The Rochester Engineer September 2023

Corporate Members of the Rochester Engineering Society

Board of Directors:

OFFICERS:

President MICHELLE SOMMERMAN, PE Colliers Engineering / Michelle.Sommerman@collierseng.com

First Vice President DENNIS ROOTE, PE

CDE Engineering & Environment, PLLC / dennis.roote@cde-pllc.com

Second Vice President MIKE KURDZIEL, PhD Harris Corporation / mike.kurdziel@L3harris.com

Treasurer

TBD - Dennis Roote is interim treasurer.

Immed. Past President GREG GDOWSKI, PhD University of Rochsester / Greg_Gdowski@urmc.rochester.edu

DIRECTORS:

HOWARD RESSEL, PE

Popli Design Group (retired NYSATE) / ressel@frontiernet.net

RICHARD E. RICE

Erdman Anthony / rricesquash@gmail.com

BRETT ELIASZ, PE

Colliers Engineering / Brett.Eliasz@collierseng.com

KENTON G. HINES

Merrill Lynch / Kenton.Hines@ml.com

MICHAEL DUFFY

Bosch Security Systems, LLC / michael.duffy@us.bosch.com

STEVEN W. DAY, PhD

Rochester Institute of Technology / swdeme@rit.edu

NOAH KELLY

Leadership Excellence & Development Program (Engr.), Alstom noah.kelly@alstomgroup.com

LEANDRO AVEIRO

Engineering Group Manager - Verification & Validation, Alstom leandro.aveiro@alstomgroup.com

YVETTE LaBOMBARD, PE

Director Gas Engineering, RG&E yvette_labombard@rge.com

SHEILA RANSBOTTOM, PE

Senior Transportation Engineer, Wendel anumrich@wendelcompanies.com

Administrative Director LYNNE M. IRWIN

Rochester Engineering Society / e-mail: res@frontiernet.net or therochesterengineer@gmail.com

The Rochester Engineer

Published since 1922 by ROCHESTER ENGINEERING SOCIETY, INC.

Founded March 18, 1897

Volume 102, Number 3, SEPTEMBER 2023

(Electronic Copies Only) You can purchase individual printed copies directly from ISSUU.

2,500+ Monthly Circulation (11 issues electronically) ISSN 0035-7405

RES Mission Statement: The RES will become the lead organization for improving the image and influence of the engineering community in the greater Rochester area by: Demonstrating a comprehensive knowledge of the region’s engineering and technical capabilities; Providing the best clerical support and public relations assistance to our affiliates; Continually communicating the engineering and technical accomplishments to both the engineering and technical community and the public; Providing regular forums and networking opportunities for the exchange of ideas and discussion of issues; and, Providing programs that identify career opportunities to the region’s youth and develop the skills of the practicing engineer.

News items and articles are invited. Materials should be submitted to the administrative director at the society’s office, 657 East Avenue, Rochester, New York 14607; Phone number (585) 254-2350, e-mail: therochesterengineer@gmail.com.

The web site for the RES is: www.roceng.org. The deadline is the 10th day of the month prior to the issue. Unless otherwise stated, opinions expressed in this publication are those of contributors, not of the Rochester Engineering Society, Inc. Advertising information may be obtained by contacting the office of the Rochester Engineering Society or going to the website at www.roceng.org

Published every month but July. You can purchase individual copies directly from ISSUU.

Go to www.roceng.org to join the Rochester Engineering Society. Click on the individual membership and you can submit your application on-line.

res news - board of directors

Dear Fellow Engineers, The official start to Fall is right round the corner and all the activity that brings! Reminder, the RES social gathering on Thursday September 7th will be at a Three Heads Brewing. It is looking to be a hot one but hopefully we can enjoy the outdoor deck!

Check out this month’s member profiles; Systems Engineer at Alstom & BOD member, Leandro Aveiro (p18) and recently joined corporate member, Civil Engineer and CEO of Lu Engineers, Cletus Ezenwa (p20). If you have a suggestion for a Member Profile or YOU would like to share your profile, please email us! Also, did you know that if you are an RES member, you can search the RES member database? See page 6 for details.

Something new! A great opportunity for you or someone you know to support RES activities & mission while reducing your tax liability! Check out page 7 and the website for details.

A chance to recognize professionals and students - the call for Professional Award nominations (p13) has been updated for 2023 as well as the 2023 Scholarship Application (p12).

Welcome to our new RES members! -

1. Thomas Polech, Deputy Director of Transportation, Monroe County DOT

2. Andy Straub, Patriot Design and Consulting, Corporate Sustaining Member

Some highlights from this issue… Save the date - PDHs pending for the Thursday October 19th for a tour of an apple storage facility (p9). In the Rochester History column (p14), Lee takes us back to 1977. This month’s cover article, that starts on page 24, offers a peek inside downtown living and what differentiates lofts according to various insider perspectives

The Student feature discusses DNA Synthesis on a Digital Microfluidic Device (DMF) which is a relatively new fluid handling technology (p30). Much RIT Campus News starting on p32, RIT’s Launch Initiative student team won its first top award, at the annual Spaceport

RES News - President's Message

America 2023 event in July (video link on p33), Qian Xue, associate professor of mechanical engineering, is exploring how the varied sizes, shapes, and directions of whiskers on harbor seals can correlate to better sensor technologies (p34), and Jennifer Schneider, a faculty-researcher, recently joined two national organizations to investigate and guide improved standards for use of PPE and technologies (p35).

Some highlights from Affiliates (starting on p38)…

ASHRAE and RPE Clambake and BBQ

September 12th (p50-51), EAWNY 66th Annual Clambake September 13th (p39), IEEE Joint Chapters Meeting – Focus on Young Professionals who recently graduated from college September 18th (p44), ASPE meeting on Vacuum Plumbing Systems

September 20th (p54), IS&T Astrophotography Today – Capturing the Universe from my Driveway September 27th (p39), IEEE Antique Wireless Association 2023 Annual Conference September 27th (p45), NYSATE Mini Conference October 3rd at the RIT Inn & Conference Center…and many more!

Would you like to be involved? Please join us! Check out the committee list on the website at www.roceng.org and join one! This is YOUR community’s society. We want to make sure your voice is heard!

Email us with any questions, comments, or suggestions. Thank you!

Michelle Sommerman, PE

Colliers Engineering & Design RES President

June 1, 2022 - May 31, 2024

Did you know….

If YOU are an RES member, you can search the member database on the website! In this way you can connect to other engineers in the area!

How do you do this?

Login to the website at www.roceng.org. Go to the ‘Membership’ menu, then ‘Membership Directory’.

There are many search fields. Example below on a search for Binghamton alumni:

If you would like members to connect with you, you ’ll need to make sure your profile is up-to-date. When you're logged in, click on your name in the upper right and ‘View profile’. There you can edit your profile and your privacy settings.

If you have questions on how to access your profile, please email us!

Click on ‘Advanced Search’

Are you interested in Supporting The Rochester Engineering Society (RES) and reducing your tax liability?

Are you retired and receiving Required Minimum Distributions (RMD) from your retirement accounts?

If you answered yes to the above… then Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCD) might be a great way to reduce your tax liability and support the RES mission!

What is a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD)?

A QCD allows you to make a tax-free contribution to a charitable organization while reducing your RMD. Typically, you will receive an RMD and pay taxes on it. By using a QCD, you can make a dollar-for-dollar charitable gift without paying any taxes and reduce the amount of RMD remaining to be taxed.

To learn more about how using a QCD can help you and RES, please visit the website today! www.roceng.org.

RES EVENT CALENDAR - SAVE THE DATES

Updates will be posted on the website calendar as they become available. Social Gatherings are the 1st Thursday of every month at 5:00 pm

Continuing Education Courses are the 3rd Thursday of every month from 1:00 to 5:00 pm

Here are the plans (subject to change):

EVENT DATE

Thursday, September 7, 2023

EVENT NAME

Social Gathering! Three Heads Brewing, 16 Atlantic Avenue, Rochester, NY 14607. Time: 5:00 PM. Please register so we know many are attending!

Thursday, September 21, 2023

Has been cancelled. We hope to reschedule at another time.

Continuing Education - Save the Date! 2 PDHs

Join us for a very exciting RES Webinar Series

Theme: Hydrology

Thursday, October 5, 2023

Social Gathering! Rohrbach's, 97 Railroad Street, Rochester, NY 14609. Time: 5:00 PM. Please register so we know many are attending!

Thursday, October 19, 2023

Continuing Education - Save the Date!

Join us for a very exciting Tour of KM Davies - see page 9 or go to the RES website calendar for additional details.

Thursday, November 2, 2023

Social Gathering! Rohrbach's, 97 Railroad Street, Rochester, NY 14609. Time: 5:00 PM. Please register so we know many are attending!

Thursday, November 16, 2023

Continuing Education - Save the Date!

Join us for a very exciting RES Webinar Series

Theme: Electric Cars

*Dates and topics are subject to change*

RES is excited to announce our 2023-2024 program year is a mix of Continuing Education and Social Gatherings!

RES TOUR - K.M. Davies

Tour - Save the Date!!

Thursday, October 19, 2023

2:00 till 4:00 pm

Can an Apple be put to sleep…?

Come to K.M. Davies and find out why and how!!

6509 Lake Avenue Williamson, NY 14589

Come visit the multi-building campus utilized for storing apples…

The site contains 100k lbs. of ammonia for Refrigeration

Storage of 3 Million bushels of apples

9 Million sq. ft. of refrigerated space

A new building addition in 2020

Also some buildings still exist from the teens (1910’s-20)

Cost: TBA

PDH(s) Pending Limited to 60 persons

Optional get together after for food and beverage

Location:TBD

Registration: Check the RES Website Calendar for updates on registering. We will also send an email to our contact list from the website when this has been finalized and registration is available.

Technical Corner - Electrical Engineering Focus

The article this month will be Electrical focused as it relates to Short Circuit Current Ratings (SCCR) of disconnect switches. Do they have a rating?

Should we be paying attention to the SCCR of non-fused disconnect switches in a pretty typical electrical installation? (Similar to SCCR of mechanical equipment you would typically see on a roof for HVAC purposes).

Well, turns out that these switches have various SCCR's when applied with the options listed in the illustration. SCCR is the max rating the device can safely withstand. So, the goal is to determine what SCCR is available at that equipment and then be sure to select a rating which is larger

The illustration is a label which exists on a 400A non-fused disconnect switch and gives options of fuses and circuit breakers that are to be selected and located upstream of the non-fused disconnect switch. Essentially this overcurrent protection device protects the wiring feeding the disconnect and the disconnect switch itself.

10,000 amps is basically the default, lowest rating but you can see there are quite a few options to increase the SCCR where needed in your system.

As you can see, just changing out an existing fuse or circuit breaker will alleviate the situation where a high short circuit potential exists which could damage your equipment if not protected adequately

Hopefully this article finds you well and can be used as a reference for your project needs. If anyone would like to contribute to the RES magazine and add an article or would like to request information on a specific topic (not limited to Electrical) just email me, Brett.Eliasz@collierseng.com. As always, any comments are appreciated…! Thank you for reading.

Brett Eliasz, P.E., LEED AP BD+C , RES Director

CAREERS IN ENGINEERING

DO YOU KNOW A HIGHSCHOOL STUDENT THAT MIGHT WANT A CAREER IN ENGINEERING?

If you do, the Rochester Engineering Society in conjunction with the Exploring Division of the Seneca Waterways Council of the Boy Scouts is hosting an Exploring Post which is geared to exposing young people to as many different careers and experiences in engineering as possible during the winter months

Engaging, hands on experiences include:

Engineering Careers

• Chemical, Structural, Aeronautical, Software, Electrical, Optical, Nuclear and others

Site Visits

• Local engineering firms

• Rochester Institute of Technology

• University of Rochester

Sign up is: Wednesday October 25th at 6:00 PM at BSA HQ

2320 Brighton-Henrietta Town Line Road, Rochester NY 14623.

For more information

Rich Repka Casey West Kodak Alaris Exploring District Executive rrepka10@gmail.com Casey.West@scouting.org

WHO YOUNG MEN/WOMEN

AGE 14-20

*PREFERENCE GIVEN TO 10-12 GRADERS*

WHEN Wednesday Nights

January to March 6:30pm – 8:30 pm

WHERE

Across the greater Monroe County area

MORE DETAILS

Email: Richard Repka rrepka10@gmail.com

Casey West Casey.West@scouting.org

Cost to participate: $100

www.swcexploring.org

STEP 1

ENGINEERING Scholarships

BEGIN by going to the RES Website Scholarship Page to Check the Eligibility Requirements!

