Pittsburgh Section Bulletin March 2012 Volume 61, No. 3

Transcription

1 Pittsburgh Section Bulletin March 2012 Volume 61, No. 3 Included in this issue: Lou s Lemnings... 2 Pittsburgh Section Robot Car History... 3 The Ortho-Tag RFID System... 4 Pittsburgh Regional Science and Engineering Fair Call for Volunteers... 5 Looking Ahead: Intel International Science and Engineering Fair 2012, Call for Volunteers 5 IEEE Pittsburgh Section Annual History and Awards Dinner... 6 Professional Electrical Apparatus Recyclers League 15th Annual Conference & Exhibition.. 7 Editor: Philip Cox, p.e.cox@ieee.org; Contributors: Ajay Ogirala, Mey Sen, and Dave Vaglia Tom Dionise, Louis Hart, Gerry Kumnik, Nigel McQuin, 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 has past issues of the bulletin and lots of other useful information IEEE Pittsburgh Section Bulletin, March 2012 Volume 61 No. 3 Page 1 of 8

2 Lou s Lemnings When did you last boast about being an engineer? Unlike members of some other professions, engineers do not seem to be expected to indulge in selfaggrandizement. The populace at large sees engineers, I think, as honest, hard-working, more than thoroughly competent, and non-self-promoting. But, in exhibiting too much humility, we may be doing ourselves and the world at large a slight disservice. Our fellow citizens, along with us, would benefit from a full appreciation of the contributions of engineers to the world. I like to suggest, gently, to people around me that they consider all the things which they are using are the products of engineers. I see the cables on this bridge; some engineer must have figured out what kind of cables to use and how big to make them so the bridge would not collapse, but not be too expensive to build, either. Evidence of engineering is ubiquitous. Please, don t let the world overlook it. Our IEEE section did have a chance to present itself to Pittsburgh on 18 February. Members participated in an Engineer s Week event at the Carnegie Science Center. The most ambitious activity we undertook may have been the robot car race, a multi-hour event with 10 teams participating. We had a table and display, with simple electronic projects that children and many of their parents devoted their time to building and enjoying. One of our members, on his own initiative, brought in photovoltaic projects of his own design and was busy all day giving demonstrations and explanations. I felt a conflict between pride and humility when I overheard a woman tell her young children, pointing to the quote from Theodore von Karman on one of our posters, See, engineers make the future. I m still figuring out the responsibilities and possibilities in serving as Pittsburgh section chair. An article in a recent New Yorker about the U. S. Presidency observed the main function of the office seems to be that of cheerleading. After reading the article, I understood cheerleading is a really big part of the chair s job and now will plunge into it with comfortable enthusiasm. Last week I learned from Ramana Vinjamuri, Pittsburgh chapter chair of the Signal Processing Society, that his society, along with others, will be hosting a technical conference in June. Look for details in the April bulletin, and contact Ramana to assist or attend. I ll see you there. Louis Hart Section Chair - Dr. Louis Hart, louishart@ieee.org Vice Chair - Dr. Jim Beck, beckje@westinghouse.com Treasurer Mey Sen, senml@ieee.org Secretary - Frank Pietryga, fwp@pitt.edu Immediate Past Chair Robert Brooks, rbrooks@ieee.org Awards Chair - Ralph Sprang, rsprang@ieee.org Webmaster Gerry Kumnik, g.kumnik@computer.org UpperMon Subsection Chair: Dr. David Graham David.Graham@mail.wvu.edu (304) Chapters Communications Society Co-Chairs: Phil Cox p.e.cox@ieee.org (724) and Dr. Ajay Ogirala ajayo17@gmail.com Computer Society Chair: Ralph Sprang, rsprang@ieee.org Components, Packaging, and Manufacturing Technology/Electron Devices Societies Russell Dudek, rdudek@compunetics.com; Treas.: Dr. Louis Hart Engineering In Medicine & Biology Society Co-Chairs: Bob Brooks (see above), Dr. Zhi-Hong Mao maozh@engr.pitt.edu (412) Electromagnetic Compatibility Society Chair: Michael J. Oliver emi@majr.com (814) Power & Energy & Industry Applications Societies Chair: Dave Vaglia, davevaglia@ieee.org; Past: Mey Sen, senml@ieee.org Magnetics Society Chair: Dr. Jimmy Zhu, jzhu@ece.cmu.edu Nanotechnology Society - Chair: Dr. MinheeYun yunmh@engr.pitt.edu Robotics Society Chair: Dr. Guy Nicoletti Nicolett+@pitt.edu (724) Signal Processing Society Chair: Dr. Ramana Kumar Vinjamuri;,rkv3@pitt.edu Society on Social Implications of Technology Chair: Joe Kalasky, P.E., j.kalasky@ieee.org (724) Affinity Groups GOLD Chair: Mike Hollis, mike.hollis@ieee.org Life Member Chair: Bob Grimes, P.E. r.d.grimes@ieee.org (412) Women In Engineering Chair: Open Committees Consultants Network Professional/Career Activities (PACE) Chair: Joe Kalasky, P.E. (see above) Student Activities Rajiv Garg, rajivg@computer.org Membership Development Dr. Karl Muller P.E., karl.muller@comcast.net Publicity Chair: Thomas Dionise, P.E. ThomasJDionise@eaton.com (724) IEEE Pittsburgh Section Bulletin, March 2012 Volume 61 No. 3 Page 2 of 8

