Aluminum in its most pure, natural state cannot be machined and formed to be applied in all the ways we see Aluminum applied today. Those in the metals industry have been creating alloys in order to both cater to specific purposes and bolster qualities in metals. For Aluminum itself, there are over 300 wrought alloys, each classified by a 4 or 5 digit number that denotes its composition. “The main alloying elements are copper, zinc, magnesium, silicon, manganese and lithium. Small additions of chromium, titanium, zirconium, lead, bismuth and nickel are also made and iron is invariably present in small quantities,” (1). With small additions to Aluminum and through specific processes, the metal can be altered. Abundant alloys leads to so many more opportunities.

Some examples are 1050 and 1200 which is used in the food and chemical industries and 5251 and 5052 which are used for vehicle paneling, structures exposed to marine atmospheres, and mine cages.1050 and 1200 are form-able, weldable, and corrosion-resistant. Those in the 1xxx’s have no major alloying elements; they are 99%+ Aluminum. The latter alloys share the same properties, but are also work-hardened to make them of medium-strength. The major alloying element in the 5xxx’s alloys in magnesium. That minuscule percentage of magnesium and a few other additions creates an product that can be used for cars and trucks (1). This only touches on a few.

It’s amazing to see how through processing we can make improvement to materials we use. Aluminum was not always used for structural framing but it is making its way into the sector. Because its lighter than structural steel, its less load-bearing. It offers immense amounts of strength despite its weight.

In order to make aircraft and spacecraft that meet modern standards and requirements, very specific, purified alloys are required. It might also be added that, ” the development of newer aircraft structures has proceeded at such a pace that thousands of obsolete civil and military aircraft stand idle in “graveyards”, especially in the USA” (2). These crafts that are out-of-commission cannot be efficiently broken down and reused in other products. Herein lies a challenge that the aluminum and aerospace industries face. Not only is it  untimely to repossess what is in the crafts, but the industries also lack methods by which to recycle these kinds of high-purity alloys.

This challenge will not at all be resolved by a “quick-fix” solution. It may require alterations to the alloys themselves to, “Broaden the number of available aluminum alloys whose specifications will readily directly accept recycled metal and will perform well in high-quality, value added products,” (2). For now though, companies like Aleris (3) and Novelis (4) are taking initiatives to deal with the recycling side of the aluminum consumption. Finding ways to streamline their systems and deal with post-use metal will help to move the world toward a sustainable aluminum use.

(1)http://www.azom.com/article.aspx?ArticleID=310

(2)http://www.keytometals.com/page.aspx?ID=CheckArticle&site=ktn&NM=222

(3)http://www.aleris.com/what-we-offer/recycling/wrought-alloys

(4)http://www.novelis.com/en-us/Pages/Home.aspx

Nanotechnology is a relatively new field of science that has well-established its place in the worlds of consumer goods, medicine, and, as most people would know, electronics. Its is an extremely profitable, fast growing industry, seen in the fact that a new nanotech products hit the market at a rate of  3 to 4 on a weekly basis (1). Because of how new the technology is the public, myself included, are not too educated on the subject. So many good uses for nanotech are flooding the markets that society and even manufacturers may have been overlooking negative effects to hurriedly bring in the profit that they can and begin reaping the benefits. Lack of awareness can lead to our harm as consumers. Nanotoxicologists are not deeming nanotech as evil, but are bring to light risks that affect our health specifically.

Above: Silver nanoparticles (FORTOX)

Although, “the majority of available data indicate that there is nothing uniquely toxic about nanoparticles as a class of materials,” (2) there are particles and fibers harmful in particular circumstances. “Bacteriostatic” silver nanoparticles used in clothing to reduce odors have been found to make their way, “into the waste water stream and may destroy bacteria which are critical components of natural ecosystems, farms, and waste treatment processes” (1). Also, exposure to the silver nanoparticles is toxic to cells, “suppressing cellular growth and multiplication and causing cell death”, particularly in testicular cells (3). According to publications in “Toxicology Sciences”,  Workers in a paint manufacturing facility were found to have nanofibers in their lungs after being diagnosed with a lung disease. All of the above are serious and must be addressed. Manufacturers can not let the profit from their customers outweigh their health and well-being.

