Engineering Management Institute

Enlightenment

The Integration of Vertical Farms Into Urban High-Rises

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This is a guest blog by Cris Mark Baroro

Vertical Farms

Picture this: You’re gazing out of your apartment window in the heart of a bustling metropolis. Instead of the usual concrete panorama, your view is a verdant tapestry of edible greens growing vertically alongside the building’s facade. Welcome to the future of urban farming, where agriculture goes vertical, and engineers lead the green revolution.

The Seed of an Idea

It started with a simple thought — what if we didn’t have to choose between urban living and farming? What if we could merge the two, creating self-sustaining ecosystems within our cityscapes? That thought grew into what we now recognize as vertical farming integrated into urban high-rises.

Tech at the Root

Let’s dig into the nitty-gritty, where technology meets soil — or rather, where it replaces it.

  • Hydroponics and Friends: Imagine growing plants without dirt. Hydroponics, along with its tech-savvy cousins, aeroponics and aquaponics, lets us do that using nutrient-rich water or mist. The result? A drastic reduction in water usage and soil-related diseases.
  • LED Lighting the Way: Sunlight is scarce amid tall buildings, but LED lighting has come to the rescue. With spectra tailored for optimal plant growth, these lights mimic the sun minus the tan.

A Tale From the Trenches

I had the chance to dive into this world firsthand when a friend invited me to visit their vertical farm project nestled in an urban high-rise. Stepping inside was like entering a parallel universe. Amid the city’s hustle and bustle, here was a serene, green oasis. Lettuce, tomatoes, and herbs grew harmoniously, oblivious to their unconventional setting some 30 stories high.

But what struck me wasn’t just the greenery but the buzzing community around it. The farm wasn’t just feeding bodies; it nourished minds, brought people together with workshops and tours, and inspired a new generation of urban farmers.

Engineering Edibles

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The Ethereal Symphony: Engineering the Future of Space Music and Soundscapes

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This is a guest blog by Cris Mark Baroro

Space MusicPicture this: You’re floating in the void, the starscape stretching infinitely in all directions. But instead of silence, a symphony of otherworldly sounds fills your ears — a musical narrative of the cosmos itself. This isn’t science fiction; it’s an evolving reality as engineers and artists begin to craft the music of the stars. Let’s dive into the harmonious interplay of technology and creativity that’s scripting the future of space music and soundscapes.

Space Music

The Resonance Beyond Radio Waves

Remember those old sci-fi movies where spaceships zoomed with a whoosh and lasers zinged through space battles? Pure fantasy, but it sparked a question: What does space really “sound like”? NASA’s Voyager probes gifted us with the first tunes of the cosmos — a symphony of plasma waves translated into audible sound. That opened a Pandora’s box, or should I say, a melody box for tech-savvy creatives.

The Sonic Fabric of the Universe

Harmonic Vibrations

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Ready to Launch! The Latest in Space Engineering and Exploration

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This is a guest post by Matthew Douglas

Space EngineeringSpace engineering and exploration have always been at the forefront of technological advancements and scientific discovery. From sending rovers to Mars to launching satellites into orbit, humans have always been fascinated with the mysteries of the universe. In recent years, there have been several exciting developments in the field of space engineering and exploration that are pushing the boundaries of what we thought was possible, and The Engineering Management Institute wants to deliver this news just for you!

The Fermi Space Telescope Makes an Awesome Discovery!

Coming in as our first entry, this article referenced from SPace.com highlights the recent discovery of a supernova named SN 2018oh by NASA’s Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope. The supernova, detected in 2018, is the closest gamma-ray-emitting supernova found in the last four decades. This discovery is significant as it provides valuable insights into the mechanisms involved in the death of massive stars. The article sheds light on the importance of this finding and its implications for further research in the field. You can find the link to this article here.

A Moment in History

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Soundtrack to Success: A Playlist for Women in Engineering

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This is a guest post by Megan Todaro, EIT

Women in Engineering

Communication is Key

There is no such thing as over-communicating or being too organized. Communication not only keeps your team updated on your progress, but it also demonstrates your thought process and the speed at which you can effectively do your job. I’m sure this can apply to many career paths; however, we must acknowledge that not all engineers are bubbly and personable. You might need to adjust your work ethic or communication method depending on who is on your team.

