Rochester Engineering Society Magazine January 2016

www.roceng.org

JANUARY 2016

NYWEA Declares 2015 "Year of the Operator" | 6 Bevel gear cutting on a Gleason machine.

T WELLOTT PHOTOGRAPHY

Save the Date: Apr. 16 114 RES Gala - Sponsorship Opportunities Now Available th

| 24

Also in this Issue:

Supporters of U.S. Changeover to the Metric System are Far from being Radicals | 42

NYWEA Declares 2015 "Year of the Operator" (cover) Page 6

The Rochester Engineer Published since 1922 by

ROCHESTER ENGINEERING SOCIETY, INC.

Supporters of U.S. Changeover to the Metric System are Far from being Radicals (feature) Page 42

Founded March 18, 1897

Volume 94, Number 7, JANUARY 2016 3,500 to 4,000 Monthly Circulation ISSN 0035-7405

RES Mission Statement: The RES will become the lead organization for improving the image and influence of the engineering community in the greater Rochester area by: Demonstrating a comprehensive knowledge of the region’s engineering and technical capabilities; Providing the best clerical support and public relations assistance to our affiliates; Continually communicating the engineering and technical accomplishments to both the engineering and technical community and the public; Providing regular forums and networking opportunities for the exchange of ideas and discussion of issues; and, Providing programs that identify career opportunities to the region’s youth and develop the skills of the practicing engineer.

News items and articles are invited. Materials should be submitted to the executive director at the society’s office, 657 East Avenue, Rochester, New York 14607; Phone number (585) 254-2350, e-mail: admin@roceng.org

The web site for the Engineers’ Center is at: www.roceng.org. The deadline is the 10th day of the month prior to the issue. Unless otherwise stated, opinions expressed in this publication are those of contributors, not of the Rochester Engineering Society, Inc. Advertising information may be obtained by contacting the office of the Rochester Engineering Society or going to the website at www.roceng.org.

contents

4 • RES Scholarship Application Information 5 • RES Call for Nominations: 2015 Engineer of the Year, Young Engineer of the Year, and Engineers of Distinction 6 • NYWEA Declares 2015 "Year of the Operator" (cover) 9 • Dr. Walter Cooper Acadamy Has Graduated its First Sixth Grade Class. More Tutors Needed for the 2015-16 School Year 10 • The Limited Monopoly - In Defense of Simple Inventions 12, 23 • Professional Firms - Employee News 13 • News From Professional Firms 14 • Get to the Point! - Keeping Track of Your Performance 15 • Get IT Done - Nine Is A Good Round Number 16, 23 • Campus News 18 • Position Openings 20 • Continuing Education Opportunities

Published every month but July. Yearly subscription is $20.00, single copies are $2.00.

21-22 • Engineers’ Calendar

Go to www.roceng.org to join the Rochester Engineering Society. Click on the individual membership and you can submit your application on-line.

24-25 • Save the Date: 114th Gala & Sponsorship Opportunities

Board of Directors:

OFFICERS: President ADAM CUMMINGS, PE Barton & Loguidice, PC / ACummings@bartonandloguidice.com First Vice President JON KRIEGEL Retired / jkriegel@rochester.rr.com Second Vice President MICHAEL V. TRIASSI Optimation Technology, Inc. / mike.triassi@gmail.com Acting Treasurer MICHAEL V. TRIASSI Optimation Technology, Inc. / mike.triassi@gmail.com Past President MARY STEBLEIN, PE LaBella Associates / mary.steblein@swe.org DIRECTORS: CORNELIUS (NEAL) ILLENBERG PE Retired / nillenberg@aol.com LEE LOOMIS Retired / leeloomis46@gmail.com SCOTT GRASMAN, PhD Rochester Institute of Technology / Email: scott.grasman@rit.edu ESTHER BETANCOURT Harris Corporation / ebetanco@harris.com RICHARD E. RICE, PE MJ Engineering / rriceaquash@gmail.com CASEY DILL Arnold Magnetic Technologies / casey.dill@gmail.com JOSEPH DOMBROWSKI, PE M/E Engineering / jdombrowski@meengineering.com DIRECTOR to TBD Administrative Director LYNNE M. IRWIN Rochester Engineering Society / e-mail: admin@roceng.org

42 • Supporters of U.S. Changeover to the Metric System are Far from being Radicals (feature) 44-46 • Directory of Professional Services 46 • Directory of Business Services 47 • Affiliated Societies and Corporate Members of the RES

news of the...

• ABCD Association for Bridge Construction and Design.....................28 • AFE Association for Facilities Engineering...........................................26 • APWA American Public Works Association...........................................17 • ASCE American Society of Civil Engineers............................................32 • ASHRAE American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers....................................................39 • ASPE American Society of Plumbing Engineers....................................33 • EA Electrical Association.......................................................................31 • GVLSA Genesee Valley Land Surveyors Association.............................38

2 | The ROCHESTER ENGINEER JANUARY 2016

• IEC Independent Entrepreneurs Council...........................................27 • IES Illuminating Engineering Society....................................................35 • IEEE Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.................36-37 • INCOSE International Council of Systems Engineering...........................34 • IS&T Imaging Science and Technology...................................................40 • MPES Monroe Professional Engineers Society......................................41 • RES Rochester Engineering Society...............................3-5, 8-9, 24-25 • SWE Society of Women Engineers........................................................30

index

President’s Message Adam Cummings, PE RES President 2015 - 16 Water, Water Everywhere Water, Water Everywhere, Nor any drop to drink …

This sentiment brings back a lot of memories for me. I can still remember seeing this line in Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s, The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, in my high school English Class at the Churchville-Chili High School.

However, my most vivid memory is a Powerpoint presentation showing the Water Cycle that propelled me into a career in water pollution control and treatment back in the 1990s. Water conservation and water quality protection is just as important now as it was back in the 1970s.

There has been an abundance of media articles highlighting the failing state of our civil infrastructure. Our roads, bridges, pipelines, dams, solid waste facilities, and water and wastewater treatment facilities are aging and well past their service lives in many cases.

From ASCE website: This past year ASCE took http://www.infrastructurereport the National Report Card for card.org America’s Infrastructure a step further to better define the message for New York by performing a separate review of the national Report Card specific to New York State. The areas in need of the most improvement came as no surprise to me, but most do not realize the dire condition of our roads, bridges, and wastewater amenities. Out of these three categories, only one is a necessity. The others are more conveniences, or enhancements, to ensure we remain a national superpower, rich in economic wealth and able to navigate our res news - president’s message

Clarifers at Van Lare WWTP in Monroe County.

Photo provided by T. Wellott Photography

vast national boundaries. I am referring to the wastewater category, of course. Without this vital function, the health of our planet could plummet and public health will degrade to epidemic proportions like those back in Europe several centuries ago and in the United States during our infancy and before we recognized what we were doing to our local waterways. Out of sight, out of mind is no longer the case.

The New York Water Environment Association (NYWEA), one of our affiliate members, was founded in 1929 to provide education of water pollution control and protection. Today NYWEA is leading New York State in efforts of public health protection and water quality management with over 2,400 members and is leading a transition from wastewater treatment to Resource Recovery Manufacturing Facilities. Instead of being energy consumers, many treatment plants are striving to be Net Zero, or even Net Positive Facilities. Whereby, they are using the waste methane gas from the anaerobic digestion process to create electricity to operate their mechanical equipment. Or they are capturing waste heat from the treatment operations or the kinetic energy from the moving wastewater fluid to provide energy to heat their facilities. Many others are extracting beneficial nutrients, such as Nitrogen and Phosphorus, that are known culprits of promoting algal blooms in our local waters, but are also valuable compounds that are vital components in fertilizers and important to our agricultural industry. These efforts are converting pollution into a benefit.

This brings me right back to Coleridge’s poem.

Water is everywhere, but without careful stewardship we may succumb to the later part of this verse. Even worse, in may become a hazard. It is up to all of us. Let’s do our part.

JANUARY 2016 The ROCHESTER ENGINEER | 3

RES News RES SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION INFORMATION

The Rochester Engineering Society (RES) is an umbrella organization for engineering societies in the Rochester area. The goals of the society are: to advance the art and science of engineering for the general public welfare in Monroe County and the adjoining counties; to foster in practicing and prospective engineers excellence as professionals, as citizens, and as individuals; and, to promote communication and cooperation among all branches of engineering.

Multiple scholarships, sponsored by a variety of organizations and administered through the RES, are awarded annually at a minimum of $1,000 each to recognize outstanding engineering, engineering technology, science or technology students. These are merit-based scholarships. Scholarships from the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) and the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) require applicants be student members of their respective organization. Eligibility: Applicants must meet the following qualifications: 1. Be an undergraduate student in good standing who has completed two years and/or achieved Junior standing in an ABET-accreditd engineering, engineering technology, science or technology program.

2. Have an overall grade point average of 3.0 out of 4.0 (or equivalent) or better.

3. Plan to continue engineering, engineering technology, science or technology studies in an undergraduate ABET accredited program in September following presentation of the award.

4. Be a resident of Monroe, Genesee, Livingston, Ontario, Orleans, Wayne, or Wyoming Counties of New York or enrolled in an ABET-accredited engineering, engineering technology, science or technology curriculum in a college in those counties. The Rochester Chapter of IEEE allows applicants from Corning and Alfred sub-chapters.

5. Not be a previous recipient of this scholarship.

Application: Applicants must submit the six required items listed below, postmarked no later than Friday, January 15, 2016. All items must be submitted in one package or envelope. The applicant is responsible for ensuring that all the necessary data are submitted by the deadline in one package and will be immediately disqualified from judging, with no further follow-up, if these instructions are not followed. The applicant should notify those persons supplying reference letters that timely response is critical. Reference letters may be submitted in individually sealed envelopes within the application package. Deliver or mail all items by Friday, January 15, 2016 to: The Rochester Engineering Society, 657 East Avenue, Rochester, New York 14607.

Required Data and Instructions

1. Certificate of Interview from a member of the Scholarship Committee - Request an appointment for interview by sending an email to the Scholarship Chairperson, Barry Quinn, at barryquinn@aol.com. In your email, include your full name, phone number, and the day(s) and time(s) you are available for an interview. Attach your resume to the email. Contact Barry Quinn at 585-737-1117 if you have not received a reply within three days. The interviewer will provide a certificate that the interview was conducted after October 1, 2015 and before January 8, 2016 (interview deadline).

2. Transcript - Official copy of applicant’s current transcript showing grades for the entire enrollment in current school and if a transfer student, courses taken and accepted from his/her prior college or university.

3. Resume - The same resume the applicant would use if applicant were applying for employment. Be sure to include the following information: name, permanent address, school address, college, degree and program, anticipated date of graduation, and any professional society memberships.

4. Applicant’s Letter - A letter written by the applicant addressed to the Chairman of the Scholarship Award Committee of the 4 | The ROCHESTER ENGINEER JANUARY 2016

Rochester Engineering Society. This letter shall not be more than one typewritten page in length and should discuss the applicant’s position with respect to the following: a. Why the applicant is studying engineering and chose his/her particular field. b. Why the applicant is applying for the scholarship. c. The applicant’s involvement in professional society activities, the leadership positions held and describe active involvement in other extra-curricular activities. d. Statement that the scholarship will be used in engineering, engineering technology, science or technology studies in an undergraduate ABET-accredited program in September, 2015 should an award be presented.

5. Reference Letter #1 - Letter from the applicant’s faculty advisor in his/her current school. This letter should indicate the applicant’s standing in the class relative to other students, his/her course load and involvement.

6. Reference Letter #2 - Letter from a current or former employer who is not a relative, OR, a professor of engineering, science or technology in whose class the applicant has been or is presently enrolled. res news - scholarship

RES News

Call for Nominations 2015 Engineer of the Year 2015 Kate Gleason Young Engineer of the Year and

2015 Engineers of Distinction A couple of years ago the RES Board of Directors introduced a streamlined nomination form.

A simple initial form allows an individual or organization to nominate a candidate. The RES committee will then contact the nominator if the candidate progresses to the next phase. At that point, a final form will be used to gather essential details from the nominator and candidate which will be used to determine our finalists.

The RES will select and recognize the finalists for the Engineer of the Year, Young Engineer of the Year, and Engineers of Distinction Awards in a variety of public venues and media during the weeks before the Gala. The Award recipients will be introduced on Saturday April 16, 2016 during the Gala at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center.

Visit our website at www.roceng.org and click on Call For Nominations, or call 585-254-2350 (admin@roceng.org) to request a nomination form.

The following information is described:

Eligibility for Nomination Awards Criteria Deadline for Preliminary Nominations - Monday, December 14, 2015 Deadline for Final Nominations - Friday, January 8, 2016 res news - call for nominations

JANUARY 2016 The ROCHESTER ENGINEER | 5

NYWEA Declares 2015 "Year of the Operator"

By Lois Hickey

U

Spotlight:

To explore and understand the needs of the operator of the future, Garland is convening the NYWEA Operator of the Future Task Force. The group will include about a dozen, mainly plant operators, but also collection system operators, utility executives and regulators from the statewide NYWEA board membership. Its first product will be a white paper that outlines findings on how to attract people to such water careers and what NYWEA members and the utilities that employ them can do to help.

NYWEA continues to work to support those already in the profes­sion through training, education and recognition. In addition to pro­viding training for state operator certification 6 | The ROCHESTER ENGINEER JANUARY 2016

A r o c

A a a a i p a c c

pon accepting the President's gavel of the New York Water Environment Association (NYWEA) during the annual meeting this past February, Michael Garland of Pittsford, NY, director of Environmental Services for Monroe County, declared 2015, "The Year of the Operator."

