and this initiative is intended to to drive our future encourage students across all faculties to continue this EDUCATION tradition and to boost their own careers and Canada’s Applied Science is proud to be one of the founding economy through the development of new ideas. Marshall Bauder makes second contribution faculties of the new entrepreneurship@UBC initiative. At the heart of the initiative is the entrepreneur- toward engineering economics education Launched in fall 2009, the program is designed to ship@UBC Fund, which will provide select students provide educational opportunities, capital and men- with the opportunity to apply for pre-seed-capital In 2006, Marshall Bauder (BASc ’48) made a gener- departments and programs, analyzing various engi- torship for select UBC students or student teams with financing to take their ideas from concept to investor ous gift of shares to Applied Science to support neering courses to gauge and assess content in four marketable ideas for entrepreneurial products, readiness. The university is seeking donations to create educational efforts in engineering economics. His long areas: economics, business, management and entre- services or processes. a $10 million capital fund; it is hoped that the fund will and varied career as an engineer helped him develop a preneurship. Equipped with the data from the survey, The program was created in partnership with the eventually recapitalize enough to be self-sustaining keen sense of the importance of the economic impact Applied Science can now address any gaps identified British Columbia Innovation Council, which promised and foster generations of student entrepreneurs. that engineering designs, new technologies and their and ensure that every student has the opportunity to matching funds for private donations up to $400,000. If you would like to contribute to this innovative applications could have on society. gain skills and knowledge in these areas. Diane and Peter van der Gracht (BASc ’77, MASc ’82), initiative to boost students’ entrepreneurial skills and Over the past four years, Bauder’s contribution has Recently, Bauder augmented his original contribution Greg Peet (BCom ’76), Paul Lee (BASc ’87) and Geof support Canada’s economic future, please contact supported the development of several graduate-level with a further gift of shares, enabling the faculty to Auchinleck (BASc ’81) have pledged their financial Debbie Woo, Development and Alumni Relations, courses in engineering economics and business and continue pursuing improvements in the engineering support to the initiative. at 604-822-6856 or [email protected] the addition of engineering economics courses to the economics curriculum. On behalf of the students of UBC undergraduate curriculum. Engineering, the faculty expresses its appreciation to In addition, his contribution made it possible Mr. Bauder for his leadership in pursuit of this important for Applied Science to conduct a survey across curriculum change and for his ongoing support.

14 INGENUITY Spring 2010 / Summer 2010 INGENUITY Spring 2010 / Summer 2010 15 NEWSWORTHY NEWSWORTHY

RESEARCH

The science-based technology is used by more than FACULTY Virtual machining network supports 130 companies and research centers worldwide. Canadian industry NSERC CANRIMT researchers will add more Awards & Achievements science-based methods to the Virtual Machining System, working to further reduce machining time The UBC-based NSERC Canadian Network for Research and increase productivity. Applied Science Manager of the Centre for Exhibit at the 2009 American Society of Mechanical Engineering Department Head and Innovation in Machining Technology (CANRIMT) Under Altintas’s direction, the CANRIMT network will Instructional Support Jim Sibley received the Anesthesiologists Conference; he was Sheldon Green was elected Fellow of the is developing the world’s most advanced virtual receive $5 million from an NSERC Strategic Network Dean’s Award for Excellence in Service. elected Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Canadian Academy of Engineering. Engineering; and he was named Most Cited machining technology that will benefit Canadian aero- Grant and $400,000 from industry over five years. Chemical and Biological Engineering Author 2006-2009 by the Elsevier journal Mechanical Engineering Professor space, automotive, power generation, mould-making The network includes 20 researchers from seven uni- Professor James Feng received a UBC Chemical Engineering Research and Design. Carl Ollivier-Gooch received the Shahyer and automation systems industries. versities in British Columbia, Alberta, New Brunswick, Killam Faculty Research Fellowship. Pirzadeh Memorial Award from the American “The idea is to develop a virtual machining system Ontario and Quebec. Approximately 100 engineers Electrical and Computer Engineering Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. Chemical and Biological Engineering so that before companies build and invest significant are expected to be trained through the network. Professor Sid Fels received the Best Professor John Grace received the UBC Presentation Award at the 17th International Mechanical Engineering Senior Instructor funds, machines can be modeled virtually, reducing “Applied research seeks to improve our academic Killam Award for Excellence in Mentoring. Association for Computing Machinery Pete Ostafichuk received a UBC Killam the cost of trial and error to a minimum,” says Primary understanding of a subject while also creating applica- Conference on Multimedia. Teaching Prize. Investigator Yusuf Altintas, Mechanical Engineering Chemical and Biological Engineering

