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IAP 2006 Activities by Category

Engineering

" Last Yeer I Coodnt Evin Spel Enjuneer and Now I Are Won!" - - A Guide to Consulting Engineering Practice.
Dr. Peter Shanahan
Tue Jan 31, Thu Feb 2, 10am-12:00pm, Room 1-150

No enrollment limit, no advance sign up
Participants requested to attend all sessions (non-series)

This informal short course will give engineering majors an idea of what to expect in the consulting engineering workplace. The course will cover how firms are organized, how they make (or lose) money, and what it is like to work in a consulting firm. The course is geared towards civil and environmental engineers, but will be useful to anyone considering a career in consulting generally or engineering consulting particularly. The presenter has 30 years of experience as a practicing environmental engineer in firms that range from very small (1 person) to the what was at the time the largest engineering firm in the world.

Each session will consist of a formal presentation followed by informal discussion and question and answer.
Contact: Peter Shanahan, 1-280, x2-3442, peteshan@mit.edu
Sponsor: Civil and Environmental Engineering

A CEE Sampler
Peter Shanahan
No enrollment limit, no advance sign up
Participants welcome at individual sessions (series)

An Introduction to Civil and Environmental Engineering

Civil and environmental engineers address the interactions between people and the built and natural environments. This lecture series provides an overview of the problems solved by civil and environmental engineers as well as some of the current research in MIT’s CEE department. If you are a freshman considering CEE as a major or anyone interested in learning a little more about our department and discipline, we welcome you to attend one or all sessions.
Contact: Jeanette Marchocki, 1-281, x3-7106, jmmarch@mit.edu
Sponsor: Civil and Environmental Engineering

Transportation Issues for the 21st Century; Challenges for CEE
Professor Joseph Sussman
Transportation provides services vital to a functioning society and economic development, but also creates negative externalities such as air pollution and excessive energy use. These issues have both a technological and an institutional aspect. This lecture through several examples will illustrate some approaches to dealing with the opportunities and problems in the transportation realm.
Tue Jan 10, 04-05:00pm, Room 1-150

Seawalls: Are they Sons of Beaches or not?
Professor Ole Madsen
The evolution of the Town of Chatham, MA, beaches following the breach of Nauset Beach in January 1987 and subsequent construction of seawalls will be presented along with some experimental results on erosion and deposition in front of seawalls.
Thu Jan 12, 04-05:00pm, Room 1-150

Collapse of the Nicoll Highway
Professor Andrew Whittle
As Boston completes the Big Dig, the civil engineering community in Singapore is recovering from the catastrophic failure of an excavation for the new MRT Circle Line subway in April 2004 that killed four people. This talk will summarize the forensic investigations that have uncovered the underlying structural, geotechnical and construction causes of the failure.
Fri Jan 13, 04-05:00pm, Room 1-150

Advanced Vacuum Technology Seminar
Johan De Rijke Varian Vacuum Technologies, Bob Childs
Wed Jan 25, 10am-02:00pm, NW17-218, Lunch provided

Enrollment limited: advance sign up required (see contact below)
Signup by: 23-Jan-2006
Limited to 50 participants.
Participants welcome at individual sessions (series)
Prereq: None but Basic Seminar is helpful

This seminar is an follow on to the Basic Seminar offered for the last three years and the day prior this year. It will focus on a review of vacuum concepts, rough and high vacuum calculations, conductance and pumping speed calculations and various vacuum formulas and techniques useful in the design and construction of vacuum systems.
Contact: Bob Childs, NW21-109, x3-1751, rchilds@psfc.mit.edu
Sponsor: Plasma Science and Fusion Center

An Overview of the Mars Foundation’s Mars Homestead Project
Joseph Palaia 4Frontiers Corporation, Mars Foundation, Mars Society, Bruce Mackenzie, Martha Adams
Mon Jan 9, 01-02:00pm, 33-206

No enrollment limit, no advance sign up
Single session event

The Mars Homestead Project, a project of the nonprofit Mars Foundation, seeks to develop a unified plan for building the first habitat on Mars utilizing local materials. The ultimate goal of the project is to build a growing, permanent settlement beyond the Earth, thus allowing civilization to spread beyond the limits of our small planet.

