Nanotechnology, the ability to perform both design and construction of novel new materials and devices on a molecular scale, may well be the most significant achievement of the new millennium, and some of the most significant work in the field of nanotechnology is being done right here in Texas. Organizations which are pushing the cutting edge in their products (e.g.- Lockheed Martin Tactical Aircraft Systems in Fort Worth, Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas, and NASA in Houston) form part of the applications "pull" that is spurring Texas companies and universities to become world-class providers of this technology.
This year's IEEE DFW Metroplex event, MetroCon '99, recognizes the importance of this technology with its strongest nanotechnology track ever. Held in conjunction with the Electronics Representatives Association's exhibition at the Arlington Convention Center on April 22, MetroCon will explore the state-of-the-art in Telecommunications, the Internet and Nanotechnology.
Dr. Kenneth Smith, Ph. D, Executive Director of Rice University's prestigious Center for Nanoscale Science and Technology (CNST) and the Rice Quantum Institute, will provide the keynote luncheon address "The Incredible Future of Nanoscale Science." With "Tubes at Rice" already able to furnish research quantities of high quality single walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT), the vision of a future steeped in products resulting from nanotechnology may not be that far off - molecular machines using nanotubes to create atomically precise structures; a low-cost, non-corroding material that is stronger than steel; semiconducting nanotubes create new low-cost computer chips, television screens, and communications devices; and perhaps even carbon nanotubes will playing a role in electrical power transmission.
CNST was created after the 1985 discovery by Rice professors Richard E. Smalley, and Robert F. Curl, of a third form of molecular carbon, C-60. It was fondly named "buckminster fullerene" because of its structural similarity to the geodesic domes of the architect R. Buckminster Fuller. For their work, Smalley, Curl, and British colleague Harold Kroto, received the 1996 Nobel prize in chemistry. Kenneth will bring us up-to-date with the latest accomplishments and directions of Smalley and the others at CNST.
The nanotechnology track will highlight recent breakthroughs in the development and use of both micro- and nano- scale materials and devices as a bridge toward further advances in OptoElectronics and future applications for molecular nanotechnology.
MetroCon '99 technical conference is sponsored by the FW Section and the Engineering Trade Show is sponsored by the Southwestern Chapter of Electronics Representatives Association.
NEW IEEE-USA RESUME REFERRAL SERVICE ENGINEERS THE RIGHT MATCH - High-tech professionals have a new tool for career advancement: the IEEE-USA Resume Referral Service (www.ieeeusa.org/EMPLOYMENT/resume.html). And like its popular cousin, the IEEE-USA Job Listing Service (www.ieeeusa.org/jobs.html), the service is free to US IEEE members.
"Over the past few years, we've developed the nation's premier job-posting service for tech nical professionals; it was a natural next step to introduce a top-of-the line resume database for our members," said IEEE-USA Employment Assistance Committee Chair Gary Johnson. "With industry claiming a lack of skilled high-tech workers, we expect the database to become very quickly a hot property for employers seeking access to the IEEE's rich talent pool."
US IEEE members can enroll via the Web or by hard-copy form: Contact Resume-Link, 614-923-0608, socmember@resume-link.com. Employers who seek skilled technical professionals should contact Resume-Link's Dave Meagher, 614-923-0600, ext. 329, or dmeagher@resume-link.com.
PROFESSIONAL CAREER TIME LINE AVAILABLE FOR CAREER PLANNING - Developed by the AIAA Career Enhancement Committee and made available for use by IEEE-USA, the Professional Career Time Line provides a checklist of helpful actions for assuring greater success during every phase of your career. For a free copy, contact, Marilyn Sumpter at m.sumpter@ieee.org.
REGISTER NOW FOR 1999 PHOENIX CONSULTANTS WORKSHOP - IEEE-USA's 1999 Consultants Workshop is set for Saturday, April 24 in Phoenix, Arizona. This year's program will include presentations on marketing of services, contracting, fee setting and fee survey results, use of the Internet to enhance your business, the professional office and more. April 21 is the deadline to qualify for the advance registration discount. Contact Henry Burger, h.burger@ieee.org.
ORDER NOW TO GET 1999 SALARY SURVEY AT PRE-PUBLICATION DISCOUNT - The 1999 IEEE-USA Membership Salary and Fringe Benefit Survey will be available in mid-May. This biennial survey provides the latest statistics on US engineering salaries to help users consider prospective jobs, negotiate salary and benefits, or find out about related positions in their field. Order now to reserve your copy at a pre-publication discount. Contact w.anderson@ieee.org.
AICN RELEASES HIGHLIGHTS OF 1998 CONSULTANTS' FEE SURVEY - The Alliance of IEEE Consultants Networks has released the highlights of its 1998 consultants' fee survey, which includes useful information on a variety of topics such as billing rates, regional differences, and business development practices. Contact w.anderson@ieee.org.
ENGINEERING DEGREES HIT 17-YEAR LOW - The American Association of Engineering Societies (AAES) released its latest survey on engineering degrees, which reveals that the number of students receiving bachelor's of science degrees in engineering in the United Stated has fallen to a 17-year low. The 1998 edition of the EWC Engineering and Technology Degrees survey covers data from 340 schools with engineering programs and 284 schools with engineering technology programs in the United States. It is the most comprehensive, accurate, and authoritative source for engineering and technology degree data in the country.
