1

NEWS

ISSUE 8 MAY 2015 VOLUME 87

WNY engineer HELPING MAKE ESB YOUR SOCIETY

www.tesb.org ESB1894@gmail.com

(716) 873-4455 Facebook.com/ESBoffice

On LinkedIn too!

News Blurbs Now! (NBN) Ron Klinczar PE from Hatch Mott MacDonald will be presenting “Robert Moses Parkway South Segment ‘Riverway’ Project - A Sustainable Solution” at the Pearl Street Brewery on May 6. The project was awarded “Evergreen Status” under the NYSDOT’s GreenLITES

Sustainability in Design standards.

Congratulations to the winners of the Engineering Excellence Awards from ACEC New York! Clark Patterson Lee (Platinum Award-Transportation) for Broad/Court/Chestnut St Project with Roundabout in Rochester. Ecology and Environment Engineering, P.C. (Platinum Award-Studies, Research, and Consulting Engineering Services) for Influence of Dredge Material Placement on Algal Blooms in Lake Erie. Erdman Anthony (Diamond Award-Structural Systems) for Forest Home Drive Bridge Rehabilitation in Ithaca and (Gold Award-Building/Technology Systems) for SUNY Geneseo Bailey Hall Rehabilitation. GPI-Greenman-Pedersen, Inc. etc (Gold Award-Structural Systems) for NYSDOT Design-Build Accelerated Bridge Project in Long Island. Parsons Brinckerhoff, Inc. (Diamond Award-Transportation) for Superstorm Sandy Repair & Rehabilitation Montague Tunnels, (Platinum Award-Studies, Research, and Consulting Engineering Services) on behalf of the SCAPE Team for Rebuild by Design - Living Breakwaters - in Staten Island, and (Platinum Award-Special Projects) for Maid of the Mist US Mooring and Winter Storage Facility in Niagara Falls. Wendel (Platinum Award-Water Resources) for Horseheads Water Treatment Plant Design and (Platinum Award-Transportation) for

Chatham Area Transit Intermodal Station.

The 2015 ASCE Moisseiff Award, given to an important publication in the area of structural design, has been awarded to a paper that was published as a result of experimental work carried out at the

University at Buffalo’s Structural Engineering and Earthquake Simulation Lab. The selected paper, “Simulated Bilinear-Elastic Behavior in a SDOF Elastic Structure Using Negative Stiffness Device: Experimental and Analytical Study,” appeared in the Journal of Structural Engineering in February 2014. The work performed for this project resulted in one US patent, sixteen

conference papers, three reports, and five journal papers.

A car that was driverless for 99% of the time has safely completed a 3,400 mile road trip from San Francisco to New York. The Audi Q5 was equipped for the journey with radar, cameras, and laser sensors supplied by Delphi, which collected almost three terabytes of raw data. Engineers will use the data to improve the innovation. The variability in lane markings from one state to the next and the “I never speed” policy of the autonomous vehicle are a

few things that will be addressed for future trials.

Canalside has been expanding consistently! Picone Construction is currently working on the construction of a Pizza Plant Italian Pub within the Courtyard Marriot building. Once complete, perhaps you will want to stop by their grab and go area or

enjoy their historical Buffalo décor by visiting their full bar and/or dining room. Then, send a big thanks to Sutton Architecture and

Picone for adding to the value of Buffalo!

Imagine Staffing is recruiting for a structural drafter/designer role.

Contact Alan Koons at 256-1268 if interested.

Cost Seg, LLC is seeking a cost segregation engineer (building projects in a range of industries) on a project-to-project basis. Reply

in confidence to DanRogers@costsegregation.net.

Isaac Hagen has a BS in mechanical engineering from UB and is proficient in AutoCAD, ProEngineer, MATLAB, C++, Javascript,

Excel, PowerPoint, etc. Contact him at IkeHagen@gmail.com

We need your news blurbs NOW! We want to know about your recent projects, awards, hires, promotions, patents, new products, partnerships, open houses, tours, and anything else you’d like to share. Send your news to

"NY 182-Robert Moses ramps" by Adam Moss - https://www.flickr.com/photos/roadgeek/15898366388/

NUMBERS

2

OFFICERS

President

Marco Scofidio PE

Vice President

Michael Samol

Treasurer

Steve SanFilippo

Secretary

Robin M Closs SE PE

DIRECTORS

Emil Bandriwsky

Richard Cartwright

Gene Colucci

Mark Masse

Jeff Mooney

Ron Papaj

Matthew Plizga PE

Jeff Wach

WNY Engineer Editor

Robin M Closs SE PE

Advertising

Ron Papaj

Historian

Mark Masse

Education

Jon Kolber

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. News Blurbs Now!

2. Numbers

3. Tech Article - Help Microbes Destroy

Contaminates In Soil & Groundwater

4. Tech Article - Copper Brings Frank

Lloyd Wright Filing Station To Life

5. Student Info - Business Management

Courses: Set Career On Right Track

6. PDH Opportunities

7. Advertise in This Newsletter Contract

8. Tech Article - Peace Bridge. Create

Overlook, Widen Plaza, Re-Deck

9. Tech Article - Growing Solar Cells

10. Career Corner - Lean Six Sigma

Problem-Solving Tools Available

11. Meeting Minutes

12. Tech Article - National Train Day

13. Tech Article - Jumper, Jack, Match

14. ESB Scholarship App Available

15. Local - WNY Invention Convention

16. Amusement - Accidental Engineering

17. Bowling League

18. ESB Scholarship Run

19. ESB Golf Tournament

39,0

00

Co

nst

ruct

ion

jo

bs

add

ed i

n J

an 2

01

5

$1 B

illion

Plant cost for B

oeing Co’s 777X wing

being built in Everett,

Washington

17.8% Forecasted construction

output increase by 2018 280,000

Square footage of solar panels to be installed on the garage at Tampa’s airport

$1 Billion Tons of steel that have been recycled in

North American since 1988 per AISI

1250 Height in feet of observatory

at One World Trade Center

$286.7 Million Proposed cost of soccer stadium in Washington, DC that

could generate $2.6 billion after completion in 2017

8,000 Arch/Eng jobs

added in Jan 2015

3

TECHNICAL ARTICLE

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

05-11-15 6pm Ways and Means Meeting 2555 Walden Ave, Buffalo (Wendt Corp)