This presentation provides details on the ongoing efforts of the Mars Homestead Project. An overview is provided of the materials generated in the initial 8 month settlement design study. The settlement, envisioned for 12 permanent settlers, will serve as mankind’s initial toe-hold in this new world. It will be built to a large extent using local materials, and will support essential mining, refining, and manufacturing capabilities needed for an expanding human presence on the red planet.
Web: http://www.MarsHome.org
Contact: Joseph Palaia, (508) 561-2232, jpalaia@mit.edu
Sponsor: Mars Society

Aviation Accident Investigation
Brian Nield, Boeing Commercial Airplane, Prof. Earll Murman
Tue Jan 17, Wed Jan 18, Thu Jan 19, 02-04:00pm, 33-116, Wednesday session is 2-3PM

Enrollment limited: advance sign up required (see contact below)
Signup by: 17-Jan-2006
Limited to 24 participants.
Participants requested to attend all sessions (non-series)
Prereq: spreadsheet skills (Excel); some familiarity with aviation

Commercial aviation is extremely safe, in part due to knowledge gained from studying accidents. The investigation process and some of the most significant accidents are discussed. In addition, participants will have the opportunity to work with their peers in a small, self-directed, investigative team to solve a realistic (but fictional) aircraft accident mystery. New information on the crash will be given out each session as you piece together the facts to determine what caused the accident and build recommendations for improving flying safety.
Contact: Liz Zotos, 37-219, x3-7805, zotos@mit.edu
Sponsor: Aeronautics and Astronautics

Basic Analog Circuits -- What You Really Need to Know
Siddharth Sundar
Mon-Fri, Jan 17-20, 23-26, 02-04:00pm, TBD

No limit but advance sign up required (see contact below)
Signup by: 13-Jan-2006
Participants requested to attend all sessions (non-series)
Prereq: 6.002; plans to take 6.012,6.101,6.115, or 6.301 this spring

Subject will meet in 34-302.

Not sure you got everything from 6.002 that you'll need in 6.012 or the EE labs? Do circuits still scare you? Will review the essentials and cover:

  • Nodal Analysis, Dependent and Independent Sources
  • Resistors, Capacitors, Inductors, Diodes
  • Large and Small Signal Models
  • Amplifiers
  • High-Level Device Physics

Will emphasize physical intuition and understanding circuit diagrams. Will involve short lectures, worked examples and one to two hours of homework per session.
Web: http://web.mit.edu/tbp/www/tbp-teach
Contact: Siddharth Sundar, ssundar@mit.edu
Sponsor: Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Cosponsor: Tau Beta Pi

Boeing 767 Cockpit Systems and Automation
Dr. Charles Oman, Jonathan Gibbs (MIT Man Vehicle Lab), Brian Nield (Boeing Commercial Airplane), and Colleagues
Tue Jan 17 thru Fri Jan 20, 09am-01:00pm, 33-116;, & Simulator 2-5pm; CBT 6-8pm.

Enrollment limited: advance sign up required (see contact below)
Signup by: 10-Jan-2006
Limited to 12 participants.
Participants requested to attend all sessions (non-series)
Prereq: Basic flight simulator flying skills (see below).

Are you an aero-engineering student, pilot, or serious desktop flight simulator user? Want to understand how transport aircraft systems and automation work? Boeing and MIT Aero/Astro are offering a systems and automation familiarization course corresponding to those taken by Boeing engineers and airline pilots. Classroom lectures and afternoon/evening sessions using a B767-300 desktop flight simulator, computer based training modules, and a real B767 at Logan Airport. You don't have to be a real world pilot, but you should have basic Microsoft flight simulator flying skills. Simulator, computer based training (CBT), Logan airport trip and Stellar web site access limited to 12 preregistrants. Preregistration required by January 10. Morning lectures open to the MIT community -- no registration required.
Web: http://web.mit.edu/aeroastro/flightsimlab/Introduction.htm
Contact: Jon Gibbs, 37-219, (703) 405-9442, jaygibbs@mit.edu
Sponsor: Aeronautics and Astronautics

Design for Demining (Landmine Removal) Informational Open House
Andrew Heafitz
Wed Jan 18, 12-01:00pm, 4-402
Wed Jan 18, 01-02:00pm, 4-402

No enrollment limit, no advance sign up
Repeating event. Participants welcome at any session

SP.776 Design for Demining (landmine removal) is holding an Open House for students interested in taking this spring term design class. Pizza for the first 30 students. Presentations and demos at 12:00 and 1:00. Come try out actual protective equipment and tools!