STEP 2

REQUEST an interview appointment by going to scholarship application instructions and fill out the Eligibility Form.

STEP 3

GATHER the required data and supporting materials (details on website)

 Official Transcript

 Resume

 Applicant's Letter

 Reference Letter #1 and #2  Interview Report

Deadline to submit all items is Friday, December 8, 2023

2023 Susan L. Costa Memorial Scholarship

Olivia Ernst, Biomedical Engineering Rochester Institute of Technology

2023 Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineering Scholarship

Jesse Burdick-Pless, Computer Science Rochester Institute of Technology

Call for Nominations

2023 Engineer of the Year

Past Engineers of the Year 15 years...(first awarded 1963)

Mark Bocko, PhD

John W. Nieto

Richard Buckley

Susan Houde-Walter, PhD

Donald P. Nims, PE

Martin E. Gordon, PE

Diane M. Trentini

Robert L. Clark, Jr., PhD

Lalit Mestha, PhD

Maureen S. Valentine, PE

Sergio Esteban, PE

Brian J. Thompson, PhD

Gary W. Passero, PE

Kevin J. Parker, PhD

Satish G. Kandlikar, PhD

Young Engineer of the Year and Engineers of Distinction

Joshua Rodems, PE 2022 Young Engineer of the Year

Past Young Engineers of the Year -15 years...

Joshua Rodems, PE

Andrew D. White, PhD

Daniel Rusnack, PE

Nick Vamivakas, PhD

Brett Eliasz, PE

Emily M. Smith, PE

Matthew T. Sidley

Danielle Benoit, PhD

John Papponetti, PE

Courtney E. Reich, PE

Clement Chung, PE

Sherwin Damdar

Michael J. Walker, EIT

Nathan Gnanasambandam, PhD

Venkatesh G. Rao, PhD

The RES Board of Directors introduced a streamlined nomination form. A simple initial form allows an individual or organization to nominate a candidate. The RES committee will then contact the nominator if the candidate progresses to the next phase. At that point, a final form will be used to gather essential details from the nominator and candidate which will be used to determine our award recipients.

The RES will select and recognize the 2023 Engineer of the Year, 2023 Young Engineer of the Year (and Finalists), and 2023 Engineers of Distinction Awards in a variety of public venues and media. The Award recipients will be celebrated at an event to be announced in 2024. Visit

Mark Bocko, PhD 2022 Engineer of the Year

RES NEWS - ROCHESTER HISTORY

A Sampling from the Archives of the Rochester Engineering Society.

1897 - 1976

by Lee M. Loomis

Continuing with the historical sampling of the earlier writings on behalf of the Rochester Engineering Society, the years following "The Great War", into and through the “Great Depression”, continued to be a time of reaching out for the maturing Society, both locally and nationally. The meeting minutes describe a series of technical discussions and presentations intended to broaden the technical horizons of the membership (especially the CE's, ME's and EE's). The RES affiliated itself with a number of National technical societies, adopted local Affiliated Societies, frequently held joint meetings with them and continued taking action on a growing list of public matters. Certain issues of standardization, some crucial to public safety, became the responsibility of the RES and its affiliates. In the pervasive economic downturn of the “Great Depression”, the magazine offered classified advertising for unemployed engineers, technicians and draftsmen and took other steps to try to deal with the crisis. Still, it continued its effort to shape the function, focus and infrastructure of the City of Rochester, and beyond. World War, again affected the Society, taking away many of its leaders while providing opportunities for others to step forward to fill these vacancies. In an effort to provide even greater perspective on the happenings and concerns of the day, a synopsis, featuring selected items from "The Rochester Engineer" has become an integral part of this series. The Second World War, the Korean Conflict, and the Vietnam War are now history. These experiences have changed the face of and will, no doubt, influence the future of the community. The Rochester municipal leadership and the industrial community have become immersed in the cold-war, growth economy.

February ??, 1977 (Board Meeting, Chamber of Commerce) Editor’s note: The minutes from this meeting are missing from our records, possibly because the meeting might not have been held.

“The Rochester Engineer” (February 1977)

This issue leads off with a description of the talents and career of James A. Clark, PE, celebrated as “1976 Rochester Engineer of the Year”, at the recent RES Engineers Joint Dinner. A graduate of the University of Maryland (BS & MS in Mechanical Engineering), Jim, an inventor, began his career by founding his own optical technology company which eventually became part of Litton Industries. He moved to Rochester’s Bausch & Lomb in 1958, rising to his current (1977) position as Chief Engineer, Advanced Process Research & Development. His community contributions have included, as President of the RES, helping to guide the RES “Operation Resource” project to its conclusion. He has led the Mendon Town Planning Board as it guided and advised on both Town, and School District projects. He holds 35 US Patents (microscopes, telescopes, slide projectors, X-Ray machines, fluid clutches, eye implant lenses (Editor’s note: eventually to be called “contact lenses”), is a member of the Monroe Professional Engineers Society, and President-elect of the Rochester Chapter of the Optical Society of America. An article by Walter R. Lynn, “Engineering and Society Programs in Engineering Education” (reprinted with permission from the January 1977 issue of Science magazine)

expounds the theory that, “engineering graduates are poorly equipped to deal with the complex social effects of most engineering activities”. Decrying the almost exclusive focus of engineering curriculum on analysis, it points out that, while analysis is a crucial ingredient, these are only a means, and not an end. It goes on to decry the general lack of development of judgmental skills in an engineering education. It offers suggestions that focus on two issues: the liberal elective requirements and the need for explicit commitment to include engineering and society issues as an integral part of the curriculum. A second article, by Jeremy Main, “Engineering: A Well-Paid Start, an Uncertain Future” (reprinted with permission from the January 1977 issue of Money magazine) recounts the ebb and flow of engineering job opportunities resultant from the recent decade’s on-off funding by governmental entities of infrastructure projects. It describes the various career paths for engineers, as exclusive technically focused professionals versus management-bound aspirants. It goes on to relate that women engineering graduates (fewer than 1% in 1974) have increased in engineering college enrollment to 8.9% by 1975, and more recently to 12% in 1977. (Editor’s note: This seems to have plateaued in recent years; currently only 16.5% of engineers are women.) The article concludes, ”Many Americans feel that what engineers do is unimportant, even destructive. Environmentalists accuse the highway builders, the Amry Corp. of Engineers and others of doing massive damage to the environment. Maybe they have, but if anyone is going to undo the damage, it won’t be English majors or dropouts in rural communities. The repairs will be made by engineers.” Also in this issue, RES Legislative Watchdog, Andrew C. Hirsch, recounts the substance of two recent speeches at RIT’s Institute Forum; a year-long investigation into the implications of the energy situation (1976-77). The first, by US Senator-elect, Daniel Patrick Moynihan,

contended that the problem of reliable, cheap energy sources was one of public administration, not one of technology. Hirsch went on to say, “This theory of energy…that it is not technology that has erred, but our public policy-makers who have erred…is what the engineering community has been saying, all along. We, as engineers, can solve any technological problem if we receive the correct support for our work.” A second opinion, from veteran US Representative Frank Horton, noted how little progress had been made since the embargo (1973). He said he was looking forward to a proposed reorganization of the Congressional Committees that deal with energy. From Andrew Hirsch’s point of view, “The Senator addressed the problem with a philosophical approach; theories of public administration and government regulating government. The Congressman, on the other hand, spoke about Congressional reorganization. Certainly, these viewpoints are what be expected of an “insider” and an “outsider."

Subsequent articles in this series will describe the RES' continuing outreach to other technical societies as it considered its role in this and the larger community, along with more of the activities of the RES as it moved to be of greater service to its membership, especially those suffering from current economic crises, and adopted a greater role in shaping the future of the City and its environs. Noted also, will be the contributions made by RES members in the struggle to meet the challenges coming out of World War II and the Korean Conflict, as well as a hoped-for period of post-war growth and prosperity. These articles will also feature an impressive array of RES activities in support of post-war re-emergence of Rochester area industry, and the continuing prosperity of the second-half of the 20th Century.

We welcome your questions and comments on this series.

In person RES Tutoring at Dr. Walter Cooper Academy

At a regularly scheduled, Tuesday afternoon tutoring session, this past Spring, RES/Bergmann Tutor, Mary Legawiec, spent about two hours working with several of our “Cooper Scholars” from Mrs. Sanzotta’s First Grade.

Upon arrival, Mary received a basket of lesson-support materials from the teacher and was then guided, by her students, to the School Library. They selected a quiet corner in which to spend about 30 minutes working on math problems.

Over the course of the next 90 - 120 minutes, Mary worked with five additional students, on math and reading lessons. A 2018 Graduate of SUNY Geneseo, Mary is a member of the four-person RES/Bergmann Tutoring Team.

The 2023-24 School Year, at Dr. Walter Cooper Academy is opening soon and will include in-person tutoring by the RES Tutoring Team... Along with the Bergmann Team and our veteran, independent tutors, we have several new tutors, from RIT and the U of R. The need is great… We have a large number of students in need of the one-on-one support that comes from in-person attention to their individual learning needs.

Won’t you please consider joining our 2023-24 RES Tutoring Team…Else please consider joining our RES Tutors for the 2023-24 School Year?

Questions/Applications??? Reach out to RES Past President Lee Loomis and the RES Tutoring Team at…Rochester Engineering Society (585) 254-2350, via website: www.roceng.org, or via email: leeloomis46@gmail.com, (585) 738-3079 (mobile & text).

RES/Bergmann Tutor, Mary Legawiec, guides a group of students through a math lesson.

Back to Table of Contents

Streaming Task Management with Teams

In today's fast-paced and interconnected world, effective task management is crucial for individuals and teams to stay organized and productive. Modern applications like Microsoft Teams have revolutionized the way we collaborate and manage tasks, providing a centralized platform that enhances communication, coordination, and efficiency. Because this is often overlooked, I wanted to highlight the basic benefits and features of using Teams for task management. Yes there are many other tools available that are more robust, but sometimes keeping it simple just works.

Centralized Task Management

One of the key advantages of using applications like Teams for task management is the ability to centralize all tasks in one place. Teams provides a dedicated space where users can create, assign, and track tasks, eliminating the need for scattered emails, sticky notes, or multiple project management tools. With a centralized task management system, teams can easily monitor progress, set deadlines, and ensure that everyone is on the same page.

Seamless Collaboration

Teams facilitates seamless collaboration among team members, enabling them to work together on tasks and projects in real-time. Users can create channels or threads dedicated to specific projects or topics, where they can discuss, share files, and update task statuses. This fosters transparency and ensures that everyone has access to the latest information, reducing miscommunication and enhancing productivity. Team members can also receive notifications and reminders, helping them stay informed and focused on their assigned tasks. You can also collaborate securely with partners and clients too.

Integration with Productivity Tools

Modern task management applications like Teams often integrate with various productivity tools, further enhancing their capabilities. Teams seamlessly integrates with Microsoft Office Suite, enabling users to create, edit, and share documents, spreadsheets, and presentations within the platform. Additionally, it supports third-party integrations, allowing teams to connect popular project management tools, time trackers, and automation apps. This integration streamlines workflow by eliminating the need for constant switching between applications, enhancing efficiency and saving valuable time.

Get IT Done

Task Visualization and Tracking

Teams offers visual tools and features that help users track and visualize their tasks effectively. Kanban boards, for instance, allow teams to visualize tasks in different stages of completion, making it easy to identify bottlenecks and prioritize work accordingly. Gantt charts provide a visual timeline view of tasks and their dependencies, enabling teams to better plan and allocate resources. By providing these visual representations, Teams empowers users to manage their tasks more efficiently, ensuring that projects stay on track and deadlines are met.

Mobile Accessibility

In today's mobile-driven world, the ability to manage tasks on the go is essential. Modern task management applications like Teams offer mobile apps that allow users to access their tasks, discussions, and files from anywhere, at any time. This flexibility enables team members to stay productive while away from their desks, ensuring that urgent tasks are attended to promptly. Whether attending meetings, traveling, or working remotely, mobile accessibility ensures that task management remains seamless and efficient.