05-11-15 7pm Directors Meeting 2555 Walden Ave, Buffalo (Wendt Corp)

05-18-15 ISA Tour Yahoo Data Center Lockport

06-01-15 ESB Scholarship Applications Due

06-15-15 ISA Tour Calspan Test Facility Cheektowaga

07-22-15 ESB 5K Annual Scholarship Run

07-25-15 Amtrak Train Day. See page 12. Dick Road, Depew

08-04-15 ESB/Beam Golf Tournament Chestnut Hills Country Club, Darien

12-3 to 12-5 Construct Canada Toronto

Help Microbes Destroy Contaminates In Soil & Groundwater By Marlene Cimons

There are several advantages to having natural microbes break down contaminants in soil and groundwater. First, it's cost effective. More importantly, the process involves using native microorganisms that already are present under the earth's surface. Sometimes however, the microbes need a little boost from the outside to help get them going. Scientists either use "bio-stimulation" which involves giving them nutrients or oxygen or "bio-augmentation" which involves transferring foreign microbes with new "degradative capabilities" into the existing microbes that will cause them to work.

Claudia Gunsch, an assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering at Duke University, is working on the latter approach, providing new genes to existing microbes already under the surface to activate them so they can begin destroying environmental toxins. "This is a naturally occurring process that happens but we are speeding it up by making sure the right conditions are at play," she says. "This approach is especially promising for scenarios where traditional degradation isn't working and for any type of contaminants, such as oil spills or toxic waste."

The process, called bacterial conjugation, involves the transfer of genetic material between bacterial cells by direct cell-to-cell contact or by a bridge-like connection between two cells known as a pilus. During conjugation, the donor cell provides a conjugative genetic element called a plasmid, which is a specific type of DNA.

"What we're trying to do is inject microorganisms with the required genes on their plasmids and force the plasmid transfer to the microbial population already present in the soil," she explains. "We are giving them new genes to make them work more efficiently. There always are bugs under the surface but they may or may not break down contaminants on their own. We are trying to figure out the conditions necessary to have genes transfer to the native organisms. These injected microbes don't have to survive. They can die because the necessary genes have been transferred to native microorganisms."

The plasmids consist of extra chromosomal DNA, "meaning they aren't essential for cell survival," Gunsch adds. "The bacteria don't need them. Once the contaminant has been broken down, this plasmid goes away and the microbial community goes back to what it was before causing no long term ecological impacts."

Gunsch is conducting her research under a National Science Foundation Faculty Early Career Development (CAREER) award which she received in 2009. The award supports junior faculty who exemplify the role of teacher-scholars through outstanding research, excellent education, and the integration of education and research within the context of the mission of their organization. She is receiving about $400,000 over five years.

She and her team have created a model system in the lab using the Pseudomonas putida bacterium as a vector for the gene transfer. They are using an engineered strain which fluoresces when it transfers, making it easy for the researchers to follow. They are testing it in a number of conditions including water, soil, sediment, and a lab scale soil column which mimics a groundwater environment.

"We've found there are a couple of different parameters that control whether this strategy will work," she says. "Success depends on how closely related the donor cells are to the recipient cells in the subsurface. The more closely related they are, the more likely the transfer will occur and the genes will function; that's the most critical one."

Another important factor is the level of organic carbon present in the environment. The more, the better. "If there is a lack of carbon - food and nutrients - the transfer is less likely to occur than if there is more," she says. "But we can overcome some of these genetic limitations."

Widespread commercial use is still in the future. "For us to get to the next stage and use it in practice, we would like to develop a test so we can take a sediment sample from a contaminated site and determine what would be a good donor cell for that specific scenario," she says. "We're still in the grey zone. We're trying to get to that next stage where we can say with certainty that, yes, if you inject these microorganisms, you will get degradation."

As part of the outreach/educational component of her grant, Gunsch works directly with the Durham public school system to bring science to minority middle school students, mostly African Americans and Latinos. "We go to the schools and teach a class that involves the material in the regular science curriculum," she says. "We teach to these students, for example, what DNA is and how it can be used. We have them isolate DNA from their cheek cells, and we play 'environmental detective,' which is similar to a criminal investigation, but focusing on pathogens. We give them a DNA sequence and they have to identify what organism they have. We also teach them about environmental engineering to get them excited about potential jobs in the science and engineering fields." As a woman, "being part of an underrepresented group in engineering, I feel that it's very important to reach out to up-and-coming scientists," she adds.

This article was written by Marlene Cimons for the National Science Foundation, and can be found on the organization’s website at www.nsf.gov/discoveries/disc_summ.jsp?cntn_id=129294&org=NSF.

TECHNICAL ARTICLE

4

Copper Brings Frank Lloyd Wright Filling Station To Life By Marcy Marro

Buffalo NY has a rich architectural history with many buildings from the late 19th and early 20th century, including many structures designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. In 1927, Wright designed a fuel filling station that was to be built on the corner of Michigan Avenue and Cherry Street in downtown, but it was never built.

In the 1970’s, Buffalo Transportation Pierce-Arrow Museum founder and executive director James T Sandoro learned of sketches of a prototypical filling station designed for an utopian community Wright named Broadacre City. Sandoro spent the last 40 years researching, prototyping, fundraising, and overseeing its construction. The 1,600 square foot filling station measures approximately 40 feet by 40 feet and is housed in a 38,000 square foot addition to the museum.

Once permission was received from the Wright Foundation to develop the design drawings based on the Broadacre sketches, Sandoro involved architect and Wright enthusiast Patrick Mahoney AIA NCARB, associate at Lauer-Manguso & Associates Architects, to help fulfill the building's final vision. Mahoney, supported by letters written to another Buffalo client in the 1920’s, surmised that an earlier station had been designed by Wright for the Elmer E Harris Oil Co. With the assistance of the Frank Lloyd Wright Archives in Scottsdale AZ, the Harris Station drawings were identified. Once identified, Lauer-Manguso worked with Wright apprentice Tony Puttnam to interpret the drawings for modern construction.

