IEEE-USA Releases Third E-Book in Innovation Series — ‘Fostering an Innovation Subculture’

WASHINGTON (25 November 2009) — IEEE-USA has released the third e-book in its innovation series, “Doing Innovation: Creating Economic Value,” this one focusing on “Fostering an Innovation Culture.”
 
Author Gus Gaynor, a retired 3M director of engineering, writes that this third book “provides the fundamentals for developing a culture that supports innovation.” These fundamentals, according to Gaynor, include “finding the right people and providing the freedom to act, but with discipline; implementing effective and supportive management practices; providing the organizational resources and infrastructure; and promoting an organizational attitude that focuses on achieving results.”
 
Topics include:
— Organizational Culture
— Research Perspectives
— Optimizing People Involvement
— Encouraging Professional Attitudes
— Developing Appropriate Management Practices
— Some Parting Shots

You can purchase your copy of “Doing Innovation: Creating Economic Value – Book 3: Fostering an Innovation Culture” at http://www.ieeeusa.org/communications/ebooks/ for the IEEE member price: $9.95. The nonmember price is $19.95.  IEEE members can purchase other IEEE-USA E-Books at deeply discounted member prices — and download some free e-books.

To purchase IEEE members-only products and to receive the member discount on eligible products, members must log in with their IEEE Web account.

IEEE Homeland Security Conference Seeks Technical Papers, Posters, Tutorials

WASHINGTON (3 December 2009) — Organizers of the 2010 IEEE International Conference on Technologies for Homeland Security (HST 10) are seeking technical papers, posters and tutorials in the following areas:

— Homeland cyber security
— Land & maritime border security
— Attack & disaster preparation, recovery & response
— Counter-WMD techniques & key resources protection physical security

Accepted papers will be published by IEEE and presented at HST 10 at the Westin Waltham Boston in Waltham, Mass., USA, 8-10 November 2010. At least one author of an accepted paper has to register for the conference and pay the conference fee.  

The event, the 10th in an annual series, will bring together leading researchers and innovators working on technologies designed to deter and prevent homeland attacks, protect critical infrastructures and people, mitigate damage and expedite recovery. Input from international partners is encouraged.

Papers should focus on technologies capable of deployment within five years, particularly applied research addressing areas in which breakthroughs are needed. Proposals should be no more than 500 words. Tutorial and poster submissions should include a one-page abstract and one-page biography.

Here are important 2010 submission dates to keep in mind:

— Abstract & tutorial proposal deadline:  24 April
— Tutorial acceptance notification:  10 May
— Full paper submission deadline:  25 June
— Paper acceptance notification:  6 August
— Poster abstract submission deadline:  13 August
— Poster acceptance notification:  27 August
— Publication-ready paper deadline:  3 September
— Tutorial presentation deadline:  3 November

All submissions must describe original work not previously published or currently under review for publication in another conference or journal. Instructions can be found at http://www.ieee.org/portal/cms_docs/pubs/confpubcenter/pdfs/samplems.pdf .

For more information on submitting paper, poster and tutorial proposals, go to http://www.ieee-hst.org/technical_program/cfp/HST_2010_CFP_Nov_24_09.pdf.

For general information on the conference, see http://www.ieee-hst.org/.

The IEEE Boston Section (http://www.ieeeboston.org/) is producing HST 10 with organizational support from IEEE-USA. More than 450 people attended the 2009 conference, including representatives from at least 10 foreign countries. The Department of Energy National Nuclear Security Administration, Department of Homeland Security Science & Technology Directorate and the DHS Domestic Nuclear Detection Office are providing technical assistance.

LOOK FOR IEEE-USA-SUPPORTED LOCAL TV NEWS REPORTS ON IEEE-RELATED TECHNOLOGIES IN YOUR COMMUNITY

Four new 90-second reports on IEEE-related technologies and breakthroughs were distributed in November to 83 U.S. TV stations for broadcast on the local news, with support from IEEE-USA.

