techcentury V.24 | N.1 SPRING 2019
ENGINEERING RESEARCH IN MICHIGAN
MEDA Group: Newest Corporate Member 8
GET INVOLVED: Golf Outing, Annual Dinner & More 11
Mark Zachos Receives ESD’s Gold Award
12
ESD Student Chapter members from CMU, LTU, MSU, OU and UDM toured the American Axle & Manufacturing Advanced Technology Development Center in Detroit in January.
Technology Century
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A P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E E N G I N E E R I N G S O C I E T Y O F D E T R O I T
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PUBLICATION NOTES PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE IN THE NEWS CORPORATE PROFILE CORPORATE MEMBERS UPCOMING EVENTS ESD EVENTS: GOLD AWARD RECEPTION IN MEMORIAM
20 SAM, MULE and Construction Robotics: Investing in Safety and Efficiency 22
Powerful Breezes: DTE Launches Pine River Wind Park
24
LTU Research: Focused, ForwardThinking, and Fun
26
Worst-Case Scenario in the Straits: 1 Report, 7 Michigan Universities and 4,380 Simulations
FEATURES 14
Future City: Michigan Team Goes on to Win National Awards
18
Steudle’s Next Chapter: Technology for Better Transport
BY MATT ROUSH
29
32
BY STEPHANIE SIDORTSOVA
EMU’s CRI Leads in Cutting-Edge Coatings Technology BY VIJAY MANNARI AND ELIZABETH STONER
ReBUILDetroit is Creating Tomorrow’s STEM Professionals Today BY RON BERNAS
34 Moving Forward Faster: Air Traffic Control for Driverless Cars COVER: Dr. John Texter, professor of Polymers and Coatings in Eastern Michigan University’s School of Engineering Technology, engaged in particle dispersion research in CRI using a high-speed disperser. Story on page 29.
BY GABE CHERRY
36
Professional Associations: Working Together Toward Common Interests
BY KARYN STICKEL
esd.org | The Engineering Society of Detroit | 1
Position your career for industry disruption Detroit Mercy’s College of Engineering & Science’s high quality graduate programs are now more affordable! Engineering graduate tuition is now reduced by 50% for online, stackable certificate and traditional master’s degree programs. Now, domestic graduate candidates can achieve an important new academic credential that will rapidly advance their career!
Take advantage of this opportunity for re-skilling and up-skilling in competitive areas including: • • • • • •
Advanced Electric Vehicles Systems Engineering Smart and Autonomous Vehicles Product Development Technical Management Software Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering • Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering
Learn more by visiting eng-sci.udmercy.edu or contact: David Pistrui, Ph.D., director of Graduate Recruiting Graduate Professional Programs Office, 313-993-3378, pistruda@udmercy.edu
techcentury V.24 I N.1 Spring 2019
20700 Civic Center Drive, Suite 450 • Southfield, MI 48076 248–353–0735 • 248–353–0736 fax • esd@esd.org • esd.org
TECHNOLOGY CENTURY® EDITORIAL BOARD
CHAIR: Karyn Stickel, Hubbell, Roth & Clark Jason Cerbin, Honeywell Energy Services Group Sandra Diorka, Delhi Charter Township Utpal Dutta, PhD, FESD, University of Detroit Mercy Linda Gerhardt, PhD Richard, Hill, PhD, University of Detroit Mercy William A. Moylan, Jr., PhD, PMP, FESD, Eastern Michigan University John G. Petty, FESD, General Dynamics (Retired) Matt Roush, Lawrence Technologicial University Larry Sak, PE, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (retired) Rajiv Shah, PE, ACSCM Michael Stewart, Fishman Stewart Intellectual Property Filza H. Walters, FESD, Lawrence Technological University Cyrill Weems, Plante Moran CRESA Yang Zhao, PhD, Wayne State University
ESD 2018-2019 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PRESIDENT: Daniel E. Nicholson, PE, General Motors Company VICE PRESIDENT: Kirk T. Steudle, PE, FESD, Econolite TREASURER: Alex F. Ivanikiw, AIA, LEED AP, FESD, Barton Malow Company SECRETARY: Robert Magee, The Engineering Society of Detroit PAST PRESIDENT: Douglas E. Patton, FESD, DENSO International America, Inc. Larry Alexander, Detroit Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau Carla Bailo, Center for Automotive Research Katherine M. Banicki, FESD, Testing Engineers and Consultants Michael D. Bolon, FESD, General Dynamics Land Systems (Retired) Michael J. Cairns, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Patrick J. Devlin, Michigan Building Trades Council Robert A. Ficano, JD, Wayne County Community College District Farshad Fotouhi, PhD, Wayne State University Alec D. Gallimore, PhD, University of Michigan Lori Gatmaitan, SAE Foundation Malik Goodwin, Goodwin Management Group, LLC Kouhaila G. Hammer, CPA, Ghafari Associates, LLC Ronald R. Henry, AIA, NCARB, Sachse Construction Marc Hudson, Rocket Fiber Leo C. Kempel, PhD, Michigan State University Scott Penrod, Walbridge Robert A. Richard, DTE Energy Bill Rotramel, AVL Powertrain Engineering, Inc. William J. Vander Roest, PE, ZF TRW (Retired) Terry J. Woychowski, FESD, Link Engineering Company
TECHNOLOGY CENTURY STAFF PUBLISHER: CREATIVE DIRECTOR: EDITOR: GRAPHIC DESIGNER:
Robert Magee, Executive Director Nick Mason, Director of Operations Susan Thwing Keith Cabrera-Nguyen
Technology Century® (ISSN 1091-4153 USPS 155-460), also known as TechCentury, is published four times per year by The Engineering Society of Detroit (ESD), 20700 Civic Center Drive, Suite 450, Southfield, MI 48076. Periodical postage paid at Southfield, MI, and at additional mailing offices. The authors, editors, and publisher will not accept any legal responsibility for any errors or omissions that may be made in this publication. The publisher makes no warranty, expressed or implied, with respect to the material contained herein. Advertisements in TechCentury for products, services, courses, and symposia are published with a caveat emptor (buyer beware) understanding. The authors, editors, and publisher do not imply endorsement of products, nor quality, validity or approval of the educational material offered by such advertisements. ©2019 The Engineering Society of Detroit
Publication
NOTES Karyn Stickel Associate, Hubbell, Roth & Clark
As we emerge from winter and into spring, we are happy to present this current issue of TechCentury. This issue focuses on research in the engineering field, both in the academic arena and in industry. As the needs of the world continue to change and grow, research into emerging fields continue to be a vital part of engineering and we, as engineers, need to continue to push the limits in order to discover new paths. We feature articles that cover this topic in broad areas of engineering, construction and design, including the work the Great Lake Research Center and Michigan Technological University are doing on the Straits Pipeline. We also feature other collaborations between universities and research centers, including the Wayne State University/University of Detroit Mercy Collaboration on ReBUILDetroit, the UM MResearch Center, and Eastern Michigan University’s Coatings Research Institute. Recognizing that research happens not only at the university level, we are also pleased to include an article discussing DTE’s recent wind energy announcement. This issue, we are also happy to highlight Kirk T. Steudle, PE, FESD, an ESD member since 2009. We also are happy to continue to highlight our work with engineering students in this issue including an article about the Future City results. If you have any questions or suggestions for future articles, please feel free to contact any member of the editorial board, or email our editor at sthwing@esd.org. We hope you enjoy!
esd.org | The Engineering Society of Detroit | 3
ESD President’s Message
Research Progress Requires Solid Partnerships, University Support
E
very news cycle seems like it brings announcements about new inventions, solutions to challenges, and methods for making the world a better place: Automobiles that drive more efficiently, technology that makes our life safer and more convenient, and processes to help keep our environment healthy. All of these things begin with research. Research drives our economy forward, and moves technology to its greatest heights. To accomplish solid, impactful research, we must have a foundation of partnerships between entrepreneurs, researchers, businesses supporting the activity, and universities—all working together. That’s happening here in Michigan. And engineers are front and center. According to the US Department of Labor, engineering is projected to grow steadily through 2024, adding about 65,000 new jobs. The specific areas of engineering projected to see the largest increase are biomedical engineers, Daniel E. Nicholson, PE President, The Engineering Society of Detroit Vice President, Global Propulsion Systems, General Motors Company
4 | TechCentury | Spring 2019
environmental engineers, and civil engineers. In Michigan, we have more engineers per capita than any other state. At the same time, research dollars are growing. The University of Michigan spends over $1.5 billion in research yearly. Our highly respected Upper Peninsula friends at Michigan Technological University also announced its research spending was at an all-time high. And that’s just two universities of the many in this state. It’s an exciting time. Especially as we experience the melding of these partnerships to yield important results. As someone who once lived and worked in Silicon Valley—home to renowned start-up and global technology companies—I know the importance of working with great partners. I’ve seen what postsecondary institutions can do to stimulate growth, incubate new technologies, help attract and retain talented engineers, and promote solid solutions to our ever changing landscape. Working together, the future looks very bright.
SUBURBAN COLLECTION SHOWPLACE | MAY 7 • 2019 | 46100 GRAND RIVER • NOVI, MICHIGAN
HOSTED BY DTE ENERGY AND THE ENGINEERING SOCIETY OF DETROIT
MICHIGAN ENERGY EFFICIENCY CONFERENCE + EXHIBITION
2019
In its 22ND year, this conference, the only one of its kind in Michigan, is designed to educate small to large commercial and industrial businesses on technology, products, and services that will assist them in successful energy management. THIS YEAR’S CONFERENCE WILL INCLUDE:
• A luncheon keynote presentation: “Basketball and Its Enduring Lessons,” by Gregory Kelser, Sports Broadcaster, Fox Sports Detroit • Educational tracks—technology, industrial, commercial and financial— offering informative 30-minute presentations • Dozens of exhibitors offering energy–related products and services • Major awards recognizing energy efficiency initiatives • A Ride-and-Drive featuring a fleet of new vehicles, as well as energy efficient vehicles
COST TO ATTEND:
90 $ 105 $160 $
ESD Member Non-Member Non-Member—attend and join ESD at a discounted rate! (This offer is available to new, first-time members only.)
Visit www.esd.org for more information and to register, or call 248-353-0735. Exhibitor and sponsorship opportunities are available. Contact Leslie Smith, CMP, at lsmith@esd.org or 248-353-0735, ext. 152 for more information.
