16 Sep 2011: Prof. Ta-Pei Cheng, University of Missouri-St. Louis, Dept. of Physics and Astronomy, “Dark Matter and Dark Energy”
Our universe is mostly “dark” – full of matter and energy that cannot be detected by the usual electromagnetic means. Their presence has been deduced from their gravitational effects. This presentation will provide a basic introduction to dark matter and dark energy, their definitions, their observational evidence, and their possible physical origins.
21 Oct 2011: Dr. James M. Cervino, Visiting Scientist, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, MA, “An Underwater Holocaust.”
The “hot” truth about global warming, and its impacts on the global oceans and tropical coral reefs will be presented.
18 Nov 2011: Dr. Jocelyn Cohen, Energy Educator, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, “Sustainable Living.”
Learn how to measure your energy use and make informed, energy-wise decisions. Engage in hands-on activities, and receive a teaching tool kit you can use with your class to explore sustainability practices in energy, water, transportation, food, and the consumption of goods. Following the workshop, you and your class can qualify for incentives and prizes based on your implementation of sustainable actions. Only 50 teaching tool kits will be available, and only the first 50 people registering by Friday, 21 October 2011, with Frank Winters will be guaranteed a kit. Registration can be done by phone (1-866-552-4683) or by e-mail (frankw@energy-workshops.org).
16 Dec 2011: Gary Winsper, Project Exec., WTC Transportation Hub, Skanska Granite JV, SVP Skanska USA Civil, NE, “The World Trade Center: Origin, Demise, and Resurgence – An Engineer’s Perspective.”
Gary Winsper and/or his company has been associated with the World Trade Center from the “ground up”: beginning with the construction of the foundations of the Twin Towers in the 1960s to the erection of the unique steel skeleton framing of the towers to the repairs after the bombing in 1993 to the cleanup following 9/11 to the current renaissance of the site. Gary’s unique perspective will combine history, groundbreaking technical approaches used to construct the Twin Towers, the work involved after the bombing in 1993, and the incredible journey that he has been a part of, in the urban planning, design and construction of the 16-acre site, that began with the $500 million temporary PATH station, and is continuing with the building of a small city within Lower Manhattan.
20 Jan 2012: Adam Hingorany, Electrical Engineer, J. F. Shea Construction, “Tunnel Boring Machines for the Number 7 Subway Line Extension Project.”
The Number 7 subway line extension is a collaborative effort on behalf of the MTACC and S3II Tunnel Constructors (J.F. Shea, Schiavone, and Skanska) to revitalize the West Side of Manhattan. The project is designed to extend the Number 7 line, which currently travels from Flushing to Times Square. The project will extend service to the Jacob Javits Center. The tunneling in the project was completed with two Herrenknecht double shield tunnel boring machines, each with a diameter of 22.5” and a length of 445’. During excavation the machine placed concrete segments to form a continuous concrete liner. The presentation will focus on the technical portions of the machines as well as the mining process.
10 Feb 2012: Prof. Liam McAllister, Department of Physics, Cornell University, “The Sound of the Beginning: Echoes of the Big Bang in the Night Sky.”
Spectacular progress in experimental cosmology has revolutionized our understanding of how the universe began. This presentation will explain how the cosmic microwave background radiation – the afterglow of the Big Bang – and the pattern of galaxies on the sky provide windows onto the physical laws that governed the first moments.
16 Mar 2012: To Be Announced
20 Apr 2012: “Demo Derby,” an evening of non-stop demonstrations by the attendees (5-8 minutes max.)
20 May 2012: (Sunday) Award Brunch (Awardee and location to be determined)
In the event of inclement weather, call John Roeder at The Calhoun School, (212)-497-6500, to ascertain the status of the meeting. Meetings at 7:15 are preceded by dinner at M&G Pub, 21 Waverly Place (NE corner at Green St.), unless specified otherwise in the monthly meeting notice.
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