(Page updated 2014-Dec-10)
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Activities and Events 2014

Technical Meeting

Medical Technology

Topic: Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for the New Oakville Hospital
Speaker: Vert Rayner, Chief ICT Architect
Date: Tuesday 2014-Jan-14
Time: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM (1 hour talk followed by Q & A)
Cost: None (Paid parking is available on site $17.50) Parking Information
Location: Oakville-Trafalgar Memorial Hospital,
  Auditorium (in the basement)
  327 Reynolds St.,
  Oakville, ON L6J 3L7
OTMH Directions

The New Oakville Hospital is scheduled to open December 2015. It will replace the Oakville-Trafalgar Memorial Hospital (OTMH) which opened in February 1950. The new Hospital is a 1.5 million sq. ft. facility, three times the size of the old one, located on a 50-acre greenfield parcel of land in Oakville, Ontario at Third Line and Dundas Street. The facility will have the capacity for 457 beds. The project targets a LEEDS Silver Development. The Oakville hospital has an notable landmark in Canadian medical history: on March 25, 1982, North America's first test tube twins (IVF), were born at OTMH.

Speaker's Biography:
Vert Rayner is Chief Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Architect - Redevelopment for Halton Healthcare Services. He will present on the Information Technology systems at the new Oakville hospital.

Registration is required, as seating is limited. Please register here

For more information contact John

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Administrative

Executive Meeting

A networking opportunity (as well as a chance for input on events)
This year we are trying conference calls to avoid the possibility of snow and nasty weather. Everyone is welcome to join us and listen in. If you have a point to raise, feel free to phone in, ask your question and leave. The joy and simplicity of telecommuting :-)

Date: Tuesday, 2014-Jan-28
Date: Tuesday, 2014-Feb-25
Date: Tuesday, 2014-Mar-25
Date: Tuesday, 2014-Apr-22
Date: Tuesday, 2014-May-27
Date: Tuesday, 2014-Jul-29
Date: Friday, 2014-Sep-05
Date: Tuesday, 2014-Sep-23
Date: Tuesday, 2014-Oct-28
Date: Tuesday, 2014-Nov-25
Date: Tuesday, 2014-Dec-16
Time: 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
The conference call is usually enabled 5 minutes before meeting.
Dial 1.866.512.0904
When prompted for participant code enter 1126897#
State your name, enter #
Enter *6 to mute/unmute your phone if you just want to listen.
Hang up when done.
Place: Your phone
Cost: None
Limit: All members welcome
For more information contact John

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Technical Meeting
Speaker Picture
 

4kV and 8kV Renewal: Asset Management Challenges Facing Distribution Companies

Free coffee and cookies.

Topic: 4kV and 8kV Renewal: Asset Management Challenges
Speaker: Richard Bassindale, Horizon Utilities
Date: Wednesday 2014-Feb-12
Time: 6:45 PM - 9:00 PM
Cost: None (Free event parking area)
Location: Meeting Room 1A, McMaster Innovation Park, 175 Longwood Road, Hamilton, ON L8P 0A1
mcmasterinnovationpark.ca/ Directions

Abstract:
The presentation will focus on Horizon Utilities' challenges regarding legacy 4kV and 8kV assets. This will include background information on:

Speaker's Biography:
Richard is the Supervisor of Engineering and Asset Management for Horizon Utilities in Stoney Creek. He prepares the 20 year Capital Expenditure forecast, so he knows what is happening now and in the future. He has a B.Eng. and an MBA from McMaster University.

Meeting Agenda:
6:45 PM Refreshments & Networking
7:00 PM Technical Talk Presentation
8:00 PM Question & Answer Session
8:30 PM Refreshments and Networking

For more information contact John Harris

Register here (so we get enough refreshments)

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Technical Meeting
Speaker Picture
 

Power Shift In The Maritimes

Free coffee and cookies.

Topic: Power Shift In The Maritimes
Speaker: Daryl Letto, P.Eng., Manager, Applications Engineering ENBALA
Date: Wednesday 2014-Mar-05
Time: 6:45 PM - 9:00 PM
Cost: None (Free event parking area)
Location: Meeting Room 1D,
   McMaster Innovation Park,
   175 Longwood Road, Hamilton, ON L8P 0A1
mcmasterinnovationpark.ca/ Directions

Abstract:
In two Canadian utilities in the Maritime Provinces, New Brunswick Power and Nova Scotia Power, ENBALA's Wind Integration solution is helping to mitigate wind ramping events and provide the necessary operational reserves since September 2012.
"From the company's original vision, ENBALA has evolved and grown into a serious player in the Smart Grid market," said Ron Dizy, President and CEO of ENBALA. "We are extremely pleased with the company's growth and success over the past ten years, from providing Grid Balance® services to PJM Interconnection and Ontario, to integrating wind generation for utilities in the Canadian Maritimes, all through the engagement of commercial and industrial loads."

Speaker's Biography:
Daryl Letto is Manager, Applications Engineering for Enbala Power Networks. Daryl is a licensed professional engineer with two Bachelor of Science degrees, one in biochemistry from Memorial University and another in biological engineering from the University of Guelph. ENBALA Stands For Energy + Balance.