"It is high time special recognition is given to clean water operators, NYWEA's core constituent, when the highly referenced 'Utilities of the Future' need 'Operators of the Future,"' Garland said. The water and wastewater treatment industry needs state licensed operators who can meet the widening knowledge base required to work with advanced technologies, renewable energy resources, biology, chemistry, math and mechanics. At the same time, while communities continue to expand and build more wastewater treatment plants or water resource recovery facilities, the industry is losing a large segment of the expe­rienced operator workforce to retirement, or a "graying of the profes­sion." Filling this widening gap, according to Garland, means creating opportunities for job growth and rewards in order to recruit and retain these needed environmental professionals.

Water/wastewater treatment plant and system operators typically need a high school diploma and a state license to work, and also undergo on-the-job training. More and more operators are entering the field with the preferred two or four year college degree.

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and educational technical programs, NYWEA also offers a major scholarship program for those pursuing college degrees in environmental sciences. Garland is also pushing to create new scholarship opportunities for working operators to help broaden their skills and knowledge.

As a part of the special recognition effort, Clear Waters is running cover stories devoted to operators in its 2015 editions. This issue provides a profile of two young operators who work for Monroe County's wastewater treatment plants. While they both can be considered exceptional young role models for their profession, they are also typical in many ways of the new operator workforce. Future editions will place a focus on the Operators Challenge competition, collection systems work, and operator classroom training.

In, a recent national interview with TPO (Treatment Plant Operator, 2-21-15), Garland T WELLOTT PHOTOGRAPHY said: "It takes special people who understand the value of the work, who enjoy the sciences and the technology, yet aren't afraid to get dirty and do what it takes to operate a facility in compliance with state and federal regulations."

New York State operators, such as those profiled here, are up to the challenge! cover article

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Getting to Know Two Young Professionals Alison Perez and Justin Slentz from Upstate New York are representatives of today's young wastewater treat­ment system operator - college educated and desiring advanced operator certification, dedicated and environ­mentally conscious.

Alison Perez, 28, has two years as a pump and process operator at Rochester's Frank E. VanLare Wastewater Treatment Plant and Northwest Quadrant WWTP. She holds a BA in biology with a minor in environmental science from Alfred University. She is a grade 3A licensed wastewater treatment operator. Alison pursued a career, she says, that would allow her to be outdoors and· active. Her first job as a field technician for a chemical company gave her exposure to the Monroe County water collection system.

"I really enjoyed my environmental courses in college and after graduation I began working for a chemical supplier that provided odor abatement to the collection system and the two treatment plants in Monroe County." It was during this time Alison learned about wastewater treatment and what the work of an operator entailed.

"I felt like this was the kind of job I had been looking for, and I applied."

Justin Slentz, 25, also a pump and process operator at Rochester's VanLare plant, has worked there more than two and a half years. Prior to this, he was a paid intern for 18 months while earning his bachelor's degree at RIT in civil engineering technology.

"I chose a career in wastewater treatment because while in the co-op I had some exposure to the field and I found it fascinating.

So, I took a full-time position here and have been doing it since."

Justin obtained his grade 3A certification as well.

The most rewarding part of the job, Justin says, "is knowing that the water is being treated properly and the lake is being protected for people and wildlife."

Another bonus is the variety promised in each work day. "I enjoy that every day is something different - you never know what to expect and it keeps you on your toes.''

Alison enjoys both the mental and physical aspects her work provides. "No two days are ever the same. We are consistently being presented with new challenges, working together and thinking creatively to solve them."

Generally, the public and even some of their family and friends may not realize what they do as operators, or their importance to their municipality's clean water system.

"It's one of those things people don't consider as long as [the cover article

water/sewer infrastructure] is working properly," commented Alison. "People are really surprised when they come for a tour or I tell them just how much goes into wastewater treatment.

Luckily, I think this trend is changing. We do a lot of public outreach here through tours and open houses. I've also noticed much more media attention on some of the wastewater treatment challenges municipalities are facing on a broader scale, such as xenobiotics, the increased use of disposables, and microbeads."

"While the public is aware that there is a process in treating water and wastewater," Justin commented, "the public might not know the complexity of it or everything that goes into it. I also feel that if people were more aware of what went on inside here, they might be a little more careful of what they dump into the sewers or flush down the toilet."

What is their advice to those considering the field or who are new to the job?

"Take the opportunity to learn everything you can from those who are long-term employees," said Alison. "With an aging work­force and many retirements in the near future, it is critical for us to gather as much of the knowledge and experiences veteran operators have to pass on. I would encourage any new operator to get involved in as many projects as possible and never stop asking questions."

"This is an ever-growing field, so keep an open mind and take in everything you can," added Justin. ''Anybody who enjoys working outside and wants to protect the environment, this is a good field for you. Also there is good job security because people are always going to need one of their most valuable resources - clean water.'' Justin says he hopes to take his 4A certification exam soon, "and keep expanding my knowledge of the wastewater field.''

"I'll be testing for my 4A license this year," noted Alison. "I plan on continuing on at Monroe County and focusing on advancing my skill sets as an operator."

The future appears bright for them, and the Rochester commu­ nity is fortunate to have operators such as these - and who NYWEA knows are typical to wastewater treatment facilities across New York State - working diligently each day to uphold our water quality standards.

Lois Hickey is editor for Clear Waters magazine. She extends thanks to Alison Perez and Justin Slentz for taking personal time to provide infor­mation about their careers as operators. Both are NYWEA Genesee Valley Chapter members.

This article is reprinted with permission from "Clear Waters" magazine, the official publication of the New York Water Environment Association.

JANUARY 2016 The ROCHESTER ENGINEER | 7

Rochester History

A Sampling from the Archives of the Rochester Engineering Society...1897 - 1962

by Lee M. Loomis

Continuing with the historical sampling of the earlier writings on behalf of the Rochester Engineering Society, the years following "The Great War," into and through the “Great Depression,” continued to be a time of reaching out for the maturing Society, both locally and nationally. The meeting minutes describe a series of technical discussions and presentations intended to broaden the technical horizons of the membership (especially the CE's, ME's and EE's). The RES affiliated itself with a number of National technical societies, adopted local Affiliated Societies, frequently held joint meetings with them and continued taking action on a growing list of public matters.

Certain issues of standardization, some crucial to public safety, became the responsibility of the RES and its affiliates. In the pervasive economic downturn of the “Great Depression,” the magazine offered classified advertising for unemployed engineers, technicians and draftsmen and took other steps to try to deal with the crisis. Still, it continued its effort to shape the function, purpose and infrastructure of the City of Rochester, and beyond. Soon, war would again affect the Society, taking away many of its leaders while providing opportunities for others to step forward to fill these vacancies. In an effort to provide even greater perspective on the happenings and concerns of the day, a synopsis, featuring selected items from "The Rochester Engineer" has become an integral part of this series. The Second World War and the Korean Conflict are now history. These experiences have changed the face and, no doubt, the future of the community. The Rochester municipal leadership and the industrial community have become immersed in the cold-war, growth economy.

a 41 mile toll-free highway, connecting Rochester’s Inner Loop to the NYS Thruway, at Leroy, NY. Mr. Perry spoke of the need to the City to decide on several issues including, location of the City portion of the Western connection, possible treatment of the area in front of the NY Central Railroad Station, and possible construction of a helioport in front of the train station, to connect the Rochester Airport with bus and train services. Other issues included extension of the Lake Ontario State Parkway across the Genesee River, through Irondequoit to the Sea Breeze Expressway and over into Webster.

“The Rochester Engineer” (May 1962)

The RES Board’s report for the year 1961-62 included 12 evening meetings (total attendance 809), 18 luncheon meetings (total attendance 937), two inspection trips (Hancock Field in Syracuse and Taylor Instrument Companies) and gains (24) & losses (17) in membership, with a year-end total of 534. The U of R announced that it held a two-day conference in July on “Data Acquisition & Processing in Biology & Medicine,” and was attended by more than 275 professionals. RIT announced an upcoming seminar, “Noise in Electronic Systems,” at the new Midtown Tower Hotel. Speakers were coming from Bell Telephone Laboratories, Hewlett-Packard, General Dynamics/Electronics and the National Bureau of Standards.

Alexander M. Beebee, Jr., plant engineer, Rochester Products Division of General Motors, in an article, “The Maintenance Engineering Function,” emphasizes the value of ensuring that graduate engineers are included in the staffing of a plant maintenance department. He cites the value exposing maintenance journeymen and foremen, by close association in their work, to the analytical approach of engineers, thereby strengthening their ability and service to the operation of the plant. This issue also presented the candidates for RES office for 196263 including: President – James A. McConnell (RG&E), 1st VP – Lynn C. Holmes (General Dynamics/Electronics), 2nd VP – Bernard F. Perry (NYS DPW), Treasurer – Howard A. Brown (RG&E), Directors – Theodore F. Hooker (Eastman Kodak Co.), Willian P. Wier, Jr. (Bausch & Lomb) and Frank H. Slaymaker (General Dynamics/Electronics).

June 14, 1962 (Annual Meeting, Hotel Sheraton, Attendance – 72) The membership elected tellers for the annual

ballot, who then collected the votes and retired to count them. The membership was then treated to a color movie, “Big Game Hunting in the Yukon,” narrated by Mr. Emil Muller, RES member. Following this, the election of RES officers, as presented in the May issue of The Rochester Engineer, was announced.

“The Rochester Engineer” (June 1962)

This issue featured an article by F. Dow Hamblin, RIT’s Director of Planning entitled, “A Look to the Future.” Mr. Hamblin detailed the purposes of four recently established committees: Education, Student Services, Funds, and Building, all reporting to a Steering Committee.

The focus of this effort was to be the relocation of RIT from the 13.5 acre downtown Rochester campus to an approximate 1000 acre location, in Henrietta, in order to accommodate an expected doubling of the student body in the next few years. Included on this vast new campus was to be a tree nursery featuring over 1700 hardwood and conifer trees, for use in enhancing the new campus, as it develops.

Bernard F. Perry, Rochester District Engineer, NYS Department of Public Works reported to the RES Public Affairs Committee on progress toward designing the Western approach connection, providing 8 | The ROCHESTER ENGINEER JANUARY 2016

July 11, 1962 (Board of Directors Meeting, Hotel Sheraton)

The Board requested that the Constitution Committee prepare a plan for Life Memberships for long-standing RES members. In the absence of retiring RES President, Frederic C. Young, 1st Vice President McConnell thanked the members for their cooperation during 1961-62.

July 11, 1962 (Board of Directors Meeting, Hotel Sheraton)

As RES President John C. McConnell took office, the Board elected past RES Director Harvey J. Klumb to the Executive Committee. Mr. Klumb, along with the President, 1st & 2nd VP’s and the Treasurer, comprised this Committee, empowered to act on behalf of the Board between regular Board meetings.

“The Rochester Engineer” (August 1962)

“The Rochester Engineer” (September 1962)

The Instrument Society of America announced its May 1963 meeting would be held at Edison Technical & Industrial High School, featuring a new physics and process instrumentation lab for teaching high school physics and process control. A joint meeting of all engineering societies in Rochester with Dr. Rogers B. Finch of the US Peace Corps, featured, “Perspectives on the Peace Corps.” A conference at the U of R featured a presentation, “The Role and Effect of Computing in Society,” by Dr. Charles DeCarlo, Director of Education for International Business Machine Corporation. It announced the recently-installed IBM 7079 high-speed computer system, one of only five such systems installed in US universities.

Subsequent articles in this series will describe the RES' continuing outreach to other technical societies as it considered its role in this and the larger community, along with more of the activities of the RES as it moved to be of greater service to its membership, especially those suffering from the current economic crisis, and adopted a greater role in shaping the future of the City and its environs. Noted also, will be the contributions made by RES members in the struggle to meet the challenges coming out of World War II, as well as a hoped-for period of post-war growth and prosperity. These articles will also feature an impressive array of RES activities in support of post-war re-emergence of Rochester area industry. We welcome your questions and comments on this series. res news - history

y

RES News Dr. Walter Cooper Academy has Graduated its first Sixth Grade Class, More Tutors Needed for the 2015-16 School Year Bergmann Associates, PC, joins the RES Tutoring Team.

Beginning on Wednesday, December 2nd, a team of ten professionals from Bergmann Associates began their weekly schedule of tutoring at Dr. Walter Cooper Academy. With each one working one day per month, divided into two teams, they are the equivalent of two weekly tutors supporting our #10 school students. We thank Bergmann CEO, Tom Mitchell PE (also a member of the Bergmann Tutoring Team), for his vision in encouraging this effort.

It’s time, now, to get our Tutoring Team established for the 2015-16 school year.

We have many of our 20+ RES Tutors returning, but the need is great, and we still need more. We are currently scheduling “Lunch & Learn” presentations in several Rochester area firms, to inform and inspire prospective new tutors. We need your support..can we schedule one with your firm, work group, church or family?

The RES Tutoring Team at Dr. Walter Cooper Academy

currently includes full-time, employed Professional Engineers, recently-graduated engineers, retired engineers, retired school teachers, U of R and RIT undergraduate and graduate students, local business leaders and employees using their “flex-time” to spend a few hours a week as tutors.

Bergmann Associates Engineer Alex Adekoya (a member of the RES Tutoring Team) assists a Dr. Walter Cooper Academy student with a reading lesson.

Whether or not you think you have the time to commit to it right now, please contact us and

learn about this successful program and the opportunity it offers us to “make a difference” in Rochester’s City Schools. Let us come and meet with you, your business associates, family members, friends, or neighbors. Even just two hours a week of your time can make a big difference in the life of a student. Hear about the training each tutor will receive. Please contact the RES office, and let us know you’re interested in tutoring at Dr. Walter Cooper Academy - School #10, 353 Congress Avenue (in the 19th Ward, one block North of Genesee Park Blvd., between Post Avenue and Virginia Avenue).