P hoto S B tions that are immediately useful to society,” says Don Professor and NSERC- Pratt & Whitney Chair in Brooks, UBC Associate Vice-President Research & Assistant Professor Eric Lagally received Electrical and Computer Engineering Associate Mechanical Engineering Advising, Recruitment

Y: MARTIN DEE the UBC Undergraduate Research and Senior Program Assistant Jennifer Virtual High-Performance Machining. International. “Not only does UBC’s research in virtual Professor Lutz Lampe received the UBC Opportunities Mentorship Award. Charles A. McDowell Award for Excellence Pelletier was named Honorary President of For example, a typical aircraft rib is machined at machining have the highest academic citation record in Research. the EUS. high speed from 500 kg slabs. The rib weighs about 15 in its field, but it is also broadly used by industry Chemical and Biological Engineering From left: UBC Professors to 20 kg after machining, and the average cost is about across the globe.” Professor Emeritus Richard Kerekes Electrical and Computer Engineering Mining Engineering Professor Emeritus Ryozo Nagamune, Steve Feng $20,000. If the part is machined at low speeds, the In addition to Altintas, the CANRIMT research received the TAPPI Gunnar Nicholson Professor José Martí was elected Fellow of Janusz Laskowski received the Medalla and Principle Investigator Yusuf Gold Medal Award. Rectoral and has been named Distinguished Altintas are part of the NSERC cost increases. If it is machined at high speeds without network includes UBC Mechanical Engineering the Canadian Academy of Engineering. University Visitor, from the Universidad CANRIMT team. scientific planning, the rib vibrates and damages both Professors Steven Feng, NSERC-Pratt & Whitney Civil Engineering Assistant Professor Electrical and Computer Engineering de Concepción (Chile). the part and the machine, and costs rapidly increase. Associate Chair in Virtual High-Performance Eric Hall was elected Fellow of the Canadian Professor Robert Schober was elected Over the past 24 years, UBC’s Virtual Machining Machining; Ryozo Nagamune; and Xiaodong Lu. It Academy of Engineering. Fellow of the IEEE. UBC School of Engineering Instructor System researchers have developed scientific knowl- also includes researchers from McMaster University, Yang Cao received the school’s Pioneer’s Civil Engineering Professor Tarek Sayed edge that identifies the most productive cutting speeds École Polytechnique, Dalhousie University and the Electrical and Computer Engineering Associate Award for Teaching Excellence. received the Sandford Fleming Award from Professor Z. Jane Wang received a UBC and conditions while maintaining part quality. Universities of Toronto, Calgary and Windsor. the Canadian Society for Civil Engineering, Killam Faculty Research Fellowship. UBC School of Engineering Assistant Professor as well as three Best Paper Awards at: the Kenneth Chau made the UBC Okanagan 2009 Annual Meeting of the Transportation Materials Engineering Professor David campus’ Teaching Honour Roll. FACULTY Association of Canada; the 89th annual Dixon received the Sherritt Hydrometallurgy meeting of the Transportation Research Award from the Hydrometallurgy Section of UBC School of Engineering Assistant Professor After raising the bar for many, An expert in mathematical modelling, Bowen col- Board; and the 2010 Canadian Association the Metallurgical Society of the Canadian Jonathan Holzman received the school’s laborated extensively. His research recently focused of Road Safety Professionals/Insurance Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum. Grad