Meeting Agenda:
6:45 PM Refreshments & Networking
7:00 PM Technical Talk Presentation
8:00 PM Question & Answer Session
8:30 PM Refreshments and Networking

For more information contact John Harris

Register here (so we get enough refreshments)

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Non-IEEE Event

Southern Ontario Process and Automation Show

Date: Tuesday, 2014-Mar-18
Time: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Place: Mississauga Convention Centre
    75 Derry Rd W
    Mississauga, ON L5W 1G3
Cost: None

More information and Registration site at www.cpecn.com

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Non-IEEE Event

ISA Hamilton Expo

Experience the future of Instrumentation, Systems & Automation

Date: Tuesday, 2014-Mar-25
Time: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Location: Royal Botanical Gardens, 680 Plains Road West, Burlington, ON
Registration: On site
Free Lunch if you print Expo 2014 Flyer
More information at ISA Hamilton - EXPO 2014

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Non-IEEE Event

McMaster: Industry Open House

This year McMaster University will be holding an Industry Open House and is extending an invitation to come and visit McMaster.
In addition to the labs on main campus, they will have the new MARC facility open. It houses a wide range of materials, manufacturing and powertrain testing equipment as well as hybrid electric vehicle technologies.
The CanmetMATERIALS labs will also be open for tours and demonstrations.
Date: Wednesday, 2014-Mar-26
Time: 1:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Place: McMaster University and McMaster Innovation Park, Hamilton, ON
Cost: None (Complimentary shuttle bus to travel between McMaster's Main Campus and Innovation Park)
Limit: None
Printable Event Notice
More information and Registration site at industry-open-house.eventbrite.ca
Organizing Committee: Dr. Stephen Veldhuis veldhu@mcmaster.ca

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Course
AED Symbol
 

Standard First Aid Training - CPR/AED Level C

Red Cross First Aid: The Standard First Aid Course is the most in-depth and all-encompassing course. Students will learn about a wide variety of medical conditions and injuries that vary from non-life threatening to potentially life threatening. You'll learn how to recognize emergencies, access advanced medical help, provide specific first aid for a variety of medical conditions (such as strokes, heart attacks, deadly bleeds, asthma attacks, severe allergic reactions), give proper CPR, and respond to a variety of injuries and conditions such as head injuries, broken bones, seizures, diabetes, poisoning, environmental emergencies, and more. This course also includes a segment on understanding and using the AED (Automated External Defibrillator). Level C is adult, child, and infant CPR.
This class is the type of knowledge you're likely to use in everyday life.

Students may find it a plus to have the standard first aid certificate on their resume. Any workplace where more then 5 people work at any given time must have at least one first aider trained in Standard First Aid & CPR/AED.

Date: Saturday, 2014-Mar-29 and Sunday 2014-Mar-30
Time: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Location: Heartbeat First Aid Centre
484 Kerr Street
Oakville, ON L6K 3C5 map
Parking: No on-site parking (Use Mall at Kerr and Speers)
Cost: (a $110.00 value)
Member: $55.00
Member and guest: $130.00 (bring your wife, child or friend)
Student and Graduate Student Member: $40.00
Life Member: $40.00
Non-member: $100.00
Limit: Course limited to 14 people.

Register and pay here

Course Content Course Brochure

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Non-IEEE Event

Bay Area Science and Engineering Fair

Annual Sciece Fair for students in Grades 7 to 12 see www.basef.ca

Public Viewing: Saturday 2014-March-29
Time: 9:00 AM - 12:00 noon
Location: Mohawk College, David Braley Athletic Centre

2012 year's winners of IEEE Hamilton prizes for best use of electricity/electronics:
project L11   project H17

If you want to be a judge see BASEF 2013 Call for Judges
Training in March, Judging Day is Thursday 2014-Mar-27

Judges: Eric Harrison, Marc Giroux, John Harris
Specialty Judges: Blair McCuish, Leydon Martinez-Fonte

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Non-IEEE Event

Niagara Region Science and Engineering Fair

Annual Science Fair for students in Grades 5 to 12 www.niagarasciencefair.org

Public Viewing: Sunday 2014-March-30
Time: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Location: Brock University

Pictures on Flickr:     Niagara Science Engineering Fair   Niagara Science Engineering Fair

If you want to be a judge see Niagara Call for Judges
30% of Fair projects are French speaking, so that is a plus
Judging Day is Saturday 2013-Mar-29 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Judges Manual

Judge: Dave Hepburn
Specialty Judge: Dave Hepburn

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Technical Meeting
Speaker Picture
 

Social Media in Emergency Planning

Free coffee and cookies.

Topic: Communications, Social Media, and the Role They Play in Emergency Planning
Speaker: Christopher Allsop, Telecommunications Technology Specialist
Date: Wednesday 2014-May-14
Time: 6:45 PM - 9:00 PM
Cost: None (Free event parking area)
Location: Meeting Room 1A, McMaster Innovation Park,
    175 Longwood Road, Hamilton, ON L8P 0A1
mcmasterinnovationpark.ca/     Directions

Abstract:
The presentation will focus was on how social media and smartphones can be used to help prepare yourself and your family for emergencies like ice storms, severe weather, natural and man made disasters.

Speaker's Biography:
Christopher is a Telecommunications Specialist with an expertise on VoIP phone solutions, small business technical support and creative communications technology solutions. He has provided technology skills to Election campaigns at all political levels.
He is an Amateur Radio operator and trained CANWARN spotter with Environment Canada.

Meeting Agenda:
6:45 PM Refreshments & Networking
7:00 PM Technical Talk Presentation
8:00 PM Question & Answer Session
8:30 PM Refreshments and Networking

Register here (so we get enough refreshments)

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Technical Meeting
Speaker Picture
 

TARBELA Hydro Plant

Free coffee and cookies.