Nanoparticles uses in clothing and fashion. Despite air-purifying and antibacterial qualities, the particles come in contact with the users skin and also may make their way into the waste water stream (Cornell).

Designs for any product should always should have a safety component. In nanotechnology, a field where even brilliant experts are studying both positive and negative effects of it uses, I see designing for safety as the most important design aspect. Making a point to educate public and consumer in a way that does not instill fear would be beneficial for both sides of business. Overregulation is generally agreed to be the death of nanotech, but regulation that ensures safety and limited risk is of paramount importance to the acceptance, continuation, and success of nano-consumer-product integration.

(1)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nanotechnology

(2)http://nano.cancer.gov/learn/now/safety.asp

(3)http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/03/120314100416.htm

It’s always neat for me to see how people envision inventions and innovations being used in the real world. Making cool stuff is cool and all but its more important to know that its purposeful “stuff”. What are its implications? MIT has recently put out a new way to display 3D shapes; they call it inFORM. The institute’s Tangible Media Group webpage describes inFORM as, “a Dynamic Shape Display that can render 3D content physically, so users can interact with digital information in a tangible way.” The design is complicated, but its applications and function seem endless.

When it comes down to it, MIT’s shape-shifting table is nothing new, regarding technology that is. This is perhaps one of the characteristics that makes inFORM so amazing. It is a supremely clever, innovative combination of existing technology. The use of the Kinect as a significant source of input was fascinating to me. Hooked up to the main computer are about 900 pins that make up the moving table-top itself. These are backed by cabling connecting the pins to actuators, or the motors that are moving each individual pin. (NOTE: this thing is expensive as each of these actuators costs between $20-$30 (2)). The shapes that the pins create is dependent on the input from the Kinect, from equations, or customized formulas. inFORM is visually focused, therefore i would say watching it work is the best way to understand it.

Touching more on the implications of inFORM, it goes in many directions. MIT’s Tangible Media Group is exploring the machines use in mapping, Geographic Information Systems, urban planning, and models of terrain and architectural nature.  They believe that, “inFORM would allow 3D Modelers and Designers to prototype their 3D designs physically without 3D printing (at a low resolution)” (1). In addition, the research group  foresees it also being used in a medical context. More everyday applications may include in video-conferencing and skype experiences. 

Before inFORM gets to those simpler uses, I see it being used for in the bigger picture as in the first applications mentioned above. The cost will have to come down. Until it does, I think us individual citizens will still benefit from this inFORM, just more indirectly.

(1)http://tangible.media.mit.edu/project/inform/

(2)http://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/mit-develops-inform-blows-mind-rendering-digital-stuff-3d-physically/

(3)http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/trending-now/incredible-table-can-instantly-replicate-3d-objects-193627222.html?vp=1

How can a person design an office space that is truly purposeful and what factors must come into the equation? An offices design must be more than aesthetically pleasing to operate at its full potential. Aspects of aesthetics are definitely important to consider, but the spaces must create an environment the promotes productivity and happiness. Inc.com highlights 7 areas to focus in design: heating and lighting, open vs. closed spaces, flexibility, sustainability, ergonomic design, technology, and style that supports function (1). A designer can hone in on each of these factors through bench-marking.  Researching what others have done thus far can help generate ideas that best fit a spaces purpose.

Even though its not an office, a very good example of this is the newly designed room in Hammond: our very own 316. A keynote feature of the room is flexibility. Through mobilizing the tables and chairs, which are usually in a set pattern or layout, the room can be rearranged to different orientations very easily. Transformation from portrait to landscape layout is no matter. Moving from table to table is swift and simple. Visibility of the projected screen increases when there is a screen on two opposing walls (an idea that the architects and designers found through bench-marking).

Kevin Kuske of VentureBeat, an online source that “provides news about innovation for forward-thinking executives,” proposes an office space design idea involving zoning (2). The design theory attempts to incorporate open and closed space, which are not often integrated. It usually one or the other; they are implemented by different designers and have different purposes. Kuske arranges the balanced zones as being on a continuum of going from open-plan to increasingly more closed (left to right): collaboration, fun, quiet, and, private.

