Polling Question

Engineering for Disaster after Hurricane Katrina

Technology is crucial to not only surviving a hurricane like Katrina, but also to quickly returning to a normal life post-storm. New materials create stronger homes. Wireless keeps us in touch with rescuers. And levees, flood gates and massive pumps can keep homes dry.
One thing we can count on is there will be more Katrinas. Our features, podcasts and photos provide an inside look at what technologies worked during and after the hurricane.

Instant Wireless Speeds Katrina Recovery
Hurricane Katrina showed the value of wireless communications in an emergency. Wireless companies and network suppliers are still learning from the experience. Full Story
2007-11-05 00:00:00
Bendable Concrete Protects Against Hurricanes
A bendable concrete composite developed at the University of Michigan is among new materials systems that show promise in protecting buildings from hurricane-force winds. Video included. Full Story
2007-11-05 00:00:00
Simulation Software Plays a Role in Katrina Rebuild Effort
Using FEA and other simulation and computer-aided modeling software, engineers and scientists are able to recreate the effects of Katrina and leverage that data to aid in the rebuild effort. Full Story
2007-11-05 00:00:00
Fixing New Orleans’ Flood Pumps
Did the engineers who built New Orleans’ huge flood protection pumps after Hurricane Katrina get a bad rap? Judge for yourself. Full Story
2007-11-05 13:02:00
Katrina's Mark on Technology
Not all technology is good, especially in the case of pre-Hurricane Katrina New Orleans. Full Story
2007-11-05 00:00:00
Fatigue Could Loom Large in Bridge Collapses
Metal fatigue could be a cause in structural failures like the I-35W bridge collapse in Minnesota. The challenge lies in recognizing it. Full Story
2007-11-19 00:00:00
Boston's Big Dig: Materials Failure Led to Tunnel Collapse
Update: Read the latest news on the aftermath of Boston's Big Dig tunnel collapse, discuss the materials failures of the project with fellow engineers and be sure to visit our gallery of appalling Big Dig diagrams and photos. Full Story
2007-09-05 00:00:00
Environmental Recorders Watch for Damage
Environmental data recorders will probably be getting a lot more attention in coming months as the nation examines bridges to avoid a repeat of the disaster in Minneapolis. Environmental recorders can be fastened to bridges to detect motion, giving engineers a non-intrusive way to tell when flaws exceed acceptable levels. Full Story
2007-10-08 00:00:00
Lab-Type Instruments Monitor Health of Structures in Beijing
Lab instruments are being used to monitor structural health and buildings in the Olympics in Beijing. Full Story
2008-08-20 08:50:00
Teamwork is the Key to Innovation, Author tells NIWeek Attendees
Andrew Hargadon talks about green initiatives during keynote address at NIWeek 2008. Full Story
2008-08-08 10:54:35
Come Together
Sure there are several new products that in addition to improved performance, reduce waste, reduce cost and/or specifically meet regulations. But looking closely at many of the newest adhesives and joining products reveals an easy-does-it side. Full Story
2008-08-08 00:00:00
Making It Faster and, of Course, Better
No matter what area of materials processing is involved, users look for a technology solution that meets a specification but more and more want something that provides an edge in their business. Full Story
2008-08-08 00:00:00
Taking Advantage of MIM
Metal-injection molding (MIM) can provide advantages that range from material and weight savings, improved surface finish, greater strength and hardness or elimination of secondary operations, depending on the technology. Full Story
2008-08-08 00:00:00
New Materials Target Environmental Problems
There's a rising flood of new materials that are said to solve a whole raft of environmental problems. The two biggest categories are materials that are recyclable and biodegradable. Full Story
2008-08-08 00:00:00
New Molding Systems Expand Options
There's an explosion in new materials and processing systems that expand the capability of engineers to design industrial products for demanding new applications. Full Story
2008-08-08 00:00:00
Lego, NI Team up on Robotic Toy
Lego Education and National Instruments teamed up to create WeDo, a toy that teaches software programming to kids aged 7-11. Full Story
2008-08-06 07:48:11
Prefabricated Architecture: Engineering the Modern Home
An exhibition at the Museum of Modern Art shows how prefab houses increasingly make use of design and manufacturing technologies from the industrial world. Full Story
2008-08-05 13:46:03
National Instruments Prepares for 'Green Engineering' Era
Dr. James Truchard, founder of National Instruments, told attendees at NIWeek new graphical programming software will serve as the foundation for the next generation of green engineering projects. Full Story
2008-08-05 13:12:09
General Motors R&D Chief Larry Burns Sees 'Electric Drive' across Product Line
GM's Larry Burns is in the hot seat to develop vehicles that run on renewable energy. His mission is nothing short of the reinvention of the automobile. Full Story
2008-08-04 15:15:52
Graphical Software Adds More Multi-Core Capabilities
National Instruments rolled out LabView 8.6 at NIWeek 2008, adding a better math engine and optimized software algorithms to deal with complex multi-processor problems. Full Story
2008-08-04 14:47:11
IBM Ups Ante with PLM
IBM strengthens its PLM story, extending its long-time Dassault partnership to resell the V6 platform while building out its domain expertise, consulting manpower and integration technologies in this area. Full Story
2008-07-30 11:11:00
Flooring Company Takes Innovation Cues From Mother Nature
As part of a decades-long sustainability push, Interface overhauls its R&D practices, using biomimicry to innovate new flooring solutions that borrow concepts from Mother Nature. Full Story
2008-07-30 09:35:36