Topic: Problems Building Pakistan's TARBELA Hydro Plant
Speaker: David Hepburn, retired Hatch Engineering
Date: Wednesday 2014-Apr-09
Time: 6:45 PM - 9:00 PM
Cost: None (Free event parking area)
Location: Meeting Room 1D, McMaster Innovation Park,
    175 Longwood Road, Hamilton, ON L8P 0A1
mcmasterinnovationpark.ca/     Directions

Abstract:
Tarbela was a very large hydro project in Pakistan, which met with a whole litany of serious problems. The original designers were not Hatch/Acres but a US firm. At the time the problems were much discussed in the press. Acres was hired to carry out an extension to the original plant, but because of the problems, both US and Canadian firms both ended working on the same site at the same time.
Dave had the good fortune to be site manager for part of the time in 1980-81. It was more fun than a cart load of monkeys.
The presentation was originally put together for the Hatch staff. The intention was to give the presentation and then have a seminar on how they might have done better.

Speaker's Biography:
David is an active member of IEEE Hamilton Section, Life Member Chapter and the Teacher in Service program. He won the 2013 IEEE Broughton Award for service to IEEE.

Meeting Agenda:
6:45 PM Refreshments & Networking
7:00 PM Technical Talk Presentation
8:00 PM Question & Answer Session
8:30 PM Refreshments and Networking

For more information contact John Harris

Register here (so we get enough refreshments)

Some youtube videos you may want to watch before the meeting
Tarbela DAM - Construction and Security Documentary Part 1
Tarbela DAM - Construction and Security Documentary Part 2

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Administrative Conference

IEEE Canada Board Meeting

This semi-annual conference is the place to have your opinions voiced to the higher ups in IEEE. We send one person to vote at the meeting, and a second executive person goes for training.
If you have any comments, let us know, so we can pass them on.

Date: Friday-Sunday, 2014-May-02 to 04 Mississauga, ON
Date: Friday-Saturday, 2014-Oct-31 to Nov-01 Peterborough, ON
Location: Toronto, ON

For more information contact John

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IEEE Conference

Canadian Conference on Electrical and Computer Engineering


Date: 2014-May-04 to 07
Location: Ryerson University, Toronto, ON

See the official CCECE 2014 website

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Comm Chapter Technical Meeting

Radar and Scattering

The Joint Chapter of Communications, Information Theory, and Signal Processing Societies is arranging for Dr. Tim Field to talk on radar and scattering including some of his new work, to be held at McMaster University.

Topic: Radar and Scattering
Speaker: Dr. Tim Field
Date: Wednesday 2014-May-28
Time: Afternoon? T.B.D.
Location: Information Technology Building? T.B.D.
    McMaster University
    1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4L8
Cost: None (Paid parking on campus)

Further details available from Michael Taylor taylom28@mcmaster.ca

Map1
Map 1 		Map2
Map 2 		Campus Map
ITB is Bldg 49 		paid parking on campus Directions
to McMaster

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Power Chapter Technical Tour

Tour of High Voltage Lab

The Joint Chapter of Power Engineering and Power Electronics Societies is arranging a tour of the High Voltage Lab and High Current Lab. The former is one of very few in North America while the latter is even more unique. In addition we could visit other labs - much smaller but still interesting: Mechanical Lab (for line vibrations), Protection & Control (with RTDS) and Renewable Energy Lab (where inverters for solar panels and wind turbines are tested).

Topic: Tour of High Voltage Lab
Speaker: Lab staff
Date: Wednesday 2014-June-04
Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 noon
Location:
    Kinectrics Inc. (Ontario Hydro Research Division)
    800 Kipling Ave., Etobicoke, ON M8Z 6C4
Cost: None (Free parking)
Limit: RSVP required by 2014-May-29 to boguslaw@bochenski.ca

Further details available from Boguslaw Bochenski boguslaw@bochenski.ca

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Technical Meeting
Speaker Picture
 

Telematics for Usage-Based Insurance

Free coffee and cookies.

Topic: Telematics for Usage-Based Insurance
Speaker: Lara Ghaddar, Senior Manager - Business Development, IMS
Date: Wednesday 2014-Jun-11
Time: 6:45 PM - 9:00 PM
Cost: None (Free event parking area)
Location: Meeting Room 1D, McMaster Innovation Park,
    175 Longwood Road, Hamilton, ON L8P 0A1
mcmasterinnovationpark.ca/     Directions

Abstract:
Putting a dongle in your car to expose your driving habits in hopes of getting cheaper insurance rates is a big thing. Lara will explain how it works.
She has given many talks on the subject, including one to the Insurance Bureau of Canada.

Speaker's Biography:
Lara Ghaddar is an experienced global business development and technology leader, having held various positions and international roles with GE-Water, BlackBerry, Geotab. At IMS, Lara has spearheaded their Wireless Carrier Partnerships as well as their Canadian business development and growth. Lara holds a Masters of Entrepreneurship & Innovation and a Bachelor in Software Engineering from McMaster University.

Meeting Agenda:
6:45 PM Refreshments & Networking
7:00 PM Technical Talk Presentation
8:00 PM Question & Answer Session
8:30 PM Refreshments and Networking

For more information contact Rohinton Richard rohinton_AT_ieee.org

Register here (so we get enough refreshments)

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RCAF Logo
 

Social Meeting

Hamilton & KW Sections
IEEE Life Member
Semi-annual Lunch


Date: 2014-May-21 (Wednesday)
Time: 12 Noon
Location: Hamilton Air Force Association (HAFA)
    The Air Force Club 128 King St. East, Dundas, ON, L9H 1C5 map
Cost: Pay for your lunch

Arrive early and meet with your comrades before lunch. Lunch will be Vegetable Soup followed by a Beef on a Bun Sandwich. Coffee available at the bar for 50 cents.