Telephone ~ Beyoncé, Lady Gaga

Don’t Change Who You Are

Yes, you are entering a male-dominated field (no one will notice if you wear two different shoes to work — true story). Understand that you might have a different perspective from others in the room, and use that to your advantage and speak up. There will be occasions where you are the only female in the room — own It. You earned your seat at that table.

Love Myself ~ Hailee Steinfeld

Be Engaged With All Employees

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Women Pioneers in Engineering

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This is a guest post by Tiffani Teachey

Women Pioneers

“If you want to become an engineer, become one. Whatever you want to do, pursue it with all your heart and soul.” ~ Mary W. Jackson

In the history of engineering, few individuals shine as brightly as Mary W. Jackson, a pioneering mathematician and engineer whose journey epitomizes resilience, leadership, and community impact. Hailing from Hampton, Virginia, and born in 1921, Mary defied societal norms and forged a path to greatness amid the challenges of racial segregation and gender bias. As the first Black female engineer at NASA, Mary broke through barriers with unwavering determination and a dedication to excellence, leaving an enduring legacy in the field of engineering.

Despite being a hidden figure for much of her career, Mary’s remarkable contributions continue to shape the landscape of engineering history. Let’s delve into Mary’s remarkable life and career, emphasizing her perseverance in overcoming obstacles, her groundbreaking leadership, and her unwavering commitment to mentorship and community service. Join us as we honor the extraordinary legacy of Mary W. Jackson and explore the profound influence of her pioneering spirit in engineering and beyond.

Persistence and Resilience:

Throughout her illustrious career, Mary W. Jackson demonstrated remarkable persistence and resilience in the face of daunting challenges and societal barriers. Despite encountering numerous obstacles along her path, she refused to be deterred, exhibiting an unwavering determination to pursue her passion for mathematics and engineering. From her humble beginnings as a math teacher to breaking through the rigid constraints of segregation and gender bias in the engineering field, Mary’s journey exemplifies a tenacious spirit unwilling to succumb to external limitations. Her unwavering resolve and resilience serve as a testament to her extraordinary perseverance and determination to carve out a path of success despite the odds stacked against her.

Trailblazing Leadership:

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From Blueprint to Bots: The AEC Guide to Integrating AI and Automation

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This is a guest post by Markus Weidner

AiI’m pretty sure everyone has seen an attention-grabbing headline about how robotic process automation, machine learning (RPA/ML), and artificial general intelligence (AI) threaten our very existence. While this “new” raft of technologies is not new at all (large language models, for example, have been around for years), the very public realization about its impact and the hyperbolic howls of our human demise is noteworthy. This is not a flash-in-the-pan event.

Moreover, it’s wise to adopt a position where we accurately assess and estimate the potential for huge advances in several industries, including our own. For example, the rapid adoption of LLMs has already led to some people using RPA/ML learning to help cover periodic labor gaps and shortages. So it’s not all bad.

As the months and years roll along in this post-AI world of business, and as the hype curve wanes, the true productive uses will emerge quickly and relentlessly, and we will edge toward a moment when suddenly the notion of the absence of AI will be all but forgotten.

A bit of history…

In a recent talk on AI, I noted, to mild surprise, that the actual term “artificial intelligence” has been around since 1956. In fact, Alan Turing not only holds the title “father of modern computing” but also contributed to the United States’ ultimate victory during WWII.

A series of rapid developments after Turing’s computer laid the groundwork for what we take for granted today: In the 1970s, research was already underway to have computational systems solve complex problems. In the 1980s, AI was already being used on a limited basis in robotics and computer-aided drafting.

In fact, by the 2000s, we were already devising neural networks capable of deep learning in what, in many cases, were the precursor to today’s large language models. The most famous computer brain of its time, IBM’s “Watson,” even beat Ken Jennings at Jeopardy in 2011.

The last 13 years have simply been a whirlwind of accelerated development with literally no end in sight and tech stars such as Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg advancing their own agendas and roadmaps toward an AI-driven future.

Our own advancements

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The Power of Curiosity: How to Develop a Curious Mind and Achieve Success

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This is a guest blog post by Pamela A. Scott

curiosityIsn’t she adorable? Take a moment to ponder what this little lady is up to. Do you suppose she wonders what things look like upside-down—even if she’s never heard the term? Or maybe she’s thinking about trying a headstand she saw in a yoga class? Unlikely. Or maybe she’s just curious about her world.

Have you ever just sat and watched what a baby does, apart from the eat-sleep-poop routine? We have a new little person in our family, and it amazes me how much she is teaching us through her curiosity about this new world she came into.