Wrapping it up…

Modern collaboration solutions like Teams have transformed task management by providing a centralized platform that enhances collaboration, coordination, and efficiency. With features such as centralized task management, seamless collaboration, integration with productivity tools, task visualization, and mobile accessibility, Teams empowers individuals and teams to stay organized, productive, and successful in today's dynamic work environment. The best news, if you already have Microsoft 365 – you have Teams without investing in other applications.

THINK ABOUT IT!

Paul Bornemann VP Consulting Entre

Computer Services

Feedback: pbornemann@entrecs.com

www.entrecs.com

Leandro Vinicius Aveiro

RES member since 2022

RES History

Introduced to RES in April 2022 by colleagues at work (Alstom) as RES was seeking new directors.

Joined board of directors June 2022.

Co-Chair of the Awards Committee.

Member of the Professional Development, Membership and Affiliates Committees.

Education

B.S. Electrical Engineering, Faculdade de Engenharia Industrial (Sao Bernardo do Campo, SP, Brazil).

Professional Experience

2001-2005: College years, with internships at bank automation and technology consulting companies.

2005-Present: Alstom (Rail signaling industry)

- 2005: Hired by Alstom in Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil, as a Software Engineer.

- 2009-2011: Spent 8 months at Alstom headquarters in Paris, France.

- 2011-2014: 3-year expat mission to Rochester, NY, US as V&V (Verification and Validation) lead of onboard systems.

- 2014-2015: Back to Sao Paulo. Managed development of Rio de Janeiro’s metro signaling system.

- 2015-2016: Overall manager of the System, Software, Hardware Engineering teams in Sao Paulo.

- 2016-2017: Managed development of Sao Paulo’s metro signaling system.

- 2017-2020: Permanent move to Rochester, NY as System Engineer.

- 2020-Present: Current position as North America’s V&V Department Manager and Systems Design trainer.

Organizations & Groups

International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE) – Member since 2021

INCOSE Finger Lakes Chapter – Member since 2021

RES MEMBER PROFILE

Projects

- Onboard computers for freight trains.

- Sao Paulo Metro Lines 1, 2 and 3

- Rio de Janeiro Line 4 Metro

- Positive Train Control (PTC) for New Jersey Transit

- Toronto Metro Line 1

- Boston Metro Red and Orange lines.

- NYC Staten Island Metro

- Several Automated People Mover (APMs) projects.

Personal Interests / Hobbies

- Science and Engineering

- Science fiction (movies and books).

- Eco-tourism, hikes

- Mountain biking

- Growing bonsais

- Listening to and playing music. I play the guitar and I am learning the cello with my daughters in school.

- Watching car racing on TV.

Bad Vices

Letting YouTube taking me down the rabbit hole for hours! :(

Cletus Ezenwa, PE

RES History

RES member since July 2023

Experience

2017 – present: Owner/CEO Lu Engineers

1992-2017, Principal/Partner, Prudent Engineering, LLP

1985-1992 Senior Engineer, Maniktala Associates, PC

Education

1985 MS Civil Engineering, Syracuse University

1982 BS Civil Engineering, Syracuse University

Organizations & Groups

Mr. Ezenwa is a member of American Council of Engineering Companies - New York, and has served on the Transportation, Continuing Education and D/M/WBE committees.

BEAM – Buffalo Engineering Awareness for Minorities

Professional Highlight

Mr. Ezenwa was born and raised in Achina, Nigeria. With long standing interest in civil engineering, he came to Syracuse University, where he obtained his B.S and M.S degrees in Civil Engineering. Upon graduation, he worked for 7 years in the private sector while doing an in-house assignment at New York State DOT for most of that period. In 1993, he co-founded Prudent Engineering, LLP

In 2017, he sold his interest in Prudent Engineering, and acquired Lu Engineers. Under his ownership, the firm is certified as DBE and MBE by New York State, as an MBE and SBE by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and is included on the City of Rochester’s approved M/WBE list. Lu Engineers maintains six offices across NY State. In service to clients, he is actively involved in projects, specializing in structural design, inspection and load rating of bridges, and is responsible for quality control of bridge design and inspection projects.

Presently, as CEO of Lu Engineers, Mr. Ezenwa is actively involved with day-today operations of the firm and directly supports Lu’s diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. He is dedicated to providing employment opportunities at Lu Engineers to predominantly minority young professionals, who are seeking internships as well as career-building employment. His professional involvement includes participation with American Council of Engineering Companies on committees such as Transportation, Continuing Education, and the DMWBE committee.

RES MEMBER PROFILE

Honors and Awards

Lu Engineers was recently designated as a Rochester Democrat & Chronicle Great Places to Work. This designation was a goal that Cletus set when he bought the firm in 2017. He defined the award with this thought, “The employees define the character of the workplace more than the employer.”

Personal Highlight\Interests\Hobbies:

Mr. Ezenwa is an avid music enthusiast. He sings tenor with the Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus. He is also a passionate gardener who grows a variety of tropical vegetables for the Western New York market.

With a background in the US Army (RC), his interests include community activities geared toward youth education and good citizenship.

Quote:

“ I’ve learnt that it’s better to give than to take, particularly to causes greater than me."

RIT researchers pioneer solutions for degenerative disc disease and back pain

Non-invasive approach involves the use of extracellular vesicles and CRISPR gene-editing to advance regenerative medicine

Rochester Institute of Technology researchers are improving noninvasive treatment options for degenerative disc disease, an ailment that impacts 3 million adults yearly in the U.S., according to the Mayo Clinic.

Using state-of-the-art gene editing technology in mesenchymal stem cells, the researchers will add to the growing field of regenerative medicine, the process of producing cellular therapies to alleviate pain and lack of mobility.

Karin Wuertz-Kozak and Thomas Gaborski, faculty-researchers in RIT’s Kate Gleason College of Engineering, recently received a National Institutes of Health award for “Extracellular vesicles produced by CRISPR-activated mesenchymal stem cells: A potential therapy for degenerative disc disease.” The two-year, $420,040 award, which includes an in vitro feasibility study, begins this month.

CRISPR technology offers a precise method for genome editing, enabling the modification—knockout or activation— of a single gene or multiple genes within cells. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are lipid nanoparticles that function as important mediators of intercellular communication by carrying biological cargo, including proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids.

“We envisioned the potential of CRISPR-modified stem cells producing EVs with a therapeutically more beneficial cargo,” said Wuertz-Kozak, a professor of biomedical engineering.

The researchers are targeting TSG6, a critical stem cell marker known to be linked with the regenerative and antiinflammatory properties of these stem cells.

“Our hypothesis is that if we CRISPR-activate TSG6 in stem cells, we will not only increase TSG6 protein levels in the EV cargo, but we could potentially amplify the overall regenerative capacity of extracellular vesicles,” WuertzKozak explained. She is an expert in regenerative medicine, with a focus on inflammation, and the development of novel treatment options that allow for tissue regeneration and pain reduction. Gaborski, a professor of biomedical engineering and an expert in materials engineering, biological separations, and cellular barrier models, has been instrumental in the development of nanomembranes that can be used to capture extracellular vesicles. He will contribute

his expertise to enhance the sizedependent isolation of the EVs produced by the CRISPR-modified stem cells.

Stem cell therapy has been a viable area in regenerative technologies for numerous pathologies over the past several years. However, the degenerated intervertebral disc is a harsh environment that impairs stem cell survival, resulting in limited clinical success of stem cell therapy for the disc. Past research showed that EVs from stem cells contain many therapeutically beneficial proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids and carry much of the regenerative potential of stem cells. Once thought of as unused cast off from cells, the use of EVs is now viewed as a potential alternative to cell therapy, avoiding the challenges associated with stem cell survival upon injection.

Both researchers have previously worked together on related topics. In 2022, the two received an NSF grant to develop processes to biomanufacture CRISPR-edited stem cells capable of differentiation and able to enhance development and improve their isolation and purification.

“The size of extracellular vesicles may determine their therapeutic potential,” said Gaborski, who developed a nanomembrane technology that will allow the team to collect and test various EV sizes to determine which size-fraction is most beneficial in treating degenerative disc disease.

In the cell culture lab, intervertebral disc cells isolated from surgically removed disc tissue will be treated with these EVs to determine their therapeutic effect in vitro. The team has partnered with the University of Rochester for tissue samples and clinical input.

“The unique synergy between Tom and me drives this research. Although we are certainly not the only ones working on topics such as EVs, membranes, or CRISPR, our diverse and complimentary expertise allows us to combine these areas in a distinctive way,” said Wuertz-Kozak. “While our primary emphasis is degenerative disc disease, the framework we are establishing has broad applicability. We believe that EVs from CRISPR-modified stem cells hold the potential for addressing other degenerative and inflammatory ailments, ranging from osteoarthritis to skin inflammation. The implications of this work are remarkably extensive.” q

Karin Wuertz-Kozak and Thomas Gaborski, both professors of biomedical engineering, are collaborating on a project using gene-editing technologies to improve degenerative disc disease.

Credit: Travis LaCoss/RIT

RIT begins construction of two-story

research

building facility near Global Village

New building will have capacity for multiple science, engineering, and computing laboratories

RIT is expanding its research footprint to accommodate the university’s growing research portfolio.

Preliminary construction of a modern research facility has been underway since mid-summer. The RIT Research Building, on the southwest side of campus near R Lot, will provide more laboratory space in science, computing, and engineering.

The new building will be 39,200 square feet spread over two floors. Occupancy is expected in fall 2024.

Tori Budgeon-Baker, associate director of Planning and Design Services, who is overseeing the design portion of the project, and Mark Williams, principal project manager with Construction Services, both of RIT’s Facilities Management Services, began planning for the new building in 2022.

“This is an opportunity to further develop the southwest part of campus,” said Budgeon-Baker. “It’s an opportunity to really develop the entrance to the Global Village side of campus.”

Supply chain issues for the project have been a challenge. Anticipating some of the essential needs for the building, Williams was able to order several key pieces of equipment even before groundbreaking.

“We identified those items that had a real long lead time and preordered. Before we even hired the contractor for the electrical or mechanical or general architectural work, we purchased air handlers, electrical switch gear, and assigned installation to subcontractors as we were bidding,” he said.

Both managers see the project as fast paced compared to others done or underway. The research building is a bonded project and funding is not coming out of operating or capital budgets.

Another challenge for the team has been understanding who would be using the facility.

“This one has been interesting, in that respect. Something like the SHED, the theater, the stadium, we know the end user and we bring them in right away. In this case, we don’t know the end users,” said Budgeon-Baker.

Williams agreed. “We build for any kind of research—wet lab, dry, or whatever kind of infrastructure. We have to try to anticipate as best we can using our institutional knowledge to come up with a plan for a building that will be functional. Once the researchers come in, they will see the lab space, and we can build out for them.”

Several of the labs have already been allocated, specifically five to faculty in the College of Science, three to the Kate Gleason College of Engineering and one to the Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences. The remaining labs will be assigned in the future by Ryne Raffaelle, RIT’s vice president for Research, as new faculty are hired.

There were a few minor surprises that have added to the overall construction process—from relocating faculty and staff in the temporary trailers that were in R Lot to working with the town of Henrietta on ensuring that the new building will not impede fire and police access lanes.

Both Williams and Budgeon-Baker acknowledged campus peers and regional contractors, many of whom have done work at RIT before this current project.

“Mark and I may be the RIT ‘face’ but it’s not just us. It is a whole team that makes these projects come together,” Budgeon-Baker said. “We are just the conductors.”

The architects for the project are HBT Architects, now part of MRB Group. Architects also worked on the SHED project teamed with William Rawn Associates. The Construction Management firm is DGA Builders. q

Campus News continued on page 32

A rendering of the new research building that is under construction on the southwest side of campus near Global Village. Credit: Facilities Management Services/RIT

Downtown Living - When everything is a "Loft" How do you differentiate?

A peek inside – from the perspective of developers, residents, and an architect

Introduction:

The fundamental question of “How do I differentiate in a crowded marketplace?” is a constant in most boardrooms and around design studio conference tables. The writers of this article at HUNT Engineers and Architects are pressed daily to bring our distinct HUNT strengths to the fore in a clear and short manner for an audience flooded by information and suffering from short attention spans.

