VIRGINIA MOUNTAIN SECTION NEWSLETTER IEEE Region 3, Council 09, Section 65 October 1999 ***************************************** CONTENTS October Meeting 1 Joint Meeting with Industry Applications Dr. Jason Lai Electric Vehicles and Power Electronics Abstract 2 Reservations 3 Sept. Meeting Report 4 New Members - Problems 5 Chair’s Comment 6 Attention Seniors/Fellows 7 New Edu. Satellite Series Avail. 8 IEEE – FIRST Alliance 9 Membership Renewal via Web 10 1999-2000 VMS Schedule 11 Your IEEE Benefits 12 VMS Section 13 *****************************************( 1 ) October 21 Joint Meeting with Industry Applications Dr. Jason Lai Virginia Tech Electric Vehicles and Power Electronics *****************************************( 2 ) Abstract Center for Power Electronics Center (CPES) is a recently formed National Science Foundation’s Engineering Research Center. Research activities can be found in all aspects of power electronics applications. The electric vehicle (EV) related research projects include soft-switching inverters for traction motor drives, bi-directional dc/dc chargers, traction motor-inverter integration, etc. The presentation will start with the background of recent EV development. Several questions regarding EV performance will then be discussed. What is the hybrid EV (HEV)? How fast can EV/HEV run? How efficient are EV/HEVs? How far can EV/HEV go? What is the latest development in the EV industry? Can fuel cell replace battery? How does academic power electronics research help EV industry? About the Speaker Jih-Sheng (Jason) Lai received M. S. and Ph.D. degrees in electrical engineering from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, in 1985 and 1989 respectively. From 1980 to 1983, he was the Head of the Electrical Engineering Department of the Ming-Chi Institute of Technology, Taipei, Taiwan, where he initiated a power electronics program and received a grant from his college and a fellowship from the National Science Council to study abroad. In 1986, he became a staff member at the University of Tennessee, where he taught control systems and energy conversion courses. In 1989, he joined the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) Power Electronics Applications Center (PEAC), where he managed EPRI-sponsored power electronics research projects. From 1993, he worked with the Oak Ridge National Laboratory as the Power Electronics Lead Scientist, where he initiated a high power electronics program and developed several novel high power converters including multilevel converters and auxiliary resonant snubber based soft-switching inverters. His work brought him several distinctive awards including a Technical Achievement Award in Lockheed Martin Award Night, two IEEE IAS Conference Paper Awards from Industrial Power Converter Committee, one IEEE IECON Best Paper Award, and an Advanced Technology Award from Inventors Clubs of America. Since August 1996, he has been with the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University as an Associate Professor. He is currently one of the core faculty members of the NSF Center for Power Electronics Systems (CPES) with main research areas in high power electronics converter topologies, motor drives, and utility power electronics interface and application issues. He has published more than 75 technical papers and 2 books. He received 8 U.S. patents in the area of high power electronics and their applications. Dr. Lai is a senior member of IEEE and the Chairman of the IEEE Power Electronics Society Standards Committee. He is also a member of Phi Kappa Phi and Eta Kappa Nu honor societies. *****************************************( 3 ) Reservations Date: Thursday, October 21, 1999 Social: 6:30 PM Dinner: 7:00 PM Talk: 8:00 PM Cost: Member or Guest $12.00 Student $ 6.00 Place: AEP Auditorium, Christiansburg Industrial Park. From the east and south: I81 exit 118, Rt. 11 south about 0.1 to 0.2 mile. Right into the Christiansburg Industrial Park (between the Exxon station and Pizza Hut), left onto Prospect to the end. AEP: brick green-roof building. By 5 PM: Monday. October 18 Roanoke: Dan Jackson (540) 774-0484 Blacksburg: Ira Jacobs (540) 231-5620 Lexington: David Livingston (540) 464-7545 Radford and Christiansburg: Russell Churchill (540) 731-0655 *****************************************( 4 ) Meeting Report IEEE Virginia Mountain Section