The Rochester Engineer March 2024

www.roceng.org

March 2024

Monday, April 8

Photo credit: Rochester Museum & Science Center



Also in this issue:

RES Events in March March 5th - Monthly Social Gathering at Rohrbach's, 97 Railroad St., 5:00 PM |







Sheila Ransbottom, PE (RES BOD) | 16 Wendy Smith | 17



News from Professional Firms | 26



RES & Affiliates Calendar | 32



E3 Fair - March 13th | 15

Affiliate - NYSATE | 14

9

Member Profiles:

New! Affiliate Member Profile:



Position Openings | 30 Campus News | 22

Corporate Members of the Rochester Engineering Society

ENTERPRISE LEVEL

CHAMPION LEVEL

SUSTAINING LEVEL

IS YOUR COMPANY LISTED HERE? Call 585-254-2350 for information.

2 | The ROCHESTER ENGINEER FEBRUARY 2024

corporate members of the rochester engineering society

Volume 102, Number 9, MARCH 2024

Photo credit: Rochester Museum & Science Center

contents 2 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 22 26 28 30 31 32 32 47 49 50 index

Cover Article:

RES NEWS (Highlighted in Blue)

ROC2024 Total Solar Eclipse | 18

news of the...

Corporate Members of the RES RES Board of Directors RES President's Message RES Member Benefit RES Donations RES Technical Corner RES Event Calendar - Save the Dates (PDHs Available) RES History - December 1977 - January 1978

• ABCD Association for Bridge Design and Construction...................................35

• ASCE American Society of Civil Engineers.............. 37

• ASHRAE American Society of Heating, Refrigerating

In-Person RES Tutoring Continues at Dr. Walter Cooper Academy

What Will the Future Hold for the RES Tutoring Team?

RES Affiliate Member Profile - NYSATE

E3 Fair - March 13th RES Board Member Profile - Sheila Ransbottom, PE RES Member Profile - Wendy Smith ROC2024 Total Solar Eclipse (cover) Campus News (pages 22 - 25) News from Professional Firms (pages 26 - 27) Professional Firms Employee News (pages 28 - 29, 34, 45) Position Openings (pages 30 - 31) Obituary Brian Thompson, PhD Calendar: Continuing Education Opportunities (PDHs) Engineers' Calendar (pages 32-34) Directory of Professional Services (pages 47-48) Affiliated Societies of the RES Directory of Business Services

and Air-Conditioning Engineers....................... 42

• ASPE American Society of Plumbing Engineers...... 46

• EA Electrical Association......................................... 45

• IEEE Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers......................................... 38

• IES Illuminating Engineering Society...................... 36

• INCOSE International Council on Systems Engineering........................................................... 44

• RES Rochester Engineering Society.................... 2-17

• TERRA TERRA Science & Engineering Fair................. 41

FEBRUARY 2024 The ROCHESTER ENGINEER | 3

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 L3Harris 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

DAWN LaPIETRA .

L3Harris Corporation / dawnlapietra@gmail.com

STEVEN W. DAY, PhD Rochester Institute of Technology / swdeme@rit.edu

NOAH KELLY NAM Products Services Manager, 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

4 | The ROCHESTER ENGINEER FEBRUARY 2024

The Rochester Engineer Published since 1922 by ROCHESTER ENGINEERING SOCIETY, INC.

Founded March 18, 1897 Volume 102, Number 9, MARCH 2024 (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

r m R f

C t T r P S L T y s

A A P A p T t P w R

S e a S s R s t S F r w p a 5 t a a i C d

C

RES News - President's Message Dear Fellow Engineers, Happy almost Spring…although we’ll probably get a late winter snowstorm to remind us, we live in Rochester. We’re switching it up this month…the RES social gathering is on Tuesday March 5th at Rohrbachs Brewing on Railroad Street. Please come join us for some conversation and refreshments!

Check out the new section, Affiliate Member Profile (p13) to learn about NYSATE (New York State Association of Transportation Engineers). This month’s member profiles: regular member since April of 2005, a past BOD members, Past President and currently member of the Scholarship Committee, Sr. Director of Operations at Re:Build Optimation Technology, LLC Wendy Smith (p17) and BOD member since 2023, Senior Transportation Engineer, Sheila A. Ransbottom, PE (p16). If you have a suggestion for a Member Profile or YOU would like to share your profile, please email us!

A few highlights from the March Rochester Engineer: A look back into RES’s History in December of 1977 (p10).

Please consider joining our tutoring team at Dr. Walter Cooper Academy (this is our last year there due to RCSD’s consolidation plan) (p12). Ten years after founding and leading the RES Tutoring Team, Lee Loomis has decided to step back, and the RES is actively seeking a new Leader for the Team.

Please see p13 for details…maybe you or someone you know would be interested! The E3 fair is coming up on March 13th at RIT (p15).

Something I am very excited about, the cover article discusses The Total Solar Eclipse - first time since 1925 in the Rochester Region (p18)!!! There are so many celebrations in this region…every museum, SUNY Brockport, Innovative Field, wineries and breweries, recreation centers, the RPO will be holding a special performance on April 7th at the Blue Cross Arena, 5k marathons, Euchre tournaments, and specialty menus at restaurants…or just being with family and friends during this once in a lifetime experience. There is an experience for everyone, rochestereclipse2024.org.

Check out the October 2023 RE issue where the cover story discussed the transportation impacts of the eclipse.

Campus news from The University of Rochester (p22-25) where res news - president’s messages

Scientists create new 'spark plug' for fusion reactions and manipulated hafnia paves the way for next-gen memory devices. Have you heard of CANstruction?

CANstruction serves as a distinguished international charity competition, bringing together architects, engineers, contractors, and students in a creative endeavor to design and construct colossal structures solely from cans of food. On page 26 you can read more about the competition in our area.

Continuing Education Opportunities and Engineers Calendar starts on page 32. As a reminder, the calendar is on the website so you can check there for the latest event updates. www.roceng.org/Calendar. Affiliate’s news starts on p35 including: ABCD Spring Seminar on April 12th, IES UL924 & UL1008 training, night out at the Amerks game celebrating 100+ years of the ASCE Rochester Section, IEEE news, Terra Fair Science and Engineering Fair March 23rd call for volunteer/judges, ASHRAE meeting news, INCOSE news, EAWNY Casino night May 3rd and ASPE news including a cornhole tournament on March 12th!

As always, the best way to support something is to get involved! This is YOUR community’s society. We want to make sure your voice is heard and that RES is sustained into the future. Please email us with any questions, comments, or suggestions. Thank you!

Michelle Sommerman, PE Colliers Engineering & Design

RES President June 1, 2022 - June 30, 2024 FEBRUARY 2024 The ROCHESTER ENGINEER | 5

RES NEWS - Member Benefit 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’.

Click on ‘Advanced Search’

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!

6 | The ROCHESTER ENGINEER FEBRUARY 2024

res news - Member Benefit

Back to Table of Contents

RES NEWS - Donations

Did you know…

YOU can donate stocks, mutual funds or other investments DIRECTLY to RES? WHY? As a 501(c)(3) charitable organizaon, gis to RES are considered charitable donaons and you can use this strategy to increase the value of your donaon while removing appreciated investments from your porolio.

By donating an investment directly, you can remove the full value of the investment from your portfolio without realizing any taxable gains.

An example: Suppose you want to donate $5,000 to RES. If you sell investments of that value, you might generate $500 in taxable gains. Tax on those gains would be due when you file your taxes the following year. However, if you donate securities, you can gift the full $5,000 without generating any taxable gains.

This strategy is a great way to achieve you charitable giing goals while making the most of your resources and having minimal impact on your “everyday” spending and cash flow.

RES is not a tax advisor. We encourage you to work with a tax professional to ensure this is an appropriate strategy for your goals.

HOW?

Contact your broker or financial advisor and for the necessary and informaon.

Please visit the website today for details! www.roceng.org.

res news - Donations

FEBRUARY 2024 The ROCHESTER ENGINEER | 7

Back to Table of Contents

RES - Technical Corner

Technical Corner - Electrical Engineering Focus Sizing a Surge Protector

by Dylan Angora, Electrical Engineer, Colliers Engineering & Design When it comes to sizing a surge protector for a panel there are a few different key variables to pay attention too. One variable that needs to be known is the voltage at the certain point in the electrical system where the protection takes place. A surge protector monitors Line to Line voltage, so if you have a three phase system you will need a surge protector designed to monitor a three phase system. Another variable that is needed is the voltage reference to ground. The equations to calculate voltage reference to ground are provided below:

The last key variable to pay attention to is what “Type” of surge protection is needed. Surge protectors are classified into three categories. There are type 1, type 2, and type 3 surge protection devices. A type 1 surge protector is designed to protect the transformer side of the system and can monitor higher voltage than the other two types. A type 2 surge protector is designed for the panel side of the system. This will monitor the feed coming into the panel and protect the panel from any surges. A type 3 surge protector is designed to monitor smaller equipment on branch circuits that require surge protection such as a computer or a TV. When it comes to wiring and sizing the circuit breakers for these surge protectors, the manufacturers will provide the suggested breaker and wire size according to the device you have selected. The chart below shows different varieties of surge protection devices offered by schneider electric.

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 at Brett.Eliasz@collierseng.com. As always, any comments are appreciated…! Thank you for reading.

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

8 | The ROCHESTER ENGINEER FEBRUARY 2024

res - technical corner

Back to Table of Contents

RES EVENT CALENDAR - SAVE THE DATES

RES is excited to announce some 2024 programs with a mix of Continuing Education and Social Gatherings!

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 EVENT NAME Tuesday, March 5, 2024

Social Gathering! Rohrbach's, 97 Railroad Street, Rochester,

**NOTE DAY CHANGED**

NY 14609. Time: 5:00 PM. Please register so we know many

are attending!

Thursday, March 21, 2024

Continuing Education - Save the Date!

Join us for a very exciting RES Webinar Series

Theme: Albany Nanotech Center

Registration will be on the RES Website Calendar

Thursday, April 4, 2024

Social Gathering! Rohrbach's, 97 Railroad Street, Rochester,

NY 14609. Time: 5:00 PM. Please register so we know many

are attending!

Thursday, April 18, 2024

Continuing Education - Save the Date!

Join us for a very exciting RES Webinar Series

Theme: Rail Signaling

Registration will be on the RES Website Calendar

*Dates and topics are subject to change*

Future Education Courses Being Planned - RES is offering these courses to support the engineering community. Each Continuing Education Session will consist of two or three educational 1-hour webinars with one or two eligible for PDH's. Registration will be on our website soon: www.roceng.org. *Date, cost, and topics are subject to change* res - event calendar

FEBRUARY 2024 The ROCHESTER ENGINEER | 9

RES NEWS - ROCHESTER HISTORY A Sampling from the Archives of the Rochester Engineering Society.

