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IEEE Pittsburgh Section Bulletin May 2017, Volume 66 No. 5 Page 1 of 14
Pittsburgh Section
Bulletin May 2017 Volume 66, No. 5
Included in this issue:
Notes From the Chair .............................................................................................................................. 2
IEEE Pittsburgh Section Annual History and Awards Dinner ....................................................... 3
EMC - Electromagnetic Environmental Effects in the Military..................................................... 4
Maximize Your Technology – Go Global ! ............................................................................................. 6
Protecting Renewable Energy Based Microgrids ............................................................................... 7
IEEE Pittsburgh Section Baseball Outing with Tailgate Party ..................................................... 8
2017 PES Chapter Outstanding Engineer Award Announcement .................................................. 9
New Members Welcomed to the Pittsburgh Section .................................................................... 11
Call For Papers For IEEE Nano 2017 ................................................................................................. 12
Pitt Student Activities.......................................................................................................................... 13
Editor: Philip Cox, [email protected]; Contributors: Brandon Grainger, Drew Lowery, Mike Oliver, Kal
Sen, Ralph Sprang, Zoe Toigo and Dave Vaglia
All announcements for publication in a particular month’s bulletin are due to the Editor by the 20th of the
previous month. The accuracy of the published material is not guaranteed. If there is any error, please bring it to
the Editor’s attention. The Section’s web site, https://webinabox.vtools.ieee.org/wibp_home/index/r20037, has
recent issues of the bulletin and lots of other useful information
IEEE Pittsburgh Section Bulletin May 2017, Volume 66 No. 5 Page 2 of 14
Notes From the Chair
As we do every May, the IEEE Pittsburgh Section will host
its annual History and Awards Dinner. This year, that will be
in the University Club at the University of Pittsburgh. As the
Institute celebrates its continued successes, it is appropriate
the Pittsburgh Section review its heritage. Unfortunately,
engineers are too busy developing the products and service
needed to advance the quality of life to record much of their
work. There are some records that provide fascinating
insight into the lives of our preceding engineers that have
been archived by the Engineering and Technology History
program for which IEEE is a supporting member. I would
like to share some of those records.
The Section was organized October 13, 1902, with Mr. P. M.
Lincoln as the Chairman. He later became National President
of what was then called the American Institute of Electrical
Engineers. The only section to precede Pittsburgh was one in
Minnesota, which was organized six months earlier. The first
Section technical meeting, attended by approximately 100,
was on December 4, 1902, in the Westinghouse Club room
in Wilkinsburg, PA.
When the Institute was first organized, it did not include a
section organization. It was through the effort of Dr. Charles
F. Scott, the National President and a member of the
Pittsburgh Section, that the Section plan was adopted by the
Institute.
The Pittsburgh area is lucky enough to have multiple student
members and student branches. Those are also part of our
honored heritage. The first student branches were established
at:
Pennsylvania State College on December 20, 1902.
University of Pittsburgh on February 26, 1914
West Virginia University on November 13, 1914
Carnegie Institute of Technology on May 18, 1915.
In the early 1900’s, it was appropriate that an Institute
Section should be organized in Pittsburgh. The City was the
focus of electrical engineering. Many manufacturing
companies were based in the area with their large cadre of
engineering talent. It is with the same spirit that we continue
to celebrate our strong history of electrical engineering
professionals at our annual dinner by identifying a local
Engineer of the Year, newly elevated IEEE Fellows, and
newly elevated Life Members, along with those who
continue to contribute to the success of the Section.