Landmines persist in many countries. This is an exciting chance to invent things that could really change or save people's lives. The class runs like a real development firm. You can invent brand new things, or work on established projects, help blast test them and deploy them with professional deminers around the world. The class includes a field trip to the US Army's Demining Training Center, (no live landmines), and visits by deminers to evaluate our work. This is real product design! Students from all majors are welcome. Come to the Open House to find out more.
Contact: Andrew Heafitz, heafitz@mit.edu
Sponsor: Edgerton Center

Highlights of Aeronautics and Astronautics
Prof. Missy Cummings
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. We will cover areas of interest in research, with oral presentations, films and/or demos.
Contact: Marie Stuppard, 33-208, x3-2279, mas@mit.edu
Sponsor: Aeronautics and Astronautics

The Space Shuttle Columbia Accident Investigation
Prof. Sheila Widnall
On Feb 1, 2003, the Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrated in the fierce atmospheric heat of reentry. An accident investigation board was called into being. This talk will review the data and the findings of this Board as well as review recommendations. Accident investigation is a particularly interesting part of engineering because there is no doubt that something dreadful has occurred. Accident investigation boards marshal all data to determine, if possible, the causes and make recommendations for prevention.
Mon Jan 9, 02-03:30pm, 35-225

The US Airline Industry Crisis: Turning the Corner?
Dr. Peter P. Belobaba, Program Manager, MIT Global Airline
Terrorism, wars, disease and oil prices have contributed to the dismal performance of US airlines since 2001. Legacy network carriers struggle to cut costs, while even the "low-cost" airlines are now seeing deteriorating profitability. We present the most recent trends and the fundamental changes that are occurring in the industry.
Fri Jan 13, 02-03:30pm, 33-206

Missions to Mars
Geoffrey A. Landis, Ronald E. McNair-NASA Visiting Professor ; NASA Glenn Research Center
The Mars Exploration Rovers, designed for a 90-day mission, have now successfully operated for over two years on the surface of Mars. This talk will discuss the Mars Pathfinder mission and the Mars Exploration Rovers, including mission design and operations, the scientific results, and will discuss some of the future missions to Mars.
Tue Jan 17, 11am-12:30pm, 33-206

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 17, 02-03:30pm, 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.
Thu Jan 19, 02-03:30pm, 33-206

Space Propulsion: Advanced Concepts and Ideas
Geoffrey A. Landis, Ronald E. McNair-NASA Visiting Professor ; NASA Glenn Research Center
Almost all space missions to date have used chemical rocket propulsion. This talk will survey some of the possible advanced space flight options for advanced propulsion that could be used for missions to the outer solar system, the Oort cloud, and interstellar flight.
Thu Jan 19, 04-05:30pm, 33-206

Lean Engineering: Doing the Right Thing Right
Prof. Earll Murman
Aerospace engineers are challenged to create extraordinarily complex products with demanding technical, economic, safety, reliability and other requirements. The cost and value of aerospace products is determined primarily by engineers. We will discuss the application of lean principles, originally developed for manufacturing, to aerospace engineering. To implement lean engineering, a three-part approach is needed, and we will explore this approach, with references to current research and successful implementation examples.
Thu Feb 2, 02-03:30pm, 33-206

Aircraft Fire and Explosion – How Safe Are You in the Friendly Skies?
Dr. N. Albert Moussa Technical Director, BlazeTech Corporati
While commercial air travel is an extremely safe mode of transportation, aircraft fires and explosions can occasionally occur with catastrophic consequences. The speaker will give an overview of the main types of in-flight and post-crash fires involving aircraft engines, fuel tanks, cabin and cargo areas, and will describe safety improvements including fire blocking layers in seats, fire detection, suppression systems in cargo bays and fuel tank inerting.
Fri Feb 3, 02-03:30pm, 33-206

ICP-OES Fundamentals and Demo
Dion Tsourides, Lin-wen Hu
Wed Feb 1, 01-03:00pm, NW12-202

Enrollment limited: advance sign up required (see contact below)
Signup by: 25-Jan-2006
Limited to 20 participants.
Single session event

ICP-OES (Inductively Coupled Plasma – Optical Emission Spectrometer) is an instrument that is easy to operate and has superior sensitivity for a wide range of elements. It is also an excellent inorganic technique covering nearly all elements. NRL recently installed an ICP-OES that is available to users from other departments. A lecture will be followed by a demo of ICP-OES.
Contact: Judy Maro, NW12-206A, x3-4211, jmaro@mit.edu
Sponsor: Nuclear Reactor Lab