Questions??? Reach out to RES Past President Lee Loomis and the RES Tutoring Team at…

Rochester Engineering Society, (585) 254-2350 via website: www.roceng.org or via email: leeloomis46@gmail.com (585) 738-3079 (mobile & text) res news - tutoring

JANUARY 2016 The ROCHESTER ENGINEER | 9

The Limited Monopoly® In Defense of Simple Inventions

by Robert Gunderman, PE and John Hammond, PE

Simple in a Complex World

Today’s world is anything but simple, and there seems to be a bias against anything that hints of simplicity, as if anything simple is synonymous with antique, outdated, and backwards. In order to be correct, an answer to a problem must be complex. In order to sell, a product must be complex. (Look at the trend in cars to become computers on wheels.)

For a business to succeed, it must be high tech and complicated. The list goes on and on, but simple is often overlooked and ignored, like that T-shirt in your drawer that is simple and clean, but never worn.

Alas, sometimes simple is best. A simple invention that replaces the layers of complexity of another product, or the simple invention that becomes wildly popular. Like the Post-it® Note. How did we ever live without them? Taping paper to the wall was oh so messy and awkward.

Simple can also mean lower cost, higher reliability, easier to use, and lower maintenance. Often a new simple invention is greeted by “Why didn’t I think of that?” But can simple be protected by a patent? Perhaps.

Is Simple Patent Eligible?

Inventions can range from technologically complex to simple and even mundane. Yet there is a misconception that if an invention is simple, a patent cannot be obtained. This is often far from the truth. If an invention is patent eligible, the decision on whether or not to patent often comes down to the scope of the prior art and the relevance of a business or marketing plan.

To be patent eligible, the invention must meet the requirements of U.S. federal statute 35 U.S.C. §101 that states “Whoever invents or discovers any new and useful process, machine, manufacture, or composition of matter, or any new and useful improvement thereof, may obtain a patent therefor, subject to the conditions and requirements of this title.”1 The four patent eligible subject matter categories, as defined by 35 U.S.C. §101 are Process, Machine, Manufacture, and Composition of Matter.

These categories may encompass both simple and complex inventions, and everything in between. That does not mean, however, that patenting a simple invention is simple. Sometimes the simplest of inventions are also the most difficult to patent because there is a great deal of prior art that gets in the way.

Patenting That Simple Invention

The simpler an invention is, the more likely it is that someone else has already come up with it. So a comprehensive patentability search in both the patent and non-patent literature is an important first step.

The results of that search will not only provide you with a file/don’t file decision, but they may also drive design changes to avoid what others may have already done, thus increasing the likelihood that the invention will receive a patent and also helping to avoid infringement.

There are several strategies that will increase the likelihood of receiving a patent for your simple invention in addition to a comprehensive patentability search. The first is to include multiple embodiments of your 10 | The ROCHESTER ENGINEER JANUARY 2016

“Why didn't I think of that?" simple invention in your patent application. This will allow you to direct your patent claims at another embodiment, should your first embodiment be rejected for prior art that is difficult to overcome. Of course multiple embodiments may drive your drafting and patent preparation costs up a bit, but it may be a good insurance policy since you can’t add new matter to a patent application once it has been filed. The second strategy is to build “retreat language” into your patent specification that describes in excruciating detail every last element of your simple invention in several different ways. This retreat language will allow you to amend your claims in the face of a rejection using the retreat language that was placed in the specification. Claim amendments to overcome references cited by the Examiner can only be made with proper support in the specification. By adding as much retreat language as possible to the specification, you can amend your claims in many different ways to overcome a wide variety of references cited by the Examiner.

The Short Claim

Let’s face it, when patent office Examiners see a short claim, they interpret it as being broad in scope, and are more apt to reject the claim. There are several myths about short claims that have been around the patent field for many years. The first is the “hand rule”. It basically says that a claim is too short and will get rejected if your hand can cover up its entire text. The second myth is the “pencil rule”. This myth says that patent examiners use pencils to measure the length of a claim. If the claim is longer than a pencil, it will be allowed. If the claim is shorter than the pencil, it will be rejected. As the month goes on, and the pencil becomes shorter from use, the Examiner will begin to allow shorter and shorter claims as the examiner’s need to meet productivity goals increases toward the end of each month. While these may purely be myths, it stands to reason that most simple inventions require not so simple claims with lots of words to make the claim narrower and thus patentable over the prior art. Revolutionary, never before heard of inventions can sometimes get by with very short claims since there is little to no prior art to avoid.

For example, the patent for Teflon® has a two word claim…. “I claim…

Polymerized tetrafluoroethylene.”2 Very broad, as there was no prior art and the invention was not simple.

Some Examples of Simple Inventions

Simple inventions are all around us. Good ideas combined with good marketing and being in the right place at the right time often result in success in the marketplace. Before you decide to patent your simple invention, just be sure it has not been done before and be clear on your business and marketing plan. Also, proper crafting of your patent application with embedded prosecution strategies in the specification will greatly increase your chances of being awarded a patent.

Here are a few well known simple inventions, many of which have rewarded their inventors handsomely: The Limited Monopoly

y

The Zipper

Breathe Right® Nasal Strips

United States Patent 1,219,881Separable Fastener

United States Patent 5,476,091 – Dilator for anatomical outer wall tissues which is adhesively mounted.

In 1913 Gideon Sundback, a SwedishAmerical electrical engineer, invented the “separable fastener”, today known as the Zipper, a term popularized by B.F. Goodrich Company when they used Sundback’s fastener on a new type of rubber boots.

In 1991 Bruce Johnson tried mechanically taping his own nose to improve his breathing, especially at night. He found it worked, and spent time perfecting this simple invention and finding a manufacturer to produce and launch it. One night on Monday Night Football, Jerry Rice was on camera wearing one, the announcers were asking what that was on his nose, and it took off. GlaxoSmithKline later bought the business for $566M.

The Slinky® United States Patent 2,415,012Toy and Process of Use

The Koosh® Ball

United States Patent 4,756,529Generally Spherical Object With Floppy Filaments To Promote Sure Capture.

Richard James, a mechanical engineer, accidentally “discovered” the slinky effect while creating a type of spring to cushion fragile equipment on a ship.

What can we say? It’s fun.

Post–it® Notes Legos United States Patent 3,005,282Toy Building Brick In 1961, The Lego® Group received a patent for what is arguably the most famous toy of the 20th century.

The Frisbee United States Patent 3,359,678Flying Saucer With origins going back to throwing Frisbie Pie Company tins at Yale University, Wham-O Manufacturing Company hit a home run with this simple product.

The Limited Monopoly

(No Drawing) United States Patent 3,691,140- Acrylate Copolymer Microspheres Invented by accident when an adhesive formulation went “bad,” 3M scientist Spencer Silver formulated the reusable adhesive and Arthur Fry came up with the idea of adding the adhesive to bookmarks.

1 See The Limited Monopoly, April 2013.

2 United States Patent 2,230,654.

Authors Robert D. Gunderman P.E. (Patent Technologies, LLC www.patentechnologies.com) and John M. Hammond P.E. (Patent Innovations, LLC www.patent-innovations.com) are both registered patent agents and licensed professional engineers.

Copyright 2016 Robert Gunderman, Jr. and John Hammond Note: This short article is intended only to provide cursory background information, and is not intended to be legal advice. No client relationship with the authors is in any way established by this article.

In keeping with our educational mission, you can now search for your favorite patent law topic of interest at www.TheLimitedMonopoly.com.

JANUARY 2016 The ROCHESTER ENGINEER | 11

Professional Firms Employee News LaBella Associates, DPC Announces A New Hire Clement Chung, P.E., is a project manager with LaBella Associates, specializing in water and wastewater engineering.

He has 15 years of experience in the evaluation, design, and management of treatment, collection/conveyance, and distribution systems. A native of London, England, Clement graduated with a master’s degree in civil and environmental engineering from Imperial College London. Clement is a licensed professional engineer in New York and Maryland.

Clement has been active in the American Society of Civil Engineers for 12 years at both local and national levels.

Clement chaired the national Committee on Younger Members, responsible for developing programs to support 21,000 young civil engineers across the U.S. and internationally. Currently, Clement serves as the President-elect of the Rochester Section, and is also a Corresponding Member on the national Leader Training Committee and Committee on Pre-College Outreach. He is also a member of the American Water Works Association and the Water Environment Federation.

Clement Chung, PE

Clement is also active in community and education advocacy organizations. He currently serves as Chair of the Advisory Committee for RocCity Coalition, a collaborative network of more almost 50 young professional groups and partner organizations in Rochester. He also leads the Community Involvement and Awareness Action Team for the Finger Lakes STEM Hub. In 2012, Clement was honored to receive the Kate Gleason Award for Young Engineer of the Year from the Rochester Engineering Society. q

Fisher Associates CEO Announces Retirement Plans

Fisher Associates, one of the leading engineering and consulting firms in Upstate NY, announced that founder and Chief Executive Officer Claire Fisher, P.E. retired on December 31, 2015. The company will leave the WBE program at this time.

Fisher Associates was founded as a Sole Proprietorship in 1984. Under Claire’s leadership, the company has grown to a $14 million dollar consulting firm that employees more than 120 employees encompassing five offices in two states.

With a B.S. from Syracuse University, Claire began her civil engineering career in 1977 with the consulting and engineering firm Erdman Anthony. With the encouragement of then EA President, Alan Blake, Claire left the company and started Fisher Associates in 1984, working mostly for private developers on site development and environmental projects. In 1990, she made her first professional hire, Robert Goossen, P.E., Fisher’s current President and next CEO. She also began expanding Fisher’s capabilities, adding highway, bridge, traffic and survey services and branching out into the energy sector to work with wind developers and

natural gas customers.

“Fisher Associates is an amazing place. I’ve enjoyed this company, our staff, and our clients. I value our client service philosophy and the engineering talent that abounds here.

I am extremely proud of Fisher’s track record of success and growth, and I am honored to have had the opportunity to lead such an experienced and talented team. Fisher Associates is in a strong position today, the best it’s ever been, and has excellent prospects for the future. We’ve been working for years to position the company with a diverse leadership team to ensure that my retirement transition is seamless. It’s comforting to know there are capable, caring people here to take this amazing company to levels I never thought possible. I’m very appreciative of the opportunities that were available to me as an individual and as a company. My career choice was likely pre-ordained, coming from an extended family of nine engineers, but starting out as a woman owned business 32 years ago was a big risk. I’ve been blessed with many friends in the industry and together we’ve worked through challenges that life and the industry present. What a career!” Claire Fisher said.

12 | The ROCHESTER ENGINEER JANUARY 2016

Robert Goossen, said “Claire has proven that she is clearly one of engineering’s leading CEOs. She is a visionary, a strategic thinker and planner and is willing to take a risk. She successfully utilized the DBE program to gain experience and establish relationships in order to position the company to graduate from the program and work as a prime consultant without the loss of clients, revenues, or employees. On behalf of the Board of Directors and our staff, I want to thank Claire for her outstanding leadership. She has been the driving force behind the company’s growth and success.”

Claire has been an active member in many organizations including the Rochester Engineering Society, New York Association of Consulting Engineers (President of the Rochester Chapter 2000-2001), 4-year member of ACEC NY Board of Directors 2002-2006, RIT Civil Technology Advisory Board, Board of Directors for Rochester Works as well as a mentor for Women Helping Girls, a Wilson Foundation Academy focused group. q Professional Firms Employee News continued on page 23 professional firms employee news

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News From

Professional Firms

Two Beardsley Projects Receive APWA Awards Beardsley Architects + Engineers announced that the Keewaydin State Park Marina Comfort Station Replacement project, and the Verona Beach State Park Bathhouse Replacement and Park Improvements Project have been selected by the Central New York Branch of the American Public Works Association to each receive the 2015 Structures/Facilities Project of the Year Award. The award recognizes public works projects that exhibit exemplary partnerships between the owner, architects and engineers, and the contractor.

Awards were presented at a ceremony held on November 19, 2015.

Both projects were completed in close collaboration with the NYS Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation, Beardsley Architects + Engineers, and the construction teams.

The Keewaydin State Park Marina Comfort Station Replacement project replaces an aging facility that had reached the end of its useful life. The new two-story building includes facilities for marina patrons as well as an open event space on the second floor for meetings, receptions, or similar events. Because the facility is located adjacent to several structures of historic significance, a key project goal was to create a design aesthetic that pays tribute to the history of the region.

The Verona Beach State Park Bathhouse Replacement and Park Improvements project replaces the existing bathhouse structure with a modern, ADA-compliant building to serve the needs of the park.

The main bathhouse includes changing and shower areas, lifeguard and break areas, and a full concession area. A separate pavilion building was also designed and constructed as part of this project, and is available for public gatherings, as are three large, open picnic shelters. q

The Keewaydin State Park Marina Comfort Station

The Verona Beach State Park Bathhouse

CHA Wins Gold at ACEC New York 2016 Engineering Excellence Awards CHA Consulting, Inc. has received a Gold Award from the American Council of Engineering Companies of New York 2016 Engineering Excellence Award. Each year, over 60 firms submit projects that are judged on a rigorous set of criteria, which includes complexity, innovation and value to society.

CHA received the Gold Award in the Transportation category for the reconstruction of Erie Boulevard, an important gateway into the City of Schenectady. The firm designed a one-mile stretch of Erie Boulevard to improve pedestrian and vehicular safety while enhancing parking, correcting roadway and drainage deficiencies, and boosting pedestrian mobility.

New parking lanes, sidewalks and visible crosswalks make Erie Boulevard safer and more accessible. The introduction of a tree lined streetscape with amenities such as brick paving, benches, news from professional firms

and 19th century style lighting have transformed the area into a go-to destination for window shoppers, tourists, and local leisure users.

"The redesign of Erie Boulevard by CHA into a pedestrian friendly and commercially welcoming area represents a major milestone for the city of Schenectady's ongoing transformation,” said Mayor Gary McCarthy. “This new image for the gateway to our downtown reinforces the idea that we are a city where people want to live and work."