Drew Lowery
2017 IEEE Pittsburgh Section Chair
Section
Chair - Dr. Drew Lowery, [email protected]
Vice Chair -- Dan Wilson, [email protected]
Treasurer – Gene Kern, [email protected] Asst. Treasurer – Ted Zyra
Secretary - Navid Binesh, [email protected]
Immediate Past Chair – Jim Lagree, [email protected]
Special Events Chair – Dr. Kal Sen, [email protected]
Webmaster – Gerry Kumnik, [email protected]
UpperMon Subsection
Chair: Dr. Gianfranco Doretto, [email protected]
Chapters
Communications Society – Chair: Dr. Balaji Palanisamy, [email protected]; Sec: Phil Cox, [email protected]
Computer Society – Chair: Dr. Ralph Sprang, [email protected]
Components, Packaging, and Manufacturing Technology/Electron Devices Societies – Chair: Dr. Louis Hart, [email protected]
Engineering In Medicine & Biology Society Chair: Steve Mozelewski, [email protected]
Electromagnetic Compatibility Society Chair: Michael J. Oliver [email protected] (814) 763-3211
Power Electronics Society – Chair: Dr. Brandon Grainger [email protected]
Power & Energy & Industry Applications Societies Chair: Steve Dobos, [email protected]; Vice-Chair: Julie Clark; Treas.: Dave Vaglia, [email protected]
Magnetics Society – Chair: Vincent Sokalsky, [email protected]
Nanotechnology Society - Chair: open
Robotics Society – Chair: Gene Kern, [email protected]
Signal Processing Society – Chair: Nicholas.O’Donoughue [email protected]
Society on Social Implications of Technology Chair: Joe Kalasky, P.E., [email protected] 724-244-1609
Council of Electronic Design Automation Chair: Baris Taskin, [email protected]
Affinity Groups
Young Professionals (formerly GOLD) – Chair: Matthew Rehder [email protected]
Women In Engineering – Chair: Paige Kassalen, [email protected]
Committees
Professional/Career Activities (PACE) Chair: Joe Cioletti, P.E. [email protected]
Student Activities – Dr. Irvin Jones, [email protected]; student reps: Chair: Brandon Contino [email protected], Vice-chairs: Will Howard, [email protected]; Zoe Toigo, [email protected]
Membership Development – Steve Mozelewski, [email protected]
Publicity – Chair: Thomas Dionise, P.E. [email protected] (724) 779-5864
IEEE Pittsburgh Section Bulletin May 2017, Volume 66 No. 5 Page 3 of 14
IEEE Pittsburgh Section Annual History and Awards Dinner
Date: Friday, May 5, 2017
Time: 5:30 PM: Arrival
6:00 PM: Dinner and Awards Presentations
7:00 PM: Keynote speech
Speaker: Paige Kassalen
Title: Market Analyst for the Future of Mobility for Covestro, LLC
Place: The University Club, University of Pittsburgh
123 University Place, Pittsburgh, PA 15260.
Phone: 412-648-8213
Cost: $30 per member; $50 member plus guest (Cash Bar is available)
RSVP: LAST CHANCE TO REGISTER: Send your check by April 28, 2017. Seating is
limited to 40 people. Please send your check, payable to “IEEE Pittsburgh Section,” to Mey Sen, 126
Pauline Dr., Monroeville, PA 15146. Please provide the name of your guest, if any. Send an email
immediately to Mey at [email protected].
Organizer: IEEE Pittsburgh Section.
Traveling around the world with a solar-powered airplane
Abstract: Swiss pilots and explorers, Bertrand Piccard and André Borschberg, set out and accomplished
something that still seems impossible today: the First Round-The-World Solar Flight, powered only by
the sun, with no fuel or polluting emissions. Together they created Solar Impulse 2: an airplane able to
fly day and night with the potential of completing their mission.
IEEE Pittsburgh Section Bulletin May 2017, Volume 66 No. 5 Page 4 of 14
In March of 2015, the team began the monumental journey in Abu Dhabi, U.A.E. They traveled across
Asia and reached Hawaii, breaking a record for the longest solo solar flight ever achieved in aviation
history. The project was halted in Hawaii after problems arose from overheating of the batteries.
While the team was stationed in Hawaii, Paige Kassalen, Pittsburgh native, was selected for a temporary
assignment representing her company, Covestro, on the Solar Impulse ground crew. She joined the
team’s ground crew in February of 2016 as the only American, only female engineer, and youngest
member. In this role, she traveled with the world’s first solar-powered airplane (Solar Impulse 2) as it
completed its historic flight around the globe.
Her experience with Solar Impulse not only gave her the opportunity to apply her electrical engineering
background in a new and exciting way, but it also marked the beginning of Kassalen’s role as a
spokesperson for young students in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math).