Leadership in Engineering
Legena Jack
No limit but advance sign up required (see contact below)
Participants welcome at individual sessions (series)

Leadership in Engineering adapts the concept of ethical leadership to engineers. The course material is generated primarily from Global Leadership Interlink (GLI), an international organization whose goal is to foster global leaders who are empowered to shape the destiny of nations/industries based upon a common foundation of moral character, and the application of principles of integrity, partnership and justice.
Contact: Legena Jack, (202) 316-5017, legena@mit.edu
Sponsor: Mechanical Engineering


Legena Jack
Leadership based primarily on ethics
Fri Jan 13, 10:30am-12:00pm, 1-390


Legena Jack
Vison (creativity and innovation): case studies of engineering leaders who left thier legacy
Fri Jan 20, 10:30am-12:00pm, 1-390


Legena Jack
Technology (materializes vision): Using technology to empower ethical leadership in engineering
Fri Jan 27, 10:30am-12:00pm, 1-390


Legena Jack
The Global perspective:
See the rest of the world accurately in order to keep leadership in engineering in perspective
Fri Feb 3, 10:30am-12:00pm, 1-390

Linear Algebra Demystified
Jonathan Pottharst (Harvard Doctoral Math Student), Vikash Mansinghka
Mon Jan 23, Tue Jan 24, Thu Jan 26, Fri Jan 27, 05-07:00pm, 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 and lectures.

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

MEMS 101
Hongshen Ma, Krishnan Sriram
Thu Jan 19, Fri Jan 20, 10am-12:30pm, 2-105

Enrollment limited: advance sign up required (see contact below)
Signup by: 10-Jan-2006
Limited to 60 participants.
Participants requested to attend all sessions (non-series)
Prereq: none

Microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) are an active and exciting area of research and industrial applications. A suite of fabrication techniques exist today that allow devices to be constructed with features that range in size from nanometers to millimeters. This short-course is designed to provide an overview of MEMS fabrication, commercial MEMS products, and areas of on-going research.

The course is organized into two 2.5 hour sessions. The first session will provide an overview of microfabrication techniques including thin-film processing, surface and bulk micromachining, and packaging techniques. The second session will discuss commercial MEMS applications and areas of on-going research in MEMS and Nanotechnology including MEMS sensors, optical devices, polymer fabrication, microfluidics, lab-on-a-chip, and nanomaterials.
Contact: Hong Ma, hongma@mit.edu
Sponsor: Mechanical Engineering
Cosponsor: Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

Mars Settlement Discussion
Joseph Palaia 4Frontiers Corporation, Mars Foundation, Mars Society, Bruce Mackenzie, Martha Adams
Mon Jan 9, 02-03:00pm, 33-319

No enrollment limit, no advance sign up
Single session event

This will be a general discussion of Mars exploration & settlement, and of the activities of the Mars Foundation and the Mars Homestead Project. The Mars Foundation is a non-profit effort to establish the first permanent settlement on Mars, and to engage and support the pro-Mars community. Join us to learn how you can help open the Martian frontier!
Web: http://www.MarsHome.org
Contact: Joseph Palaia, (508) 561-2232, jpalaia@mit.edu
Sponsor: Mars Society

Mars Settlement Technology Discussion
Joseph Palaia 4Frontiers Corporation, Mars Foundation, Mars Society, Bruce Mackenzie, Martha Adams
Mon Jan 23, 01-02:00pm, 33-206

No enrollment limit, no advance sign up
Single session event

What type of systems will be needed for humans to arrive, survive & thrive on the surface of Mars? Do we need advanced robots? New agricultural techniques? Unique mining systems? Join us to discuss the technology needs of the first permanent settlement on Mars. We’ll also discuss technology projects that can be undertaken by MIT students that will help us prepare for this great adventure!
Web: http://www.MarsHome.org
Contact: Joseph Palaia, (508) 561-2232, jpalaia@mit.edu
Sponsor: Mars Society

Mega Energy Projects
Peter Evans, Nicholas Alan McKenna
Tue Jan 10, Thu Jan 12, Tue Jan 17, Thu Jan 19, 10am-12:00pm, E51-149

Enrollment limited: first come, first served
Signup by: 09-Jan-2006
Limited to 40 participants.
Participants requested to attend all sessions (non-series)