Gala Teaching Excellence Award. on modelling of microvascular exchange in humans, Bureau of Canada meeting. Professor Bowen retires Materials Engineering Associate Professor UBC School of Engineering Assistant Professor hydrodynamics and mass transport in hollow-fibre Electrical and Computer Engineering Associate Göran Fernlund received a UBC Killam Mina Hoorfar made the UBC Okanagan bioreactors, acoustic-filter development, modelling Professor Purang Abolmaesumi was Teaching Prize. campus’ Teaching Honour Roll. After 28 years of dedication to his research and of ex vivo gene transduction and heat transfer in cir- appointed an Early Career Scholar by the UBC School of Engineering Assistant students, Professor Bruce D. Bowen (BASc ‘67, culating fluidized beds. Because of his incisive mind, UBC Peter Wall Institute for Advanced Studies. Materials Engineering Professor Anoush Poursartip was elected Fellow of the Professor Homayoun Najjaran received the PhD ‘78) has retired from Chemical and Biological Bowen has been described as being able to “unearth Electrical and Computer Engineering Associate Canadian Academy of Engineering. school’s Grad Gala Teaching Excellence Award. Engineering. For many years to come, faculty and angles that other people have not,” producing quality Professor Rafeef Abugharbieh received a alumni will remember his many contributions, not the research that is still cited and known throughout the UBC Killam Faculty Research Fellowship. Mechanical Engineering Professor Yusuf UBC School of Engineering Assistant Professor least of which will be his detailed and well-prepared world today for its novelty and meticulousness. Altintas received an Honorary Degree from Ahmad Rteil received the school’s Grad Gala Teaching Excellence Award. course notes, which others are still gratefully using. Described by Department Head Peter Englezos Electrical and Computer Engineering the University of Stuttgart and was named Professor Vijay Bhargava received four Fellow of the School of Engineering at the After graduating from UBC, he took an assistant as “a wonderful individual, both as a person and honours. He received a UBC Killam University of Tokyo. professorship at Memorial University in Newfoundland. a researcher,” Bowen devoted much of his time to Research Prize and the IEEE Outstanding On the strength of his excellent modeling skills, par- teaching and has been regarded as one of the depart- Educator Award; he was appointed a Foreign Mechanical Engineering Professor Elizabeth ticularly his work on natural convection heat transfer ment’s best and most dedicated by both students and Fellow of the Indian National Academy of Croft has been elected Fellow of the American to melting icebergs, he joined the UBC Department faculty. Through his own work and his exacting expec- Engineering; and he was named Most Cited Society of Mechanical Engineering. of Chemical and Biological Engineering in 1982. tations, Bowen taught graduate students to strive to Author by ISIHighlyCited.com. Mechanical Engineering Professor Clarence Colleague Professor John Grace says he has achieve high standards, enriching and raising the Electrical and Computer Engineering Pro- de Silva received the Technical Award “never known anyone as thorough” as Bowen, “an quality of all the collaborative work he and his students fessor Guy Dumont received three honours: of the Proceedings of the Digital Signal absolute perfectionist.” have been involved in. he received Second Place for his Scientific Processing Creative Design Contest.