As the youngest and only female engineer and American on the ground crew of the first solar plane to
circumnavigate the world without fuel, Paige has already redefined gender barriers in engineering at the
age of 23. Her story was showcased around the country profiling her passionate work as a female in
STEM including Forbes, Glamour and The Huffington Post. Most recently, she was selected to be a part
of the exclusive Forbes 30 Under 30 list in the energy sector.
EMC - Electromagnetic Environmental Effects in the Military
Date: Thursday, May 11, 2017
Time: Dinner 6:30 PM, Presentation starts at 7:00 PM
Location: Westinghouse Electric Company Headquarters, Cranberry Township, PA
Attendance/Cost: Free to IEEE members and guests.
Guest Presenter: Mr. Kris Hatashita
Abstract: Military electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) is a matter of life and death as modern war-
fighters rely on the safe, secure and reliable functioning of their devices. Military EMC includes aspects
of electronic interoperability that are seldom or never
considered in the commercial realm. This talk presents
technical details of EMC consideration in tactical and strategic
military operations. The topics discussed include hazards of
electromagnetic radiation to ordnance (HERO), electromagnetic
data security (EMSEC), counter improvised explosive device
(CIED) EMC issues and includes first-hand experiences of work
done in the Afghan theatre.
Biography: Kris Hatashita has a Bachelor of Science in
Physics and has been an EMC professional for thirty years
working for industry and government organizations as an EMC
subject matter expert. His list of clients includes General
Dynamics Canada, The Royal Canadian Mounted Police,
IEEE Pittsburgh Section Bulletin May 2017, Volume 66 No. 5 Page 5 of 14
Lockheed Martin Canada, The Canadian Parliament and The Communication Security Establishment
Canada.
Kris is an IEEE Distinguished Lecturer, a Lecturer at the Canadian Forces School of Communication
and at the Electronics at the Royal Military College in Kingston. He is also a consultant to the Canadian
Department of National Defense for the Army Communications Group. Kris was on the EMCS Board
of Directors from 2014-2015 and was the General Chairman of the 2016 EMC Symposium in Ottawa.
While working for Garrett Aerospace, Kris was selected to undergo training through CSE in the joint
Canada-US Industrial TEMPEST Program. Kris is a Certified TEMPEST Professional – Level II by the
United States National Security Agency.
RSVP: Sign up is required in advance (May 8th deadline) to allow security to register members and
guests. To register go to the calendar tab at our website
(https://webinabox.vtools.ieee.org/wibp_calendar/index/CH02085) or the Pittsburgh Section’s website
to signup: https://webinabox.vtools.ieee.org/wibp_calendar/index/R20037
Questions? Contact Mike Oliver ([email protected]) or Dave Vaglia ([email protected])
Professional Development Hours: If you would like to receive PDHs, please bring a copy of this
announcement for verification of your attendance. A non-Member who would like to receive PDHs is
required to pay $10 to IEEE Pittsburgh Section. A Member who would like to receive PDHs is required
to show current membership ID.
Directions to Westinghouse Headquarters Cranberry Woods
Directions from the South: Take 79 North to the route 228 east exit. Stay in right lane and drive by Marriott
Hotel (on right). Turn right into Cranberry Woods facility and stay in left lane. Make first left into
Westinghouse Headquarters and drive straight through roundabout. Park in visitors parking places that are
located on either side of the entry road.
Directions from the East: Take the PA Turnpike (I-76) West following signs for Ohio / I-76 W. Take Exit
28 and follow I-79 N toward Erie. Stay in the entrance lane (right lane) and immediately take Exit 78, PA-
228 Cranberry/Mars. Turn right onto PA-228 E toward Mars. Turn right onto Cranberry Woods Drive. Take
immediate left at Westinghouse sign and drive straight through roundabout. Park in visitors parking places
that are located on either side of the entry road.
IEEE Pittsburgh Section Bulletin May 2017, Volume 66 No. 5 Page 6 of 14
Maximize Your Technology – Go Global !
