CHATTANOOGA ENGINEERS CLUB
http://www.chattanooga.net/engineer/CEC
Volume LI			October 16, 2000		12:00 noon
							The Cellar at Union Square

THIS WEEK__________________________________________________________________

Shannon Boss of Tennessee Organ Donor Services will talk to us about the
organ donation program and the National Transplant Society. The science of
organ transplantation has made immense strides in recent years. Our
understanding of the medical, pharmaceutical, and procedural requirements
for success in this critical area has grown dramatically in a very short
period of time. The outlook for the technological future is very bright. The
success stories are with us daily. Unfortunately against this backdrop of
success in the area of transplantation science, the process of securing and
allocating organs has been less than adequate. Despite the presence of
hundreds of organizations and programs dedicated to various areas of organ
donation and transplantation, we continue to face a critical shortage of
organs.
70,000 Americans are currently listed on the national transplant waiting
list. The list is growing at the rate of one person every 18 minutes or
30,000 each year.

LAST WEEK___________________________________________________________________

Dr. Craig A. Depken, of Design Associates, Inc., talked about how
technologies can be used in the presentation of facts in courtroom
litigation.   Using his mechanical engineering education and work
experience, Dr. Depken's consulting service, in the last four years, has
included being  an expert witness in many legal cases.  He is trying to put
technology in the courtroom.  In a jury trial, the jury is the sole finder
of facts of the case.  An expert witness' function is to use technical
information to help the jury come to a better decision.  The task is to
explain the technical knowledge in simple or easy to understand terms to the
jury.  Dr. Depken presented an accident case involving a meat truck, a
passenger car, and a motor cycle to explain the importance of explaining the
facts.  He used center of gravity calculations, and surveying technique to
prove that the truck driver was not at fault.  Dr. Depken believes that
engineers can contribute to fact-finding practices in the courtrooms.  Often
times, it would only require simple engineering principles and breaking down
the problems to provide a clear explanation.  Dr. Depken has also provided
animation to recreate accidents for courtroom presentations.

COMING PROGRAM________________________________________________________

October 23 - Steve Leach,   "Volunteer Army Ammunition Plant site, its
history, and its road access to the community."

October 30 - Field trip, LiteSpeed Racing Components.




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