1897 - 1977

by Lee M. Loomis

Rochester Engineer” (December 1977) 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.

10 | The ROCHESTER ENGINEER FEBRUARY 2024

This issue announces the impending retirement (December 1977) of RES President John M. Robertson from a 20+ year career at Rochester Telephone Corporation. Completing his WWII service with the British Army’s Signal Corps., John first went to work for the British Post Office, leaving there to emigrate to the US in 1953, to work in communication for the US Navy, in Stamford, CT. John joined RTC in 1955 and rose to become manager of Trunk Facilities. In a reprinted article from Science magazine, William D. Carey, Executive Officer at the American Academy of Science took issue with soon-to-beinaugurated President Jimmy Carter’s apparent retreat from his campaign promise to rate the use of nuclear energy as a "last resort” and, instead, to apparently have moved to expedite the licensing of nuclear-powered electric generating plants, stating that, “A nation reduced to last resorts is one in trouble.” The feature article in this issue, “Hydrogen Cars are Already Here”, by Ron Laytner, describes the successful efforts of Roger Billings, inventor and founder of Billings Energy Corp., Provo, UT, at developing the technology for fueling automobiles with hydrogen. Editor’s note: Roger Billings would eventually become “a great polymath of our time”, building the first personal computer, and inventing the Client-Server Model of Computer Networking, b2 Cryptography, and the Acellus Learning System. Billings had already solved the problem of compressing hydrogen gas into a smaller storage volume, through the use of iron-titanium rock storage. By 1975, Billings had been credited with conversion of 40% of the engines, and half of the vehicles currently running on hydrogen. res news - history

January 18, 1978 (Board Meeting, Wishing Well Restaurant)

The Board approved one application for Regular Membership, thus bringing the total RES membership to 639. RES Luncheon Chair, Earl Svendsen reported that the February luncheon presentation would be, “All You Wanted to Know about Wills, but were Afraid to Ask”, by the Honorable Michael A. Telesca, Judge of the Monroe County Surrogate Court. Reporting for Dick Rice, Chair of the Legislative Affairs Committee, RES Director, Lee Loomis stated that the RES magazine’s “Energy Column” had received numerous questions from readers pertaining to home energy use, and that RG&E personnel had volunteered to provide answers.

As for questions on other energy topics, the RES Skills Bank would be brought in to respond to these questions. On the previous question (raised at the December Board meeting) about RES Affiliate Members’ eligibility for health insurance coverage, via the RES’ Blue Cross-Blue Shield contract, RES Executive Director Joe Campbell reported that he had been advised that only RES Members could be covered under the RES’ BC/BS Plan. Given the importance of this, to RES Affiliate Members, it was decided that this “determination of eligibility” would be reported, officially, in the RES magazine. Reporting on the Technology Transfer Program, Andrew Hirsch announced that a proposal had been made to the National Science Foundation (NSF) for the next grant phase. Andy also announced that the issue of the transport of refuse-derived fuel from the Resource Recover Facility to RG&E’s coal-fired Russell Electric Generating Station would have to occur via truck, rather than by rail. Andy further reported that Dr. Richard Kenyon had recently been elected Vice President of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), the responsibilities of which would subsequently limit his availability as Principal Investigator of the Technology Transfer Program. As a result, it was reported that, in the new NSF grant proposal, Joseph Campbell and Richard Kenyon would res news - history

become Co-Principal Investigators. Reporting on The Rochester Engineer, Joe Campbell described his recent efforts to interest RES Affiliate Societies in subscribing to the magazine for their members, by offering “samples” for distribution to their members and a special subscription price of $1.10/year, whereas a single, regular subscription was priced at $5.50/year. RES 2nd Vice President Dick Rice then asked for the floor as he presented a “Proposal for Civic Award” by the RES, to be presented, on occasion, at the Society’s Annual meeting. This Award would be presented to an individual (not necessarily engineers), for having made a major civic contribution to the greater Rochester community through engineering involvement. “Engineering Involvement” was defined as, “efforts by politicians, administrators, engineers or sincerely interested citizens who have had substantial impact through the engineering community on the civic well-being of the Rochester Community.” Dick Rice requested that this proposal be acted upon by the RES Board at its next meeting.

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.

FEBRUARY 2024 The ROCHESTER ENGINEER | 11

Back to Table of Contents

RES NEWS - TUTORING TEAM

In person RES Tutoring Continues at Dr. Walter Cooper Academy The 2023-24 School Year opened successfully at Dr. Walter Cooper Academy, on Wednesday, September 6th with 327 eager students...

On Wednesday, November 1st, the RES Tutoring Team resumed its work with our “Cooper Scholars”.

Community School Site Coordinator, Sylvia Cooksey, has been instrumental in guiding the resumption of in-person tutoring.

Despite the impending closure of Dr. Walter Cooper Academy by the Rochester City School District (RCSD) at the end of this school year, the RES Tutors are working in a “Here and Now” mode, supporting these children as they struggle to “Learn to Read” (in Grades 1 – 3) so they will be ready to “Read to Learn” (Grades 4 – 12). We are also playing “catch-up” with a group of 4th and 5th Graders, helping them to reach grade-level reading by the end of this school year.

We continue to grow our 2023-24 RES Tutoring Team…We now have nine tutors, working with 1st, 2nd, 4th and 5th Grade Students. If you’ve ever thought of joining the RES Tutoring Team, now is the time!

RES Tutor, William Safford, (U of R Undergraduate Student) Working with two of our 5th Graders

Questions/Applications??? Please consder reaching 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).

12 | The ROCHESTER ENGINEER FEBRUARY 2024

res news - tutoring team

r

RES NEWS - TUTORING TEAM

What Will the Future Hold for the RES Tutoring Team?

With the impending closure of Dr. Walter Cooper Academy by the Rochester City School District (RCSD) at the end of this school year, we are being asked, “What happens next year for the RES Tutoring Team?”

The short answer is, “We don’t know.” That said, we believe we should be prepared for the future, by making sure we have tutors, and a Team Leader. Ten years after founding and leading the RES Tutoring Team, Lee Loomis has decided to step back, and the RES is actively seeking a new Leader for the Team. The following is a brief job description…

Initial Responsibilities: Summer & Fall 2024 - Assemble a list of current tutors who are willing to resume their duties in working with our Cooper Scholars.

- Meet with School Officials to compare tutor availability with teacher/tutoring needs to set a tutoring schedule for the school year.

- Develop a “Tutor Information Folder” containing updated RCSD, and DWCA school calendar.

On-Going Responsibilities: October 2024 – May 2025 - Welcome each tutor (veteran and new) to the school and introduce them to the school’s Community School Site Coordinator (CSSC) and then to the teacher and the students.

- Meet regularly with the CSSC to ensure that the teachers are satisfied with the process and results of the weekly tutoring sessions.

- Attend various scheduled parent-school meetings (some in-person, some via Zoom) to better understand the challenges faced by students, parents and teachers.

- Meet periodically with each tutor to monitor their current experiences in working with students and teachers, and to ensure that they are satisfied with the use of their time and talent.

Time Commitment: Summer & Fall 2024 - It will take approximately six weeks of regular email/phone/text messaging to assemble the RES Tutoring Team, comprised of individual tutors (tutoring once, each week of the school year) and tutoring teams (working as four-person teams, alternating weekly, tutoring once per month).

- As the RES Tutoring Team is being assembled, the RES Tutoring Team Leader should interact with the CSSC to ensure that the teachers are aware that they will have tutoring support for their students.

Time Commitment: October 2024 – May 2025 - Regular interaction with the CSSC occurs 3 – 4 times per month, including 1 – 2 in-person, monthly visits.

- Periodic interaction with RES Leadership, RES Affiliates, Local College Officials and Community Groups in seeking prospective additional tutors.

Availability: - The RES Tutoring Team Leader should plan to be available, and responsive (via Email, text and/or phone) to the RES Tutors and the CSSC.

Are You Interested in/Available for this Challenge??? Please contact RES Tutoring Team Leader, Lee Loomis with any questions at…Rochester Engineering Society (585) 254-2350, via website: www.roceng. org, or via email: leeloomis46@gmail.com, (585) 738-3079 (mobile & text). res news - tutoring team

FEBRUARY 2024 The ROCHESTER ENGINEER | 13

RES AFFILIATE MEMBER PROFILE - NYSATE

Back to Table of Contents

The Rochester Engineering Society appreciates our affiliates which are the backbone of our organization. We want to make sure our members and readers know who our affiliates are and what they do to further the Engineering field. Most professional engineering organizations offer networking, technical guidance, access to references and standards and much more. Many are affiliated with a national organization that provides services to its members and supports the greater benefit of the profession and of their specialty. Some organizations even set national and international standards.

We hope you find this occasional series helpful and informative. Feel free to check out the affiliates local and/or national web sites for more information.

This month’s featured affiliate:

New York State Association of Transportation Engineers (NYSATE) Section 4 Mission: The New York State Association of Transportation Engineers is a professional organization whose principal objective is the advancement of the science and profession of engineering as it pertains to transportation and related subjects.

Brief history: Founded in 1926, NYSATE was an advocate for State Highway agency employees. After that role was turned over to public unions, NYSATE evolved to serve all transportation professionals in both the public and private sector.

NYSATE provides continuing education and a host of social networking opportunities for members.

Statewide Conference: This year Utica will host the 82nd Annual Conference (June 4-7). Themed Utica Rising, the Conference provides an opportunity for transportation professionals from across the state to gather, network and learn. In 2026 Rochester will host the 84th Conference and celebrate NYSATE’s 100th anniversary.

Major activities of the local affiliate: Section 4 in Rochester sponsors many social networking events, provides scholarships for college students and camp scholarships for children of members. Annually we award a Transportation Professional of the Year to the person who competes for the Statewide title at the annual conference. For over 30 years Section 4 has hosted a biennial Mini-Conference, a one-day event that focuses on learning and networking.

Governance: Local Executive Committee with officers and a Statewide representative to a State Board that governs 11 separate State sections.

What else to know:

The organization would love to provide any information or answer questions about the organization and is always looking for new volunteers to help expand our outreach. Contact them at the address below.

