©2009 Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
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Upcoming Events
IEEE Oregon Section 100th Anniver-
sary!
The Oregon Section is 100 years old as of May 19, 2009.
We are planning on an anniversary activity - perhaps a
dinner.
We have received a set of records from IEEE from 1910-
present of officers, members, chapters and are looking for
volunteers would like to help out.
Please contact Ed Perkins
Edward G Perkins
503-612-9397
January 2009 IEEE IAS Meeting
Title: "Proper Application & Maintenance of Molded
Case Breakers to Assure Safe and Reliable Operation"
Presenters: Mark Higginson - Plant Electrical Engineer -
North Pacific Paper Corporation
David Durocher - Forest Products Industry Manager -
Eaton Corporation - Electrical Group
Date/Time: Wednesday, January 21st, 2009, 5:30 -
6:30pm Social Hour, 6:30pm Dinner, 7:30pm Presenta-
tion
Cost: $22.00 for dinner (by hotel). No charge for presen-
tation only.
The IAS Chapter offers free dinner for all local PSU,
OSU, George Fox, U of P, and WSU Vancouver E.E. Stu-
dents
Speaker presentation starts at 7:30pm
Place: Red Lion Hotel Portland
1021 NE Grand Avenue
Portland, OR (503)-235-2100
Reservations: For dinner reservations please your re-
,
or, simply reply to this email (be sure to let us know if
you will be joining us for dinner, presentation or both). So
we can get an accurate count for dinner, please reply by
Monday, January 19th.
Abstract: This paper will discuss the importance of reli-
able and repeatable performance of molded case circuit
breakers in today's power distribution systems. The paper
will review existing standards for maintenance of molded
case breakers including procedures outlined in NEMA
AB4 and IEEE1458. Common misconceptions and sys-
tem application issues regarding these devices will be
discussed. Several examples of on-line infrared scans of
circuit breakers over the course of a five year period will
be presented and reviewed. Experiences at an integrated
paper mill located in Longview, Washington USA ex-
plains documented cases where infrared thermography
has been used as a predictive maintenance tool in deter-
Volume 52
Issue 2
January 2009
Page 1
mining potential problems with breakers while in service.
Follow-up analysis by the circuit breaker manufacturer
has generally validated mill maintenance decisions to re-
move a breaker from service and replace it, based on in-
frared scan results. Periodic infrared scanning used as a
tool in identifying potential problems with sealed molded
case circuit breakers will be discussed. This and other
breaker off-line testing methods used at this site will be
reviewed. Finally, overall reliability improvement and
impact on the results of the existing mill-wide safety
compliance programs will be summarized.
Presenters: Mark Higginson, P.E., received a BSEE from
Washington State University in Pullman, WA in 1978. His
subsequent career has been entirely in the pulp and paper
industry, and for the last ten years at North Pacific Paper
Corporation, a Weyerhaeuser joint venture with Nippon
Paper Company. He has been involved in design and
plant engineering, project management, manufacturing
and maintenance support, and energy conservation. Mr.
Higginson is a licensed Professional Engineer in Oregon,
is a senior member of the IEEE, and is a past chairman of
the local chapter of the Industrial Applications Society.
David B. Durocher, Senior Member IEEE, Received a
BSEE degree from Oregon State University, Corvallis,
OR in 1978. He has over 30 years of engineering experi-
ence with Westinghouse and Eaton serving in a variety of
engineering, sales and marketing roles. Dave has authored
numerous technical papers that have been presented at
IEEE IAS Pulp & Paper Industry Committee (PPIC) Con-
ferences, Technical Association of the Pulp & Paper In-
dustry (TAPPI) Conferences, Electrical Power Research
Institute (EPRI) Seminars and the IEEE Electrical Safety
Workshop. A number of his technical works have been
published in trade journals including IEEE Industry Ap-
plications, TAPPI Journal and Pulp & Paper Magazine.
Dave presently serves as the Chairman of the Process In-
dustries Department of the IEEE Industry Applications
Society and as the Chairman of the IEEE IAS Pulp & Pa-
per Industry Committee. He also is active in his local
IEEE IAS Chapter. Dave serves on the Board of Directors
for the University of Washington Pulp & Paper Founda-
tion. He is employed by Eaton's Electrical Group, serving
as Forest Products Industry Manager.
January Events at the Program Man-
agement Forum!
The Program Management Forum (PMF) is an Oregon-
based, not-for-profit professional organization dedicated
to developing, sharing and advocating best practices for
program management. We offer a series of participative
learning events as well as social and networking activi-
ties. Our attendees are primarily in technical fields: pro-
gram managers, project leads, engineering managers, and
those interested in program management.
Would you like to improve your team's performance?
Alisa Blum will show us strategies for effective multi-
generational leadership when we get back together again
for our monthly luncheon this January 15th.
Perhaps you'd like to stop the nightmares about your pro-
gram's risks? José Campos will work with us in his Risk
Management for Product Development seminar hosted at
IBM January 20-21. This is vital because "if you are not
managing risk you are not managing your project."
