ISTF2009: Suitable for a Disaster

Component Three

Provide a forecast of what the workforce demand would be over a five-year period to produce and market your team's technical application or process. Include the impact such production would have on the marketplace.

The manufacture of our product, which integrates wireless sensors and communications devices into "smart clothing," will require a variety of workforce skills. These skills include electrical and electronic equipment assembly, electrical and electronic engineering, computer hardware engineering, computer software applications engineering, and computer systems software engineering.

The Monthly Labor Review for November 2005 from the Bureau of Labor Statistics states jobs in these areas like computer system design are among the fastest growing jobs in the United States. According to Al Dill, President of the Blackfox Training Institute, these jobs would not likely be outsourced, because of their complexity and need for skilled workers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics states in their Career Guide to Industries, that there will be demand for research and development as well as for production workers. This means there will be an increase in demand for these occupational areas at all levels, from technical education through two and four year degrees, to graduate degree programs.

While certain parts of the communication market are be on the decline, new smart phones and wireless networks with high data flow ability reamin strong. Wireless communication is a main factor in the growth of the telecommunications industry.

Image courtesy of The Daily Wireless

Wireless service already allows connectivity between a diverse group of devices such as, phones, computers, and even television. Our project's suit will open yet another telecommunications application.

The use of smart materials, such as those in our suit, is expected to increase as research makes them more accessible. These smart materials include biological sensors and piezoelectric power sources. Demand is expected to increase for both products as improvements are made and more suits are constructed.

Image courtesy of bcc Research

As more development occurs, the economic effects of Smart clothes will increase. While smart textiles will be applied more often to consumer products and biomedical industries, significant use in homeland defense and public safety is expected by 2012.

Image courtesy of bcc Research

Our suit would directly impact public safety, and would stimulate the demand and scope of smart textiles for military and biomedical industries.

Give two examples of undergraduate or graduate degree programs in science or engineering that directly relate to your team's NCT technical application. For each program, be sure to include the following:
     the URL address of the institution,
     the department (for example, chemical engineering, electronic engineering) where the program is offered, and
     a brief description of the program of study.

Image courtesy of the Bradley Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering

At Virginia Polytechnic Institute, undergraduate courses in the Bradley Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering follows two principal degree programs: electrical engineering and computer engineering. We have focused on courses leading to a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering (CpE).

ECE 2574 — Introduction to Data Structures and Algorithms
Introduces fundamental data structures, algorithms, and abstract data types. Main topics include data structures such as arrays, linked lists, stacks, queues, graphs, and trees, and algorithms such as those that are used for list manipulation, graph searches, sorting, searching, and tree traversals. Implementation of data structures and algorithms in C++.
ECE 2704 — Signals and Systems
Analysis techniques for signals and systems. Signal representation, including Fourier and Laplace transforms. System definitions and properties, such as linearity, causality, time invariance, and stablility. Use of convolution, transfer functions and frequency response to determine system response. Applications to circuit analysis.
ECE 3614 — Introduction to Communication Systems
Analysis and design of communication systems based on spectral representation of signals. Topics include random processes and noise, pulse shaping, sampled signals, analog-to-digital conversion, time and frequency division multiplexing, and the design and characterization of amplitude modulation (AM), frequency modulation (FM), and pulse code modulation (PCM) systems
ECE 4104 — Microwave and RF Engineering
Passive and active RF and microwave components and circuits for wireless communications: transmission-line theory; planar transmission-lines and waveguides; S-parameters; resonators; power dividers and couplers; microwave filters; sources, detectors, and active devices; modern RF & microwave CAD; measurement techniques
ECE 4114 — Antennas
Antenna fundamentals, analysis and design principles, and a survey of antenna types including: arrays, wire antennas, broadband antennas, and aperture antennas.
ECE 4530 — Hardware/Software Codesign
An introduction to the design of mixed hardware-software systems,focusing on common underlying modeling concepts, the design of hardware-software interfaces, and the trade-offs between hardware and software components. Students will use simulation tools to conduct experiments with mixed hardware-software systems in the area of embedded systems.
ECE 4614 — Telecommunication Networks
Architecture, technology, operation, and application of telecommunication networks including digital telephony, data networks, and integrated services networks. Design and analysis of networks for voice, data, and video applications.