16 INGENUITY Spring 2010 / Summer 2010 INGENUITY FallSpring 2009 2010 / Winter / Summer 2010 2010 17 OUR PEOPLE OUR PEOPLE

FACULTY

This past year the faculty was deeply saddened Professor Kenneth Pinder well after most universities had switched to solely by the loss of revered individuals. Each contributed digital control. For many years he taught both the In Memoriam undergraduate and graduate process-control courses. greatly — to his field of engineering and to society — (1929-2009) In Chemical Reaction Engineering, he established a and will be missed. series of unique laboratory experiments to illustrate UBC Chemical and Biological Engineering Professor such concepts as residence time distributions, gas- Emeritus Kenneth Pinder passed away November 30, liquid reactions and kinetic measurements. 2009. A faculty member since 1963, and active in the In research, Pinder was rare in having broad interests department until shortly before his death, he was a at a time of increasing specialization. He published in friend to many and will be greatly missed. a number of fields — pulp processing, energy storage, Centre. He was also appointed an adjunct professor He served in many roles, including department direct-contact heat transfer, rheology, drying, solubility in the Department of Chemical and Biological head (1987-1992) and as the founding coordinator of and phase diagrams, process control, gas hydrates, Engineering. In March 2002 Bennington was awarded the Master of Engineering Program in Pulp and Paper solar energy, water-pollution control and biomedical an NSERC/Paprican Industrial Research Chair in Engineering. As a leader, he was decisive and efficient, engineering. He continued his research well beyond Chemical Pulping Technology and in 2006 was keeping the department on course through a series his official retirement, working with a variety of graduate appointed professor in the Department of Chemical of lean years and helping to build the Biotechnology students, postdoctoral fellows and visiting scholars. and Biological Engineering. Laboratory (later to become the Michael Smith One such collaboration with a UBC Nursing researcher Bennington was a leading expert in mixing processes Laboratories in 2004). recently resulted in a pelvic-floor training device to in the pulp and paper industry and other chemical Pinder was a dedicated teacher, in particular in help people with urinary incontinence. process industries. His research was recognized by Process Control and in Chemical Reaction Engineering. “Ken’s inspirational leadership and care for humanity academia and industry around the world. He estab- In the former, he was especially adept in maintaining an has influenced and touched many, including me,” says lished a world-class research group of students and analogue controller and using it to illustrate concepts Department Head Peter Englezos. postdoctoral fellows and had numerous collaborations C photo with faculty and industry. redit “Chad was extraordinarily dedicated to excellence, : V S arun which showed through his commitment to his aran students, his passion about the pulp and paper industry, and his confidence that this sector has so FACULTY much to offer to our province and the country. Chad fully dedicated his talents to improving the future,” engineering diploma from the University of Krakow FACULTY Professor Jan Leja says Chemical and Biological Engineering Department and was granted a PhD in 1954 for his highly original Head Peter Englezos. (1918-2009) work “Molecular Interactions at Interfaces, as Applied Professor Chad Bennington A colleague from the University of Alberta expressed to Flotation Phenomena.” her thoughts: “His technical work had a depth that I On November 4, 2009, UBC Mining Professor Leja became Professor of Mineral Process (1957-2010) think few of us really appreciated because he was so Emeritus Jan Leja passed away. Known worldwide for Engineering at UBC in 1965 and served admirably UBC Chemical and Biological Engineering Professor unassuming. Next to his normally easygoing nature, his contributions, Leja left a significant legacy through in that position until his retirement in 1983. One of Chad Bennington passed away suddenly on February his passionate commitment to the pulp and paper his studies of the surface chemistry of flotation, not the areas in which he acquired a broad interest was 14, 2010, at age 53. An expert in paper pulping tech- industry was startling in its intensity, and his willingness only in the body of scientists he trained but also in the focused on the use of infrared spectroscopy in studying nology, he taught core courses on the topic and served to ponder our work and ask thoughtful questions literature. His book Surface Chemistry of Froth Flotation, adsorption of collectors onto sulfide minerals. His as the associate coordinator of the Pulp and Paper several months later made him stand out as a really which has run to two editions since it was first joint publications on this topic with Professors L.H. Master of Engineering Program from 1988 to 1999. exceptional scholar.” published in 1982, has been the most influential Little and George Poling are still being quoted 50 Bennington was born January 9, 1957, in St. Bennington loved the outdoors and enjoyed hiking, textbook in the field. years later. Boniface, Manitoba, and attended grade school in kayaking, scuba diving, swimming and fishing and Leja was born in Poland in 1918 and first started Leja won several awards for his teaching and research North Vancouver. He obtained his BSc in Chemistry shared his passion with his many friends and students. studying metallurgical engineering at the Academy in mineral process engineering, including the Canadian from UBC in 1979. He was an excellent photographer and appreciated of Mining and Metallurgy in Krakow. Incarcerated in Institute of Mining and Metallurgy ALCAN Award; a After graduation, he worked as a process engineer/ art, music and literature. He brought joy to staff by prisons and concentration camps in Siberia from 1939 Doctor of Honorarius Causa degree from the Marie chemist at MacMillan Bloedel’s Powell River Mill. In coming into the office to say, “I’m just looking for smiles.” until 1942 during World War II, Leja proved to be a Curie-Sklodowska University in Lublin, Poland; and 1981 he returned to UBC to pursue postgraduate studies Bennington is survived by his wife and two daughters. remarkable survivor and was finally able to complete UBC’s Walter Gage Teaching Award. He authored in the Department of Chemical Engineering, completing His untimely passing is a devastating loss for all his studies in 1945, when he was granted both his over 60 technical papers and registered four patents his MASc in 1983 and his PhD in 1988. whose lives he touched, including colleagues, students associate’s (ARSM) and bachelor’s (BSc) degrees on mineral processing. In 1988 he joined Paprican (now FPInnovations) as and the academic community to which he made so with first-class honours from the Royal School of a senior research engineer in the UBC Pulp and Paper many contributions. Mines in England. In 1947, he was awarded an

