Link: Engineering

UND Engineers design lunar robot!

2010-05-20T07:25:00.000-07:00

UND student engineers are hard at work!

A group of eight University of North Dakota mechanical and electrical engineering students have built a remotely operated robot capable of collecting more than 20 kg of lunar simulant (simulated moon dirt) in about three minutes. Part of the NASA sponsored Lunabotics Mining Competition, the robot was designed by the team over the last year. The UND Engineering-built robot will be demonstrated at an event open to the public on Thursday, May 20, from 3 to 4 p.m. in 106 Upson Hall I on the UND campus.

The competition asked undergraduate and graduate students to design and build a remote controlled or autonomous excavator (lunabot) that can collect and deposit a minimum of 10 kg of lunar simulant (simulated moon dirt) within 15 minutes. The complexities of the challenge include the abrasive characteristics of the lunar stimulant, the weight and size limitations of the lunabot, and the ability to control the lunabot from a remote control center. Twenty-two teams from around the nation will compete at the Kennedy Space Center Astronaut Hall of Fame on May 27-28.

The robot unloads the simulant into a collection bin that is 1 meter above the soil using an auger in a process similar to that of unloading a combine. The robot is controlled remotely by an operator with a standard video game controller. The biggest challenge to the operator is that the robot's environment can only be viewed through an on-board camera.

If you would like more information on the project or schedule another viewing time please contact Jeremiah Neubert at 777-2107, jeremiah.neubert@und.edu , or Naima Kaabouch at 777- 4460, naimakaabouch@mail.und.edu .

Info from UND Press Room

Congrats UND Engineers!

2010-05-14T08:52:00.001-07:00

From the UND Press Room...

A laser-based video communications payload for small unmanned aircraft was named the most innovative engineering design an the annual Freeman Innovative Design Competition held at The University of North Dakota School of Engineering and Mines. The awards were presented by David Loer, President and CEO of Minnkota Power Cooperative Inc.

The competition, held in honor of Andrew Freeman, School of Engineering and Mines alumnus and former general manager of Minnkota Power Cooperative, Inc., requires individuals or teams of engineering students to present their senior design project to a panel of distinguished engineers.
The first-place team of two electrical engineers designed the free space laser communications device because it can provide wide bandwidth and high security capabilities to Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) operating intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance missions. Future goals of the project include moving from UAS to ground communications to UAS -UAS free space laser communication. Winning first place and $2,000 were Mariusz Czarnomski, Gdansk, Poland and Jason Blakely, Thief River Falls, Minn.

Taking home the second place award of $1,000 was a team of mechanical engineering students who designed a self-centering claw for an Andros F6A Robot commonly used by bomb squads across the country. The claw was designed to grip a door knob sufficiently to both turn and push/pull a door open. Team members are: Dylan Dyke, Plaza, N.D.; Kevin Landsverk, Fosston, Minn.; Michael Mettler, Hazen, N.D., and Monty Bulzomi, Carrington, N.D.

Third place and $750 was shared between the chemical and civil engineering teams. The chemical engineering team developed a process to produce commercial grade benzene and toluene from a crop oil feed stock. A pedestrian bridge crossing Cass County Drain 27 in the Osgood development in southwest Fargo was designed by the civil engineering team. Team members on the chemical engineering team are: Joel Downs, Hillsboro, N.D.; Tom Hilpisch, Savage, Minn.; Rob Horn, St. Cloud, Minn.; and Tony Schanilec, West Fargo, N.D. Civil engineering team members included: Jonathan Bach, New York Mills, Minn.; Elita Castleberry, Monte Vista, Colo.; Terri Odegaard, Bemidji, Minn.; John Cartier, Cumberland, R.I.; and David Ackert, Cottage Grove, Minn.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

2010-05-13T07:52:00.000-07:00

Civil Engineer II - Kadrmas, Lee & Jackson
Maintenance Engineer - American Crystal Sugar
Electrical Engineer - Kelly Engineering Services
Software Engineer - Raytheon
Field Engineer - Raytheon

Find these job opportunities and more at http://www.ndworkforceconnection.com

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

2010-04-28T11:31:00.000-07:00

Below are some new career opportunities available in the Grand Forks region. Check them out!

Systems Engineer - Ideal Aerosmith
Electrical Engineer - Ideal Aerosmith
Maintenance Engineer - American Crystal Sugar
Systems Engineer II - Raytheon
Research Scientist/Engineer - UND
Mechanical Engineer - McFarlane
Electrical Assembler - Ideal Aerosmith

See more details on these opportunities online at Job Service ND. Search keyword "engineer."

Good luck!