Would you like to handle conflict better? Chris Sheesley
will equip you to deal with it in our half-day seminar on
conflict management at the Kingstad Center.
Start off the year right and come to a PMF event!
Luncheon and Networking January 15
Building Bridges to the Generations: How to leverage
generational diversity to improve performance and mini-
mize conflict.
·
Thursday, January 15th, 11:30-12:00 networking,
12:00-1:20 presentation
·
Alisa Blum, speaker
·
Location: Kingstad Center, 15450 SW Millikan
Way, Beaverton
·
$35 full price ($30 early bird registration is available
until January 14)
·
The presenter will share her experience and actual cases
to illustrate the opportunities that an age-diverse work-
place offers, she'll also help you learn how to spot poten-
tial risks before they happen.
Seminar January 20-21
·
Risk Management for Product Development
·
Two Day Seminar: Tuesday and Wednesday, January
20-21, 9am to 5pm
·
José Campos, speaker
·
Location: IBM, Heisenberg Conference Room,
15350 SW Koll Parkway, Beaverton
·
$800 full price ($720 early bird registration is avail-
able until January 10)
·
$640 group price (3 or more people from one com-
pany)
·
Register at:
This workshop answers the following key questions:
What is the "business case" for risk management in prod-
uct development, What is the "Closed-loop Kaizen"
framework to ensure maximum value from risk manage-
ment, How to select the best risk management methodol-
ogy for your specific project.
Volume 52
Issue 2
January 2009
Page 2
Seminar January 22
Getting Out of the Fray: Managing Conflict in Projects
·
Half Day Seminar: Thursday, January 22, 8am to
Noon
·
Chris Sheesley, speaker
·
Location: Kingstad Center, 15450 SW Millikan Way,
Beaverton
·
$195 full price ($175 early bird registration is avail-
able until January 12)
·
$155 group price (3 or more people from one com-
pany)
·
Register at:
If conflict is a fact in your organizational life, this fast-
paced learning opportunity equips you with insights and
techniques that can remove you from the skirmish com-
pletely.
Center for Professional Development
Upcoming Seminars.
Public Seminars
Most of these seminars are in the evening on the OGI
campus and are free unless otherwise noted on the spe-
cific seminar web page.
Jan. 15 Thursday
PSU Internet Strategy Workshop Series(a series of work-
shops beginning in January 2009 and running through
June 2009)
Jan. 14 Wednesday
XPDX Group: Lean Thinking for Agile Process Evolu-
tionLocation: Cube Space
Feb. 19 Thursday
PacificNWTech Career Fair
Job Seeker Registration
Employer Registration
Saturday Academy: Sign up NOW to get a Summer
Intern for 2009
Through Saturday Academy's Apprenticeships in Science
and Engineering program, you can contribute directly to
the pipeline of biotech professionals. You will work with
such highly capable students as 16-year-old Magdelen
Jenne, a senior at the Metropolitan Learning Center. Last
summer Magdelen spent eight weeks working with Clint
Pepper at HemCon Medical Technologies, Inc. She re-
searched and tested different kinds of mucoadhesives,
such as carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) and Gantrez;
made bandage samples; and operated a lyophilizer and a
SAWS machine to test the effectiveness of the bandages.
HemCon began participating in the program in 2005.
"HemCon taught me so many things this summer, first
and foremost the responsibility of the power which comes
with medicine," she says. "I hope one day to use the
knowledge and maturity I gained from my experiences at
HemCon to do something great in the world." Clint said
he was impressed with Magdelen's research and the
amount she accomplished in the short time she was there.
Saturday Academy is currently recruiting companies to
participate next summer. Contact Joyce Cresswell, 503-
200-5850,
for
more information. Website:
Adventures for the Curious: Saturday Academy has a
full schedule of classes for your 4th-12th graders. These
classes are for anyone who wants to explore new topics
and who likes to learn by doing. The classes are small,
informal and project-oriented. Students can explore a
multitude of topics from science, engineering and tech-
nology to humanities and the arts.
Find out more at the Saturday Academy website:
IEEE Honors 2009 Class of Fellows
The IEEE recently announced its class of 2009 Fellows,
which consists of members from around the world who
have demonstrated an "extraordinary record of accom-
plishments in any of the IEEE fields of interest." They
join a group of thousands of other IEEE distinguished
Fellows who have contributed to the advancement or ap-
plication of engineering, science and technology. The
IEEE Board of Directors awards the honor of Fellow to
no more than 0.1 percent of the voting membership as of
31 December of the preceding year. The list of 2009 Fel-
lows is available. here:
More information on the about the IEEE Fellow Program.
Mentor Graphics Receives 2008 Cor-
porate Award from IEEE Standards
Association
Mentor Graphics Corporation has been honored with the
IEEE Standards Association (IEEE-SA) 2008 Corporate
Award in recognition of the company's "visionary leader-
ship in bringing greater efficiency to the standards devel-
opment process in the Design Automation Standards
Committee through the adoption and support of the entity
based development model."