Agenda: History of the Welland Canal.

Please RSVP: by May 19, 2014 to Phone 905.628.8851
or to Bert de Kat Phone 519.647.3075

Ron Potts presentation Ron's Talk A Short History of the Early Welland Canals

Note: The Air Force Club is at the eastern outskirts of Dundas rather than at the other end of Dundas where 2011 meetings were held.

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Administrative

Executive Meeting

A networking opportunity (as well as a chance for input on events).Our beer and pizza night, so we have fun as well as organize activities for the Section.

Date: Tuesday, 2014-Jun-24
Time: 7:00 PM - 10:30 PM
Place: Home of D. Hepburn
269 King St
Niagara On The Lake, ON L0S 1J0
Cost: None
Limit: All members welcome
For more information contact John

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Technical Tour
Boat Picture
Welland Canal
Twinned Flight Locks
Group Picture
Group Photo (click to enlarge)

Tour of Welland Canal Oprations Centre and Powerhouse

There will be a short introduction in the Control Room before going to the Power House which is some 20 minutes walking over rough ground.
The Seaway have requested hard hats and safety boots (or stout walking boots) be worn (The Seaway has only a small supply of Hard Hats)
Persons requiring assistance walking or wearing electronic devices, i.e. pacemakers will not be permitted on the tour of the power house

While in the neighbourhood, you may want to schedule your own time to view the Twinned Flight Locks (locks 4, 5 and 6) from the observation deck at lock 7.
While in the neighbourhood, you may want to schedule your own visit to the St. Catharines and Welland Canal Museum at Lock 3.

Topic: Tour of Welland Canal Powerhouse
Speaker: Scott Frick, Manager Power and Water, St.Lawrence Seaway
Date: Saturday 2014-July-12
Time: 9:45 AM Secutiry Clearance (Government photo ID rquired, e.g. driver's licence)
Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 noon
Location:
    St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation
    508 Glendale Avenue
    St. Catharines, ON L2R 6V8
Cost: None (Free parking)
Limit: 20 Registration with IEEE number required by 2014-Jul-04

Register here

Further details available from Ron Potts r.potts@ieee.org

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Non-IEEE Event

Bandler 2014 Play
 

Hamilton Fringe Festival

One of our members is again presenting a play at the Hamilton Fringe Festival. John Bandler would like to alert you to a new play he is producing.
Set in the future, its thematic elements include a vision of technology, computation, reality augmentation, psycho-technology, and what might happen if we reached a politically unacceptable level of human cognition.
John’s play, The Trial of Naomi Verne, is a Kafkaesque drama directed by Theatre Ontario’s 2013 Maggie Bassett Award recipient Tom Mackan.

Opening Date: Friday, 2014-Jul-18
Time: 10:30 PM - 11:30 PM
Venue: Hamilton Theatre Inc., 140 MacNab Street North, Hamilton, ON  L8R 2M3
Cost: $10.00 plus $4.00 for a Fringe backer button.

Saturday July 19 9:30 - 10:30 PM
Sunday July 20 6:30 - 7:30 PM
Monday July 21 9:30 - 10:30 PM
Friday July 25 8:00 - 9:00 PM
Saturday July 26 12:30 - 1:30 PM
Sunday July 27 11:00 AM - 12:00 noon
For full details see www.bandler.com/coalition
and hamiltonfringe.ca/shows/the-trial-of-naomi-verne

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Technical Meeting

Information/Communication/Security for Smart Grids

Free coffee and cookies.

Topic: Theory & Practice of ICST Adoption within the Smart Grid Ecosystem
            (ICST = Information, Communication, and Security Technologies)
Speaker: Mohammed Elneel, Graduate Student at McMaster
Date: Wednesday 2014-Sep-10
Time: 6:45 PM - 9:00 PM
Cost: None (Free event parking area)
Location: Meeting Room 1D, McMaster Innovation Park,
    175 Longwood Road, Hamilton, ON L8P 0A1
    mcmasterinnovationpark.ca     Directions

Abstract:
The traditional electricity system is based on a single direction energy flow from generation through transmission and distribution to the end user. Today, this system is challenged by the dynamic society requirements, increasing population and industrial growth, variations in demand profiles, increasing distributed generation, mounting concerns about world energy security and environmental degradation, pressure to keep costs down, and an aging infrastructure requiring gradual renewal to cope with a fast-changing landscape.
Through the use of Information, Communication, and Security Technologies (ICST), Smart grids will enable cost-effective, reliable, and efficient power generation, distribution and consumption by building intelligence into the electricity grid. Using wide-scale situational awareness, a smart grid can facilitate large-scale renewable energy integration, multi-direction power sourcing and distribution, enhanced grid resiliency, and market-driven pricing.

Speaker's Biography:
Mohammed Elneel is a Telecom Engineer with 12 years diverse experience in Engineering, Information Technology and Business Development, and currently concluding his Masters in Engineering & Public Policy from McMaster University (Sep' 2014) on ICT Adoption for Smart Grid Applications.
After completing his BEng Electrical Engineering from Dalhousie University - Canada, in 2001, Mr. Elneel worked internationally in several countries commencing with embedded systems programming, through Utility IT systems administration and software design, and later focused on carrier-grade wireless solutions development.

Meeting Agenda:
6:45 PM Refreshments & Networking
7:00 PM Technical Talk Presentation
8:00 PM Question & Answer Session
8:30 PM Refreshments and Networking

For more information contact John

Register here (so we get enough refreshments)

Printable Event Notice

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Hydro Tour
Rankine Plant
 
Rankine Plant

Joint Hamilton-Buffalo Event:
Rankine 25 Hz Generating Station

Built in 1905 for the Canadian Niagara Power Company, which, in 2002, became a wholly owned subsidiary of FortisOntario. The plant was de-commissioned in 2009. The basement is unsafe, but the control centre is interesting. Security will turn the lights on and let us in.