The contrast between students receiving bachelor's degrees overall and those in engineering is striking. According to the EWC, between 1986 and 1998, the number of students receiving bachelor's of science degrees in engineering declined by 19.8% to 63,262 nationwide while the number of students receiving bachelor's of science degrees overall increased by nearly 20% over the same period of time. For more information call 202-296-2237.
AAES LAUNCHES ALLIANCE TO IMPROVE PUBLIC AWARENESS OF ENGINEERING - The American Association of Engineering Societies (AAES) has announced the formation of The Engineering Alliance, a coalition dedicated to improving public awareness, understanding, and recognition of the engineering profession and to addressing the crisis with respect to the number of US students pursuing engineering degrees. The Engineering Alliance brings together the best of America's engineering community from industry, academia, and the 26 engineering societies represented by AAES through a partnership that will help the US maintain its proud history of engineering leadership and innovation in the 21st century. For more information visit www.engineeringalliance.com or www.aaes.org.
NEW WEB SITE PREMIERS - If you haven't already done so, check out the new IEEE Web site (www.ieee.org) that debuted in February. It features easier to follow links and more information for members and professionals interested in IEEE. Among the most popular features is the web-based membership application, online member services, and a new virtual reading room.
NEW VIDEO SERIES CAPTURES ENGINEERING AS A PROFESSION - The Engineering Profession Videotape Series, Volume II is a six-videotape series that seeks to prepare graduating seniors and recent graduates for entering new careers in industry and government. It is based on lectures recently given at North Carolina State University as part of the school's engineering graduate program and covers: Engineering Ethics, Maintaining Professional Vitality, Employee Benefit Options, Safety Engineering, Managing Investments & Financial Planning, and Intellectual Property Protection. Contact 800-678-IEEE.
IT PROFESSIONAL MAGAZINE PREMIERES - Intel cofounder Andy Grove's view on the state of networking, a status report on planning for Y2K, a basic guide to essential security practices, and protocols for supporting next generation Internet applications without upgrading are among the topics featured in the premiere issue of IT Professional. The new bimonthly magazine, published by the IEEE Computer Society, provides explanations of technology to help company executives and information technology staffs build and manage information systems. The full text of the Jan/Feb issue, complete with video clips from Grove's networking profile, is available to all online at www.computer.org/itpro.
IEEE Y2K STANDARDS AVAILABLE ON WEB - IEEE is making available-at no charge-IEEE Std 2000.1-1998, "IEEE Standard for Year 2000 Terminology," and IEEE Draft Std P2000.2, "IEEE Recommended Practice for Information Technology Year 2000 Test Methods."
IEEE Std 2000.1-1998 is designed to assist individuals and organizations in their efforts to develop Year 2000 solutions by providing a base-line of terms and definitions that can serve as a foundation for Year 2000 efforts.
IEEE Draft Std P2000.2 is designed to assist organizations and individuals in both the assessment of their assets for Year 2000 status and validation of their Year 2000 readiness after assets have been remediated. It will serve as a template that can be customized by each organization to help in the creation of Year 2000 test plans and test scenarios for the technical assessment, verification and validations of their individual assets.
As we count down to MetroCon'99, I regret to announce that Dr. Richard Smalley, 1996 Chemistry Nobel Prize winner will not be joining us as our keynote speaker this year. Dr. Smalley has recently taken seriously ill and has cancelled all travel and engagements for the foreseeable future. All of us here in the Section wish him the best of luck in his recovery. In his place at MetroCon will be his boss, Dr. Kenneth Smith. Ken is the Executive Director of the Center for Nanoscale Science and Technology at Rice, and is himself an outstanding speaker with a topic that will soon have an impact on all of our lives - Nanoscience. All of our tracks are now complete and I invite you to join us on April 22nd for some top quality education and training.
Our Signals Editor, Jean Eason has recently been nominated to run for IEEE Region 5 Director-Elect in 2000-2001. Jean is a former Chairman of the section and an outstanding candidate for the role of Director. I urge you to consider a vote for Jean later this year, and we wish Jean the very best of luck!
Finally, I would like to welcome Mark Burt of TU Electric, and Saibun Tjuatja of UTA, to the IEEE Fort Worth Committee. Mark joins us as Chairman of the Membership Development Committee, while Saibun will take over as Chairman of the Antennas & Propagation Society Chapter. Welcome Mark and Saibun!
- Alan Triggs
Recognizing our Section members for their long-time commitment to the profession on the anniversary of their joining IEEE.
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On one side of a river are the king (K), the queen (Q), the prince (P), the princess(PR), a guard (G), and the guard's wife (W). They have to cross the river in a two-passenger rowboat, so only one or two can cross at a time. They are all able to row the boat. The crossings are subject to two ridiculous conditions:
Answer to last month's Brainbuster:
The two clocks will come together again when they both show six o'clock. At ten seconds per hour, the drift wil require 90 days. The time between dates in January and May can be 90 days on if the dates are January 31 and May 1, and it is not a leap year. Since it's the year of Harry's 23rd birthday and he was born in 1964 or 1965, the year is 1987 or 1988. But 1988 was a leap year, so Harry was born in 1964, and he is therefore the older.
Jean Eason, Editor