In contrast to the utilitarian gas stations that had begun to sprout up at the time, John Embow, vice president at Grove Roofing Services, says Wright envisioned a luxurious consumer-friendly facility with deluxe bathrooms, wood-burning fireplaces, gravity-fed gas pumps, and a second-story, glass-enclosed living room.

Richard Foley, the former superintendent at Grove Roofing now retired, was involved in the project for twelve years and completed all of the copper work on the building. Foley notes this was a very challenging building to work on because of its unusual shape, angles and details. "[Wright] detailed specific ways that he wanted

the copper work fabricated and installed on the building and his details are very challenging," Foley says.

Revere Copper Products Inc. in Rome NY, founded in 1801 by Paul Revere, supplied all of the copper for the project which was completed in July 2013. The project uses 440 individual pieces of 16-ounce copper for the filling station's standing seam roof. As intended in Wright's original design, every 15-inch-wide by 1-inch-high, double-lock standing seam panel was individually shop-fabricated. Foley notes that instead of creating a seam at the roof ridges, Wright wanted to bring the copper up, cut it, and continue it down the other side without a seam, which was very challenging.

With a nod to Native American design, the filling station features two 38 foot high copper totems that support an abstractly lettered "TYDOL" in red, neon-like LED lighting. The letters stand for Tydol Oil Co, a popular brand at the time and the intended benefactor of Wright's designs. The four-sided totem columns are 12 by 12 inches at the bottom and each section tapers up by 1/32 inch to 6 by 6 inches at the top." All of the pieces on the totems are hand-cut miters, are soldered from the inside, and are perfect," Foley says. On the cantilevered canopies, 24-inch-wide copper fascia transitions to an angled soffit and screen vent. Consisting of five pieces, the assembly complements the red clay stucco ceiling and walls. Blending into the adjoining patterned red concrete walls, the capital columns were created out of individual pieces of heavier 1/2 by 4 inch copper plate that were saw-cut and assembled with pop rivets on their concealed backsides. While the underlying units were constructed with wood and glass, 16-ounce copper bands were skinned onto the wood to designate the gallons of fluid left in the hanging gravity gas pumps.

The museum's east side is almost entirely glass, flooding the filling station in natural light that radiates the shine and beauty of the copper finish. The museum's new addition features a second-story balcony that wraps three sides of the filling station, allowing visitors to gain unique views from many vantage points.

Contact Marcy Marro at mmarro@modern trade.com. She is an editor for Metal Architecture and Metal Construction News. This article is reprinted by permission of Metal Architecture. For more information, go to www.metalarchitecture.com.

ESB CORPORATE MEMBERS

An-Cor Industrial Plastics Inc

AP Technical Search

Barron and Associates PC

D R Chamberlain Corp

Earth Dimensions Inc

Eberl Iron Works Inc

Engineers from the Corps

EnSol Inc

Frey Electric

Golder Associates Inc

GZA GeoEnvironmental

Hatch Mott MacDonald

IMA Life

Kistner Concrete Products

M.I.S. of America Inc

NGC Testing Services

Parsons Brinckerhoff Inc

Prince Rubber & Plastics Co Inc

RJR Engineering PC

Se-Mar Electric Company Inc

SJB Services Inc

TMP Technologies Inc

Trautman Associates

T. Y. Lin International

Weydman Electric Inc

5

STUDENT INFO

MAY BIRTHDAYS

Wayne R Notto Dick

Lebert

Charles J Cole

John J

Zito

Don McMahon PE Dennis Kessler

Stanley J Bl

as

Thomas Hanshar James S Blocho

Jamie Wasielewski

Joseph M Lowry III PE

William Taylor Jr

William F Haa

g Jr

Business Management Courses: Set Career On Right Track By Michael O’Brien

In today's highly competitive world, the right knowledge and resource is what separates one from the crowd. A sound understanding of the way the business world works will ensure you stay on top of the competition. Communication skills, often involving the use of English, and a good understanding of the advantages of modern day computer operations are basic requirements for any streamlined business. But a deeper understanding of commercial operations is indispensable for any body wishing to succeed in the business world either as an entrepreneur or a member of a team.

There are many different business management courses available for students to choose from. Whether you are planning to start your own business or join a company, prior knowledge of the business model will help establish yourself in the market effectively and quickly. Business management courses provide complete education about running and maintaining a business. Discussion on live case studies and hands-on experience will help the

students gain better understanding of real life situations. Business management courses train students on various aspects of modern day business such as finance, operations, team work, people management, etc. This enables students to understand the expectations of their peers, management, and the market, once they step into the corporate world.

The industry offers lucrative positions to individuals who have undergone Business Management studies. Students with good business administration knowledge generally enter the corporate world in mid to upper management positions in various industry verticals. They can also choose to work independently offering services in a consultant based model. Business management courses kick-start one's career and help to establish a secure future.

Michael O'Brien is the founder of Eurospeak. After studying in England, Italy, and Belgium, he started his career as a school master teaching French, Philosophy, and Athletics and took a keen interest in social work. He invites you to visit www.eurospeak.org.uk. This article appeared at www.articlecity.com/articles/education/article_2235.shtml.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

6

For additional information regarding these opportunities, contact our office at ESB1894@gmail.com or 716-873-4455. Discounts for some pricing are available for certain society members, small companies, etc. And if you have information regarding future PDH opportunities that may be of interest to our members, please forward them to our office for inclusion in the newsletter and on our website at www.tesb.org.

Local/Online PDH Opportunities

Date Hours Location Information Cost

All 2.0 Online ASME Standards and Certification Free

All 1.0 Online Role of Mobile Water Treatment to Offset Emergency/Schedules Plant Shutdowns Free

05/01/15 1.5 Webinar Investigation and Repair of Fire-Damaged Framing $299

05/05/15 1.0 Webinar Petrographic Analysis of Concrete Deterioration $299

05/05/15 1.5 Webinar Practical Design of Structures for Blast Effects: Structural Elements $225

05/06/15 1.0 Buffalo Robert Moses Parkway South Segment “Riverway” Project – A Sustainable Solution $25

05/06/15 2.0 Webinar Tools for Analysis of Capacity & Efficient Flow for Roundabout Design Part 1 $99

05/06/15 1.0? Webinar Electrical Systems: Arc Flash Reduction & NEC 240.87 Requirements Free?