Speaker: Dave Hepburn
Topic: Tour of Historic Rankine Plant
Date: Saturday, 2014-Sep-13
Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 Noon (followed by lunch)
Location: William Birch Rankine Hydro-Electric Generating Station
    Canadian Niagara Power Building
    7005 Niagara Parkway (at Fraser Hill)
    Niagara Falls, ON L2H 2V4
    (gps 43.074004, -79.077797) (gps 43°04'26.4"N 79°04'40.1"W)
Free parking IMMEDIATELY behind the plant. Enter from LEFT hand end of building. Go past this and you will be in public parking at $20.00

Dinner at: Betty's Restaurant in Chippawa
    8921 Sodom Rd, Niagara Falls, ON L2E 6S6 menu directions
Cost: Pay for your own dinner. Appox. $25.00 + Tax + Tip (per person - spouses welcome)
Limit: 25

To register contact Dave

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Technical Meeting
Speaker Picture
 

Joint Meeting with IET (U.K) Toronto Section
Lecture and Tour of MARC

Free coffee and cookies.

Topic: Challenges for the Future of Power Electronics,
            the UK Power Electronics Strategy
Speaker: Prof. Volker Pickert, Newcastle University, Great Britain
The one hour talk will be followed by a tour of the facilities of the new McMaster Automotive Resource Centre.
Date: Thursday 2014-Sep-18
Time: 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Cost: None
Location: Room 266, McMaster Automotive Resource Centre
    105-175 Longwood Road South, Hamilton, ON L8P 0A1
    MARC     directions

Abstract: This presentation will provide an overview of the UK power electronics strategy including a snap shot of UK's power electronics roadmap. The presentation will highlight threats and opportunities for UK power electronics manufacturers and will provide a vision to improve UK's leadership in the power electronics sector. In addition, the presentation will reflect on the European power electronics status quo and the European development for comparison.

Speaker: Prof Pickert studied Electrical and Electronic Engineering at the University of Science and Technology Aachen, Germany and the University of Cambridge, UK.
From 1998 to 1999 he worked as an application engineer and later as product manager for Semikron International. From 1999 to 2003 he worked in the research and development department within the Volkswagen Group. As a group leader for the eletric power drive trains for electric vehicles he was responsible for power electronic systems, electric drives and vehicle electrical systems for electric-, hybrid- and fuel cell vehicles.
After attending the 2014 IEEE Energy Conversion Congress and Exposition in Pittsburgh, our lecturer has agreed to speak at McMaster.

Please register with Dr. Schofield nigels@mcmaster.ca

Printable Event Notice

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Software and Design Seminar

MacAuto Electric Machines and Vehicle Drive Systems Colloquium

Multiple seminars including Motor-CAD, a unique software package dedicated to the electromagnetic performance of motors and generators and the optimisation of their cooling.

Date: Friday 2014-Sep-19
Time: 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
  Topic: Thermal Analysis of Electric Motors and Generators – a Motor-CAD Software Seminar
  Speaker: Dr. David Staton
Time: 3:45 PM - 4:30 PM
  Topic: Computationally Efficient Calculation of Losses in Brushless Permanent Magnet Machines
  Speaker: Prof. Phil H. Mellor
Time: 4:45 PM - 5:15 PM
  Topic: Electric vehicles, managing their huge appetite for energy
  Speaker: Dr. Pete James
Time: 5:30 PM - 6:00 PM
  Topic: Electric motorsport, challenges and achievements
  Speaker: Dr. Pete James
Cost: None (Parking $6.00)
Location: Conference Room 107     McMaster Automotive Resource Centre
    105-175 Longwood Road South, Hamilton, ON L8P 0A1
    MARC     directions

Please register with Dr. Schofield nigels@mcmaster.ca

Printable Event Notice

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IEEE Distinguished Lecturer

Joint Meeting with IET (U.K)
Lecture and Tour of MARC

Free coffee and cookies.

Topic: Hybrid and Electric Vehicles in Europe -
            Challenges and Practical Solutions for the Electric Machine Drive Systems
Speaker: Dr. Mircea Popescu
The one hour talk will be followed by a tour of the facilities of the new McMaster Automotive Resource Centre.
Date: Friday 2014-Sep-19
Time: 6:15 PM - 9:00 PM
Cost: None
Location: Room 226, McMaster Automotive Resource Centre
    105-175 Longwood Road South, Hamilton, ON L8P 0A1
    MARC     directions

After attending the 2014 IEEE Energy Conversion Congress and Exposition in Pittsburgh, our lecturer has agreed to speak at McMaster.

Abstract: The lecture covers some of the latest developments in European HEV industry and includes state of the art topologies and emerging trends. Other timely topics such as heating and ventilation, manufacturing technologies like segmented stators for brushless PM machines and die-cast copper rotors for induction motors, the role of computer aided engineering in the industrial environment. Particular emphasis is placed on the possible shortage of NdFeB magnets and on potential alternatives for rare-earth free or magnet free solutions.

Speaker: Dr. Mircea Popescu (M’98 – SM’04) is the Engineering Director of Motor Design, Ltd., a software and consultancy company headquartered in the UK and with offices in the US, and has more than thirty years of engineering experience. Earlier in his career, he was with Helsinki University of Technology (now Aalto University) in Finland and with the SPEED Laboratory at the University of Glasgow. Dr. Popescu published more than one hundred papers and his publications have received three IEEE best paper awards.