Knowing HUNT’s interest in this differentiation question and desire to be “thought leaders” our client and partner, Todd Clicquennoi of Metro Falls turned to us recently with the “challenge” of teasing out, “How does a residential developer differentiate themselves in a market where every new unit that comes on the market is now labeled a ‘loft’?”

In a recent article, we detailed the history of loft living in both the New York metropolitan area and across the course of the last 30 years in Albany, Syracuse, Rochester, and Buffalo. In a nutshell, it’s a story of a bohemian crowd of photographers, artists, and musicians occupying aged downtown buildings and creating street life before giving way to the robust downtown, market-rate, loft-living scene now evidenced across the state.

Rather than a dissertation about what are now widely shared, housing-demand dynamics…remote work, COVID displacement, a return to one’s hometown from “expensive cities”, a desire for “authentic” urban living, etc.... we turned to Todd’s Metro Falls team; Bret Garwood of Home Leasing; Doris and Greg Ludek, two downtown Rochester residents; and, HUNT’s own residential architect Michael Trapanovski, AIA.

COVER ARTICLE - HUNT Engineers

We hope you enjoy their perspectives (their quotes have been condensed).

An artist, an actor, two developers, and an architect – tasked with keeping their focus and opinions inside their “loft units”, we were pleased with how well they managed to keep their bathrobes on and not stray outside the building! “Putting life on the streets” is our next article.

For starters: The word loft evokes generally positive images for most people? What does it mean to you? Define a loft?

Doris and Greg Ludek, residents at 44 Exchange Street, “After raising our two children in Greece, suburban Rochester, we launched our two children into careers after college into nearby cities (Syracuse, Ithaca) and decided to rent downtown for a couple of years before settling into a condo-type lifestyle somewhere. Six years later, we have no plans to move.

Initially we wanted a true loft…really high ceilings, brick walls, wide-open living area, kitchen against the wall. 44 Exchange seemed like the perfect hybrid for us. It met the “repurposed building” criteria instead of a “new build”. It was part of Rochester’s history across from the iconic Times Square building and next to the Aqueduct Building.

Our building feels rock-solid, nearly sound-proof apartments, and enjoys mid-century special features (tiles near the elevator, mail chute, bank vault).”

For his part, Todd C. described an archetypical loft as having “traditional high-ceiling, undefined open spaces—transition for physical nature to an “urban space”. Normally above street-level, they are given character by their urban setting in adaptive reuse buildings. Each developer has their own creative element – what we personally bring to the word loft.”

“Do I think it is overused? Surely.”

“But even within my own portfolio, the definition and accompanying amenities vary – driven by what the building lends itself. I truly try to let the building/real estate take the lead rather than imposing some sort of trendy aesthetic on it...”

Continued on page 26

COVER ARTICLE - HUNT Engineers, Continued

Although Home Leasing’s primary focus is on the building of new housing for moderate and lowincome residents, Bret Garwood and his team have a deep experience in the loft marketplace. Their predecessors at Home Properties are widely credited with producing downtown Rochester’s first 80-20 market-rate, subsidized complex at “Chevy Place, 200 East Avenue”, and more recently they successfully tackled the renovation of 72 separate addresses on Clinton Avenue in downtown Albany.

From Bret’s perspective, a loft entails, “the conversion of an existing building where you maintain and expose the building’s infrastructure and create an open floor plan. These buildings often represent the “historic fabric of a community, and we try to reuse as much material as possible with an eye on being “close to nature” with those choices.”

HUNT’s Michael Trapanovski, AIA, has a deep resume of residential projects, and his loft thoughts began with, “Loft living has taken on a plethora of visuals these days. It seems that anything that has a raw aesthetics can be considered a loft, so much so that we are creating new buildings that mimic or fake this aesthetic and because of this, the term “Loft” may have lost its impact.“

“The main objective of a loft was to take space that was never intended to be lived in and create living space. A loft apartment would typically take a raw, underor-unutilized industrial space, and someone would move in furniture and install a hot plate and fridge and call it home. Living in a loft was a cost-effective way to live in

a major city and would typically be unpermitted living. So there is both an aesthetic component to the term “Loft” that creates a vision of timber post and beam structures with giant steel and glass windows, and there is also the psychological aspect of living outside of the regulations and rules of how and where to live, kind of a “Bad Boy”…“Rule Breaker”... “Free Spirit” mentality.”

What are the most important features of a residential unit? (closet space, kitchen size, specific amenities – washer/dryer, views, floor treatments, number of bathrooms, floor level…)

For the Ludeks, our 44 Exchange residents, the features they valued began with “the windows (obviously), the window ledges throughout the apartment, the wide bar, the modern kitchen, the laundry area, the ability to regulate the heat/ cooling effectively and efficiently, the same floor storage room, the covered parking, the fitness room, and the location.”

“We entertain often (well, in the before COVID times) and always get the “wow factor” when people enter the apartment. It’s perfect for cast parties. We’ve hosted dozens, since Greg is a local actor, and our place is closer to theaters than most other cast members. It provides a bar-like setting with a party-like atmosphere.”

“The apartment layout is nearly ideal for us. A few wish-list items that we are missing: a 2nd bathroom, a space for a dining table, a little more passing room between the bar counter and the windows, and updated carpet/wood floors in

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living room, as well as easier guest parking.”

Todd’s perspective on loft units has evolved over time, propelled by both his own experiences and the demands of the market. “My own ownership history of real estate ownership – across many markets – sometimes the building does not allow flexibility. For example, if the laundry is communal it needs to be well done...At Metro Falls we are driven by the idea of “home” not just a bed or temporary dwelling...how and what do we do to make it work for resident and the ‘community' that they have created with one another?”

“Obstacles to achieving that? We purposely buy buildings that can be improved without so many hurdles that we can’t achieve our goals. We avoid limited building...60 Browns Race parking example. Closet space, living spaces, large bedrooms and living rooms, kitchen unto themselves – each needs to be generously sized and not simply squeezed in...living vs just functioning. Naturally the number of units we 'need’ to create is at play, but we try hard not to have that number drive the scenario.”

“Our residents love king-sized beds, full dining-room tables, and... two or three people per space. We regularly and systematically ask ourselves, “how can they incorporate their life into the space... If we can answer that challenge there is a much higher probability of building a community with long-term residents. We want them to stay and think it is great, and we are not afraid – as evidenced by Jane and Greg – to empower them with a say in what those features are…”

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Guided by funding guidelines and overarching affordability goal, Home Leasing nevertheless strives to maximize their loft spaces, with Bret saying that ”key features for our residents are kitchen layouts (they shouldn’t be utilitarian afterthoughts) and having an outdoor space of their own in the form of a balcony or terrace. Carpet is generally not desired, with wood and even vinyl preferred. Bathroom configurations are also key with one-and-a-half baths an asset.”

HUNT’s Michael Trapanovski agrees with his developer partners, reporting that “kitchens and bathrooms, in-unit laundry, and outdoor space (common and private) would be considered key features. An updated/ current-looking kitchen and appliances will make even the worst apartment look fresh and new; this goes for bathrooms as well. Depending on the city and location, parking may play a large role in an apartment’s ultimate appeal.”

With “differentiation” our underlying theme, we asked the group, “As a resident, what would you be willing to pay to include more in your unit? As a developer, what apartment features do you think attract tenants? As a designer, which apartment features do you think adds most to a residents quality of life?

“We would pay more in rent or pay for certain upscale improvements”, said Greg and Doris at 44 Exchange. “Todd has agreed to some cost-sharing for lighting upgrades. We have been pleased to see many upgrades without significant rent increases (updated stove/washer/dryer, modernized exercise room, vault

COVER ARTICLE - HUNT Engineers

launch, improved entrance security system (front and back doors).”

Todd’s laundry list of features included this thought.. “Interesting…somewhat unique…full-sized ingredients include a laundry room...walk-in closet… definitely storage… the ability to cook for 6-8 not just two…we all live in the kitchen, why would a loftdweller want less… we think about the performance of all those amenities…”.

Home Leasing echoed Metro Falls’ perspective, “Several features immediately come to mind: open floor plans; fob and camera security (“in case something happens”); storage for infrequently used items and convenient bike storage. We have lofts across NYS and the Northeast and have found these to be universal attractions.”

“As a designer, I think providing natural light into a space is critical, even the worst apartment if it has good light will feel warm and inviting,“ asserted Michael Trapanovski, whose design perspective was slightly different. “It’s also key to provide what I would call aspirational finishes, tile in bathrooms, stainless steel appliances, and solid surface countertops. Each always make apartments more appealing and in demand.”

“Designing spaces with common spaces and amenities is an item that is icing on the cake. Although workout rooms, entertainment spaces, lounges and lobbies rarely get used by tenants, they help sell the apartment and provided the tenant the feeling that ‘if I wanted to I can use…’.”.

Continued on page 28

COVER ARTICLE - HUNT Engineers, Continued

Popular culture and futuristic writers have created an “inevitability” about remote work/avatars/VR&IR…if you were building from the ground up, what would you include in a unit to address those expectations? Simply additional piping? Solar capacity and electricity “sharing”? Lighting features? Embedded screens?

“Of course, a cool smart workspace would be great. Not sure what that would look like”, reported our 44 Exchange residents.

To which Todd of Metro Falls, a ‘veteran’ of previous fads added that “controlling for the cost-effective hurdles, solar-powered buildings are just not there yet. The current financial models aren’t mature or clear enough – power, insulate, efficiency of furnaces and piping, we’re simply not convinced the model is proper. We get asked about wiring conduits, but will that matter with WiFi? A bottom-line is we still have get service in the building, with an eye toward “finding ways to move wire and communication depending on how technology will change over the years”.

“We try to let residents ‘drive’ with their own tools. We support them, and then respond when it is appropriate.. the cliches abound but we find them to be generally true..’here today and gone tomorrow...avoid trendiness...classic and practical design will always outlast the latest fad or trend...’real life’ over trendy”.

Home Leasing’s Bret Garwood added that “we are being incentivized as builder-developers to have all electric heating and cooling systems, and on a more day-in-day-out manner, residents utilize our “dog washing amenities”. In a further nod to modern life – big walls for big TVs are a ‘must’.”

Along with Metro Falls, our architect Michael preached conservatism, “Space is king….. Being able to have versatility so that it can have or function as a remote workspace is critical. If people are going to continue to work from home, doing it at the kitchen table will not suffice. True space to allow for work will need to be created. Providing additional room for an office or at a minimum working hubspace/counter area.”

“I always feel that the integration of high-tech solutions will look dated in years to come and will often be a turnoff in 10 years or in the lifespan of two tenants renting the space. This is where I feel it is just better to allow the tenant to bring their own technology into the space, just provide a quality space for them to outfit.”

Finally, we landed the group back on a more personal perspective, asking “Let’s step outside your door, BUT not outside of the building – Where do you want to be able to go in your bathrobe? An attached parking space? Remote-work conference and office space? First-floor café? Workout room? Rooftop private lounge?

At 44 Exchange Doris and Greg took the bathrobe cover

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metaphor personally, joking “that’s an interesting question. We occasionally see folks in the hallways, mail area, and parking area in bathrobes. No one seems to be concerned about it, including us…”.

Todd also turned to his downtown building, saying that “if I use 44 Exchange as an example – game rooms…. the expectation of amenities……efficiency of space……upscale living …not overblown and overbuilt……We try to take those resources and incorporate unique and interesting features in the apartments themselves. We refuse to craft overzealous common spaces at expense of high-functioning units, and at the same time, we recognize and appreciate that remote working propels people out of apartment proper into these sorts of spaces.”

Bret at Home Leasing took a similar and light approach to our final question, saying “Tenants would love to be able to park their cars in their living rooms – so given that vibe, they are pleased to be able to go start their cars without dealing with the elements. Community rooms with kitchenettes for personal parties relieves the pressure on studio and one-bedroom apartment dwellers. Building lobbies should be functional (deliveries/small place to wait), but if not The Grand Budapest Hotel, the space is better used for other tenant amenities”.

For his part, the ‘architect', in HUNT’s Michael Trapanovski asserted itself, “One should be able to get to any of the common services in the building, not that I would think that anyone should be on a bathrobe in public space, even if it is in the building. Having amenities is always a plus – even if, as stated above, most of the time they don’t get used. It is nice to know that you have it available.”