Volume 52
Issue 2
January 2009
Page 3
Mentor Graphics has actively supported the development
and adoption of IEEE standards for electronic design
automation (EDA) from the IEEE's first standard in this
area, VHDL, which was approved in 1987. For more
than two decades since, Mentor Graphics has donated key
technology for IEEE standards consideration, offered
technical talent to help develop additional EDA standards,
and provided seasoned individuals to manage and lead
IEEE working groups and participate in IEEE-SA gov-
ernance. More recently, Mentor Graphics has driven in-
novation in the development of standards to bring indus-
trial backing and support to foster the delivery of timely
and market relevant standards in support of the IEEE cor-
porate process.
"This award honors Mentor Graphics for its leadership
and dedication in partnering with us to create standards
for EDA technologies," says Judy Gorman, Managing
Director of IEEE-SA. "Industry has embraced many of
these standards, and they have helped to change the way
that people and businesses communicate around the
globe. Mentor Graphics' consistent support of, and leader-
ship within, the IEEE-SA Corporate Program has helped
to strengthen an already world-class standards develop-
ment process and allowed us to make great strides toward
our strategic goals."
"Mentor has long recognized the pivotal role that stan-
dards play in product research and development," said
Walden Rhines, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
Mentor Graphics. "We have always been supportive of
and active in the IEEE standards process, and it has
proven to be instrumental in improving the quality and
relevance of EDA technology and tools."
John Lenyo accepted the award on behalf of Mentor
Graphics.
The IEEE-SA Corporate Award is presented annually to
an IEEE-SA member organization for providing outstand-
ing leadership and contributions to the IEEE-SA. Past
recipients include Intel Corporation; Motorola, Inc.;
Hewlett-Packard Company; Sony Electronics, Inc.; Lu-
cent Technologies - Bell Labs; and IBM Corporation.
To view more information, please visit:
PEMWA 2009 Call for Papers
Symposium on Power Electronics and Machines in Wind
Applications (PEMWA 2009)
Digest submission deadline is February 15, 2009
Submit your digest via email to Technical Program Co-
Chairs:
·
Dionysios Aliprantis, Iowa State University -
·
Wei Qiao, University of Nebraska -
Location:
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Lincoln, Nebraska USA
June 24 - 26, 2009
Sponsors:
·
IEEE Power Electronics Society, Distributed Genera-
tion and Renewable Energy Technical Committee
·
Nebraska Center for Energy Sciences Research
·
Nebraska Wind Applications Center
Technical Co-Sponsor:
IEEE Power & Energy Society
Topics of Interest include, but are not limited to:
·
Control of wind turbine induction and permanent
magnet generators
·
Power electronics converter topologies for wind tur-
bine systems
·
Modeling and simulation of wind power converters
·
Residential applications and other small wind turbine
systems
·
Low wind-speed technologies
·
Wind forecasting for siting and dispatching of dis-
tributed generation sources
·
Islanding and protection capabilities
·
Grid connection issues
·
Energy storage technologies for use with wind gener-
ating sources
·
Rural development associated with wind applications
For Further Information, Please Contact:
Symposium Co-Chairs:
Jerry L. Hudgins, University of Nebraska -
Dean J. Patterson, University of Nebraska -
Volume 52
Issue 2
January 2009
Page 4
2009 Power Systems Conference and
Exposition Mar 15th -18,2008 Seattle
The Next Generation Grid
Focused on Power Systems Operation, Planning, Policy,
Markets, Analysis, and Control
Invitation to Attend
Building on the success of the inaugural PSCE in 2004
(New York), and the follow-up in 2006 (Atlanta) the 2009
IEEE PES Power Systems Conference & Exhibition
(PSCE) is a major power systems event that will again
provide an exceptional venue for discussing issues and
developments as well as for highlighting key vendors
with products and services essential to the multifaceted
field of electrical power systems.
PSCE will bring together an international group of prac-
ticing power systems engineers, operators, planners, pol-
icy makers, economists, academics and others with inter-
est in the profession.
The conference will begin with a timely and valuable ple-
nary session and will also include tutorials on the most
up-to-date topics on power systems. Paper, panel and
poster sessions will be scheduled, with top papers drawn
from all committees to be featured in Super Sessions on
the following current and important topics:
·
System-Wide Events and Analysis Methods
·
Integrating Wind Energy
·
Emerging Software Needs for the Restructured Grid
·
Control System Robustness Today and in the Future
·
The Smart Grid and the Internet
The Exposition - A Highlight of the Event
The exposition will feature exhibitors that will showcase
state-of-the-art software and hardware systems as well as
consulting services for those involved with power sys-
tems. The conference will feature scheduled times each
day devoted exclusively to the exhibits - with no parallel
technical sessions - so attendees can focus on the displays
and have a chance to speak directly with vendors about
the latest technologies.
Host Hotel: Sheraton Seattle Hotel
For More Information on Attending, Exhibiting, and the
Call for Papers
IEEE Computer Society first to Market
with Software Certifications that meet
new ISO Standard
Conformance With Prestigious Standard Makes Certified
Software Development Associate (CSDA) and Certified
Software Development Professional (CSDP) Certifica-
tions Globally Portable
LOS ALAMITOS, Calif., Oct. 27, 2008 -- The IEEE
Computer Society, the world's leading organization of
computing professionals, is proud to announce that its
flagship software professional certifications, the CSDA
and CSDP, are the first two certifications that conform to
the newly-released ISO/IEC 24773 standard.