VPI also offers advanced research opportunities in creating smart clothes, or e-textiles. Students and professors are making pants with sensors that measure speed, rotation, and flexion. The pants send all of the information gathered from their sensors to a computer. The researchers are currently trying to overcome a problem that other companies have also encountered: spacing out the sensors so that someone can roll up their sleeves without making them malfunction. A special loom with wires embedded into fabric was created to increase production for this project.


Image courtesy of Advanced Imaging Pro	Image courtesy of Machine Design	Image courtesy of Virginia Tech RESEARCH Magazine, Summer 2007

VPI has also established a graduate-level Macromolecular Science and Engineering Program, in coordination with the Macromolecules and Interfaces Institute (MURI grant), for researching the use of ionic liquids in electromagnetic devices.

Image courtesy of the Department of Fiber Science and Apparel Design in the College of Human Ecology

Cornell is the first university in the Ivy League to offer a Ph.D in fiber science. In March 2002, Cornell joined the prestigious National Textile Center Consortium (NTC), a group of universities focused on research to sharpen the global competitiveness of the domestic textile and apparel industry. Undergraduates in Fiber Science and Apparel Design may take the following courses in addition to their general education requirements:

FSAD 1350 — Fibers, Fabrics, and Finishes
FSAD 1360 — Fiber and Yarn Analysis Laboratory
FSAD 2370 — Structural Fiber Design
FSAD 3350 — Fiber Science
MS&E 2610 — Mechanical Properties of Materials
CHEME 6400 — Polymeric Materials
FSAD 6390 — Mechanics of Fibrous Assemblies

Students in this department may apply to work with the Hinestroza Research Group: Textiles Nanotechnology Laboratory. In December 2002, one student developed a jacket that heated up when cold, lit up when dark, and included a pulse monitor for athletes. The jacket used embedded sensors that regulated electroconductive textiles in the upper back and electro-luminescent wires that run on AA batteries. Another student created a positively-charged fabric immersed in negatively charged nano-sized bits of antibacterial silver which repels germs, allergens, and pollution.


Image Courtesy of Cornell News	Image courtesy of Chronicle Online

Due to the critical importance of disaster relief to our project, we have included a third undergraduate program specializing in emergency services management.

Image courtesy of the University of Richmond School of Continuing Studies

The University of Richmond offers an online bachelor of applied science in Emergency Services Management (ESM). Students take a total of 120 semester hours with 30 hours in their ESM major which allows for the selection of one of three minors: business continuity, emergency management, or Homeland Defense. Core courses help the student focus on emergency services, public administration, budget and finance, as well as management and organization.

ESM 300U — Integrated Emergency Services in the Community
Basic overview of roles and functions of emergency services. Explores major issues in their management.
ESM 350U — Externship
Basis for student's entry into the emergency management workforce as a recognized professional. Through development of a professional portfolio, certification, professional training series completion, active participation in professional organizations, and a professional reading program, the student develops and reflects on specific skills and knowledge required by working emergency managers. New students should enroll in this course immediately upon acceptance and declaration of the major, as it is designed to take two or more years to complete.
ESM 354U — Management and Organization of Public Agencies
Examines why and how public agencies operate the way they do. Studies the forces acting upon public safety agencies and how those forces shape agencies' internal and external practices in their political environment.
ESM 355U — Management by Fact
When faced with a critical decision how do you separate fact from fantasy, determine what is relevant to your problem, and decide when you have enough information to make a choice? Examines the critical analysis of information and its use as the basis for administrative and operational decision making.
ESM 495U — Hazards and Threats for the Future
Examines the future of disasters and their management in the context of long-term political, environmental, technological, economic and social change. Identifies current methods for futures analysis and provides a framework for developing tools and resources to design future missions and strategies for professionals in both emergency management and business continuity and their organizations. Develops an understanding of the relationships of vision to the future and relates that to the department of programs to protect lives, property and the environment at any level.

Develop an idea for a new science and/or engineering degree program that might emerge given the advancements in scientific knowledge that the team has identified. Provide a title and 100-word description of this new degree program.

Students entering our graduate degree program, Mobile Communication & Network Engineering, are expected to take undergraduate courses in electrical engineering to develop a fundamental understanding of the theory and practices in the design, programming, and management of remote communication networks. Such jobs require a high degree of reliability in extreme or hazardous environments. Courses focus on wireless network systems, their security, hardware, software and improvements.

Students are expected to complete the following courses along with an internship to ensure that they gain the field experience necessary to design equipment that is effective, reliable and relevant in disaster situations.