“One feature that is really being overlooked in most applications is a mail or package room for deliveries. No developer wants to give up the square footage just for drop-off lockers but it would be key if a new building would have an overhead door that can allow a UPS/Fedex/USPS to have direct access from the street and wheel in a cart to deliver for the whole building.” q

Metro Falls Real Estate - Todd Clicquennoi/Madeline Clicquennoi, 585-202-5988/585-546-6190

HUNT Engineers, Architects, Land Surveyors, & Landscape Architect, DPC Michael Trapanovski, AIA, 585-3374007

About Metro Falls:

Metro Falls Development, LLC, specializes in giving new life to historical buildings and neighborhoods that reinvigorate living and working spaces through adaptive reuse. Our team is also highly experienced in the management of other local, regional and out-of-state properties, both residential and commercial.

Based in Rochester’s historic High Falls neighborhood, the Metro Falls team is led by Todd Clicquennoi, a Rochester native and accomplished developer with decades of real estate, investment and construction experience. The properties in their portfolio appeal to those who appreciate upscale interiors and amenities in buildings with ties to local history—properties that preserve their visual integrity and stand the test of time through exceptional workmanship.

About Home Leasing:

Based in Rochester, New York, Home Leasing is a private, family-owned company operating in New York, Pennsylvania and Maryland. Our services include development, construction and property management—but we do much more than that. Every aspect of our business is driven by our mission to improve the lives of our residents and the communities in which we work.

About HUNT-EAS

HUNT is a 180-person, full-service consulting and design firm headquartered in Horseheads NY with offices in Albany, Binghamton, Rochester, and Towanda Pa. HUNT’s architects, engineers, surveyors, and landscape architects offer school districts, municipalities, state agencies, and industrial/commercial clients the following services: planning; programming; interior design; mechanical engineering; electrical engineering; storm drainage design; technology; control systems; facilities management information systems; structural design; land surveying; asbestos/lead abatement design; project management; furniture, fixture, and equipment selection; energy studies; construction administration; cost estimating and cost control; expediting agency approvals; transportation; water and wastewater.

DNA Synthesis on a Digital Microfluidic Device (DMF)

by Sari Houchaimi, PhD Candidate, RIT

DNA is a crucial building block for most biological and biomedical protocols. It is the molecular building block for every living organism. DNA fabrication is used in many applications such as epigenetics, molecular engineering, and agricultural improvements. An important step of the DNA fabrication protocol is DNA ligation. Ligation consists of binding two fragments of DNA with covalent bonds, typically using a ligase. The current DNA fabrication methods are time-consuming, labor intensive and consume a lot of reagents. The gold standard for DNA fabrication is via phosphoramidite monomers. It is difficult to achieve long chains of DNA accurately with this method. It needs to be executed in acetonitrile, which results in unwanted byproducts. It would be beneficial to be able to manufacture long chains of DNA accurately while reducing the complexity of the process. An alternate fabrication method is enzymatic assembly. Engineered enzymes help link the DNA pieces together in the correct sequence in aqueous chemistry. The aqueous medium allows for it to be confidently operated on digital microfluidic devices.

Digital Microfluidics (DMF) is a relatively new fluid handling technology that manipulates microliter volume droplets in a confined space between two plates. The bottom plate is an array of electrodes coated with dielectric and hydrophobic layers. The top plate serves as a ground electrode plate.

Unlike channel-based microfluidic devices, DMF devices don’t require any physical parts such as pumps or valves. The droplets are moved around on an array of electrodes. The movement of the droplets is governed by the electrowetting driving force (F ew) (figure 1). When applying a voltage to the electrode adjacent to a droplet on the device, an electric field is created. A charge build-up then occurs at the triple contact line between the droplet, the surface of the device, and the surrounding medium. This changes the interfacial tensions at that contact line: Ysg (solid-gas interfacial tension), Ylg (liquid-gas interfacial tension), Ysg (solid-liquid interfacial tension) and alters the droplet contact angle (θ). The resulting force from this asymmetrical change (F ew) moves the droplet to the actuated electrode.

A DMF device is a portable platform which allows the precise dispensing of nanoliter-sized droplets to minimize waste of reagents. It permits droplet operations such as splitting, merging, and mixing of multiple reagents without changing the complexity of the device. These characteristics make it ideal for conducting biological protocols such as ELISA assays and point-of-care testing protocols without the need for expensive bench equipment.

The aim of this research is to combine the fields of digital microfluidics and DNA synthesis in hopes to make DNA assembly portable, quicker, more reliable, and more affordable than bench protocols. This enzymatic DNA assembly requires three incubations: one at room temperature for one hour, one at 37°C for 30 minutes, and one at 70°C for 10 minutes. The first two incubations can be executed on the device thanks to a foil heater attached to the top plate. DNA products will have to be pipetted out to carry out the third incubation in a bain-marie.

Figure 1: Schematic of forces acting on a droplet when actuating an adjacent electrode in a DMF device.

Three experiments were conducted to evaluate the efficiency of the DNA assembly on a DMF device using oligonucleotides (single-stranded groups of nucleotides) and bricks (doublestranded groups of annealed oligonucleotides):

DNA bricks assembly in air medium

DNA bricks assembly in oil medium

Oligonucleotides assembly in air medium

The first experiment consisted of the assembly of two DNA bricks on a DMF device where droplets were surrounded by air. Each brick comprised three annealed oligonucleotides. The bricks are pipetted into a reservoir and a droplet is dispensed from each reservoir. The droplets are merged and mixed then extracted to proceed with the three off-chip incubations. The second experiment consisted of the assembly of two DNA bricks in an oil medium (figure 2). The droplets created from each reservoir were merged and mixed. The oil medium allowed for the on-chip incubations at room temperature and at 37°C thanks to a foil heater fixed on the top plate of the device.

The third experiment consisted of assembling five single-stranded oligonucleotides that had not been annealed into double-stranded bricks before being loaded into the device. Each oligonucleotide is assigned a separate reservoir. A droplet is created from each reservoir. The droplets are then merged and mixed on the device. The merged droplet was then extracted for the three off-chip incubations.

The gel electrophoresis results confirm that the assembly on the DMF devices is a success. These experiments show it is possible to successfully assemble DNA on DMF devices in the form of oligonucleotides or bricks. This will pave the way to further advancement in the field of DNA assembly.

The verification of the final DNA products is done through gel electrophoresis. The assemblies on DMF devices are compared to an assembly of the same type executed on bench. The weight of the products (expressed in base pairs) is examined to determine whether the assembly was successful. As seen in figure 3, the benchtop and the DMF mixes are at the same weight level for the assembly in air (250 base pairs). Figure 4 shows the results for the assembly of oligonucleotides in air on bench and on a DMF device. q

Sari Houchaimi is a PhD candidate from the Discrete Microfluidics Laboratory (DMFL) at the Rochester Institute of Technology, under the supervision of Dr. Michael J. Schertzer, with a focus on DNA synthesis on Digital Microlfuidic devices.

Figure 2: Assembly of DNA bricks on a DMF device in silicone oil with (a) DNA bricks in reservoirs, (b) droplet creation from reservoirs, and (c) mixing of droplets.

Figure 3: Gel electrophoresis results of the DNA bricks assembly on bench and on a DMF device in air.

Figure 4: Gel electrophoresis results of the assembly of five oligonucleotides on bench and on a DMF device in air.

RIT Launch Initiative team soars to first competition win in Spaceport America Cup 2023

Members of the RIT Launch Initiative watched nervously as their 10-foot-tall rocket soared into the sky at the recent Spaceport America Cup event.

“It was the longest 20 minutes of my life,” said team member said Alex Speyer, a fifth-year mechanical engineering major in RIT’s Kate Gleason College of Engineering.

Moments later, with the payload ejecting successfully, all systems functioning, and the rocket reaching the required altitude of 10,000 feet, Speyer and the team cheered for their rocket named Kong—King of the Skies and the team’s first big national design competition win.

RIT’s Launch Initiative won first place in the Space

Dynamics Laboratory Payload Challenge, part of the Intercollegiate Rocket and Engineering Competition (IREC) this summer in Las Cruces, N.M. They were among nearly 6,000 students from 159 international collegiate teams at the annual event that challenges students to launch solid, liquid, or hybrid rockets to altitudes of 10,000 and 30,000 feet.

Even the payload had a name—Anne, after the girl befriended by King Kong in the movie of the same name. Payloads are scientific experiments or contain sensor equipment needed for specific space missions. Anne was fitted with a new airbrake design the team developed to make airbrakes easier to implement into rockets to accurately achieve a desired maximum altitude. The objective was to test the new air brake design and collect

Students take first place for the Payload Challenge at annual international event

RIT’s Launch Initiative student team won its first top award, the Space Dynamics Payload Challenge, at the annual Spaceport America 2023 event in Las Cruces, NM in July. Credit: Provided

data on how effective the brakes would be in slowing the payload on descent once ejected from 10,000-ft. —and ensuring equipment would not be damaged by 9Gs of force, twice the impact, on average, that individuals on roller coasters can experience.

“This is a very useful test because it allows us to verify our design under real flight conditions, such as 9G's, before implementing airbrakes into a rocket in the future, which we plan on doing very soon,” said Grace Dertinger, a fifth-year mechanical engineering major from Rochester, N.Y., and the team’s director of operations.

The payload data collecting system as well as a modular flight computer were original systems built by the students. They also built the rocket frame made of composite materials and 3D-printed several components.

“Our structures team was small, and we started work in the fall on wind tubes for the booster frame. We had some great success with new techniques,” said Speyer, who is from Strykersville, N.Y. New techniques included a 3D-printed mold for the nose cone which gave the rocket the sturdiness needed for flight even with a lighter-weight material. “It turned out fantastic.”

The modular flight computer propelled the rocket and received a “shout out” from event coordinators.

As part of the competition, teams submit technical reports about the rocket build process, and are judged by industry professionals. A handful are selected for presentations in front of all participants. Yevgenyi Gorbachev, a fourth-year mechanical engineering major from Far Rockaway, N. Y., was selected to represent the club, and detailed how he and the avionics team developed a modular flight computer that used Ethernet to communicate at high speed, and a set of standards that allows the team to

build easily swappable modules in the future.

“This win and competition success has been multiple years in the making and was built upon a solid foundation of talented team members and alumni,” said Mike Buffalin, club advisor and SHED Makerspace Director.

“The win also highlights the commitment level and dedication that is required of highpowered rocketry and elevates the RIT team in the national and international collegiate standings. It is great to watch the team’s camaraderie while tackling the challenging technical aspects of rocketry and still having fun in the process.”

Participation on the team provides real-world engineering and nontechnical experience for future careers.

“Launch Initiative has helped me, especially in the public speaking aspect,” said Wynter Petersen, club president, and a fourth-year physics major from Los Gatos, Calif. “It is useful when you are trying to explain science to the general public. At IREC you have to present the project, our

ideas and thought processes – the things that might sound simple in our heads, actually putting it into words and explaining it to other people is a very critical skill. This summer, Petersen is using both his technical and presentation skills as an observatory interpreter at Sunriver Nature Center and Observatory in Oregon.

The RIT Launch Initiative team will take its place in the new SHED building this fall when it opens (The SHED is the Student Hall for Exploration and Development).

Learn more about the team

Watch videos of the rocket launch and payload deployment from IREC. q

RIT was among the 158 international collegiate teams competing in the Intercollegiate Rocket and Engineering Competition. Credit: Spaceport America

Students built many of the rocket systems and equipment for Kong—King of the Skies, a 15-foot rocket. Credit: Provided/RIT

RIT: Faculty member develops new sensor and signaling technology by exploring harbor seal whiskers

Bio-inspired engineering design can improve underwater vehicle stealth sensing technologies

Improving stealth sensing technology might start with harbor seal whiskers.

Qian Xue, associate professor of mechanical engineering at Rochester Institute of Technology, is exploring how the varied sizes, shapes, and directions of whiskers on harbor seals can correlate to better sensor technologies.

“Harbor seals are considered very intelligent, and they have extraordinary flow sensing capabilities,” said Xue, who received a CAREER Award for “Hydrodynamic sensing mechanism of seal whiskers” from the National Science Foundation.

The prestigious CAREER Award program recognizes and supports junior faculty who exemplify the role of teacherscholars through integrated research and educational activities. RIT has more than a dozen NSF CAREER award winners working at the university.

