Bundle Method Solutions for Non-smooth Convex Optimization
Alexandre Belloni
Tue, Thu, Jan 4, 6, 11, 13, 18, 20, 25, 27, 01-02:30pm, E51-057
No enrollment limit, no advance sign up
Participants welcome at individual sessions (series)
Bundle Methods have been extensively used to solve non-smooth convex optimization problems efficiently in practice. The class will provide a graduate level introduction to these methods.
Contact: Alexandre Belloni, belloni@mit.edu
Sponsor: Operations Research Center
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CEE Movie Series
James Vanzo, Laura Stonehill
No enrollment limit, no advance sign up
Participants welcome at individual sessions (series)
Great Problems and Projects in Civil and Environmental Engineering
Join the MIT Student Chapter of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) as we showcase five videos on some of the most perplexing problems and innovative solutions of our time. Snacks will be provided, and all are welcome!
Schedule and offerings subject to change. Please check the IAP website for any updates. Please contact James at vanz@mit.edu to be put on an e-mail list for the series.
Contact: James Vanzo, 1-281, x3-7106, vanz@mit.edu
Sponsor: Civil and Environmental Engineering
Cane Toads: an Unnatural History
James Vanzo, Laura Stonehill
Documentary detailing the plague-like spread of Hawaiian sugar-cane toads through Queensland, Australia.
Wed Jan 5, 08-09:00pm, 1-150
Savage Earth: Waves of Destruction
Professor C. Mei
Savage Earth: Waves of Destruction is
a PBS/WNET Film on Tsunamis.
This 50 min. film about the cause and effect of Tsunamis will be introduced with a brief discussion of disaster relief efforts in Asia.
Refreshments will be served.
Mon Jan 10, 03:30-04:30pm, 48-316
Fall of the Leaning Tower (NOVA)
James Vanzo, Laura Stonehill
For the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the "problem is obvious, but a solution isn't." What are an international committee of elite engineers and architects doing to save the tower?
Wed Jan 12, 08-09:00pm, 1-150
Sinking City of Venice (NOVA)
James Vanzo, Laura Stonehill
A look at the MOSE project, which promises a large and creative solution to the flooding which has plagued Venice since the 1960's. The showing of this video will be followed by a question and answer session.
Wed Jan 19, 08-09:00pm, 1-150
How the Twin Towers Collapsed
James Vanzo, Laura Stonehill
Documentary examining the collapse of the World Trade Center. This film features Department Professor Eduardo Kausel.
Mon Jan 24, 08-09:00pm, 1-150
The Big Dig (PBS)
Cancelled
James Vanzo, Laura Stonehill
One of the largest civil engineering projects in history is just wrapping up here in Boston. This video features local engineer and MIT lecturer Fred Salvucci who championed the Big Dig from start to finish.
Wed Jan 26, 08-09:00pm, 1-150
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Demo of GeoVirgil - A 3D Rendering Program For Mars Topographic Data
Steve McDonald, Joseph Palaia, Bruce Mackenzie
Mon Jan 24, 12-01:00pm, 33-206
No enrollment limit, no advance sign up
Single session event
Steve McDonald has been gracious enough to come give a presentation on the operation and use of the new software program GeoVirgil.
GeoVirgil is an easy to use, cross platform planetary data analysis tool. It automatically downloads data from NASA and university servers, displays data as both a 2D map display and 3D fly over view and provides a variety of image processing functions. GeoVirgil integrates a variety of Mars data sets including Viking and Themis images, MOLA elevation, TES thermal inertia and albedo and gravity variation. It has received funding from NASA JPL and the data center at Brown University. GeoVirgil can be found on the web at http://www.SiliconSpaceships.com.
Web: http://www.marshome.org/
Contact: Joseph Palaia, jpalaia@mit.edu
Sponsor: Mars Society
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Do-It-Yourself Mock Aviation Accident Investigation
Brian Nield, Boeing Commercial Airplanes
Tue Jan 18, Wed Jan 19, Thu Jan 20, 09am-05:00pm, Room 33-116
Enrollment limited: advance sign up required (see contact below)
Signup by: 07-Jan-2005
Limited to 24 participants.
