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Engineering News
VDOT approves start of $3.8-billion Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel Expansion
The project will increase tunnel and interstate capacity along 9.9 miles of Interstate 64 between Hampton and Norfolk, Virginia, reducing congestion and easing access to the Port of Virginia and the world’s largest Naval base.
Historic bridge in Chelan, Washington transformed by a rehabilitation project
Built in 1927, the historic Woodin Avenue Bridge stretches 450 feet over pristine Lake Chelan in Washington and serves as a grand entrance to the city of Chelan’s downtown
Triggo reveals micro-electric car for global launch across major cities in 2021
The engineering design company founded in Poland has announced the launch of its first electric urban mobility vehicle, combining the safety and comfort of a car with the maneuverability and parking benefits of a scooter.
Defining moment for STEM
Nearing its 30th anniversary, STEM finds itself converging with educational technology such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and extended reality.
Stantec to provide design and engineering services for Alberta’s first temporary COVID-19 treatment center
Engineering firm Stantec, along with fellow Alberta-based companies Sprung Structures and CANA Construction, has been selected by Alberta Health Services (AHS) and the Government of Alberta to design and construct Alberta’s first temporary COVID-19 treatment center
Structural Engineers Foundation establishes Fred Haas Scholarship
The Chicago-based Structural Engineering Foundation has announced a new annual scholarship in honor of structural engineer Fred Haas, made possible by a generous donation from the Associated Steel Erectors
Proposed ASTM geocells standard supports soil stability in road projects
A proposed ASTM International standard will provide guidance for using geocells in roadway projects. The open-celled geosynthetics help hold soils and rocks in place and are commonly used in road construction, earth retention, and other construction projects.
Cleveland Vibrator Company releases white paper on vibratory feeders
Cleveland Vibrator Company has released a white paper entitled “Selecting the Right Vibratory Feeder for Industrial Applications.” This presents guidelines to help manufacturing professionals select and maintain the proper vibratory feeder for their application.
Plastics Pipe Institute announces new technical director
The Plastics Pipe Institute has announced that Patrick Vibien, P.Eng., has been appointed technical director of the association and will also assume the position of director of engineering for the Power and Communications Division and director of education.
Engineering Firms
Fugro to provide quality assurance testing services for Dallas airports
The firm has been awarded a 5-year contract to provide services for all upcoming construction projects at Dallas Love Field Airport, Dallas Executive Airport, and Dallas Vertiport
Greg Stukel, P.E. joins Bowman Consulting Group’s Lisle, IL office
As a principal and civil engineer, he will assist in business development, participate in the company’s Illinois Tollway initiatives, and provide design plan quality assurance leadership.
Engineering firm RETTEW joins with SolMare to construct one of the nation’s largest floating solar arrays
The project will provide all the power needs for Clayton Sand Company’s sand mining facility in Jackson, New Jersey.
Site work begins on Everglades Agricultural Area Storage Reservoir Project with Brown and Caldwell providing engineering
Designed to reduce harmful discharges to estuaries and send clean water to the Southern Everglades and Florida Bay, the project includes canals, stormwater treatment areas, and a storage reservoir.
ColeBreit Engineering hires mechanical engineer William Caron, P.E.
In his senior-level role with ColeBreit, a full-range mechanical, electrical, and plumbing design and engineering firm in Oregon, Caron will help expand the team’s portfolio with larger, more diverse engineering projects.
Semco Maritime, WSP USA, and ISC Consulting Engineers partner on offshore wind projects
Denmark-based Semco Maritime and ISC Consulting Engineers, along with WSP USA, have announced a partnership that will combine Semco Maritime and ISC’s offshore wind farm and substation engineering and construction experience with WSP’s expertise in U.S. offshore wind permitting and engineering.
Mueser Rutledge promotes five engineers
Mueser Rutledge Consulting Engineers, the subsurface engineering firm in New York City, announces the promotion of five engineers on its staff.
Modjeski and Masters to design I Street Bridge’s movable span
Modjeski and Masters has been selected as the engineer of record for the design of the vertical lift span on the I Street Bridge in Sacramento, California.