ISO/IEC 24773 establishes a framework for comparing
methods of certifying software engineering professionals.
It will enable software engineering professional certifica-
tions to be portable between different countries or organi-
zations. The increasing globalization of the software in-
dustry makes it more likely that a software engineer will
work in different countries over the course of a career.
Released on Sept. 1, the new standard requires education,
qualification, examination, and certification bodies to
have a software engineering body of knowledge and to
map it to SWEBOK. In 2005, ISO/IEC JTC 1 adopted the
Computer Society's SWEBOK Guide as its umbrella de-
scription of software engineering. ISO/IEC 24773 takes
this a step further by using the guide as the basis for ex-
plaining and comparing software engineering certifica-
tions.
"The new standard offers the worldwide software indus-
try a way to assess the competence of software
engineering professionals. The IEEE Computer Society is
at the center of these developments in two ways. First, all
certifications conforming to the standard must use the
Society's SWEBOK Guide. Even more importantly, the
Society has developed the first certifications that conform
to the new standard," said Stephen Seidman, 2008 Vice-
President for Educational Activities for the IEEE Com-
puter Society.
The release of ISO/IEC 24773 makes the IEEE Computer
Society's two software certification credentials, the
CSDA and CSDP, well-positioned for use throughout the
world and within many different types of organizations.
Both certification programs reinforce and confirm recog-
nized principles and practices of software development in
the SWEBOK knowledge areas.
"This is further evidence that the Computer Society's
program to recast software engineering as a true
engineering discipline is truly on high ground. We were
pleased when the international standards committee for
software engineering adopted the SWEBOK Guide as the
Volume 52
Issue 2
January 2009
Page 5
basis for its work. Now, they've taken the next step and
identified the guide as the benchmark for defining and
comparing certifications in software engineering," said
Jim Moore, 2008 Chairman of the IEEE Computer Soci-
ety Professional Practices Committee.
The Certified Software Development Professional
(CSDP) credential, introduced in 2002, is intended for
mid-career software development practitioners. More in-
formation on the CSDP and its benefits can be found at
The Certified Software Development Associate (CSDA)
credential, introduced in 2008, is intended for entry-level
software development practitioners. More information on
the CSDA and its benefits can be found at
Additional information on the IEEE Computer Society
certification programs can be found at:
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization)
and IEC (the International Electrotechnical Commission)
work together to develop standards in systems and soft-
ware engineering. The IEEE Computer Society, known
globally for its own systems and software engineering
standards activities, also participates in these ISO/IEC
joint efforts.
ISO/IEC 24773 can be referenced at:
The SWEBOK guide, developed by the IEEE Computer
Society, has been endorsed by ISO/IEC as ISO/IEC TR
19759 and can be referenced at:
Mentoring-A Recruiting Alternative
That Works!
Abstract: Saturday Academy's high school Apprentice-
ships in Science and Engineering (ASE) Program has
eighteen years of successful collaboration with employers
to develop an indigenous technical work force pool for
the future. This is a call for mentors and student appren-
tices for the Summer 2009 ASE Program.
Tired of competing for a limited pool of talent? Job and
career fairs, employment open houses, heavy media ad-
vertising, and finders bonuses are all resource intensive
and only compete for a limited pool of existing talent.
Help develop a larger work force pool of the future by
turning bright high school students on to science,
engineering and technology.
Honor your past mentors! Who was your significant
teacher, advisor or mentor that helped you pursue your
own career? You can amplify and return your own bene-
fit to the coming generations. If you don't have the time
or student contacts to develop a comprehensive mentoring
process, consider the ASE Program.
Why mentor? Many students with the potential to excel in
science or engineering have only a general idea of what a
career in these fields entails. They have little or no con-
tact with adult practitioners until they are well into col-
lege or beyond. ASE provides high school freshman,
sophomores and juniors with exceptional opportunities in
a professional, scientific or engineering environment.
ASE helps them explore, test and refine their interests to
make better-informed educational and career decisions.
Why ASE? The ASE Program has eighteen years of expe-
rience of providing the infrastructure, contacts, program
content and monitoring to facilitate mentor contributions
to the education and training of the next generation of
professionals. These students do great work too! Men-
tors have found their apprentices to be creative and pro-
ductive worth the investment of time and resources.
The ASE program combines job application, competition,
performance and results reporting in a comprehensive
summer experience that qualifies for elective high school
science credit.
ASE provides the opportunity for employers to screen
students for tracking to a longer-term relationship as they
pursue their education. Many collaborating employers
hire their ASE students back, and support them as college
co-ops or interns all with the intent or agreement to hire
the student when they graduate from college.
Enlist as a mentor now! Science and engineering profes-
sionals are needed to serve as mentors for the Summer
Volume 52
Issue 2
January 2009
Page 6
2009 ASE Program. Visit the ASE web page
for program infor-
mation including sample student position descriptions.