In the News
Inaugural Petty Community Champion Award Given at LTU Tiffany D. Brown, an architect and alumna of Lawrence Technological University has been awarded the inaugural John Gordon Petty Community Champion Award. LTU created the award as part of the university’s programming for Black History Month. A student committee proposed the award to honor an individual each year who is positively impacting the lives of the African-American community, on campus and in the surrounding community. Brown grew up in Detroit and earned three degrees from Lawrence Tech—a Bachelor of Science in Architecture in 2005, a Master of Architecture in 2007, and an MBA in 2015. She is working in project management at SmithGroup, is an adjunct professor at LTU, and is a co-founder of the Urban Arts Collective, a nonprofit focused on increasing underrepresented groups in careers in science, technology, engineering, art and architecture, and mathematics. Brown successfully created an initiative called 400 Forward, which received a grant last year from the Knight Foundation. The effort notes that of the 111,000 licensed architects in the United States, a mere 400 are black women—and aims to introduce more young girls to architecture in urban schools, offering free art and architecture summer camps and help in pursuing degrees. Brown has participated in many panels and seminars discussing the challenges she faced as a woman of color in architecture. She serves as a university liaison for schools of architecture in the Midwest with the National Organization of Minority Architects, and is vice president of NOMA’s Detroit Chapter. “It’s an honor to be the recipient of this inaugural award, doing what I love,” Brown said. The award is named after John G. Petty, FESD, an engineer of distinction since his 1965 graduation from LTU with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. Petty started working in the field before his graduation, first in 1963 with the engineering Tiffany D. Brown 6 | TechCentury | Spring 2019
John G. Petty
design firm G. L. Bowen Co., and then, in 1964, with Williams International, where he helped develop and analyze gas turbine engines for both aerospace and automotive applications. In 1973, he joined General Dynamics Land Systems with project engineering responsibility for the 1,500-horsepower gas turbine engine proposed to power the U.S. Army’s Main Battle Tank, which was then undergoing its initial design and development. During his 30-year tenure he held many other positions of high responsibility, including ethics program director for all General Dynamics locations worldwide. At the same time, Petty was serving the profession of engineering. A member of the Engineering Society of Detroit since 1979, Petty was elected ESD president for 1995-96, the organization’s 100th anniversary year. Petty was also the first African American president of ESD. He served on the ESD Board of Directors and numerous committees. He received both the ESD Distinguished Service Award and its Outstanding Leadership Award, and was elected to the ESD College of Fellows. In 2006, he earned ESD’s highest honor, the Horace H. Rackham Humanitarian Award. Petty also served more than 20 years on the Lawrence Tech Board of Trustees.
In the News LORENZ JOINS RUBY+ASSOCIATES Shantel Lorenz, PE, joined Ruby full time as an Engineer II. Lorenz is a 2014 graduate of Lawrence Technological University with dual B.S. degrees in Civil Engineering and Architecture. She went on to earn her M.S. in Civil Engineering at LTU in 2016.
FOUR PETER BASSO & ASSOCIATES STAFF PROMOTED TO PRINCIPAL Phil Allen, PE, LEED AP, QCxP, CCP started his career with PBA in 2006. Allen’s 35 years of engineering experience includes the design of highly complex, technical facilities and manufacturing plants including the 600,000 square foot addition to Dicastal North America’s manufacturing plant in Greenville, Michigan. Steve Mrak, PE, has over 14 years of experience as a mechanical engineer with a heavy concentration in K–12 school facility design engineering. Mrak has been integral in the design for several recent K–12 bond projects.
DO YOU HAVE MEMBER NEWS TO SHARE?
Lorenz
Allen
Promotions? Grants? Awards? New project announcements? TechCentury wants to help share your accomplishments, achievements and milestones. Please send your ESD Member news to esd@esd.org. Scott Peck, PE has over 24 years of experience in electrical engineering with a high concentration in K–12 design engineering. Recent projects include Fraser Public Schools 2017 Bond work and Dexter Community Schools’ new K–2 Elementary School. Lindsey Stefaniak, PE began her career with PBA in 2007 and became a full-time electrical engineer in 2009. For nearly a decade, Lindsey has provided electrical engineering design for many projects with Macomb Community College.
Peck
Stefaniak
Mrak
“Detroit: America’s Newest Tech Hub” — Forbes.com The tech scene in Detroit continues to surge, with major companies like Google and Microsoft opening offices along with dozens of other startups. Billions of dollars in investment has fueled the rise of new attractions, boutique hotels, unique retail and adventurous new restaurants that will please any palate. Along with its convenient Midwest location for non-stop flights and a drive-in market, Detroit has a new energy that will guarantee your meeting is memorable and fun. It is time to consider Detroit for your next Midwest meeting. Call Sheila R. Neal, CASE Associate Director of Sales at 313-202-1930 or sneal@visitdetroit.com. Detroit. It’s GO time.
Photo courtesy of Bill Bowen
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Corporate Profile ESD’s NEWEST CORPORATE MEMBER:
MEDA Group is Customer-Focused
W
ith offices in Ontario, Canada, Michigan and Texas, MEDA (Modern Engineering Design Associates) Limited was founded in 1970, and offers two core business units: consulting and engineering services and technical and professional staffing. Focusing on the civil/structural, mechanical/ automotive, industrial/manufacturing and research and development fields, experts in many disciplines of engineering make up the MEDA team. All involved are dedicated to providing positive customer service and deliver solutions within budget and on time. “We are customer-focused and take pride in meeting exact client needs,” says David Lawn, President of MEDA Group of Companies. “We work continually to improve to ensure we are always providing maximum value to our clients.” MEDA first develops a working knowledge of our clients’ businesses in an effort to maximize the results. “From engineering services to professional and technical recruiting, MEDA works hard to keep the lines of communication open with both our field employees and clients to maintain efficiency, coordination and progress on all projects,” the website says. MEDA is also highly involved in product research. “One of the projects we are currently working on is a new composite for structural repair; it is better than steel because it doesn’t erode,” Lawn says. “This material has the potential to deliver longer service lives for infrastructure, which ultimately reduces the life cycle costs to infrastructure owners. Many municipalities have a large inventory of crumbling infrastructure, MEDA’s research also focuses on the rehabilitation of existing structures to help extend the lifespan and reduce budget costs for municipalities.” MEDA in-house research facilities have supported other research projects at the University of Windsor and St. Clair College. Other successes include: structural analysis and design of structural fortifications for towers, signs, and roofs; bridge analysis and rehabilitation; and advanced concrete design for specialized applications. Lawn says MEDA engineers also work with universities to involve students in research in order to support the next generation of engineers. For more information on MEDA Group, visit medagroup.com. 8 | TechCentury | Spring 2019
COMPOSITES: Forming the Future of Transportation Worldwide
CALL FOR PAPERS ATTEND THE WORLD’S LEADING AUTOMOTIVE COMPOSITES FORUM You’re invited to attend the 19th Annual SPE Automotive Composites Conference and Exhibition (ACCE), September 4-6, 2019 at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi, MI. PRESENT BEFORE A GLOBAL AUDIENCE Abstracts are due April 30, 2019 and papers on June15, 2019. Submit abstracts via www.SubmitACCEPapers.com. EXHIBIT / SPONSORSHIP OPPPORTUNITIES Teri Chouinard of Intuit Group at teri@intuitgroup.com. FOR MORE INFORMATION SPEautomotive.com/acce-conference +1.248.701.8003
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ESD SUSTAINING AND CORPORATE MEMBER COMPANIES
SUSTAINING MEMBER BENEFIT PARTNER MEMBERS
AKT Peerless Environmental Services Altair Engineering American Axle Manufacturing American Center for Educational and Professional Services American Society of Employers Aristeo Construction AVL North America The Bartech Group Barton Malow Company Brightwing Central Michigan University Chrysan Industries Citizens Insurance Clark Hill, PLC CMS Enterprises Comfort Engineering Solutions, LLC Construction Association of Michigan Cornerstone Environmental Group, LLC CPCII Credit Union ONE CulturecliQ Danlaw, Inc. DASI Solutions DENSO International America, Inc. Detroit Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau Detroit Transportation Corporation Dow Chemical Company DTE Energy DTE Energy Gas Operations Dürr Systems, Inc. Eastern Michigan University Education Planning Resources, Inc. Electrical Resources Company Electro-Matic Products, Inc. Energy Sciences Experis Farbman Group Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Financial One, Inc. FirstMerit Bank Fishman Stewart PLLC Fusion Welding Solutions Gala & Associates, Inc. Gates Corporation GHD
General Dynamics General Motors Company Gensler George W. Auch Company Ghafari Associates, LLC Glenn E. Wash & Associates, Inc. Golder Associates Inc. Gonzalez Contingent Workforce Services GZA GeoEnvironmental, Inc. Harley Ellis Devereaux Hartland Insurance Group, Inc. Hindsight Consulting, Inc. Hubbell, Roth & Clark, Inc. The Hunter Group LLC IBI Group Ideal Contracting Integrity Staffing Group, Inc. ITT Technical Institute Canton ITT Technical Institute Dearborn IBEW Local 58 & NECA LMCC JNA Partners, Inc. Jozwiak Consulting, Inc. JTL America, Inc. Kettering University Kitch Drutchas Wagner Valitutti and Sherbrook, PC Knovalent, Inc. Kolene Corporation Kostal North America Kugler Maag CIE North America Lake Superior State University Lawrence Technological University LHP Software Limbach Company, Inc. Link Engineering Co. LTI Information Technology Macomb Community College Maner, Costerisan & Ellis, PC Makino McNaughton-McKay Electric Company Meritor MEDA Engineering & Technical Services MICCO Construction Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters Michigan State University Michigan Technological University
Midwest Steel Inc. Mitsubishi Motors R&D of America, Inc. Monroe Environmental Corporation Myron Zucker, Inc. Neumann/Smith Architecture Newman Consulting Group, LLC NORR Architects Engineers Planners Northern Industrial Manufacturing Corp. NTH Consultants, Ltd. O’Brien and Gere Oakland University Optech LLC Orbitak International, LLC Original Equipment Suppliers Association Pure Eco Environmental Solutions R.L. Coolsaet Construction Co. Rocket Fiber ROWE Professional Services Company Rumford Industrial Group Ruby+Associates, Inc. SEGULA Technologies Saginaw Valley State University Special Multi Services SSI Talascend, LLC Testing Engineers & Consultants Thermal-Netics TRANE Commercial Systems Troy Chamber of Commerce Trialon TRW Automotive Turner Construction Co. UBS Financial Services—Lott Sheth Farber Group Universal Weatherstrip & Bldg. Supply University of Detroit Mercy University of Michigan University of Michigan-Dearborn US Farathane Corporation voxeljet America Inc. Wade-Trim Walbridge Walker-Miller Energy Services, LLC Wayne State University Western Michigan University Whitehall Industries The Whiting Turner Contracting Company WSP
Upcoming Events
PERSONAL ENRICHMENT COURSES ESD REVIEW COURSES FOR THE STATE OF MICHIGAN PE LICENSING EXAMS Prepare for the next stage in your career. Licensed engineers enjoy higher salaries and faster career advancement, and become qualified to work independently as a consultant or business owner. ESD’s review courses are unique in that they offer expert instructors, small classroom-like setting, practice problems and instructor hand-outs, and are highly rated by former students. Let us help prepare you to pass the exam on your first try. For more details or to register, please visit us online at esd.org or contact Fran Mahoney at 248-353-0735, ext. 116, or fmahoney@esd.org.
Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) for Civil, Electrical and Mechanical TUES. & THURS., AUG. 13–OCT. 17, 2019
The Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Review Course provides instruction in engineering fundamentals for candidates planning to take the CBT exam. Classes are held Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6-9 p.m., with additional Saturday classes for Civil and Mechanical at ESD headquarters in Southfield. The Saturday sessions start on August 24, 2019 (schedule will be provided to registrants).
Principles & Practice of Engineering (PE) SATURDAYS, AUG. 24–OCT. 5, 2019 The Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) Review Course consists of 24 hours of instruction, on six half-day Saturday sessions, focusing on problem solving techniques needed for the exam. All classes are on Saturdays at ESD headquarters in Southfield. The civil and environmental course meets 8:30 a.m. 12:30 p.m. Mechanical and electrical power courses meet 1–5 p.m. The state exam will be on October 25, 2019.
PE CONTINUING EDUCATION CLASSES AUGUST 13—OCTOBER 17, 2019
Need continuing education hours by October 31 for your PE license renewal? Check out ESD’s continuing education classes. The instructor-led, three and four-hour courses are taught by academic and industry professionals. Over 50 courses will be offered and will be held in the evening on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and in the morning and afternoon on Saturdays at ESD Headquarters in Southfield. For more information or to register, visit esd.org or contact Elana Shelef at eshelef@esd.org or 248-353-0735, ext. 119.
10 | TechCentury | Spring 2019
CONFERENCE 2019 MICHIGAN ENERGY EFFICIENCY CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION TUESDAY, MAY 7, 2019
In its 22nd year, this conference, hosted by DTE Energy and ESD, the only one of its kind in Michigan, is designed to educate small to large commercial and industrial businesses on energy technology, products, and services that will assist them in successful energy management. This year’s conference will feature: % A luncheon keynote presentation —Basketball and Its’ Enduring Lessons by Gregory Kelser, Sports Broadcaster, Fox Sports Detroit % Five educational tracks offering informative thirty-minute presentations % Dozens of exhibitors offering energyrelated products and services % Major awards recognizing energy efficiency initiatives % A ride-and-drive featuring a fleet of new vehicles, as well as energy efficient vehicles Registration cost is $90 for ESD Members; non-members $105 or join and attend the conference at a discounted rate of $160 (new, first-time members only). The conference will take place at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi, Mich. For more information or to register online, visit esd.org or call 248-3530735 to register by phone. To sponsor or exhibit, contact Leslie Smith, CMP, at lsmith@esd.org or 248-353-0735, ext. 152.
Upcoming Events
JOB FAIR ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY JOB FAIR
MEMBERS-ONLY TOUR
GOLF OUTING
MONDAY, APRIL 29, 2019
MEMBERS-ONLY TECHNICAL TOUR OF LITTLE CAESARS ARENA
ESD ANNUAL GOLF OUTING: A Day of Fun and Networking in Support of Engineering
Whether you’re a seasoned professional, a recent graduate or an in-between careers job seeker, you’ll find your next job at the ESD’s Job Fair. It’s your best opportunity to meet face-to-face with representatives from more than 40 of Michigan’s leading companies. Employers will be looking for people to join their company; recruiting for full and part-time positions, internships and co-op opportunities. The job fair will be held at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi from 2–7 p.m. Members can attend for free; non-members will be charged $20 ($15 before April 15). To register, visit esd.org or call 248-353-0735.
ESD Members are invited to a private, behind-the-scenes technical tour of Little Caesars Arena. The eight-story arena features a unique, glass-roofed concourse. It was built as a bowl, with its floor 40 feet below street level. The arena makes use of the latest technology throughout, including one of the largest center-hung scoreboards in the world. The tour cost is $25 for ESD Members; non-members can join ESD for $99 and attend the tour free (new, first-time members only). For more information or to register online, visit esd.org, or call 248-353-0735 to register by phone.
Come out for a day of fun and networking in support of engineering! ESD is all about supporting engineering and technical professionals. So is this outing. Outing proceeds help support endeavors like educational and scholarship programs and ESD Student Chapters. Register early as this popular event sells out each year. Don’t miss a day of fun and networking while supporting this generation of engineers and fostering the next! Registration cost: $275 individuals; $165 senior individuals; $1,000 foursome; $85 dinner only. The golf outing will take place at Oak Pointe Country Club in Brighton. For more information, to register or for sponsorship opportunities, visit esd.org or contact Heather Lilley at hlilley@esd.org or 248-353-0735, ext. 120.
THURSDAY, APRIL 25, 2019
ESD ANNUAL DINNER: Featuring the ESD Construction & Design Awards and the ESD Leadership Awards TUESDAY, JUNE 18, 2019
We cordially invite you to celebrate with us at our most anticipated event of the year, ESD’s Annual Dinner at The Inn at St. John’s in Plymouth. This one-of-a-kind event brings out the best, brightest, and most diverse group of engineering, design and construction professionals in Southeast Michigan. Cost to attend: $150 ESD members; $175 non-members; $1,350 table of ten. To register, visit esd.org or call 248-353-0735. For sponsorship information, contact Elana Shelef at 248-353-0735, ext. 119, or eshelef@esd.org.
MONDAY, JUNE 3, 2019
11th Annual GROUND VEHICLE SYSTEMS ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY SYMPOSIUM (GVSETS) & ADVANCED PLANNING BRIEFING FOR INDUSTRY (APBI) AUGUST 13–5, 2019 2018 Dinner Attendees
Suburban Collection Showplace, Novi
esd.org | The Engineering Society of Detroit | 11
ESD Events
Mark Zachos: Gold Award Recipient
ESD Past President Doug Patton (second from right) presents the Gold Award to Mark Zachos. Flanking them are Pranab Saha (far left) and Brett Irick.
T
he 2019 Gold Award Reception on March 20 honored Mark Zachos, President of DG Technologies and Founder of Dearborn Group, Inc. Mr. Zachos was nominated by SAE Detroit Section. The event also featured ESD Affiliate Society awards, as well as the Ann O. Fletcher Distinguished Service Award, given for service to the Society. The evening was held at ESD headquarters in Southfield. Matt Roush, Managing Editor University News Bureau, Director of Media Relations at Lawrence Technological University, served as Master of Ceremonies. For photos from the event, please visit esd.org or contact Elana Shelef at eshelef@esd.org. 12 | TechCentury | Spring 2019
ESD AFFILIATE COUNCIL GOLD AWARD Mark Zachos President, DG Technologies Founder, Dearborn Group, Inc. ANN O. FLETCHER DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD James L. Newman, FESD, CEM, CSDP, LEED AP BD+C, ASHRAE OPMP & BEAP Owner/Managing Partner, Newman Consulting Group, LLC PAST CHAIR AWARD Michelle Y. Larsosa Electrical Engineer, U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Ground Vehicle Systems Center
ASHRAE—DETROIT CHAPTER DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD Brian Noonan, PE, LEED AP Principal, Senior Mechanical Engineer, SmithGroup
ASM INTERNATIONAL– DETROIT CHAPTER PRESIDENT’S AWARD Kae Trojanowski Account Manager, Pridgeon and Clay, Inc.
AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR QUALITY– GREATER DETROIT SECTION 1000 DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARDS Diane Brown Senior Quality Assurance Analyst, SS&C Technologies, Inc. James C. Brown Quality Assurance Manager, General Motors Company
INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING AND OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT SOCIETY OUTSTANDING SERVICE AWARD Dr. Taufiqul Islam Operations Manager, IEOM Society International
In Memoriam NATIONAL SOCIETY OF BLACK ENGINEERS – DETROIT PROFESSIONAL SECTION DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD Will Hill Global Project Manager, Molex, LLC EXCEPTIONAL TENURE AWARD Monique Lake Chemistry and Physics Teacher, Harper Woods High School LEADERSHIP IMPACT AWARD Victoria Moore Engineer, Network Operations Center, Consumers Energy MEMBER OF THE YEAR AWARD Fatima Majid Biomedical Engineering Graduate Student, Lawrence Technological University SPOTLIGHT AWARD Oliver Buffington, Jr. Staff Planning Engineer, Wayne County Engineering Division
PMI–GREAT LAKES CHAPTER DISTINGUISHED LEADERSHIP AWARDS Suketu Nagrecha, PMP, CSM Senior Project Manager, Beaumont Health Systems Thagu Vivek, PgMP Program Manager, Dimensional Control Systems, Inc.