Participants requested to attend all sessions (non-series)
Prereq: spreadsheet skills (Excel); some familiarity with aviation
Bermuda Airlines Flight 16 has crashed shortly after takeoff on its way to the United States. Work with your peers on a small, self-directed, investigative team to solve a realistic (but fictional) aircraft accident mystery. Learn about the real-world technical detective work that keeps aviation safe. New information on the crash will be given out each session as you piece together the facts to determine what caused the accident and present recommendations for improving flying safety. Note: This is the same problem that was offered during IAP 2004.
Contact: Liz Zotos, 37-219, x3-7805, zotos@mit.edu
Sponsor: Aeronautics and Astronautics
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Highlights of Aeronautics and Astronautics
Prof. Wesley Harris
No enrollment limit, no advance sign up
Participants welcome at individual sessions (series)
Prereq: N/A
A series of lectures on the activities of the Aero/Astro Department will cover areas of interest in research, with oral presentations, films and/or demos and examples.
Contact: Marie Stuppard, 33-208, x3-2279, mas@mit.edu
Sponsor: Aeronautics and Astronautics
Recent Results in Ultrawide Bandwidth Communications
Prof. Moe Win
TBA
Mon Jan 3, 03-04:00pm, Room 33-206
Automation Bias in Intelligent Time Critical Decision Support Systems
Prof. Missy Cummings
There are measurable costs to human performance when higher levels of automation are used, i.e. loss of situational awareness, complacency, skill degradation, & automation bias. We will discuss the influence of automation bias in intelligent decision support systems, mainly those in aviation domains, and how this bias affects system effectiveness.
Wed Jan 5, 02-03:00pm, Room 33-206
Wall Street Perspectives on the Aerospace/Defense Industry
Dr. Myles Walton, CIBC World Markets
Have you wondered about the connection between financial markets and aerospace/defense companies? An aerospace/defense stock analyst (and MIT Course XVI alum) will provide an in-depth look at how politics, business strategy, engineering excellence and financial execution all play into the valuation of a company.
Mon Jan 10, 02-03:30pm, Room 33-206
High-Speed Gas Bearings and Rotordynamics for Micro-Turbomachinery
Prof. Zoltan Spakovszky
Discussion of the analytical modeling,design,fabrication and experimental testing of high-speed hydrostatic gas bearings for the MIT micro-engine. Brief introduction of the hydrostatic gas bearing theory and outline of instability mechanisms in such bearings together with engineering solutions critical for stable high-speed bearing operation.
Thu Jan 13, 02-03:00pm, Room 33-206, Initially scheduled on 1/14.
Two Case Studies at Launch Vehicle Mishaps
Col. Peter Young
A discussion of the circumstances leading to two launch vehicle mishaps: a Titan IV expendable launch vehicle and a Pegasus XL winged launch vehicle mishap. Videos and slides will provide insight into the mishaps' 'root causes', and attendees will be provided insight into the operational decisions that were primary contributors to these accidents.
Tue Jan 18, 02-03:30pm, Room 33-206
Beyond GPS - Relative Navigation Systems
Prof. Eric Feron
Brief discussion of existing approaches & products for relative navigation systems & outline of drawbacks. Intro of a new product invented at MIT & developed by Nascent Tech Corp, aimed at measuring relative position & attitude between 2 systems using simple optical measurement systems & interferometry principles.
Wed Jan 19, 02-03:00pm, Room 33-206
Biosphere 2 - Lessons for Space Travel
Dr. Bruno Marino, Biosphere 2, Science Director
Biosphere 2, a closed ecological city constructed in the Arizona desert, provided the habitat for two separate crews to live and work in a sealed environment in the early 1990s. The outcome of these projects will be reviewed with emphasis on the lessons learned with applications to humans' long-duration space travel.
