The Rochester Engineer January 2025

Colliers Engineering & Design Conjures Best Meal Award at 15th Annual Canstruction Rochester Gala, Pg. 22

This edition Data science students help speed up Rochester Fire Department’s emergency responses | Pg. 12

University Researcher Leads Quantum Computing Project to Improve Electrical Grid Systems | Pg.16

Cobbs Hill Village: A New Era of Affordable Senior Living in Rochester, NY | Pg. 23

Corporate Members of the Rochester Engineering Society

ENTERPRISE LEVEL

CHAMPION LEVEL

SUSTAINING LEVEL

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About RES 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.

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 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. 2,500+ Monthly Circulation (11 issues electronically) ISSN 0035-7405 Go to www.roceng.org to join the Rochester Engineering Society. Click on the individual membership and you can submit your application on-line.

News items and articles are invited. Materials should be submitted to e-mail: therochesterengineer@gmail.com www.roceng.org.

Stay up to date with the Rochester Engineering Society & their affiliates events by going to: https://roceng.org/Calendar

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Table of Contents 1

Cover Page

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Corporate Members of RES

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About RES

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Table of Contents

5

Board of Directors

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President’s Message

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Letters to the Editor Note

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First Robotics Team #10223 Seeking mentors

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RES History

29 ElectriFYI! 2025 Upstate Electrical Show

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Up & Coming Engineer

IEEE

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Campus News UofR: Data science students help speed up Rochester Fire Department’s emergency responses

30, 31 January 2025 Newsletter

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Campus News UofR: Researchers developing tool to instantly conceal and anonymize voices

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Campus News RIT: Ruben Proano invited to join World Health Organization’s technical advisory group

RPE

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Campus News RIT: University researcher leads quantum computing project to improve electrical grid systems

34 A2L Refrigerant Transition Presentation

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Campus News RIT: CET’s Kyle Scher helps bring AI into the classroom

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Campus News RIT: Student spotlight: Fine tuning a sense of touch

Business Services: 17, 19, 21

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Cover Article: Colliers Engineering & Design Conjures Best Meal Award at 15th Annual Canstruction Rochester Gala

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Project Overview: Cobbs Hill Village

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Affiliated Societies of the Rochester Engineering Society

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Final Page

News of the...

ASHRAE 26 Letter from the Chapter President

ASME 27 ASME 2025 Student Night

ASPE 28 President’s Message

electrical Association

IS&T 32 IS&T Chapter Speaker Series

33 NFPA 70E Training

NSPE-NY 35 Save the date: Rochester Engineering Symposium 2025

Terra 36 Register kids for the Science & Engineering Fair

Click to go back to table of contents

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Board of Directors: Executive Board President DENNIS ROOTE, PE CDE Engineering & Environment, PLLC dennis.roote@cde-pllc.com

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

First Vice President DAWN LaPIETRA L3Harris Corporation dawnlapietra@gmail.com

Second Vice President MIKE KURDZIEL, PhD L3Harris Corporation mike.kurdziel@L3harris.com

Directors HOWARD RESSEL, PE Popli Design Group (retired NYSATE) ressel@frontiernet.net

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

RICHARD E. RICE Erdman Anthony rricesquash@gmail.com

NOAH KELLY NAM Products Services Manager, Alstom noah.kelly@alstomgroup.com

BRETT ELIASZ, PE Colliers Engineering Brett.Eliasz@collierseng.com

JESSICA SHANG, PHD Associate Professor, University of Rochester j.k.shang@rochester.edu

KENTON G. HINES Merrill Lynch Kenton.Hines@ml.com KELLY ROBINSON, PE, PHD Founder, Electrostatic Answers kelly.robinson@electrostaticanswers.com JESSIE COCQUYT Administrative Director Builders Exchange of Rochester res@frontiernet.net

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

SHEILA RANSBOTTOM, PE Senior Transportation Engineer, Wendel sransbottom@wendelcompanies.com

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President’s

Message

Happy New Year!

As this goes to press, 2024 is slowly winding down. Many of you have taken a much-deserved respite over the past week, pushing projects, chasing deadlines, and otherwise doing everything you can to finish off 2024 strong. The same goes for the Board of Directors and admin staff at the Rochester Engineering Society. 2024 has seen a lot of change – most notably, the retirement of Lynne Irwin, our longtime administrative director.

Into her shoes jumped Jessie Cocquyt, the Director of Association Management at Builders Exchange of Rochester and our new Administrative Director. Jessie and her team, under the leadership of our First Vice President, Dawn LaPietra and Magazine Chair, Brett Eliasz, have taken the reigns of RES’s communication program and have revamped it to better serve the needs of the engineering community.

Others who also have looked at how RES operates and have been working diligently to serve you are: 1. Noah Kelly, STEM/Outreach chair – Noah has begun planning events aimed at high school and college students to further their interest in STEM fields. He is also taking responsibility for the RES tutoring program from our long-time coordinator, Lee Loomis. It is fitting that Lee, one of RES’s elder statespersons, is passing the torch to one of RES’s youngest directors. We are very thankful for both of their contributions.

2. Howard Ressel, Affiliate chair, is also reaching out to various groups to engage them and promote them within RES, thus strengthening our ties with the various technical groups in Rochester. Howard’s other passion is the RES continuing education program. There has not been a webinar series this past year that Howard has not played an integral part in planning, reviewing, or presenting.

3. Michelle Sommerman, Neal Illenberg, and Richard Rice have been busy planning our scholarships, awards, and award programs for the coming year, some with tighter deadlines.

4. There are many other members of RES who have worked tirelessly throughout the past year whose names are too numerous to mention here. On behalf of the Rochester Engineering Society and the engineering community we serve, I say THANK YOU. I need to remind you of a few changes starting this month, January 2025: The Rochester Engineer will be published quarterly beginning in January 2025. Publication months will be January, April, July, and October.

During the off months when there is no magazine RES will publish a bi-monthly newsletter, formatted as an email newsletter.

For more information, please check out the RES website (https://www.roceng.org/) As always, if you see anything the magazine that interests you, or have any suggestions, please feel free to contact RES at res@frontiernet.net.

Thanks again!

Dennis R. Roote, P.E. President, Rochester Engineering Society

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THE ROCHESTER ENGINEER NOW FEATURES A LETTERS TO THE EDITOR SECTION. Do you have something you would like to ask our editor?

Do you have questions about RES? Do you have questions about local Engineering Firms? Send your letters to res@frontiernet.net to be included in next months magazine.

