Profiles in Engineering, August 2011

New Scientist reported on “Cambridge crude” and its developer Dr. Yet-Ming Chiang (MA B ’80). Along with colleagues at MIT, Dr. Chiang has developed a “black sludge (capable of) doubling the range of electric cars.”

Read the article for more information on how Chiang’s new battery works, and the potential power per unit volume delivered.

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Dr. John T. O’Connor, MO A ’55, is a renowned water engineer. In a recent profile of his career and life from The Columbia Daily Tribune (MO), we learn about his journey.

Currently, Dr. O’Connor is a partner, with his son, at H20’C Engineering. Previously, he was a professor of civil engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and chairman of civil engineering at the University of Missouri. Click here, to read more about his professional personal experiences.

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In a recent article from The New York Times, groups promoting scientists and engineers “to speak out in public debates and even run for public office” are profiled.

The article cites that currently among the 435 members of the House, there is one physicist, 22 people with medical training, a chemist, a microbiologist, and six engineers. All of the groups, such as the Aldo Leopold Leadership Program, face an uphill battle in efforts to engage more scientists and engineers in the debate of public issues.

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