Improvements to sensor technology based on bio-inspired designs have become a growing research area. Previous experiments have shown that harbor seals, blind-folded and monitored, have been able to follow a distinct path of a food source solely on the mechanical signals detected in the water and recognized by their whisker array.

“It’s amazing, right? This capability is what we are looking to reproduce in this natural design. How do they achieve this capability? They only sense the flow movement, and they can differentiate surrounding objects of varied shapes—and they are correct. More refinement to sensor systems enables different and better functions,” she said. She joined the faculty of RIT’s Kate Gleason College of Engineering one year ago.

Seal whiskers have unique shapes, different lengths and widths, and varied orientation along the animal’s entire nose.

“They distinguish prey by the type of movement and can navigate toward it. Even in low noise ranges, there is still significant detection. A single whisker will not provide much information. You have to rely on the entire architecture,” said Xue, whose work involves developing a similarly engineered system and modeling the changing variables due to flow movements to determine sensing capabilities.

She will focus on understanding the basic mechanical functions of the arrays. Secondly, she’ll incorporate math modeling and artificial intelligence to “teach” her prototype system how vibrations, triggered by fluid dynamics and movement, are captured, interpreted, and identified.

“How can the system make connections between the signals and the object? Does this allow for capturing more on the frequency range. We believe orientation in different directions and the varied lengths of the whiskers play a big role,” she said.

This type of smart analysis could add additional capabilities to some of today’s already strong, sophisticated sensors. They detect environmental changes and there are varied types and sensitivities of sensors for different applications. For example, sonar is “sound navigation ranging” to detect and determine distance and direction of objects; radar uses radio waves to determine distance, angle, and velocity of an object.

Xue is looking to add flow movement into sensor technology because of its stealth quality as well as its ability to improve accuracy of identifying an object.

“You cannot detect an object if it does not emit light or sound, and for some applications this could be very important. This can become a very advanced sensor system, one used for different underwater vehicles where it is important to know the environment and to be sure it is tracking the correct object,” she said.

The CAREER award is the foundation for what Xue sees as a larger-scale project. This year, she will be building a flow tank model in her lab to analyze water movement across a replica of seal whiskers. An additional focus will be the development of a bio-inspired engineering education plan to impact undergraduate and graduate students, as well as an opportunity to explore these designs with a K-12 audience interested in engineering careers. q

Qian Xue, an associate professor of mechanical engineering in RIT’s Kate Gleason College of Engineering, is a recent NSF CAREER Awardee. Credit: Nate Tangeman/RIT

RIT: Jennifer Schneider joins two national organizations to provide expert guidance on improvements to personal protective equipment

Jennifer Schneider, a facultyresearcher at Rochester Institute of Technology, recently joined two national organizations to investigate and guide improved standards for use of personal protective equipment (PPE) and technologies.

An expert in hazardous materials and community resilience, Schneider has joined the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine’s Standing Committee on Personal Protective Equipment for Workplace Safety and Health. She will also collaborate with the National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory, one of the key divisions of the Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC) National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). She joined the National Academies Standing Committee in May and began work with the CDC lab on July 1.

The need for improvements to protective equipment and technology became evident throughout the COVID pandemic where protective equipment options were limited for non-traditional users—children, people with disabilities, or those who may be Deaf or hard-of-hearing—or in unusual or uncommon environmental situations.

“The issues were always there, but it was not something that was focused on until it became apparent that these personal technologies must evolve,” said Schneider, professor in the Department of Civil Engineering Technology, Environmental Management and Safety in RIT’s College of Engineering Technology. For both of her appointments, Schneider will share expertise with organizations, academia, and technical manufacturers of current PPEs to ensure today’s protective equipment is more inclusive and responsive to needs.

The National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory (NPPTL) is a division of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), the federal institute specifically dedicated to generating new knowledge in the field of occupational safety and health and to transferring that knowledge into practice for the betterment of workers. NPPTL was established in 2001, at the request of Congress, with the mission of preventing disease, injury, and death for the millions of working men and women relying on personal protective technology. Schneider will be collaborator focusing on research and practice needs that will increase the equity of PPE

protection for diverse users of PPE.

“We were missing huge constituencies. In addition, we simply have not addressed the sustainability-related issues with single- or short-use materials,” Schneider said. Her role with the National Academy of Science’s COPPE will include contributing to discussions of scientific and technical issues relevant to the development, certification, deployment, and use of personal protective equipment, standards, and related systems to ensure workplace safety and health.

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine provides independent, objective advice to inform policy with evidence, spark progress and innovation, and confront challenging issues for the benefit of society. Members of committees established by the independent, nonprofit organization represent varied academic, scientific, and medical disciplines and are often distinguished scholars and professionals in their fields.

Schneider wears several hats at RIT, serving as the Eugene H. Fram Chair of Applied Critical Thinking and as director of the Collaboratory for Resilience and Recovery, a multidisciplinary group providing support to communities to prepare, respond, and recover from disasters. During the pandemic, she worked closely with RIT’s Risk Management and Crisis leadership teams determining overall health and safety strategies for campus and helped coordinate the campus’ wastewater assessment to mitigate campus risk.

She expects to draw upon the collective expertise and collaborations she maintains with researchers and resources across the university including, but not limited to, industrial design faculty in the College of Art and Design, RIT’s National Technical Institute for the Deaf, university research centers in the areas of Effective Access Technologies, the AMPrint Center, Personalized Healthcare Technology, and the Golisano Institute for Sustainability, among others.

“We have to look at risk in different ways, from the individual point of view to the population’s needs. This new work is really an expansion of what RIT has done for many years in the innovation space, especially in its focus on technology and personalized health care,” she said. “We can’t engineer-out all risk. But better PPE and technology can help people be safer.” q

Faculty researcher will collaborate on U.S. National Academies Standing Committee and CDC's National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

Jennifer Schneider, faculty-researcher in RIT’s College of Engineering Technology, has been appointed to two national occupational health and safety organizations. Credit: University Communications/RIT

• Civil Engineering

• Architecture

• Construction Phase Services

• GIS/Mapping Services

• Grant Writing & Administration

• Planning Services

• Economic Development

Professional Firms Employee News

SWBR News

Two SWBR Designers Earn CDT Certification

SWBR announced that Project Designers Ali Alsaedi and Sarah Latona recently earned their certification in Construction Documents Technology (CDT) from the Construction Specifications Institute.

CDT certification reflects comprehensive knowledge of managing and delivering projects from conception through occupancy. CDT professionals are highly respected for their understanding of project delivery and ability to provide effective client services and deliver successful projects.

designing, and problem-solving along with his adoration for aesthetics and art for drawing him to the field of architecture. Alsaedi graduated from Tambov State Technical University in Tambov, Russia and is completing his master of architecture at Rochester Institute of Technology.

Latona supports the Education studio with BIM design and management, project team coordination, condition assessments, and construction administration on a variety of higher education and K12 projects. She sees meaningful design as a combination of quality work and conscious choices that make a project thrive and positively impact the community it’s supporting. Latona earned her bachelor of science in architectural technology from Alfred State College. q Ali

Alsaedi

Part of the firm’s Workplace studio, Alsaedi is responsible for planning, collaboration, team coordination, developing design and construction drawings, and construction administration on a variety of corporate, industrial, and municipal projects. He credits his passion for creating,

Sarah Latona

Continuing Education Opportunities

Go to the RES Website for Updated Details On All Meetings

Thursday, September 21

Rochester Engineering Society (RES) p 8

Continuing Education - Theme is Hydrology This has been cancelled.

Support Your Affiliate Attend A Meeting

Tuesday, October 3

New York State Association of Transportation Engineers

NYSATE 14th Mini-Conference p 41

Earn up to 6 PDHs

Place: RIT Inn & Conference Center

Time: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm

Cost: Early bird rates through Sept. 25th

Registration details at www.nysate.org

For more information contact Seth Kaeuper, skaeuper@cscos.com or Howard Ressel, Ressel@frontiernet.net

- www.roceng.org

Thursday, October 19

Rochester Engineering Society (RES) p 9

Continuing Education - Tour of K.M. Davies

PDHs Pending

Time: 2:00 to 4:00 pm

Place: K.M. Davies, 6509 Lake Avenue, Williamson, NY 14589

Cost: TBA

When finalized the registration will be on the RES Website calendar at www.roceng.org

Thursday, November 9

Association for Bridge

Construction and Design (ABCD) p 42

Save the Date for the 35th Annual Fall Bridge Conference (Call for Presentation Now) - PDHs Available

Place: DoubleTree by Hilton Rochester, 1111 Jefferson Road, Rochester, NY 14623

Registration will begin in October at www.abcdwny.com

There will be an in-person or virtual option to attend. To submit a presentation contact Emily M. Smith, PE (Fisher Associates, PE, LS, LA, DPC), esmith@fisherassoc.com or 585-334-1310.

Engineers’ Calendar

The engineering societies are encouraged to submit their meeting notices for publication in this section. The deadline for submitting copy is the 10th of the month prior to the month of publication. Please email to: Therochesterengineer@gmail.com The meetings offering PDHs are highlighted in blue. Details about the meeting and affiliate (if in this issue) are on the corresponding page listed next to the affiliate name.

Tuesday, September 5

Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) p 44 EXCOM Meeting

Place: Hybrid, via WebEx and in-person (see vtools for venue and WebEx login)

Time: 11:50 am to 1:00 pm

Registration links for our events are at: https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/360679

Thursday, September 7

Rochester Engineering Society (RES) p 10

Monthly Social Gathering

Place: Rohrbach’s, 97 Railroad Street, Rochester, NY 14609

Time: 5:00 pm

Registration: Please register so we know how many people are attending! www.roceng.org and go to the calendar.

To post continuing education opportunities on this page please contact the Rochester Engineering Society, 585-254-2350, or email: therochesterengineer@gmail.com

ENGINEER SEPTEMBER 2023

Back to Table of Contents

Tuesday, September 12

Joint Social: American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers and Rochester Plant Engineers p 50 & 51

ASHRAE & RPE Clambake & BBQ

Place: Roundhouse Pavilion at Genesee Valley Park, Rochester

Time: 4:00 to 9:00 pm

Cost: $75/per person. Advance ticket sales only! Sponsorship opportunities available.

Registration through ASHRAE: Register by Tuesday, Sept. 5th at https://rochesterashrae.org/. Registrations through RPE online at RochesterPlantEngineers.com or call Matt Agnello, Stark Tech, agnellom@starktech.com or call 585-721-4146.

Wednesday, September 13

Electrical Association

66th Annual Clambake

Place: St. Paul Fireman’s Exempt, 690 Thomas Avenue, Rochester

Time: Clambake Buffet at 5:30 pm. Doors open at 4:30 for beer and soda (cash bar available).

Cost: $70 for Members ($75 after Aug. 23rd); $75 for Non-members ($80 after Aug. 23rd). All tickets need to be purchased in advance and no tickets sold after September 6th.

Contact Karen at the Electrical Association for reservations, www.eawny.com or 585-382-9545.

Monday, September 18

Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) p 44

IEEE Joint Chapters Meeting – Focus on Young Professionals who graduated from college within the last 10 years.

Place: RIT CIMS Conference Center, Louise Slaughter Hall (SLA / Bldg. 78), Rooms 2210 - 2240

Time: 1:00 to 9:00 pm

To volunteer to be a Presenter (no fee for presenters), email Kelly Robinson at kelly.robinson@electrostaticanswers.com.

Register to attend at https://events.tools.ieee.org/m/369555

Support Your Affiliate Attend A Meeting

Wednesday, September 20

American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE) p 54

Vacuum Plumbing Systems

Speaker: Sher Adler, AcornVac

Sponsor: Davenport Associates

Place: Three Heads Brewery, 186 Atlantic Avenue, Rochester, NY 14607

Time: Noon

Reservations: Luke Lawatsch: llawatsch@labellapc.com, 585-454-6110. Additional details will be available on the website at www.aspe.org/rochester.