Mega energy projects are complex, high impact projects that range from $1 to $20 billion dollars. They can yield important benefits but also generate strong resistance given their potentially large social, environmental and geopolitical impacts. This course will provide an integrated approach to understanding the growing trend toward mega energy projects worldwide. The course will draw on systems architecture, system dynamics, organizational theory and transaction cost economics to understand why these complex social and technical projects are often delayed and run over budget. It will also draw on theories of international relations, political economy, and transnational interest group politics to understand the broader forces that cause mega-energy projects to succeed or fail.
Web: http://stellar.mit.edu/S/course/17/ia06/17.917/
Contact: Peter Evans, E40-441, x4-1497, evansp@mit.edu
Sponsor: Engineering Systems Division
Cosponsor: Political Science

Mission Planning UROP’s in Support of the Mars Foundation’s Mars Homestead Project
Joseph Palaia 4Frontiers Corporation, Mars Foundation, Mars Society, Bruce Mackenzie, Martha Adams
Wed Jan 18, 01-02:00pm, 33-319

No enrollment limit, no advance sign up
Single session event

You are given 200 metric tons of Mars settlement cargo and a budget of several billion dollars. What is the best way to get this cargo, and the first Mars settlers, from Earth to the Martian surface? How can we reduce the cost? How can we improve the chances of successfully delivering the cargo and crew? Answering these questions are some of the challenges facing the Mars Foundation, and you can help! Join us to discuss spring 2006 UROPs exploring Mars settlement mission planning. An MIT faculty member has agreed to be an advisor for some UROPs with this focus.
Web: http://www.MarsHome.org
Contact: Joseph Palaia, (508) 561-2232, jpalaia@mit.edu
Sponsor: Mars Society

Neutron Activation Analysis -- How Much Mercury Is In That Fish?
Lin-wen Hu
Wed Jan 25, 01-03:00pm, NW12-202

Enrollment limited: first come, first served
Signup by: 23-Jan-2006
Limited to 20 participants.
Single session event

Is mercury content of fish at toxic levels? Come learn about Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA) and how it is used for mercury analysis in fish. The lecture will cover sources of environmental mercury and its risk to young children and pregnant women. FDA and EPA advisories on mercury in seafood will be reviewed.
Contact: Judy Maro, NW12-106A, x3-4211, jmaro@mit.edu
Sponsor: Nuclear Reactor Lab

Parachutes for Planetary Entry Systems
Dr. Juan R. Cruz, NASA Langley Research Center
Fri Jan 20, 09-11:00am, 2-4 pm, Room 33-206, Note Room Change

Enrollment limited: advance sign up required (see contact below)
Signup by: 10-Jan-2006
Limited to 30 participants.
Participants requested to attend all sessions (non-series)

This mini-course (four hours) provides an introduction to the design, analysis, and qualification of parachutes for planetary entry systems. The lectures emphasize topics relevant to robotic missions, human precursor exploration missions, Earth sample return missions, and Earth qualification of parachute systems. A complete set of lecture notes will be provided, including an extensive bibliography. Sources for further study will be noted.
Contact: Marie Stuppard, 33-208, x3-2279, mas@mit.edu
Sponsor: Aeronautics and Astronautics
Cosponsor: MIT Museum

Pre-6.003: A Gentle Introduction to Linear Systems
Amir Hirsch, Archana Venkataraman
Mon Jan 23 thru Thu Jan 26, 10-12:00am, 34-301

No enrollment limit, no advance sign up
Participants requested to attend all sessions (non-series)
Prereq: 18.01, 18.03

For students planning on taking a linear systems course like 6.003 who would like a head start. Basic overview of linear systems, focusing on using the Fourier and Laplace Transforms to analyze real-world problems. Theoretical aspects covered on Monday and Wednesday; Applications covered on Tuesday and Thursday.

No advanced signup required but for planning purposed please RSVP to hkn-iap@mit.edu

Cosponsored by Tau Beta Pi.
Web: http://web.mit.edu/tbp/www/tbp-teach/
Contact: Amir Hirsch, hkn-iap@mit.edu
Sponsor: Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Cosponsor: Eta Kappa Nu

Satellite Design Competition
Elizabeth Deems, Dan Judnick
No limit but advance sign up required (see contact below)
Signup by: 18-Jan-2006
Participants welcome at individual sessions (series)

Come earn hundreds of dollars in cash prizes at THE competition of IAP 2006! the challenge is big and so are the prizes!

