June 2007Dear Colleagues, The June 2007 News will cover couple of main topics:
http://www.engineering.com/ g Communiqué gJune.
TRAINING
Brown Fleming Catholic Adult Center 870 Queen Street West Tel.905-891-3034Website: www.dpcdsb.org/coopcentre
http://www.skillsinternational.ca/index-en.php http://www.costi.org/index.php
http://www.maytree.com/index.asp
Association of ProfessionalEngineers of OntarioMedia Release Foreign-trained and Canadian Engineering Graduates to Benefit from New Licensing Program
Qualified individuals may be eligible to apply for licence at no cost
Toronto – (May 2, 2007) – Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO), the licensing body for engineers in the province, has introduced a new program to encourage engineering graduates and newcomers to Canada to apply for licensure as a professional engineer by removing any potential economic hurdles. Under the program, called the Engineering Intern Training Financial Credit Program (FCP), graduates of bachelor of engineering programs accredited by the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board (CEAB) and international engineering graduates with a bachelor of engineering or a bachelor of applied science degree may be eligible to apply for the professional engineer (P. Eng.) licence at no cost. They may also be registered in the Engineering Intern Training program for the first year at no cost provided they meet eligibility criteria established by PEO. The program was introduced on May 1, 2007. “This program further demonstrates our commitment to ensure that all qualified applicants in Ontario are given a fair and equal opportunity to obtain their P. Eng. licence,” said PEO 2006- 2007 President Patrick J. Quinn, P. Eng., who championed the program’s introduction. Graduates of programs accredited by the CEAB are eligible for the FCP if they apply online at www.peo.on.ca/FCP/FCP1.html within six months of the date their degree was conferred. Within this six-month application window, PEO must also receive:
Those who graduated between November 1, 2006 and April 30, 2007 will have until October 31, 2007 to apply, so as not to disqualify graduates whose degrees were conferred in the six months immediately prior to the launch of the program. International engineering graduates are eligible for the program if they have a bachelor of engineering degree or a bachelor of applied science degree acceptable to PEO, and apply online for the program at www.peo.on.ca/FCP/FCP1.html within six months of their landing in Canada. Within this six-month application window, PEO must also receive:
Those who arrived in Canada between November 1, 2006 and April 30, 2007 will have until October 31, 2007 to apply, so as not to disqualify those who arrived in the six months immediately prior to the launch of the program. PEO’s Registrar reserves the right to determine at his sole discretion if an applicant for the Engineering Intern Training Financial Credit Program meets the program requirements. Professional Engineers Ontario administers the Professional Engineers Act by licensing Ontario’s 70,000 professional engineers, granting temporary, limited and provisional licences to practise professional engineering, and authorizing businesses to provide engineering services to the public. It sets standards for and regulates engineering in Ontario so that the public interest is served and protected. Rigorously educated, experienced, and committed to a Code of Ethics that puts the public first, licensed professional engineers can be identified by the P. Eng. after their names. -30-
For additional information, Please contact: David Smith, Manager, Communications Tel: 416-840-1068; 800-339-3716, ext.1068 Email: dsmith@peo.on.ca Association of Professional Engineers of Ontario
Job search for Southern Ontario
CAES Career Advancement Employment Services Inc. Caledon Community Services and Upgrading Canadian Executive Consultants Inc. Canadian Jobs Catalogue Table of Contents (D) Careerclick.com | Welcome | Careers, Resumes, Jobs EngCen.ca - jobs and resumes for Canadian Engineers GOjobs -- Government of Ontario Job Opportunities HRDC Labour Market Information Stoakley-Dudley Consultants Ltd. The Toronto Star Careers - a workopolis.com Community Workopolis.com - Canada's Biggest Job Site
CSME -- Canadian Society for Mechanical Engineering http://www.brainhunter.com/bhnh/eng/index.html http://www.applicants.ca/joblistings.html http://www.maple-reinders.com/careers.php
see also http://engineering.thingamajob.com
Association of Bulgarian Engineers in Canada – ABECThe Council of the Association of Bulgarian Engineers in Canada is bringing to the attention of all Bulgarian Engineers in Ontario, Quebec and Alberta, the signed Agreement between TD Meloche Monnex and the Coalition “European Engineers”. The Coalition is formed from the Associations of Bulgarian, Polish, Romanian and Hungarian Engineers in Canada. The Group Insurance Affinity Agreement provided to “European Engineers” by Meloche Monnex allows the Members to participate at preferred group rates to obtain home, automobile, travel and small business (micro enterprise) insurance coverage for the members, their spouses and children living at home. See - http://www.melochemonnex.com -- “We'd like to introduce you to the logical solution in home and auto insurance. TD Meloche Monnex partners with more than 250 associations, offering professionals and alumni preferred group rates*, high-quality insurance products and exceptional service. Your special status gets you outstanding value! To discover more about your insurance coverage options with TD Meloche Monnex, visit our website and get a free online quote now.” The program conditions, administration, marketing, confidentiality, indemnifications are similar for all professional and alumni association programs (CIM, PEO). The TD Meloche Monnex home and auto program offered to groups is underwritten by Security National Insurance Company and distributed by Meloche Monnex Financial Services Inc. Due to provincial legislation, the automobile insurance program is not offered in British Columbia, Saskatchewan or Manitoba. The group auto insurance rates are not applicable in Newfoundland and Prince Edward Island Please note that we are in the process of preparing an “Eligibility List” for Meloche Monnex. Only Members of ABEC in good standing will have their name activated into the group of the “European Engineer”. To be a Member of ABEC you must possess a Degree from Technical Engineering Universities and paid-up membership fees of 50 dollars CDN. New Members are always welcome! www.abec.ca Please communicate this announcement to your friends, colleagues and compatriots, so more Bulgarian Engineers could use this Insurance Program. The Bulgarian Engineers are highly knowledgeable professionals working with honesty, competence and integrity all over the world. This Program may be for you! From the ABEC’s Council
