-
Being a good 3-D neighbor
Wendy Lathrop Construction & Building MaterialsOwnership of land runs from the highest point in the heavens to the center of the earth — or so we are generally informed as we surveyors begin our studies of real property characteristics. However, that vast expanse of ownership does not equate to full possession when it comes to such things as allowing airplanes and satellites cross the skies above us; some aspects are beyond an owner's full control. Neighbors above and below us have rights, too.
-
Where are the women? Male-dominated workplaces need to diversify
Danielle Manley Distribution & WarehousingOver the past century, women have made significant strides in achieving equality in workplaces, everything from narrowing the pay gap to increasing women in leadership and senior management roles. However, when taking a closer look at individual industries, it's apparent that the push for gender equality is just beginning to affect traditionally male-dominated industries like construction and mining.
-
A look into the future of the cooling industry
Andrew Gaved EngineeringWhat will the cooling industry look like in 2030? It's a bold question that was asked just before Christmas by the European cooling and ventilation groups EPEE and EVIA. In their collaborative conference named "EUREKA 2016: Heating, Cooling & Ventilation: Sustainable technologies for a better life," they brought experts from around the industry together to imagine what the so-called Generation Z would require from their refrigeration and HVAC — and thus how the industry would need to adapt to create the conditions.
-
Machines will soon perform more service jobs than humans
Linchi Kwok Travel, Hospitality & Event ManagementCan machines work as well as real human beings in delivering impeccable service? If so, will machines eventually replace human beings at work in the service industry? I had thought about those questions back in 2014 when I discussed the concept of the robotic butler ("Bolter") in hotels. But, at that time, I was unable to provide a definite answer. Today, I can finally assert with more confidence that a new era where machines serving people has arrived.
-
Intel’s latest move puts spotlight on tech side of autonomous cars
Ross Lancaster Science & TechnologyThe line between the automotive and tech industries is perpetually being blurred. In fact, CES — the tech world's giant annual electronics show in Las Vegas that takes place every January — featured so much auto technology this year that observers joked that the letters no longer stood for "Consumer Electronics Show," but rather "Car Electronics Show."
-
Going low tech: When 3-D scanning just won’t work
Renee Eaton EngineeringWhen designing a product or part, many people take inspiration from what's around them and end up looking to have an object 3-D scanned in order to modify or reproduce it. In 3-D scanning, the term "reverse engineering" has a specific meaning: converting the messy point cloud or polygonal data into a file better suited for engineering CAD software (e.g., STEP, IGES or native SolidWorks files).
-
How marketing channels impact business growth
Kathleen Lavallee MarketingWhether you're a senior executive or a business development manager, managing the marketing budget is an inescapable challenge. Understanding how to use that budget most effectively will help you make the right decisions that bring new business to the company.
-
EU looks at Ecolabel for supermarkets
Andrew Gaved Waste Management & EnvironmentalReaders will know that European supermarkets have made significant progress in recent years in converting their properties to lower-energy systems using lower-carbon refrigerants. Transcritical carbon dioxide systems have rapidly become the technology of choice for supermarket refrigeration managers wanting to reduce the global warming potential of their stores. Now, a European-funded initiative called SuperSmart is hoping to hasten the take-up of greener refrigeration methods by proposing an EU Ecolabel for food retail stores.
-
The deadliest cast: Creating a batch of rubber crabs
Renee Eaton ManufacturingOn the Discovery Channel's hit show, "Deadliest Catch," Derrick Ray is a captain for one of Alaska's most successful and beloved crab fishing ships, the Aleutian Ballad. During the offseason for crabbing each summer, Ray and his crew take customers on the high seas to simulate the experience — at least without the rough weather, long hours and extreme danger. A staple of the Bering Sea Crab Fisherman's Tour is that the customers get to see the massive 10-pound crabs up close.
-
Is this the death of the PLSS?
Jason Foose Science & TechnologyAlaska's PLSS survey is still in its infancy. Freshly placed monuments are still steaming, and some 35 million acres of state lands are yet unsurveyed — that's about the size of the state of New York. I caught wind that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is proposing to transfer the balance of state land to Alaska through the Direct Point Positioning Survey (DPPS) method.
All Engineering Articles