Teams of all shapes and sizes are invited to compete in our 4-part satellite design challenge. All you need is at least one MIT student and a week to work. But with stakes this high, you may want to put your heads together -- grab hallmates, classmates, alumni, anyone affiliated with MIT, and join the competition!

Teams will be challenged to develop detailed designs for one or more of these small satellite subsystems: Communications, Power, Attitude Determination & Control. Those who take on all three are also welcomed to enter the bonus Avionics challenge! (Teams can receive extra design points for designing the avionics for the previous three subsystems). Sign up today! (Deadline 5PM, January 18)
Contact: Elizabeth Deems, 37-348, x8-8726, edeems@mit.edu
Sponsor: Satellite Engineering Team

Satellite Design Kickoff Meeting
Elizabeth Deems, Dan Judnick
Team captains or their proxies must be attendance to receive detailed design specifications and contest rules.

Team membership may fluctuate during the week-long competition, but captains must register no later than 17-Jan by emailing edeems@mit.edu.

The challenge is big and so are the prizes!
Sign up today!
Thu Jan 19, 11-12:00am, TBD

Satellite Design Final Review
Elizabeth Deems, Dan Judnick
OPEN TO ALL!

Turn out to watch teams present their satellite system designs to a panel of distinguished faculty and advisors.

All presentations and design reports are due to contest organizers 26 Jan at 11am.
Thu Jan 26, 12-06:00pm, TBD

Six Minutes of Terror: The Mars Exploration Rover's Entry, Descent and Landing
Debbie Douglas, Juan R. Cruz
Thu Jan 19, 07:30-09:00pm, MIT Museum

No enrollment limit, no advance sign up
Single session event
Prereq: none

In 2004 NASA placed two rovers on the surface of Mars. Before their mission could start, the rovers had to survive the Entry, Descent, and Landing (EDL) sequence. From an approach speed of 5.4 km/s the EDL system had to bring the rovers to a standstill on the surface of Mars. All this had to be accomplished without human intervention, with the knowledge that two thirds of all previous missions to Mars had crashed… Using photographs, videos, and flight data this talk describes the design, development, and operation of the Mars Exploration Rovers EDL system.
Contact: Debbie Douglas, N51-209, x3-1766, ddouglas@mit.edu
Sponsor: MIT Museum

The Fundamentals of Photovoltaics: Scientific, Engineering, Economic, Policy, and Market Dimensions
David Danielson, Adam Lorenz, Tonio Buonassisi
No limit but advance sign up required (see contact below)
Signup by: 05-Jan-2006
Participants welcome at individual sessions (series)
Prereq: None

The aim of this course is to provide a broad overview of the scientific, engineering, economic, and policy drivers and challenges for traditional and next-generation photovoltaic technologies. The course will consist of a series of lectures featuring guests from the MIT community and beyond and tours of a local solar energy manufacturing plant and a PV installation at MIT. The technical emphasis of the course will be strong but balanced, to expand the horizons of both individuals with scientific & engineering as well as non-technical backgrounds.
Web: http://web.mit.edu/mit_energy/IAP_Courses/PV_IAP/index.html
Contact: David Danielson, 13-4138, (617) 512-2646, dtdaniel@mit.edu
Sponsor: Energy Club

Photovolatics (PV): Basics and Context
Tonio Buonassisi (Research Scientist at Evergreen Solar)
Wed Jan 11, 07-08:30pm, 3-442

PV Materials & Technologies
Tonio Buonassisi (Research Scientist at Evergreen Solar)
Wed Jan 18, 07-08:30pm, 3-442

MIT PV Installation Tour
Steve Lanou
We will tour one of MIT's new PV installations.

Space is limited, so please sign up early! Email Dave Danielson, dtdaniel@mit.edu, to sign up.
Tue Jan 24, 10am-12:00pm, TBD

PV Manufacturing & Installation
Adam Lorenz (MIT Alum - Research Engineer @ Evergreen Solar)
Wed Jan 25, 07-08:30pm, 3-442

Evergreen Solar Manufacturing Plant Tour
David Danielson, Adam Lorenz, Tonio Buonassisi
We will have a guided tour of Evergreen Solar's PV manufacturing plant in Marlborough, MA. We will arrange for carpooling. Space is limited, so sign up early! Email Dave Danielson, dtdaniel@mit.edu, to sign-up.
Thu Jan 26, 11am-02:00pm, Evergreen Solar