Example of a collaboration zone.

Not everyone, both employees and employers, were pleased in every way with their open or closed spaces. Research on open-space office plans shows that some of the intentions of the open plan backfire. Open plans are intended to encourage teamwork among individuals and their neighbors, but, “scanning work from the Journal of Human Ecology, Academy of Management Journal and Administrative Science Quarterly, Tonya Smith-Jackson and Katherine Klein identified reduced motivation, decreased job satisfaction and lower perceived privacy as factors negatively affecting productivity in open-plan environments” (3). Additionally, the open plans specifically encourage spread of disease more quickly and produce noise that many workers don’t like, particularly the older employees.

In addition to the constant psychological changes, the difficulty in designing office space seems to be pairing the right balance of kinds of space with its purpose and the kind of people using the space. Once that match is made, perhaps through trial and error, you have a functional office space bound to encourage happiness with employees and productivity.

(1)http://www.inc.com/guides/2010/05/create-productive-office-environment.html/1

(2)http://venturebeat.com/2013/09/07/better-office-design-isnt-just-about-open-space-heres-a-new-theory/

(3)http://qz.com/85400/moving-to-open-plan-offices-makes-employees-less-productive-less-happy-and-more-likely-to-get-sick/

Cyclists’ safety is constantly at risk in their riding environment, especially in urban areas where there is high volumes of vehicular traffic. The fatalities in the US are relatively high, as seen in the graph below. The graph below helps us to get a pretty clear idea that fatalities are constantly lessening, which is GREAT news. We can attribute much of this decrease greatly to engineers! There’s always the world-renowned bicycle helmet, which keeps on developing and being redesigned. Designers and engineers use the many resources at their disposal to make the roads themselves more conducive to the co-existence of both two wheels and four wheels. Bicyclinginfo.org highlights the designers’ works thus far, including signs the road side, intersections la-out, and bicycle parking (1). While less risk fatalities is encouraging to see, the only truly satisfying number is zero fatalities.

– (Graph) Fatality development in the EU

Emily Brooke, designer and inventor of BLAZE, grew concerned for riders’ safety when she heard that about 80% of injuries an deaths in the UK are due to the bikers of lack of visibility to vehicle operators. In response, Brooke came up with BLAZE: a bright green LED bike light that projects an image of a bike on the road surface about  five meters in front of the rider. She describes the projects goal as warning, “road users ahead of the cyclist of their presence, helping to prevent [road users] turning across their path (especially the big ones like buses and trucks!).  Making the cyclist more visible and increasing their footprint on the road,” (2). In simpler words, BLAZE was designed solely for bikers increased safety.

BLAZE is mounted on the bikes handle bars. The handle bars are subject to a lot of motion, which could make the projection waver on the road surface and cause more confusion to vehicle drivers. Dr. N. Krishnamurthy of Sathyabama University commented on this issue and proposed that the lights brightness could maybe correspond to the speed at which the bike is moving (less bright with lower speeds) where wobbling may occur. Another proposed the idea of mounting BLAZE above the front wheel where it may move less (3). Both ideas seem viable. In addition, the product is made with quality products using  innovative optic technology and is water proof. Impressive, yet expensive at about $95. At such a price will BLAZE make it around to everyone who needs it? One reason people use their bike is because another form of transportation is too expensive. $95 dollars may not be worth it to many. LightLane, a similar light projection idea to boost safety, is also expensive.

A Swedish company called Hövding focuses on helmet innovation. The airbag collar is a wonderful idea that, yet again, will clean out your wallet at about $600. That price is the reflection of extensive research in bicycle falls, airbag deployment sensing and technology, and the development of an algorithm to ensure the airbag functions only during a true accident. The amazing idea was developed by Anna Haupt and Terese Alstin with the goals to: 1) further improve head protection in an accident and 2) make the helmet less obtrusive. They certainly did those things and did them very well. The collar is super convenient to wear and to charge (i.e. using a standard mini USB cable). Also, it does a good job of protecting the head and still looking stylish.