Winners will be honored at the 49th Annual Engineering Excellence Awards Gala, which will take place at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City on March 19, 2016. A full list of winning projects will be available on the ACEC New York website in early 2016. q JANUARY 2016 The ROCHESTER ENGINEER | 13

Get to the Point!

Keeping Track of Your Performance It’s that time of the year again. Once a year I offer this article as an encouragement to document what you do. We all are evaluated on our performance an often our pay and promotions are linked to our accomplishments. Every year— or half-year for some people—managers and supervisors write performance appraisals to describe the strengths and weaknesses of the staff who work for them. (Performance appraisals are written about them, too, by someone further up in the organization.) This article describes a simple personal evaluation technique that can become a catalyst at performance review time.

Write a Progress Report

Many of us, as part of our work, have to write regular progress or status reports describing how a project or task is progressing. We suggest using this progress report technique to describe what you, personally, have accomplished during a specific period. This is an excellent time management tool too, because it helps you understand what you are spending your time on and what may be slipping off the agenda.

Set Aside 30 Minutes

On the last working day of every month, open up a new file and list particular accomplishments you had during the month, plus other factors that either enhanced or constrained your work. Include projects you worked on, courses you attended, committees you are involved in and any issues you helped resolve. Also include ideas you have about future projects and training or conferences that will improve your performance or help you become a more effective staff member.

The plan is to capture this information while it’s fresh in your mind.

Create a Template

The ideal way to do this is to create a format for entering information each month. The template should have brief headings followed by a space for entering information. We suggest headings like these: Personal Progress Report Month:______________ 1. Accomplishments: Planned Unplanned 2. Problems/Difficulties: Impact Steps Taken Effect Achieved 3. Objectives: Next month Balance of year 14 | The ROCHESTER ENGINEER JANUARY 2016

Your goal should be to record details about the key events that transpired during the month. Rather than describe what was expected of you, identify what you accomplished.

As the template shows, divide your information into three compartments: 1. What you accomplished, separating your information into the work you planned to do and work that was unexpected.

2. Problems that arose and how you coped with them. Divide this information into three subcompartments:  What impact the problem had on your work.  What steps you took to overcome or avert the

problem.  What effect these steps had.

3. What you plan to achieve during the next month and, if practicable, the balance of the year.

Summarize the Key Points

When performance evaluation time approaches, read through your 12 personal reports for the past year to help remind you of your activities. This is so much more effective than trying to remember it all, and you’ll be amazed at how much you accomplished. Extract key factors to show your manager or supervisor during the performance review meeting. Write them as a summary report, using the same topic headings you used for the monthly reports. You will be surprised at the positive impact this has, when your manager sees that you have prepared for the interview and have been doing some self-evaluation.

As the year winds to an end why not start fresh by writing monthly personal progress reports. Work on finding 30 minutes on the last Friday of every month and plan to write a personal progress report. If you include this in your monthly routine, you’ll find that if all is running smoothly, you will only need to focus on your Objectives. If it isn’t working this way, you have valuable scheduling and time management information to discuss with your manager.

RGI offers workshops in conflict resolution and communication skills. Please email me at LisaM@rgilearning.com with questions or comments for a future article. © 2015, RGI Learning Lisa Moretto is the President of RGI Learning, Inc. For 21 years she has helped engineers improve their oral and written communication skills. Visit www.rgilearning.com or call (866) 744-3032 to learn about RGI’s courses.

get to the point

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get

IT done

Nine Is a Good Round Number — André Godfrey It’s New Years. You’ve reached another year working in information technology. Congratulations. The betting line from your co-workers as to whether you would make it to January 2016 was set by Vegas at 4-1 and went to 6-1 mid-December. Sometime this month a friendly staffer will bring you pizza. He was the winner of that particular office pool.

of this that I see just how utterly stupid that is.

And what does New Year’s bring? Aside from cold and ice? New Year’s Resolutions. Bold resolutions. Stop your procrastinating and be decisive kind of resolutions.

Resolute resolutions.

Number four: Write more to our customers. Would it hurt me to take a few minutes out of my day to thank the people who allow me to make a living?

It was Dick Cavett who once said to me (and a few hundred people in the room at the time) that “it is not enough in life to succeed. One’s friends must also fail.” It is that hope of communal failure that I offer my resolutions to you – resolutions that come February will become as forgotten as…….as…...as.

Here are nine of them for you.

Number one: Keep my office clean.

Already I can see this one is going to be a problem. Even though I sincerely abhor (I actually do) the slovenliness of others, particularly co-workers whose cubicles are as cluttered as my Uncle Roger’s garage. Backstory: He lost his car in there once. In fairness, it was a Mini-Cooper.

I am looking around my office at the moment and the problem is fairly obvious. There are stacks of paper everywhere and it has reached a point that I no longer know what is in those stacks. I hope there are no checks in there.

Number two: Clean up my email. I have drafts I wrote three years ago. Some were written in anger and were purposely saved as drafts for a ‘cooling’ off period. That period reached its stature of limitations a long, long time ago. I get the same spam from the same companies for years running but I don’t send them permanently to ‘junk mail purgatory’ for the reason that I believe that someday, one of those emails will contain some nugget of information that will make a positive impact on my business. I actually believe that and it is only in the writing get IT done

Number three: Change my passwords. Like most of my really good ideas – the very best ones- I stole this one from someone else. Set your password to something that will remind you of the resolutions you have made, like “Wr1te2Customers.”

Number five: Quit looking at my phone every 17 seconds.

Quit it!

Number six: Write more lists. I just thought of this while writing this list. I’m a doer. If my wife writes me a list, I do it. I like the sense of accomplishment on checking the items off.

Number seven: Write lists for others. Why should I do all the work? Delegation is key.

Number eight: Get others to write their own lists! What am I doing here? I got to write my list…. and theirs?

Uh oh. This article is quickly deteriorating into a personal ramble and will serve no useful purpose. I think I’ll save it as a draft and think it over a little more before I send it.

Number nine: Stop procrastinating. Be decisive.

I hope you’re happy now. I just hit “Send.”

Think about IT.

André Godfrey is President/CEO of Entré Computer Services, www.entrecs.com

JANUARY 2016 The ROCHESTER ENGINEER | 15

Campus News RIT professor and leader in semiconductor lithography field Bruce Smith named IEEE Fellow International organization recognizes Smith’s notable career of breakthrough technologies and influence on students

Bruce Smith, professor and director of microsystems engineering at Rochester Institute of Technology, has been named a Fellow of the IEEE (the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) by the organization’s Board of Directors for his significant contributions to semiconductor lithography through research, engineering education, and technology innovation.

IEEE Fellow is the highest grade of membership and is recognized by the technical community as a prestigious honor and an important career achievement. Smith’s pioneering accomplishments in nanolithography, patterning materials, and process innovation have played a significant role in the enablement of integrated circuit technology at the nanometer scale. His interdisciplinary approach to research and education has also led to unique opportunities for students, impacting the semiconductor community for nearly three decades.

With this recent recognition, Smith has attained Fellow honors in three international professional societies for his career-spanning achievements, including becoming a Fellow of the Optical Society of America in 2013 and a Fellow of SPIE in 2007. He is also a recipient of several honors within each of the organizations including the IEEE Technical Innovation Award, and the SPIE Research Mentoring Award.

Smith also serves in various leadership roles with each organization.

“IEEE is recognized around the world as leader in technology,

education, and innovation. Being chosen as a Fellow of the society is indeed an honor,” said Smith, who directs research activities in the Nanolithography Research Laboratory in RIT’s Kate Gleason College of Engineering. His areas of expertise include highresolution semiconductor lithography, thin film materials and optical systems.

An alumnus of RIT’s Center for Imaging Science, and a member of the Kate Gleason College of Engineering faculty since 1988, Smith has published more than 200 papers, a textbook and several book chapters. He also holds over 30 patents in the areas of illumination systems, masking devices, optical system design and materials engineering, several of which have been licensed for commercialization. He has also served as visiting professor with SEMATECH at the University of Texas, Austin as well as at the international semiconductor research organization IMEC in Leuven, Belgium. In 2013 he was inducted into RIT’s Innovation Hall of Fame.

“Bruce Smith has established an international reputation as an expert and leader in the field of micro- and nano-lithography,” said Harvey Palmer, dean of RIT’s Kate Gleason College of Engineering. “He has excelled in mentoring students on research projects that have made and will continue to make a difference in the industry. Bruce’s technical advances in nanolithography have made an impact on the way that semiconductor devices are now made. His career has been nothing short of extraordinary and we can’t be more proud that he chose RIT as the place to build that career.” q

International collegiate race teams compete at Baja SAE World Challenge in Rochester RIT hosts 100 off-road race teams at the university for the sixth time

Rochester Institute of Technology will host, and compete against, 100 collegiate racecar teams from around the world at the 2016 SAE Baja World Challenge June 9-12, 2016. This is the sixth time RIT has hosted a Baja competition on its campus and at a nearby motor cross racetrack.

Teams already registered include U.S. colleges such as MCC, the University of Rochester, Clarkson University, SUNY Buffalo, Purdue, Ohio State and Michigan State universities and a large contingent from Canada, Venezuela, India, Brazil, South Korea and Mexico.

Event planners are seeking volunteers to support sales presentations taking place at the start of the competition. Team presentations, technical inspections, design judging and dynamic brake inspections take place on Photo credit: Christina Buettner Thursday and Friday, June 9 and 10, at the Gordon Field House at RIT. Events get underway on Saturday, June 11, at Hogback Hill Motorcross Track in Palmyra, N.Y., and include the hill climb, acceleration, suspension and traction competitions, as well as land maneuverability challenges. The event concludes on Sunday, June 12 with the four-hour endurance race. More information about the Baja event in Rochester can be found at www.rit.edu/clubs/baja/team.html. q Campus News continued on page 23 16 | The ROCHESTER ENGINEER JANUARY 2016

campus news

Genesee Valley Branch

American Public Works Association Website: NewYork.APWA.net Geoffrey Benway, PE, Genesee Valley Branch President Genesee Valley Branch Serving Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans and Wayne County

“Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let every new year find you a better man.”

Benjamin Franklin New Year’s Resolutions

As I reflect on the past year, I have much to be thankful for. I have two great kids who are employed and pursuing the American dream. I have an amazing grandson who keeps me young at heart. I am thankful for my work at a local government and get to work on various projects that contribute to a better life for many residents. I am thankful for my participation in APWA that gives me professional growth and a network of professionals that provide me help in day to day challenges. I believe it is important to give back to the profession and offer assistance to the next generation of public works leaders. I thank all those that I have called for assistance, advice, and cooperation. One of the new initiatives that The Genesee Valley Branch has started is a working committee with the Rochester Home Builders Association.

Rick Herman, the RHBA Chief Executive Officer, reached out to APWA to participate in a committee that looks at the challenges and solutions to expedite project delivery and improve the affordability of housing. Costs for materials continue to increase but the standard zoning, design requirements, and fees structures

have not changed in decades. This has made it difficult to offer starter homes and reasonable costs. Our first meeting resulted in great discussions and possible opportunities for improvements.

The Committee includes government officials, residential developers, contractors, and engineering firms. Our meetings are to be held three or four times a year. If you have any suggestions for topics, please feel free to contact me or Rick Herman.

It appears that 2016 will be a transition year as we welcome a new County Executive and a newly elected County Legislature.

I hope that this new start will provide the impetus to promote cooperation across the aisles and with the City of Rochester. The promise of the Photonics industry and the economic development funds offer a great opportunity for our future where all residents can reap the rewards.

I hope that APWA can continue to push the limits of public works and find innovative ways to bring costs down and expand sustainability practices in all projects.

2015 Awards Winners May I have the envelope please! The Genesee Valley Branch of APWA is proud to have selected the following award winners for 2015: Public Works Leader of the Year Charles Walter Nichols Award Exceptional Performance Award Dick Mack Award Douglas Zefting Award Historic Restoration Project of the Year Environmental Project of the Year Small Cities/Rural Communities Environmental Project of the Year Environmental Project of the Year Structures Project of the Year Structures Project of the Year Transportation Project of the Year

Tom Beck, Town of Perinton Rochelle Bell, Monroe County Planning Roslyn Goldman Dan Graham, Skanex Pipe Services Tom Birdsall, MCDES, Chris Caraccilo, NYSDOT, and, Denise Jones, Town of Webster Brooks Landing Phase 2 Dansville WWTP Improvements Gibsonville Stream Restoration Project NW Quadrant WWTP Clarifiers Macedon Center Road Bridge Irondequoit Library Regional Transit Center Center City Two-Way Conversion

Congratulations to all of winners. The presentation of all awards will be held January 28, 2016 at the RIT Inn and Conference Center.

Sponsorships are greatly appreciated!

The American Public Works Association (www.apwa.net) is a not-for-profit, international organization of more than 28,500 members involved in the field of public works. APWA serves its members by promoting professional excellence and public awareness through education, advocacy and the exchange of knowledge. APWA is headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, has an office in Washington, D.C. and 63 chapters in North America.

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JANUARY 2016 The ROCHESTER ENGINEER | 17

Position Openings

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position openings

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JANUARY 2016 The ROCHESTER ENGINEER | 19

Go to the RES Web Site for Updated Details On All Meetings - www.roceng.org

Continuing

Education Opportunities

Monday, January 11

American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, And Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) p 39 Operation and Applying Drives 1 PDH Credit Approved

Speaker: Kevin Diehl, Yasawa America, Inc. Place: Mario’s Italian Steakhouse, 2740 Monroe Avenue, Rochester Time: 12:00 pm with buffet lunch served.

Cost: $25 per person.

Reservations: Please contact Tim Duprey, tim.duprey@pres-services.com by noon, Thursday, January 7th. Additional details on the website at www.rochester.ashraechapters.org.