18 INGENUITY Spring 2010 / Summer 2010 INGENUITY Spring 2010 / Summer 2010 19 OUR PEOPLE UPDATES

ALUMNI

An Engineer and a Gentleman: to me, ‘If that’s how you feel, Hou, sooner or later you’ll have no one you can work with,’” says Kwong. Alumni Updates C. Peter Jones (1918-2009) “That really changed my thinking about working with people and benefited my career in later years. Peter was a man of absolute wisdom. You may not have Welcome, new alumni! This year marked the addition been aware of it when you were around him all the time; of more than 800 new UBC Engineering alumni, Respected greatly throughout the architectural and like the sunshine upon us, we may not be aware of its and a special welcome to goes out to the inaugural engineering communities, UBC alumnus Peter Jones abundance until we’re short of it.” graduates of the School of Engineering. (BA ’47, BASc Civil ’48) P.Eng., died peacefully at One example of Jones’ shining integrity was evident home in North Vancouver on September 30, 2009. after a Burnaby, B.C., supermarket roof collapsed in “He was a man of infinite integrity and was often 1990, and he was approached by the opposing parties put in situations where he would exercise good to be an expert witness in the dispute. Alumni Notes judgment based on reasonableness and fairness. “Peter chose to be the expert advisor for the com- Whatever the situation, he held the trust of everyone mission in the inquiry because he felt he could best A Message from the Director of around him,” says Steve Taylor (BASc ’63), P.Eng, serve society in that role,” says Kwong. Partha Pratim Pande (PhD ‘05) received a one of the many structural engineers who benefited In addition to his engineering work, Jones taught Development and Alumni Relations prestigious National Science Foundation greatly from Peter’s mentorship. Architectural Structures in UBC’s School of Architec- CAREER award to design a tiny and sophisti- Born in England, Peter moved to Canada as a child ture in the 1970s, and the Architectural Institute of BC cated wireless communications system — all so that his father, Cyril (BASc ’24), could attend UBC recognized him in 1998 as an Honorary Member for on an integrated circuit that measures only to study engineering. The younger Jones was accepted his substantial contributions to architecture. about 20 millimeters on each side. Pande is an assistant professor in the School of Electri- into the first class at Royal Roads in 1941 and soon During 1998 he served as president of The Asso- We’ve seen incredible alumni involvement In this issue of Ingenuity, we highlight a cal Engineering and Computer Science at after joined the Royal Canadian Navy, where he saw ciation of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists over the past year, and we hope that the com- few of our latest engineering-related initia- Washington State University and plans to active duty as a gunnery officer during World War II. of British Columbia (APEGBC), and in June 2008 the ing years will see even more of you returning tives, including plans for a new Engineering develop a wireless network on a multicore After the war, Jones and his wife, Eleanor, moved association honoured him as an inaugural Engineers to campus and becoming involved. This May Student Centre and the launch of an exciting computer chip with his research group and to Vancouver, where he resumed civil engineering Canada Fellow in recognition of his significant we welcomed back several hundred alumni new initiative — entrepreneurship@UBC. the five-year, $450,000 award. studies at UBC, graduating with honours at the top of contributions to the advancement of the profession to campus for Alumni Weekend, and I am We are also pleased to share a few stories his class in 1948. With experience as an architectural of engineering. pleased to say that it was our most successful highlighting recent UBC Engineering assistant, he completed the Architectural Institute of “Peter had a good intuitive sense for engineering alumni reunion weekend to date. support from various members of the British Columbia (AIBC) Intermediate standard. and had a terrifically human character,” says Jim The weekend kicked off with our inaugural engineering community. In 1952, Jones was a founding partner of Read Jones Mutrie (BASc ’66), P.Eng., who worked with Peter for UBC Engineering Excellence Celebration — For more information on the many Christoffersen (RJC) Consulting Engineers, where many years. “He was great at guiding us all, especially a fun-filled evening celebrating the successes different ways to get involved with he worked for 25 years as a senior partner and vice- those new out of school. He was a good teacher and of our students and alumni. More than 200 UBC Engineering, please contact us president responsible for a wide range of structural an amazing consensus builder.” alumni, students, faculty and staff of UBC at 604-822-8335 or visit us online at engineering projects. Jones was the inspiration behind the founding of Engineering gathered at the Four Seasons www.apsc.ubc.ca. Also, if you know of an Going green… For all his adult life, Jones gave countless hours of Capilano College in 1968 and became its first board Hotel Vancouver, and Dean Aboulnasr engineering alumnus who isn’t currently his time, serving as school trustee in North Vancouver, chair. Upon receiving university status, Capilano proudly presented inaugural UBC Engineering connected with Applied Science, please The Faculty of Applied Science and UBC and as alderman and mayor of West Vancouver. University bestowed its first honorary degree on him Alumni Awards to four of our distinguished connect them to us — there is a lot hap- Engineering are dedicated to going green and becoming more sustainable Upon completing his second term as mayor in 1978, in the fall of 2008. alumni. If you were unable to join us this pening in Engineering at UBC, and we in our practices. Jones partnered with two former colleagues from RJC According to son-in-law, Dr. George Pedersen — year, we hope you will be able to attend next want to be sure you all know about it. to form Jones Kwong Kishi Consulting Engineers. Both former president of UBC, Simon Fraser University and year’s celebration! If you would like to receive Ingenuity this firm and RJC remain vibrant contributors to the the University of Western Ontario — he was passionate electronically rather than in print, We look forward to hearing from you! please visit: world of structural engineering. about sharing his knowledge. “In my long career as www.engineering.ubc.ca/goinggreen “Peter inspired all those around him to attain their an educator, I have never met another person with fullest potential. He was fair and modest and never greater intellect and ability than Peter.” took advantage of anyone,” says W. Hou Kwong, In 1990, Jones began volunteering for the Palliative P.Eng., who knew him over the course of 45 years as Care Unit at Lions Gate Hospital and is remembered business partner and friend. with fondness for his thoughtful and caring approach Andrea Wink, BA (Hon.), CFRE “After dealing with a particularly challenging client, to patients. Director, I remember telling Peter emphatically that I did not Peter Jones is lovingly remembered as a gentleman Development and Alumni Relations want to work with that client again. Peter then said and a gentle man. Faculty of Applied Science