IN MEMORIAM With deep gratitude for their participation and service, The Engineering Society of Detroit acknowledges the passing of the following members:
WILLIAM T. BIRGE, PE, FESD Engineering Consultant Retired/Vice President Technology, Allied-Signal Vice President, Engineering Technology, Bendix Corp. Assistant Chief Engineer, Kelsey-Hayes Co. Member of the ESD Board of Directors Member of the College of Fellows and Executive Committee Board of Advisors Distinguished Service Award, 2008 ESD Foundation Board Member Education & Professional Activities Board Strategic Planning Committee Executive Ambassador Senior Engineers Council Member since 1966
RICHARD A. DARBYSHIRE Retired/Leader Electrical, Troy Design Inc. Chief Advanced Technology, General Dynamics Land Systems Senior Engineer, Chrysler Corp. Engineer, Product Research & Safety, General Motors Corp. Fisher Body Member since 1957
SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING FAIR OF METRO DETROIT
RICHARD S. GABRIELSE, PE
TEACHER OF THE YEAR AWARD Marilynn Burden Jackson Detroit Public Schools Community District
Consultant, R.S. Gabrielse, PE Retired/Chairman, Midwest Mechanical Contractors Inc. Engineer, Greening Associates, Inc.
SOCIETY OF PLASTICS ENGINEERS– DETROIT SECTION
DR. GORDON H. MILLAR, PE, FESD
OUTSTANDING MEMBER AWARD Wayne Hertlein Tooling Manager, Letica Corporation
SOCIETY OF WOMEN ENGINEERS– DETROIT PROFESSIONAL SECTION KEY CONTRIBUTOR AWARD Sabrina Ridenour TRACK Engineer, Global Propulsion Systems, General Motors Company
Member since 1966
Consultant Retired/Executive Vice President, Southwest Research Institute President, Motor Technology, Inc. Vice President Engineering, Deere & Co. General Co. Member of the College of Fellows Member since 1949
MEMBERSHIP AWARD Irina Sullivan Registered Patent Attorney, Brooks Kushman P.C.
ESD TECHCENTURY MAGAZINE STUDENT WRITING CONTEST WINNER Andrew Abraham University of Michigan esd.org | The Engineering Society of Detroit | 13
FUTURE CITY
MICHIGAN TEAM GOES ON TO WIN NATIONAL AWARDS Michigan Future City Competition winners from St. John Lutheran School in Rochester with ESD Executive Director Robert Magee.
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he Michigan Future City champions from St. John Lutheran School in Rochester won two special awards at the National Future City competition, held in February in Washington, DC as part of National Engineers Week. The team won the Michigan Future City Competition, hosted by ESD on January 29. In Future City, students in grades 6, 7, and 8 are asked to design a city set at least 100 years in the future, with a central organizing theme each year that keeps the competition fresh. For 2019, the teams were asked to design a city with a resilient power grid that could stand up to natural disasters. At nationals, St. John won special awards for Best City Essay and Best Virtual City Design for their city, Des-Monez. Presenters were Lily Meyers, Anna Bochenek and Emerson Kerska. Educators assisting the team were Linda Gerhardt and Tim Grothaus, and the team’s engineer mentor was William Abramczyk. “We enjoyed our time there meeting with teams from across the U.S., as well as two teams from Canada and three teams from China,” says Gerhardt. “Since our team was in China in November, as honored guests at their national finals, we were able to renew friendships!” 14 | TechCentury | Spring 2019
Taking first place in the Michigan Regional Competition was also an honor for the students. “Jake Mathew was our Virtual Design lead–and his efforts brought in a near perfect score,” she says. “Our city this year was called Dez-Monez. It is located in southwest Puerto Rico, and our solution was centered on electric grid resiliency through green energy production.” Gerhardt says the team used the GOLD-Grid (Green energy, Off-the-grid options, Local production, and Decentralization). The second part of the solution was energy storage with the REEF-Pack (a graphene-based Resilient Electrical Energy Funnel). “In developing our solution, we were able to meet with two first-hand sources. Pedro Santiago, who was in Puerto Rico when Hurricane Irma hit in early September 2017, visited our classroom and helped us understand what it was like to be there. We also had a Skype meeting with Nairda Martinez, who was in Puerto Rico when Hurricane Maria hit the island two weeks later,” Gerhardt explains. “This year’s challenge was a very good one in that it helped the team members learn about energy production, energy storage, and how fragile our electric grid really is.”
Additional regional honors
Trinity Lutheran School, Utica, received the second place award for the Michigan competition. They also received Best Communication System Award from the Society of Women Engineers and the Electrotechnology Award from IEEE. Loren Sheppard, teacher, led the team, which worked with the city of Anacortes, Washington in the year 2160. The estimated population was 60,000 people and growing. Characteristics of the Trinity Lutheran team’s city included the Analift—a scissor lift mechanism that raised the city 300 feet into the air to protect it from Natural Disasters— and SAM, a super computer network. Sheppard says the back story was that “half of the city of Anacortes was destroyed by a tsunami. The Macro Hard Company, which is a technological company, moved in to rebuild the city into a resilient test city which would protect them from natural disasters.” The team looked at four power types: wind, solar, hydroelectric and natural gas. They also studied transportation, autonomous vehicles controlled by SAM, Analift, Water Turbines, a food storage elevator and windmills. Their solution included rooftop batteries on every home, pods (flying devices that can carry people and resources on and off the
ESD Members serve as volunteer judges and mentors at the competition. If you are interested in volunteering next year, please contact Allison Marrs at 248-353-0735, ext. 121, or amarrs@esd.org.
platform to a safer area), and boats that get residents to the mainland. They also included a world-renown computer engineering university, a state-of-the-art hospital, below ground food storage and a 50-feet deep platform for the food and infrastructure. “ ‘Annette’ was our in-home computer companion which keeps you updated on information and weather, lets you know when you need to evacuate to the raising platform, helps you communicate to other people, keeps track of your health and is the first one to call first responders in an emergency. We also have a mini Annette built into every car,” team members explained. Sheppard was excited by the students’ enthusiasm. “Each student used his or her talents to help design a city with a resilient power grid to withstand and recover from a natural disaster. Together they worked on the research and development of the city while learning the engineering process. Everyone had something to contribute to the project and encouraged each other through the process.” St. Valentine Catholic School, Redford, took third place. The focus city for this team was Water Stad: “The City That Bounced Back!” Meghan Ciechanowski, teacher and team lead, says 18 eighth grade students participated in planning
a resilient power grid that would withstand a natural disaster 200 years in the future. “Students worked on this project from September through January during school hours, as well as after school and over Christmas break. We began with learning about city planning and prioritizing citizens’ needs. We then designed a Sim City to learn how to put that planning into practice,” she explains. “Next, the students researched different locations and decided on creating their city in the Netherlands, which is prone to flooding.” The team named their city “Water Stad” which translates to “Water City” in Dutch. Students worked in small research teams including commercial, industrial,
residential, energy, transportation, and public services. They designed different solutions that would solve the problems that traditional power grids cause. The main solution was named Contraria, which is an energy grid that uses gamma rays that are transmitted wirelessly throughout the city. Lastly, the students wrote and presented a seven-minute presentation to describe their city. “Students were engaged and excited to work on the project. They enjoyed learning hands-on and making their creative ideas come to life,” says Ciechanowski. “They expressed how much they learned about planning a city, building a model to scale, and how to light things up and make things move. They also learned valuable lessons in teamwork, compromise, and perseverance while having fun. The class couldn’t wait to compete to show off all of their hard work.” Fourth place in the regional competition went to Navigator Upper Elementary School and Pathfinder Middle School, Pinckney, and fifth place was awarded to Pierce Middle School, Grosse Pointe Park. ESD also gave out 26 special awards at the Regional Competition. More information—including how to sign a middle school team up for the 2020 competition—may be found at futurecity.org. esd.org | The Engineering Society of Detroit | 15
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ABOVE: 1 Trinity Lutheran School; 2 St. Valentine Catholic School; 3 Navigator Upper Elementary School & Pathfinder Middle School; 4 Pierce Middle School
2019 ESD MICHIGAN REGIONAL FUTURE CITY COMPETITION WINNERS FIRST PLACE
St. John Lutheran School, Rochester
SECOND PLACE
Trinity Lutheran School, Utica
THIRD PLACE
St. Valentine Catholic School, Redford
FOURTH PLACE
Navigator Upper Elementary School and Pathfinder Middle School, Pinckney
FIFTH PLACE
Pierce Middle School, Grosse Pointe Park
SPECIAL AWARD WINNERS ARCHITECTURAL ENGINEERING OF AN INTEGRATED, HIGH PERFORMING CITY AWARD Lawrence Technological University Michigan Islamic Academy, Ann Arbor
ASQ–QUALITY IMPROVEMENT AWARD
American Society for Quality, Greater Detroit Section 1000 Bates Academy, Team 1, Detroit
BEST CITY FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AWARD
Michigan Paralyzed Veterans of America Navigator Upper Elementary School and Pathfinder Middle School, Pinckney
BEST COMMUNICATION SYSTEM AWARD
Society of Women Engineers, Detroit Professional Section Trinity Lutheran School, Utica
BEST ENGINEERED PROJECT AWARD
NTH Consultants, Ltd. University Prep Math and Science Middle School, Detroit
BEST FUTURISTIC TRANSPORTATION AWARD
DENSO International America, Inc. Chandler Park Academy Middle School, Team 2, Harper Woods
BEST LAND SURVEYING PRACTICES AWARD
National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying Bates Academy, Team 2, Detroit
BEST PROJECT PLAN AWARD
Project Management Institute, Great Lakes Chapter St. John Lutheran, Rochester
BEST USE OF ALTERNATIVE OR RENEWABLE FUELS AWARD Dürr Systems Inc. Geisler Middle School, Team 1, Walled Lake
BEST USE OF ENERGY AWARD DTE Energy Foundation St. Valentine School, Redford
BEST USE OF GREEN PRINCIPLES AWARD
U.S. Green Building Council–Detroit Regional Chapter, Green Schools Committee Defer Elementary School, Grosse Pointe Park
BEST USE OF MATERIALS AWARD
ASM International, Detroit Chapter Geisler Middle School, Team 2, Walled Lake
BEST WASTE MANAGEMENT AND RECYCLING AWARD
East Michigan Chapter of the Air & Waste Management Association / Waste Management Sarah Banks Middle School, Team 2, Wixom
BUILDING A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE Black & Veatch St. Valentine School, Redford
BUILDING WITH THE AMERICAN SPIRIT: PEOPLE, PROJECTS, COMMUNITIES AWARD Barton Malow Company Sarah Banks Middle School, Team 2, Wixom
16 | TechCentury | Spring 2019
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THANK YOU, SPONSORS!