Association for Bridge Construction and Design (ABCD)

Engineer’s Perspective on Design Build SR 427 Case Study – 1 PDH Credit Pending

Place: Lodge on the Green, 2888 Ridgeway Avenue, Rochester Time: 12:00 pm Cost: Members - $30, Non-members - $35, Students - $20 Reservations: Contact John Papponetti by Thursday, January 7th, 585-295-6287 or JPapponetti@LaBellaPC.com.

Wednesday, January 20

Final Connections to Food Service Equipment Coordination 1 PDH Credit Pending

Tuesday, April 26, 2016 2016

Thursday, January 14

American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE)

SAVE THE DATE

p 33

Speaker: Linda Roth, Roth Consulting Place: Valicia’s Ristorante, 2155 Long Pond Road, Greece Time: 12:00 noon to 1:30 pm Cost: $20.00 (member or guest), check or cash at the door.

Reservations: Contact Dave Jereckos, 585-341-3168 or djereckos@ibceng.com by Monday, January 18th.

Engineering Symposium in Rochester Details will be posted on the website (www.roceng.org) when available!

Up to 7 PDH Credits Available!

To post continuing education opportunities on this page please contact the Rochester Engineering Society, 585-254-2350, or email: admin@roceng.org 20 | The ROCHESTER ENGINEER JANUARY 2016

continuing education calendar

Th 1 i

Engineers’ Calendar

The engineering societies are encouraged to submit their meeting notices for publication in this section. The deadline for submitting copy is the 10th of the month prior to the month of publication. Please email to: admin@roceng.org. The meetings offering PDHs are highlighted in blue. Details about the meeting and affiliate (if in this issue) are on the corresponding page listed next to the affiliate name.

Tuesday, January 5

Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) IEEE Excom Meeting

Thursday, January 14

Association for Bridge p 37 Construction and Design (ABCD)

Place: Hibachi Sushi Buffet Restaurant, South Town Plaza on Jefferson Road (Route 252), just west of West Henrietta (Route 15), Rochester.

Time: 12:00 noon.

Comment: Any IEEE member is invited to attend. Lunch is only $5 for IEEE members and $3 for student members.

No reservations are needed, just show up. Directions can be obtained on the website: http://rochester.ieee.org/ events-activities/monthly-excom-meetings/

Operation and Applying Drives I PDH Credit Approved

p 39

Speaker: Kevin Diehl, Yasawa America, Inc. Place: Mario’s Italian Steakhouse, 2740 Monroe Avenue, Rochester Time: 12:00 pm with buffet lunch served.

Cost: $25 per person.

Reservations: Please contact Tim Duprey, tim.duprey@pres-services.com by noon, Thursday, January 7th. Additional details on the website at www.rochester.ashraechapters.org.

Wednesday, January 13

Society for Imaging Science And Technology (IS&T)

Place: Lodge on the Green, 2888 Ridgeway Avenue, Rochester Time: 12:00 pm Cost: Members - $30, Non-members - $35, Students - $20 Reservations: Contact John Papponetti by Thursday, January 7th, 585-295-6287 or JPapponetti@LaBellaPC.com.

Tuesday, January 19 & February 9 Illuminating Engineering Society (IES)

p 35

Presentation and Voting for IES Rochester Lighting Awards

Monday, January 11

American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, qnd Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)

p 28

Engineer’s Perspective on Design Build SR 427 Case Study 1 PDH Credit Pending

p 40

Kodak Alaris Premium Duplex Photo Fulfillmant

Speaker: Bob F. Mindler, Thermal Printing Technology in Imaging Consumer Place: Room 1275 of the Carlson Center for Imaging Science on the RIT Campus. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Time: 6:00 pm.

Website: http://rochesterengineeringsociety.wildapricot. org/ISandT

Awards will be presented on February 9th (same place, time and cost as Jan. 19 meeting) Place: Rick’s Prime Rib, 898 Buffalo Road, Gates Time: 12:00 noon Cost: $30 per person (includes lunch). Cash, checks or credit cards (Visa, M/C, Amex, or Discover) accepted at the door.

Reservations: Contact Diane Montrois at 585.254.8010 or diane@illuminfx.com by January 12, 2016 for BOTH meetings.

Wednesday, January 20

Association for Facilities Engineering (AFE)

AFE College Scholarship Ceremony at the RMSC

p 26

Guest speaker: Heidi Zimmer-Meyer, City of Rochester Planning Commission Place: RMSC, 657 East Avenue, Rochester, NY Time: 5:30 pm Cost: Members - $25, Non-members - $30 Reservations: Reservations by Jan. 15th to Dennis Roote, CDE Engineering, 585-330-6986, dennis.roote@cde-pllc.com.

Wednesday, January 20

American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE)

p 33

Final Connections to Food Service Equipment Coordination 1 PDH Credit Pending Speaker: Linda Roth, Roth Consulting Place: Valicia’s Ristorante, 2155 Long Pond Road, Greece Time: 12:00 noon to 1:30 pm Cost: $20.00 (member or guest), check or cash at the door.

Reservations: Contact Dave Jereckos, 585-341-3168 or djereckos@ibceng.com by Monday, January 18th.

Engineers' Calendar continued on page 22... engineers' calendar

JANUARY 2016 The ROCHESTER ENGINEER | 21

Wed. January 20 – Fri. January 22 Genesee Valley Land Surveyors Association (GVLSA)

2016 NYSAPLS 57 Annual Conference – “Planes, Trains, and Automobiles”

Wednesday, February 10 p 38

th

Location: Turning Stone Casino.

Reservations: Visit www.nysapls.org for details and to sign up.

Thursday, January 21

International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE)

Overview of SERC Research Activities

p 34

Speaker: Dr. Mitchell Kerman, Director of Program Development and Transition, Systems Engineering Research Center (SERC), Stevens Institute of Technology Place: 8 hosts available. See page 34 for details or go to the website at www.incose/org/flc Time: Meetings begins at 6:00 pm and ends at approximately 7:30 pm.

If you need details or have any concerns contacting a host email Kevin Devaney at kdevaney@srcinc.com

Tuesday, January 26

Independent Entrepreneurs Council (IEC)

p 27

Webinar: Examination of the Correlation of Turbidity to Total Suspended Solids for Water Quality Determinations Speaker: Dennis R. Roote, PE, CDE Engineering and Environmental, PLLC Time: 12:00 EST Registration required: Visit www.cde-pllc.com/news

p 32

Place: RIT Campus, James E. Booth (BOO) building, University Gallery (UNI) Time: 6:00pm – Hors d’oeuvres and cash bar; 7:00pm – Dinner; 8:00pm – Award Ceremony and Presentation Cost: ASCE members $50, Non-members $60, Students $20 Reservations: Contact Ergin Akbas at ascerochester@gmail.com or 716.601.4747 by Monday, Jan. 18th. Detailed directions will be provided to guests upon receiving a RSVP. Parking in Lot F.

Attend A Meeting 22 | The ROCHESTER ENGINEER JANUARY 2016

An Overview of the Thermal Infrared Sensor (TIRS) on Board Landsat 8

Speaker: Matthew Montanaro, Senior Research Scientist, RIT Place: Room 1275 of the Carlson Center for Imaging Science on the RIT Campus. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Time: 6:00 pm.

Website: http://rochesterengineeringsociety.wildapricot.org/ ISandT

SAVE THE DATE Tuesday, April 16, 2016 114th RES Annual Gala Sponsorships are now Available on the Website!

(See page 23 & 24)

The RES website (www.roceng.org) has

ASCE Engineer of the Year Banquet Honoring Harry G. Cooke, PhD., PE

Support Your Affiliate

p 40

www.roceng.org

Wednesday, January 27 American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)

Society for Imaging Science And Technology (IS&T)

a calendar of events for this month's meetings and meetings that are received or updated after the print deadline.

Please refer to the website for updated information. If you wish to be listed on the calendar please send details to admin@roceng.org. engineers' calendar

Professional Firms Employee News Foit-Albert Associates’ Jason T. Ciurzynski, PE, LEED AP Earns Professional Engineering License Foit-Albert Associates, Architecture, Engineering, and Surveying, P.C. announced that Jason T. Ciurzynski, of Cheektowaga, New York, has become a licensed Professional Engineer in the State of New York.

Jason T. Ciurzynski, PE

Mr. Ciurzynski has over eight years of experience in civil engineering working on a wide range of projects including highway and bridge design, structural inspections and assessments and construction support.

Mr. Ciurzynski, who also holds a professional engineering license from the state of Pennsylvania, earned a master of arts in business administration from Canisius College and a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering technology from Rochester Institute of Technology. q

Campus News RIT graduate student wins Young Investigator Award for research toward atrial fibrillation solution Prestigious award presented by Upstate New York Cardiac Electrophysiology Society to Anthony Salmin

Graduate electrical engineering student, Anthony Salmin, was recently presented the Gordon K. Moe Young Investigator Award for his work in furthering the development of a solution to improve atrial fibrillation therapy. He was presented the award and $1,000 stipend earlier this month at the annual Upstate New York Cardiac Electrophysiology Society annual meeting and conference in Rochester, N.Y. The award is given for the top research presentation given by medical, graduate and undergraduate students, post-doctoral trainees and fellows and junior faculty at the conference.

Salmin’s work focused on analyzing data and characteristics from electrocardiograms inside of the left atrium to better detect the source of atrial fibrillation, also referred to as an irregular heartbeat. This fluctuation of the heart’s normal beat and rhythm can cause poor blood flow, stroke and complications from blood clots. The ability to better detect the source of the anomaly could lead toward prevention.

“I wasn’t expecting any recognition for the project, mainly because of the competition at

the conference. Most of the competitors were more on the pharmaceutical side of the atrial fibrillation problem,” said Salmin, a graduate electrical engineering student in RIT’s Kate Gleason College of Engineering. His work was based on assessing certain trends and what to expect when a multi-polar diagnostic catheter is moved closer to an atrial fibrillation source.

“My work was to take these characteristics and analyze them, then generate an algorithm that will autonomously guide that catheter to the center of the rotor, a general point where the irregular electrical activity is thought to be, and validate this further,” he added. Pinpointing the location of the irregular activity could result in better treatments of atrial fibrillation.

Salmin is part of the Biomedical Signal and Image Analysis Lab in the engineering college.

He works closely with Behnaz Ghoraani, lab leader, and assistant professor of biomedical engineering, and Prasanth Ganesan, engineering doctoral student and Kristina Shillieto, an undergraduate electrical engineering major.

Ghoraani’s work in the area of atrial fibrillation

professional firms employee news | campus news

was funded by the National Institutes for Health in May. Her associates on that research are Elizabeth Cherry, assistant professor of mathematical sciences at RIT and Dr. Arkady Pertsov of SUNY Upstate Medical University.

“For Anthony, this recognition can lead to bigger and better future for him,” said Ghoraani. “The research is being recognized as important, and this application, developing a software add-on to the technology that exists right now is significant in the treatment of atrial fibrillation,” she said.

“And right now, there is nothing that can provide such feedback. So this is an emerging area. We are seeing other groups doing work in this area since we started the research last year. It is very competitive, and it reminds us how important this work is.”

Salmin intends to continue research in this area as he begins an engineering doctoral program at RIT in the fall. “My long term goals after finishing the Ph.D. would be going into industry for a while, getting practical, real world experience to eventually come back and become a professor.” q

JANUARY 2016 The ROCHESTER ENGINEER | 23

24 | The ROCHESTER ENGINEER JANUARY 2016

res news - gala sponsorship

p

GALA PROGRAM 5:00 PM RECEPTION & SILENT AUCTION hors d’oeuvres, cocktails & music ENGINEERS ROC! Displays 6:30 PM DINNER, AWARDS, ENTERTAINMENT 9:30 PM DESSERT & COFFEE

ENGINEERING HONORS 2015 Engineer of the Year 2015 Young Engineer of the Year 2015 Engineers of Distinction Scholarships to High School & College Students RES Board Awards

GALA COMMITTEES HELP NEEDED

www.roceng.org - for more information res news - gala save the date

JANUARY 2016 The ROCHESTER ENGINEER | 25

Association for Facilities Engineering Rochester Chapter No. 21

2015/16 BOARD OF DIRECTORS PRESIDENT Matthew Knights Ultrafab Inc. (585) 924-2186 ext. 221 mknights@ultrafab.com VICE PRESIDENT Frank St. George J.T. Mauro Co. (585) 210-4491 fstgeorge@jtmauro.com SECRETARY Craig Avalone CHA Companies (585) 232-5610 CAvalone@chacompanies.com TREASURER Dennis Roote CDE Engineering & Environment, PLLC (585) 330-6986 dennis.roote@cde-pllc.com ASSISTANT TREASURER Tom Acquilano Trane Supply (585) 256-1028 Tom.Acquilano@trane.com IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT Josh Murray - R L Stone Co. Inc. (585) 203-1222 joshm@rl-stone.com DELEGATE DIRECTORS Jeff Bidell – Erdman Anthony Dan Friday – YMCA Tom Ward - YMCA Joseph R. Graves – RMSC Fred Schreiner – Buckpitt and Co. Mark Ramsdell – Haley & Aldrich CHAPTER HISTORIAN Joe Dioguardi – MicroMod CHAIRMAN, EDUCATION COMMITTEE Thomas Coburn -The Gleason Works (585) 461-8073 tcoburn@gleason.com CHAIRMAN, COMMUNICATION COMMITTEE Bryan D. Stalk - Crosby-Brownlie (585) 325-1290 bstalk@crosbybrownlie.com CHAIRMAN, MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE Kurt Finkbeiner (585) 671-7771 kfinkbeiner@rochester.rr.com

January 2016 Meeting Notice Date/Time: Wednesday, January 20, 2016 – 5:30 p.m.

AFE College Scholarship Ceremony at the Rochester Museum and Science Center This is our annual scholarship night, when AFE proudly awards three $1500 scholarships.

The scholarship candidates are from FLCC, MCC and RIT (3rd and 4th Year). This represents an important night for our organization, as it represents our way of supporting and advancing the young engineering minds in our community, with great appreciation to our generous membership.