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From Plans to REALITY

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

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A Sampling from the Archives of the Rochester Engineering Society...1897 - 1978

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

“The Rochester Engineer” (January 1979) This issue presents Dr. Rudolph Kingslake, Eastman Kodak Company and the University of Rochester, as the 1978 RES Engineer of the Year. Invited, in 1929 by U of R President, Dr. Rush Rhees, to become an Assistant Professor of Applied Optics in the newly-formed Institute of Applied Optics, Dr. Kingslake relocated from England to Rochester. After eight years of full-time teaching at the U of R, Dr. Kingslake was invited to become the head of lens design at Eastman Kodak Company, where he subsequently distinguished himself in a thirty-two year career of optics design and implementation. Prior to his leaving his full-time position at the U of R, always the dedicated teacher, Dr. Kingslake established a renowned evening course in lens design at the U of R, where he continued, simultaneously, his forty-nine-year career with the Optics Institute. The RES, in partnership with the Illuminating Engineering Society, hosted a luncheon featuring Robert T. Dorsey, Manager of Lighting Technology at General Electric Company, speaking on “The Partnership of Light and Business”. RES Member Linda Saalman, Technical Writer for Rochester Gas and Electric Corp. describes the NY State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQR) (pronounced “seeker”) and its impact on potential municipal, industrial, commercial and residential projects.

This law and its implementing regulations divide projects into two general categories; Type I – adopting/changing zoning regulations, transfer of 100 or more acres of contiguous land, residential construction of 10 units or more, nonresidential construction exceeding 10 acres, 1,000 parking spaces or 100k sq. ft., structures taller than 100 feet, nonagricultural uses in an agricultural district, and projects near Historic Places, Critical Environment Areas or Parks/Recreational Areas.

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A Sampling from the Archives of the Rochester Engineering Society...1897 - 1978

By Lee M. Loomis Type II – replacing an existing facility, set-backs, road repaving, installing traffic control devices, and constructing minor accessory structures to existing facilities. For Type II projects SEQR regulations would seem to cause little or no impediment to project implementation. For Type I projects, there can be significant delays, cost increases and prohibitions resultant from SEQR regulations. SEQR provides a mechanism by which public opposition to projects can be heard, addressed and adjudicated. Ms. Saalman states, “At this juncture (1979) SEQR has problems; a dedicated special interest group could strongly bias a proceeding, and later take unfavorable results to court and delay the project indefinitely. However, SEQR also has the potential to make New York State a better place to live and work; providing previously-unavailable opportunities for citizens to have input to (and feel ownership of) more environmentally-compatible projects in their communities.” Technology Agent, Andrew C. Hirsch reported in this issue that both the County and the City have renewed their support for the RES Technology Transfer Program. In particular, the City has agreed to energyuse inspections by Rochester Energy Forum, a technical group jointly sponsored by the Monroe Professional Engineers and the RES which will provide technical assistance and advice for improving the City’s energy usage. Andy also reported that the Transportation Analysis Committee had unanimously recommended the use of trucks, rather than rail, for transporting refuse-derived-fuel (RDF) from the Resource Recovery Facility to RG&E’s Russell Station. Andy also pointed out that this would need to be approved by the Town of Greece, before such an RDF transport plan could be implemented.

February 21, 1979 (Board Meeting, University Club) The Board approved three new applications for Regular Membership. RES Executive Director, Joseph Campbell reported that the RES membership now totaled 625.

Nominating Committee Chair, Past President John Robertson submitted the following ballot of RES Officers for 19791980: President – George G. Landberg, PE, 1st Vice President – Lee M. Loomis, 2nd Vice President – James Sterlace, 3rd Vice President – Peter Oppelt, Treasurer – Daniel Turner, Directors – Ronald Salzman, David Schneeberger, PE and Malcolm Drummond. The Board reviewed the new grant proposal for the RES Technology Transfer Program and agreed to get back to the President with any questions, thus deferring the final approval to the Technology Transfer Advisory Committee. President Richard Rice then discussed a letter he had received from the City of Rochester Engineer, requesting that the RES conduct a study the proposed construction codes, current under study by the City. Following Board discussion, it was decided that President Rice would contact the City Engineer to discuss certain aspect of this request, and how they related to the area/expertise of local consulting engineers.

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. It will feature more of the activities of the RES as it moved to be of greater service to its membership, as the Society 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, the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War, 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.

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Up & Coming Engineer

Up & Coming Engineer: Michael Shi

by Noah Kelly On a cold February Sunday, Michael and his family surrounded the TV to watch the Kansas City Chiefs face off against the Philidelphia Eagles in 2023’s Superbowl. As the game progressed, the TV flickered struggling to hold a steady connection to the broadcast. As the TV screen briefly turned dark for what felt like the hundredth time, Michael’s family frustration grew. For Michael, however, he saw an opportunity.

Earlier in the year, Michael entered a Science Olympiad competition to build an antenna. A seemingly mundane and pointless assignment to some, Michael saw a real purpose to this project right inside his living room. Ever since that Superbowl, Michael’s love for engineering soared. He built a personalized antenna for the TV that rests there to this day.

The next year, Michael entered another Science Olympiad competition.

This time, the focus was to build your own wind turbine device. According to the American Clean Power Association, “Wind is the largest source of renewable electricity generation in the United States, providing 9.8% of the country’s electricity”. Wind energy plays a vital role in our access to clean energy, and its importance continues to grow. By developing a wind turbine device, students were tasked to identify key traits that make wind turbines successful and to optimize their clean energy generation.

Figure 1. Michael’s wind turbine

Michael took a very iterative approach to this competition. Using a 3D printer, Michael constructed and analyzed a total of 20 scaled-down wind power devices with different design constraints and parameters. He centered these turbines around three design factors: blade twist, blade quantity, and the ducting effect. The blade twist focused on the angle at which the wind would contact the blades, the blade quantities impacted both the weight and rotational speed of the turbine, and the ducting effect focused on the capture of wind through a duct.

Michael then tested his variety of wind turbines against differing wind speed and compared their design elements to their respective voltage outputs. Using this method, Michael was able to deduce the ideal specifications for each of the three design elements to optimize his own wind turbine.

Michael’s fascination for engineering and innovation does not stop at his escapades in science competitions. With each event he competes in, his appreciation for STEM fields grows. He is now taking his curiosity elsewhere and is exploring the solar energy industry. In college, Michael would like to study Mechanical or Electrical Engineering. He also has an affinity for the fine arts, as he has been playing the clarinet since 4th grade. Michael continues to play the clarinet in many performances and has recently won a woodwind/brass/percussion competition for his musical talent. Michael wishes for all those beginning their educational journey to explore STEM. He emphasizes that there is no shortage of new and exciting information with the Internet and hopes to see others grow their passion for engineering as he did.

