01 / Polygon Fall 2012

Student profile: John Reeher

CTI professors install sustainable latrine in Ghana

Maker: Dale Dougherty visits CTI

Chandler Innovation Center to host TechShop

&A R I Z O N A S T A T E U N I V E R S I T Y

polygoncollege of technology and innovation

Issue 01 // Winter 2012

CTI gets a social media makeover

Aviation reaches new heights

CTI leads renewable energy training in the Pacific Islands

Student designsaerator system to cool ASU pool

CTI’s Creative Director named 2013 Ted Fellow

CTI leads renewable energy training in the Pacific Islands The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has awarded $1 million over the next two years to CTI to provide education for solar photovoltaic (PV) energy equipment and technology up to 12 Pacific Island nations. In collaboration with higher education institutions and other organizations, the program aims to train local capacities to support off-grid solar PV equipment installation, operation and maintenance.

This regional program is part of the five-year Vocational Training and Education for Clean Energy (VOCTEC) program, a CTI-led global initiative sponsored by USAID. VOCTEC’s mission is to develop and implement clean energy training and education to the local communities. VOCTEC also addresses the need for developing a sustainable pipeline of solar PV technicians and building human capacity within the island region though its ‘train the trainer’ approach, giving operators and technicians the support

system and resources to continue to educate and manage future operators and technicians.

“We have carefully customized the pedagogy for renewable energy in Fiji to focus on training challenges within the region which not only include educational challenges but cultural and social obstacles as well,” said Mitzi Montoya, principal investigator for the project and dean of CTI. “Building human capacity is critical to filling the energy needs of the islands now as well as sustaining the program past its duration.”

All of the Pacific Island Nations face a number of barriers to clean energy development. Of the twelve countries in the Pacific Islands region, five are classified by the United Nations as ‘least developed’ countries, and all have limited financial resources. Development of human capacity for grid-connected and off-grid solar PV must also overcome

Chandler Innovation Center to host TechShopCTI has partnered with TechShop, a national membership-based, do-it-yourself workshop and fabrication studio, to open the first TechShop location in Arizona at the ASU Chandler Innovation Center next summer. Students and Chandler-area makers, entrepreneurs and innovators will have access to a range of machinery, tools and software to turn their ideas into reality.

The ASU Chandler Innovation Center is an engineering and technology-based education and research hub located in downtown Chandler at the city’s former public works yard.

“Integrating TechShop into the ASU Chandler Innovation Center democratizes access to tools for innovation and opens up tremendous new opportunities for our students to learn and create,” said ASU President Michael M. Crow.

TechShop is the physical embodiment of the Maker Movement, providing inventors and hobbyists with workspace, community and tools – including welding stations, plasma cutters, hand tools and 3D printers – needed to make just about anything. The facilities operate on a membership model with fees that cover unlimited access to equipment on a drop-in basis.

“CTI offers a state-of-the-art curriculum that blends theory and practice, with students applying new knowledge in team-based projects embedded across all four years of study,” said Mitzi Montoya, vice provost and dean of CTI. “Our students learn by making and doing, and we are incredibly excited to be able to offer our students access to more tools to design and build exciting solutions.” //

1 polygon // winter 2012

“Building human capacity is critical to filling the energy needs of the Islands”

Govindasamy Tamizhmani (Mani), associate research professor at the CTI and principal investigator, said the most fundamental need in the island nations is to educate the trainers in solar PV systems and technology so that they can continue to turn out technicians and operators and sustain the program.

Student designs aerator system to cool ASU pool

Faculty at CTI frequently encourage students to create solutions to real-world problems, often taking an idea within the classroom and implementing it throughout the campus or community. That initiative is no different for Nathan Padron, who developed and installed a device that can cool the ASU Polytechnic campus pool nearly 10 degrees.

Padron, an engineering student at CTI, saw a need for a more effective solution to lowering the overall temperature of the pool. In the past, the pool temperature would reach more than 90 degrees during the summer.

Padron, who is also the aquatics and safety education coordinator at the Polytechnic campus, developed a custom-designed pool aerator that uses a vacuum system to circulate water from the pool into the air. The process of pool water interacting with air decreases the overall water temperature.

Because of his study in thermodynamics within his major, Padron was able to identify the effects of heat transfer on mass flow rate.

“A lot of what you learn at CTI is how to take the engineering principles and apply them to real-world projects outside of the classroom,” Padron said. “We are encouraged to incorporate our own interests with what we are learning in class.”

Padron was inspired by other pools around the Valley that implemented a similar system, but he says they weren’t as big as his own design.