Thu Jan 20, 02-03:30pm, Room 33-206
From MIT to the Moon
Dr. Richard Battin
In 1961 President Kennedy announced that America would put a man on the moon and return him safely to earth before the end of the decade. Exactly 11 weeks later the MIT Instrumentation Lab was chosen by NASA to provide the guidance and navigation system for the Apollo spacecraft. Dr. Battin was there and will tell the story from the MIT viewpoint.
Mon Jan 24, 02-03:30pm, Room 33-206
Aluminum Alloy Products for the Aerospace Industry: Past, Present and Future
Dr. Hasso Weiland, Material Science, Alcoa Research Laboratory
The aluminum industry currently faces significant threads from increased application of composite materials in airframe design. New engineering and material solutions are needed. This presentation will briefly review the history of aluminum alloys in the aerospace industry, and discuss critical technology and R&D needs.
Wed Jan 26, 03-04:00pm, Room 33-206
What's Wrong with US Airlines?
Dr. Peter P. Belobaba, Program Manager, MIT Global Airline
The US airline industry is in the midst of a dramatic re-structuring, as legacy airlines struggle to survive while newer low-cost carriers continue to grow and operate profitably. We look at recent trends and the major shifts in passenger demand, airline pricing, and operating costs that have brought fundamental changes to this industry.
Thu Jan 27, 02-03:30pm, Room 33-206
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How to Design a Process
Michael Hammer
Tue Jan 25, Wed Jan 26, Thu Jan 27, 03-05:00pm, 56-114
No enrollment limit, no advance sign up
How is it possible to reduce cycle time (by as much as 80%), lower costs (by 50% or more), and improve quality and customer satisfaction -- all at the same time? What are the degrees of freedom available to a process designer? Where did Adam Smith, Henry Ford, and Frederick Taylor go wrong? How is a process like an engineering system? And what is a process anyway? Come to this three-part seminar and find out.
Michael Hammer is a Visiting Professor in ESD and is a former Associate Professor of Computer Science. He has written and taught extensively on process design and management, enterprise design, and change implementation.
Contact: Eda Daniel, E40-249, x3-1182, eda@mit.edu
Sponsor: Engineering Systems Division
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LIDS Student Conference 2005
Shubham Mukherjee, Jay Kumar
Thu Jan 27, Fri Jan 28, 09am-05:00pm, Stata Center, 32-155
No enrollment limit, no advance sign up
Participants welcome at individual sessions (series)
The LIDS Student Conference consists of students in EECS giving talks about their research in the areas of communications and controls, and featured talks by distinguished speakers such as Prof. Jean Walrand, Dr. Bob Metcalfe, Prof. Roy Yates, Dr. Jorge Tierno, and Dr. Asik Khalak. Please visit the website for a detailed schedule. No registration necessary.
Web: http://lids.mit.edu/LIDSCONF/
Contact: Shubham Mukherjee, 32-D574, x3-2821, shubham@mit.edu
Sponsor: Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
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Linear Algebra Demystified
Jonathan Pottharst (Harvard Doctoral Math Student), Vikash Mansinghka
Mon-Thu, Jan 10-13, 18-20, 24-27, 04-06:00pm, 34-301
Enrollment limited: first come, first served
Limited to 30 participants.
Participants requested to attend all sessions (non-series)
Prereq: Desire to master linear algebra; some classroom exposure
This non-credit class explores conceptual tools required to understand linear algebra and apply it to engineering problems. It will focus on conceptual precision and visual intuition, aiming to make the meaning of matrices intuitive. Topics include linear maps as matrices, invertibility, eigen-stuff, geometry, least squares approximations, and linear systems analysis.
Problem sessions 4-5pm, lectures 5-6pm.
Class is centered around problem-solving tutorials, short readings and mini-lectures, with instructors circulating to answer your questions. Intended for students who have seen linear algebra through 18.06 or various engineering classes, and have discovered they need to understand it better.