She stares at things that are new to her. She is a sponge, soaking up every tidbit of information that is now being stored in her baby brain. She grabs hold of a rattle and explores every inch of it with her eyes, her fingers, and her mouth, of course.

Are you curious about the world you live in? Or have you had curiosity drummed out of your head, as one client of mine opined. He said, “We take these very bright college grads who are curious and eager to learn, then we beat them down, so they conform to our ways.” Curiosity goes out the window.

Curiosity is critical to success.

“I am neither especially clever nor especially gifted. I am only very, very curious.” ~ Albert Einstein

If it worked for Einstein, it will probably work for you. Here are some great articles that will help your curiosity grow and make you more interesting to others.

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Solving the Equation of the Purpose of Life

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Purpose of Life

Image by jcomp on Freepik

 

I know what you’re thinking. The title of this article is one of those “click-bait” titles, intended to get potential readers to click on the article, which never actually delivers on the teaser title. Well, I promise you that isn’t the case. What I’m going to describe to you in this post is what I have found to be the equation for living a fulfilling and happy life — and one of purpose.

If you’re wondering how a 42-year-old engineer turned executive coach could all of a sudden solve the equation that many people spend a lifetime trying to figure out, I will explain that too. Honestly, I really figured it out through reading many books and observing many happy people — not necessarily successful (depending on one’s definition of success), but happy people.

Some of the many books I have read that have helped me to discover the purpose of life include: “The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari” by Robin Sharma, “Thrive: Finding Happiness the Blue Zones Way” by Dan Buettner, “The Alchemist” AND “Manuscript Found in Accra” by Paulo Coehlo, “The Art of Happiness: A Handbook for Living” by Dr. Howard Cutler along with the Dali Lama, “The Miracle Morning” by Hal Elrod, and “Doing Good Better” by William MacAskill. I’ve also been influenced by Sam Harris, creator of the Waking Up App, which has helped me to develop a meditation habit and has turned me on to many other influential people.

The Purpose of Life

The question of the purpose of life has been pondered forever, and if you Google the question, you’ll find many different answers, but I’d like to offer you my belief on it. I truly believe that the purpose of life is to be happy or cultivate happiness in oneself and maintain it. This does not mean you can’t be sad from time to time or express other emotions, but the idea is that you want to be a happy person, most of the time.

Purpose of Life

Now, I do realize that this answer may bring up thoughts or other questions, most notably:

  • What does happiness mean?
  • How does one achieve happiness?
  • How does one maintain happiness?

So, let’s tackle these questions, and the answers will lead us to the equation that I promised you.

What Does Happiness Mean?

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Is Conflict Always Bad? The Answer May Surprise You

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This is a blog by Jeff Perry, MBA

conflictMost of us, when we think about conflict, consider it a bad thing we should avoid. That’s not exactly true.

The right kind of conflict can actually build trust and increase performance in teams! In fact, I would say that one of the best indicators of a team that trusts each other is the amount of conflict in the team.

Positive, healthy conflict happens when we can challenge each other in real ways, be open and honest, and collaborate more effectively.

conflict

Disagreements Are Normal and Should Be Encouraged

There is no situation or team that is going to sail through all projects and tasks without ever disagreeing with each other. Yet one of the things that can build divisions and trouble in a teams faster than anything is when people don’t feel heard and able to express disagreements, especially with leaders.

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No Moment Is Too Small for a Sincere Thank You

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No Moment Is Too Small for a Sincere Thank You is a
guest blog by Mike Burns, PE, PgMP, DBIA

thank you

Over the past 12 months, during another painful period of global socio-economic strife, I have thoroughly enjoyed EMI’s support as we’ve discussed AEC industry trends and leadership themes. Last month’s effort, A Sustainable Sales Platform Starts With an Organization’s Values, presented an opportunity to summarize these discussions. This month, as we move into what will certainly be a very trying holiday season for people around the world. I’m taking my cue from the recent Thanksgiving holiday in the U.S.

History reminds us that progress is a messy business, fraught with mistakes and unintended human consequences. The work we do, delivering infrastructure improvements for our communities, reminds us that our complex world doesn’t always lend itself to simple solutions. Respecting that current events affect us differently and that our support systems vary widely, I encourage you to celebrate incremental success. Never forget that no moment is too small for a sincere thank you, establishing cultural norms that allow collaboration to thrive.

thank you

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