Campus News U of R

Data science students help speed up Rochester Fire Department’s emergency responses Luke Auburn | Director of Communications, Hajim School of Engineering & Applied Sciences December 18, 2024

FIGHTING FIRE WITH DATA: “I used to think the fire department only deals with fire-related emergencies, but they deal with so many medical emergencies and spend a lot of time early in the morning patrolling their area to look for fire hazards,” says Homayra Tabassum ’24 (MS) (center). “Getting to see that in person helped us be much more insightful when we were thinking about resource allocation.” (Provided photo)

The students analyzed millions of data points to determine where to best place fire stations, fire trucks, and other resources.

Where should the Rochester Fire Department (RFD) locate fire stations over the next 10 years to minimize response times to emergencies? Where should it deploy the most fire trucks? How do seasonal shifts impact the nature and volume of emergencies that firefighters need to respond to?

These are questions that a team of students from the University of Rochester’s Goergen Institute for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence explored over the course of a semester for their capstone project sponsored by the RFD. “We were looking for someone from the outside to come in and provide a different set of ideas, experiences, and viewpoints to help us enhance our emergency response services,” says Daniel Curran, a captain for planning and research who is responsible for technology-based projects at the RFD. “We felt the students would have an unbiased perspective and look at the situation and tell us, ‘This is where the data leads us,’ and come to their own conclusions.”

Over the course of the semester, the students used artificial intelligence and other data analytics tools to make sense of more than 1.6 million points of data collected by RFD from 2006 to 2024. They also incorporated external census data related to population, income, property, and housing to enrich their analysis.

Campus News U of R

Data science students help speed up Rochester Fire Department’s emergency responses Luke Auburn | Director of Communications, Hajim School of Engineering & Applied Sciences December 18, 2024

“This was an amazing opportunity to contribute something meaningful,” says data science graduate student Brynn (Ye In) Lee ’24 (MS). “The RFD has 15 fire stations, they’re supporting about 500 personnel, and they have around 50,000 annual dispatches, so that’s a huge impact that we can have on the community.”

The students developed interactive maps that allow the RFD to analyze how long it takes the firefighters to reach an incident, while providing information about the distribution of incidents across the city and the ability to sort by incident type. They also created models to predict the monthly incident density over the next 10 years for all 15 fire stations.

In their analysis, the students found that the RFD is already effective at responding to incidents in a timely fashion. However, the students offered recommendations for small improvements that could further decrease response times. Their suggestions include reallocating specific types of trucks from one station to another and introducing programs similar to those in other cities that can address non-life-threatening calls with fewer resources.

According to the students, a critical aspect to their project’s success was going on “ridealongs” with the RFD, which gave them an appreciation for the firefighters’ day-to-day responsibilities. They said witnessing the types of incidents the firefighters respond to, learning about their shifts, and seeing the equipment in person was enlightening.

FIRE ENGINE OF INNOVATION: To gain an appreciation for the firefighters’ dayto-day responsibilities, each University of Rochester data science student, including Medhini Sridharr (center), completed a “ride-along” with Engine 16.

“I used to think the fire department only deals with fire-related emergencies, but they deal with so many medical emergencies and spend a lot of time early in the morning patrolling their area to look for fire hazards,” says Homayra Tabassum ’24 (MS). “Getting to see that in person helped us be much more insightful when we were thinking about resource allocation.”

The students said their weekly meetings with the RFD sponsors and collaborating with RFD’s internal data analysts were important learning opportunities as well.

“Dealing with real-world data is not always clean or exactly the way you want it, so the captain and the senior data analysts were extremely helpful,” says team member Medhini Sridharr ’24 (MS). “They helped us choose the most important variables based on their domain knowledge, which was crucial because we had more than 300 variables to consider.

They helped us drill down to what’s important.”

Overall, the students said they loved the chance to do a hands-on project with real-world implications, witness the firefighters at work first-hand, and deliver a product that will serve the RFD and local community for years to come.

The project team included data science master’s students Eugene Ayonga ’24, Lee, Sridharr, Tabassum, as well as undergraduate data science student Nour Assili ’26.

Campus News U of R

Researchers developing tool to instantly conceal and anonymize voices Luke Auburn | Director of Communications, Hajim School of Engineering & Applied Sciences December 5, 2024

The voice-changer system will produce computer-generated speech within milliseconds, allowing users to control factors like age, gender, and dialect.

Researchers are developing a new system that will allow people to speak anonymously in real time through computer-generated voices to help protect privacy and avoid censorship or retaliation.

The technology is intended to help people such as intelligence officers carrying out sensitive missions, crime witnesses concerned about being identified by perpetrators, and whistleblowers who fear retaliation.

The three-year project, led by Honeywell and including collaborators from the University of Rochester, Texas A&M, and the University of Texas at Dallas, is funded by the Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA) and part of the VOICE MAKEOVERS: Real-time voice-changer technology could help intelligence officers, witnesses to crimes, and whistleblowers Anonymous Real-Time Speech (ARTS) program. protect their identities. (University of Rochester GIF / AJ Pow) The voice-changer project has three main objectives. First, the system will transform what a user says into a digital voice within a few milliseconds, ensuring that it can be used in real-time conversations. Second, the team aims to allow users to specify what they call static traits, allowing control over the digital voice’s age, gender, and dialect. Lastly, they want to neutralize what they call dynamic traits, such as emotions or health status that could potentially tip the identity of the user.

“In the end, a 30-year-old woman from Texas will be able to instantaneously transform her voice to be output by the virtual speaker to sound like a 50-year-old man with a British accent, for example, without producing artifacts that can be traced back to the identity of the user,” says Zhiyao Duan, an associate professor of electrical and computer engineering and Rochester’s lead on the project.

“And in addition to the latency requirements, we’ll also be working to ensure the intelligibility and naturalness of the computergenerated voice.”

Duan says that while the roles on the project are fluid, his team at Rochester will initially focus on generating the virtual speakers and controls for the static traits, building on their experience in speaker modeling, disentangled speech representations, and voice synthesis. The team will first develop the technology to work in English. If successful, they plan to expand it to other languages such as Spanish, Mandarin, and Korean.

The team hopes these open-source voice-changer tools will have positive benefits far beyond the intended initial use cases. Still, the researchers recognize that people may have concerns about such powerful software.

“I think it’s natural for people to wonder what will happen if these tools get in the hands of bad actors,” says Duan. “It’s important to note that my lab and others around the globe are also working to develop deepfake detection tools so that people can discern whether something is said by an actual person or generated through algorithms. Those tools will be equally important to have.”