News
Virgin Launches First Bio-Diesel Train for Europe
by Staff Writers
Virgin chairman Sir Richard Branson believes the move could slash its carbon dioxide emissions by 14 percent -- which the rail operator believes is the equivalent of taking 23,000 cars off the road. "It's fantastic that we are leading the rest of Europe in developing this fuel," the tycoon told reporters. Chancellor of the Exchequer Brown, who will take over as prime minister when Tony Blair steps down on June 27, told reporters he was delighted that bio-diesel was being used. "I want Britain to be a world leader in the development and use of environmentally-friendly fuels and I believe they will play a fundamental part in our efforts to reduce emissions and tackle climate change," he said. "If this scheme works well we are prepared to look at other things. We are prepared to look at what could be done in the future. "We have to prove that this works. If it works I want other train companies to consider using bio-diesel." The train will travel on Virgin routes across Britain during the six-month experiment. In Brown's last budget, he announced that the rate of duty paid on the kind of fuels used in the Virgin Trains pilot would be "permanently reduced" -- from 54.68 pence to 7.69 pence a litre (1.08 dollars, to 15 cents, 80 euro cent to 11 euro cent). "The government will take the results of this pilot into account alongside other factors when taking future decision about duty levels," a Treasury spokesman said. Source: Agence France-Presse
Nordic Wind power Launches Lower Cost Wind Turbines for US Markets
Staff
Writers
"Nordic Wind power is excited to launch its global business in North America, the highest-growth area for new wind turbine installations, and in California, a leader in renewable energy," said Mr. Steve Taber, CEO of Nordic Windpower. "Nordic's ground-breaking technology, world-class management team focused on customer service, and significant cost and reliability advantages, will rapidly establish the company as a leader in US and Canadian markets, as well as those in China and India. "Nordic's innovation, a two-bladed, flexible design, dissipates the force of turbulent wind, preventing the progressive stress that can start with blade-rocking and end in gearbox failure -- the Achilles Heel of rigid turbine technology," Mr. Taber said. "The cost economy realized in the manufacture, transport and installation of a lighter, simpler turbine is passed on to customers in the low purchase price. Nordic's turbines have operated with unmatched reliability over a decade, even in the harsh conditions in Sweden." The manufacturing plant location is now being decided, with multiple states seeking to attract the business for economic and leadership reasons. "The Nordic 1000 turbine's low cost, ease of maintenance and bottom-line cost -- as much as 30% below that of competing equipment -- will attract large developers, community wind projects, and small developers without deep pockets," said Dr. Mike Robinson, Nordic's Director of International Sales and Marketing. "We want to help ensure that all qualified developers can reap the rewards of economical and high-impact wind energy generation." Dr. Jim Walker, a member of Nordic's Board of Directors, American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) President-elect, and 2007 Wind Energy Person of the Year Award-winner, said, "There is no doubt that wind energy is the next mainstream source of power generation in North America and will help us meet our climate change challenges. "But reaching its full potential depends critically on having access to a growing supply of reliable, efficient, low cost wind turbines, such as Nordic can supply. I am pleased to be advising the company during a tremendous period of growth and global expansion." http://www.nordicwindpower.com
Data stored in live neurons 08 June 2007 NewScientist.com news service Information has been stored in live neurons for the first time, bringing closer the creation of "cyborg" computer chips that combine electronic circuits with human cells. Networks of cultured neurons are known to spontaneously fire in specific patterns. Researchers have previously attempted to program these neural networks with new patterns, representing bits of information, by electrically stimulating individual cells. However, such zapping disrupts their spontaneous firing patterns, and for a network to successfully store information new firing patterns must be imprinted without erasing the old. Now Itay Baruchi and Eshel Ben-Jacob of Tel Aviv University in Israel have taught new firing patterns to a network of neurons by targeting specific points of the network with a chemical called picrotoxin. The new patterns lasted for up to two days without harming the pre-existing firing patterns (Physical Review Letters E, DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevE.75.050901). "You can think of it like a Christmas tree with lights that flicker," says Ben-Jacob. "We imprinted another pattern of lights on top of the original." Many believe that complex patterns of neuronal firing are templates for memory, which the brain uses when storing information. Imprinting such "memories" on artificial neural networks provides a potential way to develop cyborg chips, says Ben-Jacob. These would be useful for monitoring biological systems like the brain and blood since, being human, they would respond to the same chemicals. http://www.newscientisttech.com/article/mg19426075.700-data-stored-in-live-neurons.html From issue 2607 of New Scientist magazine, 08 June 2007, page 29