Wednesday, September 27

Society for Imaging

Science & Technology (IS&T) p 43

Astrophotography Today – Capturing the Universe from my Driveway

Speaker: Patrick A. Cosgrove

Place: Irondequoit Public Library, 1st Floor, Room 114, 1290 Titus Avenue, Irondequoit, NY 14617

Time: 6:00 pm

Additional details at http://roceng.org/ISandT

Wednesday, September 27

Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) p 45

Antique Wireless Association 2023 Annual Conference

Place: RIT Inn & Conference Center, 5257 West Henrietta Road, West Henrietta, NY

Time: 9:15 am

Registration: Register in vTools for $15 (live-only) talk and 3 additional talks. The registration site will also show how to register for the entire 3-day (Wed. – Fri.) Annual Conference and see the full details on all of the talks and activities, which includes admission to the Antique Wireless Museum in Bloomfield. Register at https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/369519

Tuesday, October 3

Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) p 44 EXCOM Meeting

Place: Hybrid, via WebEx and in-person (see vtools for venue and WebEx login)

Time: 11:50 am to 1:00 pm

Registration links for our events are at: https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/360680

continued on page 40

Thursday, October 5

Rochester Engineering Society (RES) p 10

Monthly Social Gathering

Place: Rohrbach’s, 97 Railroad Street, Rochester, NY 14609

Time: 5:00 pm

Registration: Please register so we know how many people are attending! www.roceng.org and go to the calendar.

Saturday, October 7

Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) p 45 A Life Saver and Life Restorer – Oxygen Concentrator

Speaker: Dr. Aparna Dixit, Associate Professor, Department of Physics, Pranveer Singh Institute of Technology (PSIT)-Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India.

Place: Virtual Time: Noon

Registration an details for this event is at: https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/369419

Wednesday, October 25

Rochester Engineering Society (RES) p 11 RES Explorer Post – Sign up to learn about careers in Engineering (ages 14 - 20)

Place: BSA Headquarters, 2320 Brighton-Henrietta TL Road, Rochester NY 14623

Time: 6:00 pm

For more information contact Rich Repka, rrepka10@gmail.com or Casey West from BSA, Casey.West@scouting.org.

Thursday, November 2

Rochester Engineering Society (RES) p 10 Monthly Social Gathering

Place: Rohrbach’s, 97 Railroad Street, Rochester, NY 14609

Time: 5:00 pm

Registration: Please register so we know how many people are attending! www.roceng.org and go to the calendar.

Friday, November 3

Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) p 46

2023 Western New York Image and Signal Processing Workshop (WNYISPW) – Call for Papers

Place: RIT CIMS Conference Center

Time: 8:00 am to 5:30 pm

2023 WNYISPW information link: https://ewh.ieee.org/ r1/rochester/sp/WNYISPW2023.html

For paper, poster, or abstract-only submissions: NYISPW@gmail.com

Friday, November 10

Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) p 47 1st IEEE Upstate NY Workshop on Secure & Sustainable Communications Networks (SSCN) – Call for Participation

Place: B. Thomas Golisano Auditorium, RIT Time: 8:30 am to 5:00 pm

Please see page 47 for more information on submissions, sponsorships, registration, and other contact information: https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/368255

The RES website has a calendar of events for this month's meetings and meetings that are received or updated after print deadline. Please refer to the website for updated information. If you wish to be listed in the calendar please send details to res@frontiernet.net.

NYSATE Mini-Conference

WWW.NYSATE.ORG

October 3, 2023 | RIT INN and Conference Center | 8am - 4pm

The Rochester Section of New York State Association of Transportation Engineers is proud to again host a one-day Mini-Conference this fall.

Ten dueling technical sessions, offered during five time slots, will be presented throughout the day. Attendees will have the opportunity to earn up to 6 PDHs, gaining knowledge about local projects and topics of interest.

Potential talks include:

Eclipse Planning (GTC)

ROC the Riverway- Broad Street Inner Loop North Study Lake Road Rehabilitation, Monroe County Roadside Design Tutorial

This event is open to anybody with an interest in any facet of transportation engineering including municipal departments of public works, Engineering firms, contractors, and students.

Annual membership dues are $39. Join and attend the conference at the lowest, early-bird, member-rate.

Sponsorship opportunities are available. Contact Barry Dumbauld at dumbauldb@hunt-eas.com

NYSTATE Member Rates: Early Bird $70 (through 9/25) $80 (After 9/25)

Non-Member Rates: Early Bird $110 (through 9/25) $120 (After 9/25)

PDH Fee: $25

For more information: Contact co-chairs: Seth Kaeuper Skaeuper@cscos.com

Howard Ressel Ressel@frontiernet.net

SEPTEMBER 2023 The ROCHESTER ENGINEER nysate

35th Annual Fall Bridge Conference

Thursday, November 9, 2023

In-Person or Virtual Option

DoubleTree by Hilton Rochester

1111 Jefferson Road

Rochester, NY 14623

CALL FOR PRESENTATIONS

Presentation Requirements:

• Topic related to the bridge industry

• Half hour or hour in length

• Be able to be approved by ABCD for PDH credit

Registration:

Conference Sponsorship, Advertisement and Exhibitor Booth Registration begins in October. Visit and sign up at the ABCD WNY website, www.abcdwny.com

For submit a presentation contact:

Emily M. Smith, P.E. Fisher Associates, P.E., L.S., L.A.

D.P.C.

Email: esmith@fisherassoc.com Phone: (585) 334-1310

Association for Bridge Construction and Design Western New York Chapter www.abcdwny.com

Rochester Chapter Society for Imaging Science and Technology

Website: http://roceng.org/ISandT

Title: Astrophotography Today - Capturing the Universe from my Driveway

Speaker: Patrick Cosgrove

Date/Time: Wednesday, September 27, 2023 at 6:00pm

Location: Irondequoit Public Library, 1st Floor, Room #114 1290 Titus Avenue, Irondequoit, NY

Abstract:

Advances in imaging technology have brought sophisticated astrophotographic capability within reach of anyone interested in capturing the night sky. This technology has a significant learning curve; several techniques must be mastered to achieve the desired result. To better understand what is involved in Deep Sky Imaging, we will explore the sequence of planning, capturing, analyzing, calibrating, stacking, and processing of an astrophoto. We will do this using my imaging project of Messier 27 as an example. This image was selected for publication in four major astronomy magazines and named NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day.

Bio:

Patrick A. Cosgrove had a 32-year R&D career working in the areas of Imaging Science, Imaging Systems, and Algorithm Development for the Eastman Kodak Company. He then served as CTO for a startup company that created an AR printing experience for Smart Phones. Retiring in 2019, he began his astrophotographic journey, which has led to the creation of the Cosgrove's Cosmos website and YouTube Channel, where he shares his images and techniques. Patrick has now had 20 images published in major astronomy magazines and continues developing and refining his astrophotographer skills.

Section

Message from the Chair

Dear Colleagues,

September 2023 Newsletter

Cristian

Mark Schrader APS & MTTS

Danielle Walters Photonics

Bruce Smith

Parsian K. Mohseni PES & IAS

Kelly Robinson

Jean Kendrick SPS

Eric Zeise TEMS

Paul Lee

Young Professionals

Eric Brown

Student Chapters

Univ. of Rochester

Ming - Lun Lee RIT

Jamison Heard

Committees Awards

Jean Kendrick Communications

Christine Frayda

Howard Bussey

Newsletter

Mark Schrader PACE

Bruce Rubin

Liaisons RES

Greg Gdowski RCSS

William Brewer

Another Rochester Summer has flown by, but many scheduled IEEE Rochester Section Events are coming up. On September 18, the Section will host a Joint Chapters Meeting featuring technical talks by Young Professionals and networking with IEEE Rochester Women In Engineering (WIE) (vTools #369555).

On October 10th, the joint Aerospace and Electronic Systems (AES) and Communications (COM) Society Chapter will host a Workshop on Secure and Sustainable Communications Networks that brings Academic researchers and IT industry professionals together (vTools #368255).

Finally, the 2023 edition of the Western NY Image and Signal Processing Workshop will take place on November 3rd (vTools #364310).

The next Rochester Section ExCom meeting will virtual and in-person on Tuesday, October 3rd (vTools #360680) from noon to 1:00 pm. Please pre-register on vTools for in-person or virtual attendance.

Stay healthy, and best regards,

Joint Chapters Meeting (9/18/23)

The IEEE Rochester Section will hold its Joint Chapters Meeting on Monday September 18, 2023. All are welcome to attend! Our event will focus on Young Professionals who graduated from college within the last 10 years.

Time: 1:00 PM – 9:00 PM EDT

RIT CIMS Conference Center

Louise Slaughter Hall (SLA / Bldg. 78) Rooms 2210 -2240

Presentations will be 30-minute perspectives presentations by Young Professionals from Rochester and local Western New York companies.

Our suggested presentation format is:

• (10 min) Employer Introduction

• (15 min) Personal Perspectives:

o Technical Work (just info that can be shared publicly)

o Transition from Academia to Industry

o How well did college prepare you for employment?

Please join us for our Young Professionals Event. To volunteer to be a Presenter, email Kelly Robinson at kelly.robinson@electrostaticanswers.com

Register to attend at https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/369555 (No registration fee for Presenters.)

Why Does The Bose Acoustic Wave Radio Sound So Great? (9/27/23)

Sreeram (Ram) Dhurjaty, Former Bose Engineering Manager, current Consumer Electronics Distinguished Speaker, and former Rochester Section Chair will present a talk at the Antique Wireless Association 2023 Annual Conference on Wednesday, September 27 at 9:15 am - at the RIT Inn and Conference Center, 5257 West Henrietta Rd. Ram will discuss the science and operation of the innovative transmission line speaker in the context of his work on the Bose radio Analogies between antennas and the Bose system will be used to help frame the analysis in electrical engineering terminology.

You can register in vTools for $15, which will allow you to attend Ram’s (live-only) talk and the other 3 talks on Wednesday 9/27. The registration site will also show how to register for the entire 3-day (Wed.-Fri.)

Annual Conference and get full information about all of the talks and activities, which includes admission to the Antique Wireless Museum in Bloomfield

Please register at: https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/369519

Oxygen Concentrator Presentation (10/7/23 Noon - Virtual)

Dr. Aparna Dixit

Associate Professor - Department of Physics

Pranveer Singh Institute of Technology (PSIT)-Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India

A Life Saver and Life Restorer - Oxygen Concentrator

Back to Table of Contents

Abstract - This work elucidates the developmental trajectory of oxygen concentrators within the COVID-19 pandemic, a period marked by a surge in demand for oxygen cylinders. We were presented with a chance to create a minimum viable product (MVP) for an oxygen concentrator by Dr. Sreeram Dhurjaty from Rochester and several engineers from PSIT. The adventure commenced by delving into the fundamental concepts of physics and chemistry. Initially, a machine with a wooden case was built utilizing readily accessible components, operating at a flow rate of 5 liters per minute (lpm). Following the determination of the precise volume of sodium zeolite granules, a machine was fabricated with an initial output purity of 75%. Various important changes were then subsequently made including improved sieve beds and heat radiator system to disperse thermal energy, and changes in the chemistry of the primary concentrator. The testing of an improved (preproduction) stainless-steel unit spanned a duration of six months and was conducted at various institutions, including Lala Lajpat Rai hospital, a government hospital, and Cardiology institute. During this period, we evaluated our oxygen concentrator with a flow rate of 10 lpm and a purity level of 90%. The cost of our final 5 lpm machine is approximately 25,000 Indian rupees (about $300)

Please register at: https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/369419

2023 IEEE Western New York Image and Signal Processing Workshop (WNYISPW) CALL FOR PAPERS

November 3, 2023, at the RIT CIMS Conference Center (8:00 AM - 5:30 PM)

2023 WNYISPW Information Link: https://ewh.ieee.org/r1/rochester/sp/WNYISPW2023.html For paper, poster, or abstract-only submissions: NYISPW@gmail.com.

The 2023 Western New York Image and Signal Processing Workshop is a premier venue for promoting image and signal processing research in our area and for facilitating interaction between academic researchers, industry professionals, and students. Sponsored by local chapters of IEEE and IS&T, the workshop comprises both oral and poster presentations. Topics include, but are not limited to:

• Image Processing:

- Applications of Machine Learning, Deep Learning, LLMs and Generative AI

- Computer Vision

- Image Compression and Segmentation

- Image and Color Science

- Object Recognition and Detection

- Medical Imaging

- Human-Computer Interaction

- Video Processing and Analysis

• Signal Processing:

- Radar and Wireless Communications

- Synthetic Aperture Radar

- Remote Sensing

- Electronic Intelligence

- Waveform Detection and Parameter Estimation

- Speech and Audio Enhancement and Recognition

Back to Table of Contents

- Applications of Machine Learning, Deep Learning, LLMs and Generative AI

Important Dates:

6-October-2023

Abstract (for paper or abstract-only) submission closes.