Campus News RIT

Ruben Proano invited to join World Health Organization’s technical advisory group Industrial engineering professor will serve as part of WHO’s Technical Advisory Group on Market Access for Vaccines Michelle Cometa, Sr. News Specialist at Rochester Institute of Technology

Rochester Institute of Technology researcher Rubén Proaño has joined the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Technical Advisory Group on Market Access for Vaccines (TAG MVAC). He began his service during the advisory group’s November meeting in Geneva, Switzerland.

The TAG MVAC group specializes in areas such as vaccine market dynamics, vaccine manufacturing, immunization programs, and data analytics. The committee, comprised of 15 experts from around the world, convenes twice a year and serves as a WHO advisory board.

“It is both an honor and a responsibility to be invited to join this WHO advisory group. Ensuring equitable access to vaccines is a significant challenge for humanity,” said Proaño, an associate professor of industrial and systems engineering in RIT’s Kate Gleason College of Engineering. “The opportunity to discuss the issues, solutions, and strategies for making vaccines more accessible in such a prestigious forum is a unique privilege and a chance to contribute to a better world.”

Utilizing mathematical modeling and analytics, Proaño’s research explores ways to make vaccines more affordable, accessible, and profitable. His work on vaccines has received support from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Additionally, he spent a sabbatical year at the UNICEF Vaccine Center in Copenhagen during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“In my research, my students and I have been investigating hypothetical models to gain new insights into coordinating the global vaccine market,” he said. “I believe that industrial engineering and operations research tools are highly effective for developing systematic strategies to tackle complex, multi-dimensional challenges.”

Advisory group members support the WHO's Market Information for Access Initiative in its efforts to improve access to safe, effective, quality, and affordable vaccines for all. The group provides recommendations on various global vaccine market issues, enhancing access to vaccines, analyzing data, understanding pricing dynamics, and developing initiatives to balance vaccine supply and demand.

Vaccine distribution fluctuates and often millions of children are living in countries lacking regular immunizations. Programs such as those supported by WHO work to ensure that the neediest populations receive necessary and affordable vaccines.

“We were thrilled to learn that Dr. Praono was invited to serve on this Technical Advisory Group for the World Health Organization,” said Doreen Edwards, dean of RIT’s Kate Gleason College of Engineering. “It’s a shining example of how engineers bring their expertise to address complex issues that impact the quality of people’s lives.”

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Campus News RIT

University researcher leads quantum computing project to improve electrical grid systems Bing Yan partners with energy non-profit and Alfred University researchers to develop renewable energy solutions for power systems Michelle Cometa, Sr. News Specialist at Rochester Institute of Technology

Bing Yan, assistant professor of electrical engineering, partners with energy non-profit and Alfred University researchers to develop renewable energy solutions for power systems.

Photo credit: Scott Hamilton/RIT

Adding renewable energy and energy storage capacity brings an added layer of complexity to traditional electrical grid systems.

Balancing supply and demand of energy for power systems, even under uncertain conditions, may be solved using quantum computing technology, according to Rochester Institute of Technology faculty-researcher Bing Yan. Yan, an assistant professor of electrical engineering in RIT’s Kate Gleason College of Engineering, is leading a research team developing advanced optimization models and methods to manage complexities of operating the modern electrical grid through quantum computing.

Advances could improve day-to-day operations, better meet power demands and minimize costs of overall energy resources.

Yan received a grant from Independent System Operator-New England (ISO-NE), a non-profit energy resource provider, and is partnering with Junpeng Zhan, assistant professor of Renewable Energy Engineering in the Inamori School of Engineering at Alfred University, on the two-year multifaceted project.

“Unit Commitment is a critical problem in the daily operation of electrical grids, where power system operators must determine which power plants should run to meet electricity demand,” said Yan. “The objective is to minimize costs while ensuring a reliable supply of power within the operational limits of the grid.”

The researchers will deliver comparisons of state-of-the-art quantum computing methods for unit commitment problems.

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Campus News RIT

University researcher leads quantum computing project to improve electrical grid systems Bing Yan partners with energy non-profit and Alfred University researchers to develop renewable energy solutions for power systems Michelle Cometa, Sr. News Specialist at Rochester Institute of Technology

Quantum computing, which leverages the unique properties of qubits enabling faster solutions to the unit commitment problem as compared with classical computers, can potentially improve the analysis process in managing large electric grid systems, Yan explained. The power grid faces numerous challenges, prompting significant research and innovation in how the integration of variable renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, distributed energy resources, and energy storage systems can be added.

Although popular and growing, renewable technologies add a layer of complexity.

“As the dynamics on the power grid increase, solving Unit Commitment becomes increasingly critical, a task classical computing struggles to address efficiently within practical time frames. Going forward, the future grid is anticipated to be more stochastic, or randomly determined, requiring more measurement and data processing efforts for reliable and resilient grid maintenance.”

Yan has collaborated with ISO-NE since 2016, working on grid integration of renewable energy and energy storage systems. She has several national research awards, including a National Science Foundation CAREER Award, in these areas and utilizes connections to ISO-NE’s Advisory Board for feedback on the feasibility and performance of proposed models and methods being explored in her work.

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Campus News RIT

CET’s Kyle Scher helps bring AI into the classroom CET’s Kyle Scher helps bring AI into the classroom Michelle Cometa, Sr. News Specialist at Rochester Institute of Technology

Kyle Scher knows AI, and he’s sharing it with his peers and faculty in RIT’s College of Engineering Technology. The third-year mechatronics engineering technology student from Dix Hills, N.Y. is leading a student team developing ProGenie, an artificial intelligence tool for faculty and peers. The new tool is a collection of activities that can be incorporated into coursework being taught in various classes in CET. He has been working this fall with Michael Eastman, CET professor and senior associate dean for Academic Affairs, and three classmates from the Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences on the project that is expected to be rolled out in the spring semester. ProGenie is one of the projects underway in CET’s Laboratory for the Advancement of Applied AI in Education.

Kyle Scher and three classmates have built a new AI tool for CET engineering technology courses which will be rolled out in spring.

How did you begin work on the ProGenie project?

I started working with Dr. Eastman on the AI project from a conversation we had in a Student Government meeting. I joined Student Government for a short time in my second year, opening up some opportunities to work closely with the CET Dean’s Office on cool projects. The AI project focuses on helping students stay engaged in the classroom by creating content that is tailored to them using generative AI. I am currently the project manager. RIT students, Benjamin Brundage (computer science), Stephen Zelazny-Medina, and Christopher Obando (both software engineering), help build the software.

