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The article features engineer, Clyde N. Baker Jr. He spent 54 years at Vernon Hills, Illinois-based STS/AECOM applying soil theory, in-the-ground testing instrumentation and careful observation to bring up the science of soils. Baker has taken lessons learned on Chicago buildings, tunnels and other structures and applied them overseas, having consulted on the construction of Burj Dubai. In all, Baker has consulted on seven of the 20 tallest buildings.

Several letters to the editor are presented in response to articles in previous issues, including "Hijacking the engineering profession," on Professional Engineers' (PE) licensing in the August 6, 2009 issue, an article on privacy issues related to telemarketing in the December 10, 2009 issue, and an article on the regulation of PE licensing in Illinois.

The article reports on the launching of the thermoplastic pipe application program by the Plastic Pipe and Fittings Association (PPFA) based in Illinois. The program consists several educational tools intended to familiarize professional engineers, engineering students, pipe installers and end-users with the history, design, installation, selection and applications of Thermoplastic Industrial Piping Systems (TIPS). In addition, educational materials of PPFA include a spiral bound 114-page workbook with pictures, tables and information on TIPS.

Provides information on the National Manufacturing Week Conference for engineers from March 20 through 23, 2006 in Chicago, Illinois. Key highlights of the show; Keynote speakers; Sponsors of the event.

A new study is attempting to understand what it means to be an engineer in the 21st century global economy, as of January 1, 2004. The University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign, Illinois, which is conducting the study, calls it the E2010 Project. According to associate professor Ikhlaq Sidhu, director of the university's Technology Entrepreneur Center, part of the research will consist of face-to-face interviews with executives of various companies to discuss their approaches to globalization.

The article discusses the Professional Engineering Act for professional engineers in Illinois. The author cites that the act grants licenses to engineers who design public works such as roads, sewers and airports, and exempts engineers engage in product design and research for manufacturers or industry. He reflects that the court prosecutes engineers if they are not licensed and develop products for manufacturers based on their personal experience.

The article features the fermentation process for producing ethanol created by engineers at Coskata Inc. in Warrenville, Illinois. The process which relies on proprietary microorganisms, is said to extract about seven units of energy for every unit spent refining vegetation or feedstock into ethanol. As a result of the process, a dry ton of feedstock is converted into about 100 gallons of 99.7% pure ethanol.

The article features geotechnical engineer, Clyde N. Baker Jr. of Vernon Hills, Illinois-based STS/AECOM. He is also the 2008 Award of Excellence winner. Baker shares that Owings and Merrill structural superstar Fazlur Khan launched him into international stardom. Baker worked with structural engineer, Thornton Tomasetti who died in 2007.

The article presents information on the "Career Enhancement for Engineers" discussion that will be held during the National Manufacturing Week on September 24 to 27, 2007 in Chicago, Illinois. The discussion will examine some of the key elements in preparing for a successful transition from technical professional to manager.

The article reports on the strong recruitment for software engineers at Continental Automotive Systems AG in Chicago, Illinois. The company took advantage of the exhibit at the Chicago Auto Show held in February 2007 to announce its strong demand for engineers. It planned to hire some 600 engineers worldwide, including 50 people in the city. Meanwhile, parent Continental AG launched a Global Engineering Initiative at international universities to enhance engineering education.

The article reports on a deadlock in June 2006 over a four-year contract for laborers which ended after a four-day strike, the first of its kind in 15 years, that shut down hundreds of projects across Chicago, Illinois. Building trades, including the city's nearly 23,000 operating engineers, considered the short strike a victory. The union successfully signed up Operation Wrench program for equipment mechanics and truck drivers working for national rental firms and machinery dealers.

The article presents information on ultrasound amplification by stimulated emission of radiation, called uasers, developed by engineers at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign, Illinois. The uaser is expected to be useful in material science although it is not expected to have a great impact in acoustics, as coherent sound is less valuable than coherent light. The oscillators can be made to emit a pulse of ultrasound simultaneously like atoms in a laser emit light in phase.

This article reports that local lawmakers of Chicago, Illinois, took new steps to mandate safety upgrades in older high-rise structures. A city committee on December 10 approved a new ordinance proposed last year that fundamentally alters fire safety in the city. They would need to have a licensed engineer perform a" life-safety evaluation" and achieve a minimum amount of safety using sprinklers or other methods by 2012. Certified historic towers — like the LaSalle Bank Corp.'s 45-story headquarters, where the recent fire occurred— would be exempt from the sprinkler rule.

Along dispute between engineering firms in the Chicago, Illinois area and an operating engineers' local union over an organizing drive among technical employees is now spreading to federal courts and national engineering groups. In a June 4 ruling, the federal appeals court in Chicago agreed to enforce a National Labor Relations Board order issued in March that precludes operating engineers' Local 150 from certain jobsite actions taken in recent months as part of a drive to recruit engineering technicians and related employees into the union. The dispute revolves around union efforts to improve pay, benefits and working conditions for technicians and others, claims James Sweeney, union vice president. Engineering Consulting Services Ltd. vice president Brett Gitskin contends that union representation of engineers that may have to review work by other local 150 members is a conflict of interest. National engineering groups are starting to speak up against the union practices, although member support is not universal and critics say their positions are not strong enough.

Presents guidelines in measuring energy savings within building energy management projects cited in the meeting of the ASHRAE Foundation in Chicago, Illinois. Practices and procedures for industry's control of refrigerants; Need for a standardized set of energy.

Highlights the ASHRAE Winter Meeting and AHR Expo in Chicago, Illinois. Focus on cost analysis and building simulation; Opportunities derived from the meeting; Preferences on Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design structures.

Profiles five engineers who belong to the Chicago, Illinois-based structural group of engineering firm Skidmore, Owings and Merrill. Background of the engineers; Attitude encouraged by the firm in its engineers; Value of an internship; Pressure exerted by Internet firms on the recruitment of talent.