Our guest presentation speaker is Heidi Zimmer-Meyer of the City of Rochester Planning Commission. Please join us for an insightful presentation, rewarding ceremony, and delicious food in a fabulous atmosphere—a great way to kick off the new year!

Address/Directions: RMSC, 657 East Avenue,

Rochester NY 14607 From Rochester, take I-490 to Goodman Street - Exit (17). Turn left onto Goodman (coming from the west) or right (from the East). Follow Goodman to East Avenue. Turn Right onto East Avenue - 657 is on the right.

Dinner: On site at RMSC

Amazing buffet, catered by Mario’s Via Bruzzi, that includes: - International and Domestic Cheese & RelishTray - Mixed Greens and Vegetables Salad with Assorted Dressings - Fresh Baked Italian Rolls, with butter - Baked Chicken in a Mushroom Sauce - Combination of Meatballs & Italian Sausage, with Mario's Pasta Sauce - Red Bliss Potatoes, with butter & parsley - Penne with Mario's Pasta Sauce - Mixed Vegetable Medley - Italian Cookies and Coffee

Cost: Members - $25

Non Member - $30

Please RSVP by January 15, 2016 to: Dennis Roote CDE Engineering (585) 330-6986 dennis.roote@cde-pllc.com

26 | The ROCHESTER ENGINEER JANUARY 2016

afe news

Rochester NY Chapter

Independent Entrepreneurs Council "The Junction of Technology, Manufacturing & Business Development" Chairman/Moderator Ralph Kraft R. Kraft, Inc 585-621-6946 Program Director Robert Lewis AdviCoach 585-385-2087 Treasurer Richard Blazey Business Metamorphosis LLC 585-520-3935 Web Master Richard Blazey Business Metamorphosis LLC 585-520-3935 Event Planner Rick Rivers The Rivers Organization 585-586-6906 Community Outreach: Terry Rogelstad Pfeiffer Vacuum 585-330-9713 Dave Bassett Bassett IP Strategies 585-739-9726 Lee Drake OS Cubed 585-765-2444 Dennis Roote CDE Engineering & Environmental PLCC 585-330-6986

Entrepreneurs Helping Entrepreneurs Succeed Monthly Breakfast Series Date: Tuesday, January 26, 2016 Location: This is a Webinar Time: 12:00 EST Registration Required: Visit www.cde-pllc.com/news Topic: "Examination of the Correlation of Turbidity to Total

Suspended Solids for Water Quality Determinations"

Presenter: Dennis R. Roote, PE Abstract: Turbidity and Total Suspended Solids (TSS) are water quality parameters frequently written into wastewater and stormwater discharge rules and permits. Though different from each other, they both serve as indicators of solids loading in these types of discharges. This webinar will examine the effects of both turbidity and TSS on water quality, the differences between them, and how turbidity may or may not be a good indicator of TSS loading in wastewater or stormwater.

Dennis Roote is president and owner of CDE Engineering and Environmental, PLLC. Mr. Roote has over 30 years of experience in industrial wastewater treatment, stormwater management, and environmental compliance. He holds a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering from the University of Pittsburgh, and is a Licensed Professional Engineer in New York, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island and Ohio.

Upcoming Talks: Date Speaker February 2016 Dr. David Glocker

Topic Inverted Cylindrical Magnetron Sputtering: Technologies. and Applications

March 2016

Topic TBA

If you are a “technology based entrepreneur” and you feel that you have a topic of interest that you would like to present, contact Bob Lewis (585-385-2087).

Talks are the 3rd Tuesday of every month (0800-0930), Reservation Required.

Join us at our Monthly luncheon meeting to see how we can help you grow your business.

Contact one of the persons listed to the left for time and place.

iec news

JANUARY 2016 The ROCHESTER ENGINEER | 27

Association for Bridge Construction and Design Western New York Chapter Website: www.abcdwny.org

HAPPY NEW YEAR! FROM THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

2016 Upcoming Events Jan 14, 2016

12:00 PM Meeting – Lodge on the Green, Rochester, NY Engineer’s Perspective on Design Build – SR 427 Case Study

Feb ?

RIT Hockey Game Outing

Engineers Week Feb 21 - 27 Feb 25, 2016

2:00 PM - Buffalo Annual Model Bridge Contest 6:00 PM - Feb Meeting - Subject to be determined.

All at Classics V in Tonawanda

March 16, 2016

Annual TSC Meeting Solar City Presentation at Salvatore's Italian Gardens in Depew

April 6, 2016

Annual Spring Seminar at Batavia Downs Conference Center – 5+ PDHs

April 18, 2016

Submissions due for Bridge Awards

May 19, 2016

Annual Meeting at the Red Osier, Stanford, NY Bridge Awards & Election of Officers

June 16, 2016

Scholarship Golf Tournament at Terry Hills in Batavia, NY

Nov 18, 2016

Annual Fall Conference at Millennium Hotel in Buffalo See our web site at (www.abcdwny.org) for updates.

28 | The ROCHESTER ENGINEER JANUARY 2016

abcd news

a

Association for Bridge Construction and Design Western New York Chapter Website: www.abcdwny.org

CALL FOR PAPERS ABCD Spring Seminar Batavia Downs, Batavia, NY Wednesday, April 6, 2016

The Western New York Chapter of the Association for Bridge Construction and Design is seeking technical presenters for the ABCD Spring Seminar. The seminar has grown over the years and last year we had over 100 bridge industry professionals interested in exchanging ideas and information regarding the design, fabrication, and construction of bridges.

You are invited to submit abstracts related to all aspects of bridge design, engineering, and construction perspectives (regardless of the project type and size). Some topics of interest may include, but are not limited to, the following: • Aesthetics/Contextual Design • Bridge Construction Techniques • Bridge Management Systems • Case Studies and Planning Projects • Codification of Bridge Design • Design, Analysis and Modeling • Environmental Impact Assessment • High Performance Materials and Components

I-190 / Buffalo Avenue 2015 ABCD Bridge Award over $2 M

Penora Street / Cayuga Creek 2015 ABCD Bridge Award under $2 M

• Inspection, Rehabilitation and Retrofit • Maintenance and Evaluation • Procurement, Construction and PM • Reliability and Risk Management • Safety and Serviceability • Seismic and Wind Design • Security against Terrorist Attack • Smart Structures • Vehicle Bridge Interaction

Abstracts for potential presentations shall be a maximum of one type-written page and include a description of the topic, the names and titles of the presenter(s), and identify the duration of the presentation as 25, 50 or 80 minutes. Please submit abstracts no later than February 17, 2016 to either:

Curt Krempa, PE

Nussbaumer & Clarke, Inc. 3556 Lake Shore Road, Suite 500 Buffalo, NY 14219-1494 (716) 827-8000, ckrempa@nussclarke.com abcd news

William F. Rugg, PE

GPI / Greenman Pedersen, Inc. 4950 Genesee Street, Suite 100 Buffalo, NY 14225 (716) 633-4844, wrugg@gpinet.com JANUARY 2016 The ROCHESTER ENGINEER | 29

30 | The ROCHESTER ENGINEER JANUARY 2016

swe news

ea news

JANUARY 2016 The ROCHESTER ENGINEER | 31

Rochester Section

American Society of Civil Engineers

ROCHESTER SECTION Established in 1923

Website: www.asce.org

Board Editorial

By Ergin Akbas, A.M. ASCE, Rochester Section Director

ASCE

ENGINEER OF THE YEAR BANQUET

Honoring Harry G. Cooke, PhD., PE

Wednesday, January 27, 2016 Location: Rochester Institute of Technology

1 Lomb Memorial Drive, Rochester, NY 14623 Building, James E. Booth (BOO) University Gallery (UNI)

Parking: Time:

Cost:

LOT F (no parking pass required) 6:00 PM

6:00 PM - Hors D’oeuvres and Cash Bar 7:00 PM - Dinner 8:00 PM - Award Ceremony and Presentation

Members $50 Non-Members $60, Students $20

ASCE Life Members are complimentary

RSVP: Upcoming Programs:

Parking Details:

• Any General (not reserved/admin) parking space in Lot F. • Parking passes are not required for Lot F

Details on website: ascerochester.org February 2015

ASCE Ski Day Bristol Mountain

February 2015

Bayonne Bridge Hilton Garden Inn

February 2015

RIT Resume Review

March 2015

I-81 Corridor Hilton Garden Inn

Ergin Akbas at ascerochester@gmail.com or 716.601.4747 by Monday, January 18, 2016.

To University Gallery in James E Booth Hall:

• Follow the sidewalk between Lots E and F toward the brick overpass.

• Turn right into Booth Hall. Go straight, up the three steps, and continue straight.

Notes:

32 | The ROCHESTER ENGINEER JANUARY 2016

• Significant others and guests are welcome • Detailed directions will be provided to guests upon RSVP

asce news

s

Rochester, NY Chapter

American Society of Plumbing Engineers President: ALAN SMITH, P.E. IBC Engineering, P.C. 3445 Winton Place, Suite 219 Rochester, NY 14623 585-292-1590 Vice President Technical: DAVID JERECKOS IBC Engineering, PC 3445 Winton Place, Suite 219 Rochester, NY 14623 585-292-1590 Vice President Legislative: JENNIFER WENGENDER, PE, CPD Clark Patterson Lee 205 St Paul Blvd Rochester, NY 14604 585-454-7600 Vice President Membership: DOUG MEIER Twin”D” Associates 1577 Ridge Road West, Suite 116B Rochester, NY 14615 585-581-2170 Treasurer: TERRY BROWN, CPD M/E Engineering, PC 150 North Chestnut Street Rochester, NY 14604 585-288-5590 Administrative Secretary: ADAM KRAMER IBC Engineering, PC 3445 Winton Place, Suite 219 Rochester, NY 14623 585-292-1590 Education Chairman: JENNIFER WENGENDER, PE, CPD Clark Patterson Lee 205 St Paul Blvd Rochester, NY 14604 585-454-7600 Newsletter Editor: DAVID MYERS LaBella Associates, DPC 300 State Street Suite 201 Rochester, NY 14614 585-454-6110 Affiliate Liaison: ADAM FRENZEL Empire State Associates 181 Bay Village Drive Rochester, NY 14609 585-602-0271

aspe news

www.aspe.org

President's Message

Happy New Year and welcome to 2016!

The Alfred Steele Scholarship application deadline is January 31st. The scholarship is limited to ASPE members and their immediate family (i.e. – spouses and children) who are planning a career in engineering. Additional information is available at the ASPE website.

Registration for the 2016 CPD Exam is now open. Exam dates are March 30th and April 1st. To learn more about the CPD and eligibility, go to www.aspe.org/CPD. The ASPE Tables App for iPhones and iPads has been updated. The App can be downloaded from the iTunes Store for free. Search for “ASPE Tables App 2.0”. You need to be a member in good standing to access all feature available from the App. Alan Smith, P.E. Rochester Chapter President

Meeting Notice – Save the Date Topic: Final Connections to Food Service Equipment Coordination Speaker: Linda Roth, Roth Consulting Date:

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Time:

12:00 noon - 1:30 pm

Place:

Valicia's Ristorante, 2155 Long Pond Road, Rochester 14606 (just north of Route 31, Gates)

Credits: PDH Approval Pending (call or e-mail for confirmation after January 15th).

Cost:

$20.00 (member or guest), check or cash at the door.

RSVP: To Dave Jereckos (585-341-3168) or djereckos@ibceng.com by Monday, January 18th.

Future meetings: February 17th, March 16th (Chapters are not authorized to speak for the Society) JANUARY 2016 The ROCHESTER ENGINEER | 33

Finger Lakes Chapter

International Council on Systems Engineering www.incose/org/flc

Finger Lakes Chapter of INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL ON SYSTEMS ENGINEERING www.incose.org/flc

Upcoming Chapter Meeting Events • Thursday, January 21, 2016: January Chapter Meeting

 Dr. Mitchell Kerman, Director of Program Development and Transition, Systems Engineering Research Center (SERC), Stevens Institute of Technology

Overview of SERC Research Activities

Dr. Kerman is the Director of Program Development and Transition for the SERC, and is going to present an overview of the different research projects underway at the center. Dr. Kerman oversees strategic communications and outreach to develop and nurture sponsorships, collaborative relationships and key external alliances with industry, government and academic institutions. He also promotes and expands the awareness of SERC programs and initiatives.

(Please RSVP with your local host – refer to the list below)

• Thursday, February 18, 2016: February Chapter Meeting 

Dr. David Schneider, Field Lecturer, Systems Engineering, Cornell University

Introduction to Maker Faire

Dr. Schneider is going to talk about Maker Faire. From the Maker Faire website: “What is Maker Faire? We call it the Greatest Show (& Tell) on Earth. Maker Faire is part science fair, part county fair, and part something entirely new! As a celebration of the Maker Movement, it’s a family-friendly showcase of invention, creativity, and resourcefulness.”

• Thursday, March 17, 2016: March Chapter Meeting - Speaker and Topic TBD • Meetings begin at 6:00 and run to approximately 7:30 pm

 Please RSVP with your local host - a list of local hosts and their contact information is below; if there are any issues contacting one of them, or there are any other questions or concerns, please contact Kevin Devaney at kdevaney@srcinc.com.

1. Ithaca, NY 2. Syracuse University 3. Xerox 4. Binghamton University 5. Rome, NY 6. SRC, No. Syracuse, NY 7. Lockheed Martin SI 8. Rochester Inst. of Tech.