20 INGENUITY Spring 2010 / Summer 2010 INGENUITY Spring 2010 / Summer 2010 21 FEATURE UPDATES UPDATES

Event Highlights

Geological Engineering Alumni and largest graduation class to date. Green joined MECH 1960 Reunion Breakfast Industry Dinner alumni for a luncheon and was entertained with May 30, 2010 January 23, 2010 reminiscences of class exploits, including the Harold Copping organized a breakfast for the Geological Engineering celebrated its eighth building of the Square-Wheeled Locomotive. alumni from MECH ’60 at the ABC restaurant. annual alumni and industry dinner at the UBC Submitted by George Plant, (Mech ’50) Some had not seen classmates for 50 years! Golf Club. Calling all Geological Engineering Each of us took a short turn to relate where we co-founding MacDonald Dettwiler From left: MC for the evening Bill Richardson (BASc ‘83); alumni — please ensure that we have your UBC Engineering at Alumni Weekend had been and where we worked. We’re going and Associates, Canada’s principal Materials Head Warren Poole; Dean Tyseer Aboulnasr; Jackie Nichols; Dr. Ken Spencer; Lauren Kulokas; guest e-mail address so we can invite you next year. May 28-30, 2010 to follow up via email with a one-page blurb Engineering space company. speaker and former B.C. Premier and Vancouver Mayor UBC Engineering welcomed over 100 alumni, to each other, and we’re going to get together “John was recognized 20 years ago with Mike Harcourt; Mechanical Head Sheldon Green; Civil Head Energy, Sustainability and the City — friends and prospective students to campus next year. Reza Vaziri; Electrical and Computer Head Andre Ivanov; New York during Alumni Weekend 2010! The classes Submitted by Walter Kilik (Mech ’60) Alumni the Order of Canada; it is due time we rec- Associate Dean Robert Hall; Mining Head Bern Klein. January 28, 2010 of 1950, 1960, 1970, 1980, 1985, 1990 and ognize him,” said Aboulnasr. “Through his Applied Science hosted a panel of UBC, 2000 celebrated anniversaries at our annual many contributions, he has enabled thousands Columbia and Princeton faculty members to Engineering Reunion Reception. Recognized of jobs, providing meaningful work and trans- discuss our energy future, the impact of energy Future engineers enjoyed campus tours, forming the lives of countless people.” costs on the economy and what we need to do attending information sessions and a BBQ Dr. Ken Spencer (BASc ’67, PhD ’72) now to plan for the future. Building on decades organized by the EUS. received the UBC Engineering Community Events included a showcase of work from of making a difference Service Award in recognition of his extra- Annual Mining Dinner young alumni. Recent students presented January 30, 2010 ordinary commitment to the betterment of how UBC Engineers are making a difference! society. Retired CEO and co-founder of Creo The Norman B. Keevil Institute of Mining Highlights included: the iGEM (the International hosted its 14th Annual Mining Dinner at the Mining Engineering Associate Professor Marcello Genetically Engineered Machines) team that Celebrating the successes of our students Products, Spencer works with many charities. Veiga ended the evening with environmentally-friendly Four Seasons Hotel Vancouver for alumni, won a gold medal at MIT’s biosensor technology and alumni, Dean Tyseer Aboulnasr hosted Upon accepting his award, Spencer parodies of popular songs. industry friends and students. John Swainson competition; the UBC Electric Car Club, which the inaugural UBC Engineering Excellence recalled one of the most touching moments (MINE ’77), gave an inspiring talk about his presented its transformed 1972 Volkswagen Celebration, Making a World of Difference, of his philanthropic career, when a beneficiary career experiences in mining and software. Beetle — now an electric-powered car; and Graduation on May 28, 2010. More than 200 alumni, of The Cleaning Solution — a socially progres- Energy Aware, a UBC spinoff led entirely by June 1, 2010 students, faculty, staff and guests celebrated sive company that hires people with mental- Old Red New Red alumni, which creates energy-monitoring displays February 4, 2010 Congratulations to the graduating class of the many contributions of our people. health disabilities — said to him, “’I used to that track electricity consumption in real time. Applied