Standardization and Conformity Assessment Analysis from ANSI

The American National Standards Institute’s Global Action Report provides a point-in-time view of U.S. initiatives in the international standardization and conformity assessment arenas. The document identifies recent trends that have led to the introduction of new policies and procedures both domestically and globally, examines the current state of U.S. involvement and influence on international and regional standardization and conformity assessment activities, and reviews examples of successful U.S. influence in various industry sectors. Hard copies of the text are available for $30 from ANSI Customer Service at 212/642-4900 or download a pdf file free.

15th NEW:Update
For the 15th year, the National Educators’ Workshop: Update series will offer a workshop on new and evolving topics in engineering materials, science, and technology. The workshop emphasizes gathering experiments and demonstrations for use in materials lab courses as well as a presentation of topics on emerging technology. Submit abstracts of experiments or demonstrations to NEW:Update 2000, School of Science and Technology, Norfolk State University, 700 Park Ave., Norfolk, VA 23504-8060, Attn: Jim Jacobs (757/823-8109; fax: 757/823-8215).

Scholarships in Site-Cast Reinforced Concrete Construction
The Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute Foundation plans to award scholarships of $2,500 each year to senior students who are majoring in civil engineering or architectural engineering, and of $3000 each to incoming graduate students (master’s degree) in civil engineering, structural engineering, or architectural engineering. Preference will be given to applicants who have shown an interest, either through their educational program or by work experience, in some phase of the reinforced concrete industry. Students having “hands-on” experience from full-time, part-time, or co-op work in site-cast reinforced concrete construction are especially encouraged to apply. The deadline for receipt of applications is May 26. Contact David P. Gustafson, Assistant Secretary of CRSI Foundation, Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute, 933 N. Plum Grove Rd., Schaumburg, IL 60173.

Measurement Development
MEASUREnet.gov is an interactive Internet-video conferencing system intended to support training and collaborative work between NIST and state weights and measures laboratories. It will enable NIST to provide technical assistance and training more frequently and efficiently and to develop standards in partnership with states. U.S. industry relies on the state weights and measures laboratories to calibrate standards for a variety of processes from manufacturing pharmaceuticals to filling cereal boxes. See the new Web site.

Star Status for Engineers

Top Ten lists for the century just past continue to be developed! Tau Beta Pi, the National Engineering Honor Society, has named the Top Ten Engineers of the 20th Century. Engineers:
1. Thomas A. Edison
2. Orville and Wilbur Wright
3. Henry Ford
4. Wernher von Braun
5. William B. Shockley
6. Charles P. Steinmetz
7. Lee deForest
8. George W. Goethals
9. Herbert C. Hoover
10. Hyman G. Rickover

Norfolk Conference
The U.S. EPA and Battelle are co-sponsoring the 23rd Annual Conference on Analysis of Pollutants in the Environment, to be held on May 15-16, 2000, in Pittsburgh, Pa. Also known as The Norfolk Conference, the event is a forum for discussion of technical issues related to environmental water regulations and compliance monitoring. It is targeted to environmental professionals from commercial environmental labs, regulated industries, state and federal regulatory agencies, consulting and contracting firms, municipal water and wastewater labs, and lab equipment manufacturers. Contact: Lynn McLeod (781/952-5381) or register on-line.

Harmonized Fire Code
The National Fire Protection Association and the Western Fire Chiefs Association have signed an agreement to jointly develop a harmonized fire code that integrates NFPA 1, “Fire Prevention Code,” and the Uniform Fire Code, the two most widely adopted fire codes in the country. NFPA and WFCA both have existing agreements with the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials, the publisher of the Uniform Plumbing Code, Uniform Mechanical Code, and other uniform codes and standards. It is the intent of all three organizations to work collaboratively to develop a consistent, compatible set of codes and standards for the built environment.

New Web Tool for Textile Experts and Students
The Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry has added a Bibliography Database Search to help anyone in the nonwovens industry find papers that have been presented at INDA conferences since 1989. There are nearly 1000 papers available on the database. Also new to the Web site is the academic Research Facilities Database, which lists research facilities that would prove beneficial to the nonwovens industry. Also new to INDA’s Web site are classified ads and a job mart.

Copper in the News
On July 4, 2005, the world’s first copper spacecraft is scheduled to collide with the comet Tempel 1. The historic collision will be visible by telescope from Earth and will also be televised. The collision is expected to help reveal through spectral analysis the primordial materials that formed the solar system four billion years ago, when comets were created. The spacecraft is made of copper because when copper burns—which it will from the enormous force of the impact—it is less likely than other metals to create bright, confusing emission lines in the spectrum of interest. (Source: Copper Topics, Number 88). //