Please register with Dr. Schofield nigels@mcmaster.ca

Printable Event Notice

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Students and Power Chapter
Rankine Plant
 

Rankine 25 Hz Generating Station (Cancelled)

Built in 1905 for the Canadian Niagara Power Company, which, in 2002, became a wholly owned subsidiary of FortisOntario. The plant was de-commissioned in 2009. This special repeat of the talk given in Niagara Falls 2014-Sep-10 was requested by Emmanuel Sarantonis of McGill University to be part of Colloquium, an annual trip within Civil Engineering to a city in Canada. Colloquium 2014 He decided it wasn't fun and cancelled.

Speaker: Dave Hepburn
Topic: History of the Rankine 25 Hz Plant
Date: Saturday, 2014-Sep-20
Time: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Location: Information Technology Building Room A113B
    McMaster University
    1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4L8
Cost: None (Paid parking on campus)
Limit: none

Register here (so we get enough refreshments)

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IEEE Day 2014-Oct-07

IEEE Day

Every year the first Tuesday of October is designated as "IEEE Day"

The official theme for IEEE Day 2014: "Leveraging Technology for a Better Tomorrow".
See www.ieeeday.org

The 2014 special is a $30.00 discount for new professional members joining this week. It is a good deal - for $152.85 they get 3 months of 2014 and all of 2015.

Also see: IEEE Member-Get-a-Member (MGM) Program MGM link

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Technical Meeting
Speaker Picture
 

Awareness, Creativity and Creative Thinking

Free coffee and cookies.

Topic: Awareness, Creativity and Creative Thinking
Speaker: Dr. John Bandler
Date: Wednesday 2014-Oct-08
Time: 6:45 PM - 9:00 PM
Location: Information Technology Building Room A113B
    McMaster University
    1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4L8
Cost: None (Paid parking on campus)

Map1
Map 1 		Map2
Map 2 		Campus Map
ITB is Bldg 49 		paid parking on campus Directions
to McMaster

Abstract: Me, you, us, them, confirmation bias, first impressions, and subtext. When delivering a speech, making a presentation, attending an interview, appearing in front of judges, discussing new ideas with a colleague, or going to a meeting under unfamiliar or perhaps extra-professional circumstances, apprehension is normal. Along with the “impressions” you make, you are rightly concerned about being prepared, appearing professional, and about effectively harnessing your knowledge.
This talk was originally given as the keynote speech to Women in Microwaves at the IEEE MTT-S International Microwave Symposium in Tampa in June.

Register here (so we get enough refreshments)

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PCB Design Course
McMaster Student Branch
 

PCB Design Course

Everyone is welcome, no experience required!
Space is limited, so sign up quickly!

Topic: Introductory PCB Design Course
Speaker: McMaster IEEE Student Branch
Date: Tuesday 2014-Oct-14 Pcb Design Basics And Using KiCad
Date: Thursday 2014-Oct-16 Routing And Board Exporting
Time: 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Location: Information Technology Building Room A113B
    McMaster University
    1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4L8
Cost: $16.00 (Paid parking on campus)

Map1
Map 1 		Map2
Map 2 		Campus Map
ITB is Bldg 49 		paid parking on campus Directions
to McMaster

Registration for the course is $10 and includes both sessions.
For an extra $6 ($16 total), students can have the board they designed in the course fabricated.
Registered IEEE members can save an additional $2 with proof of membership.

Register here

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Student Event
IEEE Xtreme
 

IEEE Xtreme Programming Competition

Topic: 24 hour programming global competion
Date: Wednesday 2014-Oct-18
Time: 00:00 UTC - 24:00 UTC

Contact Andrew awynnwilliams@gmail.com at the Student Branch for more information.

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RCAF Logo
 

Social Meeting

Hamilton & KW Sections
IEEE Life Member
Semi-annual Lunch


Date: 2014-Oct-22(Wednesday)
Time: 12 Noon
Location: Hamilton Air Force Association (HAFA)
    The Air Force Club 128 King St. East, Dundas, ON, L9H 1C5 map
Cost: Buy your own lunch

Arrive early and meet with your comrades before lunch. Lunch will purchased from menu in dining room. Speciality coffees available at the bar.

Agenda: Reports on the year's activities, etc.
We will have a presentation by Dave Hepburn LSM IEEE on the renovation of Tarbela Power Station in Pakistan.

Please RSVP: by Oct 20, 2014 to Phone 905.628.8851
or to Bert de Kat Phone 519.647.3075

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Educational Seminar

Computational Thinking

A half-day seminar highlighting the techniques you didn't learn in school.

Topic: Computational Thinking
Instructor: Jose Martinez Escanaverino, BSc, PhD (Eng)
Date: Saturday, 2013-Oct-25
Time: 8:00 AM - 12:00 Noon
Cost: $100.00 Non Members
    $80.00 Students
    $50.00 IEEE Members
    $40.00 IEEE Students and Life Members
    Registration closed. Contact John for next available.
Location: Meeting Room, McMaster Innovation Park,
    175 Longwood Road, Hamilton, ON L8P 0A1
    mcmasterinnovationpark.ca     Directions

Aim and Scope: By nature, engineers are problem solvers. Moreover, almost any engineering problem contains one or more computational problems. Most of the latter involve a set of known variables and a set of unknowns, linked by a mathematical model. Model-based problem solving has become a current buzzword. Since their years at elementary and secondary schools, and later at college or university, engineers are solving computational problems, but hardly ever a syllabus included problem solving as a study object. Experience has shown that learning problem solving by doing, without a guiding theory is not an efficient nor a far-reaching strategy. A new trend in computing, known as Computational Thinking (CT), strives to a systematic education on problem solving. World authorities in computing are calling for CT, although its structure and contents as a subject matter are still under wide discussion. This seminar presents a rational approach to CT, developed and tested in engineering education and practice by the author along two decades.
Instructor: Jose Martinez Escanaverino, BSc, PhD (Eng)
  Full Professor, 1985/2008, Higher Polytechnic Institute J.A. Echeverría, Havana, Cuba.
  Full Member, 1996/2010, Technical Sciences Section, Academy of Sciences of Cuba.
  Engineering Advisor, 1990/2005, CVG Basic Industries, Puerto Ordaz, Venezuela.