05/06/15 1.5 Webinar Condition Evaluation of Existing Structures: Concrete and Steel $349

05/08/15 1.5 Webinar Condition Evaluation of Existing Structures: Masonry and Wood $349

05/11/15 1.5 Webinar Composite Girder Design and Member Serviceability $285

05/12/15 1.0? Webinar The Future of Subsurface Modeling, Design, and Analysis

05/12/15 1.5 Webinar Supporting Suspended Loads from Building Structural Elements $349

05/13/15 2.0 Webinar Effective Practices for the Protection of Transportation Infrastructure from Cyber Incidents $89

05/13/15 1.0 Webinar Ethics in Plumbing Engineering $130

05/14/15 1.0? Webinar Critical Power: Data Center Electrical Efficiency Free?

05/14/15 ? Webinar Simulation of Automotive Wireless RF System Performance Free

05/15/15 1.5 Webinar Alternative Designs for Anchorage to Concrete $349

05/18/15 1.5 Webinar Use Federal Highway Admin Stochastic Empirical Load/Dilution Model: OR & MA $89

05/18/15 1.0 Webinar Design Snow Loads for Solar Paneled Roofs $299

05/18/15 1.5 Webinar Advanced Composite Beam Topics $285

05/19/15 ? Webinar Silicon, Software, and Open Source Free

05/20/15 1.0 Webinar Approving or Selecting Building Products with Confidence Free

05/20/15 1.5 Webinar Floor Deck Design Manual (In partnership with the Steel Deck Institute) $75

05/21/15 1.5 Webinar Risk Management Applications for All Airports Free

05/21/15 ? Webinar How to Tame Octopus: Exploring Model-Based Systems Engineering Today & Tomorrow

06/01/15 2.0 Webinar 20 Years Advancements Roundabout Design, Construction Sequencing, Illumination $99

06/01/15 1.5 Webinar Practical Implementation of Composite Floor Designs $285

06/01/15 1.5 Webinar Seismic Evaluation/Retrofit Unreinforced Brick Masonry Buildings ASCE 41-13 $299

06/03/15 1.5 Webinar Mechanistic-Empirical Design/Details Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement $89

06/05/15 6.5 Buffalo National Electrical Code $269

06/08/15 1.5 Webinar Composite Floor Vibration - Part 1: Basics of Floor Vibration Analysis $285

06/10/15 1.0 Webinar LED Lighting 203 - Design Update Healthcare & Commercial Applications Free

06/10/15 1.5 Webinar Lateral on Open Web Joist: Moment Connections with Knife Plates $75

06/11/15 2.0 Webinar Tools for Analysis of Capacity & Efficient Flow for Roundabout Design Part II $99

06/17/15 1.5 Webinar Case Studies in Performance Based Analysis of Geometric Design $89

06/18/15 1.5 Webinar Business Planning Approaches for Disruptive/Irregular Airport Operations Free

06/18/15 ? Webinar Accelerate Vision Systems Design w/Xilinx Smart Vision & Silicon Software's Embedded VisualApplets

06/22/15 1.5 Webinar Composite Floor Vibration - Part 1: Walking Vibrations $285

06/24/15 2.0 Webinar Materials for Unbound Granular Pavement Layers $89

06/29/15 1.5 Webinar Composite Floor Vibration - Part 1: Special Considerations $285

7

ESB ADVERTISEMENT

Return Contract to:

The Engineering Society of Buffalo, Inc.The Engineering Society of Buffalo, Inc.The Engineering Society of Buffalo, Inc.The Engineering Society of Buffalo, Inc. PO Box 1677PO Box 1677PO Box 1677PO Box 1677

Amherst, NY 14226Amherst, NY 14226Amherst, NY 14226Amherst, NY 14226

Phone: 716Phone: 716Phone: 716Phone: 716----873873873873----4455445544554455

Email: ESB1894@gmail.comEmail: ESB1894@gmail.comEmail: ESB1894@gmail.comEmail: ESB1894@gmail.com

MMMMaaaakkkkeeee yyyyoooouuuurrrr cccchhhheeeecccckkkk ppppaaaayyyyaaaabbbblllleeee ttttoooo ““““EEEESSSSBBBB””””

Western New York Engineer Western New York Engineer Western New York Engineer Western New York Engineer Adv e r t i s i n g C on t r ac tAd v e r t i s i n g C on t r ac tAd v e r t i s i n g C on t r ac tAd v e r t i s i n g C on t r ac t

September 2014 - August 2015

The Western New York Engineer is a monthly publication of ESB Please insert our advertisement in the ESB Newsletter per terms and stipulations of the following rates: Select One

Ad Start Month

Number of Issues To Include Ad

� Business Card Maximum size

3-7/8” wide x 2” tall

� 1/4 Page Maximum size

3-7/8” wide x 4-1/4” tall 8” wide x 2” tall

� 1/2 Page Maximum size

8” wide x 4-1/4” tall

� Full Page Maximum size

8” wide x 9-3/4” tall

� September 11 $195 $345 $550 $980

� October 10 $190 $340 $540 $960

� November 9 $185 $335 $530 $940

� December 8 $180 $325 $520 $920

� January 7 $175 $315 $500 $880

� February 6 $165 $300 $480 $840

� March 5 $150 $275 $450 $785

� May 4 $130 $240 $400 $695

� June 3 $105 $195 $330 $570

� July 2 $75 $140 $240 $410

� Aug/Special 1 $40 $75 $130 $215

� One Time 1 $40 $75 $130 $215

� Color Back Half Page 11 months $1,300

� Online Ad thru August (Add On Only) $20

ESB Corporate Members receive a 20% discount from the above pricing. You may update your membership to corporate at any time by paying the difference in dues for the year.