ELECTROTECHNOLOGY AWARD
Institute of Electrical & Electronics Engineers— Southeast Michigan Chapter Trinity Lutheran School, Utica
HERBERT W. LINK VISIONARY AWARD
E AST M ICHIGAN C HAPTER
Link Engineering Company Defer Elementary School, Grosse Pointe Park
INCORPORATION OF PLASTIC MATERIALS AWARD
DETROIT CHAPTER
Society of Plastics Engineers, Detroit Section Dewitt Middle School, Team 2, Dewitt
INNOVATIVE SUSTAINABILITY AWARD
University of Detroit Mercy Sarah Banks Middle School, Team 3, Wixom
MOST HEALTHY COMMUNITY AWARD
Blue Cross Blue Shield Blue Care Network of Michigan Bates Academy, Team 1, Detroit
MOST SUSTAINABLE FOOD PRODUCTION AWARD
American Association of Agriculture & Biological Engineers Pierce Middle School, Grosse Pointe Park
®
MOST TEAM SPIRIT
Hartland Insurance Group, Inc. Navigator Upper Elementary School and Middle School, Pinckney
MOST YOUTHFUL AND ARCHITECTURALLY PLEASING CITY AWARD
Michigan Architectural Foundation and Optimist Club of Downtown Detroit Dewitt Middle School, Team 2, Dewitt
PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD
Michigan Chapter
Ford Motor Company Fund St. John Lutheran School, Rochester
ROOKIE TEAM OF THE YEAR
Michigan Islamic Academy, Ann Arbor
SUSTAINING OUR FUTURE AWARD
Golder Associates Inc. Sarah Banks Middle School, Team 3, Wixom esd.org | The Engineering Society of Detroit | 17
Kirk T. Steudle, PE, FESD
STEUDLE’S NEXT CHAPTER:
TECHNOLOGY FOR BETTER TRANSPORT BY MATT ROUSH
18 | TechCentury | Spring 2019
MEMBER PROFILE
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irk T. Steudle’s career as a state official may be over. But he’s truly excited about his next chapter–using the latest technology to make transportation more efficient, and making driving safer and more enjoyable. Steudle, who is scheduled to take over as The Engineering Society of Detroit’s (ESD) Board President in 2020 and is currently serving as vice president, retired as director of the Michigan Department of Transportation on October 31, 2018. And on November 1, he became senior vice president of Econolite—an Anaheim, California-based company that got its start in 1933 making illuminated stop signs for the city of Los Angeles, but which now manages a third of the nation’s traffic control systems, and which has taken a deep dive into autonomous and connected vehicle technologies. As an Econolite employee, he’s also been under contract as the interim CEO of the American Center for Mobility (ACM) in Ypsilanti Township, the publicprivate proving ground for autonomous and connected vehicles. On February 19, ACM named a permanent CEO, former Intel and IBM executive Michael Noblett; Steudle says he’ll “be happy when I can focus on one job,” with Econolite. Steudle says Econolite has a field engineering staff of technicians and electricians installing and maintaining traffic control systems, a systems integration group of civil, electrical, and software engineers that design and deploy traffic control systems, and another group researching vehicle autonomy and connections between cars and the surrounding highway infrastructure. “What I’m most excited about is the application of technology to solve problems,” Steudle said. “Yes, we sell traffic controllers, but to me the most interesting thing is the technology that makes those traffic controllers really smart–how we use technology to make transport systems more efficient.” Steudle is widely recognized as an intelligent transportation expert–serving as chairman of the Intelligent Transportation Society of America, president of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, and chairman of the Transportation Research Board Executive Committee. (He also received an ESD Distinguished Service Award in 2012, and its top honor, the Horace H. Rackham Humanitarian Award, in 2016. He was inducted into the ESD College of Fellows in 2014.) Steudle joined the Michigan Department of Transportation in 1987, immediately after his graduation from Lawrence Technological University with a Bachelor of Science in construction engineering. He rose through the
MDOT’s ranks and served as the department’s director from 2006 to 2018, under both Democratic and Republican governors. Steudle says he plans to remain in Michigan while working with Econolite. “I have an office in Anaheim, and I will be there monthly, but we have people working all over the country, and I plan to stay based in Michigan,” he said. And he’s somewhere in the middle when it comes to autonomous cars–between the “they’re coming tomorrow” crowd and the “they’re never coming” bunch. “We have driverless vehicles on the road right now, in test form,” he said. “You’re going to see them in urban areas in the form of shuttles and ride sharing. But I don’t think you’re going to see them in the form of personally owned vehicles for quite a while. There are a lot of technical issues still to be worked out. They’re getting there, but these vehicles have to work 100 percent of the time.” In fact, Steudle prefers the term “highly automated” to autonomous–things like General Motors’ SuperCruise, where “you get out on the highway and you can take your feet off the pedals and your hands off the wheel. It does a lot of the driving functions for you, but it’s not going to turn off at the exit ramp for you. You have to take back control to do that.” Steudle cited a recent study by IHS Markit that predicted that by 2040, one-third of vehicles sold will be “highly automated.” He noted that means two-thirds of them won’t be–meaning those of us who love to drive will be able to, for the foreseeable future. “But even if you love to drive, there are times when you hate to drive, and I can see technology taking over the boring, repetitive parts of driving,” such as keeping up with a stop-and-crawl traffic jam. As for that recent study that found Michigan had the worst roads in the nation? “I’ve been talking about that for years,” Steudle said. “The issue is, we’ve significantly underfunded the road construction and maintenance budgets for the past 30 years.” Studies have shown Michigan spends far less on roads than its Great Lakes neighbors—$154 per person per year in figures taken from Census data, vs. $214 for Ohio, $289 for Indiana, and $412 in Illinois. Steudle said one big fix would be to take the 6 percent sales tax on gasoline and direct it to roads. One problem, the state Constitution mandates it go to schools and local governments. “I don’t disagree with the report at all,” Steudle said. “It’s nothing new. Frankly I got tired of talking about it because no one wanted to hear the factual answer. It’s nice now not to be stuck in Groundhog Day.” esd.org | The esd.org | The Engineering Engineering Society Society ofof Detroit | 19 Detroit | 19
SAM, MULE and Construction Robotics: Investing in Safety and Efficiency
20 | TechCentury | Spring 2019
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o become an innovative leader in any industry is not an easy accomplishment, and that’s especially the case in construction. Innovation requires putting your ear to the ground, discovering unexplored opportunities and investing in their potential. That’s exactly what Barton Malow is doing with Construction Robotics. New York-based Construction Robotics specializes in developing new technologies that improve
Daniel Stone, Barton Malow’s Innovation Manager. “SAM, which is guided by a laborer, is able to lay bricks six times faster than conventional methods, and can lay up to 2,500 of them a day.” After openings, map distances and design types are programmed, the whirring sound of SAM begins. Safety precautions are taken. A laser that points in the direction of SAM’s movement detects if anyone or anything is in the way that could pose a safety issue, and will automatically stop the machine. In addition, each corner of SAM acts
MULE
When laborers are fatigued, it increases the risk of injury and lowers productivity. MULE aims to help both problems. The Material Unit Lift Enhancer is a lift assist device that handles and places materials weighing up to 135 lbs. “This lets on-site team members effortlessly move heavy objects without the worry of physical wear and tear. Moreover, by allowing one person to move objects more quickly and more efficiently, waste in both time and materials is greatly reduced,” says Stone.
New York-based Construction Robotics specializes in developing new technologies that improve efficiency, productivity and quality of life for construction workers. How do they do this?
efficiency, productivity and quality of life for construction workers. How do they do this? They develop tools and robotics that are becoming vital in 21st century construction.
SAM
“Laying down brick can be a tedious effort that requires massive amounts of sustained energy from construction workers. However, through SAM, short for Semi-Automated Mason, the way we approach brick laying can be changed forever,” explains
as a motion sensing bumper that ceases the machine’s movements when it comes in contact with anything. Once everything is set up, the crew starts the process by placing a row of pre-cut bricks on a conveyor belt that feeds into the machine, says Stone. SAM’s robotic arm then grabs them individually, spreads an even coat of mortar on the bottom and then places them in a perfect line. The crew then follows SAM to ensure the removal of excess mortar that pokes through the seams.
Strategic investment
“Barton Malow’s strategic investment means we join their Construction Robotics’ Advisory Board under a Mutual Cooperation Agreement (MCA). That means we collaborate on research, development and deployment of game-changing construction technology; moreover, all members of the Advisory Board will meet quarterly to discuss all relevant business matters,” Stone explains. For more information about Barton Malow, please visit bartonmalow.com. esd.org | The Engineering Society of Detroit | 21
POWERFUL BREEZES:
DTE Launches Pine River Wind Park
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hether it’s a biting cold, wintry bluster or the balmy breezes of spring: there is power in wind. Power that can light homes, run company computers, operate traffic safety signals … power that can mobilize community and business activity safely and efficiently. And that’s what DTE Energy is turning to as it researches and implements new avenues and partnerships for renewable, sustainable energy. While the idea of generating power from the wind is not new, modern wind turbines are now efficient enough to be used by utilities. According to the Department of Energy, wind turbine technician is the fastest growing job in America with a growth rate of 108 percent over the past decade. DTE Energy’s Pine River wind park, located in Gratiot and Isabella counties, is now operational, providing enough clean energy to power more than 54,000 homes. With 65 turbines, Pine River is the largest operating wind park in Michigan as well as DTE’s most cost-effective and cost-efficient wind project to date. The park will offset nearly 300,000 metric tons of CO2 annually–the greenhouse gas equivalent of taking more than 63,000 cars off the road for a year–and represents a significant step toward the company’s goals of reducing carbon emissions by more than 80 percent by 2040 and reaching 50 percent clean energy through renewables and energy efficiency by 2030. 22 | TechCentury | Spring 2019
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“DTE was among the first energy companies in the nation to announce a broad sustainability initiative consistent with what scientists say is necessary to address climate change globally, and do it in a way that maintains affordability and reliability for our customers,” said Gerry Anderson, chairman and CEO, DTE Energy. “Bringing Pine River online is helping us meet the commitment we’ve made to our customers while contributing to the health of Michigan’s economy. It is our next step in continuing the fundamental transformation of the way we generate power in Michigan, while maintaining our focus on reliability and affordability.” Since 2009, DTE has driven investments of more than $2.8 billion in renewable energy, and the company will invest an additional $2 billion in renewables over the next five years as it more than doubles its capacity in wind and solar. By 2022, DTE will generate enough energy from renewable resources to power more than 800,000 homes. DTE wind projects provide more than clean energy for DTE customers–they also provide a stable source of income for landowners who have turbines on their property, jobs that help young people stay in the community, and tax revenue that can be used to support improvements in roads, schools, emergency services and other vital community needs. Greater Gratiot Development, Inc. reports that between 2012-2016, the county received more than $30 million in tax revenue from its wind parks.