Year One	Year Two
Communications Systems Wireless Communication Design Systems Programming Micro/Nano Electronic Mechanical Systems Computer Network Security Digital and Data Communication Internship	Digital Signal Processing Coding for Reliable Communication Signal and Data Compression Networking in Extreme Environments Adv Computer Architecture Micro/Nano Systems Ergonomic Engineering & Design Internship

Electives
Dynamic Communication Systems Disaster Environments Systems Management	Engineering Materials & Hardware Design Disaster Operations

In emails dated 24 February 2009, Mr. Kister stated that:

His company has grown dramatically over the last 5 years. In the last 12 months, we have increased our staff 35-40%. The four basic functions that Skycasters perform are: installation coordination, billing, technical support, and engineering. The first three really do not require any specialized skill, just a brain and the willingness to learn. Installers are required to be bonded, have two-way VSAT certification, people-skills, and keep a neat work area. However to be an engineer at Skycasters you must have have a lot of experience. For example the senior RF engineer at Skycasters has spent 30+ years in the Army, which solidifies his experience in the field. The R&D work done at Skycasters is mostly "mechanical engineering". They make trailers, flyaways, fuel cell powered systems, etc. that all become massive integration projects of various pieces of off the shelf technology.

Advanced Imaging- Smart Pants
  http://www.advancedimagingpro.com/article/article.jsp?siteSection=38&id=3266&pageNum=1

BCC Research- Advanced Materials
  http://www.bccresearch.com/report/AVM023C.html

Bradely Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering- E Textiles
  http://www.ccm.ece.vt.edu/etextiles/

BSCPE 4-Year Tentative Curriculum Class of 2009
  http://www.ece.vt.edu/ugrad/curriculum/09/cpe09.html

BSEE 4-Year Curriculum Class of 2009
  http://www.ece.vt.edu/ugrad/curriculum/09/ee09.html

Component One
  http://istf.acmtmhs.org./istf2009/one.asp#MURI

Cornell News- Cornell student develops 'smart' jacket that warms, lights up at night and even monitors heart rate
  http://www.news.cornell.edu/releases/Dec02/smart.jacket.ssl.html

Cornell News- Cornell joins prestigious research consortium for textiles and apparel following award of national research accolade
  http://www.news.cornell.edu/releases/March02/textile.consort.ssl.html

Cornell student develops 'smart' jacket that warms, lights up at night and even monitors heart rate
  http://www.news.cornell.edu/releases/Dec02/smart.jacket.ssl.html

Cornell University College of Human Ecology-Fiber Science & Apparel Design Home
  http://www.human.cornell.edu/che/fsad/index.cfm

Cornell University College of Human Ecology- Hinestroza Research Group Textile Nanotechnology Laboratory
  http://nanotextiles.human.cornell.edu/index.htm

Daily Wireless- Mobile Ad Projections
  http://www.dailywireless.org/2008/05/05/7733/

Degree in Emergency Services Management
  http://scs.richmond.edu/emergency/

ECE Undergraduate Programs
  http://www.ece.vt.edu/ugrad/courses.html

Fiber Science & Apparel Design 2008-2009
  http://www.human.cornell.edu/che/Academics/Undergraduate/Student_Services/Registrar/Degree_Progress/upload/FSADIII_08-09.pdf

High Beam Research- Department is now Fiber Science & Apparel Design
  http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-173190049.html

Machine Design- Something up the sleeve
  http://machinedesign.com/article/something-up-the-sleeve-0928

Nanofabrics -Smart Clothes Repel Germs, Allergens & Pollution
  http://www.dailygalaxy.com/my_weblog/2007/10/smart-clothing-.html

Smart Pants- Computer Engineers Develop Clothes that Sense and Interpret Movements
  http://www.sciencedaily.com/videos/2006/0402-smart_pants.htm

Textiles Nanotechnology Laboratory
  http://www.people.cornell.edu/pages/jh433/index.htm

The Daily Galaxy- Nanofabrics- Start Clothes Repel Germs, Allergens & Pollution
  http://www.dailygalaxy.com/my_weblog/2007/10/smart-clothing-.html

The Washington Post-'E-Textiles' May Give 'Custom Tailoring' New Meaning
  http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/06/AR2007100601097.html

Think- Smart Cloths
  http://thinkmagazine.blogspot.com/2008/08/smart-clothes.html

University of Richmond- Emergency
  http://scs.richmond.edu/emergency/

Virginia Tech- E-textiles
  http://www.research.vt.edu/resmag/2007summer/textiles.html