Sponsored by Tau Beta Pi and the EECS Department.
Web: http://web.mit.edu/tbp/www/tbp-teach
Contact: Jonathan Pottharst, tbp-linear-algebra@mit.edu
Sponsor: Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Cosponsor: Tau Beta Pi
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Linear Systems Demystified
Ruby Pai, Kazutaka Takahashi
Mon-Fri, Jan 17-21, 24-26, 01-03:00pm, 34-301
Enrollment limited: first come, first served
Limited to 30 participants.
Participants requested to attend all sessions (non-series)
Prereq: Desire to master linear systems; one linear systems course.
Explores the fundamental conceptual and mathematical tools required to understand and engineer linear systems Specific topics include Fourier/Laplace analysis of signals and systems, sampling and elements of control. Each class will consist of a mini-lecture followed by a problem-solving session. This course is intended for students who have taken one of 6.003, 2.004, Unified, or the like, and would like to review the material, having discovered they need a deeper understanding for signal processing, control, etc.
Sponsored by Tau Beta Pi and EECS.
Web: http://web.mit.edu/tbp/www/tbp-teach
Contact: Ruby Pai, tbp-linear-systems@mit.edu
Sponsor: Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
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MEMS 101: An Overview from Design, to Processing, to Applications
Krishnan Sriram, Onnik Yaglioglu, Xue'en Yang, Alexis Weber, John Hart
Wed Jan 19, Thu Jan 20, 10am-12:00pm, 2-105
Enrollment limited: advance sign up required (see contact below)
Limited to 60 participants.
Participants requested to attend all sessions (non-series)
Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) are an active and exciting area of research and industrial applications. A range of fabrication techniques exist today that allow MEMS, with features that range in size from sub-mm to mm, to be constructed. This short-course will provide an overview of the primary microfabrication techniques-- thin-film processing, surface and bulk micromachining, wafer bonding, and polymer fabrication. Process capability that exists within the MTL facility at MIT will be emphasized. The course will introduce techniques for modeling MEMS systems and include an overview of on-going MEMS research at MIT. All experience levels are welcome, however the course is designed for people with little to no prior MEMS experience.
Contact: Krishnan Sriram, 35-004, 252-2436, sriram@mit.edu
Sponsor: Mechanical Engineering
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Mars Homestead Project - Discussion of Options for Mars Settlement
Joseph Palaia, Bruce Mackenzie
Mon Jan 17, 12-01:00pm, 33-116
No enrollment limit, no advance sign up
Single session event
Come discuss with us possibilities regarding the settlement of Mars and the expansion of the human race into the solar system. This will be a very open discussion forum where we hope to brainstorm ideas that will help us with the efforts of the Mars Homestead Project.
Please attend our 12-1 session on the 10th for general information about the Mars Homestead Project.
Web: http://www.marshome.org
Contact: Joseph Palaia, jpalaia@mit.edu
Sponsor: Mars Society
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Mars Homestead Project - Fiberglass Spinner Design
Joseph Palaia, The Mars Homestead Project, Bruce Mackenzie
Mon Jan 10, 17, 24, 01-02:00pm, 33-116, 33-206
No enrollment limit, no advance sign up
Participants requested to attend all sessions (non-series)
January 10th and 17th mtgs in 33-116. January 24th Mtg in 33-206.
Come help us design a fiberglass spinning machine to be used to wind 5 meter modules for Mars habitats. The concept is that the first Martian settlers extract materials from the soil and air to make fiberglass thread and resin. Then using a fiberglass spinning machine they manufacture large pressure-vessels (cylinders) to use as habitat structures.
We will be designing this system during IAP, leading to a later project to build a small scale working prototype.
Start your IAP with a spin!