THEMIS: the stakeout for northern lights in the Canadian tundra
http://www.space.gc.ca/asc/eng/sciences/themis.asp http://aurora.phys.ucalgary.ca/themis
Mini heat harvesters could be new energy source 06 June 2007 NewScientist.com news service Michael Reilly New ways of turning heat into sound waves - and then into electricity - may be the next step toward a practical new source of alternative energy. Scientists have known for decades that they can turn heat into sound using simple devices called acoustic heat engines. But this week a team of University of Utah researchers plan to show they’ve succeeded in miniaturizing and optimizing the devices, which then turn the sound into usable electricity. If true, the advance could open the door to super-efficient power plants, cars, and computers, as well as a new generation of solar cells. Acoustic heat engines usually use a copper plate to conduct heat to a high-surface-area material like glass wool, which then heats the surrounding air. The movement of the hot air generates a single frequency sound wave, rather like a flute. And this in turns vibrates a piezoelectric electrode, producing voltage. High efficiency Most engines are large or inefficient, though, making them undesirable for interfacing with computers or other small applications. To improve their prospects, Orest Symko and his team built smaller engines ranging from 11 to 18 centimeters long. At 40% efficient, the engines rival gasoline and diesel engines at energy conversion. The team’s discoveries have also raised some eyebrows, however. "I realize anything to do with energy is really important these days," says Scott Backhaus, who studies thermo acoustics at the Los Alamos National Laboratory. "But we’re working on some applications for diesel engines, and I can tell you we’re not getting anywhere near 40% efficiency. I’m skeptical." Tiny engines The Utah researchers have also built the smallest known acoustic heat engines, which at 1.8 millimeters long could produce 1 Watt of electricity per cubic centimeter when clustered together. Symko speculates that the clusters could be used as the 'cells' in a new type of solar panel. He plans to test the devices within a year to produce electricity from waste heat at a military radar facility. “It looks very promising, but at this point there is still much work to be done. We’re still working on an array,” he says, adding that he hopes to begin mass-production of miniature engines within the next year. If all goes well, they could be installed on natural gas and coal-fired power plants shortly thereafter. The team will present their research on Friday at the annual meeting of the Acoustical Society of America in Salt Lake City, Utah. http://www.newscientisttech.com/article/dn12000-mini-heat-harvesters-could-be-new-energy-source.html
Wireless power could have cell phone users beaming07 June 2007 NewScientist.com news service Robert Adler
Your cellphone or laptop computer may soon recharge itself the same way it transfers information - wirelessly. Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), in the US, report that they can now send substantial amounts of power - enough to light a 60-watt bulb - across a room by magnetic induction between two devices tuned to resonate with each other. They hope to use this phenomenon of "strong coupling" to recharge or even run mobile devices wirelessly. Induction - the ability of a changing magnetic field to produce an electric current - was discovered by Michael Faraday in 1831. It is what makes electric generators, transformers, and motors work. Until now, induction has only been practical at close range, for example between the charger and handset of an electric toothbrush. At longer distances, the power losses are too great to make it worthwhile Power-storing coil Inspired by a mobile phone with a rundown battery, Marin Soljaĉić (pronounced soul-ya-cheech), a theoretical physicist at MIT, wondered if he could improve the efficiency of induction over longer distances. From his experience with lasers, he knew that objects that resonate at the same frequency readily exchange energy. He set out to see if he could use electromagnetic resonance to transmit electrical power. Soljaĉić and his research group have now built a coil with just the right properties. Powered by mains current, the coil naturally oscillates at 10 MHz. Unlike an antenna - which radiates the energy it receives - their device stores energy internally, in the form of oscillating currents and charges. The coil generates a strong electromagnetic field, but most of the electric component of that field is trapped inside the coil, while an oscillating magnetic field surrounds it. The oscillating magnetic field efficiently transmits power across the lab to a receiver tuned to the same frequency. Minimizing the external electric field is crucial for safety. "We wanted to use the magnetic field for coupling, and have the electric field confined," says theoretician André Kurs, a member of the MIT group, "because a magnetic field does not interact with most objects, including biological tissues." Real world applications "I think it’s brilliant," says Douglas Stone, a theoretical physicist at Yale University, not affiliated with the MIT group. "This is something anybody could have thought about for a century." Stone agrees with the MIT researchers that while there is much work to be done before your gadgets recharge themselves wirelessly, this technology will move from the lab to the real world. "There’s no fundamental problem," says Stone. "It’s going to work."