Wesley Hewett at wahewett@gmail.com, Ithaca, NY; Dr. Young Moon at ybmoon@syr.edu, 220 Link Hall Charles Rizzolo at charles.rizzolo@xerox.com Steve Czarnecki at czar@binghamton.edu Bruce Rubin at bruceieeerubin@yahoo.com Kevin Devaney at devaney@srcinc.com, 6225 Running Ridge Road, 13212 Shirley Kupst at shirley.kupst@lmco.com, LMCO Clark Hochgraf at cghiee@rit.edu, RIT, Rochester, NY, Bld 82, Room 1150

34 | The ROCHESTER ENGINEER JANUARY 2016

incose news

s

Illuminating Engineering Society

Rochester, NY Section P.O. Box 23795 Rochester, NY 14692 www.iesrochester.org

IES Rochester Lighting Awards Each year, the IES - Rochester Section recognizes excellence in design for local lighting projects. We invite Rochester area Engineers, Architects, Designers, Contractors, Lighting Reps and anyone else to submit your best projects. We want to see your best work so show us your lighting projects in three different categories:

The Harley Hill Excellence in Lighting Award Harley Hill was a well known member of the Rochester area professional lighting community and was very active in the local IES. These awards have been named in tribute to him and signify the best lighting projects as submitted by local firms and as judged by members of the local lighting community.

There are two Harley Hill Awards - one for interior lighting projects and one for exterior lighting projects. These awards place particular emphasis on design.

The Unitrac Energy Excellence in Green Lighting Award The Unitrac Energy award was created to recognize submissions where emphasis is placed on efficiencies towards a better environment [Interior or Exterior].

Submissions are due no later than Friday December 25, 2015 Presentation & Voting is on January 19th - Awards will be presented February 9th.

The February 9th date is a reschedule of our canceled "Codes" meeting.

Both are at 12:00 noon - Rick's Prime Rib - 898 Buffalo Road - $30 ea (includes lunch) Cash, checks or credit card - Visa, M/C, Amex, or Discover - accepted at the door

You may submit as many projects as you like per guidelines but you need to decide which one of the three categories to enter each project (multiple categories not permitted)

Application guidelines can be found on our website - www.iesrochester.com Please RSVP for these events by 1/12/16 to Diane Montrois at 585.254.8010 or diane@illuminfx.com ies news

JANUARY 2016 The ROCHESTER ENGINEER | 35

36 | The ROCHESTER ENGINEER JANUARY 2016

ieee news

ieee news

JANUARY 2016 The ROCHESTER ENGINEER | 37

Genesee Valley Land Surveyors Association Website: www.gvlsa.com

Year 2016 Officers President Roy B. Garfinkel, LS Vice President Jared R. Ransom, LS Secretary Robert J. Avery, LS Treasurer Michael A. Venturo, LS

Board of Directors

January 2016

2014-2016 Clifford J. Rigerman, LS Joseph J. Hefner, LS 2015-2017 Jeffrey A. Tiede, LS Scott E. Measday, LS 2016-2018 Justin M. Roloson, LS Douglas W. Magde, LS

John F. Gillen, LS, ex officio

Tentative 2016 Meeting Dates January 20-22 2016 NYSAPLS Conference Turning Stone Casino

Thursday, February 18 BOD Meeting

Thursday, March 10

2016 NYSAPLS 57th Annual Conference “Planes, Trains, and Automobiles”

WebinarRe-Broadcast: "Legal Property Descriptions: Basics, Easements, The Gold Standards," with Knud Hermansen

Thursday, April 21

at Turning Stone Casino Wednesday January 20th through Friday January 22nd

BOD Meeting

May Finger Lakes Dinner - Date TBD

June

Registration is open.

Visit www.nysapls.org and sign up today.

Sporting Clays Evebt

July Golf Tournament or Family Picnic?

Thursday, September 8 Webinar Re-Broadcast. Speaker TBD

Professional Affiliations • • •

New York State Association of Professional Land Surveyors, Inc. National Society of Professional Surveyors Rochester Engineering Society

38 | The ROCHESTER ENGINEER JANUARY 2016

Thursday February 18 BOD Meeting gvlsa news

s

Rochester Chapter

American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers Rochester ASHRAE website: www.rochester.ashraechapters.org

President's Message

Our December lunch meeting was well attended. I would like to thank Mr. Jeffrey Day, Vice President of Day Automation for his presentation on Control Systems – Ways to Find Performance Issues.

We hope to see you at our January meeting, as we welcome Kevin Diehl of Yasawa America to present on AC Drives – Operation and Application Considerations. Come and enjoy Making Connections!

The ASHRAE Winter Conference and AHR Expo is quickly approaching on January 23-27, 2016, in Orlando, Florida. The ASHRAE Learning Institute will offer many courses during the conference. If you would like to attend the conference and any of the courses, more information can be found at https://www.ashrae. org/membership--conferences/ conferences/2016-ashrae-winterconference.

JANUARY NEWSLETTER

January ASHRAE Meeting PDH Approved Date: Location:

Time:

Monday, January 11, 2016 Mario’s Italian Steakhouse 2740 Monroe Ave., Rochester 12 PM with Buffet Lunch Served

Cost:

$25.00

Speaker:

Kevin Diehl, Yasawa America, Inc.

Topic:

Operation and Applying Drives

Please RSVP by noon Thursday, January 7th to Tim Duprey, tim.duprey@pres-services.com.

On Friday, February 5th, 2016 the Rochester ASHRAE Chapter will be hosting its 59th Annual Valentine Dinner Dance at the Stratthallan Rochester.

Jody and Matthew McGarry put on a fantastic evening event. If you haven’t attended it before, please consider joining us. If you’ve gone before, then you know all about the fantastic food, music, flowers and chocolates. It is a terrific time!

Lastly, Ed Burns is the Chairperson for the Nominating Committee. If you feel that you or someone you know would make a good board member for the Rochester Chapter, please contact Ed at ejb@mechtechhvac. com.

Christina Walter 2015-2016 President Rochester Chapter ashrae news

Please continue to check out our website at www.rochester.ashraechapters.org for information on upcoming chapter meetings, current officer list and contact information, our current newsletter and more! Or if Facebook is your preferred method of communication take a moment to 'like' us at www.facebook.com/#!/ashraerochester.

JANUARY 2016 The ROCHESTER ENGINEER | 39

Rochester Chapter

Society for Imaging Science and Technology Website: http://rochesterengineeringsociety.wildapricot.org/ISandT Save the Dates: 2015-16 Meeting Schedule January 13, 2016 - "Kodak Alarix Premium Duplex Photo Fulfillment," by Bob F. Mindler, Thermal Printing Technology in Imaging Consumer February 10, 2016 - "An overview of the Thermal Infrared Sensor (TIRS) on Board Landsat 8," by Matthew Montanaro, RIT March 9, 2016 - Astronomy - "Kicked" Black Holes," by Professor Andy Robinson, RIT

April 13, 2016 - RIT Student Presentations.

May 11, 2016 - TBD Our meetings are held at 6:00 pm in Room 1275 of the Carlson Center for Imaging Science on the RIT campus. Everyone is welcome to attend. Parking is available in the F lot, just north of the building. No meeting reservations are required.

January IS&T Meeting - Wednesday, January 13, 2016 Kodak Alaris Premium Duplex Photo Fulfillment

Presented by Bob F. Mindler, Thermal Printing Technology in Imaging Consumer Abstract:

Kodak Alaris Retail Systems Solutions has been focusing on the growing market for high-demand premium photo products which requires rich photographic detail and double-sided printing. Products such as the KODAK D4600 Duplex Photo Printer with its compact design and flexibility, provides a powerful printer that integrates seamlessly with existing KODAK Picture Kiosks, KODAK Adaptive Picture Exchange (APEX) or stand-alone PC workstations. The KODAK D4600 Duplex Photo Printer and KODAK D4600 Photo Paper enables in store production of vivid, borderless Premium Double-Sided Photo Books, Calendars and Greeting Cards that make it easy for consumers to enrich, share and relive the special KODAK MOMENTS in their lives. This presentation will describe the details and features of this new duplex printing system and show how it has

been designed to integrate flexibility that is easy and efficient for the retail environment.

Biography:

Bob Mindler has worked in New Product Development for over 34 years at Eastman Kodak Company and Kodak Alaris Inc. Of those 34 years, 29 years have been directly related the Dye Diffusion Thermal Transfer printing, ranging from designing printer subsystems to Chief Engineer on printer projects to his current role as Kodak Alaris’s Manager of Thermal Printing Technology in Imaging Consumer. Bob is either Inventor or Co-Inventor on 54 US patents related to thermal printing. He holds a BS in Business Management from Rochester Institute of Technology, an AS in Mechanical Technology from Rochester Institute of Technology and an AS in Business Management from Monroe Community College.

February IS&T Meeting - Wednesday, February 10, 2016 An overview of the Thermal Infrared Sensor (TIRS) on board Landsat 8 Presented by Matthew Montanaro, Senior Research Scientist, Rochester Institute of Technology

Abstract:

performance of the instrument and the quality of the data products.

The Landsat 8 Thermal Infrared Sensor (TIRS) continues long-wave thermal infrared measurements of the Earth for the Landsat program.

A late addition to the Landsat 8 payload, the instrument was designed and tested at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center on an accelerated schedule in order to meet the launch target date. Pre-flight instrument testing provided the necessary data to characterize the instrument performance and to develop radiometric calibration procedures and algorithms. Once on orbit, TIRS was activated and the calibration parameters were updated to account for any changes experienced through launch (in its operational environment). The instrument's radiometric performance is continuously tracked and adjustments to the calibration are made as necessary. This presentation will provide an overview of the TIRS instrument design as well as discuss the development of the radiometric calibration process, including a summary of issues that have been encountered that affect the overall

Biography:

Matthew Montanaro, Senior Research Scientist, Chester F. Carlson Center for Imaging Science, Rochester Institute of Technology received a bachelor of science degree in physics and a doctor of philosophy degree in imaging science from the Rochester Institute of Technology. He served as a calibration scientist at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center from 2009 to 2014 on the Landsat Calibration and Validation team. He specialized in the calibration of the Thermal Infrared Sensor (TIRS) and was directly involved in the definition of the calibration methodologies, execution of characterization tests, and analyses of instrument performance data, both pre-flight and on-orbit. He currently continues his Landsat work, and other NASArelated projects, as a research scientist at the Rochester Institute of Technology.

An Announcement to Chapter Members

Like many organizations, IS&T faces ongoing issues, such as involvement levels and costs. Over the next several months, we will be seeking your input regarding our programs and a possible Special Interest Group.

In the meantime, we will be taking a first step to reduce costs. Those of you who are paid members of IS&T receive a hardcopy of this publication, the Rochester Engineer, mailed to you. In recent years it has also been available electronically (http://www.roceng.org/), and it is our plan to make this the primary means of distribution. If you prefer to continue receiving the hardcopy, we ask that you “opt-in” by becoming local IS&T members for 2016 and e-mailing RochesterIST@gmail.com, or mailing us at the RES address given inside the front cover.

40 | The ROCHESTER ENGINEER JANUARY 2016

is&t news

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Monroe Professional Engineers Society A Chapter of the New York State Society of Professional Engineers 657 East Avenue, Rochestter, New York 14607 Dedicated to Professionalism in Engineering in the Interest of Public Safety and Welfare 2015-16 Officers: President Chris Devries, PE, President-elect David Roberts, PE, Vice President Chris Kambar, PE, Secretary Derek Anderson, PE, Treasurer Neal Illenberg, PE, Membership Chair Chris Devries, PE

Engineers in Industry - Why Get Licensed?

It is common to find many Professional Engineers (PE’s) working for Architectural and Engineering firms. However, as you move into industry, you find significantly fewer licensed engineers. Why is this the case? Mostly this is because of Industrial Exemption Law, which basically indicates that unless engineers are directly involved in public safety (e.g. designing bridges, buildings, etc.) they do not need to be licensed. So if you work in industry, why bother pursuing your engineering license?

Issues with Industrial Exemption

Would you be comfortable going into surgery knowing that the surgeon, while having attended medical school, was not a licensed doctor? Probably not. Why should we feel differently about engineers? The idea that engineers in industry do not affect public safety is shortsighted. Invariably, the products and machinery designed by engineers in industry will eventually have an impact on the public. This is why the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) and the National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (NCEES) both recommend the amendment and/or phasing out of Industrial Exemption Laws.

Benefits of Becoming a Licensed Engineer in Industry

Besides the ethical responsibility of all engineers toward public safety, how do you personally benefit by getting licensed?

NSPE lists 5 key reasons to get licensed: 1. Prestige: PE's are respected by the public and are seen in the same light as licensed professionals in other fields.

PE's are also held in high esteem by their peers within the engineering community, who see the PE as part of an elite group.

2. Career Development: Employers are impressed with engineers who have their PE license. Licensure not only enhances your stature, it shows commitment to the profession and demonstrates heightened leadership and management skills. Licensure is also a necessity for rising to increased levels of authority and responsibility.

3. Authority: Only PE's can sign and seal engineering drawings; and only PE's can be in responsible charge of a firm in private practice or serve as a fully qualified expert witness. Also, many government agencies and educational institutions are emphasizing licensure among their engineers as well.

4. Flexibility: Having a PE license opens up your career options. You can become a specialist, or establish your own business. It also protects you during industry downsizing or outsourcing. The PE license allows you to go as far as your initiative and talent will take you.

5. Money: Studies have shown that most PE's earn higher pay throughout their business careers. Having your PE allows expanded opportunities beyond a company structure as an independent consultant for example.

(Source: http://www.nspe.org/resources/licensure/whygetlicensed) For information on getting licensed, see www.ncees.org and http://www.op.nysed.gov/prof/pels/.

David C. Roberts, P.E. President-elect - MPES

mpes news

JANUARY 2016 The ROCHESTER ENGINEER | 41

Supporters of U.S. Changeover to the Metric System are Far from being Radicals

by Paul R. Trusten, U.S. Metric Association, Inc.