Contact information:

Chris Reed, President: nysatesection4@gmail.com

Learn more: https://www.nysate.net 14 | The ROCHESTER ENGINEER FEBRUARY 2024

res - affiliate member profile - nysate

e

RES NEWS - E3 Fair - March 13th - RIT Shed

res news - E3 Fair

Back to Table of Contents

FEBRUARY 2024 The ROCHESTER ENGINEER | 15

RES MEMBER PROFILE - RES BOD

Sheila A. Ransbottom, PE RES board member - Director

RES History Joined RES November 2022, Joined BOD May 2023

Job Title Senior Transportation Engineer Wendel

Experience

• 36 years in the Engineering Industry • Professional Engineer in NY • Civil/Site/Transportation Engineer • Transportation Manager - leading all projects related to road, bridge, bicycle, pedestrian improvements

• Renewable Energy Manager - leading all projects related to Solar Farm design and permitting in NYS

Education BS, Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Pittsburgh

Organizations & Groups Rochester Engineering Society Chair of Leadership Committee at local church

Professional Highlight My passion is using my engineering and management expertise to bring life projects that people can use in their daily life and projects that benefit the environment.

Interests & Hobbies

• Disney • Reading • Beach Vacations • Spending time with my family 16 | The ROCHESTER ENGINEER FEBRUARY 2024

res news - member profile - sjeila ransbottom

RES MEMBER PROFILE

Wendy Smith RES History RES Member since April 2005 RES Board Member 2005-2011 President 2009-2010 Gala Committee 2005-2013 (chaired the committee 2008-2013) Scholarship Committee 2012 - present

Job Title

Sr. Director of Operations RE:Build Optimation Technology, LLC

Experience

30+ years in Engineering and Manufacturing Operations Leadership Corning Incorporated (15 years) • Engineering for hot glass manufacturing primarily Batch and Melting • Department Head/Product Line Coordinator • Operations Manager – multiple plants • Supply Chain Manager • Plant Manager Re:Build Optimation Technology (20 years) • Engineering Manager • VP of Engineering • Senior Director of Operations

Education

BS, Ceramic Engineering, Alfred University Minor in Business Management Study Abroad, University of Sheffield (England)

Organizations & Groups: Rochester Technology & Manufacturing Association – President

Professional Highlight

So many interesting projects over the years, but one of the really cool and impactful ones was that we made manufacturing lines for covid vaccines in 2020/2021. It was a fast-paced project under the Government’s Warp Speed Program.

Interests & Hobbies:

Anything outdoors - 4 seasons at our camp in the Adirondacks Golf Biking/kayaking/hiking Football - The Bills Snowmobiling/skiing Classic Cars Boating Travel Volleyball All of the above with family! res news - member profile - wendy smith

FEBRUARY 2024 The ROCHESTER ENGINEER | 17

COVER ARTICLE - RMSC

Back to Table of Contents

The Total Solar Eclipse - first time since 1925 in the Rochester Region Monday, April 8, 2024

by Dan Schneiderman, Eclipse Partnership Coordinator, RMSC

Photo credit: Rochester Museum & Science Center

On Monday, April 8, 2024, the Greater Rochester Region will experience a Total Solar Eclipse for the first time since 1925.

Starting at 2:07 PM, the moon will make first contact as it begins to pass in front of the sun. Over the next 1 hour and 13 minutes, the moon will start to cover up more and more of the sun. At 3:20pm, the region will enter Totality as the moon covers the Sun’s bright disk, leaving only a glow around the moon. This glow is the Sun’s outer atmosphere, known as the corona. This is the ONLY time when you’ll be able to take off your eclipse glasses and look at the moon and sun. The solar eclipse ends at 4:33pm when the moon no longer overlaps the Sun’s disk.

During those first few moments, you’ll most likely hear a roar of excitement from everyone around you. Some folks will start laughing. Others will be crying. The view just overtakes you with awe and wonder. There is a stillness in 18 | The ROCHESTER ENGINEER FEBRUARY 2024

cover article - RMSC

COVER ARTICLE - RMSC

Back to Table of Contents

the air that feels ever so slightly off. If you were to ask folks who attended the 2017 total solar eclipse, you would find some of them describing that moment as everything melting away except for the sun, the moon, the earth, and themselves.

You’ll probably notice it getting colder in the last minute or so leading into and through totality. On average, the temperature drops around 10 degrees during this time.

With it being April, it will heavily be noticeable. Birds will head back to their nest and pause their usual chirping.

It is said that cows will head back to their barn as if they were entering twilight.

Within the heart of Rochester, totality will last 3 minutes and 38 seconds, a whole minute longer than the 2017 total solar eclipse. Depending on your location and how close you’re to the center line, Totality could be shorter or longer. Thanks to the width of the eclipse path being 100 miles wide, almost everyone within the nine counties will get to experience totality.

For those in the Finger Lakes Region, it will heavily depend on where you’re located to determine if you’re in the path of totality or not. While folks in Canandaigua, Geneva, and Naples are within the path, Penn Yan is Photo credit: Rochester Museum & Science Center on the very edge. Unfortunately, those in Hammonsport, Walkins Glen, and Ithaca will all be just outside the path and will receive 99% coverage of the sun.

To take a historical perspective on the eclipse, the last Total Solar Eclipse within Rochester took place on January 24, 1925. Astronomers at the Bausch and Lomb and the University of Rochester Observatories held small viewing parties with their telescopes prepared for totality. Smoked glass was used in place of today’s modern eclipse glasses. In the weeks leading up to the eclipse, the Democrat and Chronicle published half a dozen articles preparing the area, including one article that mentioned the next Total Solar Eclipse wouldn’t take place until 2024.

On the day of the eclipse, teachers brought their classes outside to Highland Park, Rochester Gas and Electric turned off streetlights, and over 2,000 eclipse viewers found themselves on the now Pont De Rennes bridge, which was thought to be cracked from the load of the attendees of the bridge for a few days. Regrettably, the clouds won out in 1925 and Rochesterians weren’t treated to seeing the velvety sight that is totality.

As grim as folks think of the weather in Upstate NY within early April, Rochester has a 40-60% probability of a clear or partly cloudy day. Even if parts of Rochester are covered with clouds, you never know when they might move at the last second. At Homestead National Monument back in 2017, over 20,000 attendees were caught in heavy rain and thunderstorms. Nonetheless, at just the last second, the clouds parted, and the crowds were still able to see totality, even if just for a few seconds. The exact opposite happened with that same eclipse at SIU at Carbondale, IL. Thousands of people filled their football stadiums with mostly clear skies above them. Moments before totality started, a cloud formed right over the stadium. If you were standing a building or so over on their campus or in their parking lots, you could observe totality for their max length of time. For those in the stadium, they were only treated Continued on page 20 cover article - RMSC

FEBRUARY 2024 The ROCHESTER ENGINEER | 19

COVER ARTICLE - RMSC Continued

Back to Table of Contents

to a few seconds. Both of these situations could happen here in Rochester.

Looking forward in time, the next Total Solar Eclipse within the Continental US won’t be until 2044, in New York State in 2079, and it won’t happen again in Rochester until 2144, 120 years from now.

If a baby was born on April 8th, 2024, their grandkid’s kid, or more likely grandkid’s grandkid, would be around to experience the next total solar eclipse.

Rochester and the RMSC (Rochester Museum & Science Center) have been going all out for the 2024 eclipse. Starting in 2018 and 2019, our local Eclipse Stakeholder Taskforce was formed with four organizations at the core: the RMSC, Visit Rochester, the Genesee Transportation Council, and Kids Out and About. This group has now grown to over 500 organizations and individuals from every aspect of life. Everyone from universities to restaurants, hospitals to hotels, daycares, and senior homes, artists and amateur astronomers, museums, and everyone in between. The phrase “Everyone under the Sun is a Stakeholder” would become a motto and core message.

Topics covered at these meetings included everything from traffic and transportation issues that will heavily kickoff 15 minutes after totality, to accessibility, tips for running eclipse viewing events, discussing if K-12 schools should be closed (all but one district did so in the region), how to prepare businesses, tackling common misconceptions, and more.

Eclipse Day at the Red Wings. Photo credit: Rochester Museum & Science Center

ROC The Eclipse | Press Kit

Contact: Lyndsay Compitello, lcompitello@rmsc.org, 585.503.4457 On Monday, April 8, 2024, Rochester will be in the direct path of a Total Solar Eclipse for the first time in almost a century. To celebrate this once in a lifetime event, the RMSC will host a multi-day immersive event on April 5-8, 2024 called ROC The Eclipse.

What is happening and when?

Friday, April 5, 2024 TBD VIP Event Saturday, April 6, 2024 10am-5pm, ROC The Eclipse Festival 6:30pm, RMSC’s After Dark Galactic Get Down Sunday, April 7, 2024 10am-5pm, ROC The Eclipse Festival Monday, April 8, 2024 9:30am-5:30pm, ROC The Eclipse Festival Total Solar Eclipse (Timing for 14607) 2:07pm: The moon will start to cover the sun 3:20pm: Totality will occur when the moon covers the sun completely at this time!

It will last 3 minutes and 38 seconds if you’re here at the RMSC. Length will vary depending on where you stand.

4:33pm: Moon no longer covers the sun All of these events will take place on RMSC’s campus located at 657 East Ave, Rochester, NY 14607. Parking will be available offsite and a shuttle service will be available, more details to follow.

20 | The ROCHESTER ENGINEER FEBRUARY 2024

cover article - RMSC

c

C

COVER ARTICLE - RMSC festival will be featuring activities on campus ranging from popular Electricity Theater shows, Science on a Sphere 3D projection shows, hands-on activities, science experiments, solar telescope viewing outside, and more. The RMSC Strasenburgh Planetarium will also present a captivating new show, Eclipse 2024! designed to enlighten audiences about the aweinspiring phenomena surrounding a total solar eclipse.

Notable keynote speakers will include American astronomer, skeptic, and popular science blogger, Phil Plait, otherwise known as The Bad Astronomer, Kids looking through Giant Glasses at Fairport Canal Days and popular TikTok influencer Photo credit: Rochester Museum & Science Center and educator (also known as the Groovy Geologist), Cate Larsen. Researchers from Today, the Rochester Eclipse Stakeholder Group has L3Harris Technologies, professors from both RIT and U grown to over 700 members of the community covering of R, along with performers will be spread throughout all nine counties and beyond. the festival as well.

At the RMSC, we’ve decided to go big with our efforts.

Thanks to the support of a Market NY Grant and SUNY Brockport, 500,000 pairs of eclipse glasses were ordered to support the region.

Around 50,000 of the glasses will be distributed through the RMSC Community Eclipse Ambassador Program where 50 organizations were brought on to promote the eclipse within their own communities.