13-October-2023 Paper submission closes

20-October-2023 Notification of Acceptance

For more important dates, information, and registration go to: https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/364310

1st IEEE Upstate NY Workshop On Secure & Sustainable Communications Networks (SSCN) CALL FOR PARTICIPATION

The 1st IEEE Upstate NY Workshop on Secure and Sustainable Communications Networks (SSCN), hosted by the Rochester IEEE Joint Chapters on Communications and Aerospace, will be held on October 10th, 2023, 8:30am-5pm in the B. Thomas Golisano Auditorium at the Rochester Institute of Technology.

It is hard today to find an organization that does not rely on communications networks. That makes network security and sustainability a problem that effects everyone. The complexity of today's networks and the systems that use them makes security and privacy a major challenge. Another major challenge faced is the growing energy demands by the IT and communications industry.

The SSCN workshop will bring together researchers in the upstate NY area working on different aspects of secure and sustainable communications and networking. The goal is to provide a forum where we can learn about the research and development being done in these fields in companies and universities in and around the Rochester area.

There will be various ways to participate in the Workshop such as presentations, posters, product demonstrations and financial sponsorship.

Both oral of extended abstract (max 2 pages) and poster presentations (submit ½ page abstract) at the workshop will be considered.

Please see this page for more information on submissions, sponsorships, registration, and other contact information: https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/368255

Organizing Committee

• General Chair: Dr. Nirmal Shenoy (Rochester Institute of Technology)

• Technical Program Chair: Daryl Johnson (Rochester Institute of Technology)

• Publicity Chair: Bill Stackpole (Rochester Institute of Technology)

• Papers can be submitted at this link: https://forms.gle/JhwnqfUweF8bkNSy6

• Posters can be submitted at this link: https://forms.gle/Yu2wYvwoQyLZo54k6

ASCE DELIVERS INCREASED VALUE AND SAVINGS TO SMALL ORGANIZATIONS

Companies with fewer than 50 members are eligible for an Associate Partner relationship, designed with the smaller organization in mind. ASCE’s Associate Partner Program is a two-year commitment.

With the Associate Partner Program, your employees retain their individual ASCE memberships, and you deliver savings to your organization, including:

• 20% discount on individual society memberships for up to 49 employees.

• Outstanding member benefits, including 75% on ASCE journals, 10 free PDHs per year, Civil Engineering magazine, and more.

• Additional discount on ASCE Continuing Education products, including Live or On-Demand Webinars; P.E. exam review courses, and our Guided Online Courses.

Payment for employee local ASCE dues is required. This cost is included in the final purchase price and is not offered at a discount.

HOW DO MY EMPLOYEES BENEFIT?

As an Associate Partner Organization, your employees receive individual ASCE memberships at discounted rates, including:

• Individual member account and login on asce.org

• Full access to ASCE member benefits—www.asce.org/member-benefits

• Use of the ASCE Library—the richest collection of civil engineering content.

CONNECT:

Network with the profession’s top leaders and get the latest thinking on trends impacting civil engineering.

LEARN:

Access ASCE’s webinars-on-demand, publications, state-of-the-art professional development, and more from civil engineering’s premier continuing education provider for more than 45 years.

GROW:

Expand your company’s visibility though membership in ASCE’s technical Institutes, and networking with peers.

https://www.asce.org/membership/corporate-engagement/ organization-partners/small-business-partners-and-resources

Rochester Chapter

American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers

Dear ASHRAE Family,

This September 12th, ASHRAE will be hosting our Annual Fall Social. After a few years of experimenting with this event, we have decided to return to our roots with a Clambake and Barbecue at the Roundhouse Pavilion in Genesee Valley Park. This will be a joint event with the Rochester Plant Engineers, and we encourage the entire Rochester engineering community to join us for a night of fun. I look forward to seeing you there on the 12th!

Sincerely, Jim Parks, ASHRAE Rochester Chapter President 2023-2024

Rochester Plant Engineers & ASHRAE

Clam Bake Event

Tuesday, September 12, 2023

WHERE: Genesee Valley Park “Round House Lodge”

Elmwood Ave left onto Moore Rd. (just before the river on the left). Lodge will be on the right

COST: $75 per person!!!

INCLUDES: 3 dozen clams per person, Beer, Soda & Water Colby’s pig roast & Chicken, Potato & Mac Salads

RSVP BY 9/5/23: Matt Agnello, Stark Tech agnellom@starktech.com

(585) 721-4146

REGISTRATION:

Online at: RochesterPlantEngineers.com

Go to the events page, click on the Clambake event, sign up and pay

By Mail: CHECKs MADE PAYABLE TO Rochester Plant Engineers

Matt Agnello

c/o Stark Tech

300 Mile Crossing Blvd. Rochester, NY 14624

Please register early (ADVANCED TICKET SALES ONLY!)

What’s the best way to encourage kids to pursue their education and perhaps become an engineer?

It could be YOU that opens up the world. …For them to know one!

Harold Clark TRFSEF Director trfsef@terraed.org

Have you considered the gift YOU can give by:

• Being a tutor for a 1st grader at the Dr. Walter Cooper Academy through the RES Tutoring Program.

Contact: Lee Loomis, leeloomis46@gmail.com

• Being a mentor in the RIT Science & Technology Entry Program (STEP) for a 7 to 12th grader.

Contact: Ashley Simmons, aask12@rit.edu

• Sponsoring a 6 to 12th grader to enter a project in the 2024 Terra Rochester Finger Lakes Science & Engineering Fair (March 24th!).

Contact: Harold Clark, trfsef@terraed.org

YOU Can Be the Difference!

Rochester, NY Section

P.O. Box 23795

Rochester, NY 14692

www.iesrochester.org

IES Rochester Section Presents FUNDAMENTALS OF LIGHTING

Updated in 2023, the IES Rochester Section will offer a 3 night educational opportunity coming this October.

Fundamentals of Lighting is an introductory course comprised of ten modules, presented over three evenings. In a basic and straight forward style, each module provides up-to-date material on lighting concepts, systems, equipment, calculation procedures and other important design and industry issues. This course is ideal for those who have only a basic awareness of lighting and professionals who want a thorough overview of the field.

$349 ($299 early bird) covers all 3 nights including class materials and meals.

Details to Follow

www.iesrochester.org

Back to Table of Contents

President/: DAVE JERECKOS

IBC Engineering, PC 3445 Winton Place Suite 219 Rochester, NY 14623 585-292-1590

Vice President Technical: LUKE LAWATSCH

Labella Associates 300 State Street Suite 201 Rochester, NY 14614 585-454-6110

Vice President Legislative: TREVOR SAX

IBC Engineering, PC 3445 Winton Place Suite 219 Rochester, NY 14623 585-292-1590

Vice President Membership:

REBECCA KOLSTAD

Kolstad Associates 40 Harrison Street Rochester, NY 14605

Treasurer / Education Chair: JENNIFER WENGENDER, P.E., CPD CPL 255 Woodcliff Drive, Suite 200 Fairport, NY 14450 585-454-7600

Administrative Secretary:

ADAM KRAMER

Bergmann

280 E. Broad Street Suite 200 Rochester, NY 14604 585-498-7802

Newsletter Editor: NADIA THOMPSON

Turner Engineering 359 West Commercial St, Ste 2190 East Rochester NY 14445 (585) 381-3360

Affiliate Liaison: EMILY MILLER WMS Sales 9580 County Rd. Clarence Center, NY 14032 (716) 741-9575

Rochester Chapter Website: www.aspe.org/rochester

President's Message

We will be kicking off our ASPE Rochester 2023-24 season in September and are looking forward to seeing everyone again!

With this new season we will be introducing you to our new board members and setting off what I hope to be a great season.

We have 68 Members with consisting of 46 Full, 14 Associate and 11 Affiliate members. In that group of 71 members we have 17 PE’s and 9 CPDs. Of the those that attend meetings, about half are Members. If you attend meetings but are not a member, we are always glad to see you but please consider joining the Rochester Chapter of ASPE

We will be continuing to meet each month in-person at the Three Heads Brewery (186 Atlantic Ave, Rochester, NY 14607)

A Reminder: The ASPE Tech Symposium will be in Bellevue, Washington from Sept. 28th to Oct 1st of 2023 There will be 30 Tech sessions over 2-1/2 Days.

Dave Jereckos, Chapter President

(Chapters are not authorized to speak for the Society)

Meeting Notice – Save the Date

Topic: Vacuum Plumbing Systems

Speaker: Sher Adler - AcornVac

Sponsor: Davenport Associates

Location: Three Heads Brewery – 186 Atlantic Ave, Rochester 14607

Date: Wednesday, September 20, 2023, 12:00PM

RSVP: Luke Lawatsch: llawatsch@labellapc.com (585) 454-6110

EE’s inspire the future!

ARE

The Rochester Engineering Society Explorer post is looking for 1-2 engineers to host a 2-hour meeting, on a Wednesday night of your choice, in January, February or March. The event should include a brief review of:

1) Your education

2) Your experiences as an engineer (positive or negative)

3) A general description of what an Electrical Engineer does

4) Why you selected Electrical Engineering

5) A demo of some sort or a tour of your facility

The event can be held at your facility or at the Boy Scout headquarters in Henrietta. I will help you with your plans and presentations. Our Explorer post consists of approximately 20 Senior High school students with an interest in engineering (16-18 years old).

For more information contact:

Rich

Repka rrepka10@yahoo.com

Rochester Engineering Society

YOU AN ELECTRICAL ENGINEER THAT CAN AFFORD TO SPEND 2 HOURS, ONE DAY A YEAR, TO INSPIRE HIGH SCOOL STUDENTS TO PURSUE A CAREER IN ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING?

Affiliated Societies of the Rochester Engineering Society

American Consulting Engineering, Companies of New York

President, Pat Nicoletta, PE

American Public Works Association

Monroe County/Genesee Valley Branch

Chairman, Peter Vars, PE,

American Society of Civil Engineers, Rochester Section

President, Andrew Wojewodzic

American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Rochester Chapter

President, Matt Kremers

American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Rochester Section

Chairman, Berto Perez

American Society of Plumbing Engineers, Rochester NY Chapter President, David Myers

Electrical Association

Executive Director, Karen Lynch

Monroe Professional Engineers Society

President, William Grove

Genesee Valley Land Surveyors Association President, Jared R. Ransom, LS

Illuminating Engineering Society of North America Inc., Rochester Section President, Jennifer Abraham

New York State Association of Transportation Engineers, Section 4 President, Christopher Reed

Rochester, NY Section P.O. Box 23795 Rochester, NY 14692 www.iesrochester.org

IES ROCHESTER MEETINGS ARE BACK !!!

SEPTEMBER 29,2021 - 7:00 PM FREE Event

Rochester Plant Engineers President, Brian Laurer

COME TOUR THE WINNER OF OUR IES ROCHESTER EXTERIOR LIGHTING AWARD - ROC CITY SKATE PARK MEMBERS FROM THE DESIGN TEAM FROM STANTEC AND FROM THE CITY OF ROCHESTER WILL BE IN ATTENDANCE PLEASE REGISTER ONLINE AT WWW.IESROCHESTER.ORG

Imaging Science & Technology, Rochester Chapter President, Bruce Pillman

Sheet Metal & Air-Conditioning Contractor’s National Association Rochester, Inc.

Executive Director, Don Fella

Wednesday October 13 - 12:00 Noon

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Rochester Section Chairman, Eric Brown

Basics of Modern Theatre Lighting System Design

- Power Distribution & Control

- DMX & Networking

- LED Theatrical Luminaires

Location & Details TBD - Save The Date !

Please Visit Our Website For More Details www.iesrochester.org

Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers, Rochester Chapter President, Tim Gallman

Society of Plastics Engineers, Rochester Section President, Brett Blaisdell

Association for Bridge Construction and Design President, Ashley Freeman PE

International Council on Systems Engineering, Finger Lakes Chapter President, Teresa Fronk

affiliated societies of the rochester engineering society

Terra Rochester Finger Lakes Science & Engineering Fair

Director, Harold R. Clark, PhD