VMS 50th Anniversary Celebration September 16, 1999 Hotel Roanoke, Roanoke, Virginia Fifty-two IEEE members, guests, and students gathered at the Hotel Roanoke for a gala celebration honoring the 1949 founding of the Virginia Mountain Section. Although Hurricane Floyd had threatened to join the festivities, this turned out to be an unfounded concern and did not dampen the spirits of the attendees. The evening provided a very enjoyable opportunity to socialize with distinguished Section members including Fellows and Past Presidents as well as each other. An excellent meal (oh, those desserts!) was tastefully offered by the Hotel Roanoke staff. Dale C. Caston, Region 3 Director, congratulated the Section on its achievements over the years and the Section and Region leaders which have come forth. He concluded his remarks by presenting Chairman Dan Jackson with a 3' x 5' commemorative banner. Dan promptly turned the banner over to Vice Chairman Dave Kingma for proper care and display at future events. Paul Kostek, 1999 IEEE USA President, spoke on the IEEE-USA and Engineering in the 21st century. Paul provided a very insightful and relevant perspective on contemporary engineering career success and corporate organizational trends. He emphasized the need to manage your own career and develop your own resources rather than depending on your present firm for life-long employment. IEEE- USA is one such resource focused on members' careers, delivering new and improved services, and trying new approaches to make the profession better heard in Washington. Paul also thanked all of the volunteers who contribute their time to make IEEE-USA successful including the members, spouses, employers and their employees. Paul fielded questions following his talk and assured listeners Y2K would not be a disaster. The 1999 IEEE President, Kenneth R. Laker, was also scheduled to present his thoughts on the "21st Century IEEE-The Exemplary Global Engineering Society". Unfortunately, the weather prevented Dr. Laker from visiting with us. However, he communicated his congratulations and assurances of a future visit in a message read by Dan Jackson. After presenting Paul Kostek with a Certificate of Appreciation, Dan closed the meeting. Many attendees stayed after the meeting to enjoy further association with their colleagues and friends. ...Howard J. Moses *****************************************( 5 ) New VMS Members - Welcome – Probable Goofs There have been problems recently with monthly membership updates. As a result, identifying members new to the Section has been “iffy”. It is likely some “Old Timers” have received welcome letters and some newcomers slighted. Our apologies in either case. The problem is being worked. ...editor *****************************************( 6 ) CHAIR'S COMMENTS by Dan Jackson Our section's 50th anniversary is now behind us. A new millennium is before us. We need to make the next fifty years of the Virginia Mountain Section even better than the first fifty. Our programs for this coming year, as arranged by Dave Kingma, are a good start. But we need your participation (attendance) to make them successful programs. All of you, except Student and Associate Members, should have received your IEEE election ballots. If you have not returned it, go find it NOW, make your selections, and put it in the mail TODAY. It must be signed in the appropriate place and received by 12 noon November 1 to be counted. Your vote does make a difference. Some IEEE elections have been determined by just a handful of votes. Two years ago the winning margin was 486 votes, 1.1 percent. On October 8-11 Sections Congress '99 was held in Minneapolis, MN. This Congress, which takes place every three years, provides an opportunity for section leaders worldwide to exchange views on Section problems and their solutions. The primary delegates prioritize issues of concern to the IEEE members. These issues are forwarded to the Board of Directors for action over the next three years. I assure you that the Board does take action. Much of the electronic communication and publication in the IEEE today is the result of issues coming from SC'93 in San Juan and SC'96 in Denver. Dave Kingma was the primary Delegate from the Virginia Mountain Section and your chair attended as a speaker on Admissions and Advancement. Monica Mallini, a recent member of our