On top of the fairly shocking price, the Invisible Bike Helmet is a one time use similar to car airbags. This is a major disadvantage of the product. With the setbacks aside, the Invisible Bike Helmet still is inspiring and is certainly promising for future helmets.

(1)http://www.bicyclinginfo.org/engineering/

(2)http://inhabitat.com/new-blaze-bike-light-uses-lasers-to-keeps-cyclists-safe-at-night/

(3)http://students.egfi-k12.org/student-invents-projecting-laser-bike-light/

We’ve all heard of the numerous earthquakes and natural disasters that displaced so many civilians: there was the 2009 L’Aquila earthquake in Northern Italy, Japan’s earthquake in 2011, and Hurricane Sandy just last year. Many houses were destroyed. They did not stand much of a chance in the face of such strengths of nature. There is a strong demand for finding ways to disaster-proof a house, but before cities and engineers focus too much on that they must figure out how to house those displaced by the event. New York City, which was affected pretty severely by Sandy, was not ready to react to the repercussions. Now they have something in the works.

Garrison Architects came up with the design above to fill the special purpose of being, “used as housing after the emergency stage but before permanent housing can be constructed” (1). This design has yet to undergo testing, but the city needs a rapid-fire ability to provide the necessary housing. These units can stand alone, can be interspersed with present homes, or be placed in row as best fits the situation. They stack easily and can be craned in with very little issue. In addition to the prefabrication providing a fast response to relief, its sustainable. The unit operates mostly off the grid as it is solar-capable and ready. It must be “plugged in” utilities as a minor energy source. The design may seem costly as a temporary living space but the do not cost much to operate. The design does its job and does it well.

SIP’s, structural insulated panels, and CLT’s, cross-laminated timbers, are both newly introduced materials being used in post disaster and “disaster proof” housing. These materials have characteristics that have potential to make a house less likely to crack and crumble that could stand an earthquake. SIP’s are, “made of a lightweight fiber composite similar to the material used to make boat hulls, aircraft components, and wind turbine blades,” and are, “load-bearing technology…lightweight, waterproof, nonflammable, mold-resistant, and termite-proof” (2). Its malleable and mold-able, allowing it to take about any shape (i.e. beams, roofs, columns, etc.). The materials manufacturing company, InnoVada, is already implementing the material in a “Little Haiti” neighborhood in Miami.

CLT’s were used in Pierluigi Bonomo’s “sustainable energy box.” This unit was built inside of a badly damaged house after the ’09 Italy earthquake. In addition to this earthquake-resistant material, the one side of the “incorporates a special solar thermal hot water system with heat pump and rainwater storage” (3).  The house is equipped with a mechanical ventilation system with moving panels to maximize utilization of sunlight in the winter and deflection and protection from sunlight in the summer.

Above: Bonomo’s “sustainable energy box”

*Its interesting to note Bonomo’s sketches below. Simple drafts can have such great implications.

(1) http://inhabitat.com/nyc/nyc-to-test-out-prefabricated-post-disaster-housing-prototype-in-brooklyn/brooklyn-prefab-disaster-housing-garrison-architects-2/?extend=1

(2)http://www.builderonline.com/affordable-housing/the-disaster-proof-house.aspx

(3) http://inhabitat.com/energy-box-passive-house-is-an-earthquake-proof-sustainable-home-in-northern-italy/energy-box-pierluigi-bonomo-1/?extend=1

3 Dimensional printers have been around since 1984, but since the start of 21st century, they have become faster, more accurate, as well as more affordable and accessible. Beyond the performance, these 3D printers are now more variable in their application. The whole idea of printing with an extra dimension would allow a myriad of fields (including engineering, industrial design, medical and dental industry…) to more efficiently prototype and manufacture their products and ideas (1). In turn, the horizons of materials to print these ideas expand. In addition to printing in flexible plastics, metals and rubber, we’ve moved into using materials like chocolate and human cells to benefit business and victims of failing organs.

