CHATTANOOGA ENGINEERS CLUB

www.ChattanoogaEngineersClub.org

NEXT Meeting (The Read House)_____________________________________________

Monday, October 4, 2004, noon, The Read House, Continental Room

Topic:  “How TVA Operates the Tennessee River System” - Gary Mauldin, River System Operations & Environment, TVA

Have you wondered how the Tennessee Valley keeps from flooding after experiencing excess rains after the recent hurricanes?  Mr. Gary Mauldin of TVA’s River System Operations & Environment group will tell us how.  He’ll explain how the river system is operated and hydro power is generated with TVA’s dams and how flooding is controlled.  We’ll get a macroscopic look at how the Tennessee River watershed is managed.

Invocation/Pledge Chair:  Jim Stites

Menu:  Beef Tips & Rice, Chef's Vegetable of the Day

OUR PREVIOUS MEETINGS________________________________________________

Monday, September 27, 2004

Topic:  “DARPA Grand Challenge Project:  The Road to the Grand Challenge” - Abe Mishler, UTC Graduate Student

Abe Mishler first explained that the DARPA Grand Challenge is sponsored by the R&D arm or the “mad scientists” branch of the U.S. Department of Defense.  The DARPA Grand Challenge is a field test intended to accelerate research and development in autonomous ground vehicles.  Why send escorts to guard troops transporting supplies or laundry when an autonomous vehicle could handle this transport?  This research can save American lives on the battlefield.  By 2015, the USDOD would like to automate one third of our ground troops.

Team UTC did not participate in the first challenge.  Team UTC has assembled students from computer science, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and computer engineering.  They have already studied and outlined the successes and failures of the first challenge teams who could have won $1 Million if they had succeeded.  None did.  The 2005 challenge prize is now at $2 Million.  The teams are to develop a vehicle capable of crossing 142 miles of the Mojave Dessert in 10 hours or less.  The vehicle should be completely automated (no human passengers).  It must be able to traverse through a variety of vegetation, wild animals (mostly tortoises and cattle), fences, barrels, and tank traps.  The complete rules and the status of the teams competing in the challenge can be found at the official challenge web site at http://www.darpa.mil/grandchallenge.  A four-wheel drive truck should be able to traverse the terrain, but it will have to be smart enough to go around or over the obstacles.  Their design includes sensors for every part of the vehicle that could provide movement.  These sensors will report to a health module that will help to coordinate the safe movement of the vehicle.

How can people help Team UTC?  You can provide materials they will need or discounts on materials.  You can provide funding or other services in-kind.  The vehicle can display advertisements (like NASCAR’s) to show their sponsors support.  The team cannot receive any government funding.  People with suggestions or support are urged to contact Andy Novobilski at (423) 425-4202 or Andy-Novobilski@utc.edu for more information.  Those interested in helping may attend the team’s regular weekly meetings on Thursday mornings, 8:00 am, in room 302 of the new engineering building at UTC.

They will be completing this challenge design on a tight schedule.  The five-part application deadlines start on February 11, 2005 with a written application.  A video is due to DARPA by March 11.  The teams selected for site visits will be notified by April 4.  Site visits will be made by DARPA during May 2-15.  Forty teams will be invited to the national qualifying Sept. 28-Oct. 8.  Only twenty of these forty teams will be invited to the Grand Challenge 2005 to start on Oct. 8, 2005.

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING THIS PRESENTATION:  The Chattanooga Engineers Club will be looking for ways we can support TeamUTC in their efforts in the DARPA Grand Challenge.  If you have any ideas or would like to volunteer as a consultant, please contact Tiffany Gibby at 423.751.3168.

Monday, September 20, 2004

Topic:  “Georgia Water Issues” - Allison Keefer, Water Planning Coordinator, Georgia Environmental Protection Division, Georgia Department of Natural Resources

Allison Keefer discussed issues regarding general water supply for public use in the state of Georgia.  There are 13 water systems in Georgia.  Previous to 1970, management of the water systems was not a priority because it was assumed that there was plenty of water.  However, with a rapidly expanding population during the 1950’s and 60’s, state officials realized that for future growth to occur, water management had to be a high priority.  Ms. Keefer outlined what Georgia’s Department of Natural Resources accomplished during the past three decades and the first four years of this current decade.  During the 1970’s, Georgia experienced a 20% population increase, implemented mandatory water management regulations, and participated in the EPA construction grant program.  In the 1980’s, the population increased by 18% with most of that occurring in north Georgia surrounding Atlanta.  The drought of 1981 and 1986-88 drew down water tables to dangerously low levels; there was a huge increase in agricultural irrigation; and the regional reservoir program was initiated.  In the 1990’s, a 26% population increase was experienced; one million new jobs were created mostly around Atlanta; 20,000 agricultural irrigation permits were on file; a mammoth drought occurred beginning in 1998 and was the worst in 100 years; an interstate water study began; and southeast Georgia began to experience saltwater intrusion.  In 2000 to 2004, the north Georgia population continued to grow; the 4.5 years of drought ended; a Flint River drought protection plan was implemented; the metro north Georgia water plan was developed; and a philosophy of find a water solution or “don’t grow” started to prevail for the Atlanta area.

Thanks to Jim Barrott for the meeting summary.

FUTURE MONDAY MEETINGS_____________________________________________

October 11:  No Meeting - Columbus Day Holiday

October 18:  TBD

October 25:  Advanced Computer Data Storage - Accurate Automation

November 15:  “Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Security:  Keeping us safe at home and abroad” - Michael Whitaker, ORNL's Nuclear Science and Technology Division

November 22:  “Nanotechnology” - Doug Lowndes, ORNL

TBD:  Fusion Technology - ORNL

TBD:  Nanotechnology - Jayesh Doshi, E-Spin

WHERE WE MEET _______________________________________________________

We meet at The Read House, and lunch is $11.  Parking is free at the Days Inn across MLK Blvd. but you’ll need a note in your windshield that you’re with the Engineers’ Club.  Valet parking (by AAA, the manager of the Read House Hotel parking garage) is $3 for lunch events.  The Read House Hotel garage entrance is now on Broad Street.

QUESTIONS, SUGGESTIONS? ______________________________________________

If you have any questions or suggestions about program items please call Tiffany Gibby at 423-751-3168 or by email at tjgibby@tva.gov. You can find references to other Chattanooga Engineers Club members at our web site: www.ChattanoogaEngineersClub.org.