Speaker: Jon Woodard, Registered Patent Attorney
Founder Woodard International Law
Date: Tuesday, May 23, 2017
Time: 6:15 PM Presentation (dinner provided for registrants) 7:45 PM Adjourn
Place: Cranberry Township, PA
Organizer: Computer Society
RSVP: Required at http://meetings.vtools.ieee.org/m/44028 by May 17, 2017.
Select dinner choice from menu and indicate in “special requests” section if you are a
Computer Society member. IEEE members must enter their membership number.
Abstract: One of the biggest myths about developing new inventions is that international technology
protection is prohibitively expensive and enforcement more difficult or impossible in foreign
jurisdictions. Did you know that most often, exactly the opposite is true?
This presentation will focus on the increasingly affordable and available systems and opportunities for
securing patents, industrial designs, utility models, and other types of Intellectual Property and for
enforcing those rights in the international arena. The presentation will further explore the highly
effective, available, and most importantly cost saving strategies and techniques that nearly all inventors
and businesses can easily take advantage of to help bring their innovations to the international
marketplace.
Speaker: Jon Woodard is a Registered Patent Attorney and the founder of Woodard International Law
(a.k.a. WINTLAW), a business and Intellectual Property (IP) law firm with offices in Erie, PA and
Cincinnati, OH. Mr. Woodard has more than 16 years of experience in domestic and international IP and
business law, including extensive experience practicing under the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) and
Paris Convention Systems for transnational technology prosecution. Mr. Woodard is a Past Chairman of
ASM’s Northwest Pennsylvania Chapter and is a current member of that Chapter’s Executive
Committee.
IEEE Pittsburgh Section Bulletin May 2017, Volume 66 No. 5 Page 7 of 14
Protecting Renewable Energy Based Microgrids
Speaker: Hashim Al Hassan
Title: PhD Researcher, University of Pittsburgh
Date: Thursday, May 25th, 2017
Time: Refreshments - 6:30 PM; Presentation- 7:00 PM
Place: University of Pittsburgh – Swanson School of Engineering
Benedum Engineering Hall – Room 102
3700 O’Hara Street
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261
RSVP: Required at https://meetings.vtools.ieee.org/m/45143 by May 23rd, 2017. If you are an
IEEE member, you must enter your membership number. If you would like to receive PDH, please
bring a copy of this announcement for verification of your attendance and your membership
identification card. A non-member who would like to receive PDH is required to pay $10 to “IEEE
Pittsburgh Section.”
Organizer: Power Electronics Society (PELS)
Abstract: The deployment of large amounts of renewable energy is expected in the future due to the
increased energy demand, diminishing fossil fuel, and global warming. The traditional electrical grid
may not be able to handle large amounts of renewable energy resources. Hence, a different grid
architecture called the “microgrid” has been proposed by electrical engineers. The microgrid concept
was proposed as a way to facilitate renewable energy integration, increase grid reliability and security,
provide better protection, operation and control.
However, microgrids have their own protection challenges that need to be resolved in order to fully
utilize their projected benefits. One of these challenges is that traditional protection methods, such as
overcurrent protection, cannot be used mainly because of low fault currents, bi-directionality of power
flow, and IEEE1547 requirements. Therefore, fault current and voltage magnitudes cannot be used
alone as the protective indicators as they may cause breaker mis-operation or slow tripping times.
Hence, two novel methods, which are developed to protect different configurations, will be presented in
this seminar.
Speaker: Hashim Al Hassan is currently pursuing his PhD degree in electrical
engineering at the University of Pittsburgh and expected to finish at the end of
the year. He graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a bachelor of
science in electrical engineering, a concentration in power systems, and a minor
in mathematics in 2010. He also graduated from the University of Pittsburgh
with a Master’s degree in electrical engineering in 2014 with a research focus
on HVDC fault protection. Hashim was awarded full scholarships for the
Bachelor's, Master's, and Ph.D. degrees. His work experience included ANSYS
Inc. where he worked as a co-op testing engineer for two rotations and Eaton
Corp. where he worked as a research and development intern for a full summer.