Chocolate seems like a more silly thing to be printing in 3D dimensions. It has long been a material that many have wanted to print in (2), and the University of Exeter in England found a way to make it possible. Dr. Liang Hao, staff member at Exeter who started Choc Edge Ltd, says that this technology will allow, “users…to design and make their own products. In the long term it could be developed to help consumers custom-design many products from different materials” (3). The candy industry will be able to utilize this technology to improve production. The added aspects of customization and personalizing to the chocolate world will create new opportunities for consumers and businesses. This means a whole new species of products and gifts!

http://students.egfi-k12.org/sweetest-printer/

Follow this link to see a great example of the Printers capability.

After Dr. Hao finishes rightfully hailing the idea of printing chocolate, he must face some minor challenges that are more than just cooling and heating the chocolate properly. Consumers of chocolate, including myself, like tasty chocolate. Absolutely the shape the chocolate takes affects how it appeals to a person, but sight is only part of the eating experience. Anywhere the word “eat” comes in, so does the FDA. Maintaining the environment in which the chocolate is printed and the tools used may pose another challenge as producers attempt to meet FDA requirements. Lastly, Patents will become an issue. This particular, “patent is not really about chocolate, but about the idea that chocolate is just another material that can be melted and later solidified into new shapes,” which is difficult to defend and will result in a sort of monopoly in the world of 3D printing (4).

Companies like Organovo are working with human cells as their medium. “Dying patients could someday receive a 3D-printed organ made from their own cells rather than wait on long lists for the short supply of organ transplants” (5). Speedily obtaining a fitting organ alone is crucial in the setting of a medical emergency. This printing technology would certainly help in that. The fact that the cells of the patient are used to produce the organ GUARANTEES the fit and function of the part–assuming the cells bond properly together as they should. Using this technology, “for human uses won’t happen anytime soon,” said Tony Atala, director of the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine in Winston-Salem, N.C. Researchers are still refining processes, such as creating the necessary blood supply to sustain the organ and working on such a small biological scale. When the organs can finally be maintained, these will benefit an innumerable amount of medical patients.

(1) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3D_printing

(2) Dr. Richard Devon, Sep. 25th, 2013

(3) http://www.exeter.ac.uk/research/newsandevents/news/title_145191_en.html

(4) http://qz.com/77751/3d-printing-chocolate-is-a-cool-idea-and-someone-is-trying-to-patent-it/

(5) http://www.foxnews.com/health/2013/09/24/3d-printing-aims-to-deliver-organs-on-demand/

In my dorm, I have two trash cans: A recycle can where i put papers, plastics, and the like, and another for the “un-recyclables”. I like to put my water bottles in that bucket knowing that they have a chance at reuse, and I think Penn State does a good job of giving the campus the easy option of recycling our bottles. After being collected and processed, our Aquafina’s, Dasani’s, and Nestles go to making some amazing things such as a bridge in Scotland, a three-story building in Taiwan, and new car interiors (1). While one must recognize these great purposes beyond the bottle itself, some students from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) saw that our water containers do not have to be processed to be useful.

These students were aware of a problem in poor Filipino communities where the housing is mostly roofed with metal–there was a lack of light in the homes. This use is infinitely more simple than the others and is slightly ironic. “By filling a plastic bottle with water and bleach (to prevent algae from growing), students and residents can fashion a solar lamp that fills even the gloomiest shelters with light.” The “Solar Bottle Bulb” provides a light source equivalent to a 55 to 60-Watt light bulb lasting up to 5 years. It works thanks to phenomenon you may have learned in physics class – refraction. When sunlight passes through the bottle and hits the water, its rays bend and disperse in many different directions” (2).

The water bottle lights are easily installed and illuminate the houses for the people of Manila, Philippines. http://www.affirmglobal.com/our-people/water-bottle-lights/

Even thought the water bottle lights depend on the sun to function, and therefore only work during the day, they still have so many benefits and advantages. For the people of Manila, Philippines (as well as India and Indonesia), only having light during the day is no product failure. The homes are very close together so the windows that would let light inside are practically useless. These lights have a very low overhead and no operation cost, and could not fit any better into the goal of going for clean, green, and renewable energy. This is an especially important feature because of the 2-dollar-a-day living budget. “The solar bottle bulbs’ advantages include sustainability and safety; compared with candles or faulty electrical connections, they aren’t a fire hazard” (3).

