Chapter 2 The Engineering Profession

Chapter Overview What is Engineering? The Engineering Process Greatest Engineering Achievements of the 20 th Century Rewards and Opportunities of an Engineering Career Engineering Disciplines Engineering Job Functions Employment Opportunities Important Fields for the Future Engineering as a Profession

What is Engineering? If someone asked you the question: “What is engineering?” How would you respond? “Engineering is the profession in which a knowledge of the mathematical and natural sciences, gained by study, experience, and practice, is applied with judgment to develop ways to utilize, economically, the materials and forces of nature for the benefit of [hu]mankind.”

Math & Science Study Economy Nature (Material & Forces) Experience Practice What is Engineering?

My Definition of Non Strategic Engineering Economically Applied Physics, Chemistry (Bio Chemistry) based on Math with the following priority; 1-Physics 2-Chemistry 3-Math 0-Economy

Learning More about Engineering Study Chapter 2 of Studying Engineering Search the web – – – – – – Talk to engineering professionals Attend career days Other?

Astronaut Neil Armstong Engineering is often associated with science and understandably so. Both make extensive use of mathematics, and engineering requires a solid scientific basis. Yet as any scientist or engineer will tell you, they are quite different. Science is quest for “truth for its own sake,” for an ever more exact understanding of the natural world. It explains the change in the viscosity of a liquid as its temperature is varied, the release of heat when water vapor condenses, and the reproductive process of plants. It determines the speed of light. Engineering turns those explanations and understandings into new or improved machines, technologies, and processes- to bring reality to idea and to provide solutions to social needs.

The Engineering Design Process (Heart of Engineering) Customer need or opportunity – Missile needed by army – “Post its” Yellow sticking paper Problem definition/Specifications – Weight – Size – Speed – Safety and reliability – Cost – Timing Data and information collection – Field data – Literature data Development of alternative solutions – Creativity Evaluation of design/selection of optimal design – Computer aided drafting (CAD) – Stress analysis – Modeling – Material science – Manufacturing processes Implementation of optimal design – Common sense – Experiences – Optimization software

The Engineering Design Process (Heart of Engineering) Engineering Design Process, begins with perception of a market opportunity and ends with : production Sales Delivery of the products And Of Course: UPGRADE

Case Study Solar-Powered Electric Vehicle (Nuna 3)

1-Customer Need In April 2004, South Australian Tourism Commission, proposed to Delft University in Netherland to apply for entry into 2005 World Solar Challenge. (

2- Problem Definition and Specifications The primary design Specifications: Max Vehicle Size : 5 x 1.8 x1. meter Min Heights for driver sight: 700 mm Solar Cell Type: No Limitation Battery Type: Commercially available Max Battery Capacity: 5.5 Kw-hr Safety requirments: Safey belt, helmet, structural roll bar, 15 sec. unassisted egress, brakes, tires, steering and electrical system

3- Data and Information Collection Extensive data and information needed on: Electric motor systems System batteries Solar power systems Vehicle aerodynamics Light weight vehicle design Vehicle suspension and steering Mechanical drive system

4- Development of Alternative Design For an optimum design, some trade off needed in: High solar panel power (high surface area) Low aerodynamic drag (low, but smooth surface area) Low vehicle weight (the lower surface are, small and light devices and equipments) High electrical power system efficiency High mechanical drive system efficiency Good battery performance (heavy batteries) High overall reliability (Optimum System)

5- Development of optimal Design Final Design Parameters: solar panel power: 2,100 Watts – Efficiency: 26% aerodynamic drag : 0.07 – Minimize the front surface area by computer design and wind tunnel tests vehicle weight : < 200 Kg – Using light Aluminum alloy material electrical power system efficiency: >97% – The motor installed in the rear part to give the lowest loss through mechanical transmission battery weight: 30 Kg – Light Polymer batteries

6- Implementation of optimal Design The real Work (Construction): First Stage – Building mechanical stage External body Wheels Steering brakes Second Stage – Power electronic system Motor Motor control Batteries Drive system Third Stage – Solar panels installation

Results Nuna 3 wins with 3 hr 24 min ahead of the second car in a 29 hr race! Other contestants: Aurora from Australia (the past winner) Momentum from Michigan (winner of 2005 North America) Tesseract from MIT (Top finisher of most races) Sky Ace Tiga from Japan (holder of world speed in solar cars)

Greatest Engineering Achievements of 20 th Century 20. High performance materials 19. Nuclear technologies 18. Laser and fiber optics 17. Petroleum and gas technologies 16. Health technologies 15. Household appliances 14. Imaging technologies 13. Internet 12. Space exploration 11. Interstate highways

10. Air-conditioning and refrigeration 9. Telephone 8. Computers 7. Agricultural mechanization 6. Radio and television 5. Electronics 4. Safe and abundant water 3. Airplane 2. Automobile 1. Electrification Greatest Engineering Achievements of the 20 th Century (continued)

Rewards and Opportunities of an Engineering Career 1. Job satisfaction 2. Varied opportunities 3. Challenging work 4. Intellectual development 5. Social impact 6. Financial security 7. Prestige 8. Professional environment 9. Understanding how things work 10. Creative thinking

2005/06 Starting Salaries DisciplineAvg. Salary Engineering$51,465 Computer Science 49,680 Engineering Technology 48,514 Nursing 45,347 Business 41,900 Mathematics and Sciences 38,217 Agriculture & Natural Resources 33,716 Education 32,438 Humanities & Social Sciences 31,290 Communications 31,110

Engineering Disciplines Mechanical Engineering Electrical Engineering Civil Engineering Computer Engineering Chemical Engineering Industrial Engineering Other (Aerospace, Biomedical, etc)

Engineering Job Functions Analysis Design Test Development Sales Research Management Consulting Teaching

Industry Sectors (Non-manufacturing) Professional, scientific, and technical services Information Construction Wholesale trade Administrative and support Management of companies and enterprises Utilities Mining

Industry Sectors (Manufacturing) Computer and electronic product Transportation equipment Machinery Fabricated metal product Chemical Electronic equipment, appliance, and component

Major Changes Affecting the Future The fall of the Berlin Wall Advances in computer technology Advances in communications The knowledge and information explosion Globalization (outsourcing, off-shoring) Increased focus on the environment Events of September 11, 2001 World population explosion

Important Fields for the Future Manufacturing frontiers Information and communication systems Smart and engineered materials Bioengineering Critical infrastructure systems Homeland security Improved health care delivery Nanotechnology Advanced environmental technology Sensors and control systems

Engineering as a Profession Professional registration Graduation from ABET-accredited engineering program Pass Fundamentals of Engineering Exam (FE) Complete four years of acceptable engineering practice Pass the Principles and Practice of Engineering (PE) Exam Professional societies

Group Discussion Exercise Motorized Beach Wheelchair Working in your group, develop a list of specifications for a motorized wheel chair that could be used on a sandy beach. Appoint a leader to keep the discussion on topic and a recorder to record and report what you come up with

Alternative Group Discussion Learning More About Engineering In your group, “brainstorm” a list of tangible things you can do to learn more about engineering. Be bold and creative! Appoint a leader to keep the discussion on topic and a recorder to record and report what you come up with