Web: http://www.marshome.org
Contact: Joseph Palaia,, jpalaia@mit.edu
Sponsor: Mars Society
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Moon/Mars Exploration Mission Design: Discussion of Human Factors Issues
Dr. Charles Oman, Prof. Jeffrey Hoffman
Mon Jan 24, 09-11:00am, 33-206
No enrollment limit, no advance sign up
Single session event
NASA's Exploration Systems Mission Directorate is working with industry and universities to define "system of systems" architectures for missions to the Moon and Mars. Although it's recognized that humans are a critical element, as a simplifying assumption, preliminary conceptual studies have so far not deeply considered how the physiological, psychological and human-systems integration problems of spaceflight could impact mission design. We will discuss problems and potential solutions in areas such as bone and muscle degeneration and the pros and cons of artificial gravity, closed loop life support systems and atmospheres, EVA and self-sufficient surface operations using rovers and robots, medical support and training, etc.
Contact: Anton Aboukhalil, anton1@mit.edu
Sponsor: Aeronautics and Astronautics
Cosponsor: Human Factors & Ergonomics Society
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Neutron Activation Analysis -- How Much Mercury Is In that Fish?
Lin-wen Hu
Wed Jan 19, 01-03:00pm, NW12-222
Enrollment limited: first come, first served
Signup by: 06-Jan-2005
Limited to 20 participants.
Single session event
Is mercury content of freshwater fish at toxic levels? Come learn about Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA) and how it is used for mercury analysis in fish. A lecture will be given on the theory and procedures of NAA followed by a tour of the Nuclear Reactor Lab's NAA counting lab. Participants may drop off a sample for analysis.
Contact: Judy Maro, NW12-106A, x2-4367, jmaro@mit.edu
Sponsor: Nuclear Reactor Lab
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Structural Engineer's Tour of the MIT Campus
Nathaniel Osgood
No enrollment limit, no advance sign up
Participants welcome at individual sessions (series)
A series of tours that will focus on the architecture of MIT buildings and structures. A tour and discussion of the MIT Stata Center. A discussion of the issues surrounding effective facilities management and utility management from a network perspective. Surveys the influence of security and terror concerns on building design.
Contact: Nathaniel Osgood, 1-376, x3-7129, nosgood@mit.edu
Sponsor: Civil and Environmental Engineering
Structural Engineer's Tour of the MIT Campus
Dave McCormick, MIT Department of Facilities
A tour of the MIT campus' many features of structural engineering interest.
Special Meeting information: Meet in lobby closest to the intersection of Main and Vassar Street, between the exterior doors and the information desk.
Tue Jan 18, 12-02:00pm, MIT Stata Center, MIT Stata Center Lobby
Mesh Network - Building Management and Utility
Cancelled
Walter Henry, MIT Department of Facilities
A discussion of the issues surrounding effective facilities management and utility management from a network perspective.
Wed Jan 19, 12-01:30pm, Room 1-277
Blast Vulnerability and Protective Design
Stephen Lew and Steve Glowny, Weidlinger Associates, Inc.
Surveys the influence of security and terror concerns on building design.
Thu Jan 20, 10-11:30am, Room 1-277
An Insider's Tour of the Stata Center
Robert Cunkelman, MIT Department of Facilities
An engineer's tour of the MIT Stata center, including little-known components of the building. Includes discussion of "green building" features, the construction process and architectural features.
Special Meeting Information: Meet in lobby closest to the intersection of Main and Vassar Streets, between the exterior doors and information desk.
Fri Jan 21, 12-02:00pm, MIT Stata Center, MIT Stata Center Lobby
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The Mars Homestead Project - An Overview
Joseph Palaia, The Mars Homestead Project, Bruce Mackenzie
Mon Jan 10, 12-01:00pm, 33-116
No enrollment limit, no advance sign up
Single session event
This will consist of an overview presentation on the Mars Homeastead Project and detailed information about the present focuses of investigation (manufacturing, agricultural, construction equipment, gas handling equipment).
