Washington Engineer - July 2007

Contents:

Message from Dean Matt O'Donnell
Research news: Robotic surgeon; Smart sunglasses; Underwater turbines
Campus news: Engineering education study results; Concrete canoes; Deaf computing academy
Coming events: Engineering Lecture Series; Engineers Without Borders national meeting
In the media

Message from Dean Matt O'Donnell

Dean Matt O'Donnell salutes our 1,100 new engineering graduates. A recent study suggests undergraduates tend to pursue engineering when they better understand the field. He highlights UW programs and classes designed to engage freshmen and sophomores who are considering an engineering degree. More ...

Research news

Robotic surgeon to team up with doctors, astronauts on NASA mission
NASA tests the UW's mobile surgical robot, Raven, for its suitability for use in space.
View BBC story »

'Smart' sunglasses and goggles let users adjust shade and color
New polymers create lenses that change color and shade in seconds.
Read UW News story »
Read Photonics Spectra story »

Underwater turbines could turn Puget Sound's tides into electricity
The UW's mechanical engineers look to Puget Sound as a possible source of clean energy.
Read UW News story »
Read Everett Herald story »

Campus news

Engineering students overworked, uninformed of their major, study finds
A four-year study of U.S. engineering students provides directions for change. Read story »

Concrete Canoe competition surges through Seattle
Missed the American Society of Civil Engineers' national concrete canoe races? See a slideshow of the competition, which took place in Seattle June 14-16.
[no longer available; see Picassa web album instead]

Deaf Computing Summer Academy
Students attending the UW's first Summer Academy for Advancing Deaf and Hard of Hearing in Computing are encouraged to consider a career in technology research. Read story »

Coming events

Engineering Lecture Series

Save the dates for this fall's Engineering Lecture Series, "Building the Best." All lectures will be held on the UW's Seattle campus.

Rebuilding the Baby Boomer: Replacement Parts for the 21st Century
Buddy D. Ratner, Professor, Department of Bioengineering; Director, University of Washington Engineered Biomaterials (UWEB)
Tuesday, October 23, 7 p.m.

Building the New Tacoma Narrows Bridge
Steven Hansen, Senior Vice President, Kiewit Corp. and Joe P. Mahoney, Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Thursday, November 1, 7 p.m.

Building the Future of Commercial Aviation: Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner
Alan G. Miller, Director of 787 Technology Integration, The Boeing Company and Mark Tuttle, Chair, Department of Mechanical Engineering
Tuesday, November 13, 7 p.m.

Registration will open soon on the UW Alumni Web site.

Engineers Without Borders national meeting
The Engineers Without Borders national meeting will take place in Seattle in March 2008. Details to come soon.

In the media

Computer science takes steps to bring women to the fold
NY Times» (NY Times registration required)

The future's taking too long to get here
CBS Sunday Morning »

3-D models at the click of a camera
ABC News »