His research work resulted in multiple publications and a patent (pending). His
IEEE Pittsburgh Section Bulletin May 2017, Volume 66 No. 5 Page 8 of 14
research interest includes power system protection and control, HVDC, renewable energy integration,
and microgrids. He is currently working on developing protection solutions and post-fault control
techniques for microgrids. Hashim served as the representative for the graduate student body in the
Tenure and Academic Freedom Committee of University Senate at Pitt during the year 2014-2015. He
actively volunteers at local conferences and science events such as IEEE ECCE, intel ISEF, and
Pittsburgh Regional Science & Engineering fair. He is also a student member of IEEE and the IEEE
Power and Energy Society since 2012.
DIRECTIONS TO SWANSON SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING
Official Address: 3700 O'Hara St, Pittsburgh, PA 15261
Parking: Consider parking in either O’Hara Parking garage (across the street from Benedum Hall) or
Soldiers and Sailors parking garage. Street parking is also free after 6pm if available.
IEEE Pittsburgh Section Baseball Outing with Tailgate Party
Date: Friday, August 04, 2017
Time: 4:00 PM: Arrival
5:30 PM: Dinner
7:05 PM: Game – Reds at Pirates (Free Pirates hat and postgame FanJam concert)
Place: The PNC Park – Parking Lot (upper left-hand corner of Gold Lot 1A)
http://www.alcoparking.com/images/GameDayGuide2014-map-large.jpg
Phone: 412-596-2690
Cost: $25 per ticket (no charge for Food)
IEEE Pittsburgh Section Bulletin May 2017, Volume 66 No. 5 Page 9 of 14
RSVP: Required by June 15, 2017. Seating at $25 price is limited to 50 people. After June 15,
please rsvp for food, but purchase your own ticket at dynamic pricing and separate seating from the
IEEE group. Please send your check, payable to “IEEE Pittsburgh Section,” to Mey Sen, 126 Pauline
Dr., Monroeville, PA 15146. Please provide the name(s) of your guest(s), if any. For any question,
please write to Matt Rehder at [email protected].
Organizers: IEEE Pittsburgh Section Women In Engineering & Young Professionals.
2017 PES Chapter Outstanding Engineer Award Announcement
Thomas J. Dionise, P.E. Advisory Engineer, Eaton Corporation
Has been awarded the 2017 Pittsburgh PES Chapter’s Outstanding Engineer
Award
Mr. Thomas Dionise was selected this year to receive the 2017 Pittsburgh PES Chapter Outstanding
Engineer Award. Mr. Dionise’s contributions to the IEEE and the Power & Energy Society along with
his contributions to the Pittsburgh Section will be recognized at the annual History and Awards Dinner
on May 5th where he will be our honored guest. We thank Mr. Dionise and acknowledge him for his
outstanding professionalism in all aspects of his work and contributions to the IEEE community.
Below is a short summary of Mr. Dionise’s background and accomplishments. For a more complete
story of Tom’s achievements visit our website at: http://sites.ieee.org/pittsburgh-pesias/
Thomas J. Dionise, (IEEE S ’79, M ’82, SM ’87) is a Power Quality Advisory Engineer with Eaton
Corporation in the Power System Engineering Department. He has over 34 years of power system
experience involving analytical studies and power quality investigations of industrial and commercial
power systems. In the metals industry, he has specialized in power quality investigations, harmonic
IEEE Pittsburgh Section Bulletin May 2017, Volume 66 No. 5 Page 10 of 14
analysis and harmonic filter design for electric arc furnaces, rectifiers and VFD applications. He is an
instructor for Eaton’s Power Quality Monitoring Class and Harmonic Analysis Class. He is a Senior
Member of the IEEE, Chair of the Metal Industry Committee, and member of the Generator Grounding
Working Group. He has co-authored 37 technical papers on various power quality topics, including a
paper on harmonic filter design for an electric arc furnace that received the 2011 IEEE Transactions on
Industry Applications 2nd Place Prize Paper Award, and another on issues that affect data center
reliability that received the 2014 IEEE Industry Applications Magazine 2nd Place Prize Paper Award.
Tom has served in local IEEE positions, and had an active role in the committee that planned the IAS
2002 Annual Meeting in Pittsburgh, PA. He is a licensed Professional Engineer in PA, and received a
MSEE from Carnegie Mellon University in 1984 and a BSEE from Pennsylvania State University 1982.