section and a past chair of the Beaumont, TX Section, also attended as a speaker on Small Sections. I am sure that all of us will be glad to report on the results of the Congress in the future. Dave will be able to apply the new knowledge he acquired as our Vice Chair and future Section Chair. I look forward to seeing each of you at our next meeting. ...Dan *****************************************( 7 ) ATTENTION!!! SENIOR MEMBERS AND FELLOWS December 11 is Your Day On December 11 the Admissions and Advancement Committee will convene an ad hoc working group in Roanoke to review applications for elevation and admission to Senior Member Grade. The ad hoc working group will consist of Senior Members and Fellows from the Virginia Mountain Section. Here is your opportunity to participate in the admission and advancement process. As the chair of the A & A Committee I will need your help on Saturday, December 11. I will be sending each of you a letter requesting your participation and including specific details closer to the date. Mark your calendar now! December 11, A & A Panel 8:30am. Wyndham Hotel-Roanoke Airport (formerly the Marriott). Dan Jackson Chair Admissions & Advancement Committee *****************************************( 8 ) Webcasting/Satellite Series On Project Management Now Available To IEEE Members PISCATAWAY, NJ, 24 September 1999 – The IEEE, together with the International Institute for Learning, Inc. (IIL), is offering to IEEE members a 10% discount on the webcasting/satellite training series Hot Topics, Tools and Techniques in Project Management. Beginning 21 October 1999, registered IEEE members can watch the six, three- hour live broadcasts via satellite at locations throughout the U.S., or access the entire program via the Internet at any time during and after the live broadcasts. The series will be simultaneously translated into Spanish. Designed to bring applicable project management methods to thousands of individuals around the world, the series will cover the following topics: - Project Management Overview 21 October 1999 - Meet or Exceed Customer Expectations While Minimizing Scope Creep 28 October 1999 - Schedule and Budget Your Projects Using WBS and CPM 4 November 1999 - Control Your Projects Using EVA 18 November 1999 - Project Management Entrepreneurship & Risk Management 2 December 1999 - Manage Multiple Projects and Replicate Success 9 December 1999 For those watching the broadcasts live via satellite, each session will run from 11:00am to 2:00pm, eastern standard time. The lead instructor for this series is Dr. Al. Zeitoun, and select topics will be taught by IIL’s accomplished instructors in project management. Participants are eligible to receive 1.8 CEUs and 18 PDUs. IEEE members receive a 10% discount off the list price of $500 per person or $6000 per site license. To register or receive information on satellite downlink locations, how to access the series via the internet, and site licenses, contact IIL via: the internet (www.iil.com), phone (800.385.4350 or 417.236.0992), fax (417.236.0964), or e-mail (learning@iil.com). To speak with a representative from the IEEE about the program, contact Alan Trembly at a.trembly@ieee.org. *****************************************( 9 ) IEEE Forms an Alliance with FIRST (MANCHESTER, NH) 22 September 1999 - The IEEE became a technical co-sponsor of FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) today at a ceremony at the FIRST Place Science and Technology Facility in Manchester, NH. Dr. Arthur Winston, Vice President of the IEEE Educational Activities Board, was on hand to sign the agreement with Dean Kamen, Founder of FIRST. This alliance supports the IEEE's strategic goal to "enhance the quality of instruction and foster student interest in mathematics, engineering, and science." The IEEE has now joined other organizations such as ASME and NASA in helping to provide technical expertise and mentors for students who participate in FIRST programs. FIRST Founder Kamen said, "We look forward to collaborating with the IEEE to help expand our programs to provide young men and women with experiences that will prepare them for real world work in science and technology fields." FIRST sponsors the nationally recognized FIRST Robotics Competition each year for high- school students throughout the United States. Teams of students and engineers