PV Economics, Policy, and Markets
Michael Rogol
Wed Feb 1, 07-08:30pm, 3-442

The Future of Materials Science (POSTPONED)
Joseph Walish
Mon Jan 16 thru Fri Jan 20, ??-??:00pm, 35-410 Chipman Room

No enrollment limit, no advance sign up
Participants welcome at individual sessions (series)
Prereq: none

POSTPONED - please check back for more information

Ever wondered what’s next in materials research? Thinking about graduate school but don’t know what to do? The Future of Materials Science seminar series aims to answer these and other questions as a group of distinguished speakers lecture on nanotechnology, biotechnology, computational materials science, and other interesting topics. Please join us as we explore this exciting field of research.
Contact: Joseph Walish, 13-5095, x8-6135, jwalish@mit.edu
Sponsor: Materials Science and Engineering

The Mars Settlement Research & Outreach Center (Proposed) – Discussion & Brainstorming Session
Joseph Palaia 4Frontiers Corporation, Mars Foundation, Mars Society, Bruce Mackenzie, Martha Adams
Wed Jan 11, 01-02:00pm, 33-116
Wed Jan 18, 25, 11am-12:00pm, 33-319
Wed Feb 1, 11am-12:00pm, 33-116

No enrollment limit, no advance sign up
Participants welcome at individual sessions (series)

A unique research & outreach center has been proposed as a intermediate step on the road to settling the red planet. This facility will be a 25,000 sq ft replica of the first permanent Mars settlement, located on Earth near a major metropolitan area. Open to the public, it will provide a glimpse of what life might be like in the early Mars frontier. It will generate revenue to support R&D efforts, and the public will have access to this groundbreaking work. Join us to discuss the details of the center, including how to best use it to capture the imagination and excitement of the public.
Web: http://www.MarsHome.org
Contact: Joseph Palaia, (508) 561-2232, jpalaia@mit.edu
Sponsor: Mars Society

The Physics and Engineering of Wind Power
kkeville
Tue Jan 31, Thu Feb 2, 06-08:00pm, NE47-189

No limit but advance sign up required (see contact below)
Participants welcome at individual sessions (series)
Prereq: None

In this course, the fundamentals issues related to wind power are presented including: context, physics, engineering, cost analysis, site & resource evaluation, potential problems, and keys to managing and gaining acceptance for projects.
Contact: Kurt Keville, kkeville@mit.edu
Sponsor: Energy Club

Tour of the MIT Research Reactor
E. Lau
Wed Jan 11, Fri Jan 13, 20, 27, 10am-12:00pm, NW12 first floor, meet at reception desk

Enrollment limited: advance sign up required (see contact below)
Signup by: 05-Jan-2006
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. To register, send email including which tour day you prefer.
Contact: E. Lau, NW12-116, x3-4211, eslau@mit.edu
Sponsor: Nuclear Reactor Lab

Vacuum Technology Seminar
Johan DeRijke Varian Vacuum Technologies, Bob Childs
Enrollment limited: advance sign up required (see contact below)
Signup by: 23-Jan-2006
Limited to 50 participants.
Participants welcome at individual sessions (series)
Prereq: none

Intensive Two-day noncommercial class on vacuum fundamentals for graduate students and other vacuum users. See individual sessions for specifics. Taught by a vacuum engineer with 35 years experience in vacuum Technology and numerous patents to his credit. Seminar is co-hosted by Varian Vacuum Technologies and includes a free manual. Sign up for one or both of the seminars. The Basic seminar is not a prerequisite for the Advanced seminar but will help.
Contact: Bob Childs, NW21-109, x3-1751, rchilds@psfc.mit.edu
Sponsor: Plasma Science and Fusion Center

Basic Vacuum Technology
Johan DeRijke Varian Vacuum Technologies, Bob Childs
Some of the topics that will be discussed on the first day include high vacuum, ultra high vacuum, system pressure, total gas load, material selection, system pumping speed, vacuum pumps, system operation, and system troubleshooting.
Tue Jan 24, 10am-02:00pm, NW17-218, Lunch provided

Advanced Vacuum Technology
Johan DeRijke Varian Vacuum Technologies, Bob Childs
The second day will include a review of the vacuum technology concepts building on the subject with various vacuum formulas to include rough and high vacuum calculations, conductance and pumping speed calculations and techniques used in successful design and construction of vacuum systems.
Wed Jan 25, 10am-02:00pm, NW16-213, Lunch provided


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Last update: 30 September 2004