Student Branches Boost Membership with Real World Projects
While some students love solving complicated problems on paper, most engineering students long for an opportunity to funnel their expanding theoretical knowledge into real-world projects. Noting that desire, several IEEE student branches have begun offering hands-on projects that teach engineering basics. For example, the IEEE Student branch at Zagazig University in Egypt, after noticing a decline in student involvement, organized a three part workshop on how to build printed circuit boards. The event was so popular that it led to the development of regular practical workshops on a variety of engineering topics. The University of California at Berkeley’s IEEE student branch developed “Hands-On Practical Engineering,” a 12-week, one-credit course in which student members give 20-minute lectures followed by step-by-step instructions for building gadgets such as a light-sensitive night light that automatically turns on after dark. The practical engineering course is credited with helping the branch grow to nearly 300 members, after being inactive just a few years ago. Read more
UK Student Proves “Universal Computer” Theory
Alex Smith, an electronics and computing student at the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom, did something different with his time off from school this year. Challenged to prove that a simple mathematical calculator can be used as a “universal computing machine”, the 20-year-old computer science student solved the question and claimed a prestigious US $25,000 prize. The theory that the Turing machine, a cellular automation first developed in the 1930’s, could be utilized as a universal computer was originally conceived by mathematician Stephen Wolfram. Wolfram is also the benefactor behind the award offered to anyone who proved the Turing machine, with enough time and memory, could solve almost any mathematical problem using only three different symbols. Read more
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Virginia Tech’s First Humanoid Robot Qualifies for RoboCup Soccer Team
Students from Virginia Tech’s Robotics & Mechanism Laboratory recently created a bipedal humanoid robot to study human locomotion for prosthetic limb development – and scored another win as well. DARwin, their Dynamic Anthropomorphic Robot with Intelligence, became the first U.S. entry into RoboCup’s humanoid division. LabVIEW, the graphical system design platform that helped students develop DARwin also enabled one graduate student, using two IEEE 1394 cameras, to shape the robot’s soccer playing skills in just one week. Read more
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Register Early for 2008 Hybrid Vehicle Competition
The 2008 Formula Hybrid International Competition, sponsored by the IEEE and SAE International, will take place at the New Hampshire International Speedway in Loudon, New Hampshire, USA, 5-7 May 2008. The event, which challenges college and university students to design, build, and race high-performance hybrid vehicles, also includes a fuel efficiency component. Students with backgrounds in electrical, mechanical, and computer engineering are encouraged to compete. By registering early, contestants will qualify for the free materials and supplies being offered by the Formula Hybrid Team Sponsors. The Formula Hybrid Competition has also created promotional videos to help teams with fund raising and recruiting team members. Download the videos now, or request a DVD from Wynne Washburn at wynne.washburn@formula-hybrid.org.
To learn more, visit the 2008 Formula Hybrid Competition website.
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Augmented Reality to be Focus of Alliance
Massive multiplayer online games for mobile devices and augmented reality applications may soon become more of a “reality”. Alcatel-Lucent and the Georgia Institute of Technology proposed plans for a jointly developed augmented reality through ultra-high-bandwidth applications. The proposed Center of Excellence represents a visionary partnership of Alcatel-Lucent’s wireless and convergence capabilities with the research expertise of Georgia Tech. Alcatel-Lucent’s coupling with Georgia Tech also places the telecommunications giant even closer to their vision for a fluid, exciting next-generation bandwidth user experience including 4G services. Read more
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What’s New @ IEEE Wants to Hear from You!
Do you know something we don't? If you have important news to share with What’s New @ IEEE, we want to hear it! IEEE is asking readers to submit stories related to IEEE student members, IEEE Student Chapter events, engineering awards, and noteworthy student projects. Please email Michelle Garner at m.garner@ieee.org with your story ideas.
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2007 IEEE Student-Professional Awareness Conference
The IEEE Student-Professional Awareness Conference (S-PAC), sponsored by the IEEE student branches of University of California, San Diego (UCSD) and San Diego State University, will be held 16 November 2007 on the UCSD campus in San Deigo, California, USA. The event will bring together students and professionals to focus on the “soft skills” needed in the engineering field. Students will learn valuable networking skills by participating in workshops and training sessions led by engineering professionals. Guest speakers for the event include Carl Selinger, author of Stuff you Don’t Learn in Engineering School: Skills for Success in the Real World; Susan de la Vergne, author of You CAN'T Manage Time – But You Can Manage Many Priorities; Neil Senturia, CEO of Blackbird Ventures; and Blake Ross, founder of Firefox. Learn more
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German House Takes Top Honors in Solar Decathlon
The National Mall in Washington, D.C., USA played host to an international group of 20 University teams participating in the U.S. Department of Energy International Solar Decathlon. Taking more than two years to design, build, and test, the homes showcased the Solar Decathlon’s net-zero-energy, zero carbon ideal without sacrificing comfort, convenience, or aesthetics. Germany’s entry, Technische University Darmstadt, garnered the winning spot on the Mall with a perfect score because of its innovative photovoltaic lighting and space solutions. The University of Maryland’s green design Leaf House won second place honors with a waterfall, utilizing a liquid desiccant system, that incorporates design and function to reduce both moisture and the amount of energy needed for air conditioning. Read more
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Scientists Wanted: Only Experienced, Enthusiastic Team Players Need Apply
Today’s job applicants need more than academic excellence – they also need to play well with others. Being a team player, thinking independently, and having practical experience are vital credentials to scientific employers. What do you know about your prospective employer and their place in the industry? Do you have an awareness of global energy challenges? Is confidence written all over the way you present yourself? According to an article from NewScientist, these are just a few key questions to ask yourself before you even approach an employer. Read more
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IEEE Computer Society Offers Free Software to Student Members
All IEEE Student Members who join the IEEE Computer Society will automatically be eligible to download development software from Microsoft, including Vista Business Edition, Visual Studio Team System, Expression Web Designer, Project 2007, Visio 2007, and Windows Server 2003. Students will be emailed an MSDN user account with login information after completing an IEEE Computer Society application. Apply for membership
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UW Student Captures Top Engineering Award
University of Wyoming electrical engineering student Julie Sandburg was recently named Scholar of the Year by the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC), an association of 67 Wyoming engineering and surveying companies. Julie was the unanimous selection for the award, which includes a $10,000 scholarship and trip to the ACEC 2007 fall conference in Maui, Hawaii, USA. Active in the IEEE student chapter, Sandberg was selected based on leadership, academics and activities. Sandberg’s research includes building a laser wave front sensor as well as developing the electronics system for a Martian tunneling rover prototype. Read more
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IEEE-USA Announces Online Video Competition
IEEE-USA is launching an online video competition for undergraduate engineering students – calling on participants to create 90-second video clips, aimed at 11-13 year-olds, that reinforce engineers' contributions to the quality of life and help debunk engineering stereotypes. IEEE-USA will award seven scholarship prizes totaling US $10,000 to the most creative and effective video clips highlighting the theme “How Engineers Make a World of Difference”. In addition to the scholarship prizes, winning entries will be shown during the 2008 National Engineers Week and displayed on IEEE.tv and Spectrum Online.
The competition is open to all U.S. undergraduate students in engineering. Entries can be provided by individuals or teams with at least one undergraduate IEEE Student Member. More than one video entry is allowed, though all entries must be submitted through YouTube by midnight (EST) on Friday, 18 January 2008. The competition will be judged by Nate Ball, engineer-host for PBS' "Design Squad", and two engineering graduate students.
For more information on how to enter the IEEE-USA Online Engineering Video Scholarship Competition, please visit the competition website.
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