We are presently seeking volunteers for design studies of the first permanent settlement on Mars for 12 people. Expertise is especially needed in chemical engineering, material science, plastics engineering, mechanical engineering, process engineering, industrial engineering, geology & mineralogy, metallurgy, and agriculture. If you or someone you know would be interesting in working on this exciting project, please attend our introductory session or send us an email. You can help open this new frontier!
Web: http://www.marshome.org/
Contact: Joseph Palaia,, jpalaia@mit.edu
Sponsor: Mars Society
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The Mars Homestead Project - Mars Manufacturing Task Force
Joseph Palaia The Mars Homestead Project, Bruce Mackenzie
Thu Jan 6, 13, 09am-01:30pm, 26-204
Tue Jan 18, 09am-09:00pm, 26-204
Thu Jan 20, 09am-01:30pm, 26-204
Tue Jan 25, 09am-09:00pm, 26-204
Thu Jan 27, 09am-01:30pm, 26-204
No enrollment limit, no advance sign up
Participants welcome at individual sessions (series)
We are establishing a taskforce to investigate options and arrive at a design concept for manufacturing infrastructure for the initial Martian settlement. A parallel task force (not at MIT) is simulatenously investigating options for mining, and refining of materials... (ie materials extracted from the Martian environment.) We are looking for interested MIT students and others who would like to help us investigate the manufacturing options. Please email Joe Palaia for more information. We prefer that you attend all or most sessions although your input could still be used if you cannot attend them all.
Web: http://www.marshome.org/
Contact: Joseph Palaia, jpalaia@mit.edu
Sponsor: Mars Society
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Tour of the MIT Research Reactor
E. Lau
Wed Jan 12, Fri Jan 14, Wed Jan 19, Fri Jan 21, 10am-12:00pm, NW12-108a main desk
Enrollment limited: advance sign up required (see contact below)
Signup by: 06-Jan-2005
Limited to 20 participants.
Repeating event. Participants welcome at any session
Learn how the MIT Research Reactor is operated and utilized. A descriptive lecture and a walking tour of the lab will be given with emphasis on interdisciplinary research and applications. Advance sign up and photo ID required.
Contact: E. Lau, NW12-116, x3-4211, eslau@mit.edu
Sponsor: Nuclear Reactor Lab
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Tours of Aero/Astro Research Labs and Wind Tunnel
Mr. Richard Perdichizzi
Thu Jan 13, 03-04:00pm, Leave from Rm 33-206, Initially scheduled at 2.
Fri Jan 14, 02-03:00pm, Leave from Rm 33-206
Enrollment limited: first come, first served
Limited to 20 participants.
Repeating event. Participants welcome at any session
Each tour will take us through the Gelb and Seamans Labs, both recently designed to enhance undergraduates' engineering education by providing facilities, equipment, and space for students to study, design, construct, test and operate aerospace engineering projects. We will also visit Aero/Astro research labs, including the Wright Brothers Wind Tunnel, a subsonic (200 mph maximum) with a pressurized 7 by 10 foot elliptical cross-section. The wind tunnel and its modern data processing equipment are used for airfoil and wing research, development testing, simulation of wind loads on ground structures and other classes of environmental testing.
Contact: Marie Stuppard, 33-208, x3-2279, mas@mit.edu
Sponsor: Aeronautics and Astronautics
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Vacuum Technology Seminar
Tom Romanus Varian Vacuum Technologies
Wed Jan 19, 09am-03:00pm, NW17-218
No limit but advance sign up required (see contact below)
Signup by: 17-Jan-2005
Single session event
Intensive one-day noncommercial class on vacuum fundamentals for graduate students and other vacuum users. Some of the topics that will be discussed include high vacuum, ultra high vacuum, system pressure, total gas load, material selection, system pumping speed, vacuum pumps, system operation, and system troubleshooting. Taught by vacuum engineer with 35 years experience in vacuum, and numerous patents to his credit. Seminar is co-led by Varian Vacuum Technologies and includes a free manual.
Contact: Bob Childs, rchilds@psfc.mit.edu
Sponsor: Plasma Science and Fusion Center
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