Call 503-200-5861 for more information or help in cus-
tom development of a challenging student apprenticeship
for next summer. The mentor registration deadline is 15
February, 2009. ASE staff can help you custom design a
position to fit your specific work environment.
Students needed too! Readers who have science oriented
high school students in your families or circle of friends
are invited to have them apply for the positions in the
program.
ASE apprentices receive an eight week comprehensive
summer science experience, high school credit and in
some internships, a $1,000 summer stipend. Students
who are in their freshman, sophomore or junior year are
now eligible to apply for the Summer 2009 program un-
less they have already been an ASE apprentice. Students
can obtain application materials by calling ASE at 503-
200-5861 or applying online at
. The student appli-
cation deadline will be 15 March 2009.
ASE Program History: ASE was initiated in 1990 to ad-
dress the growing concern over the quantity, quality and
cultural/gender diversity of our nation's future technical
work force. ASE has grown from 36 student apprentices
in the first year to 126 students in the summer 2008 pro-
gram. The number of mentoring organizations has grown
to 85. In its eighteen-year history the program has pro-
vided 2600 students with a hands-on eight-week appren-
ticeship with practicing professionals in science and
engineering disciplines. These students have been drawn
from a pool of over 8,000 applicants from across Oregon
and southwest Washington. The Summer 2008 program
consisted of approximately 46% female and 24% minor-
ity students.
ASE affiliation: The Apprenticeships in Science and
Engineering (ASE) Program is part of Saturday Academy,
a 501(c)(3) non-profit. The cost of program participation
and support by "for profit" companies is tax deductible.
Visit ASE on the WEB at:
The Institute Online
IEEE Fellows Accomplishing More at Younger Ages
This year's class of IEEE Fellows proves that you need
not be in the twilight of your career or have worked for
many years to accomplish something significant. The
2008 class of 295 new Fellows boasts 182 between the
ages of 31 and 54. Read about some of these young Fel-
Hands-On Projects for Budding Engineers
If you're a teacher looking for hands-on projects for your
first-year class in electrical engineering, computer
engineering, or computer science, your search could be
over. Eight projects are available that cover such things as
designing a prosthetic hand and developing error-
correction codes for wireless communication systems.
The projects were winners of IEEE's Real-World
Engineering Project contest. There's more at
Why You Should Stick With IEEE
Each year about half the IEEE student members who
graduate don't renew and move up to full members--they
just drop out. But if they don't renew, these graduates will
miss out on a load of benefits that could come in handy as
they enter the workforce. Check out the top reasons you
should keep your membership after you graduate at
Karen Panetta: Bringing Geek Chic Into Style
IEEE Fellow Karen Panetta has been working on dispel-
ling the myth of the nerdy female engineer with her "Nerd
Girls" program. Read about her work as a mentor to stu-
dents and her career as an electrical engineering professor
IEEE Journals Top the Charts
Four IEEE journals were the most frequently cited in their
fields, according to the 2007 Journal Citation Reports.
Find out which IEEE journals made it to the top of the list
Upcoming Conferences
IEEE conferences in February, March, and April cover
topics such as solid-state circuits, signal integrity, power
systems, mechatronics, and reliability physics. For more
information, visit
IEEE Around the World
Read about new student branches, Graduates of the Last
Decade and Women in Engineering affinity groups, and
IEEE section anniversaries at
Nominations Sought for IEEE Awards
Nominees are wanted for the 2010 IEEE medals, awards,
recognitions, and prize papers. The deadline for the IEEE
Board of Directors to receive nominations is 1 July 2009.
For more information, visit
Volume 52
Issue 2
January 2009
Page 7
IEEE-USA - Eye On Washington
The latest issue of IEEE-USA's Eye on Washington is
available on line. For the complete text and links associ-
ated with the current issue, please visit:
Highlights of the current issue include:
IEEE-USA Position Statements: Check out the new po-
sition statements approved by the Board in November
2008. Many more are under review by committees.
IEEE-USA position statements identify important techni-
cal and/or engineering career-related aspects of specific
public policy issues deemed to be of concern or affecting
IEEE's U.S. members. They make specific public policy
recommendations and provide recommended approaches
for consideration by the U.S. Congress, Executive Branch
officials, the Judiciary, representatives of State and Local
Government, and other interested groups and individuals,
including IEEE members.
Read our first letter to the Obama-Biden Transition team
here:
(December 5th - Letter to Obama-Biden Transition,
OSTP Agency Review Team Chair on science and tech-
nology (S&T) priorities for the first months of the new
administration)
House Science Committee Recognizes Winner of the
Lunar Challenge - House Science and Technology
Committee Ranking Member Ralph Hall (R-TX) today
recognized Armadillo Aerospace for winning the first
level of NASA's Lunar Lander Challenge.