Science Alumni Relations and the EUS 2010, and welcome to the alumni community! “It is simply amazing to consider all that we be a nobody, and now I am a somebody.’” co-hosted the annual event bringing students This year, over 800 Engineering students engineers have added to society. We develop Spencer continued, “I’ve been honoured were conferred their respective degrees and and alumni together to celebrate traditions. solutions for real problems. It is an honour many times with business and engineering Tom Curran (MECH student), Lin Watt (2009-10 EUS joined the more than 22,000 engineers who President, CHBE student) and Jay Drew (BASc ‘77). As Engineering Week came to a close and the and a pleasure to celebrate UBC Engineers awards, but this is first time I’ve been recog- Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games were pending, call UBC their alma mater. UBC Engineering and all their contributions,” said Dean nized for my second career — working with we celebrated the spirit of competition with alumni have been influencing society since the a showcase of the UBC Engineering Own the first graduating class, and it is an honour and Aboulnasr in presenting the first annual nonprofits. Thank you.” opened UBC Okanagan campus. She helped Podium research. pleasure to welcome the men and women who UBC Engineering Alumni Awards. Lauren Kulokas (BASc ’06) received establish the Engineering Undergraduate are joining these ranks. Dr. John S. MacDonald (BASc ’59, DSc the UBC Engineering Outstanding Young Society and served on the executive for three Class of 1950 60th Anniversary ’89) received the UBC Engineering Lifetime Alumnus Award. As Vice President and years, organizing charity and professional Thank you for everything you have contributed Reunion Luncheon Achievement Award. Currently Chairman, Co-founder of Energy Aware, a company events such as the first career fair on cam- May 27, 2010 to UBC and continue to contribute to the world as a UBC graduate. Please know that we hope CEO and Co-Founder of solar-energy formed through UBC’s New Venture pus. She helped establish the UBC Okanagan The largest post-war graduating class, BASc to hear about your professional and personal company Day4 Energy Inc., MacDonald’s Design course, Kulokas develops products IEEE Student Branch and a chapter of Alpha ’50 came out in force to the UBC-wide Class achievements as a member of our alumni of 1950 60th Anniversary Reunion Luncheon. distinguished career includes serving on the to promote sustainability. Omega Epsilon, the international engineering community. Please stay in touch! The Engineering class of ‘50 was by far the EE 1950 Reunion boards of numerous technology companies; Student Jackie Nichols received the UBC sorority. Nichols plans to pursue her Master’s largest of all cohorts attending and even had to May 29, 2010 advising Canadian and international Outstanding Future Alumnus Award. Nichols of Applied Science after graduating. Contact: Tracey Charette 604-822-9454 or play musical chairs to make space for the dean. Electrical Engineering Class of 1950 celebrated email [email protected] governments on science, technology, trade moved to Kelowna in 2005 to pursue a To view more photos of the event, visit its anniversary at Alumni Weekend by joining in policy and industrial policy; and degree in electrical engineering at the newly www.engineering.ubc.ca/excellence2010 MECH 1950 Reunion the UBC 60th Anniversary Reunion Luncheon May 28, 2010 and UBC Engineering activities. Mark Bradwell, Mechanical Engineering Class of 1950 celebrated Edward Hird, Jack Froud, Fred Mullen, Roy UBC ENGINEERING Alumni Awards its 60th anniversary over Alumni Weekend. Ruddell and Dick Abrahamson represented the Department Head Sheldon Green led a tour. original 102 members and enjoyed catching UBC Engineering proudly celebrates the achievements of our alumni and future alumni! After the success of our inaugural Engineering Excellence Of particular interest was the large class pho- up and meeting Dean Aboulnasr and ECE Celebration, we plan to host this event each year. Please consider nominating classmates, colleagues and industry partners for these awards. to in the hallway; with 132 members, it is the Department Head Andre Ivanov. For nomination details, visit www.engineering.ubc.ca/alumni/awards.