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By 2022, DTE will generate enough energy from renewable resources to power more than 800,000 homes.
Pine River Township Supervisor Kevin Beeson not only appreciates the economic benefits the new wind park is bringing to his community, he also recognizes the project’s environmental benefits as a gift to future generations. “It’s a clean way to make energy, and that’s a nice legacy to leave behind,” he said. DTE will bring online more than 1,000 additional megawatts of wind and solar by 2022. DTE’s renewable energy portfolio includes 14 wind parks and 31 solar arrays, all located in Michigan. The project supported 250 jobs during construction drawing from 22 different Michigan companies. Pine River is one of four wind power parks planned within DTE Energy’s 2018 Renewable Energy Plan. “DTE regularly engages in extensive modeling and evaluation of our entire generation fleet, including wind. Wind energy is currently the most cost-effective form of renewable energy in Michigan,” says Cynthia Hecht, DTE spokesperson. “Pine River will create eight to 10 full time jobs. There will be other opportunities created for specialty services on a periodic basis such as blade inspection and repair, major component repairs,” says Hecht. DTE studied the engineering and the economics of Michigan’s energy future for two years before announcing in 2017 its initiative to reduce carbon emissions by more than 80 percent by 2040–a time frame that aligns with what scientists broadly have identified as necessary to help address climate change, according to DTE. At the end of March, DTE announced it would move up its carbon reduction goal a decade, to 2040. As an added bonus, Ford Motor Company and General Motors have announced the procurement of wind energy via DTE. Ford announced the procurement of 500,000 megawatt hours of locally sourced Michigan wind energy through DTE’s MIGreenPower program and General Motors Co. has partnered with DTE Energy for 300,000 megawatt hours of wind energy in the state of Michigan.
esd.org | The Engineering Society of Detroit | 23
LTU Research: Focused, Forward-Thinking—and Fun
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ot all university research involves answering big questions like the origin of the universe, or the evolution of the human race. Lawrence Technological University’s longtime motto of “theory and practice” shows in many of its research projects– focused on answering specific engineering questions, and solving specific engineering problems. Current research under way on the Southfield campus includes: % A project funded by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles to study the gas molecules and solid particulates generated by weld guns used in automotive plants. The project will benefit plant personnel by discovering how to offset any possible hazards associated with welding certain materials and applications such as sealant and adhesives. % Research funded by the Michigan Department of Transportation to study the environmental impact of recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) as a base material for roads. % Research funded by the American Heart Association to create a system for the non-destructive biomechanical evaluation of engineered blood vessels. % Research funded by the 24 | TechCentury | Spring 2019
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American Institute of Steel Construction to study improved methods of creating steel connections that are defined as “eccentric”–where the pieces don’t perfectly match up. Research to create a modified housing for a rear-view mirror to improve a vehicle’s overall aerodynamic performance, reduce drag forces, and reduce wind noise. Using a novel imaging technique to process images of submillimeter microbots, which have shown potential for transformative biological and medical operations, but which can’t be accurately imaged by current technologies. Research into using bioprinting techniques to regenerate healthy cartilage tissue in those suffering from osteoarthritis. Research on developing more comfortable and practical methods to weigh patients in hospital beds.
LTU research also touches on technical fields related to engineering. In 2017, Lawrence Tech received a $1 million grant under the Inclusive Excellence Initiative of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the largest private, nonprofit supporter of science education in the United States. Lawrence Tech was the only institution in Michigan to be selected. The objective of the initiative is to help colleges and universities encourage participation and cultivate the talent of more students in the natural sciences. Projects have included developing new courses, introducing more opportunities for student research into class work, and a lecture series on diversity and inclusion in research. For more information, visit ltu.edu/blogs/cre. Lawrence Tech has also conducted ground-breaking research sponsored by state and federal transportation authorities on advanced materials in road construction. Dr. Nabil Grace, dean of the LTU College of Engineering, has spent more than three decades researching the use of carbon-fiber reinforced polymer strands rather than steel bars in concrete bridges. Five such bridges have been built in Michigan,
“...longtime motto of “theory and practice” shows in many of its research projects–focused on answering specific engineering questions, and solving specific engineering problems.” with another coming in 2019 and more in 2020. So far, the bridges have demonstrated they will far outlast conventional construction. And sometimes, LTU research is just plain interesting–and fun. Students of Dr. Lior Shamir, professor of mathematics and computer science, has a long track record of ground-breaking research in the natural sciences, but also in fields as varied as sports and popular music. In 2017, computer science student Ian Timmis developed an algorithm for detecting rare galaxies called “ring” galaxies. He then applied his algorithm to analyze millions of galaxies. The algorithm detected about 180 galaxies of that rare form–when only a few had been detected by conventional means since the first “Hoag’s object” was discovered in 1950. The algorithm and the
catalog that was generated by it were published as a paper in the Astrophysical Journal Supplement Series and highlighted by the American Astronomical Society. In continuing astronomy research, LTU student Nick Paul developed and used computational methods to catalog of millions of galaxies with their morphology and estimated velocity, work he presented at an American Astronomical Society meeting in Washington, D.C. The paper was published in the astronomical research journal Galaxies. Also in 2017, LTU student Lara Yaldo conducted a mathematical study of European soccer players and how their salaries correlated to their actual value to their teams. The study was accepted for publication in the International Journal of Computer Science in
Sport, and attracted worldwide media attention. Most recently, in 2018, Shamir and student Kathleen Napier studied the sentiment of the lyrics of more than 6,000 songs on the Billboard Hot 100 from the 1950s through 2016, using a sentiment analysis algorithm used by IBM’s Watson computer to determine the emotional content of statements. They determined that music lyrics have become both angrier and sadder over the decades, while expressions of joy have decreased. This study also received global media coverage. Shamir has used computer science over the years to analyze everything from the evolution of the music of the Beatles to differentiating between professional abstract art and children’s doodles. esd.org | The Engineering Society of Detroit | 25
WORST-CASE SCENARIO IN THE STRAITS:
1 Report, 7 Michigan Universities and 4,380 Simulations BY STEFANIE SIDORTSOVA
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n 2018, Michigan Technological University relied on the expertise of its Great Lakes Research Center and the Michigan Tech Research Institute to complete an independent risk analysis of the Straits Pipelines–on a six-month timeline.
What’s the Worst that Could Happen?
Line 5 is a 645-mile oil pipeline system that extends from Superior, Wisconsin to Sarnia, Ontario, Canada. When Michiganders mention Line 5, though, they’re often referring to only a 4.5-mile section— the Straits Pipelines—two parallel, 20-inch pipelines that lie on the bed of the Straits of Mackinac, tethered by screw anchors or buried at depths of 65 to 270 feet. When the pipelines were commissioned in 1953, the state of Michigan required the pipelines’ owner to maintain an adequate financial assurance mechanism— such as insurance, a trust fund, or a surety bond–to cover liability for all 26 | TechCentury | Spring 2019
damages or losses in the event of a worst-case scenario. This language was included in the construction easement, and the easement did not predict what such costs would be, other than to say they would total “at least” $1 million. After Michigan experienced one of the largest inland oil spills in U.S. history in 2010— a pipeline known as Line 6B burst and spilled heavy crude into a tributary of the Kalamazoo River—national attention focused on oil transportation safety, including that of Line 5. The Michigan Petroleum Pipeline Task Force was formed, and in 2015, it issued a report that recommended, among other things, establishing a Pipeline Safety Advisory Board (PSAB). They commissioned two studies: a risk analysis and an alternatives analysis for the Straits Pipelines. The final version of the alternatives analysis was released in November 2017, but the independent risk analysis was halted in June of that year due to a conflict of interest. The public called for the immediate hire of a replacement contractor, and
the State agreed, wanting to find an unbiased group that understood the full picture. “There was a suggestion that Michigan Tech should lead the process because of our extensive knowledge of the Straits of Mackinac region and its complex flows,” said Guy Meadows, director of Michigan Tech’s Great Lakes Research Center (GLRC). At the time, Meadows served as the PSAB’s state university representative. When the University’s name came up for consideration, Meadows recused himself from voting; on September 17, 2017, the PSAB voted unanimously to place Michigan Tech at the helm of a new risk analysis that would draw heavily from Michigan’s universities.
A Team of Experts
For the next three months, Meadows, Elizabeth Hoy, assistant director of business and program development for the
GLRC, and Amanda Grimm, research scientist and geospatial researcher at the Michigan Tech Research Institute (MTRI) in Ann Arbor, worked round the clock to assemble the risk analysis team and put together a proposal that was ultimately accepted by the State. Of the team’s 41 researchers, 21 were
esd.org | The Engineering Society of Detroit | 27
from Michigan Tech and 20 were from external organizations; and of the nine universities that would contribute to the analysis, seven were within the state of Michigan: Michigan Tech, the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, Wayne State University, Western Michigan University, Grand Valley State University, and Oakland University. Researchers from North Dakota State University and Loyola University Chicago were also on the team of experts, as were three researchers from consulting organizations. Two were independent contractors. Two other contributors, both from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory, would donate their time and expertise in numerical modeling.