Can you describe what it is and how it can be used?

ProGenie is an innovative tool designed to transform the educational experience by enabling educators to create tailored, narrative-driven content for any class or subject. By integrating customizable storytelling into lectures and assignments, ProGenie enhances student engagement, making complex topics more accessible and enjoyable. Versatile across STEM disciplines, it offers professors a dynamic way to enrich lessons, foster curiosity, and improve learning outcomes. While designed with educators in mind, ProGenie’s open-ended framework holds potential for broader applications, making it a transformative tool for modern education and beyond.

How does the work you are doing on this project align with coursework in your degree program?

While this project does not directly relate to my major, it has given me insight into the broader AI sector. I can see engineers in the future using AI tools as they evolve and get smarter. I would expect most engineers to be using some form of generative AI in the future. Mechatronics is a broad major. Because of this, I am now on my second co-op where I am focused more on mechanical engineering, compared to my first co-op where I was focused on electrical. Having a diverse co-op experience will help you learn more about the theoretical things you learn in the classroom. One of the big items that employers look for on resumes is personal projects. They want to see students applying a passion outside of the classroom, because they know that the number one thing students bring with them to the workforce is excitement, and willingness to learn. Try to have a personal project for every semester, or academic year to show your advancement.

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Campus News RIT

CET’s Kyle Scher helps bring AI into the classroom CET’s Kyle Scher helps bring AI into the classroom Michelle Cometa, Sr. News Specialist at Rochester Institute of Technology

How did you decide on this degree and what advice might you give to others pursuing interests similar to yours?

I enrolled at RIT knowing that I wanted to be an engineer, but I was not sure what kind. That is why I started in CET Exploration.

The exploration class showed me that mechatronics was the combination I was looking for because I enjoyed electrical, mechanical and robotics. My co-op experience has only reinforced my major selection. I urge students to seek co-op experiences that will allow them to find the same answers about their major selection that I was able to. My advice to other students is to pursue what you have a passion for. If you have a hobby or an interest in something, try to find ways to work on that on, while completing your RIT education.

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Campus News RIT

Student spotlight: Fine tuning a sense of touch Undergraduate Leila Daly helps further sensor technology to improve touch in prosthetics Michelle Cometa, Sr. News Specialist at Rochester Institute of Technology

Fine tuning sensors on prosthetics includes incorporating the sense of touch into a device to be as close to the sensations felt by a natural limb as can be.

Leila Daly, a fifth-year computer engineering technology student from Willingboro, N.J., is working with Krittika Goyal, an assistant professor of mechanical engineering technology in RIT’s College of Engineering Technology, on developing a sensor system for a more touch-responsive prosthetic finger.

The two began working together last semester after Daly took a control systems class from Goyal. She expressed interest in Goyal’s prosthetics research, and the initial few hours a week working in her lab last spring became an on-campus co-op this fall.

Leila Dal, seated, is working with Krittika Goyal, an assistant professor in the College of Engineering Technology, to improve touch sensors for prosthetics. Photo credit: provided

“It’s only been a couple of months and now we have a proof of concept. We are at the stage of fine tuning this, optimizing it, so Leila is testing the fabricated sensor she made. This is phase one,” said Goyal ‘23 (microsystems engineering), who is an expert in biosensing technologies.

Projects like prosthetics improvements are MAD—Making A Difference—a phrase Goyal uses to describe how theory and tech can be applied for real-world solutions. Daly related to the sentiment. Here she describes her experiences building this first phase of a more responsive prosthetic finger and how it inspired her to seek a career in the medical technology industry.

Describe the prosthetics project and the technology you are developing?

We are working on the fabrication of a piezoelectric sensor being designed for prosthetic applications. The goal to have a prosthetic finger with this material printed onto it and then have that act as a touch sensor on the prosthetic finger. We are using the combination of two chemicals, one with what is known as piezoelectric properties, which means this sensor responds to mechanical strain with a readable electrical signal. The idea is, if you touch it, you can read the voltage signal. Not only would the user be able to detect they are touching something, but how much force they are applying to whatever it is they are touching. The example I use when I am explaining it to people is the amount of force you would use to hold your child’s hand versus lifting a heavy object.

How did you begin this work and where are you in the process?

Dr. Goyal and I researched extensively on how chemicals interact in the composite mixture. Our overall goal is to combine the research and create something new. Currently, I am curing materials now to see how they perform as a solid form. I’m also applying a layer of conductivity around it, a silver ink to measure voltage, and around that I have another layer of insulating material to ensure that everything is electrically secure.

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Campus News RIT

Student spotlight: Fine tuning a sense of touch Undergraduate Leila Daly helps further sensor technology to improve touch in prosthetics Michelle Cometa, Sr. News Specialist at Rochester Institute of Technology

How are you implementing your ideas for the prosthetic?

The idea is that the material is used in a liquid state, the first is the piezoelectric material, and this one gives off the electrical signal that gives off the response of touch. A second one provides elasticity to that mixture. Piezoelectric material is very brittle and powder-like. The other material adds in the flexibility and mobility needed for testing. The idea is to use that material in its liquid state, then apply it to the finger (device).

How can work like this help prepare you for the workplace?

The combination of every single internship and research experience has helped me significantly. I would say with every new opportunity, I pick up a new technology skill and a “soft” skill, whether that’s learning to speak up more, to collaborate with others, or how to give a presentation. It’s skills you may not learn directly from classes, but they are essential in getting a job and being able to work with others in a communal environment. It is also important to see a large project that in its entirety may look overwhelming— and you need to learn how to break it down into smaller, more achievable goals.

What would you like to see come out of this project?

I am very passionate about this project. This definitely inspired me to want to go into the biomedical field, even though my background is in coding. I would love to be able to program some aspects of medical device technology. I would love to do that specifically for this project. I hope to do this next semester, and I can see how far it evolves before I graduate.

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Colliers Engineering & Design Conjures Best Meal Award at 15th Annual Canstruction Rochester Gala

This October, Colliers Engineering & Design joined the annual CANstruction Rochester competition, where local architects, engineers, and designers build larger-than-life sculptures made entirely from canned food. These impressive structures are later donated to Foodlink, helping to address food insecurity across the greater Rochester and Finger Lakes Region. Learn more about CANstruction, its mission, and our past builds here!

In keeping with this year’s theme of “Pumpcans, Witches, and Ghostly Goods,” our team brewed up a spellbinding cauldron design, titled Season of the Witch. The 6’x6’ cauldron structure, led by Team Captain Evan DeCotis, Senior Project Manager | Mechanical, contained a magical mixture of 4,240 cans, featuring “eye of potatoes, pods of peas, stalks of carrots, and green beans.” Our team selected food items with care, ensuring each canned good would contribute to nourishing meals for families in need.