22 INGENUITY Spring 2010 / Summer 201022 INGENUITY Fall 2009 / Winter 2010 23 Here’s a snapshot of some upcoming events but there will Upcoming be more. Visit our web calendar or subscribe to our monthly Events e-newsletter at www.apsc.ubc.ca/news-events/newsletters

UPCOMING ALUMNI EVENTS Geological Engineering Alumni Dinner Engineering hosts teachers’ pro-d day FebRUARY, 2011 October 22, 2010 CHML 1960 Reunion The annual dinner for students and alumni of Each year, UBC Engineering hosts a professional AugUST 24, 2010 the Geological Engineering program will be held development opportunity for teachers in the Chemical Engineering Class of 1960 is this winter in February. For more information, Lower Mainland. This year, high school teachers celebrating its 50th reunion. Contact Ross visit www.geoeng.ubc.ca are invited for a day of activities, demonstrations Craigie at [email protected] and tours to enhance learning about and teaching science. www.engineering.ubc.ca/connects CIVL 1949 Reunion UPCOMING EVENTS SeptEMBER 15, 2010 A GREEN AND SUSTAINABLE SOLUTION TO Civil Engineering Class of 1949 is gearing up for UBC Engineering Physics Robots GLOBAL PHOSPHOROUS DEPLETION their annual luncheon in Nanaimo, B.C. at Science World November 17, 2010 September 18-19, 2010 Professor Don Mavinic presents how a team MECH 1970 Robo Racers, built by second-year UBC of UBC environmental engineers has developed SeptEMBER 14-16, 2010 Engineering Physics students this summer, will a sustainable and effective solution with Mechanical Engineering Class of 1970 is cel- be providing thrills and spills as they race to the worldwide applications. For details visit: ebrating their 40th anniversary on Vancouver finish at Science World. www.civil.ubc.ca Island. Anyone interested in joining, please get in touch, as several graduates outside of CERC Seminar Series Engineering Open House MECH plan to attend. Contact Bryon Hodges at September to March 2010 November 27, 2010 [email protected] CERC seminars highlight different aspects of Save the date! Find out more about becoming energy, on both the supply and demand sides, a UBC Engineer today and how engineers make Homecoming and are held monthly from September to March. a world of difference. Bring your friends and SeptEMBER 18, 2010 Visit www.cerc.ubc.ca for more information. family to explore the exciting options offered Every September, thousands of UBC students, by UBC Engineering. alumni and friends fill Thunderbird Stadium Mechanical Engineering Celebration of www.engineering.ubc.ca/connects for our annual Homecoming celebration. After Achievements tailgaiting, they move into the stadium to cheer October 19, 2010, 6:30 – 8:30 pm Geological Engineering the Thunderbirds football team. Show your UBC The Mechanical Engineering Celebration of Distinguished LectureR spirit — body painting and noise making are Achievements honours exceptional students, January 2011 encouraged — and join us at Homecoming. faculty and staff. Interested alumni and friends Join us for a keynote lecture from a distinguished of the department are invited to join us — visit geological engineer. For more information, visit UBC Alumni Achievement Awards www.mech.ubc.ca www.geoeng.ubc.ca November 29, 2010 UBC will proudly recognize eight distinguished and celebrated individuals at its 16th annual UBC Alumni Achievement Awards — we hope to see you there.

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