Copy Enclosed (business card or similar) Electronic file (.jpg, .gif, or similar)

Do not wish to advertise Payment Enclosed Please Bill Me Company Name

Contact Name

Street

City, State, Zip

Phone

Signature

TECHNICAL ARTICLE

8

Check out www.tesb.org

for current events. It is

updated regularly!

Peace Bridge. Create Overlook, Widen Plaza Approach, Re-Deck

The Buffalo and Fort Erie Public Bridge Authority (PBA) announced the continuation of its $167 million capital plan with the unveiling of several additional projects, including widening of the bridge to four lanes in Canada, re-decking of the span, and installing a scenic overlook feature along the international boundary line.

“In late 2014, the Authority completed a $10 million widening of the US approach and is currently in the midst of completing a $24 million expansion of the US Customs commercial building. These new projects, having a value of $80 million, show the continued commitment of the board to invest in this critically important border crossing” said PBA Board Chairman Anthony Annunziata.

Mr. Annunziata explained that the re-decking project was much more than a simple replacement of the bridge deck. It is essentially a complete makeover of the bridge with upgraded light standards on the Peace Bridge to evoke the history of the bridge, new railings, an eight foot wide pedestrian/cycling sidewalk widening, a new overhead gantry system with variable messaging capability, and the installation of an international “look-out” viewing deck area for tourists and sightseers. “We are very proud of the plan for what will be our ‘magnificent mile’” said Annunziata.

Work is slated to begin this summer on the footings, foundations, and sub-structure of the widened Canadian bridge approach; however, this project will have no impact on bridge traffic in 2015 and 2016. All lanes will be operational all summer. The bridge re-decking will begin

in the fall season of 2016.

“These are exciting times for the Authority as we embark on a number of truly transformational projects to upgrade and enhance our historic international bridge crossing” said Vice Chairman Sam Hoyt. “At the same time, the Authority remains committed to making sure that these projects do not create any traffic disruption during prime travel seasons in the next few years.”

This press release appeared online at www.peacebridge.com.

TECHNICAL ARTICLE

9

New Technique For Growing High-Efficiency Solar Cells By Nancy Ambrosiano

In the January journal Science, Los Alamos National Laboratory researchers reveal a new solution-based hot-casting technique that allows growth of highly efficient and reproducible solar cells from large-area perovskite crystals. “These perovskite crystals offer promising routes for developing low-cost, solar-based, clean global energy solutions for the future,” said Aditya Mohite, the Los Alamos scientist leading the project. State-of-the-art photovoltaics using high-purity, large-area, wafer-scale single-crystalline semiconductors grown by sophisticated, high temperature crystal-growth processes are seen as the future of efficient solar technology.

Solar cells composed of organic-inorganic perovskites offer efficiencies approaching that of silicon, but they have been plagued with some important deficiencies limiting their commercial viability. It is this failure that the Los Alamos technique successfully corrects. The researchers fabricated planar solar cells from pervoskite materials with large crystalline grains that had efficiencies approaching 18%, among the highest reported in the field of perovskite-based light-to-energy conversion devices. The cells demonstrate little cell-to-cell variability, resulting in devices showing hysteresis-free photovoltaic response, which had been a fundamental

bottleneck for stable operation of perovskite devices. “Characterization and modeling attribute the improved performance to reduced bulk defects and improved charge-carrier mobility in large-grain pervoskite materials,” said Mohite, “and we’ve demonstrated that the crystalline quality is on par with that observed for high-quality semiconductors like silicon and gallium arsenides.”

The researchers anticipate that their crystal growth technique will lead the field towards synthesis of wafer-scale crystalline perovskites necessary for the fabrication of high-efficiency solar-cells and be applicable to several other material systems plagued by polydispersity, defects, and grain boundary recombination in solution-processed thin-films.

Los Alamos National Laboratory enhances national security by ensuring the safety and reliability of the US nuclear stockpile, developing technologies to reduce threats from weapons of mass destruction, and solving problems related to energy, environment, infrastructure, health, and global security concerns.

The work at Los Alamos National Laboratory was supported by a DOE Office of Basic Energy Sciences proposal and by the Los Alamos National Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) program. This work was done in part at the Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies, a DOE Office of Science User Facility.

This press release was published at www.lanl.gov/source/discover/news-release-archive/2015/January/01.29-high-efficiency-perovskite-solar-cells.php. See Science magazine issue of Jan 30, 2015, Vol 347, #6221 for more information. Nancy Ambrosiano can be contacted at nwa@lanl.gov.

10

CAREER CORNER

Soil & Hydrogeologic Investigations · Wetland Delineations

1091 Jamison Road · Elma, NY 14059

(716) 655-1717 · fax (716) 655-2915 · edi@earthdimensions.com

We Know Your Soils Providing Experience & Expertise for Over 36 Years

Do you have a Cooling Tower?

Do you have a 7G Pesticide License for handling biocides?

M.I.S. of America, Inc. will be teaching the full 5 day class to qualify

and prepare individuals to take the 5 day exam.

People may attend one or more days to receive recertification credit.

For more information visit our website: www.misofamerica.com

Click on Training, 5 Day or Call us at: 716-681-3758

Lean Six Sigma Problem-Solving Tools Available To You By Tracy Puckett

Is your organization ignoring an issue that’s hindering performance because it lacks time or expertise to solve it? Are you facing inconsistencies in production? Or could your operations be more efficient, with the potential to positively impact the bottom line? The University at Buffalo’s Six Sigma Black Belt Student Certification program can help pinpoint causes of and solutions for these issues and more.

Western New York companies of all types and sizes – from manufacturers and lending institutions to health care providers and nonprofit organizations – are invited to host a program participant for the 2015-16 academic year.

The two-semester program focuses on operational excellence by employing the Lean Six Sigma problem-solving approach to reduce process variation. The program is in its 11th year and is one of a handful of Six Sigma programs offered by US institutions of higher education. “Companies reap the benefits of someone who is dedicated solely to a project when management is committed to providing the student with necessary

resources,” said Timothy Leyh, UB TCIE executive director. “They also receive reassurance from a Master Black Belt mentor that supports the student throughout the year. Our mentors have extensive industry experience in applying Lean Six Sigma tools.”