Have Big Data, Will Travel
The team began its work on January 15, 2018. Due to the project’s short timeline, researchers would not have the time to accumulate new data, so Grimm, as a section lead and day-to-day coordinator, tracked down more than 60 existing data sets, on everything from gill net surveys to Mackinac Bridge traffic volume. She and Ryan Williams, a geospatial research scientist at the GLRC, worked with colleagues to create web maps that helped team members work together remotely. Some of the most critical existing data resided with researchers at National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory—a hydrodynamics data set from 2016 that included water movement and meteorological conditions for the entire year. The information set was so extensive that the NOAA contributors had to purchase external hard drives, upload the data, and overnight the hard drives to Michigan Tech. “We received about two terabytes of data,” Grimm said, explaining a 28 | TechCentury | Spring 2019
terabyte is approximately one trillion bytes of data. “There just isn’t cloud capacity for that amount of material.” Michigan Tech’s Pengfei Xue, chief scientist for the team who analyzed the likely environmental fate and transport of oil or other products released from the Straits Pipelines in a worst-case scenario, used NOAA’s hydrodynamics inputs and an oil dispersal model to run the more than 4,300 simulations of how a spill might affect the Straits. Xue, who is the director of the GLRC’s Numerical Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory and an assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering, was a core member of the development team for the hydrodynamic model (Finite Volume Community Ocean Model or FVCOM) and the associated particle-tracking model used in this project. His team ran their 4,380 simulations on Superior, one of the region’s most powerful supercomputing cluster and the University’s shared high-performing computing infrastructure. A drop of oil becomes a single particle tracked in the FVCOM. “Movement of oil in the water depends on the water itself, ice, wind conditions, and other weathering processes, such as evaporation,” Xue said. “We ran each simulation with oil being allowed to disperse for a maximum of 60 days, at six-hour intervals throughout the whole year. From these simulations, the team could examine scenarios under a set of metrics including length of oiled shoreline, area of oiled open water, and volume of beached oil.” The simulations produced approximately 8 terabytes of data, repackaged visually for the rest of the team. The simulation results greatly improved previous oil dispersal modeling capabilities for the Great Lakes to include potential effects of wind, ice-cover and evaporation on oil dispersal. Dave Schwab, renowned research scientist and hydrodynamic modeling expert from NOAA, now
at MTRI and the University of Michigan’s Graham Sustainability Institute, notes that the work done in relation to the risk analysis advanced the state of the art in numerical modeling for the Great Lakes. “As part of the Line 5 risk analysis, we were able to include the effect of ice cover on circulation in the Straits of Mackinac for the first time,” Schwab said. “This modeling improvement will also be incorporated into NOAA’s operation Great Lakes forecasting system.”
Interdisciplinary Rewards
The report has had an immediate impact on the Great Lakes region: it factored heavily into the State of Michigan’s decision to replace the Straits Pipelines with an underground utility corridor, and it highlighted impacts on Ontario and Wisconsin in ways previous reports did not. Members of the team believe the report’s impact will extend well beyond nearby shores. Their work pointed out knowledge gaps–such as how crude oil behaves in a large freshwater system–and could also inform other governments as to what consequences to consider when proactively planning response efforts to smaller hydrocarbon spills. Hoy and Meadows are amazed by what the researchers were able to accomplish in a six-month timeframe. “This project came together quickly with little notice,” Hoy said. “People took on the responsibility of their tasks and roles in addition to the things that they were already doing in their day job—teaching, research projects, etc. Everyone who participated stepped above and beyond to accommodate this important project.”
Stefanie Sidortsova, JD is the Executive Director of Communications at Michigan Technological University.
EMU’s CRI Leads in Cutting-Edge Coatings Technology BY VIJAY MANNARI AND ELIZABETH STONER
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ounded in 1985, the Coatings Research Institute (CRI) at Eastern Michigan University (EMU) provides industry leadership through cutting-edge research in the niche, yet fast expanding area of polymeric materials and coatings. In addition to sharing outcomes with industry, government agencies and the community, CRI contributes to the university’s learning environment by providing research opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students. CRI also offers an open-enrollment seminar series for coatings industry professionals each spring.
Cutting-Edge Research
“CRI’s mission is to be a leading organization to foster research that develops, expands and disseminates knowledge and skills in science and technology of coatings and related polymer-based materials,” explains Mohamad Qatu, dean of the College of Technology at Eastern Michigan University. “CRI seeks to support and assist the MS Polymers and Coatings (PC), and Ph.D. (Tech.) academic program by providing a research-intensive environment that encourages students, industries and professionals in the field.” According to John Texter, professor of Polymers and Coatings in EMU’s School of Engineering Technology, “this mission extends to developing and maintaining international bridges through research collaborations with a number of groups around the world.”
Prof. Mannari (right) working with Preeti Arya, a Ph.D. candidate from Textiles, on an interdisciplinary project.
CRI fulfilled this international focus during the past year by hosting visiting faculty and scholars. Researchers from Chinese, Japanese, and Iranian universities (Shanghai University of Engineering and Science, Harbin Engineering University, Kumamoto University, and Iran Polymer and Petrochemical Institute) collaborated with CRI faculty on advanced research as well as academic initiatives. An upcoming two-month research project with a visiting Japanese assistant professor, Satoshi Watanabe, will focus on developing practical applications for quantum dot nanoparticles. “Using stimuli responsive polymers or ‘smart’ polymers, this research has the potential for creating some inter-
esting optical properties with light or laser emitting diodes often used in color display applications such as laptop computers or cell phones,” explains Texter. These relationships and collaborations help to channel international students into EMU’s PC program.
Sponsored Research Initiatives
CRI has always welcomed opportunities for research and development activities sponsored by federal and nonfederal agencies and organizations. In these win-win projects, students have the chance to be involved in comprehensive research training and sponsor agencies benefit from CRI’s faculty knowledge and equipment esd.org | The Engineering Society of Detroit | 29
Milena Garay (right), a Masters student of polymers and coatings, learning polymer synthesis
capabilities. Examples of recent research projects include: % $520,000 federally granted project sponsored by the Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP). This is an ongoing research focused on a Non-isocyanate polyurethanes platform for sustainable and rain erosion resistant coatings. So far, high-performance non-isocyanate polyurethane coatings have been successfully designed through three various coating technologies: two-component, one-component and UV-Curable. % A research contract with Yanfeng Automotive Interior in Holland, Michigan. This Tier-I automotive component supplier provided funding to CRI for a project involving root-cause analysis as well as fundamental study on some persistent coating defects. A model developed as an outcome of this research was beneficial to both coating formulator and end user. % A non-federal project sponsored by Croda International Chemical Company. In this project, several industrial epoxy coating systems were successfully formulated, applied and characterized.
Awards and Recognition
CRI faculty and students continue to receive recognition for excellence. Recent awards include: 30 | TechCentury | Spring 2019
% Texter was awarded a US Patent: US Patent No. 8,920,682, “Process for Nanoparticle Dispersions with Ionic Liquid-Based Stabilizers,” Dr. John Texter, Professor of Polymers and Coatings, School of Engineering Technology, December 5, 2017. % Professor Vijay Mannari was granted two US Patents: US
Patent No. 9,879,140, B2, January 30, 2018: Corrosion-Resistant Coatings and methods using polyureasil, Dr. Subhas Ghosh, Dr. Vijay Mannari and Dr. Vikas Joshi. U.S. Patent No. 9,944,825, April 17, 2018: Flame Retardant Textile. % Mannari and Forough Zareanshahraki (Ph.D. Candidate) have also filed a new U.S. provisional patent application No. 62/728,193 on September 7, 2018: Biobased, UV-curable nail polish compositions and related methods. According to Mannari, who was elected for a third term as president of the Detroit Society for Coatings Technology for 2018-19, “CRI, the only facility of its kind in the US Midwest, allows us train and develop young talent for the tomorrow’s coating industry while advancing cuttingedge research by collaborating with community partners.”
Students engaged in learning Scanning Electron Microscope, in the CRI. From left: Swapnil Shukla, Parth Vagholkar, Aishwarya Gadekar, Hamid Asemani, Forough Zarean, and Lin Luo (sitting).
Forough Zarean (left) and Hamid Asemani (right), both Ph.D. candidates, with Prof. Mannari in the CRI Lab.
Contributing to the University’s Learning Community
CRI’s close connection to the university’s polymers and coating program (PC) provides students with exceptional research and educational experience by involving them on faculty research projects. Over the past 15 years, students have published their research in national and international
CRI faculty share research outcomes with industry professionals on topics such as: % Polyurethane Coatings: Chemistry, Technology, Formulations and Applications % Waterborne Coatings: Technology, Formulation and Applications % Coatings and Paint Technologies: Fundamentals and Practical Aspects % Color Technology % Fundamentals of Resins and Polymers for Paints and Coatings % Principles and Practices of Coatings Formulations
journals and have presented at local, regional, national, and international conferences. Some students have won coveted awards and accolades. Student achievements this past year included: % The EMU team of Mannari and Zareansharaki received a University Emerging Technology Award and a plaque in a national level competition organized by RadTech International in May 2018. % Raviteja Kominneni and Zareansharaki received a “Best Poster” Award at the FOCUS conference organized by the Detroit Society for Coatings Technology, also in May 2018. % Zareanshahraki was recognized for “Best Abstract” at the EMU Graduate Research Conference 2018.
To learn more about the Coatings Research Institute and upcoming professional programs in coatings technology, visit emich.edu/cri.
As part of a Support-Student Research program initiative, CRI established two new expendable scholarships this year including a $5,000 award by Detroit Society for Coatings Technology (DSCT) and a $10,000 award by Lawter International Inc.