At the October 30 awards ceremony, our cauldron took home the Best Meal award, a recognition of the thoughtful food choices included in the structure. The Season of the Witch not only embodied the Halloween spirit but also served as a powerful reminder of the impact our efforts have in the fight against hunger.

The completed spook-tacular sculptures, including Colliers Engineering & Design’s cauldron, are currently on display at The Strong National Museum of Play’s Adams Atrium until November 2. We invite you to visit, experience the creativity of the CANstruction teams, and see how our community is helping to make a difference, one can at a time.

Cobbs Hill Village A New Era of Affordable Senior Living in Rochester, NY

Spearheaded under the New York State Mitchell-Lama program, the Cobbs Hill Village Senior Living Apartments ribbon cutting ceremony last month marked a significant milestone in addressing the housing crisis for seniors. In a city where affordable housing remains a pressing need, the three-phase, 104-unit complex aims to provide secure, modern, and affordable homes for Rochester’s elderly population. The project represents a feat of architectural design and collaboration with owner’s Rochester Management Inc., working close closely with former President and CEO Peggy Hill and Scott Procious, President and CEO. It is also a step toward addressing the broader need for affordable housing solutions in New York State.

The Project Overview Located in the scenic Cobbs Hill area of Rochester, the redeveloped Cobbs Hill Village has been designed to seamlessly integrate into its natural surroundings while providing much-needed housing for seniors. This complex is a key element of Governor Kathy Hochul’s statewide initiative to modernize affordable housing infrastructure.

Created to provide residents aged 55 and older who meet income requirements with dignity and independence, each unit is designed to meet their physical and social needs. Equipped with modern amenities that are both sustainable and accessible, the units are also situated in a community-rich environment close to medical facilities, public transportation, and parks.

"The Cobbs Hill Village project was an opportunity to deliver a sustainable, functional, and visually pleasing project that serves the specific needs of Rochester's senior community and the neighborhood as a whole," said Andrew Hart, ALSA, RLA, Buildings Division Operating Officer, Colliers Engineering & Design. "The design team worked tirelessly to ensure that we designed a project that residents can not only call home but also feel proud of."

Merging Aesthetics with Functionality The design of Cobbs Hill Village was a collaborative effort between several architectural, engineering, and design firms. Notably, Colliers Engineering & Design partnered with SWBR Architects to develop a site that prioritizes comfort, preservation of mature trees, sustainability, and accessibility.

Cobbs Hill Village A New Era of Affordable Senior Living in Rochester, NY

“Designing a site for affordable housing for seniors required a focus on creating a safe and welcoming environment,” explained Hart. "We emphasized the need to preserve existing mature vegetation, views into and out of the adjacent historic Cobbs Hill Park, upgrading access to the neighborhood with accessible sidewalks and stagging the construction to not impact the current residents. The design team also provided energy-efficient features that lower utility costs while also minimizing environmental impact. This includes LED lighting, Energy Star appliances, and sustainable building materials that help reduce the building’s carbon footprint."

Cobbs Hill Village was designed with the community in mind, providing shared spaces like lounges and outdoor recreational areas. These features aim to foster social connections and promote a sense of belonging among residents. "Incorporating spaces for residents to engage with each other was just as important as ensuring each unit met ADA compliance standards," Hart added.

"We wanted to build more than just apartments; we wanted to create a vibrant senior living community."

Affordable Housing: Why It’s Essential Across New York State and much of the nation, the need for affordable housing, especially for seniors, has never been more pressing as the cost of living continues to rise, disproportionately impacting those on fixed incomes, including retirees. According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), nearly one-third of seniors spend more than 30% of their income on housing, pushing them into what's known as “housing insecurity.”

Providing affordable housing like Cobbs Hill Village helps alleviate the financial burden on seniors, offering them security in their retirement years. These developments play a critical role in reducing homelessness, improving health outcomes, and promoting community stability. Affordable housing, when thoughtfully designed, enhances the quality of life for seniors and creates a stronger, more inclusive community.

Hart emphasized this point, stating, "We understand the broader impact that housing developments like Cobbs Hill Village have on the community. Affordable housing not only offers economic relief to individuals but also improves the overall well-being of a community. Seniors deserve homes where they feel safe, comfortable, and connected."

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Cobbs Hill Village A New Era of Affordable Senior Living in Rochester, NY

Governor Kathy Hochul’s Affordable Housing Agenda Affordable housing is central to Governor Kathy Hochul’s policy agenda. Her administration has prioritized increasing the supply of affordable housing units across New York State, especially for vulnerable populations like seniors. Hochul's initiatives aim to combat rising rent prices, housing insecurity, and homelessness, which continue to plague many New York communities.

One of the core elements of Hochul's plan is the “Five-Year Housing Plan,” which includes a multi-billion-dollar investment in affordable housing projects like Cobbs Hill Village. This initiative focuses on constructing new affordable housing units, rehabilitating existing ones, and providing financial support to lower-income individuals and seniors. Under this program, developments like Cobbs Hill Village not only receive state funding but also benefit from tax credits and other financial incentives that make these projects feasible.

Governor Hochul’s policies are designed to improve access to housing, reduce economic disparities, and ensure that all New Yorkers have a place to call home. "The state’s commitment to projects like Cobbs Hill Village is commendable," Hart said. "It’s a partnership between public policy and private development that enables us to create housing solutions that matter."

A New Chapter for Rochester's Seniors Cobbs Hill Village represents more than just a housing project; it’s a reflection of Rochester’s commitment to supporting its aging population. As part of a larger movement toward affordable housing in New York State, the development sets a new standard for senior living in the region.

“The completion of Cobbs Hill Village is a testament to what can be achieved when different disciplines and organizations come together for a common goal,” Hart concluded. "We look forward to seeing how this community thrives in the coming years with the completion of Phases I and II." With the grand opening of the first phase behind them, Cobbs Hill Village is already welcoming its first residents, offering a fresh start and a secure home for many seniors. As the state continues to address the housing needs of its citizens, Cobbs Hill Village stands as an example of what thoughtful design, collaboration, and public policy can achieve for the betterment of communities across New York.

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ASME 2025 Student Night Hosted By RIT ASME

This year marks the return of the Rochester ASME Student Night. We invite you to join us for dinner and a technical presentation at 6PM on February 17th.

Connor Kennard, a 2021 RIT graduate, will present on his experience as a Simulation Engineer with Trackhouse Racing Group. This networking event will provide an opportunity for students at RIT and UR to connect with local engineers.