Company officials meet with the UB team to identify a project that will yield positive results. Students then work 12-16 hours per week at the company during the fall and spring semesters.

The cost of sponsorship is $4,999 per student. Companies interested in the program should contact Director of Business Development Gary Simon at ggsimon@buffalo.edu or 645-8837. Sponsor commitments are due by May 1.

UB TCIE stands for the University at Buffalo Center for Industrial Effectiveness. It is Western New York's bridge to excellence; it provides a dynamic link between UB’s expert resources and the region’s business community. Its core focus on engineering solutions and operational excellence drives continual improvements and ignites innovation and technological advantages. For more information on how UB TCIE can assist Western New York businesses, visit www.tcie.buffalo.edu or call 645-8800. This press release can be found at http://engineering.buffalo.edu/home/news-events.host.html/content/shared/university/news/news-center-releases/2015/03/059.detail.html

Place your job opening on our

website for free! (It might be

included within this newsletter

too on page 1.) Send an email

to ESB1894@gmail.com for

details.

11

MEETING MINUTES

Attendees: Officers: Closs, Samol, SanFilippo, Scofidio Board Members: Cartwright, Masse, Mooney, Plizga, Wach Members: Max Smith Call to Order: President Marco Scofidio called the meeting to order at 6:04pm

Committee Reports

Advertising: No report Audit: No report Bowling: St Pat Day Shoot had 32 prizes and occurred on 3-11-15. Last night of bowling is 4-15-15 and is also sweepstakes

night. Banquet is 4-24-15 at 6pm at the George F Lamm Post American Legion #622. At the banquet, two bowlers will be receiving jackets for obtaining a perfect 300 game, one female and one male.

Bylaws: No report Education: No report Endowment: No report Entertainment: Car show committee formed by Gene Colucci and has six additional people. Possibly have 6-9 cars to show up at

scholarship run to promote event. Suggest 12 cars max at scholarship run. Adopt A Highway is scheduled for 4-25-15 at 10am.

Fundraising: No report Golf: Tournament is at Chestnut Hill on Tuesday Aug 4. Golf tournament is open to all, not just engineers. Please post

in your office as it is a great deal. Tournament is in connection with BEAM. Historian: No report Media: Min updates. Job listings have been put on the website. Format for job listings will be added to the web. Newsletter: Will add ad box to check out the website for job listings, current events, etc. Nominating: Papaj reached out to several members. No one wants to run to be on the board. Most likely will appoint and there

will be no election. Scholarship: SanFilippo sent reimbursement to Pat Conway. Scholarship Run: Meeting on 4-20-15 6pm. Still waiting on the state to see if we can have the run at the boat harbor. (NFTA is no

longer the owner. It is a NYS park. Will need to check on $7 fee. Sunshine: Dr Chen’s wife passed away. He was a UB professor. Y Membership: No report

Minutes: The minutes of the March meeting were reviewed and approved Adjournment: The meeting adjourned at 6:45pm Next Meeting: Monday May 11, 2015 Wendt Corporation 2555 Walden Ave, Buffalo NY

May 9 will mark the eighth year for National Train Day. Created in 2008 by Amtrak, this day celebrates the anniversary of the completion of the first transcontinental railroad in the United States. The day’s goal is to share information about the history and power of trains as well as the advantages of travelling by train.

This year’s Amtrak celebration kicks off at Chicago Union Station and then travels to multiple locations nationwide through November. On Saturday July 25 from 9am until 3pm, The Empire State Passengers Association (ESPA) will be distributing free travel literature, Amtrak activity fun books, and engineer hats at the Buffalo-Depew Amtrak Station off Dick Road. ESPA will also provide complimentary refreshments and can answer your rail travel questions. Learn more about railroad history at the following locations!

Buffalo’s Heritage Discovery Center, located at 100 Lee Street, celebrates the city’s railway, industrial, and marine heritage. (821-9360 or www.trainweb.org/wnyhdc)

The Medina Railroad Museum features one of the largest model train layouts in the country, railroad

artifacts, special events, and year-round train excursions. (585-798-6106 or www.railroadmuseum.net)

The Railroad Museum of the Niagara Frontier is located at the Erie Railroad freight depot in North Tonawanda and operated by the Niagara Frontier Chapter of the National Railroad Historical Society. (www.nfcnrhs.com)

The Arcade and Attica Railroad at 278 Main Street in Arcade is home to the last operating steam train excursion in New York State with an historic station, memorabilia, exhibits, and a gift shop. (585-492-3100 or www.arcadeandatticarr.com)

Tara Pfarner is an administrative assistant at RJR Engineering, PC in Springville and can be contacted at tara@rjrpc.com.

TECHNICAL ARTICLE

12

National Train Day By Tara Pfarner

TECHNICAL ARTICLE

Advertising space is available.

See page 7 for rates and

contract. Contact us by email

at ESB1894@gmail.com or

by phone at 716-873-4455.

13

In the late 1800’s, a man named James Wide was working as a signalman for the Port Elizabeth Mainline Railway in South Africa. His job was to pull the levers which ensured that the right trains went on the right tracks at the right time, but Wide earned his reputation - and his nickname - for something else. “Jumper,” as Wide was often known, had a habit of leaping from railcar to railcar, displaying a certain bravery and a foolishness while entertaining the onlooking crowd. One of his jumps - his final one - went poorly and cost him his legs. He missed and fell under the train and one needn’t a graphic description to know that he was

lucky to survive.

Confined to a wheelchair of his own making - a trolley, reports would later call it - and outfitted with a set of homemade prosthesis, he was able to return to work but he was only barely able to carry out his job duties alone. So on his own dime, he retained the services of Jack, who had been working at a local market stocking shelves (or the 1800’s equivalent.) Jack's job initially, was simply to push Jumper to and from work. But soon, Jumper realized that Jack could do a lot more. Jumper knew how the railway worked but pushing the signal levels was difficult for a man with his physical ailments so Jack stepped in to provide the manpower with Jumper calling out the instructions to his new

apprentice. The two, as a team, were able to accomplish the job.