Professional Development for Industry Professionals
Source: Coatings Research Institute Annual Report 2017-2018
As a leading academic-based organization that develops relevant scientific knowledge for understanding and for expanding the science and technology of polymers, coatings, inks, and adhesives, CRI’s influence extends beyond the university classroom. Through its annual short course series,
Vijay Mannari, PhD, is distinguished professor of Polymers and Coatings in the School of Engineering Technology at Eastern Michigan University. Currently, he also serves as president of the Detroit Society for Coatings Technology. Elizabeth Stoner is director of Business Engagement and Non-Credit Initiatives for Engage@EMU and director of the Great Lakes OSHA Education Center at Eastern Michigan University. She oversees the non-credit CRI professional programs.
esd.org | The Engineering Society of Detroit | 31
ReBUILDetroit is Creating Tomorrow’s STEM Professionals Today BY RON BERNAS
Leonardo Romero-Barajas
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hyra Northington and Leonardo RomeroBarajas are studying mutant genes in fruit flies that may lead to insights on cancer growth in humans. Channing Sesoko, Jr., is looking into the physiological effects of vaping and Sarah Buhay is currently examining the effects of ethanol on developing brain structures. What connection do these three projects have in common? They are all being done by University of Detroit Mercy students in the ReBUILDetroit program, an effort supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) with the goal of increasing diversity in the biomedical research fields. Best of all, the research is conducted by undergraduate students who once thought a career in STEM fields was out of reach. 32 | TechCentury | Spring 2019
Shyra Northington
“This program presents an amazing opportunity for students to work with professionals engaged in important research and introduce students to critical thinking skills early in the college experience,” said Angelina Antonyan, a junior majoring in biology. Students are making real contributions to the research, too, and reap the rewards of their work. Junior biology/premed major Jada Nelson has presented her ovarian cancer research through Henry Ford Hospital at three national conferences, earning an award at one of them. “These conferences and other symposiums where we present allow us to build our speaking skills and network with others in the field,” Nelson said. ReBUILDetroit began in 2015 with a five-year, $21.2-million grant to a consortium of four Detroit-based schools. Only two—University of
Detroit Mercy and Wayne State University—remain of that group. Detroit is one of 10 sites participating in the NIH-funded program called BUILD —Building Infrastructure Leading to Diversity. These sites are finding ways to recruit and retain students who may not have thought of research as a career path. The students say the program is changing the trajectory of their lives and faculty members say it’s laying vital groundwork for the students and the health issues of tomorrow. That’s because ReBUILD is itself a research project. The participating universities across the nation are gathering data on what support is most effective in keeping the students enrolled and on the right track. The grant’s second stage— funding which is to be announced soon—will allow the sites to expand or enhance the high-impact practices
shown to be successful and rethink or eliminate those that were not. “Something we do different at Detroit Mercy than they do at some of the other BUILD sites is that we bring students into the program as first-year students,” said Elizabeth Roberts-Kirchhoff, assistant dean for Academics in Detroit Mercy’s College of Engineering & Science.
if I would have been able to succeed without it.” Mentoring is a key aspect of ReBUILDetroit and students get to see that from both sides. When they are new to the program, students are assigned upper-class students who help them navigate the complexities of university life. This is important because many
Sarah Buhay
She leads the Institutional Development Core of the BUILD grant, which is charged with ensuring the University institutionalizes best practices used by BUILD sites. One best practice in the Detroit consortium that has proven helpful is an introduction-to-college program offered the summer before BUILD students’ first year. “We learned so many things like how to do research to how to approach professors or where to go if we have questions,” said sophomore biology/premed major Romero-Barajas. “And we got to know other students with similar interests so we started school with a group of friends.” He’s the first person in his family to earn a high school diploma and the first to attend university, so he appreciated the tips and insights he learned in the class. “This program is pretty demanding, and I don’t know
for paid research work year round and free tuition, but when the university contacted him after he was admitted in 2017, he thought it sounded like an important opportunity. “None of my friends at other universities are doing anything like what I’m doing here,” he said. As the program moves forward, the NIH hopes the best practices
Jada Nelson
ReBUILD students, like RomeroBarajas, do not come from a family with a history of higher education or careers in higher education. Buhay, a junior biology major, agrees. “My mentor brought me into her friend group and I did the same with my mentee and all three of us are very close,” she said. “Sometimes it’s hard to get together, because we have different majors, but my mentor and I volunteer together on the weekends, which brings us closer. Being with people with similar goals has been a big help.” Ivan Barraza-Duran, a junior in Detroit Mercy’s Nursing program, said the mentoring has made all the difference for him. The firstgeneration college student came to the program with an interest in biochemistry. He had not heard about the BUILD program or its benefits, which include placement
honed during the second round of funding will be institutionalized among the BUILD programs and other schools can begin to adopt the practices that have been successful in diversifying the pipeline of STEM students. “The NIH has invested so much into this program because they fund so much research,” Roberts-Kirchhoff said. “And they want to ensure they have a diverse pool of scientists making funding requests because those requests will be to address the needs and problems of our own communities.” To learn more about the Detroit Mercy ReBUILDetroit Program, please visit rebuildetroit.org.
Ron Bernas is a Communications Specialist at the University of Mercy, Detroit.
esd.org | The Engineering Society of Detroit | 33
MOVING FORWARD FASTER: Air Traffic Control for Driverless Cars
BY GABE CHERRY
Editor’s note: a magazine issue focusing on major research institutions across the state would be remiss without an article about the University of Michigan. But where to start? The university’s research impact touches all aspects of life–health care, environmental, education, and, of course, automotive… here’s one story from Michigan Engineering about research that is top-of-mind in Michigan today.
C
ombining human and artificial intelligence in autonomous vehicles could push driverless cars toward wide-scale adoption, University of Michigan researchers say. That’s the goal of a US Department of Transportation-funded project that relies on a technique called “instantaneous crowdsourcing” to provide a cost-effective, real-time remote backup for onboard autonomous systems without the need for a human to be physically in the driver’s seat. The need for human “safety drivers” in vehicles like Waymo’s recently introduced autonomous taxis undermines their cost advantage compared to traditional ride sharing services, the researchers say. It also keeps the era of cars as autonomous rolling living rooms tantalizingly out of reach. And most researchers agree that machines won’t be able to completely take over driving duties for years or even decades. 34 | TechCentury | Spring 2019
“Today’s autonomous vehicles can drive relatively well in typical settings, but they fail in exceptional situations— and it’s those situations that are the most dangerous,” said Walter Lasecki, an assistant professor of computer science and engineering at U-M and a leader of the project. “Designing autonomous systems that can handle those exceptional situations could take decades, and in the meantime, we’re going to need something to fill the gap.” Outlined in a recent paper, instantaneous crowdsourcing differs from earlier efforts at remote human backup in that it can provide human responses in just a few milliseconds—potentially fast enough to help dodge a swerving vehicle or maneuver around a piece of roadway debris. The research is taking place at the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI).
Here’s how it would work:
An onboard algorithm analyzes real-time vehicle data and electronically guesses 10-30 seconds into the future to estimate the likelihood of a “disengagement”—a situation where the car’s automated systems need human help. If the likelihood exceeds a pre-set threshold, the system contacts a remotely located control center and sends data from the car. The control center’s system analyzes the car’s data, generates several possible scenarios and shows them to several human supervisors in driving simulators. The humans respond to the simulations and their responses are sent back to the vehicle. The vehicle now has a library of human-generated responses that it can choose from instantaneously, based on information from on-board sensors.
All this communication would take place within the space of five seconds or less, using connected vehicle technology and a remotely located control center. Such a system might sound expensive and cumbersome, but Dr. Robert Hampshire, a research professor at UMTRI and U-M’s Ford School of Public Policy, says it would be far less expensive than having a human driver in every vehicle. This could make it particularly valuable to ride sharing and fleet operators. And the huge volume of miles driven combined with the fact that autonomous vehicles only rarely need human assistance could drive economies of scale that would bring down the cost per vehicle. “There were 3.2 trillion miles driven in the United States last year, and the best autonomous vehicles averaged one disengagement every 5,000 miles,” Hampshire said. “We estimate that if all those miles were automated, you’d need around 50,000 to 100,000 employees, distributed city by city. A network like that could operate as a subscription service, or it could be a government entity, similar to today’s air traffic control system.” The algorithm-based screening at the beginning of the process makes it more useful than earlier attempts at remote human assistance, which required the vehicle to stop, contact a remote call center and get instructions before proceeding. Another key to making the system work on the ground will be designing it in a way that’s workable for the large number of human employees, says Hampshire. “Like the job of air traffic controllers, this work could be stressful and cognitively complex. So we’ll be looking at ways to make it less intense and mentally fatiguing on employees.” The developers are currently working to develop a software platform. They hope to have humans testing the system by the end of the project’s first year, with the system capturing data from actual vehicles by the end of the second year. The basic premise behind instantaneous crowdsourcing was validated in a paper titled “Bolt: Instantaneous Crowdsourcing via Just-in-Time Training,” which was presented at the ACM CHI 2018 conference. The USDOT project aims to adapt it for use in autonomous vehicles. The project is funded by the USDOT, the Center for Connected and Automated Transportation at UMTRI, Mcity and the University of Michigan’s Mcubed.
Gabe Cherry is a senior writer and assistant magazine editor for Michigan Engineering, Communications & Marketing, at the University of Michigan. Story courtesy of Michigan Engineering.
esd.org | The Engineering Society of Detroit | 35
Networking
Professional Associations: Working Together Toward Common Interests BY KARYN STICKEL
O
ne of the main themes throughout this research issue of TechCentury is the idea of collaboration and team work in developing new ideas. Working with others in the engineering field has always been an important part of discovery and innovation. Part of that collaboration is developing a professional network in the engineering field with other like-minded people. This professional network can be used for collaboration, learning about new projects, technology and industry trends, and developing relationships with others in the field; which can be important if you are contemplating job changes. One of the most effective ways to develop a strong professional network is by joining and participating in professional associations. This is especially important in the digital era, when social networks and emails can take away personal connections. While social media is a great way to connect with people, face-to-face time is also important. Involvement in professional associations can help engineers at all levels meet new people and develop a strong network. Over the course of my career, I have been involved in multiple professional associations at the local, state, and national level. By attending conferences and technical workshops, I have been able to stay on top of industry trends and learn from peers—throughout the region and nation–as to what has and has not worked on projects. Attending manufacturer’s expos has kept me apprised to the most up-to-date technologies available for the types of civil engineering projects that I generally work on. I have also participated with the organizations at the committee level, which has brought great benefit and satisfaction. Participating in professional association committees has been a key way for me as an engineer to meet and 36 | TechCentury | Spring 2019
engage with other professionals at all levels in my field. The relationships I have built up have helped with problem solving and with developing new business, and have created friendships across the Country. This provides great benefit when working on new or emerging projects or technologies that have been tried in other areas of the country. Committees are oftentimes responsible for creating content for the organization, and having your name as co-author on a paper can help promote your organization. Attending professional association events can cost money and take you out of the office. However, there are many benefits to these associations. Here are some tips for helping to garner support from your organization: % Start local. There are many regional and state organizations that have southeast Michigan chapters and hold meetings at lunch time or during the work day. This can help you to connect with other professionals in your field locally. % Present or exhibit at a conference. Many professional associations look to working engineers to provide content on new or exciting projects or technologies at their different events. % Join a committee and help to provide guidance to the industry. There are many worthwhile organizations available for all engineering disciplines. If you are not already a member, The Engineering Society of Detroit is a great place to start!
Karyn Stickel is chair of the TechCentury Editorial Board. She is an associate at Hubbell, Roth & Clark.
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