Journal reference: Science Express (7 June 2007, p 1)
ABEC’s News
On May 26th 2007, in the big Hall of the Cathedral “Sts Cyril and Methody”, the Bulgarian Newspaper and Radio program “Bulgarian Horizons” organized a Party -Celebration for “24th of May” - the Day of Bulgarian education, science and culture, which is the most celebrated day in the Bulgarian calendar. During the Celebration I had the privilege to be presented with an “Award of Recognition” for my efforts and participation in establishing and promoting the Association of Bulgarian Engineers in Canada - ABEC as an informative professional organization for the Bulgarian Engineers. The certificate was presented from the Bulgarian Newspaper and Radio Program “Bulgarian Horizons”; see GRAMOTA1.jpg The Honorable, Consul General of Bulgaria in Toronto Mrs. Genka Beleva presented me with a Letter of Commendation in acknowledging ABEC’s effort to promote Bulgarian Engineers as leading technical professionals in Canadian society. I accepted the Award and the Letter as acknowledgement on behalf of our entire team work during the last four years, thanks to Nikolay Paskalev, Maxim Stefanov, Yordanka Zaharieva, Tonya Bojkova, Dimitre Azmanski, Simeon Simeonov PhD, Valentin Nedyalkov and many more Members who certified documents or helped us to organize our meetings and picnics; their dedicated support made everything possible. * * * * * * * * Our monthly meeting took place On May 27th 2007, in the Big Hall of the Cathedral “Sts Cyril and Methody”, It was an informative discussion about the latest news and regulations of PEO licensing. Eng. Plamen Blagoev P.Eng and Eng. Kostadin Mirchev (P.Eng in process) answered many of our member’s questions and gave their competent advice. We had also Mr. Mladen Alexiev – Financial Broker, who gave us information and tips on Company benefits packages and Workplace Safety & Insurance Board benefits. Nikolay Paskalev showed the draft design of ABEC’s membership card.
Next ABEC Meetings will be: June 24th 2007, 12.15 noon In the Big Hall of the Church “Sts Cyril and Methody” August 26th 2007, Annual ABEC Picnic
 Glen Haffy Conservation Area 19305 Airport Rd, 9 km north of Caledon East
What to visit?
Renoir Landscapes and China Treasures June 8 - September 10, 2007
Ottawa plays host to two summer-long, world-class blockbuster exhibitions: Treasures From China at the Canadian Museum of Civilization and Renoir Landscapes at the National Gallery of Canada. This 2-night getaway for 2 includes accommodation and admission to both these must-see exhibits. Book with your Visa® card and you’ll receive a poster from each of these special exhibits http://www.national.gallery.ca/renoir http://www.national.gallery.ca/renoir/english/who_is_renoir.html From $113 (cdn) 2 nights/ person** http://www.ottawatourism.ca/forms/bookpackage.asp?intPackage=58&intSeason=2#packageDetails IF YOU HAVE ANY
QUESTIONS OR WOULD LIKE HELP BOOKING YOUR PACKAGE, CALL TOLL FREE 1-888-OTTAWA8
(1-888-688-2928, Canada & US only) OR 613-599-0279.
This package consists of: • Hotel – two nights’ accommodation for two adults (prices indicated per
person) **Price is per person, for two nights and is based on double occupancy (excluding family packages where price is based on family of four, max. 2 adults). Taxes, transportation and handling fee not included. Subject to availability. Some conditions apply. Prices subject to change without notice. Starting prices vary by hotel and attraction selection.
http://www.ontariotravel.net/TcisCtrl?site=consumers&key1=home&language=EN
Membership fee, due for 2007 year is $50 per year. Please send your cheque (making it payable to ABEC) to our Treasurer Eng. Tonya Bojkova at the address: Mrs. Tonya Bojkova, 903 – 91 Cosburn Ave., Toronto, Ontario, M4K 2G2
New Members are always welcome!
Best Regards to all ABEC Members Pauline Loultcheva-Lawrence pauline_m_lawrence@hotmail.com p_lawrence@abec.ca
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