Each organization received a telescope, a solar filter, Colanders for pinhole viewing, a sun/moon/earth model, 1000 stickers, postcards, posters, specialized hoodies, 1000 glasses to give away for free, training, and $1000 to their organization to use however they see fit. Ambassador organizations include senior homes, radio stations, indigenous groups, a church, a temple, a mosque, rec centers, chocolatiers, and others. Besides promoting the eclipse, the only requirement is to hold or support a viewing event on April 8 for the total solar eclipse.

Rochester will be celebrating in full force leading up to the eclipse. Within the heart of Rochester, the RMSC will be hosting the ROC the Eclipse Festival. The cover article - RMSC

Other celebrations can be found at the Genesee Country Village and Museum along with every museum in the region, SUNY Brockport (which lies directly within the center of totality), Innovative Field, wineries and breweries, and at almost every recreation center. The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra will be holding a special performance on April 7 at the Blue Cross Arena featuring a piece composed by Jeff Tyzik just for the occasion. 5K marathons, Euchre tournaments, and specialty menus at restaurants are all taking place in the days leading into April 8. There is an eclipse-related event for everyone.

While you prepare to view the eclipse yourself, we recommend thinking about how you want to experience the eclipse and who you want to experience it with. For years to come, you will always remember where you were and the folks you were with, so try and share it with the ones you care deeply about .q Dan Schneiderman, Eclipse Partnership Coordinator, RMSC FEBRUARY 2024 The ROCHESTER ENGINEER | 21

Campus News - UR

Back to Table of Contents

Scientists create new 'spark plug' for fusion reactions Luke Auburn, Sr. Communication Officer

DRIVEN BY FUSION: View from inside the OMEGA target chamber during a direct-drive inertial fusion experiment at the Laboratory for Laser Energetics. Scientists fired 28 kilojoules of laser energy at small capsules filled with deuterium and tritium fuel, causing the capsules to implode and produce a plasma hot enough to initiate fusion reactions between the fuel nuclei. (University of Rochester Laboratory for Laser Energetics photo / Eugene Kowaluk)

Techniques developed with the Laboratory for Laser Energetics’ OMEGA laser system hold promise for sparking fusion at larger scales.

Scientists from the University of Rochester’s Laboratory for Laser Energetics (LLE) led experiments to demonstrate an effective “spark plug” for direct-drive methods of inertial confinement fusion (ICF). In two studies published in Nature Physics, the authors discuss their results and outline how they can be applied at bigger scales with the hopes of eventually producing fusion at a future facility.

LLE is the largest university-based US Department of Energy program and hosts the OMEGA laser system, which is the largest academic laser in the world but still almost one hundredth the energy of the National Ignition Facility (NIF) at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California. With OMEGA, 22 | The ROCHESTER ENGINEER FEBRUARY 2024

campus news

Rochester scientists completed several successful attempts to fire 28 kilojoules of laser energy at small capsules filled with deuterium and tritium fuel, causing the capsules to implode and produce a plasma hot enough to initiate fusion reactions between the fuel nuclei. The experiments caused fusion reactions that produced more energy than the amount of energy in the central hot plasma.

The OMEGA experiments use direct laser illumination of the capsule and differ from the indirect-drive approach used on the NIF. When using the indirect-drive approach, the laser light is converted into X-rays that in turn drive the capsule implosion. The NIF used indirect drive to irradiate a capsule with X-rays using about 2,000 kilojoules of laser energy. This led to a 2022 breakthrough at NIF in achieving fusion ignition—a fusion reaction that creates a net gain of energy from the target.

“Generating more fusion energy than the internal energy content of where the fusion takes place is an important threshold,” says lead author of the first paper Connor Williams ’23 PhD (physics and astronomy), now a staff scientist at Sandia National Labs in radiation and ICF target design.

“That’s a necessary requirement for anything you want to accomplish later on, such as burning plasmas or achieving ignition.”

By showing they can achieve this level of implosion performance with just 28 kilojoules of laser energy, the Rochester team is excited by the prospect of applying direct-drive methods to lasers with more energy. While demonstrating a spark plug is an important step, OMEGA is too small to compress enough fuel to get to ignition.

energy compared to indirect drive,” says Varchas Gopalaswamy ’21 PhD (mechanical engineering), the LLE scientist who led the second study that explores the implications of using the direct-drive approach on megajoule-class lasers, similar to the size of the NIF. “After scaling the OMEGA results to a few megajoules of laser energies, the fusion reactions are predicted to become self-sustaining, a condition called ‘burning plasmas.’”

Gopalaswamy says that direct-drive ICF is a promising approach for achieving thermonuclear ignition and net energy in laser fusion.

“A major factor contributing to the success of these recent experiments is the development of a novel implosion design method based on statistical predictions and validated by machine-learning algorithms” says Riccardo Betti, LLE’s chief scientist and the Robert L. McCrory Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and in the Department of Physics and Astronomy. “These predictive models allow us to narrow the pool of promising candidate designs before carrying out valuable experiments.”

The Rochester experiments required a highly coordinated effort between large number of scientists, engineers, and technical staff to operate the complex laser facility. They collaborated with researchers from the MIT Plasma Science and Fusion Center and General Atomics to conduct the experiments. These experiments were funded through the US Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration. The target design work resulted from machine-learning applications funded by the DOE Fusion Energy Sciences program. q

“If you can eventually create the spark plug and compress fuel, direct drive has a lot of characteristics that are favorable for fusion campus news

FEBRUARY 2024 The ROCHESTER ENGINEER | 23

Campus News - UR

Back to Table of Contents

Manipulated hafnia paves the way for next-gen memory devices Luke Auburn, Sr. Communication Officer

CRYSTAL CURIOSITIES: In a specific crystal phase, hafnium oxide, or hafnia, exhibits ferroelectric properties that scientists have been trying to leverage for years. Theorists at the University of Rochester made progress in making bulk ferroelectric and antiferroelectric hafnia available for use in a variety of applications, including high-performance computing. (University of Rochester illustration / Michael Osadciw)

Scientists outline new processes for leveraging hafnia’s ferroelectric features with the aim of enhancing high-performance computing Scientists and engineers have been pushing for the past decade to leverage an elusive ferroelectric material called hafnium oxide, or hafnia, to usher in the next generation of computing memory. A team of researchers including the University of Rochester’s Sobhit Singh published a Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences study outlining progress toward making bulk ferroelectric and antiferroelectric hafnia available for use in a variety of applications.

In a specific crystal phase, hafnia exhibits ferroelectric properties—that is, electric polarization that can be changed in one direction or another by applying an external electric field. This feature can be harnessed in data storage technology. When used in computing, ferroelectric memory has the benefit of non-volatility, meaning it retains its values even when powered off, one of several advantages over most types of memory used today.

24 | The ROCHESTER ENGINEER FEBRUARY 2024

campus news

“Hafnia is a very exciting material because of its practical applications in computer technology, especially for data storage,” says Singh, an assistant professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. “Currently, to store data we use magnetic forms of memory that are slow, require a lot of energy to operate, and are not very efficient. Ferroelectric forms of memory are robust, ultra-fast, cheaper to produce, and more energy-efficient.”

“Ferroelectric forms of memory are robust, ultra-fast, cheaper to produce, and more energy-efficient.”

But Singh, who performs theoretical calculations to predict material properties at the quantum level, says that bulk hafnia is not ferroelectric at its ground state. Until recently, scientists could only get hafnia to its metastable ferroelectric state when straining it as a thin, two-dimensional film of nanometer thickness.

"

In 2021, Singh was part of a team of scientists at Rutgers University that got hafnia to stay at Ferroelectric forms of memory are robust, its metastable ferroelectric state by alloying the ultra-fast, cheaper to produce, and more material with yttrium and rapidly cooling it. Yet energy-efficient.” this approach had some drawbacks. “It required a lot of yttrium to get to that desired metastable phase,” he says. “So, while we achieved what we were going for, at the same time we were hampering a lot of the material’s key features because we were introducing a lot of impurities and disorder in the crystal. The question became, how can we get to that metastable state with as little yttrium as possible to improve the resulting material’s properties?”

In the new study, Singh calculated that by applying significant pressure, one could stabilize bulk hafnia in its metastable ferroelectric and antiferroelectric forms—both of which are intriguing for practical applications in next-generation data and energy storage technologies. A team led by Professor Janice Musfeldt at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, carried out the high-pressure experiments and demonstrated that, at the predicted pressure, the material converted into the metastable phase and remained there even when pressure was removed.

“This is as an excellent example of experimental-theoretical collaboration,” says Musfeldt.

The new approach required only about half as much yttrium as a stabilizer, thereby considerably improving the quality and purity of the grown hafnia crystals. Now, Singh says that he and the other scientists will push to use less and less yttrium until they figure out a way of producing ferroelectric hafnia in bulk for widespread use.

And as hafnia continues to draw increasing attention due to its intriguing ferroelectricity, Singh is organizing an invited focus session on the material at the upcoming American Physical Society’s March Meeting 2024.

Singh’s contributions were supported by a University Research Award. q campus news

FEBRUARY 2024 The ROCHESTER ENGINEER | 25

News from Professional Firms

Colliers Engineering & Design News Stopping Hunger One Can at a Time

Canstruction serves as a distinguished international charity competition, bringing together architects, engineers, contractors, and students in a creative endeavor to design and construct colossal structures solely from cans of food.

In the Rochester edition, this philanthropic event supports Foodlink, the local food bank in the Finger Lakes Region of New York, aligning with over 100 cities across North America, including prominent locations like Albany, Houston, New York City, and Phoenix.

In its 14th annual competition last November, Canstruction Rochester adopted the theme "Discovering Cans at The Strong." Guided by Captain Evan DeCotis, PE, CEM, CEA, Senior Project Manager, Mechanical, the team from Colliers Engineering & Design crafted an impressive yellow hippo, inspired by the Hungry Hungry Hippo™ board game. This monumental structure, comprised of 3,850 cans of corn, 1,080 cans of pasta, 60 pounds of rice, 40 large cans of tomato sauce, 28 cans of ham, eight boxes of cereal, and various other canned goods, amounted to a generous donation of 5,060 items. At the Canstruction Rochester Gala, Colliers Engineering & Design earned accolades for Best Meal and Most Cans.

Evan shared his perspective on the significance of Canstruction, stating, "Canstruction is genuinely important to me because food insecurity is a universal problem." He has participated in the last six build years with Bergmann, which was acquired in 2021 by Colliers Engineering & Design and recognizes the substantial contribution of almost 30,000 canned goods made by their firm to Foodlink as a step in the right direction 26 | The ROCHESTER ENGINEER FEBRUARY 2024

to help the local community.