Professional Affiliations
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
Power Engineering Society
Industry Applications Society
IAS Metal Industry Committee
Chairman
IAS Generator Grounding Working
Group
Pittsburgh Section Past Chairman
Point Park University
Industry Advisory Board for Electrical
Engineering
Association for Iron & Steel Technology
Electrical Applications Committee
Registered Professional Engineer, PA
Mr. Dionise’s Service to IEEE
IEEE PES Pittsburgh Chapter (1982 - 1995) Chair 1989/90, and various officer & committee positions.
IEEE Pittsburgh Section (1989 - present) Chair 1996/97, various officer, director & committee positions.
IEEE Robot Car Race and Engineers Week (1993 – present) In 1993 Tom was one of the founders of the
IEEE Pittsburgh Section’s Robot Car Race held annually at the Carnegie Science Center during
Engineer’s Week for 8th graders, has participated in the event every year since the inception, and for the
past 6 years has been the Chair of the event. Since 1994, Tom has annually organized the IEEE
Pittsburgh Section demonstration table for Engineer's Week at the Carnegie Science Center. Tom has
engaged the support of dozens of IEEE volunteers and facilitated their working together to conduct these
events each year. Both events are fun and effective ways for the IEEE members to communicate to our
youth that electrical engineering can be both enjoyable and challenging, and interest future engineers.
Pittsburgh Regional Science and Engineering Fair (late 1990s to present) – Annually, Tom has
organized a team of 3 – 5 judges from the local IEEE membership to evaluate projects by students
ranging from 6th to 12th grade and select two IEEE Sponsor Awards as well as many honorable
mentions to help build interest in science and engineering, and to encourage students to continue to
participate in future science fairs.
Intel ISEF Lead Judge (2012 and 2015) Based on past involvement with the PRSEF, IEEE selected and
sponsored Tom to serve as lead judge for the IEEE President’s Award a $10,000 scholarship at the 2012
IEEE Pittsburgh Section Bulletin April 2017, Volume 66 No. 4 Page 11 of 14
and 2015 Intel International Science & Engineering Fair when held in Pittsburgh, PA. For both events,
Tom organized a team of 8 to 10 judges to evaluate the projects, interview the students and select the
recipient of the IEEE President’s Award. (Intel ISEF is the world's largest international pre-college
science competition, providing an annual forum for approximately 1,700 high school students from
more than 70 countries, regions, and territories to showcase their independent research).
IAS Metal Industry Committee (2002 – present) – As Chair, his vision for the committee for the future
has been one of growth. Under his leadership the committee has taken several initiatives to grow: 1)
expanded membership beyond North America by inviting and encouraging participation of IEEE
members from the worldwide metals community including South America, Europe, Middle East and
Asia, 2) sponsored a focus session on work place safety and arc flash hazards as they relate to the metals
industry, 3) reached-out to the AIST Electrical Equipment Committee to explore possible collaboration
through joint meetings and topics of common interest, 4) developing and sponsoring future focus
sessions on other subjects of common interest to the IAS.
Service to the engineering profession outside IEEE
(1995 – present) Point Park University Industry Advisory (IAB) Board for Electrical Engineering. Tom
helped the Chair of the Electrical Engineering Technology Department establish an IEEE Student
Chapter over 25 years ago. Since then, Tom has served on the IAB, participated in several ABET
accreditations, advised on curriculum enhancements, and recently advised on the transition from
offering a BSET degree program to a BSEE degree program.