Tickets: Tickets are $5.00 for students and $20.00 for senior ASME attendees. Use the link below to register for Student Night.

Register: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/rit-asmestudent-night-tickets-1113222451319?utmcampaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utmmedium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utmsource=cp&aff=ebdsshcopyurl

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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 585292-1590

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 M/E Engineering 300 Trolley Boulevard Rochester, NY 14606 585-288-5590 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 Holidays everyone!

Happy winter everyone! I hope you all had a great holiday As we continue into the season of ASPE we will be working very hard to continue with our giveaway program. As mentioned in previous meetings this year we are looking into providing our members that attend 5 meetings this season (non-consecutive) we will provide them with a ASPE Rochester backpack. We expect to begin distribution of the back packs at the February meeting. Please make sure if you are a member that you are in good standing with ASPE and most importantly that you sign in at every meeting you attend so we can keep track.

We have 87 Members with consisting of 52 Full, 20 Associate and 15 Affiliate members. In that group of 85 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 for our monthly meetings at Three Heads for the new season and will continue through May of 2025 for another exciting year! I hope everyone is having a good Holiday season. I am looking forward to seeing folks at the December meeting!

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

Meeting Notice – Save the Date Topic:

Integrating PEX into Plumbing Designs Using ASPE Best Practices

Sponsor:

Uponor – Brian Calotta

Location:

Three Heads Brewery: 186 Atlantic Ave, Rochester, NY 14607

Date:

Wednesday, January 15, 2025, 12:00 PM

RSVP:

llawatsch@labellapc.com

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More than 100 Exhibitors

Expo Wednesday, October 15, 2025 2-7 PM

Pinnacle Athletic Campus 7600 Pinnacle Road ~ Victor, NY 14564

FREE BBQ DINNER Sponsored by Hosts

REGISTER TODAY 585-382-9545

FREE BEER & WINE Sponsored by YOU

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January 2025 Newsletter Officers & Societies CHAIR Kelly Robinson VICE-CHAIR Emmett Ientilucci TREASURER Lyle Tague SECRETARY Eric Zeise AES & COMSOC Cristiano Tapparello CS & CIS Bo Yuan EDS & CSS Sean Rommel EMBS Cristian Linte GRSS Emmett Ientilucci LIFE Jean Kendrick APS & MTTS Danielle Walters PHOTONICS Parsian K. Mohseni PES & IAS Kelly Robinson Jean Kendrick SPS Eric Zeise TEMS Paul Lee YOUNG PROF. Eric Brown STUDENT CHAP. Univ. of Rochester Ming-Lun Lee RIT Jamison Heard AWARDS Jean Kendrick COMMUNICATION Christine Frayda Howard Bussey NEWSLETTER Mark Schrader PACE Bruce Rubin HISTORIAN Ram Dhurjaty CS/CIS RES LIASON Greg Gdowski

Message from the Chair

Dear Colleagues, Happy New Year!

Being professionally active is essential for your career and the vitality of the Rochester area technical community. I challenge you to participate in at least one professional event each quarter in 2025.

Our IEEE Rochester Section will help you! Come to our IEEE Rochester Section Joint Chapters Meeting on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, at the RIT Inn and Conference Center. You will learn new things, meet interesting people, elevate the practice of engineering, and enrich the experience of your colleagues.

Our IEEE Rochester Section Executive Committee meets monthly to organize events. Our February meeting is tentatively scheduled for Tuesday, February 4th, from 12:00PM to 1:30PM. We may change the meeting date and time, so please review the registration information using the link below.

Please feel free to register for in-person or virtual (Zoom) attendance using this link:

https://events.vtools.ieee.org/tego_/event/manage/452252 I look forward to working with you!

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

IEEE Rochester Section Leadership Opportunities We are looking for IEEE members interested in leadership positions on our Rochester Section Executive Committee. We are especially looking for the Treasurer and Young Professionals positions, the latter representing practicing engineers in their first 10 years after graduation. Don't hesitate to contact Kelly Robinson to explore these and other opportunities

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December 2024 Newsletter Region 1-2 and Region 10 - Collaborative Medical Device Engineering The persistent need for affordable, low-cost medical devices in low-income and middle-income countries can be addressed by innovative design engineering of products carefully targeted to those marketplaces. The goal is to provide a high level of usability and identical functionality using advanced electronics combined with lower component and manufacturing costs, simplified user interfaces, and innovative product aesthetics.

A medical-grade defibrillator is being developed by a team headed by Dr. Ram Dhurjaty from IEEE Region 1 and Professor Aparna Dixit of Pranveer Singh Institute of Kanpur, India, in IEEE Region 10. A defibrillator is a product that can uniquely stop defibrillation, which is the uncoordinated firing of segments of the heart muscle; and return the heart muscle to a state where normal neural excitation will result in the return of synchronized muscle contraction. That will start the blood flowing normally again. Nothing can substitute for a defibrillator when the heart is in defibrillation. Defibrillation is confirmed by the absence of a normal EKG (ECG) waveform sensed with two electrodes on the chest or extremities.

The defibrillator is not the first product this team has worked on. The first product was an affordable oxygen concentrator targeting patients with COPD and other respiratory diseases. The oxygen concentrator was prototyped, evaluated, manufactured, and marketed in India. The effort on the oxygen concentrator involved several prototypes, careful evaluation, and clinical testing. It has proved that understanding the required solution's scientific and engineering principles and the newest technologies available can lead to a more affordable solution.

The lessons learned from the oxygen concentrator (first product) are currently being applied to the defibrillator's design. This involves a holistic approach where usability, electrical, mechanical, and product design are simultaneously considered. The willingness to question design decisions on an ongoing basis has already produced substantial improvements to the product, system, and individual functional blocks. This approach continues as the team progresses toward creating a minimally viable prototype (MVP) and beyond.

Dr. Sreeram (Ram) Dhurjaty

Dr. Aparna Dixit

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Rochester Chapter

Society for Imaging Science and Technology Website: http://roceng.org/ISandT

IS&T Rochester Chapter Speaker Series Wednesday, January 22, 2025at 6:00pm Advancements in image sensor packaging that are enabling the AI revolution

by Dr. John McCarten

Location: Hybrid meeting. Both in person and on-line

In-person: Irondequoit Public Library –2 nd Floor Room: 213 1290 Titus Avenue

On-line (Zoom): https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82534010014 Meeting ID: 825 3401 0014

Abstract:

A comparison of the human vision system with past and ongoing image sensor development will be presented. Part one will be a reverse engineering of the human vision system, from the retina, color processing, the what pathway, the where pathway, and the rewiring that occurred during primate evolution. We will discuss mirror neurons, and the importance of switching between different perception pathways when encoding memory within the cerebellum. Part two will review image sensor development over the last 40 years, focusing on the reduction in SWaP(size, weight, and power) plus the acceleration of functional building blocks into the sensor itself. We will conclude comparing the neuron layers within the primary cortex and recent wafer stacking developments that enable new functional camera architectures.