3 Pittsburgh Section Robot Car History Speaker: Gerry Kumnik Date: Wednesday, March 14, 2012 Time: Light dinner/social 6:15 PM, Program 7:00 PM Cost: Free to IEEE members and guests Location: Westinghouse Cranberry Woods Headquarters, Building 1 (Center Building) Abstract : The Pittsburgh Section has been conducting the IEEE Robot Car Race for young students since The race has been held each year during Engineers Week at the Carnegie Science Center to promote science and engineering for students in the eight and ninth grades. The presentation will tell the history of the event, the cars used, programming, organization and the volunteers. A demonstration of the Lego cars used in the race will be presented. Speaker: Gerry Kumnik has been involved with the IEEE Robot Car race since its beginnings in He has been a member of the IEEE since 1969 and is a member of PES and the Computer Society. He presently works for TRC as a senior electrical engineer. He has a BSEE and Master in Energy Resources from the University of Pittsburgh. He has held positions with U.S. Steel, General Electric, Laser Graphic Systems, Duquesne Light and Triangle SCADA. RSVP: Required to Dave Vaglia (davevaglia@ieee.org) by March 12, 2012 with each attendee s Name, Affiliation, , and phone number. If you would like to receive PDH, please bring a copy of this announcement for verification of your attendance. A non-member who would like to receive PDH is required to pay $10 to IEEE Pittsburgh Section. A Member who would like to receive PDH is required to show membership ID. Organizers: Power & Energy Society/Industrial Applications Society Directions from the South: Take 79 North to the route 228 east exit. Stay in right lane and drive by Marriott Hotel (on right). Turn right into Cranberry Woods facility and stay in left lane. Make first left into Westinghouse Headquarters and drive straight through roundabout. Park in visitors parking places that are located on either side of the entry road. Directions from the East: Take the PA Turnpike (I-76) West following signs for Ohio / I-76 W. Take Exit 28 and follow I-79 N toward Erie. Stay in the entrance lane (right lane)and immediately take Exit 78, PA-228 Cranberry/Mars. Turn right onto PA-228 E toward Mars. Turn right onto Cranberry Woods Drive. Take immediate left at Westinghouse sign and drive straight through roundabout. Park in visitors parking places that are located on either side of the entry road. IEEE Pittsburgh Section Bulletin, March 2012 Volume 61 No. 3 Page 3 of 8