work together to brainstorm, design, construct, and test their "champion robots" to see if they meet the assigned challenges. The student teams then compete in a spirited, no-holds barred competitions, complete with referees, cheerleaders, and time clocks. The competition's National Championship takes place each spring at Epcot of WALT DISNEY WORLD Resorts in Orlando, FL. Other programs include a new junior version of the Competition called FIRST LEGO League for middle and junior high school students, and a variety of hands-on, science-based summer camps and after school programs at FIRST Place for students ages 10-13. As a co-sponsor of FIRST, the IEEE will encourage its members to loan their technical expertise to students as they construct their projects for the robotics competition. There are many ways IEEE members can participate in the IEEE/FIRST collaboration. These include: - Volunteering to be a technical consultant for a local FIRST team. - Asking their employer to become a corporate sponsor by providing financial assistance to a local FIRST team - Assisting FIRST competition coordinators with the planning and development of an event in their region. - Spreading the word about the FIRST Robotics Competition to local schools and IEEE student branches. - Urging their own children to join a local FIRST team. To speak with a representative from the IEEE about getting involved with FIRST activities, contact Christy Bouziotis at c.bouziotis@ieee.org. To find out more about FIRST, visit them on the Web at <www.usfirst.org. FIRST is a non-profit organization started by Kamen in 1989 whose mission is to generate interest in science and engineering among today's youth. FIRST brings together an alliance of industry, education, and government organizations. Kamen, an entrepreneur and inventor with over 100 patents, is President of DEKA Research and Development Corporation. *****************************************( 10 ) RENEW ON THE WEB FOR 2000! Want to save time, reduce paperwork and avoid mail delays? To help you attain those goals, IEEE is promoting membership renewal and new applications via an interactive web site. Web Renewal will be offered for the 2000 membership renewal starting 1 October 1999. IEEE Members are invited to renew for 2000 by completing the convenient on- line renewal form at www.ieee.org/renewal/. To renew on-line, please have your member number and a credit card handy. You will also need to use your IEEE Web Account Username. If you don't remember your Web Account Username or want to change your password, go to www.ieee.org/webaccount/userpass/. New members should go to www.ieee.org/membership/ for information and access to application forms. For more information, contact IEEE Member Services. USA & Canada: +1 800 678 4333 (voice) Worldwide: +1 732 981 0060 (voice) member-services@ieee.org ---------------------------------- Your renewal application has the details but all you need do is point your browser to: www.ieee.org/renewal and follow directions provided. The path to create the required IEEE Web Account also starts there. I just did all that - it’s the way to go. Give it a try this year. ...editor *****************************************( 11 ) 1999-2000 MEETING SCHEDULE DATE SPEAKER/TOPIC MEETING PLACE _____________________________________________ September 16 50th Anniversary Hotel Roanoke _____________________________________________ October 21 Joint Meeting with Industry Applications Dr. Jason Lai, Virginia Tech Topic: "Electric Vehicles and Power Electronics" Appalachian Electric Power, Christiansburg _____________________________________________ November 18 Spouses Night Nancy Vorona, Industry Director for Advanced Materials & Electronics, Virginia Center for Innovative Technology "The Electronics Industry in Virginia - Plans for the Future" Clarion Hotel, Roanoke _____________________________________________ January 20 Joint Meeting: Microwave Theory and Techniques Roger Marks, Distinguished Lecturer, NIST "Standards for Broadband Wireless Access Systems” Appalachian Electric Power, Christiansburg _____________________________________________ February 17 Bart Cregger, Assistant Dean of Engineering, VCU "Engineering Education for the 21st Century: The Model at VCU" Appalachian Electric Power, Christiansburg March 16 Joint Meeting: Industrial Electronics/Computer/Control Systems TBD