The technology reports covered: (1) a next generation of cars, with systems allowing cars to communicate and warn drivers about hazardous conditions; (2) a wind tunnel to study the effects of hurricane-strength winds on buildings and other structures; (3) a video-based flow measurement technique used by Olympic swimming coaches to train their teams; (3) a bus locator program for both computers and cell phones that allows passengers to track when buses will arrive at their destinations; and (4) a turbine blade that increases the efficiency of drawing energy from the wind.

Look for these reports on local newscasts carried on TV stations from Atlanta (WUVG) to West Palm Beach, Fla. (WPTV); and from Chicago (WFXT and WGBO) to Seattle (KING and KONG). To see how a local TV station broadcasts these technology briefs, go to the story on “Doppler Radar Tracking Babies,” aired on WCPO in Cincinnati at http://aip.org/dbis/stories/2009/10089.html.

IEEE emeritbadges.org Launches Updated Web Site

22 November 2009 – The IEEE emeritbadges.org project has updated its web site, www.emeritbadges.org, featuring hands-on, pre-college technology educational materials for boys and girls. The updated site will feature information on the program’s sponsorship of the Electricity and Electronics Merit Badge booths at the 2010 National Scout Jamboree, to be held from 26 July to 4 August, 2010, at Fort A.P. Hill, in Caroline County, Virginia.

IEEE emeritbadges.org, which volunteers have developed and run, provides instructional materials based on the Boys Scouts’ Electricity and Electronics Merit Badge requirements. Materials are under development for the Computer Merit Badge. A team of emeritbadges.org Jamboree volunteers, recruited from across the United States and around the world, will teach Scouts the basics of electricity and electronics at the 2010 National Scout Jamboree. Scouts also will learn about technical careers and build a microprocessor-based kit that they can take home. During the 10-day long-event, approximately 100 volunteers will be manning these two booths, using the emeritbadges.org-developed materials to help 1,500 to 2,000 boys learn about electrical fundamentals, simple electronic circuits and microprocessors. The course materials and tests reinforce and supplement the Boy Scout Merit Badge Pamphlet requirements and provide the necessary knowledge for the boys to earn these two badges.

Any student, boy or girl can use the program to enhance technical literacy and learn more about viable engineering and other technical career options.

Similar to its counterpart, the IEEE GirlsGoEngineering.org mission is to energize girls toward careers in engineering, mathematics, and the physical sciences. A major component is a volunteer developed and run website, www.GirlsGoEngineering.org, which provides science and engineering career and instructional programs, activities, materials and web resources of interest to girls, educators, and adult leaders. Other planned activities include participation in Girl Scout events and similar organizations to enlighten girls about careers in science and engineering.

To foster an interest in the engineering profession, IEEE serves students, members and colleges around the world. IEEE realizes that high school student exposure to the accomplishments of engineers is critical to increase engineering enrollment significantly at the university level. Thus, the IEEE created and sponsors the IEEE Scouting program, primarily through the Boy Scout organization and local Girl Scout groups. The program is designed to reach pre-university students and educators to “enhance the level of technological literacy of pre-university educators and students worldwide.”

Fourth E-Book in IEEE-USA Innovation Series Released — ‘What it Takes To Be an Innovator’

WASHINGTON (15 December 2009) — Complete your set in IEEE-USA’s e-book series on innovation with the fourth and final e-book, “What it Takes To Be an Innovator.”

In his latest book, author Gus Gaynor “discusses the critical element in innovation — the innovator.” He provides a picture of what an innovator could — and should — bring to an organization, including characteristics and attitudes, and discusses some famous innovators.

Book 1: “Perspectives on Innovation,” gave an understanding of what innovation involves and how it takes place. Book 2: “Developing a Workable Innovation Process,” focused on the innovation process — with emphasis on designing the innovation process from a systems perspective. Book 3: “Fostering an Innovation Culture” provided the fundamentals for developing a culture that supports innovation.

You can purchase your copy of “Doing Innovation: Creating Economic Value — Book 4: What it Takes To Be an Innovator” at www.ieeeusa.org/communications/ebooks  for the IEEE member price: $9.95. The nonmember price is $19.95.

IEEE members can purchase other IEEE-USA E-Books at deeply discounted prices — and download some free e-books.

To purchase IEEE members-only products and receive the member discount on eligible products, members must log in with their IEEE Web account.