4 The Ortho-Tag RFID System Speaker: Xiaoyu Liu, Research Engineer, RFID Center of Excellence, Ortho-tag Inc Date: Mar , Wednesday Time: 12 Noon to 1PM (Refreshments at 11:45AM) Location: G29 Benedum Hall (3700 O Hara Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15261) Sponsor: IEEE Communications Society Abstract: Radio frequency identification (RFID) is a wireless non-contact communication technology that uses radio system to transfer data from a tag attached to an object, for the purpose of tracking and automatic identification. One popular area of application for RFID systems is the identification of medical devices. The Ortho-tag RFID system is a technology developed by the University of Pittsburgh RFID center and Ortho-tag Inc to identify the orthopedic implants for those who have a joint replacement surgery. This system utilizes Transcutaneous Near Field Communication, a technology that enables secure transmission between an RFID tag and a proprietary touch probe/reader so that healthcare providers can gain immediately access to vital information about a patient s orthopedic implant. This talk will give an overall introduction of the Ortho-tag RFID system, including the birth of the system, the design and development. Issues regarding the development of the future Ortho-tag RFID system will also be discussed. Speaker s Biographical Sketch: Dr. Xiaoyu Liu received the B.S. degree and M.S. degrees in Electrical Engineering from Tsinghua University, Beijing, and Ph.D. degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh. He specializes in radio frequency system design including antenna design, power amplifier design and matching networks. He currently focuses on the development of the Ortho-tag RFID system. IEEE Pittsburgh Section Bulletin, March 2012 Volume 61 No. 3 Page 4 of 8

5 Pittsburgh Regional Science and Engineering Fair Call for Volunteers Volunteers are needed to represent the IEEE Pittsburgh Section at the 2012 Pittsburgh Regional Science and Engineering Fair (PSREF) on March 30, 2012 at Heinz Field. The PRSEF will celebrate its 73nd year of open competition of research projects in the fields of science, mathematics, and engineering. This competition is open to all students in grades 6-12 from 26 counties within Western Pennsylvania and West Virginia. The Science Fair has been a Pittsburgh tradition since 1940 and is the third oldest science fair in the United States. In 2011, over 1,000 students from over 100 schools competed. The goal of the Science Fair is to advance science education by exhibiting examples of scientific research by some of the best and brightest students in our region. The goal of the Science Fair coincides with one of the missions of the IEEE, that is to foster an interest in the engineering profession. The half-day event begins with lunch at noon, followed by judging of Junior, Intermediate and Senior Division projects, and concludes with presentation of two IEEE sponsor awards to Senior and Intermediate Division entries at approximately 4 PM. To volunteer to be an IEEE judge for Science Fair, just tom.dionise@ieee.org, and you will be given information on registration and included in future mailings. Looking Ahead: Intel International Science and Engineering Fair Call for Volunteers Volunteers are needed to represent the IEEE Pittsburgh Section at the 2012 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). The 2012 Intel ISEF event will be held at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, PA, May 13-18, IEEE members from Pittsburgh are needed to judge for the IEEE President s Scholarship of $10,000. The Special Award judging days begin on Monday, May 14 and a winner must be chosen by Wednesday, May 16. The Awards Presentation will take place on Thursday, May 17. Look for more details in the April Bulletin. To volunteer to be an IEEE judge for ISEF, just tom.dionise@ieee.org, and you will be given information on registration and included in future mailings. IEEE Pittsburgh Section Bulletin, March 2012 Volume 61 No. 3 Page 5 of 8

6 IEEE Pittsburgh Section Annual History and Awards Dinner Date: Friday, May 4, 2012 Time: 5:30 PM: Arrival 6:00 PM: Dinner and Awards Presentations 7:00 PM: Keynote speech Place: The University Club, University of Pittsburgh 123 University Place, Pittsburgh, PA Phone: Cost: $25 per member; $40 member plus guest (Cash Bar is available) RSVP REQUIRED by April 20, Seating is limited to 60 people. Please send your check, payable to IEEE Pittsburgh Section, to Mey Sen, 126 Pauline Dr., Monroeville, PA 15146, Organizer: IEEE Pittsburgh Section. Speaker: Guy M. Nicoletti, IEEE Life Member, Emeritus Associate Professor, University of Pittsburgh; presenting the life of: Otto H. Schmitt An American Genius and a Giant in Biomedical Engineering This presentation will explore the wide range of accomplishments of Otto Schmitt, one of the pioneers of Biomedical Engineering. Schmitt s numerous and diverse scientific contributions were the result of a very wide breath of interests along with the ability for practical hardware development. Along with the Schmitt trigger, he developed the magnetic anomalies detector that was used during World War II and also presently used to detect submarines from overhead aircraft. He presented philosophical questions, such as the role of conscience and spirit in health care delivery, and maintained that quality of life be a fundamental part of health care. Otto Schmitt Apr. 6, 1913 Jan. 6, 1998 Otto Schmitt held more than 50 patents. The list of inventions/developments that Schmitt compiled during his career includes more than 100 entries. He never patented his famous innovation in circuitry the Schmitt Trigger for which he is best known. His bibliography contains more than 200 items. Otto Schmitt s inventions/developments are in a variety of scientific and engineering fields: Bioinstrumentation: Schmitt Trigger, Differential Amplifier, RF isolating Unit, Cathode Ray Oscillograph, and Cathode Ray presentation of three-dimensional data. Electrophysiology. Chronobiology Electrocardiology IEEE Pittsburgh Section Bulletin, March 2012 Volume 61 No. 3 Page 6 of 8