Reid Unveils Senate Committee Chairs
Former Patent Officials Say Backlog Should Be a Top
Priority for the Obama Administration - Four former
high-level PTO officials participating in a Capitol Hill
roundtable sponsored by the Computing Technology In-
dustry Association agreed that reducing the Patent and
Trademark Office's growing backlog of applications
should be one of the highest priorities for the agency in
the Obama administration. Download an MP3 of the
roundtable here:
House Appropriators Fund FY 2009 NSF Request
Obama Transition Web Document Describes Science,
Technology, STEM Education Agenda
John Holdren Nominated as Obama's Science Adviser
- President-elect Barack Obama has picked physicist John
Holdren to be his science adviser. As a top adviser to the
Obama campaign and international expert on energy and
climate, Holdren would bolster Obama's team in those
areas. Both are crowded portfolios. Holdren is well
known for his work on energy, climate change, and nu-
clear proliferation.
Steven Chu to be Next Secretary of Energy - President-
Elect Barack Obama announced his nomination of Steven
Chu, current director of Lawrence Berkeley National
Laboratory, to be the next Secretary of Energy.
First in a Series of FTC Hearings on IP - The Federal
Trade Commission held the first in a series of public hear-
ings that will explore the evolving market for intellectual
property (IP). The hearings will examine changes in intel-
lectual property law, patent-related business models, and
new learning regarding the operation of the IP market-
place since the FTC issued its October 2003 report, To
Promote Innovation: The Proper Balance of Competition
and Patent Law and Policy. All of presentations from the
first hearing can be found at:
No audience questions
were permitted during this panel.
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Report - Recommenda-
tions for Consideration by the Incoming Administration
Regarding The U.S. Patent & Trademark Office
PCAST Says University-Industry Ties Key to Promot-
ing Innovation Ecosystem - The President's Council of
Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) issued a
report that points to strengthening ties between universi-
ties and industry as the key to promoting an "innovation
ecosystem" in the U.S. The report, University-Private
Sector Research Partnerships in the Innovation Ecosys-
tem, calls for continued Federal government support of
basic research while long-term economic and regulatory
changes are made to help tap into increasing research ca-
pacity in university labs. Among the recommendations
called for: updating and enhancing the R&D tax credit;
developing guidance on intellectual property and
technology-transfer practices; evaluating the impact and
scalability of open innovation models; and, developing
tools and metrics to guide policies and incentive struc-
tures. The Council submitted its report to the current ad-
ministration and noted that a document is being prepared
for the transition team of President-elect Barack Obama.
IEEE-USA Now Accepting Government Fellowship
Applications - Each year, IEEE-USA sponsors three
qualified IEEE members to serve as government fellows:
one Engineering & Diplomacy Fellow and two Congres-
sional fellows. The fellows spend a year in Washington,
Volume 52
Issue 2
January 2009
Page 8
serving as advisers to the U.S. Congress or key U.S. De-
partment of State decision-makers. IEEE-USA's Gov-
ernment Fellowships link engineers with government,
providing a mechanism for IEEE-USA members to learn
firsthand about the public policy process through personal
involvement.
The congressional fellowship consists of an appointment
to the personal staff of a U.S. Senator or Congressman, or
to the professional staff of a Congressional Committee.
The Fellow along with the Congressional sponsor and
IEEE-USA, negotiates a starting date, although IEEE-
USA recommends that Fellowship terms run from Janu-
ary 1st to December 31st. For an application Kit for the
2010 Congressional Fellowship Program, visit:
The State Department fellowship begins in January of
each year and offers an opportunity for an engineer to
provide technical expertise to the State Department, and
help raise awareness of the value of engineering input
while learning about and contributing to the foreign pol-
icy process. For an application Kit for the 2010
Engineering & Diplomacy (State Department) Fellowship
Program, visit:
Fellows must be U.S. citizens.The postmark application
deadline for 2010 Fellowships is 13 March 2009. For
more information, visit:
IEEE-USA Today's Engineer Online
Here's your monthly report from IEEE-USA on building
careers and shaping public policy, from the editors of
IEEE-USA Today's Engineer. The current version of To-
day's Engineer Online can always be found at:
The following are some of the recent article highlights
from TE Online:
Backscatter: The Global Engineer
In theory, globalization is supposed to equalize global
wages and raise the global standard of living. Everyone is
supposed to benefit. As wages and employment rise in
once-poor areas of the world, the previously disadvan-
taged populace will become customers for goods and
services produced both in their own and other countries.
With labor costs no longer a prevailing issue, product
success will be determined principally by good design,
high quality workmanship, and productivity gains. So,
what's the problem?
Outlook for 2009
IEEE-USA editor for technology policy George McClure
looks at the prospects for technology, energy, climate
change, work-force, employment benefits, immigration,
infrastructure and the economy in the new year.
U.S. Companies Pumping Money into Schools to
Augment Government Efforts Aimed at Bolstering
STEM Education
While Congress prepares a renewed focus on government
programs to assist science, technology, engineering and
mathematics education, several major American corpora-
tions are pumping sizeable amounts of money into
schools around the country to provide further support for
initiatives to strengthen STEM education.
IP Corner: Using the Internet to Promote Progress in
Science and Technology
President-elect Obama's successful use of the Internet to
connect with the public during his campaign has left the
public wanting more from the modern presidency and the
government. The Peer to Patent project is one such initia-
tive that is using the Internet to open up and improve a
long-closed government process by harnessing the collec-
tive knowledge of Internet users and making it accessible
to patent examiners.
