Chattanooga Engineers Club Newsletter for December 20

Monday December 20 – NO MEETING!

NEXT MEETING____________________

Monday January 10 – Noon -- Doubletree Hotel, 407 Chestnut Street, Chattanooga.

“EPRI'S NATIONAL ENERGY EFFICIENCY DEMONSTRATION PROGRAM"

Speaker: Mr. Ron Domitrovic, Project Manager, Electric Power Research Institute, Knoxville.

Mr. Domitrovic will overview nationwide EPRI demonstrations of several energy efficiency technologies -- expected to radically change energy usage in American buildings and homes.

Fifteen US utilities, including TVA, are collaborating in multi-year demonstrations of “hyper-efficient” technologies -- ductless residential heat pumps and air conditioners, variable refrigerant flow air conditioning for commercial applications, heat pump water heaters, LED street and area lighting, efficient data centers and new residential appliances.

MEETING LOGISTICS_______________________

RSVP: Those interested in partaking of the buffet lunch should contact Rebecca Balch before Friday, January 7, to indicate firm plans or probable attendance so that we can provide an estimate to the hotel. Lunch is $14. Rebecca may be reached at (423) 697-5039 or balchr@westinghouse.com.

The Chattanooga Engineer's Club meets at the DOUBLETREE HOTEL, 407 Chestnut St., Chattanooga, TN 37402. Free parking may be available in the gated parking lot on the south side of the Hotel. Plan to arrive before 11:30 a.m., if you intend to park in the limited space available. Late arrivals may need to pay for parking on the street or in a nearby public parking garage. Lunch is $14. If you do not plan to purchase a lunch, please use the chairs around the perimeter of the room, and not those at the tables. If you wish to enjoy a beverage only, please pay for these at the hotel restaurant.

PREVIOUS MEETING____________________

Monday December 13 - The invited speaker (Ron Domitrovic) was unable to attend because of snow. Club members participated in election of officers for the coming year, and discussed topics of mutual interest.

Jim Schwall introduced Rebecca Balch, candidate for Club Secretary. Rebecca gave a brief summary of her background. She is currently employed by Westinghouse Electric Company. Prior to this, she worked in manufacturing at McKee Foods and Komatsu America. She also has taught for Chattanooga State Technical Community College. She has a BSE in Mechanical Engineering and an MSE in Engineering Management, both from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. She is a member of ASME, and previously served in the local chapter as an officer (Secretary, Vice-Chair and Chair) and as committee chair for two committees (Women & Minorities and Public Relations). She is an active volunteer in her child’s school and her church.

Jim Schwall reminded members that the Vice President, Ralph Boroughs, becomes President in the new year by succession, and the secretary ordinarily becomes Vice President, but must be approved by vote. Ballots were distributed and collected. Votes were unanimous in favor of those nominated.

Bylaws provide that absentee ballots be available for those unable to attend, and that write in-candidates be permitted; however, any write-ins must have permission of the candidate. We invite absentee ballots be submitted by those unable to attend. You may email these to rdboroughs@tva.gov or mail to PO Box 4031, Chattanooga TN 37405. These ballots will be counted in the final election results if submitted to the club by January 10.

Other Topics discussed

Tommy Crangle spoke briefly to encourage engineers to be involved in government, if not by running for office, at least by contacting their elected officials with recommendations.

Jack Wagner gave a report on the Science Fair. The science fair is effective and successful in it accomplishing its primary mission. Despite this, the Science Fair has not been successful in raising enough money. Current costs are about $25,000 per year. The CEC typically contributes $5000. Without more community support, they may have to discontinue offering scholarships.

The science fair is the only venue that gives high school students an opportunity to first sell their ideas to technical experts and then to generalist. This replicates the process we go through as practicing engineers.

Ron Bailey gave a brief update on UTC’s electric vehicle research program. He is working on an inductive charging system that allows busses to lightly recharge their batteries whenever they are stopped at a prepared location to pick up or discharge passengers.

CHATTANOOGA ENGINEERS CLUB — CORPORATE SPONSORS_____________
We gratefully acknowledge the corporate sponsorships listed below.

2010 — Robbins & Bohr, LLC

2009 — Coca—Cola

2008 — Alstom

2008 — Chattanooga State

QUESTIONS and SUGGESTIONS______________

If you have any questions, items that would be of interest to the Chattanooga Engineers Club, or suggestions for future programs, please contact Ralph Boroughs by e-mail at rdboroughs@gmail.com or by phone at 423-227-0412. You can find membership application forms, references to future programs, historical data, and other info at http://www.ChattanoogaEngineersClub.org. To receive future meeting announcements by email, join the Chattanooga Technology Organization mailing list at http://www.ChattanoogaEngineersClub.org/email.

Links to local engineering societies are available to you at: http://www.chattanoogaengineersclub.org/engineer/

For a calendar of local technology related events see: http://chatc.org/