Bio:

John McCartenreceived the Ph.D. degree in Physics from Cornell University in 1992. During his time at Cornell, John collaborated with John Bardeen, the inventor of the transistor. John Bardeen’s last paper starts with John’s name. Since 2001, John’s focus has been on image sensors and cameras. He has worked with semiconductor foundries on four continents. He has over 30 patents and been technical lead on development projects that have brought in over a billion dollars in sales.

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Rochester Plant Engineers NFPA 70E Training

Wednesday, February 19, 2025 8:00am-12:00pm with a Lunch Provided 1:00pm-5:00pm with a Dinner Provided Morning Class 7:30am sign in, Class Starts @ 8:00am Evning Class 12:30pm sign in, Class Starts @ 1:00pm Each class will have a certificate or 4 continuing education credits (PDH)

National Fire Protection Association – NFPA 70E covers standards for electrical safety in the workplace. Throughout this course, you will review the relationship between the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and NFPA 70E. You will also review general NFPA 70E standards and the importance of these standards in maintaining your safety and the safety of others in the workplace.

The purpose of NFPA 70E is to provide a working area for employees that is safe from the risk associated with the use of electricity in the workplace. ` WHERE: Stark Tech 300 Mile Crossing Blvd Rochester, NY 14624 COST: RPE Member or non-Member $50 per person

Sign up using online link: www.RochesterPlantEngineers.com/events PLEASE SIGN UP BY 2/14/25

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A2L Refrigerant Transition Presentation at Black Button Distillery PRESENTED BY AMAL HUMSI WITH SAMSUNG

WHEN: JANUARY 22ND, 2025 FROM 2:30PM-8PM Presentation Agenda A2L Refrigerants Background HFC Phasedown Timeline GWP Technology Transitions Building Code Updates & Changes Refrigerant Concentration Limit Compliances (RCL) Applications & Requirements Questions

Details: 2 Continuing Education Credits Available Limited Capacity of 30 people (1) Drink Ticket provided per Attendee Tour of facility after training with tasting Parking is on the road or on the corner of University Avenue & Blossom Road

PLEASE GO TO RPE SITE AND REGISTER $30 RPE MEMBERS / $40 NON-MEMBERS HTTPS://ROCHESTERPLANTENGINEERS.COM/EVENTS/ Black Button Location: 1344 University Ave, Rochester, NY 14607

180 Linden Oaks, Suite 100, Rochester, NY 14625 Dedicated to Professionalism in Engineering in the Interest of Public Safety and Welfare 2024-2025 Officers: President Kenneth Rea, PE, President-elect David C. Roberts, PE, Vice-President Robert K. Winans, PE, Secretary Martin E. Gordon, PE, Treasurer Christopher R. Devries, PE, Membership Chair Robert K. Winans, PE Past Presidents: Bill Grove, PE, Michael O. Ritchie, PE, Directors: Christopher V. Kambar, PE, Barry J. Dumbauld, PE, Neal Illenberg, PE, Donald Nims, PE, Douglas R. Strang,, PE, Cade Krueger, PE

SAVE THE DATE Rochester Engineering Symposium 2025 April 10th, 2025 In Person at the RIT Inn and Convention Center 5257 W Henrietta Rd, Henrietta, NY 14467 8 AM to 5 PM 6 PDH Credits Multiple tracks of six credits offered in coordination with IEEE, ASPE, ASHRAE, ASCE, NYSATE, RES, Monroe Chapter of NSPE-NY Early Registration will be $150 Registration after March 10th will be $175 Limited to 350 Registrants There will be a limited breakfast, beverage service, and lunch provided. The on site bar and restaurant is available after 5 PM for networking as a separate activity.

WHY GET LICENSED? https://www.nspe.org/resources/licensure/why-get-licensed

As always, we encourage active membership in the Monroe Professional Engineers Society. We are constantly striving to improve your membership but we always need more help. If you are interested in becoming an active member or have any questions, please email me at artreardon@gmail.com or contact MPES through our website at www.monroepes.org/contactus/.

Kenneth Rea, P.E., President, MPES

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January – Time to register kids for The Science and Engineering Fair!

As we head into the New Year, our resolutions can impact our local community. You can mentor a child you know (your own children or grandchildren, kids at the youth center, or even just students at a nearby school!). By helping them register for theTRFSEF, you encourage them to start a project that challenges their minds.

Harold Clark, Director Rochester Finger Lakes Fair trfsef@terraed.org

Many people assume that science fair projects take a full school year in order to have a lasting impact on a student’s life. But don’t worry! There are many valuable project experiences that can easily be completed in just a month or less. Here are some resources that can make the process both simple and fun!

TerraFairs.org > International Journal for High School Research > Webinar series and blog > Videos about the fair experience ScienceBuddies.org > Project ideas and how-to’s > Career videos > Ask an Expert > Teacher and parent resources Society for Science > Science News for Students NASA & Cornell Citizen Science > Data access useable for projects

Terra Fair Date: March 22, 2025

open to all students grades 6 to 12 Fair Website

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Affiliated Societies of the Rochester Engineering Society

American Consulting Engineering, Companies of New York

Electrical Association

Monroe Professional Engineers Society

American Public Works Association Monroe County/Genesee Valley Branch

Genesee Valley Land Surveyors Association

New York State Association of Transportation Engineers, Section 4

American Society of Civil Engineers, Rochester Section

Illuminating Engineering Society of North America Inc., Rochester Section

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

American Society of Mechanical Engineers, Rochester Section

American Society of Plumbing Engineers, Rochester NY Chapter

Imaging Science & Technology, Rochester Chapter

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Rochester Section

Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers, Rochester Chapter

Rochester Plant Engineers

Association for Bridge Construction and Design

Society of Plastics Engineers, Rochester Section

Terra Rochester Finger Lakes Science & Engineering Fair

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Advertising Rates and Membership Applications are Available at www.roceng.org The Rochester Engineer Published by Builders Exchange of Rochester 180 Linden Oaks, Suite 100 Rochester, NY 14625 (585)586-8030

December 2024 edition

Missed last month’s issue? Click here to see other editions.

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