Register and pay by credit card here

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Non-IEEE Event

Design Engineering Expo

A one day tabletop show highlighting the latest design and manufacturing technologies for the OEM market.
Date: Wednesday, 2013-Oct-28
Time: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Place: Mississauga Convention Centre, 75 Derry Road West, Mississauga, ON  L5W 1G3
Cost: None
Limit: Register at www.dexexpo.com

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Non-IEEE Event

Eptech Trade Show

Trade show and Seminars.
Date: Wednesday, 2013-Oct-30
Time: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Place: Mississauga Convention Centre, 75 Derry Road West, Mississauga, ON  L5W 1G3
Cost: None
Limit: Register at www.ept.ca/eptech
Seminar informtion at www.ept.ca/eptech/seminars.aspx

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Seminar

ANSYS Electromechanical and
Electromagnetics Technology Update

Join ANSYS for a day of technology updates on electromechanical solutions at McMaster University.

Date: Wednesday 2014-Nov-05
Time: 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Cost: None (Paid Parking)
Location: Room 107, McMaster Automotive Resource Centre
    200 Longwood Road South, Hamilton, ON L8S 1S6
    MARC     directions

Agenda:
8:00 AM - 9:00 AM Breakfast and registration
9:00 AM — 12:00 Noon

12:00 PM — 1:00 PM Lunch
1:00 PM — 2:30 PM

2:30 PM — 4:00 PM Questions and Networking

Please register with Ansys ANSYS-Electromechanical-and-Electromagnetics-Hamilton

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International Webinar - Buffalo/Hamilton

PCore Bushings

Transformer and Circuit Breaker Bushing Application and Testing

Topic: Manufacturing capacitance-graded bushings, and related components for transformers
      and oil circuit breakers in the ANSI and CSA marketplace
Speaker: Eric Weatherbee, Senior Engineer and Drafting Supervisor, Secretary of IEEE Bushing Subcommittee
Date: Thursday 2014-Nov-13
Time: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Cost: None
Live Location: Clemens Hall Room 120, SUNYAB Amherst Campus, Amherst, NY
Web Location: Live Echo Webinar opens at 5:45 PM

Abstract:
Headquartered in LeRoy, NY, PCORE® is an affiliate of Hubbell Power Systems and North America's only entity 100% focused on the manufacturing of capacitance-graded bushings, and related components for transformers and oil circuit breakers in the ANSI and CSA marketplace. PCORE® is a leading provider of capacitance-graded bushings (POC®, PRC®, GSU and Quick-Link), PCORE® Test Terminals and Bushing Repair for the electric utility industry and its equipment suppliers.

Register by Nov-11 for live meeting with Judy Moskal . Don't forget you need a passport to cross the border.

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Annual General Meeting

2012 Annual Dinner
2012 Dinner

 

Social Dinner and Annual General Meeting

Date: Saturday 2014-Nov-15
Time: 5:30 PM Reception (cash bar)
6:00 PM Dinner
7:00 PM Speaker
Speaker: Dr. Ben Miners, Vice President - Innovation, IMS
Topic: Telematics for Usage-Based Insurance
Location: RBG Logo
Royal Botanical Gardens, Café Annex
(Access next to restaurant on ground level)
680 Plains Rd, Burlington, ON L7T 4H4
Restaurant details - www.rbg.ca     directions
Cost: $20.00 Members (including students), $30.00 Guests
Cost: Free, if you come after dinner just for the meeting
Limit: 50
Register by 2014-Oct-30 2014-Nov-07 and pay by credit card at (Don't forget if your member number starts with a '0'):
    vTools Registration
There is only one text box available labelled "Special Requests".
 Use it for your guest name so we can make a name tag.
 Use it for "Member - no meal" if you select the $0.00 cost option.

Or by mail by 2014-Oct-28
Make cheques payable to "IEEE Hamilton Section"
Mail cheque to:
    IEEE Hamilton Section,
    c/o John Harris,
    394 Callaghan Cres.,
    Oakville, ON L6H 5H2
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Speaker
 

Dinner Speaker Information

Dr. Ben Miners provides innovation leadership to guide next-generation solutions, strategic technology initiatives, and beneficial partnerships that deliver continuous value and high quality experiences far into the future. Innovation and emerging concepts are embraced and catalyzed across the connected vehicle ecosystem and beyond to define and realize solutions over the horizon. Untraveled paths are cleared to drive continuous innovation, realize increased value for all stakeholders, and exceed future expectations. Current activities and areas of interest include technology innovation evangelism, intelligent transportation systems, data intelligence and analytics to deliver enhanced contextually-relevant value and enable intelligent decisions, understanding human intent, and intuitive user-centric solutions.
Dr. Miners holds a Doctorate in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Waterloo, a Master of Science from the University of Guelph, and is a licensed professional engineer.
He believes that the keys to unlocking revolutionary advancements lie along untraveled paths created through innovation, and is in agreement with Theodore Levitt’s observation, “Creativity is thinking up new things. Innovation is doing new things.”