The journey toward constructing the impressive structure spanned six months, involving meticulous design, planning, and execution. The team navigated the challenge of selecting a unique, yet feasible and on-theme structure during the initial planning stage. Following the theme announcement in May, the team brainstormed ideas, considering anything inside The Strong National Museum of Play as fair game. Evan noted that this phase is particularly challenging, requiring consensus on a design that is both distinctive yet achievable.

After finalizing the concept, the team translated it into a 3D model using Revit, a process that took several weeks. Experimentation with different cans and colors followed to determine the quantity and type of cans required. Subsequently, the team engaged in test builds, spending months refining the structure in their downtown Rochester office. AIterations, minor adjustments, and updates were made, with the structure being dismantled and rebuilt numerous times until perfection was achieved.

In November, the team converged at The Strong, collaborating with fellow competitors to construct these can-based marvels. The collective effort resulted in the donation of nearly 40,000 canned goods to Foodlink.

Thank you to Colliers Engineering & Design's dedicated volunteers, including Evan DeCotis, Natalie BeCoats, Stacey Coghlan, Stephen Heinzelman, Dawn Kowalik, Danielle Rupert, Anna-Carole Samson, Eric Shaw, Vienna Cavatassi, and Michelle Sommerman. Their commitment played a pivotal role in the success of this charitable initiative. q news from professional firms

News from Professional Firms

Ravi Engineering and Land Surveying News

Ravi Engineering and Land Surveying Celebrates Recent Award from the APWA

Ravi Engineering and Land Surveying, P.C. (RE&LS) is proud to announce their recent achievement of the 2023 Transportation Award from the American Public Works Association (APWA). This honor recognizes the exceptional contributions of the company to the field of public works, specifically for their outstanding work on the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) University Station Bus Loop project located at the University at Buffalo South Campus.

It also highlights the successful partnership between the managing agency and the participating consultants and contractors, showcasing the collaborative efforts that resulted in the successful completion of the project.

The NFTA University Station Bus Loop project focused on the reconstruction of the sidewalks and the concrete pavement approaching the station’s multiple drop-off and transfer stops and is a critical part of the Buffalo Metro Rail. RE&LS’ team of experts developed a design that would widen the bus loop, creating ease of access for parked buses and for drivers to navigate the roadway. This improvement additionally included better access to crosswalks and increased signage for better understanding between patrons and operators.

The NFTA University Station Bus Loop project, undertaken by RE&LS "We are honored to receive the 2023 Transportation Award from the American Public Works Association," said Rick Papaj P.E., Director of Transportation at Ravi Engineering and Land Surveying, P.C. "This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team and the successful collaboration with our partners at NFTA and Buffalo Sewer Authority.

We remain committed to delivering excellence in every project we undertake."

The APWA Transportation Award is a prestigious accolade within the engineering community, and Ravi Engineering and Land Surveying, P.C. takes pride in being recognized for their significant contributions to the transportation and public works sectors. This achievement reflects the company's ongoing commitment to delivering high-quality solutions in transportation engineering.

For more information about Ravi Engineering and Land Surveying, P.C. and their award-winning projects, please visit them online https://ravieng.com/ . q news from professional firms

FEBRUARY 2024 The ROCHESTER ENGINEER | 27

Professional Firms - Employee News

Back to Table of Contents

Terracon Announces New Principal Michele Fiorillo, P.E., Promoted to Principal at Terracon Terracon announces the promotion of Michele Fiorillo, P.E., to the position of principal. With 20 years of geotechnical experience, Michele serves as Geotechnical Department Manager for Terracon in Western New York (Rochester, Buffalo, and Syracuse). His responsibilities include managing a diverse group of professionals, developing strong client relationships, and providing guidance and quality review of project deliverables. Michele emphasizes safety, innovation, integrity, leading by example, and mentoring junior staff.

Michele received a Bachelor of Science in geological sciences from La Sapienza University of Rome and a Master of Engineering from the State University of New York at Buffalo. He is licensed as a professional engineer in New York and Pennsylvania.

(585) 247-3471 Terracon.com/Rochester-NY

News from Professional Firms

CHA News

CHA Consulting Announces Sale from First Reserve to H.I.G. Capital

Transaction to Build on Company's Strong Growth Strategy and Expand Industry-Leading Solutions CHA Consulting, Inc. (CHA), an innovative, full-service engineering, design, consulting, and program management firm, today announced that it has been acquired by H.I.G. Capital (H.I.G.), a leading global alternative investment firm with $60 billion of capital under management, from First Reserve. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

CHA provides a wide range of technology-enabled design, engineering, project management, and consulting services to public, private, and institutional clients spanning numerous end markets, including government, manufacturing, transportation, utility, water resources, commercial, and education. The transaction, which closed on January 19, 2024, will enable the company to further capitalize on opportunities to accelerate growth and deliver industry-leading solutions.

In 2018, the company partnered with First Reserve, a leading global private equity investment firm. Since then, CHA has successfully executed its growth strategy, including more than doubling its employee base and revenues, while simultaneously growing earnings. During this period, CHA successfully acquired nine firms to significantly expand its geographic footprint in the Southeastern U.S., and scaled its transportation, water, program management, and advanced manufacturing services offerings. Going forward, CHA Consulting & Holdings President & CEO Jim Stephenson and the existing executive management team will continue to lead the company’s next phase of growth.

Continued on page 45 28 | The ROCHESTER ENGINEER FEBRUARY 2024

professional firms employee news | news from professional firms

p

s

Professional Firms - Employee News

Back to Table of Contents

SWBR News

SWBR Adds Four New Team Members and Promotes Four SWBR welcomes project designer Darwin Fowler and office assistant Dawn Sullivan to their Rochester office, construction administrator Katie Henderson to their Troy office, and project designer Andrew Wheeler to the Syracuse location.

Fowler graduated from the University of Washington with a bachelor of art in Architectural Design. Sullivan received her bachelor of science in Human Resources and master of science in Leadership Development from Roberts Wesleyan University, and a master of science in Human Resources Development from Rochester Institute of Technology. Henderson attended Hudson Valley Community College. Wheeler received his bachelor of art in Architectural Studies from Hobart & William Smith College and a master of Architecture from Syracuse University.

Darwin Fowler

Dawn Sullivan

Katie Henderson

Andrew Wheeler

“Sarah has been an influential force within the Human Resources Department,” said SWBR CFO Michael Picard. “Her expertise and energy have been major contributors to an enhanced employee experience.

She is a trusted HR professional.”

Continued on page 34

Ben Blades

Sarah LoPresti

professional firms employee news

FEBRUARY 2024 The ROCHESTER ENGINEER | 29

SWBR aslo announced Ben Blades's promotion to Reality Capture Technicians. Ben Blades, in his new role, employs laser scanning, virtual and augmented reality, and drone software to create 3D models that enhance precision and safety throughout the project cycle. Blades is a graduate of Alfred State College and resides in Rochester.

Sarah LoPresti, SHRM-CP, PHR has been promoted to Human Resources Generalist. LoPresti joined the firm as a Human Resources Coordinator in 2022.

In her new role, she is responsible for recruiting, onboarding, benefits administration, performance management, continuing education, health and safety, and employee recognition. She earned her bachelor of science in Human Resources management from Empire State University, holds a Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) certification as a Certified Professional (SHRM-CP), and a Professional in Human Resources certification through the Human Resources Certification Institute.

Position Openings...Pages 30 - 31

Back to Table of Contents

www.roceng.org

February 2024

Under The Dome by Colliers Engineering & Design | 18

All Photos courtesy of The Haynor Hoyt Corporation

Also in this issue: 

RES Events in February



Affiliate - INCOSE | 13

Feb. 1st - Monthly Social Gathering at Rohrbach's, 97 Railroad St., 5:00 PM |

9

Feb. 15th - RES Continuing Education Courses - details on website |



New! Affiliate Member Profile:



Position Openings | 26



Campus News | 21



News from Professional Firms | 27

9

Erin McCormick, PE | 15

RES & Affiliates Calendar | 28



Volunteers Needed for the Amazing Animal Engineers (how animal engineeriong techniques have inspired the engineering field at the Rochester

Member Profiles: Yvette LaBombard, PE (RES BOD) | 14



Museum & Science Center - Feb. 19 - 24 11:00 a m to 3:00 pm| 16

Advertising Rates and RES

Membership Application is Available

at www.roceng.org

30 | The ROCHESTER ENGINEER FEBRUARY 2024

position openings | res news

s

We create spaces that serve communities.

Find career opportunities at mrbgroup.com

• Civil Engineering • Architecture • Construction Phase Services • GIS/Mapping Services • Grant Writing & Administration • Planning Services • Economic Development

News from RES - Brian J. Thompson, PhD Obit Brian John Thompson of Fort Myers,FL passed away at

age 91, after a long illness, on January 27, 2024. He is predeceased by his wife of 52 years, Joyce. He is survived by his daughter Karen DeFrancisco (Richard); son Andrew Thompson; grandchildren: Derrick, Ashley, Sarah, and Andrew John; great grandchildren: Emilia and Brody; nephews Mark (Sally), Nigel (Jocelyn), James (Marie) Jackson and great nephews.

Brian was born in England and received his education at Manchester University, obtaining his B.Sc. and Ph.D. Brian joined the University of Rochester in 1968 as director of the Institute of Optics, and from 1975-1984 served as the Dean of the College of Engineering and Applied Science.

He continued as Provost of the University of Rochester from July 1, 1984- June 30,1994. He received numerous awards for his contributions to Optics and also developed and pioneered an important branch of holography. Brian has been the author of more than 180 scientific and technical papers and books and also served as an editor for multiple publications. Brian was a member of the Board of Overseers of the Thayer School of Dartmouth College, served as Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Center for Governmental Research, and Trustee of the Rochester Divinity School, the Rochester Museum of Science, and the Link Foundation. He served position openings | res news - obit

as a corporate director of Welch Allyn, Holotek, and Semi-Conductor Laser International. Brian was a past president and lifetime member of SPIE (Society of PhotoOptical Instrumentation Engineers). He has received numerous awards over his lengthy career.

Brian was a long time Brian J. Thompson, PhD member of Christ Church, Pittsford, New York. He had RES Past President 1983-84 a passion for gardening 2011 RES Engineer of the Year and a love of books that he shared with his wife. He also enjoyed spending time at the cottage in Canada. His love and devotion to family always came first.

A family service is planned. In lieu of flowers, please consider honoring Brian with donations to the American Diabetes Association or the Alzheimer's Association. The family would like to thank Cypress Cove for taking such loving care of Brian.

FEBRUARY 2024 The ROCHESTER ENGINEER | 31

Back to Table of Contents

Continuing Education Opportunities

Go to the RES Website Calendar for Updated Details On All Meetings - www.roceng.org Monday, March 18 Friday, April 12 American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) p 42

Association for Bridge Construction and Design (ABCD)

Recruiting and Retaining Gen Z 1 PDH approval pending

Spring Seminar – Earn up to 6 PDHs. NOTE: Virtual participation for the seminar will no longer be an option.