Meet the FCC's New Chief Technologist
Over the next few years, the United States will face tough
questions regarding the future of telecommunications,
including spectrum sharing, broadband Internet, deliver-
ing services to rural areas, and the impact of peer-to-peer
networks. One man helping to answer these and other
questions is an IEEE member: Prof. Jon M. Peha, the
FCC's new chief technologist.
Volume 52
Issue 2
January 2009
Page 9
IEEE-USA in Action
1. IEEE-USA Has Moved... Down the Street
After almost 20 years at 1828 L Street in Northwest
Washington, D.C., IEEE-USA has moved to new digs.
IEEE-USA and the IEEE Computer Society are co-
located in the new office, which is approximately one and
a half blocks west of IEEE-USA's former home. Staff
telephone numbers will remain the same, as will the fax
number. Volunteers and members traveling to visit IEEE-
USA or the Computer Society by Metro should still exit
at Farragut West (Orange/Blue Line) or Farragut North
(Red Line). The new office is located at 2001 L Street,
NW, Suite 700. The building's entrance is on the north-
west corner of the 20th & L Streets, across from the Peace
Corps.
New Address:
2001 L Street, NW
Suite 700
Washington, D.C. 20036
+1 202 785 0017
+1 202 785 0835 (fax)
2. IEEE-USA Participates in Technology-
Enhancement Meeting with Obama Transition Team
The United States should deploy universal broadband and
increase energy efficiency, among other things, to pro-
mote economic growth and spur job creation, two IEEE-
USA presidents said in a letter presented to President-
elect Barack Obama's transition team. IEEE-USA made
some of its recommendations in a meeting with four
members of Obama's Science, Technology and Innovation
Transition Task Force at AeA's Washington headquarters
on 5 December.
3. IEEE-USA Signs on to Support U.S. Broadband Coali-
tion
IEEE-USA's Committee on Communications Policy
(CCP) has signed on with a diverse group of America's
broadband stakeholders to call on President-elect Obama
and the upcoming Congress to make the development and
initial implementation of a comprehensive National
Broadband Strategy a high national priority in 2009. The
coalition calls the broadband-enabled Internet "a catalyst
for innovation, economic growth, job creation, educa-
tional opportunity and global competitiveness," and
warns that "If the United States is to remain a leader in
the global economy, our broadband networks must also be
robust enough to enable our people, businesses, and pub-
lic and private institutions to take full advantage of
emerging and future bandwidth-intensive and quality-
sensitive applications."
4. IEEE-USA Launches New Forum for Entrepreneurs
Village
The IEEE-USA Entrepreneurs Village has a new discus-
sion forum where entrepreneurial IEEE members can
read, post and respond to threads on such topics as: what
are your needs as an entrepreneur; legal issues; govern-
ment entities; finding a mentor; and much more. Be one
of the first to start the ball rolling!
5. IEEE-USA Now Accepting Government Fellowship
Applications
Each year, IEEE-USA sponsors three qualified IEEE
members to serve as government fellows: one
Engineering & Diplomacy Fellow and two Congressional
Fellows. The fellows spend a year in Washington, serving
as advisers to the U.S. Congress or key U.S. Department
of State decision-makers. IEEE-USA's Government Fel-
lowships link engineers with government, providing a
mechanism for IEEE-USA members to learn firsthand
about the public policy process through personal in-
volvement.
The Congressional fellowship consists of an appointment
to the personal staff of a U.S. Senator or Representative,
or to the professional staff of a Congressional Committee.
The Fellow, along with the Congressional sponsor and
IEEE-USA, negotiates a starting date, although IEEE-
USA recommends that Fellowship terms run from 1 Janu-
ary to 31 December. To download the application for the
2010 Congressional Fellowship Program, visit:
The State Department fellowship begins in January of
each year and offers an opportunity for an engineer to
provide technical expertise to the State Department, and
help raise awareness of the value of engineering input
while learning about and contributing to the foreign pol-
icy process. To download the application for the 2010
Engineering & Diplomacy (State Department) Fellowship
Program, visit:
Fellows must be U.S. citizens. The postmark application
deadline for 2010 Fellowships is 13 March 2009. For
more information, visit:
6. IEEE-USA Releases Three New E-Books
Volume 52
Issue 2
January 2009
Page 10
IEEE-USA has released three new career-related e-books.
Two of the books, How to Find Your Perfect Job, and
How to Make the Transition from Classroom to Office,
kick off the "Launching Your Career" GOLD e-book se-
ries. This series of e-books is dedicated to helping gradu-
ating students, recent graduates and young engineers on
topics specifically important to their careers. The first e-
book will help readers define personal, long-term, career
goals; and provides a practical roadmap for finding an
ideal job. The second e-book in the GOLD series provides
strategies and tips for making a smooth transition from
the classroom to the office. The third e-book, Perspectives
on the Management of Technology, written by retired 3M
executive Gus Gaynor, is an overview of the MOT disci-
pline, including general background, current MOT status,
and steps needed to develop MOT as a recognized aca-
demic discipline and provide a positive impact on indus-
try operations. IEEE members can purchase e-books at a
discounted member price, and download free e-books at
7. IEEE-USA's Fifth Annual Career Fly-In (23-24 March
2009)
IEEE members in the United States are encouraged to
come to Washington, D.C. on 23-24 March 2009 to dis-
cuss high-skill immigration reform with their legislators.