Until a customer complained about Jack. Sure, she argued, he may have been good at his job. But that didn't change the fact that he

was a baboon. (Yes, an actual primate.)

In general, it's a bad idea to let a monkey push the levers that make trains go onto the proper tracks. (It's also a bad idea to continue to employ a person without the physical strength to push those very same levers but that's a different story.) And when the customer complained, the railway understandably took action. Jack was

fired, as was Jumper.

But the railway allowed Jumper to argue his and Jack's case. Jumper proceeded to demonstrated that Jack could operate the signal levers per Jumper's instructions, assuaging the railway owners' fears to some degree. But the real value came from the novelty of having a baboon working the railroad. As the Telegraph noted, he attracted many fans including local dignitaries, bringing additional business to the train line. Both Jumper and his baboon pal were re-hired. And this time, Jack got paid. According to Wikipedia, the railway even ended up paying the monkey for his services - 20 cents a day and half a bottle of beer each week. (There's no evidence that Jack ever drank on the job although his mental capacity was already that of a monkey, so who knows if

that would have mattered anyway.)

Jack held his role in the signalman partnership for roughly nine

years before passing away from tuberculosis in 1890.

Dan Lewis is the author of Now I Know, a daily newsletter with

all kinds of fun facts. Subscribe at nowiknow.com.

Jumper, Jack, Match By Dan Lewis

Three new scholarships are available each year for students planning engineering careers through academic enrollment at the State University of New York at Buffalo and Buffalo State College. High school students from Erie and Niagara Counties who are accepted in an appropriate curriculum may apply for the scholarships. Recipients must be accepted for enrollment beginning with the first semester in the fall following graduation from high school. The awardees are selected on the basis of scholastic achievement, financial need, extracurricular activities, and leadership qualities. Currently, twelve students are sponsored by scholarship funds from The Engineering Society of Buffalo.

Applications must be postmarked by June 1st. Application

forms may be obtained by visiting www.tesb.org/esb-scholarship.html and if you need additional information, contact our office at ESB1894@gmail.com or 716-873-4455.

Interested in some ESB scholarship history knowledge?

In September 1950, ESB established its first scholarship for the study of engineering at UB. The first winner was Mitchell J Banas, who was awarded $100 per year for a total of $400. At that time, tuition at UB was about $650. In 1961, ESB awarded a scholarship to a female, Diana Franklin, for the first time.

In 1982, the first annual ESB scholarship run was conducted at Delaware Park. Over 230 runners participated and over $2000 was raised for the scholarship fund.

Beginning in September 1987, ESB awarded a total of four scholarships, two to UB students and two to students attending ECC.

ESB ADVERTISEMENT

14

Do you know of a deserving student entering engineering?

Share this info with them so they can apply for one of The

Engineering Society of Buffalo scholarships!

Scholarship Application Available!

15

LOCAL

We are always looking for

qualified engineers. If

interested, contact us at

hr.us@imalife.com

IMA Life Freeze Drying

Solutions is a world leader

in the design, technology

and manufacture of aseptic

processing and packaging

equipment for the global

pharmaceutical industry.

From R&D through to

production and on-going services, we have been providing

better process solutions for over fifty years.

The Tonawanda location is the center of global Freeze

Drying excellence.

2175 Military Road

Tonawanda, NY 14150

Tel: (716) 695-6354

Fax: (716) 695-6367

Wholesale Distributors of Heating, Air Conditioning and Sheet Metal

Commercial , Industrial, Residential

Serving Contractors throughout Western New York

for over 90 Years

The time for the annual Western New York Invention Convention is here! Now in its thirteenth year, the event’s mission is to promote creative thinking and encourage problem solving for students in grades K-8 by developing solutions to problems encountered in their daily lives. Thousands of area students have been brainstorming, researching, and making models at their schools, within scout programs, and at after-school programs. Each program selects their top fifteen inventors who have the opportunity to present their innovations at the WNY Invention Convention. This year’s event will be held on Sunday, May 3 at the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library’s Central (downtown) location.

This is also the third year for the Re-Invent category sponsored by Goodwill Industries. This category

encourages the young inventors to focus their critical thinking skills on the environmentally friendly task of repurposing. Students will present their inventions directly to judges and awards are given in a number of different categories. There will also be special events at the library for the inventors and their families including a scavenger hunt and 3D printing demonstrations.

By encouraging teachers, parents, and students to work together to identify and solve problems, the event is helping to prepare the next generation for STEM-related careers.

Tara Pfarner is an administrative assistant at RJR Engineering, PC in Springville and can be contacted at tara@rjrpc.com.

WNY Invention Convention By Tara Pfarner

“Failure is instructive. The person who really thinks learns quite as much from his failures as from his successes.” - John Dewey

This is true in any field including engineering. Here are some examples where mistakes went on to become significant discoveries.

Silly Putty was invented in 1943 by James Wright, an engineer at General Electric who was trying to create a rubber substitute. Disappointed with his results, he tossed a handful of his creation on the floor and was surprised when it bounced back. With the exception of added colorants, the formula has remained the same and more than 4,500 tons (or 300 million Silly Putty eggs) have been sold since 1950. It’s even gone to the moon along with the Apollo 8 astronauts to secure their tools in zero gravity (and to alleviate boredom probably.)

Teflon was not originally intended for use in the kitchen. Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) was discovered in 1938 by Roy Plunkett in the process of attempting to make a new CFC refrigerant at Kinetic Chemicals, a DuPont company. The tetrafluoroethylene gas in its pressure bottle stopped flowing before the bottle's weight had dropped to the point signaling "empty” so Plunkett, out of curiosity, broke the bottle and

found the inside coated with a slippery, waxy white material. Subsequent analysis found it to be polymerized perfluoroethylene with the iron from the inside of the container having acted as a catalyst at high pressure. The Teflon brand PTFE was used in the Manhattan Project as a material to coat valves and seals in the pipes holding highly reactive uranium hexafluoride at the vast K-25 uranium enrichment plant in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. It didn’t find its way into the kitchen until 1954, when French engineer Marc Gregoire created the first Teflon-coated pan under the brand name of Tefal.