Speaker: ASHRAE Distinguished Lecturer Julia Keen, Professor of Architectural Engineering and Construction Science, Kansas State University Place: City View Conference Room, 9th Floor, Strathallan Hotel, 550 East Avenue, Rochester, NY 14607 Time: 12:00 Noon Details on the ASHRAE website: www.rochesterashrae.org

Thursday, March 21

Rochester Engineering Society (RES)

p9

p 35

Place: Batavia Downs Gaming Center, Batavia, NY Time: 7:15 am Check-In; 8:00 am Program Begins Cost: Members - $125; Non-Members - $150; Full Time Students - $35. This includes breaks, lunch and PDH certificates.

Registration: Registration begins March 1st. Go to the ABCD website, www.abcdwny.com. For additional information contact Jonathan Herman PE, 716-989-3318 (jherman@gpinet.com) or Tomas Andino PE, 585-428-6535 (tomas.andino@cityofrochester.gov).

Continuing Education - RES Virtual Courses Theme: Albany Nanotech Center Place: Zoom Time: 1:00 to 5:00 pm Registration: Registration is available on the RES website

calendar. Registration closes at midnight, Wed. March 20th

Support Your Affiliate Attend A Meeting

April 18 CE Course Theme is Rail Signaling To post continuing education opportunities on this page please contact the Rochester Engineering Society, 585-254-2350, or email: therochesterengineer@gmail.com

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, March 5 (Note day change) Rochester Engineering Society (RES) Monthly Social Gathering

Tuesday, March 5

p 9 Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE)

p 38

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

EXCOM Meeting

Time: 5:00 pm

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

Registration: Please register so we know how many people are

and WebEx login)

attending! www.roceng.org and go to the calendar.

Time: Noon to 1:30 pm Registration for this meeting is at: https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/399006

32 | The ROCHESTER ENGINEER FEBRUARY 2024

continuing education calendar | engineers' calendar

8

ENGINEERS' CALENDAR, Continued

Back to Table of Contents

Saturday, March 23

Wednesday, March 13

E3 Fair (Engineering, Exploration, Experimentation)

TERRA Science & Engineering Fair (TERRA)

p 15 TERRA Rochester Finger Lakes Science &

p 41

Engineering Fair! Judges Needed!

Judged Poster Competition/Engineering Exhibits/Keynote Lecture/LEGO Mindstorm Robotics Demonstration

Place: RMSC, 657 East Avenue, Rochester, NY 14607 Register online at ny-trfsef.zfairs.com/

Place: RIT Campus, Student Hall for Exploration and

Contact Harold Clark with any questions, 908-209-5128 or

Development (SHED, rriit.edu/shed)

trfsef@terraed.org.

Comments: Open to all middle school students accompanied by a teacher. Organized by RIT and RES

Tuesday, April 2

Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE)

To register: https://sites.google.com/view/e3fair/home

Wednesday, March 20

American Society of Plumbing Engineers (ASPE) p 46 High-Purity Water for Healthcare; CLRW and Medical Device Processing Water

p 38

EXCOM Meeting Place: Hybrid, via WebEx and in-person (see vtools for venue and WebEx login) Time: Noon to 1:30 pm

Speaker: Brian Soderholm – Water Control, Inc.

Registration for this meeting is at:

Sponsor: Watts

https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/406208.

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

Wednesday, April 3

American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)

Time: 12:00 Noon

p 37

Night Out at the Rochester Americans party deck as we celebrate 100+ years of engineering excellence!

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

Time: 7:00 pm

Thursday, March 21

Cost: CET Students - $15; Life Members - $20; Members -

International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE)

$30; Non-Members - $40; Younger Members (under 35) - $25.

p 44

Mini Presentation: AI Systems Working Group (AISWG) by Barclay R. Brown, PhD, ESEP Chair Presentation: FuSE Agility as a Foundation for Sound MBSE Lifecycle Management by Matthew Hause Place: By Zoom or In-person at L3Harris Technologies (further instructions will be sent out before the meeting), 1680 University Avenue, Rochester, NY 14610.

Comments: Tickets (regularly $60) include access to the party deck featuring all you can eat food, open bar (domestic beer, wine and soda included), high top tables, plenty of standing room and limited open seating in the bleachers.

Click here to register - Registration or go to the website: https://sections.asce.org/rochester

Thursday, April 4

Rochester Engineering Society (RES)

p9

Time: 6:00 to 7:30 pm (eastern).

Monthly Social Gathering

Cost: No cost to attend, but you need to register.

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

Registration: Attendees need to pre-register by sending an

Time: 5:00 pm

email to Susan.Urban@incose.net and state whether you are

Registration: Please register so we know how many people

attending by zoom or in-person. Those attending in-person

are attending! www.roceng.org and go to the calendar.

must register by noon, Wed. March 20 . The zoom link will be th

sent out a few days before the meeting. engineers' calendar

RES Calendar continued on page 34 FEBRUARY 2024 The ROCHESTER ENGINEER | 33

ENGINEERS' CALENDAR, Continued Friday, May 3

Electrical Association (EA)

Casino Night to benefit the Kessler Burn Center at URMC

Back to Table of Contents

p 45

calendar of events

Place: New location – Locust Hill Country Club, 2000 West Jefferson Rd, Rochester Time: 6:00 to 10:00 pm Cost: $70/ticket.

Details on the website: https://www.eawny.com

Wednesday, May 29

Illuminating Engineering Society (IES)

The RES website has a

for this month's meetings and meetings that are received or updated after print deadline. Please refer to the website for

p 36

UL924 & UL1008: What You Need To Know – ISO-1010-2023 – One Hour Live Training Presented by: Isolite Place: Dinosaur BBQ (upstairs meeting space), 99 Court Street, Rochester 14604 Time: 12:00 noon to 1:00 pm Cost: $35 for IES members; $40 for non-members.

Includes lunch.

Registration and details on the website at http://www.iesrochester.org/events.

updated information. If you wish to be listed in the calendar please send details to res@frontiernet.net.

Support Your Affiliate Attend A Meeting

Professional Firms - Employee News, Continued SWBR News, Continued SWBR also announced two key leadership promotions.

Eric Stein, AIA and Ryan Zegarelli, AIA have been promoted to Senior Associates. Senior associates support all aspects of client service and project management.

Project architect Stein has been with the firm since 2004. Prior to transitioning to the firm’s Specifications department, he designed and managed a variety of projects in all market sectors. He is responsible for writing specifications and compiling project manuals for all project types firm wide. He Eric Stein, AIA received his associate and bachelor of science degrees from Alfred State College in Architectural Technology.

"Eric is a trusted leader, mentor, and positive team player,” said SWBR Principal Joe Gibbons, AIA. "He is an example to our clients and our community of 34 | The ROCHESTER ENGINEER FEBRUARY 2024

SWBR’s commitment to doing exceptional design and technical work.”

Since joining SWBR in 2009, project architect Zegarelli has managed several of the firm’s notable and award-winning higher education projects. In addition to managing design projects, he is responsible for maintaining and growing client relationships, staff mentorship, and elevating design standards in the Education studio. He Ryan Zegarelli, AIA received his bachelor of science in architecture from the University at Buffalo.

“Ryan has proven himself as a strong architect with excellent technical skills,” said Principal Mark Maddalina, AIA. “He has demonstrated a deep commitment to the market he serves, his teams, and his clients. He is a great designer and team leader.” q

res calendar | professional firms employee news

s

Spring Seminar

Friday, April 12, 2024 The Association for Bridge Construction and Design Western New York Chapter would like to invite everyone to attend our annual Spring Seminar.

Earn up to 6 PDH Credits!

Please note virtual participation for the seminar will no longer be an option.

Location

Scheduled Presentations Include

Batavia Downs Gaming Center 8315 Park Road Batavia, NY 14020 Phone: (585) 343-3750

• Temporary Lift Bridge in Vermont presented by Acrow • Reconfiguring of the Clover Leaf presented by Menard • Link Slabs presented by NYSDOT • Edgemere Drive Bridge presented by GPI and MCDOT • Cathodic Protection of Precast Prestressed Beams presented by Fisher Associates

Registration Registration begins March 1, 2024. To register, visit the ABCD WNY website, www.abcdwny.com

For additional information Contact: Jonathan Herman, PE GPI 716-989-3318 jherman@gpinet.com Tomas Andino, PE City of Rochester 585-428-6535 tomas.andino@cityofrochester.gov

Date & Time Friday, April 12, 2024 7:15 AM Check In 8:00 AM Program Begins abcd news

• & MORE Attendance Cost

(in-person includes breaks, lunch and PDH certificates) In-person Members In-person Non-Members In-person Full Time Students

$125 $150 $35

Registration Deadline Friday, April 5, 2024

Save the Date ABCD Golf Outing Wednesday June 19th

FEBRUARY 2024 The ROCHESTER ENGINEER | 35

Rochester, NY Section P.O. Box 23795 Rochester, NY 14692 www.ies-rochester.org

IES ROCHESTER PRESENTS

UL924 & UL1008: What You Need To Know ISO-1010-2023 – One Hour Live Training PRESENTED BY

NFPA 70, the national electrical code, details 2 different types of Emergency Lighting Control Devices — devices that guarantee that life safety lighting will be on at desired illumination levels in the event of an emergency. This course will help mitigate the confusion regarding the specification of these devices and understand their applications in the real world.

Prerequisite Knowledge: Knowledge of life safety systems, particularly a high level of understanding of the purpose of emergency lighting inverters and generators. In particular ISO-1001/ISO-1002 would be a perfect lead-in to this course.

HSW Justification: This program covers life safety: Safe egress & illumination of buildings in the event of an emergency.

Learning Objective 1: Understand the background technology where ALCR (Automatic Load Control Relay) and BCELTS (Branch Circuit Emergency Lighting Transfer Switch) devices need to be deployed.

Learning Objective 2: Learn the difference between the technologies and review how they sit within one-line diagrams.

Learning Objective 3: Understand some of the real-world tradeoffs between the device types as it relates to wiring, proximity and ease of testing.

Learning Objective 4: Understand the integration of lighting controls with the different types of ELCDs and review some tricks for how to reduce costs in systems.

