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New Frontiers! |
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Conference
2009 |
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Evening Keynote: Dr. Linda E. Jones
The
large looming problems that must be solved lie at the interface between
technical challenges and human needs. In early 2008, the National Academy of
Engineering assembled an international group of leading technological
thinkers who were asked to identify the Grand Challenges for Engineering in
the 21st Century. Fourteen areas were identified as needing to be solved and
all 14 lie at this interface between recognizing human need and connecting
need to resources, solutions and appropriate technologies. The Grand
Challenges (opportunities) include providing access to clean water, restoring
and improving urban infrastructure, securing cyberspace, managing the
nitrogen cycle, making solar energy economical, engineering medicines,
developing carbon sequestration… Solutions
to these challenges will only be found by a creative work force - one that is
technically trained and has the ability to move seamlessly across disciplines.
Engineering is a connecting force among disciplines. It is the practice bringing
technical solutions to human needs. In ones preparation, integrating the
arts, the humanities and the sciences with engineering principles provides
the breadth and depth needed to think critically, act reflectively and make
informed choices. This
need for interdisciplinarity and creativity will be highlighted in this
lecture through a presentation of the advancements being made in the field of
carbon science and engineering -- laboratories on a chip using carbon
nanoprobes, graphene transistors as the barrier breaker moving us toward
terahertz processor speeds, nanoradio, defect controlled activated carbons
for water purification (H2 adsorption) and sequestration technologies, and
structural carbons and composites that realize extremely high specific
strength and moduli while maintaining integrity at high temperatures. About the Speaker: Linda E. Jones is the Director and Chair of
the Picker Engineering Program as well as the Rosemary Bradford Hewlett
Professor of Engineering at She
received her B.S in Chemistry in 1980 from Dr.
Jones is deeply committed to the advancement of women and minorities in
science, technology and engineering and is an active member of SWE and ASEE
Liberal Education Division. Her expertise is in the synthesis,
structure and degradation of structural carbon and carbides used in aerospace
and other severe environment applications. The work in her laboratory
on high temperature oxidation and degradation has been extended to the
measurement of environmental effluents produced via manufacturing
processes. She
has 61 publications and has given over 100 national and international
presentations. She has been named the American Carbon Society’s Graffin
Lecturer and serves on the American Carbon Society’s executive board.
She is actively involved in the European and Asian Carbon Societies. She has
edited one book and received 9 teaching awards including the State University
of New York’s Chancellors Award for Teaching Excellence. In addition,
Jones has also been recognized by the State of Dr.
Jones is the former President of the Western New York Chapter of ACerS,
Education Secretary for The American Ceramic Society’s Glass Division
and President of the Ceramic Education Council. She is currently
serving on the Bulletin’s Editorial Advisory Board. Her affiliation is
with the Nuclear and Environmental Technology Division. |
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