IEEE-USA President Praises Retiring House Science & Technology Committee Chairman

WASHINGTON (15 December 2009) — IEEE-USA President Gordon Day praised Rep. Bart Gordon (D-Tenn.) today for his key role in maintaining the United States’ global leadership in science and technology. Gordon, chairman of the House Science & Technology Committee, announced yesterday that he would not seek re-election in 2010.

Gordon was one of the principal architects of the bipartisan America COMPETES Act, which in 2007 turned into law many of the recommendations of the National Academies’ 2005 report, “Rising Above the Gathering Storm.” He then fought for funding of the new programs, achieving substantial success in 2009.  

“I salute Chairman Gordon’s visionary leadership in science and engineering legislation,” Day said. “He understands the close linkage between technology and the economy, and his initiatives are stimulating innovation, building competitiveness and creating jobs. We hope that Congress reauthorizes the COMPETES Act and continue to increase funding for the programs it established.”

Gordon’s many other achievements include important legislation on energy and health IT. He and Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Fla.) were also the lead sponsors of a May 2009 congressional resolution recognizing IEEE’s 125th anniversary, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives 409-0.  

“On behalf of 210,000 U.S. IEEE members, I thank Chairman Gordon for his quarter century of public service and wish him the best on the next phase of his personal and professional life.” Day said.

IEEE-USA Launches Program to Assist High-Tech Entrepreneurs

WASHINGTON (18 December 2009) — If you’re a high-tech entrepreneur looking for some feedback on your new business plan, IEEE-USA TechMatch is for you. IEEE-USA has established a strategic alliance with The Business Catapult to offer this feedback service free to IEEE members.

“TechMatch provides IEEE members the benefit of interacting with IEEE-USA volunteers who are well-versed entrepreneurs and have gone through the process of starting companies,” IEEE-USA Entrepreneurial Activities Committee Co-Chair Mauro Togneri said. “We’re not providing business advice, but we are able to share our experience.”

Here’s how it works. First, you receive a detailed, automated assessment of your business plan and objectives, and then a committee of experienced reviewers provides sustained, customized feedback to help improve the plan prior to presentation to prospective investors.

After you submit your plan online, you fill out the Benchmark Survey and Investment Summary and upload your executive summary and other relevant documents. In the Benchmark Survey, you are asked about your business concept and strategy. Based on your answers, a Benchmark Report demonstrates how your business compares with businesses that have achieved key success milestones.

The Investment Summary provides a clear snapshot of the investment opportunity to potential investors and helps educate you on how to think like an investor.

Your plan is then assigned to an advisory team, which review it and make detailed comments in eight key areas on how it can be improved. The plan is returned to you with a recommendation on how to proceed and whether you’re ready to seek funding. If you wish to submit your plan to investors, you may then transfer it to Business Catapult’s general deal flow (a fee may apply).

In June, IEEE-USA and the U.S. Small Business Administration signed an agreement to assist high-tech entrepreneurs starting new businesses. Both organizations pledged mutual cooperation in promoting, strengthening and expanding small business development throughout the country.

 IEEE-USA HIGHLIGHTS ENGINEERS’ SUPPORT FOR LOCAL COMMUNITIES, ITS MISSION ON PUBLIC RADIO

For the third consecutive year, in 2010, IEEE-USA is highlighting engineers’ support for their local communities and is promoting engineering awareness through its announcements on a Washington, DC metropolitan area public radio station. From January through December, IEEE-USA is sponsoring 50 announcements on WAMU 88.5, the National Public Radio news station in the nation’s capital, which underscore the organization’s mission to advance the public good and promote the interests of U.S. IEEE members. The first promotions will be aired on “The Kojo Nnamdi Show,” as part of Kojo’s regular “Tech Tuesday” programming, from 12-2 p.m. ET on Tuesday, 5 January; and Ira Flatow’s “Science Friday,” from 2-4 p.m. ET on Friday, 15 January. WAMU 88.5 reaches 800,000 total listeners in the Washington area, including tens of thousands of opinion leaders and decision makers. To listen online, visit http://www.wamu.org.