Wednesday May 29, 2024 – 12:00PM-1:00PM ȋ Ȍ ̈́ͶͲ Ǧ ̈́͵ͷ ǣȀȀ Ǥ Ǥ Ȁ

36 | The ROCHESTER ENGINEER FEBRUARY 2024

ies news

Back to Table of Contents

American Society of Civil Engineers https://sections.asce.org/Rochester/

JOIN US FOR A NIGHT OUT AT THE ROCHESTER AMERICANS PARTY DECK AS THE ASCE ROCHESTER SECTION CELEBRATES 100+ YEARS OF ENGINEERING EXCELLENCE!

CET Students: $15.00 Members: $30.00 Life Members: $20.00 Non-Members: $40.00 Younger Members (<35): $25.00 Tickets (regularly $60) include access to the party deck featuring all you can eat food, open bar (domestic beer, wine and soda included), high top tables, plenty of standing room and limited open seating in the bleachers. LET’S GO AMERKS!

asce news

FEBRUARY 2024 The ROCHESTER ENGINEER | 37

Back to Table of Contents

March 2024 Newsletter Section Officers Chair Kelly Robinson Vice Chair Emmett Ientilucci Treasurer Lyle Tague Secretary Eric Zeise Chapters & Groups AES & COMSOC Cristiano Tapparello CS & CIS Bo Yuan EDS & CSS Sean Rommel EMBS Cristian Linte GRSS Emmett Ientilucci LIFE Jean Kendrick Mark Schrader APS & MTTS Danielle Walters Photonics Bruce Smith Parsian K. Mohseni PES & IAS Kelly Robinson Jean Kendrick

Message from the Chair

Dear Colleagues, Our Executive Committee (ExCom) meets monthly to plan events. Our next ExCom meeting will be on Tuesday, April 2nd from noon to 1:30 pm. An invitation will be distributed via e-mail. All IEEE members are invited to attend our ExCom meeting and help us find new ways to serve our local IEEE members as well as the broader Western New York technical community.

Please feel free to register for in-person or virtual attendance at our next ExCom meeting using the link: https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/406208.

The 2024 IEEE Systems and Technologies for Remote Sensing Applications Through Unmanned Aerial Systems (STRAUS) conference will be held May 20-22, 2024 at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse NY. For more information, please visit www.stratus-conference.com.

I look forward to working with you!

Regards, Kelly Robinson, PE, PhD Chair, IEEE Rochester Section

IEEE GRSS STRATUS UAV Conference May 20-22, 2024 Dr. Emmett J. Ientilucci, Region 1 Area Chair and Vice-Chair of the Rochester section, is a principal organizer of the Geoscience Remote Sensing Society 2024 STRATUS UAV Conference.

STRATUS is an in-person conference that brings together academics, industry representatives, and domain specialists to share perspectives on this rapidly evolving field of a wide range of topics. Since its inception in 2016, STRATUS

38 | The ROCHESTER ENGINEER FEBRUARY 2024

ieee news

Back to Table of Contents

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 Communicati ons Christine Frayda Howard Bussey Newsletter Mark Schrader PACE Bruce Rubin Historians Ram Dhurjaty Mark Schrader Liaisons RES Greg Gdowski RCSS William Brewer

went from a one-day to a two-day to what is currently a three-day conference.

Based on the feedback from previous attendees, the conference has been expanded to reach people beyond the original scope of a Western New York audience.

What sets the non-profit STRATUS 2024 Conference apart from other specialized or larger UAS meetings are the important interdisciplinary topics ranging from the latest challenges in UAV platform design and technology to sensor design, information gathering and processing, and modeling to produce data that support decision-making. Applications are focused on Upstate NY, Finger Lakes, and Lake Ontario Regions and include the following: • • • • • • • • • •

Environmental Mapping, Monitoring and Modelling Remote Sensing 3D and Multi-view Imaging Platforms, Calibration, Sensor, and Imaging Systems Multi-sensor Data Fusion Technologies and Applications Algorithm and Image Processing Photogrammetry Policy, Public Perception and Privacy Issues K-12 Education

The 2024 IEEE GRSS STRATUS UAV Conference is now accepting abstracts for talks. You are invited to review the call for abstracts at: https://stratusconference.com/call-for-abstracts.

In the future look for registration at: https://events.vtools.ieee.org/m/403032.

Imaging Spectrometry XXVII: Application, Sensors, & Processing Dr. Emmett J. Ientilucci is co-Chair of this aligned SPIE conference (OP423).

Members interested in the STRAUS conference may also want to attend or present at this conference. Please visit the following for more information about the topics covered by this conference and to see the Call for Abstracts: https://spie.org/opo/conferencedetails/imaging-spectrometry-spectrometry

The Rochester Section Supports STEM Education and TRFSEF The Terra Rochester Finger Lakes Science & Engineering Fair (TRFSEF) is the regional fair open to any student in our 9-county region, grades 6 to 12 with an adult sponsor and no previous competition required.

At the fair, students present original research in either science or engineering, or a topic presentation on a subject of their choice.

IEEE continued on page 40

ieee news

FEBRUARY 2024 The ROCHESTER ENGINEER | 39

Back to Table of Contents

Our goal is to encourage an interest in STEM, while providing an even playing field for students across the region, regardless of district, funding, or resources. We hope the positive experience students have through their projects and the Fair will encourage them to explore the possibility of STEM career.

Share your love of Engineering or Science on March 23, 2024!

Be a judge or a volunteer at the Terra Rochester Finger Lakes Science & Engineering Fair!

Judging is not complex! Just three simple questions: • What did you do?

• What did you learn?

• What do you want to do next?

Then you meet with fellow judges to choose projects for various honors and awards.

We need judges in many different fields.

We welcome anyone working or studying in STEM: Undergraduate and graduate students, teachers, professors, trade professionals, scientists, engineers, etc.

For more info and to sign up go to the Judge’s Page at: https://ny-trfsef.zfairs.com

40 | The ROCHESTER ENGINEER FEBRUARY 2024

ieee news

s

Fair Day, Saturday, March 23, Is Coming Soon!

Judges Still Needed!

Harold Clark TRFSEF Director trfsef@terraed.org

Share your expertise with an eager student who’s seeking feedback on the work they have done!

Science & Engineering Fairs can be lifechanging and can encourage pursuit of STEM careers.

Judges can register online TODAY!

ny-trfsef.zfairs.com/

Have questions? Contact us at trfsef@terraed.org 908-209-5128 Terra Rochester Finger Lakes Science and Engineering Fair

terra newss

After Fair Day, be sure to check out all the projects at the Fair Showcase on the Fair Website!

FEBRUARY 2024 The ROCHESTER ENGINEER | 41

Back to Table of Contents

Rochester Chapter

American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers Rochester ASHRAE website: www.rochesterashrae.org ASHRAE 2023-2024 Meeting Schedule Dear ASHRAE Family, A Fresh Approach to Conditioning Schools February was a whirlwind of a month Monday, 2/5/2024 for our Rochester Chapter! With three Presented by: Matt Bhumbla, VP - Business Dev. Sustainable Systems, Price Industries major events, this is always our busiest Friday, month of the year. First, we welcomed 65th Annual ASHRAE Valentines Dinner Dance 2/9/2024 Matt Bhumbla from Price Industries to our regular monthly chapter meeting for a Friday, Joe Harding Memorial Ski Day (week of recess) presentation on Displacement Ventilation 2/23/2024 and Low Lift/Sensible Cooling Systems.

Monday, ASHRAE Distinguished Lecturer Titled “A Fresh Approach to Conditioning 3/18/2024 Julia Keen Schools,” this presentation examined a few lesser-used strategies for maintaining Monday, Facilities Tour healthy learning environments while 4/15/2024 minimizing a school’s spending on energy and maintenance. Thank you, Matt, for Tuesday, Annual ASHRAE Golf Outing and Picnic 5/21/24 (Ravenwood Golf Course) taking the time to speak to our chapter, and thank you to RF Peck for organizing the presentation and sponsoring the venue for this month’s meeting.

MARCH NEWSLETTER

Membership Promotion (PDH Pending)

Strathallan City View Ballroom (9th Floor)

Strathallan City View Ballroom (9th Floor)

Hunt Hollow 9am-4pm Resource Promotion (PDH Pending)

Strathallan City View Ballroom (9th Floor)

Refrigeration

TBD (PDH Pending)

---

Ravenwood

Later that week we hosted our 65th Annual Valentine’s Dinner Dance on Friday, February 9th. We had a fantastic turnout again this year, and a perfect night for a party. The DJ was fantastic, dinner was delicious, and the night passed way too quickly. Many thanks to Bret Fryover, Bill Ernst, Brian Heffernan, Mackenzie Maier, Darcy Hart, and Jody McGarry for their help executing this event. And thank you to my lovely wife Cailee, who I am certain does not read this publication, but who did much behind the scenes (and out front) to help this event go off without a hitch. Please be sure to check out the next page for a tribute to the sponsors who made this event possible.

Later in the month we held the Joe Harding Memorial Ski Day at Hunt Hollow on February 23rd. Another long-standing tradition for our chapter, the ski day reminds us how important our colleagues become to us over the years. Many thanks to George Herman and IBC Engineering for their continued support of our chapter.

Coming up this month, we have our regular monthly chapter meeting on Monday, March 18th. We will be pivoting away from the technical information this month for a presentation on “Recruiting and Retaining Gen Z.” Our speaker will be ASHRAE Distinguished Lecturer Julia Keen. Dr. Keen is a Professor of Architectural Engineering and Construction Science at Kansas State University holding the Bob and Betty Tointon Engineering endowed chair. She also owns her own consulting company, Keen Designs, PA. Her specific areas of interest include HVAC design, energy codes, high performance design, HVAC education, and the advancement of women in the building design and construction industry. Dr. Keen describes her presentation as follows: Updated 1/17/2024

“All employers are in the position that they need to replace long-term employees who change jobs or retire. One of the obvious choices to fill these voids in personnel is to promote existing employees and hire individuals that just completed their degrees to the newly vacated positions. The success of these hires does not typically depend on their technical capacity or capability but instead is related to issues of expectation, communication, motivation, and fit. Success of recruiting and retaining generation Z hires is important for the success of companies. This presentation identifies the unique attributes of this newer generations entering the workforce and provides recommendations to increase the odds of retaining these employees.”

I look forward to seeing you all at our chapter meeting this month!