VMI, Lexington _____________________________________________ April 20 Student Project Night Virginia Tech _____________________________________________ May 18 Plant Tour Cloverdale Station *****************************************( 12 ) Take Advantage of Your Member Benefits CONTINUING EDUCATION CURRENT TECHNICAL INFORMATION IEEE INFORMATION RETRIEVAL Ask*IEEE Document Delivery Service INFO: EMAIL: askieee@ieee.org CAREER TRANSITION SUPPORT - Employment Services - Job Listings - Entry Level Resources - Resume Listing Service - Job Fairs - Job Search Tools and Advice LINKS TO OVER 30 OTHER EMPLOYMENT RESOURCES SUCH AS: THE ACADEMIC POSITION NETWORK ADAMS JOBBANK ON-LINE AMERICA’S JOB BANK CAREERBUILDER OTHER - Electronic Communications Services - Directory Service (Aliases) - Electronic Mail Services - Mailing-Lists and Discussion Groups - Majordomo Tutorial for ListOwners - Usenet Newsgroups - ieee.* hierarchy - Public Information Retrieval - Anonymous-FTP Server - File-Retrieval via E-Mail - Traveling the Information Highway with Bob Alden - IEEE Internet Project - Info on IEEE RABFacts System HERE ARE SOME OF THE PERSONAL BENEFITS IEEE MEMBERSHIP BRINGS YOU: - Receive your own personal subscription to SPECTRUM. - Become an active part of your local professional community. - Enhance your career by networking with technical experts. - Save with low member prices on IEEE products. - Attend top technical conferences at low member rates. - Increase your professional prestige. - Join a technical society. - The IEEE Financial Advantage Program Program Highlights: IEEE Gold MasterCard and VISA Gold IEEE Mutual Funds IEEE Group Insurance IEEE Conference Management and Travel Program Benefits and Services: Business Services Education Services Financing, Planning & Investing Home Services Insurance Plans/ Supplements Travel & Conference Registratio For access information and details on any of these, take your browser Directly to the IEEE at: http://www.ieee.org/member.html Or to the VMS Home Page at: IEEE Virginia Mountain Section http://fiddle.visc.vt.edu/ieeevms/ select: Links to IEEE, then Member Services *****************************************( 13 ) VMS OFFICERS Chairman: Daniel W. Jackson d.jackson@ieee.org g (540) 774-0484 Vice Chairman: Dave Kingma dkingma@swva.net (540) 552-3011 x304 Sec./Treasurer: Howard J. Moses arcova@swva.net (540) 731-0655 VMS Executive Committee John Bay bay@vt.edu (540) 231-5114 Russell Churchill arcova@swva.net (540) 731-0655 John Fennick jhfslf@swva.net (540) 552-0052 Ira Jacobs ijacobs@vt.edu (540) 231-5620 Junior Past Chairman: David Livingston d.livingston@ieee.org (540) 464-7545 Virginia Council Representative: David Livingston d.livingston@ieee.org (540) 464-7545 VMS Chapter Chairs Industry Applications Dal Y. Ohm ohm@usit.net (540 ) 552-8973 Industrial Electronics/Computer/Control Systems David Geer d.geer@ieee.org (540) 387-7359 Microwave Theory & Techniques/Electron Devices Tim Gittemeier Tim.Gittemeier@gaastek.de.ittind.com (540) 563-3972 Power Engineering Ted Aaron Tea45@aol.com (540) 381-2521 COMMITTEE CHAIRS Awards: Ira Jacobs ijacobs@vt.edu (540) 231-5620 Education: Russell Churchill arcova@swva.net (540) 731-0655 Membership Development: Ira Jacobs ijacobs@vt.edu (540) 231-5620 Nominations: David Livingston d.livingston@ieee.org (540) 464-7545 Anbo Wang awang@vt.edu (540) 231-4355 Lynn Abbott abbott@vt.edu (540) 231-4472 PACE : Dan Jackson d.jackson@ieee.org (540) 774-0484 Program : Dave Kingma dkingma@swva.net (540) 552-3011 x304 Publicity : John Fennick j.fennick@ieee.org (540) 552-0052 Student Activities: John Bay bay@vt.edu (540) 231-5114 NEWSLETTER Editor: John Fennick j.fennick@ieee.org (540) 552-0052 e-mail Newsletter Subscription Send the one-line message: SUBSCRIBE IEEEVMS your-name to: LISTSERV@listserv.vt.edu Anyone may submit material for the Newsletter Deadline: Monday following each meeting Submit To: Editor Change of Address VMS Web Page: http://fiddle.visc.vt.edu/ieeevms/ US Mail: IEEE Service Center 445 Hoes Lane, PO Box 1331 Piscataway, NJ 08855-1331 e-mail: address.change@ieee.org Tel: 800-678-IEEE Fax: 732-981-9667 IEEE Web: http://www.ieee.org/i3e_mailer.html (Changes are forwarded to the Newsletter) Visit the VMS WEB page: http://fiddle.visc.vt.edu/ieeevms Section/Chapter meeting notices, and reports. 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