Planning a road trip this summer? Whether en route to a beach, lake, or national park, there are plenty of engineering landmarks to admire along the way — including the interstate highway system along which most travelers must pass. Here are some designated engineering destinations worth braking for:

Hoover Dam: More than a million visitors a year tour this National Landmark (pictured at the top) that towers 725 above the Colorado River 30 miles southeast of Las Vegas, NV. Read ASEE’s Prism magazine columnist Henry Petroski on the dam’s 75th anniversary.

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Filed under: Architectural, Civil, e-News, Electrical, Environmental, Mechanical, Nuclear, Transportation | 1 Comment »

Tags: Architectural, Civil, Electrical, Environmental, Mechanical, Nuclear, Transportation

It is common knowledge that electricity can cause fires, but can electricity help fight fires as well?

Harvard scientists have created a unique device that can shoot beams of electricity and instantly extinguish flames.

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Filed under: Chemical, e-News, Electrical | 1 Comment »

Tags: Chemical, Electrical

Ask anyone to name a famous robot, and it is likely they will mention characters like C-3PO, R2-D2, Wall-E, and Optimus Prime. What all of these friendly androids from film have in common is something that the majority of modern robots lack: the ability to converse with humans.

Cynthia Breazeal, an electrical and computer engineer, has dedicated her career to making robots more sociable. She is currently the director of the Personal Robots Group at the MIT Media Lab, where she researches and develops machines that can teach, learn, talk, and mimic human emotions.

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Filed under: Computer, e-News, Electrical, Trailblazers | 5 Comments »

Tags: Computer, Electrical, Robotics, Trailblazers

An aerial view of damage to Wakuya, Japan, after March 11 earthquake and tsunami

Last Friday, Japan was hit with a devastating earthquake of 9.0 magnitude. In combination with the following tsunami, the earthquake caused immense damage to northeastern regions of Japan and severely compromised six nuclear power-plant reactors. Recent reports estimate the death toll at over 5,000, with another 9,000 people missing and 2,500 injured. Over 4 million households were left without electricity, and 1.5 million without running water.

Since the tragedy stuck, scientists and engineers have been working around the clock to find and help survivors, as well as to avert potential nuclear meltdowns.

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Filed under: Computer, e-News, Electrical, Environmental, Nuclear | 3 Comments »

Tags: Computer, Electrical, Environmental, Giving Back, Nuclear, Robotics

Drivers often encounter wildlife along the road. But what if instead of the usual birds, deer, and squirrels,  you could cruise alongside fish?

That vision is now a reality with the electric submarine EGO, which literally puts you face-to-face with underwater wildlife.

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Filed under: e-News, Electrical, Mechanical, Ocean, Transportation | 6 Comments »

Tags: Design, Electrical, Green Technology, Green Transportation, Mechanical, Ocean, Transportation