Abstract:
Putting a dongle in your car to expose your driving habits in hopes of getting cheaper insurance rates is currently a big thing. Our speaker will explain how it works. There are limitations - some knowledgeable people won't use it ;-)

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WIE logo
 
Family Event

Children's Painting/Drawing Contest

This is an event sponsored by the "Women in Engineering" chapter of the Hamilton Section, but all members' children and grandchildren are encouraged to participate.

Do not miss this fun opportunity to learn, enjoy and create! All artworks will receive a gift for participating. A $10.00 gift card from Chapters. Eligibility:
  1. Parent/grandparent should be an IEEE member of Hamilton Section (not necessarily WIE member)
  2. Children aged 11 and under
  3. Paintings/colored drawings should be done on papers no larger than Letter size (8.5in X 11in) and scanned for submission
  4. One painting/colored drawing per one child
Topics for Painting/Colored Drawing:
  1. Computers
  2. Robotics
  3. Cell phones
Deadline: Sunday 2014-Nov-30

Do not miss this fun opportunity to learn, enjoy and create! ALL artworks will receive a gift for participating.

Please email the following:
  1. A scan of the painting/colored drawing
  2. The name and age group of your child/grandchild
  3. the name of parent/grandparent IEEE member
  4. Mailing address for the participation gift
    to wie.hamilton@ieee.org

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2014 Entries
Age Under 7 Age 8 to 11

Carina 5
William 9

Me and My Robot with Light Bulb Eyes
Christopher 5

Julia 6

Cell to Cell
Jeremy 7

Matthew 7

Tony 7

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Technical Meeting
Speaker Picture
 

Wind Generation Scheme for High Voltage DC

Free coffee and cookies.

Topic: A Proposed Wind Generation Scheme for High Voltage DC Generation, Interconnection and Transmission
Speaker: Omid Beik, PhD student at the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at McMaster University
Date: Wednesday 2014-Dec-10
Time: 6:45 PM -9:00 PM
Cost: None (Free parking after 6:00 PM)
Location: Meeting Room 1D, McMaster Innovation Park, 175 Longwood Road, Hamilton, ON L8P 0A1
mcmasterinnovationpark.ca/ Directions

Abstract:
Off-shore wind generation has been at the center of much attention in recent years resulting in many research publications, and an increasing number of installed systems by a variety of industrial organizations, electrical grid operators and utilities. This presentation reviews the state-of-the-art of wind generation schemes, wind turbine characterization, transmission and interconnection systems used in off-shore wind farms, including HVAC and HVDC. Power conversion components such as turbine-generator, both gearbox coupled and direct drive, power electronic converters and other components will be discussed. A new wind generation scheme will be proposed by the presenters. The scheme uses a high voltage, multiphase hybrid generator (HG), so called due to the mix of permanent magnet (PM) and wound field (WF) rotor excitation, together with a passive multiphase rectifier and associated DC/DC converters. Compared to the existing wind generation systems the proposed scheme hardware is much simplified and the system efficiency is improved. Hence, the scheme results in reduced system cost due to reduced component count and complexity, in particular the power electronic converters and transformers. The presentation will include results from a prototype hybrid generator that is designed, built and tested in the laboratory and is a low power, low voltage example of the hybrid generator used in the proposed system.

Speaker's Biography:
Omid Beik received his BSc degree with honor from Yazd University Yazd, Iran in 2007. He received his MSc with distinction from Shahid Beheshti University-Abbaspour College of Technology, Tehran, Iran in 2009. He started his PhD at Power Conversion group at the University of Manchester, UK in 2011. In January 2013 he moved to the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at McMaster University with his supervisor to continue his PhD. He has over three years of industrial experience in the area of Electric Machines and Power Electronics design for renewable and Electric Vehicle application. His research currently is focused on Electric Machine design, Drives and Power Electronics application for renewable energy systems and Hybrid Electric Vehicles power-train.

Meeting Agenda:
6:45 PM Refreshments & Networking
7:00 PM Technical Talk Presentation
8:00 PM Question & Answer Session
8:30 PM Refreshments and Networking

For more information contact John Harris

Register here (so we get enough refreshments)

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Technical Meeting

(Postponed Indefinitely - Speaker Not Available)
Biomedical Engineering Seminar

Topic: Medical Devices for the New Oakville Hospital
Speaker: Neal Dardaine, Manager of Biomedical at Halton Healthcare Services
Date: Wednesday 2014-Dec-17
Time: 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM (45 minute talk followed by Q & A)
Cost: None (Paid parking is available on site $14.00) Parking Information
Location: Oakville-Trafalgar Memorial Hospital,
  Auditorium (in the basement)
  327 Reynolds St.,
  Oakville, ON L6J 3L7
OTMH Directions

Summary: In preparation for the opening of the New Oakville Hospital in December 2015, great efforts have been placed in procuring medical devices that optimizes the vast array of newer technologies and ICT infrastructure at the site. The Biomedical group at Halton Healthcare Services currently supports approximately 3,600 medical devices at Oakville Memorial Hospital and will increase to over 12,000 devices at the New Oakville Hospital.

Speaker's Biography:
Neal Dardaine is the manager of Biomedical at Halton Healthcare Services. He has been in the medical industry for over 25 years and has worked both in hospitals and for medical device manufacturers.

Registration is required, as seating is limited. Please register here

For more information contact John
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