Link: Engineering at work

2010-04-22T09:03:00.000-07:00

Link: Engineering worked to connect Kadrmas, Lee, and Jackson and their newest UND intern Angela. KLJ met Angela at Link, talked about internship opportunities, Angela sent her resume and contact info to KLJ, they met for an interview, and she was hired as their new summer intern this week! Congrats to both on your partnership.

Make sure you are utilizing the connections and making continual contact with the students or professionals you met at Link: Engineering. Don't hesitate to send an email or make a phone call. It could lead you to a new internship or job.

And remember, Link is your resource. Send us your job openings, your internship interests, or any other needs and we can get that info to our Link attendees. Email michaelas@grandforks.org.

Keep connecting!

Link: Engineering success!

2010-04-13T07:46:00.000-07:00

Thank you for attending Link: Engineering! Nearly 70 students and professionals connected and shared engineering opportunities and ideas.

Keep checking this website as more engineering opportunities (ie: jobs, internships, projects, etc) will often be posted, and make sure you join the Link: Engineering Facebook fan page to stay update as well.

Check out more photos from Link: Engineering.

Thank you also to the wonderful Link sponsors for their support of the program!

North Dakota Society of Professional Engineers
UND Society of Women Engineers
UND Engineers Council
UND Center for Community Engagement
Grand Forks Region EDC

Link: Engineering today!

2010-04-12T06:50:00.000-07:00

Don't miss Link: Engineering today from 5-6:30 pm at the Hilton Garden Inn.

Many students and professionals have already RSVP'd.
Make sure you don't miss out on learning about all the engineering opportunities available to you in
Grand Forks/East Grand Forks!

You're invited to Link: Engineering!

2010-03-24T15:06:00.000-07:00

Link: Engineering Date Announced

2010-03-12T12:41:00.000-08:00

The Link: Engineering event will be held

Monday, April 12th

5:00-6:30 pm

Hilton Garden Inn

Appetizers and beverages will be available as well as access to the following resources:

UND Engineer's Council
UND Society for Women Engineers
North Dakota Society of Professional Engineers
UND Center for Community Engagement
Grand Forks Region Economic Development Corporation
UND Career Services
Advanced Engineering and Environmental Services (AE2S)

Want to attend? Email michaelas@grandforks.org to receive an invitation.

What is Link

2010-02-18T14:04:00.001-08:00

A Gathering of Community Professionals & University Students

Program Goal:
Link students with professionals in the same discipline to encourage career awareness, learning, mentorship, project support and resources, networking, and strengthen university/community collaboration and support.

Program Agenda:
A gathering of Community Professionals and University Students that will allow students and professionals in the same discipline to meet and discuss their career opportunities, ideas, and goals. For each Link gathering a new discipline will be chosen. Community professionals in that career field will be invited along with students from the corresponding major or minor.

Outcomes – Students:
1. Create better awareness and understanding of available careers in Grand Forks, keeping new graduates in our community
2. Allow for guidance, collaboration, and/or mentorship on student projects
3. Networking to create potential internships or employment upon graduation
4. Improve students’ professional development

Outcomes – Professionals:
1. Obtain student assistance and input on projects
2. Service to the youth of our community and university
3. Provide pool of potential new employees/interns

Partners: Grand Forks Region Economic Development Corporation and UND Center for Community Engagement

Hosts:
Community professional organization and student organization representing the featured discipline

Sponsor:
Community business that wishes to show its support for community professionals and student leaders.

Link Event Description

2010-02-18T14:03:00.001-08:00

Who: Hosted by community professional organization and UND student organization
• Invitation to UND specific discipline majors & minors
• Invitation to community professionals in same specific discipline
• Grand Forks Region EDC & UND Center for Community Engagement

What: Professional/Student networking and resource and awareness gathering
• Allow students and professionals in the same discipline to meet and form mentoring relationships, network, gain project support, internships, information, resources, etc.
• Allows students to get a better understanding of what careers they can obtain with their degree and what jobs are available to them in the Grand Forks region.
• Allow professionals to recruit potential interns, employees, or help with projects

When: April 12th, 2010 5:00-6:30pm

Where: Hilton Garden Inn, James Ray Drive, Grand Forks

Why: Strengthen UND and community networks and awareness
• Improve students’ professional development and career opportunities and awareness
• Provide leadership/mentorship position for professionals
• Strengthen community professional and university student organizations

How: Students and professionals will meet for a semi-casual gathering to be introduced to other students and professionals in the same discipline. Hosts, partners, and sponsors will help to introduce students to professionals and encourage conversations, idea sharing, answer questions, and network.