7 Biomedical Engineering Electromagnetics Otto H. Schmitt can be accurately described with the statement made by one of his admiring colleagues, Jon M. Harkness when he says: Throughout his long and full life, Schmitt would employ his talents in electrical engineering and similar affinities for biology, physics, and mathematics to push the frontiers of knowledge. He helped to forge the new disciplines of biophysics and bioengineering. In June 1978, he was inducted into the Minnesota Inventors Hall of Fame. Max E.Valentinuzzi, one of Otto distinguished biographer, stated.otto was a pioneer in bioengineering, no doubt, of Nobel class. Speaker: Guy M. Nicoletti is an Associate Professor Emeritus of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering at the Greensburg Campus of the University of Pittsburgh where he also received pertinent M.S. and Ph.D. degrees. His research interests are in Digital Electronics, Control Theory and Circuit Analysis. He is the author of numerous technical and research papers, which have been presented nationally and internationally at various professional symposia and conferences. Dr. Nicoletti is a Life Member of IEEE and the Chair of the Robotic & Automation Chapter of the IEEE Pittsburgh Section. He is also a member of the Computer, Computational Biology & Bioinformatics, Control, Industrial Electronics, Medicine & Biology and Signal Processing Societies of IEEE. Professional Electrical Apparatus Recyclers League 15th Annual Conference & Exhibition May 5-7, 2012 Sheraton Station Square Hotel Downtown Pittsburgh This conference will focus on the electrical safety and the process of extending the life of medium-voltage and low-voltage switchgear equipment, and other related electrical equipment. Training programs are available for inspection and testing of LV and MV switching devices, as well as panel sessions and presentations on the reconditioning of electrical equipment to strict established industrial standards. This event will be of interest to local IEEE members involved in the electrical safety and reliability of remanufactured, recycled or reconditioning of legacy electrical equipment. Further information on this event can be found at the PEARL web-site: or through the contact points below. Local PEARL representative: Greg Plowman, (814) , greg@voyten.com Local IEEE Liaison: Nigel McQuin, (412) , N.P.McQuin@ieee.org IEEE Pittsburgh Section Bulletin, March 2012 Volume 61 No. 3 Page 7 of 8

8 Executive Committee 2012 Calendar Meetings of IEEE Pittsburgh Section Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July August Sept Oct Nov Dec 19 Cranberry 16 Wilkins Twp Section 18 Eng. Week Communic ations Computer 1 Circuits 2 Neural EMBS 2 Neural EMCS PES/IAS 18 Powering Data Centers Magnetics Robotics Sig. Processing CPMT/ED 22 Tour Data Center Social Impl Technology Upper Mon 6 DNA analysis 13 Bits, FLOPS Women in Eng ing Life Mem. GOLD PACE Student Act 15 Cranberry 30 Science Fair 14 RFID 14 Car Race History 19 TBD 17 Monroeville 4 History Dinner 21 Wilkins 19 Cranberry 16 Wilkins 20 Oakland 18 WVU 20 Monroeville IEEE Pittsburgh Section Bulletin May 2011 Volume 60 No. 5 Page 8 of 8