After almost a decade of work, IEEE-USA has success-
fully steered the debate in Congress away from temporary
visas, such as the H-1B, toward skill-based green cards
for talented immigrants. We have a very real chance in
2009 to finally win this fight. But to do that, legislators
needs to hear from their voters. Numerous studies have
shown that face-to-face visits from constituents are the
single best way to influence an elected official.
If you are concerned about the high-skill immigration
issue, this may be your best chance to make a difference.
Students, especially international students, are welcome.
We also need business owners and leaders to join us to
discuss the role immigrant engineers have in their busi-
nesses. More information can be found at
or by e-
mailing IEEE-USA staffer Russ Harrison at:
.
WEBINARS, SEMINARS & CONFERENCES
8. Free IEEE-USA Webinars Available Online
Twelve of IEEE-USA's webinar series titles are available
online at no charge at:
Titles include:
- Engineers and Public Policy
- Discovering and Using Your Innovation Style
- Career Management: Maximizing Your Employability
- Engineering the Art of Negotiation
FOR STUDENTS OF ENGINEERING
9. WISE Internship Applicants Wanted
Outstanding engineering students with a keen interest in
public policy, and evidence of leadership skills, are en-
couraged to apply for the summer 2009 Washington In-
ternships for Students of Engineering (WISE) program,
scheduled to run from 8 June to 7 August. To qualify for
consideration, applicants must be juniors, seniors or en-
tering their final year of undergraduate studies in
engineering or computer science. WISE will also accept
applications from engineering grads who are beginning
Masters level study in a technology policy-related degree.
Interns must be U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents.
WISE applicants should apply directly to their desired
sponsor using the contact information provided. ANS,
ASCE, ASME, IEEE and SAE will sponsor only indi-
viduals who are members of their societies at the time of
application. Minority students are encouraged to apply.
Applicants are required to fill out an application form,
write two brief (one page) essays in response to ques-
tions, arrange for two faculty references, and forward an
official transcript.
Download the 2009 WISE program application at:
View the downloadable program flyer (PDF) at:
10. Promote Technological Literacy: Apply to be IEEE-
USA's Engineering Mass Media Fellow
The American Association for the Advancement of Sci-
ence sponsored Science and Engineering Mass Media
Fellows Program provides an opportunity for college and
graduate students in engineering and computer science to
work full-time over the summer as reporters, researchers
and production assistants in mass media organizations
nationwide -- including radio and TV stations, newspa-
Volume 52
Issue 2
January 2009
Page 11
pers and magazines. Since 2000, IEEE-USA Mass Media
Fellows have been assigned to such media outlets as the
Los Angeles Times, the Chicago Tribune, Scientific
American, Popular Scienceand WNBC-TV. The applica-
tion deadline is 15 January 2009.
Check out 2008 Mass Media Fellow Maddalena Jackson's
article on her experience at the Sacramento Bee at:
11. Student Travel Fellowships to AAAS
The National Association of Science Writers is pleased to
announce the 2009 NASW Student Travel Fellowships to
AAAS. As many as 10 undergraduate students interested
in science journalism will receive up to $750 in travel
expenses to attend the 2009 AAAS meeting in Chicago.
The meeting will be held 12-16 February 2009. NASW's
education committee will select students to receive the
fellowship and will pair each one with a veteran writer for
a one-day mentorship program.
Deadline for application is 12 December. For more in-
formation, and an application form, please visit:
NEWS & OPPORTUNITIES FROM AROUND THE
INSTITUTE
12. On the Lookout for a Few Good Fellows
It's not too early to nominate an IEEE senior member for
the Fellow class of 2010. The deadline is 1 March 2009.
This prestigious group now numbers 6,000 out of IEEE's
total of 375,000 members. While many view Fellows as
visionaries, pioneers, technology leaders, or influential
business executives, you probably know them as your
friends or colleagues. So take the time to nominate some-
one you know in one of four Fellow categories: applica-
tion engineer, educator, research engineer, or technical
leader. To submit a nomination or learn more about these
categories and the Fellow Program, visit the Fellow Web
IEEE Oregon Section Contacts
Gary Hinkle
Section Chair
Jeffrey Drummond
Vice Chair
Susan Federici
Secretary
Jesse Inkpen
Treasurer
Allen Taylor
BEEEP Editor
John Vinson
Pre-College Activities Chair
Ed Perkins
Professional Activities Chair
Christopher Jacobs
Public Relations Chair
Editorial submissions are welcome and should be made
by the 25th of the month preceding publication.Send all
items to the Editor,
AllenTaylor, 503-656-0831
email:
Volume 52
Issue 2
January 2009
Page 12