In a world of complex scientific systems and nanotechnology, the design of the Solar Bottle Bulb is a good reminder that simple does not mean its undeveloped and or less useful than any other design. It doesn’t require 21st century technology; it isn’t an idea for 20 years ahead. This product drew my attention because of that. The Solar Bottle Bulb is the MIT students’ beautiful  application of a fundamental physical principal. It emphasizes how important the planning and brainstorming process is. The product had to perfectly fit the environment in which it would be used. Engineering is often building off of what already exists, and here we have an example that, I would say, is exemplary of engineers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-Fpsw_yYPg (Video)

http://earth911.com/news/2012/08/16/8-things-made-from-recycled-plastic-bottles/ (1)

http://students.egfi-k12.org/water-bottles-to-illuminate-a-million-homes/ (2)

http://phys.org/news/2011-09-bottle-brighten-millions-poor-homes.html (3)

In our world, machines of every size imaginable are ubiquitous. They’re in things we see and use everyday. Some machines we don’t see, like internal medical machines. Some we overlook because they are so small. Manitowoc Cranes and Sandvik Mining know a thing or two about the large end of machines; they lead the world in grand-scale machine production having constructed some of the largest of their kind. You wont be missing these monsters if you see them. Even just looking mere sizes of the machines is baffling, but their uses and purposes are just as great.

Purchase Image

Manitowoc Crane Model 31000, the company’s largest-ever lattice boom crawler crane has two new owners awaiting delivery later this year and in 2011. Sue Pischke/HTR / Sue Pischke/HTR

 

This immeasurable $30 million project, the Manitowoc Model 31000, is a crane fitted with a main boom reaching 360 feet with the capability of lifting up to 2,300 tons. 2,300 tons. Twenty three hundred tons is pretty baffling! Mike Wood, the company’s global project manager attempt to give us a perspective lense by saying,”It would be equivalent to 2,300 elephants each weighing 2,000 pounds.” (2) Or two of the cranes could pick the S.S. Badger car ferry out of its Lake Michigan dock. The company was even outdoing itself says Bill O’neil, lead engineer on the project. O’neil said, “The lifting capacity of the 31000 is so much more than anything we’ve done before.”

Two dealers/rental each purchased a Model 31000 to bring out into world for use mainly on nuclear power project. Both the 31000’s size and variability of weight distribution paired with it unparalleled maneuverability caught the buyers eyes. Manitowoc has the responsibility to deliver its product, which is an extremely involved process; it takes a few weeks for the assembly/disassembly and requires up 25 truck for transportation. (1,2)

mining.sandvik.com

Sandvik is on the top for supplying the worlds mining industry. The PE200-1400/2×30, pictured above, is a massive Bucket Wheel Excavator. I knew the mining field had surpassed the days of men with pick axes, but not to this extreme. It is necessary for the mining field to have the biggest and the best because of how integral it is to our society.  “Laptops, cars, medicines, and even bread all contain elements that have to be mined.  As a result, mining raw materials is essential for our society to work.” (3)

When I look at photographs of the Model 31000 and the PE200-1400/2×30, it amazes me to see their sizes. The size is dramatized when one compares the excavator to the workers in the photo and when you add consider that such machines are mobile. I’ve thought it interesting to think about the process of how engineers came to both design and build these kinds of things. They need the appropriate building material and building resources. To build a big crane you need a big crane! Manitowoc used huge rack cranes to build the even bigger 31000. Would the 31000 project have been possible to do without the aid of the other cranes? For Manitowoc and Sandvik to achieve what they have they built off what preceded and them. Both machines seem to be evolved big brothers of similar models which may even imply that bigger is to come.

http://enr.construction.com/products/equipment/2009/0930-ManitowocSupercrane.asp (Engineering News Record)(1)

http://www.htrnews.com/article/20100326/WIS14/3280309/Manitowoc-s-biggest-crane-under-construction (htrnews.com)(2)

http://students.egfi-k12.org/big-mine-machines/(Engineering, Go For It!)(3)