Velcro brand fastener was invented by an electrical engineer in 1941. George de Mestral had returned from a hunting trip and noticed burrs stuck to his clothing and to his dog’s fur. Being a detail-oriented kind of guy, he noticed how perfectly the burrs bound, and used his microscope to investigate further. He set out to replicate what Mother Nature had already designed by attaching tiny hooks and loops to fabric swatches. Fellow engineers chided him but he continued to refine his prototype and finally received a patent for it in 1955. He went on to be inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame. Kindergartners everywhere are grateful for his perseverance.

Tara Pfarner is an administrative assistant at RJR Engineering, PC in Springville and can be contacted at tara@rjrpc.com.

AMUSEMENT

16

Accidental Engineering By Tara Pfarner

BOWLING LEAGUE

17

Advertising space is available.

See page 7 for rates and

contract. Contact us by email

at ESB1894@gmail.com or

by phone at 716-873-4455.

Team Standings Week 31 Won Lost

1. THE KEGGLERS 161.5 117.5

2. SABER 160 119

3. DUMBLEDORES ARMY 155.5 123.5

4. MESSY HOSE 154.5 124.5

5. AVERAGE JOE’S 154 125

6. OUTCASTS 150 129

7. JUNKYARD DOG’S 150 129

8. DEAD LOADS 149 130

9. ODIES 146 133

10. SPLIT HAPPENS 144.5 134.5

11. AZZ CLOWNS 143 136

12. K & M TREATS 142.5 136.5

13. CAD/CAMS 122.5 156.5

14. PROTRACTORS 109 170

15. TRANSMITTERS 100 179

16. ARCHER IMAGING 90 189

Handicap Series

Stan Fularz 720

Cross Alley w/Handicap

Tim Juliano 277

Scratch Game

Hannah Mosher 248

Stan Fularz 246

Mike Mosher 244

Rich Deck 237

Tim Juliano 237

Jim Franc 236

John Girdelstone 227

Jim Gugino 227

Scratch Series

Hannah Mosher 676

Stan Fularz 654

Jim Franc 641

Rich Deck 632

Merrill Arthur 620

Steve Koons 615

Alan Cook 614

President

Jeff Mooney

Vice President

Kevin Devine

Secretary

Jeff Mooney

Treasurer

Norm P

ieszak

ESB ADVERTISEMENT

18

!!! 35 Years Of Scholarships !!! ESB 5K Scholarship Run

To reserve your tax deductible sponsorship, complete and mail the information below along with your check to:

The Engineering Society of Buffalo, Inc.

PO Box 1677 Amherst, NY 14226

Business Name:________________________________________ Phone:____________________

Individual Name:_________________________________________________________________

Address:________________________________________________________________________

City:______________________________________ State:_____________ Zip:______________

Please check one: � Titanium � Platinum � Gold � - Donation amount $_______________

Wednesday, July 22nd 2015

Providing Scholarships to

UB and Buffalo State Engineering Students

Titanium Sponsor - $1,000 • Company name and logo displayed prominently on

race application mailed to over 5,000 runners! • Also advertised at our Golf Tournament

with a business banner and tee box sign! • Thank you to donor in pre-race commencement speech • Optional 30 second open mic at commencement speech

• One year on www.tesb.org home page • Top spot on donation A-frames at race

• Inclusion in promotional email to runners

Platinum Sponsor - $500 • Company name and logo displayed prominently on

race application mailed to over 5,000 runners! • Also advertised at our Golf Tournament

with a business banner and tee box sign! • One year on www.tesb.org home page • Included on donation A-frames at race

Gold Sponsor - to $250

• One year on www.tesb.org home page • Included on donation A-frames at race

19

ESB ADVERTISEMENT

All are

welcome!!!

Please share

with friends &

co-workers

When: Tuesday August 4, 2015 9:00 am Registration & Open Practice Range 10:00 am Shotgun Start

Where: Chestnut Hills Country Club 1330 Broadway Darien, NY

Fee Includes: 18 Holes of Golf with cart, Bucket of Balls on Driving Range, Lunch at the Turn, NY Strip Steak Dinner, Contests, Awards, Prizes, and Beverage Cart during play

Questions: Email Jeff Wach at jwach@egwpersonnel.com

Captain / Player 1: ___________________________________________

Company: ___________________________________________

Address: ___________________________________________

Phone: ___________________________________________

Email: ___________________________________________

Please register me for: $360 Foursome - Other golfer names ______________________________

______________________________

______________________________

$190 Twosome - Other golfer name ______________________________ $100 Single Golfer $30 Dinner Only – Name(s) ______________________________

$_____________ Total Enclosed

Titanium Sponsor - $1000 Display of your business banner, tee box sign, and a foursome in the tournament

Platinum Sponsor - $500 Display of your business banner, tee box sign, and a twosome in the tournament

Gold Sponsor—$250 Your business name displayed on a tee box sign and a single player in the tournament

Silver Sponsor—$150 Your business name will be displayed on a tee box sign

Mail your check (payable to ESB) at:

The Engineering Society of Buffalo C/O Jeff Wach 1700 Clinton St

Buffalo, NY 14206 716-826-4233

Golf Tournament Registration

Golf Tournament Sponsorship

Business Name:________________________________________ Phone:____________________

Individual Name:_______________________________________Email: ____________________

Address:________________________________________________________________________

City:______________________________________ State:_____________ Zip:______________

2015 ESB Annual Golf Tournament in conjunction with BEAM (Buffalo Engineering Awareness for Minorities)

Sponsorships are tax deductible!

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION

US POSTAGE PAID

BUFFALO, NY

PERMIT NO. 2734

Current Resident or:

You don’t have to be an

engineer to participate in

our golf tournament or

scholarship run. Come join

us for two great events!

THE ENGINEERING SOCIETY OF BUFFALO P O BOX 1677 AMHERST, NY 14226

ESB Golf Tournament Page 19

ESB Scholarship Run Page 18