Kentucky infrastructure project awarded engineering design feat of the year
The Southwestern Parkway Combined Sewer Overflow Basin project received the Best in Engineering Design Award and a National Award of Excellence from the Design-Build Institute of America
Engineering Schools
Cornell College engineering major becomes ABET accredited
The school in Mount Vernon, Iowa has secured accreditation from the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology for its bachelor of science in engineering (B.S.E.) program
Utah State launches engineering research center for electrified transportation
The National Science Foundation has awarded Utah State University a five-year, $26 million grant to develop a research center dedicated to advancing sustainable, electrified transportation.
Virginia Commonwealth University researchers to develop next-generation, long-lasting batteries
Ram Gupta and Mo Jiang will receive a $2.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to develop new rechargeable lithium-ion batteries
Sacred Heart University opens its IDEA Lab
Now that the University in Fairfield, Connecticut has officially opened the IDEA (Innovate|Design|Engineer|Apply) Lab at its West Campus, students have 11,000 square feet of space to exercise their creativity, explore their ideas, and develop new concepts.
Interview with North Carolina State University industrial engineering professor on COVID-19 healthcare impacts
Dr. Julie Swann works in the area of mathematical modeling to enable supply chain systems and health care to become more efficient, effective, or equitable.
Chemical engineering student explores research career through CoRPs program and wins award
Deciding how to spend the summer is often a struggle for college students with seemingly endless opportunities. Taylor McCarthy, a junior chemical engineering student at the University of Dayton, could not be happier after choosing the school’s Integrative Science and Engineering Center’s Summer CoRPs Program.
Webb Institute unveils new green academic center on Long Island Sound
Webb Institute, an engineering college specializing in naval architecture and marine engineering, has unveiled its new Couch Academic Center. The state-of-the-art facility houses all academic functions and maximizes student and faculty collaboration.
Bobby Lyle boosts a future-focused model for the SMU Lyle School of Engineering
Dallas entrepreneur and educator Bobby Lyle has designated $10 million to power a new strategic vision for the Lyle School of Engineering at SMU
Tunable optical chip paves way for new quantum devices
Researchers have created a silicon carbide photonic integrated chip that can be thermally tuned by applying an electric signal. The approach could be used to create reconfigurable devices such as phase-shifters and tunable optical couplers for networking applications and quantum information processing.
Green Building
Researchers discover an eco-friendly way to recycle the silicon in solar panels
Scientists at the Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology in Moscow, Russia have figured out how to convert silicon into silicon oxide nanoparticles, which can then be recycled
Los Angeles, DC, and San Francisco lead EPA’s 2020 Top Cities list for ENERGY STAR certified buildings
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently unveiled its annual ENERGY STAR Top Cities list, showing which U.S. metro areas were home to the most ENERGY STAR certified buildings last year.
Developers and designers sought for rooftop solar arrays at dozens of New York City schools and other sites
The New York Power Authority and the New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services have announced the planned installation of 16 megawatts of solar energy on the rooftops of 46 New York City buildings.
LEED strategies promote higher quality of life for Westminster, Colorado as an apartment community advances access to healthy homes
As the top state in 2019 for LEED-certified green building, Colorado has a strong commitment to the sustainability and health of its communities. In working to advance green building for its state, USGBC Colorado celebrates the people, firms, and projects leading the way in achieving these goals.
New York State passes legislation to speed up clean energy projects
To combat climate change and jumpstart the economic recovery from the COVID-19 crisis, the Accelerated Renewable Energy Growth and Community Benefit Act will create the Office of Renewable Energy Siting to streamline the process for siting of large-scale renewable energy projects.
Vector Structural Engineers solar projects reach 100,000 and counting
Vector Structural Engineers recently set up its 100,000th project on behalf of a client in the solar installation field. The company has quickly become an international player in the solar energy industry.
USGBC Indiana announces two engineers as Mindy Hanni Service Award winners
The U.S. Green Building Council’s Indiana branch has announced the 2019 winners of its Mindy Hanni Service Award, which recognizes outstanding service in the field of environmental design and construction.
Roofit.solar named Swedish Steel Prize 2019 finalist
The Swedish Steel Prize recognizes the good engineering, cooperation, and steel innovations that lead to a better and more sustainable world. Roofit.solar, a company from Estonia that combines solar panels with steel roofing, was one of the four finalists for this year’s prize.
Energport begins installation of a large battery energy storage system
Energport is installing a 72MW/72MWH lithium ion battery energy storage system for a major global independent power producer to complement onsite renewable energy generation