Disaster Relief Gallery

Purdue Team Simulates 9/11 WTC Attack
The indelible images of planes crashing into the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001 are baked into our minds, but questions remain as to what exactly perpetuated the structural damage that se... View Blog Post
2007-06-22 06:40:47
Got Design Tools?
Imagine, a major CAD company JUST selling design tools. It makes no sense in the age of PLM and large enterprise systems that oversee product conception, design, use and end of life. How refreshing... View Blog Post
2008-08-22 09:55:47
Boron-Rich HDPE Can Replace Concrete in Nukes
I’ve heard of several new plastics that make excellent metal replacements. But concrete? That’s a first for me. A hydrogen-rich polymer loaded with boron actually can replace concrete as neutro... View Blog Post
2008-08-15 10:39:06
Enforcement Lacking for Hybrid Parking Spots
Who knew that environmental stewardship could also yield a better parking spot? It can; that is, unless someone decides to park their conventional car in your hybrid parking spot.Recently, compani... View Blog Post
2008-08-13 00:20:37
Speedo LZR Racer An Olympic Winner
As the Summer Olympics heats up this week in Beijing, so too is the controversy over how the new Speedo LZR Racer, a high-tech racing suit designed with help by NASA and Computational Fluid Dynam... View Blog Post
2008-08-12 08:22:06
Duke’s Smart Home Signals Beginning of Green Universities
Duke University has claimed the first LEED-platinum-rated residence hall on the planet. This achievement signals the beginning of a welcome and inevitable greening of university campuses nation-wid... View Blog Post
2008-08-03 23:36:15
Sales of da Vinci Robots Shows More Than Rising Stock
Despite the rise and fall of Intuitive Surgical, Inc.’s stock over the past week, it’s probably safe to say, one thing is for sure: robotic-assisted surgery is on the rise.In case you missed i... View Blog Post
2008-07-31 09:51:08
New Report on U.S. Bridges Released as I-35 Bridge Collapse Anniversary Approaches
Nearly one year to the date of last year’s I-35 Bridge Collapse in Minneapolis, a report released yesterday says at least one in four U.S. bridges needs repairs and at least $140 billion is neede... View Blog Post
2008-07-29 09:37:08

Environmental Recorders Watch for Damage
Environmental data recorders will probably be getting a lot more attention in coming months as the nation examines bridges to avoid a repeat of the disaster in Minneapolis. Environmental recorders can be fastened to bridges to detect motion, giving engineers a non-intrusive way to tell when flaws exceed acceptable levels. Full Review
2007-10-08 00:00:00
Taking Advantage of MIM
Metal-injection molding (MIM) can provide advantages that range from material and weight savings, improved surface finish, greater strength and hardness or elimination of secondary operations, depending on the technology. Full Review
2008-08-08 00:00:00
New Materials Target Environmental Problems
There's a rising flood of new materials that are said to solve a whole raft of environmental problems. The two biggest categories are materials that are recyclable and biodegradable. Full Review
2008-08-08 00:00:00

Hurricane Katrina Recovery Information
USA.gov offers assistance post-Katrina and outlines what the government is doing to come to New Orleans' aid. Read More

National Hurricane Center
Green regulations have produced waves of industry confusion, and Design News Contributing Editor Rob Spiegel doesn't expect things to clear up quickly. Visit his blog to discuss RoHS and other environmental issues. Read More

ReliefWeb
Visit this global hub for time-critical humanitarian information on emergencies and natural disasters. Read More

Design News Partner Zones

CAD/CAE Model Clean-Up: Reduce Iterative Cycles
This webinar featured research and survey results related to problems associated with preparing CAD geometry for CAE applications. We discussed how Recipe-Based Automation can help create "just-in-time" CAE-ready geometry each time a cad model is updated. Watch the Presentation

Light Matters: Systems Level Approach to HBLED illumination applications
Its good practice to apply a systems-level approach to high-brightness LED (HBLED) illumination applications. Minimally, the system includes the optical, thermal and electrical characteristics of the of the HBLED, the lens (if any) which is built-in to its package, secondary optics such as external plastic lenses/reflectors to direct the light as your application requires and power driver electronics. Read More

Design Engineers' Portal for Sensing and Machine Safety
Whatever industry you're in, or whatever product you manufacture, the right sensors to automate your plant, and to improve your overall efficiency, quality and safety are a must. You'll find Banner Engineering to be an amazing resource of products, training and people with expertise.