With all the bombast surrounding the long debate over U.S. changeover to the international metric system (metrication), it might be thought that the supporters of the completion of this changeover are seditious psychotics bent upon completing a program of national sabotage. The way our opponents seem to have it, it is as if, through metrication, that we want to tear down the Washington Monument and replace it with a tower made of papier-mâché. They see us as disliking our national traditions with such fervor that we wish to render the country unrecognizable because we want to use "furrin" dimensions. They believe it is quite okay for the U.S. to remain the only first-world country to avoid using the metric standard as its primary, everyday measurement system.

They should have looked over my shoulder in 1974 the day I took up the American metric goal. All they would have sensed was the presence of one of many young and careful minds trying to tend to the good progress our great Nation.

That year, I was still a pharmacy student, sitting in an old classroom in the Mugar building at Northeastern University in Boston. It was not during a sit-in, nor was I attending a lecture on radical politics. My class in pharmaceutics had not yet started, and, sitting in an empty classroom, I was nosing through my workbook on pharmaceutical calculations. I was not calculating a revolution. I was not even thinking about anything dramatic or controversial. I was just trying to calculate weights using two different systems of measurement so I could one day weigh competently the basic ingredients of a prescription medicine I might have to compound as a pharmacist.

There was not a placard or a megaphone anywhere in my sight or my mind. The metric system would not dawn on me as a matter of protest, but as a matter of necessity.

42 | The ROCHESTER ENGINEER JANUARY 2016

The following system of measurement was being presented to me for use: 1 lb. avoirdupois = 16 oz. = 7000 gr.

1 lb. apoth. = 12 oz. apoth.

1 oz. apoth. = 8 drams 1 dram = 3 scruples 1 scruple = 20 grains At one time, pharmacists used a set of weights that would be used on one pan of a balance to counterweigh an amount of medication on the opposite pan. When the indicator at the center read zero, the correct amount of drug was being weighed when the desired weight was placed upon the opposite pan. In the photo, the seven weights in the back row of the weight set were apothecary (grains, apoth. oz.) while the front row was metric.

The problem in question that day involved summing the weights in each system so that the right ones would be selected for use in the end. I don't recall the exact numbers, but on one side of the page, the problem asked me to add 1 oz. 3 drams 1 scruple 6 grains to 3 oz. 1 dram 2 scruples 2 grains and select the weights that would represent the correct sum.

On the other side of the page, the problem asked me to add metric weights to get the correct sum. The instruction read: "Add everything to get a total."

On the apothecary side, I would have had to convert each unit to grains, add the amounts of grains, and feature article

c r b r l t

B s l a s

W a t u w a i t w A u t f m t r I t t u

I i m t a b p p i p c

convert the sum BACK to round apothecary units before I could pick the right weights out of that little black box with my tweezers.

But, on the metric side, the weights were logically decimal, and all I had to perform was simple decimal addition!

Why, I asked myself, are we Americans tolerating those old units in healthcare? And why are we tolerating a similar arrangement in our general measurements in the country at large, for length, weight, volume, and temperature?

Are we supposed to continue upholding the old units merely for the sake of tradition? And, as a future pharmacist, I asked, what if maintaining the tradition of using two systems of measurement results in someone's death?* It became apparent to me that adhering to this particular tradition may actually be unpatriotic.

In the years following, as I intensified my quest for U.S. metrication, all I received for my trouble was a pat on the head as if I was some cute little gifted boy who was doing a science project. But, now decades have passed,and this student grew into a seasoned healthcare professional and an involved citizen of his land. With regard feature article

to metrication, I feel today like Harriet Tubman, running some kind of infrastructural Underground Railroad, trying to bring right thinking to the measurement reality that has enslaved us. Even now, I feel almost as if I am acting in secret. What began as simple public ignorance has festered into a public prejudice similar to racial prejudice. If you think that the quest for U.S. metrication has nothing do to with playing some kind of race card, try using a metric frame of reference anywhere in America.

Tell someone how far away in kilometers the next city is, and watch how fast they reply, and reply angrily, "Come on, what's that in miles?" It is as if they are telling me to take my meter stick and go to the back of the bus.

Contrary to the beliefs of America's anti-metric jingoes,

we advocates of U.S. metrication are very much a part of the "Establishment." We are the people who invent and apply technology on a daily basis. We are the informed voices at the end of the telephone from various officials.

We are engineers, health professionals, teachers, politicians, technical writers, and science students. We are fighting for something very old: the completion of the U.S. metric changeover that began in 1866. Our obstreperous opponents want to rattle emotional sabers. We just want to extend the logic of decimal tape measures. Our only sword is a good meter stick, and if we wield it wisely, we shall succeed in building a metric America. *Just ask the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP). After decades of watching U.S. healthcare suffer disastrous medication errors over this confusion, it issued a recommendation in 2011 banning the use of non-metric units in all areas of health practice (see https://www.ismp.org/ pressroom/PR20110808.pdf)

Paul R. Trusten is a Registered Pharmacist and Vice President, U.S. Metric Association, Inc. (http://www..us-metric.org/)

JANUARY 2016 The ROCHESTER ENGINEER | 43

Directory of Professional Services John E. Rooney

REGIONAL MARKETING MANAGER | DIRECTOR

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john.rooney@obg.com direct 585-295-7718 www.obg.com

Geophysical Services • Seismic

• MASW, Seismic Site Classification, Refraction/Reflection

• Ground Penetrating Radar

• Concrete Inspection (Voids, Rebar, Thickness, Mapping)

• Electromagnetic • Vibration Monitoring

Mark Saunders, Geophysics Division Manager 80 Lawrence Bell Dr. Buffalo, NY 14221 T +1 716-279-3540 M +1 716-270-7856 Email: MarkSaunders@applusrtd.com

R. KRAFT, Inc.

CLEANROOMSERVICES.COM ISO/IEC 17025:2005 Accredited Testing/Certification/Troubleshooting of Cleanroom Facilities Laminar Flow Bench Testing/Certification Hepa/Ulpa Filter Testing Contamination Control Investigations Training Seminars/Workshops SOP/Protocol Development and Implementation Clean Mfg, Lean/Six Sigma, FMEA Consulting

C: (585) 261-5935 O: (585) 621-6946

44 | The ROCHESTER ENGINEER JANUARY 2016

rk.cleanroomservices@gmail.com

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Directory of Professional Services Compliance Plans, Permits, and Reports Industrial Water Treatment Compliance Auditing Stormwater Design/Management NPDES/Air/Solid Waste Engineering Civil/Site Design Environmental Design and Engineering Evaluation

300 State Street Suite 201 Rochester, NY 14614

Office: 585.454.6110 Fax: 585.454.3066 www.labellapc.com

87 South Vendome Drive, Rochester NY 14606

585 330-6986 (Phone) 585 429-6985 (Fax) dennis.roote@cde-pllc.com

ENGINEERING ENERGY PLANNING SURVEYING LEED/GREEN DESIGN SOLAR PV ENERGY CONSERVATION TRANSPORTATION

Solving soils problems for over 30 years.

335 Colfax Street, Rochester, NY 14606 Tel: 585-458-0824 • Fax: 585-458-3323 www.foundationdesignpc.com

www.larsen-engineers.com

Michael S. Quagliata, Jr., PE President

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Electrical & Mechanical Engineering & Design

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Design Engineering Services - Concept thru Production Mechanical / Electromechanical - Consumer / Industrial All Plastic and Metal Technologies Tel: 585-388-9000 Fax: 585-388-3839

directory of professional services

www.Haltof.com

JANUARY 2016 The ROCHESTER ENGINEER | 45

Directory of Professional Services, continued

www.eco-rentalsolutions.com 855-ECO-RENT Newest Rental Fleet in the Industry Exceptional Customer and Technical Service Consistent Quality Rentals • Sales • Service

www.slaterequipment.com sales@slaterequipment.com

New Membership Application and

Manufactures reps: heating, ventilation, and ac products

Ruskin-Louvers, Fire/Smoke Dampers, Loren CookCentrifugal & Prop Roof Fans, Titus - R G & D's, Terminal Boxes, Chilled Beams, Flexible Duct, Access Doors, Ketchen Exhaust Systems t 585-473-5310, f 585-473-9546 768 S. Clinton Avenue • Rochester, NY 14620-1402

Advertising Rate Details are at www.roceng.org

Save the Date: Saturday, April 16, 2016 114th RES Annual Gala at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center Details will be updated on the website at: www.roceng.org

Directory of Business Services Philip J. Welch

First Vice President - Investments

Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC

Member FINRA/SIPC

200 Meridian Centre Suite 260 Rochester, NY 14618 Direct: 585-241-7546 Fax: 585-241-3986 Toll Free: 877-237-6201 philip.welch@wellsfargoadvisors.com

46 | The ROCHESTER ENGINEER JANUARY 2016

directory of business services | directory of professional services

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Affiliated Societies of the Rochester Engineering Society American Consulting Engineering Companies of New York President, David J. Meyer, 585-218-0730 Email: dmeyer@pathfinderengineers.com

Association For Facilities Engineering, Rochester Chapter President, Matthews Knights, 585-924-2186 x221 Email: mknights@ultrafab.com

New York State Association of Transportation Engineers, Section 4 President, Howard R. Ressel, 585-272-3372.

Email: Howard.Ressel@dot.ny.gov

American Institute of Chemical Engineers, Rochester Section Chairman, Vincenzo G. Marcello, 585-422-0043.

Email:Vincenzo.Marcello@SDMS.usa.xerox.com

Electrical Association Executive Director, Karen Lynch Email: karen@eawny.com President, Joseph Dombrowski, PE, LC, M/E Engineering, PC

New York Water Environment Association Inc., Genesee Valley Chapter (www.gvcnywea.org) President, Bill Davis, 585-381-9250 Email: william.davis@mrbgroup.com

American Public Works Association Monroe County/Genesee Valley Branch Past-Chairman, Geoff Benway Email: gbenway@ci.webster.ny.us American Society of Civil Engineers, Rochester Section President, Sam Anthony, PE Email: AnthonyES@erdmananthony.com American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Rochester Chapter President, Christina Walter Email: cmwalter@trane.com

Genesee Valley Land Surveyors Association President, John F. Gillen, LS Ex-Officio, Robert Hatch, 585-349-3750.

Email: bhatch@schultzpc.com Illuminating Engineering Society of North America Inc., Rochester Section President, Dwight Roth, Zeller Automation Email: droth@zellercorp.com Imaging Science & Technology, Rochester Chapter President, David Odgers Email: odgers@frontiernet.net

Professional Services Management Association, Upstate New York Chapter President, Margaret Rathmell, SWBR Email: mrathmell@swbr.com Project Management Institute, Rochester Chapter Preesident, Brian Gregory, PMP Email: president@pmirochester.org Refrigeration Service Engineers Society Executive Director, Kirstie Steves 585-313-8972, fax 538-6166, Email: kirstie@rses-rochester.org President, Jim Allen, email: jta141@yahoo.com

American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Rochester Section Chairman, Steven Ivancic, University of Rochester Email:

Independent Entrepreneurs Council, Rochester NY Chapter Chairman, Ralph Kraft, 585-621-6946

American Society of Plumbing Engineers, Rochester New York Chapter President, Alan Smith, IBC Engineering 585-292-1590. Email: asmith@ibceng.com

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Rochester Section Chairman, Greg T. Gdowski, 585-275-2580 Email: Greg_Gdowski@urmc.rochester.edu

Association for Bridge Construction and Design President, Kevin H. Miller, PE 716-852-3211 Email: kmiller@bergmannpc.com

Institute of Industrial Engineers, Rochester Chapter President, John Kaemmerlen, 585-475-2767 Email: jxkpdm@rit.edu

Society of Plastics Engineers, Rochester Section President, Brett Blaisdell, Bausch & Lomb, 1400 North Gooaman Street, Rochester, NY 14609 585-338-5417, Email: brett.blaisdell@bausch.com

Association of Energy Engineers Western New York Chapter President, William Murray, 585 641-7121 Email: bmurray@ec4b.com

International Council on Systems Engineering, Finger Lakes Chapter President, Jack Riley Email: jackri2139@hotmail.com

Society of Women Engineers President, Jodi Carville, RIT, 585-475-7028 Email: jody.carville@rit.edu

Sheet Metal & Air-Conditioning Contractor’s National Association-Rochester, Inc. Executive Director, Aaron Hilger 585-586-8030. Email: mzin@smacnaroc.org Societ of Manufacturing Engineers, Chapter 16 Chairman, John F. Schmitt, 585-581-1880

Monroe Professional Engineers Society President, Christopher Devries, PE Email: CDevries@calvauto.com

Corporate Members of the Rochester Engineering Society Bergmann Associates P.C. (Enterprise)

BME Associates

Greenman-Pedersen, Inc. IBC Engineering, PC (Champion)

LaBella Associates (Enterprise) M/E Engineering, P.C. (Champion)

CHA Consulting (Champion)

MRB Group (Champion)

Erdman Anthony Associates

Optimation Technology, Inc. (Champion)

Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce (RBA)

Passero Associates

affiliated societies & corporate members of the rochester engineering society

Rochester Institute of Technology, Kate Gleason College of Engineering TY-LIN International (Champion) University of Rochester Visron Design, Inc. V.J. Stanley Inc.

IS YOUR COMPANY LISTED HERE? Call 585-254-2350 for information.

JANUARY 2016 The ROCHESTER ENGINEER | 47

Non-Profit Org. US Postage PAID Permit No. 178 Rochester, NY PUBLISHED BY ROCHESTER ENGINEERING SOCIETY 657 EAST AVENUE ROCHESTER, NEW YORK 14607

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IMPORTANT DATED MATERIAL Please do not delay

Seeking Cover & Feature Articles The RES is seeking articles for our monthly (except July) publication. We will have themes for our upcoming issues and would love to hear from you (subject to change).

February - Past, present and future of planetarium technology at the RMSC March - RES Gala & Award Recipients April - RES Gala & Rochester Engineering Symposium May or June - Symposium Survey Results

Contact the RES for information - res@frontiernet.net.