Recognition through other honors
2010 Eaton Power Systems Engineering Department’s Engineer of the Year Award
2011 IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications 2nd Place Prize Paper Award
2014 IEEE Industry Applications Magazine 2nd Place Prize Paper Award
2014 IEEE Transactions on Industry Applications Prize Paper Award (working group paper)
2016 IEEE PCIC Honorable Mention Paper Award
New Members Welcomed to the Pittsburgh Section
Within the last month, the following members joined the IEEE Pittsburgh section
Member Elias Fallon
Jon Urso
Yanfang Ye
stephen m zelenko
Student Member Craig Brust
Ahmed Al Dahi
Andrew Thomas DiFurio
Alex Glyde
Michael Pierre Hermeanult
Joshua W Hyman
Andrew Saba
Brian Shetter
Christopher Anthony Sproull
Daniel Tiegs
Corey Steven Weimann
Graduate Student Member
Chiyu Dong
John Erickson
Shaolong Liu
Gines Hidalgo Martinez
Preethi Josephina Mudialba
Nandi Zhang
IEEE Pittsburgh Section Bulletin April 2017, Volume 66 No. 4 Page 12 of 14
Call For Papers For IEEE Nano 2017
IEEE Pittsburgh Section Bulletin April 2017, Volume 66 No. 4 Page 13 of 14
Pitt Student Activities
Pitt RAS Micromouse Team Attends IEEE APEC Conference
In March, Pitt RAS attended the national IEEE APEC conference this year for its international
Micromouse Competition. Ryan Matthews, Xavier Torgerson, Andrew DiFurio, and Michael
Hermenault went down to Tampa Florida to represent their team. The RAS micromouse team had their
sights set on APEC competition after placing first by a large margin at last year’s regional Student
Activities Conference. In their first year attending APEC, the team’s bot was able to successfully
navigate the maze. With new insights gained by attending this year, the team plans to return next year
with a newer, better bot.
Pitt IEEE's Arduino Day Recap
Arduino Day is an international event inviting people to share projects, stories and get involved with
electronics. This year, 499 events were hosted in 78 different countries. On April 1st, the University of
Pittsburgh IEEE Student Branch partnered with Pittsburgh TechShop to host an Arduino workshop as
part of this worldwide celebration. First, students were taught basic electronics skills to familiarize them
with the microcontroller. The second half consisted of an innovation lab to prototype a product using the
concepts they had learned.
Report from the 2017 Student Activities Conference
Fifteen students from the University of Pittsburgh attended the annual IEEE Region 2 Student Activities
Conference from April 7th - 9th at Rowan University. Competing against 27 schools from the mid-
Atlantic region, Pitt students placed in three competitions.
1st Place in Paper Competition - Kendra Farrell wrote and presented a technical paper titled "The
James Webb Telescope and Its Search through Time."
1st Place in Micromouse - Ryan Matthews, Andrew Saba, Alex Glyde, and Michael Hermenault
from the Pitt Robotics and Automation Society designed an autonomous robot that solved an 8
m^2 maze in the shortest amount of time.
3rd Place in Brown Bag Circuit - Given a set of components, the team successfully completed
five circuit design challenges involving voltage dividers, clock signals, inverters, and XOR
gates. Team members were Brandon Contino, Jenna Delozier, and Demetri Khoury.
IEEE Pittsburgh Section Bulletin April 2017, Volume 66 No. 4 Page 14 of 14
2017 Calendar – Meetings of IEEE Pittsburgh Section Jan Feb Mar Apr May June July August Sept Oct Nov Dec
Executive
Committee
(AdCom)
19
U Pitt
Oakland
16
Panera
Robinson
16
Panera
Galleria
20
Panera
Wexford
18
Panera Bread
Robinson
TBD 19
Panera Bread
Oakland
TBD TBD TBD TBD TBD
Section 25 Engineers
Week
5 History
Dinner
4 Pirates
Baseball
Communic
ations
1 Spectrum
Sensing
7 Privacy
Protection
Computer 7
Int’l Patents
23
Int’l Patents
EMBS 21
Edible
Electronics
EMCS 11 Military EMC
Power
Electronics
18
Power Source
Buffer
20
VSC-HVDC
20
EMC
25
Control Tech.
25
Microgrids
PES/IAS 9
Chernobyl
Magnetics
Robotics
Sig.
Processing
CPMT/ED 25
Scientific Validity
Social Impl
Technology
Upper Mon 13 Resources
20
Publishing
20 NSF
3 Sample Robot
24
Neuroscience
Women in
Eng’ing
18 Dream Big
4 Pirates
Baseball
Life Mem.
Young Pros 4
Pirates
Baseball
PACE 13
Solar City
Student Act