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

42 | The ROCHESTER ENGINEER FEBRUARY 2024

ashrae news

THE ROCHESTER CHAPTER OF ASHRAE WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE SPONSORS WHO MADE THE 65TH ANNUAL VALENTINE’S DINNER DANCE POSSIBLE PLATINUM SPONSOR

GOLD SPONSORS

SILVER SPONSORS R.P. FEDDER INDUSTRIAL, LLC. DAY AUTOMATION SYSTEMS, INC. MADCO MECHANICAL SERVICES, INC. COLLIERS ENGINEERING & DESIGN, INC.

ashrae news

ERDMAN ANTHONY LABELLA ASSOCIATES IBC ENGINEERING, P.C. R.F. PECK COMPANY

FEBRUARY 2024 The ROCHESTER ENGINEER | 43

Back to Table of Contents

Finger Lakes Chapter of INTERNATIONAL COUNCIL ON SYSTEMS ENGINEERING

March 2024 Chapter Meeting  Mini Presentation: AI Systems Working Group (AISWG) o Presented by Barclay R. Brown, Ph.D., ESEP, Chairperson.  AISWG Activity Focus:

the mini presentation will focus on the AI Systems Working Group and their current and planned activities, including the AI Explorer series, conference sessions, joint production of conferences, and research projects.

 FuSE Agility as a Foundation for Sound MBSE Lifecycle Management o o o o

Papke B., Hause M., and Hetherington D., 2023, Published in the June 2023 issue of the INCOSE Insight magazine.

Presented by Matthew Hause FuSE is an INCOSE imitative standing for: “Future of Systems Engineering”

Abstract: Over the past several years, numerous industries have increased their adoption of SysML and MBSE as a core practice within their engineering lifecycles. However, the introduction of SysML and MBSE methodologies has not yet yielded many of the originally envisioned benefits. System models are becoming larger and more complex and many large MBSE projects continue to experience problems with model integration, repository performance and model lifecycle management. The root cause is the failure to recognize the MBSE digital environment as a complex engineering information processing system that requires the same rigor and development processes as the system-of-interest (SOI) it is designing. This article describes how three FuSE Agility Foundation Concepts (System of Innovation; Effective Stakeholder Engagement and Continuous Integration) directly address some of the problems seen in adoption, deployment, and sustainment of the MBSE digital environment as an SOI.

This meeting will be on Thursday, Mar 21, 6 – 7:30 pm (eastern).

Attendees can attend via zoom or, if a US Person, in-person at L3Harris Technologies Rochester, NY (1680 University Avenue, Rochester NY, 14610).

Attendees need to pre-register. To register, send an email to Susan.Urban@incose.net and state whether you will attend via zoom or in-person.

The zoom link will be sent out a few days before the meeting.

For in-person attendees (L3Harris): Further instructions will be sent out before the meeting.

Those attending in-person must register by noon, the previous day of the meeting or closely thereafter.

There is no cost to attend the meeting.

Please note, to attend in person you must be a US Person or US Citizen. © 2023 INCOSE Finger Lakes Chapter

44 | The ROCHESTER ENGINEER FEBRUARY 2024

incose news

Back to Table of Contents

Presented by the Electrical Association of Western New York

to benefit the Kessler Burn Center at URMC

Friday, May 3, 2024 from 6-10PM Locust Hill Country Club 2000 West Jefferson Road ~ Rochester, New York

$70/TICKET Receive $500 in Betting Chips to Play Craps, Texas Hold’em, Blackjack, Three Card Poker, Intersect Poker & Let It Ride Hors D’Oeuvres, Food Stations & Dessert ~ cash bar

RAFFLES ~ SILENT AUCTION ~ LIVE MUSIC

ea news

FEBRUARY 2024 The ROCHESTER ENGINEER | 45

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 Happy March everyone!

Well spring is in the air! Hope everyone had a fun winter. We will be continuing our vest giveaway for our members in good standing that attend 4 meetings this season. I wanted to let folks know that the 2024 ASPE Convention is coming up on October 18-24 in Columbus, Ohio.

Additionally, the CPD exam dates are April 15-26, 2024, for anyone interested in sitting for this exam. Registration information for the Convention will be announced as soon as it becomes available.

We have 76 Memb ers consisting of 48 Full, 16 Associate and 12 Affiliate members. In that group of 77 members we have 19 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) Reminder, we have our 1st Annual ASPE Rochester Social Event on Tuesday March 12, 2024, registration starts at 4:30 pm at Three Heads Brewery. We will be having a cornhole tournament. Please RSVP to Emily Miller at emiller@wmssales.com no later than 3/5/24. The cost is $20 per team of 2, there is no cost for spectators. Food and drink will be provided.

Special thanks to WMS Sales for helping sponsor this event.

Dave Jereckos, Chapter President (Chapters are not authorized to speak for the Society)

Meeting Notice – Save the Date Topic:

High-Purity Water for Healthcare; CLRW and Medical Device Processing Water

Speaker:

Brian Soderholm – Water Control, Inc.

Sponsor:

Emerson Swan

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

Wednesday, March 20, 2024, 12:00PM

RSVP:

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

46 | The ROCHESTER ENGINEER FEBRUARY 2024

aspe news

C

Back to Table of Contents

Directory of Professional Services

Solving soils problems for over 40 years.

46A Sager Drive, Rochester, NY 14607 Tel: 585-458-0824 • Fax: 585-458-3323 www.foundationdesignpc.com

Novel approaches to geotechnical engineering and environmental problems.

That’s the Haley & Aldrich way. haleyaldrich.com

Advertising Rates and Membership Application is Available at www.roceng.org CHA Consulting Announces Sale from First Reserve to H.I.G. Capital, Continued “This new partnership with H.I.G. begins an exciting next chapter in the evolution of CHA’s platform and validates the success we have achieved over the last five years alongside the First Reserve team,” said Mr. Stephenson.

“H.I.G. brings tremendous financial and operational resources with a great track record supporting companies and delivering value. We are confident this partnership will further position CHA for substantial growth and will provide opportunities to better support our clients and the markets we serve.”

Matt Hankins, Managing Director at H.I.G. Capital, stated, “We look forward to working closely with the CHA team to invest in its team and expand on its industry-leading capabilities, while supporting the team’s growth strategy and selectively broadening its operational scope across North America, both organically and through continued acquisitions.”

Jeff Quake, Managing Director at First Reserve, stated, “We’ve had a very successful partnership with CHA since 2018, and we’re proud of the work we’ve done together to build an industry-leading company that prioritizes an employee-first culture with an unwavering focus on client success. CHA is well-positioned to accelerate its growth strategy and continue leading within the evolving AEC sector, and we wish Jim and the entire team well as they look to build on CHA’s momentum in this exciting new chapter.”

Houlihan Lokey, Inc. served as lead financial advisor with support from AEC Advisors, and Simpson Thatcher & Bartlett LLP served as legal counsel for CHA. Harris Williams LLC served as financial advisor and Ropes & Gray LLP served as legal counsel to H.I.G. q directory of professional services | news from professional firms

FEBRUARY 2024 The ROCHESTER ENGINEER | 47

Back to Table of Contents

Directory of Professional Services, Continued

Customized Solutions All your project needs under one roof.

erdmananthony.com

877 627 3772 | colliersengineering.com Accelerating success.

Architecture Aviation Civil Planning Structural Survey

Partnering with Clients and Communities to Provide Enduring Solutions

585.385.7417 280 E. Broad St., Suite 170 Rochester, NY 14604

We’re Hiring Engineers!

Visit LuEngineers.com to Learn More!

Rochester | Buffalo | Syracuse | Albany | Binghamton | NYC

T - +1. 585.512.2000 ADVISORY + ENGINEERING AND DESIGN

TYLin.com

48 | The ROCHESTER ENGINEER FEBRUARY 2024

directory of professional services

Back to Table of Contents

Affiliated Societies of the Rochester Engineering Society American Consulting Engineering, Companies of New York

Electrical Association

Executive Director, Karen Lynch

President, Pat Nicoletta, PE

American Public Works Association Monroe County/Genesee Valley Branch

Genesee Valley Land Surveyors Association

Chairman, Peter Vars, PE,

President, Jared R. Ransom, LS

Monroe Professional Engineers Society President, William Grove

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

Rochester, NY Section

American Society of Civil Engineers, Rochester Section President, Tyler C. Burke

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

Illuminating SocietyMEETINGS of North IESEngineering ROCHESTER ARE BACK !!!

America Inc., Rochester Section President, Jennifer Abraham

SEPTEMBER 29,2021 - 7:00 PM

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

FREE Event Rochester Plant Engineers

COME TOUR THE WINNER OF OUR IES ROCHESTER President, Brian Laurer 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

American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Rochester Section

Institute ofBasics Electrical and Electronics of Modern Theatre Lighting System Design Engineers, Rochester Section Chairman, Kelly Robinson - Power Distribution & Control

Chairman, Berto Perez

- DMX & Networking - LED Theatrical Luminaires

Society of Plastics Engineers, Rochester Section

Location & Details TBD - Save The Date !

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

American Society of Plumbing Engineers, Rochester NY Chapter

Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers, Rochester Chapter

President, David Myers

President, Tim Gallman

Association for Bridge Construction and Design President, Ashley Freeman PE

International Council on Systems Engineering, Finger Lakes Chapter

affiliated societies of the rochester engineering society

President, Teresa Fronk

President, Brett Blaisdell

Terra Rochester Finger Lakes Science & Engineering Fair

Director, Harold R. Clark, PhD

FEBRUARY 2024 The ROCHESTER ENGINEER | 49

Back to Table of Contents

PUBLISHED BY ROCHESTER ENGINEERING SOCIETY 657 EAST AVENUE ROCHESTER, NEW YORK 14607

From Plans to REALITY www.roceng.org

February 2024

Under The Dome by Colliers Engineering & Design | 18

Rochester | Buffalo | Syracuse | Capital District www.meengineering.com

All Photos courtesy of The Haynor Hoyt Corporation

Directory of Business Services

Also in this issue: 

RES Events in February



Affiliate - INCOSE | 13

Feb. 1st - Monthly Social Gathering at Rohrbach's, 97 Railroad St., 5:00 PM |

9

Feb. 15th - RES Continuing Education Courses - details on website |



New! Affiliate Member Profile:



Position Openings | 26



Campus News | 21



News from Professional Firms | 27

9

Member Profiles: Yvette LaBombard, PE (RES BOD) | 14 Erin McCormick, PE | 15

Advisors

Investment products and services are offered through Wells Fargo Advisors, a trade name used by Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC, Member SIPC, a registered broker-dealer and non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company.

Philip J. Welch

RES

Senior Vice President - Investments

Now Has A

Wells Fargo Advisors

QR Code

400 Meridian Centre, Suite 210 Rochester, NY 14618 Direct: 585-241-7546 Fax: 585-241-3986 philip.J.welch@wellsfargoadvisors.com



RES & Affiliates Calendar | 28



Volunteers Needed for the Amazing Animal Engineers (how animal engineeriong techniques have inspired the engineering field at the Rochester Museum & Science Center - Feb. 19 - 24 11:00 a m to 3:00 pm| 16