“We never had a successful year cooling the pool in the past,” said Jeff Vance, director of Sun Devil Fitness at the Polytechnic campus. “When Nate came to me with a clear methodology of how this system would function, I was convinced that it would actually work this time.”

Aside from temperature reduction, the aerator also decreases the growth of algae in the pool significantly. Vance explains that algae thrives in an environment above 84 degrees. To decrease the amount of algae in a pool,

chemicals are necessary along with a decrease in water temperature below 84 degrees.

“Before, we were using a lot of chemicals to keep our pool from being green,” he said. “Because of the aerator, less chemicals are used on the pool and that saves money. ”

The total cost of the aerator was $50. Vance says a commercial aerator can cost up to $2,500.

“It has been the best investment we have made in our pool in seven years,” Vance said.

Padron considers his work ethic a result of both his upbringing and experiences within CTI.

“We are encouraged to fix something if it needs to be fixed,” Padron said. “It is so cool to have that hands-on experience, especially when you see something you designed being built.”

“We teach our students to use what they learn in the classroom and apply it to real-world problems they face outside of the classroom,” said Ann McKenna, associate professor and chair of the engineering department. “Students are encouraged to make a difference in their community and Nathan’s aerator design is a perfect example of identifying a need and creating a solution.” //

Nathan Padron, a CTI engineering student, designed a custom-made aerator system to cool down the pool at ASU’s Polytechnic campus.

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the economies of scale that the islands face as they struggle to support multiple specialized training programs. In order to provide this institutional support, the VOCTEC team identified Fiji as the centralized training hub for the USAID project.

“This project emphasizes the United States’ increased engagement and strategic support to the advancement of clean energy in the Pacific Islands,” said Gloria D. Steele, USAID mission director for the Philippines and the Pacific Islands.

Prior to receiving the grant, representatives from VOCTEC travelled to the Pacific Islands region in order to meet with renewable energy stakeholders to assess conditions and needs for renewable energy. In addition to Fiji, the team visited Tonga and Vanuatu. Tonga serves as an exemplar to other nations as it has already developed the Tonga Energy Roadmap (TERM), which demonstrates a strong renewable energy commitment from the government. Only 30 percent of Vanuatu’s population has access to electricity, and while they are working to develop their own energy roadmap, they need regulatory infrastructure to provide standardized training programs.

“Global agencies continue to invest in solar PVs in the Pacific Islands region to support renewable energy and displace fossil-fuel based generation,” said Govindasamy Tamizhmani (Mani), principal investigator and associate research professor at CTI . “The most fundamental need in that area is creation of a program that trains the trainers that can continue to turn out technicians to support systems in the field and further train operators in the application of those systems.”

The $1M USAID associate grant enables VOCTEC to deliver trainer, technician and operator trainings in the Pacific Islands region over the next two years. VOCTEC will pursue additional associate grants to expand delivery of sustainable renewable energy training programs across developing nations. //

CTI is an academic setting in which ideals of collaboration and innovation are celebrated within all concentrations. That initiative is no different for the aviation program, which announced this summer its partnership with ATP Flight School and is now offering a pathways program that will guarantee qualified students an interview with Delta or Express Jet Airlines.

Students in AviationFor most students, college is a time of exploration and self-discovery where decisions are made about future career plans. For Nathan Orta, however, he knew from a young age what career he wanted to pursue.

“My whole life has been aviation,” he said. “When it came down to choosing a major, I didn’t need to make a decision; I already knew that going into aviation was for me.”

Orta, a dual air traffic management and professional flight major at CTI, grew up in Puerto Rico. He came from a family of aviation enthusiasts, from a father who spent his weekends flying the two of them to various destinations, to aunts and uncles who worked for many airports and airlines.

Orta recalls when he and his father would fly to Florida for the weekend and his father would let him talk to air traffic controllers.

“When you get exposure like that at a young age, you become naturally passionate about it,” he said.

As Orta’s love for aviation grew, so did his love for academics and extracurricular activities. In high school, Orta received various academic awards and scored high on college entrance exams. He even won Puerto Rico’s Pepsi Tournament, a competition for the country’s most talented bowlers.

When it came down to choosing the

aviation reaches new heights

school where he would spend the next four years of his life, the choice was easy.

“I looked at various aviation programs around the United States, but the one at ASU was really the only one that was comprehensive,” he said. “It’s an applied curriculum where I can physically learn how things work rather than sit in a theoretical class and never get any hands-on experience.”

Unlike , Clint Carr’s interest in aviation began later in life. In high school, Carr considered pursuing a career as a pilot but quickly reasoned away from it because of the cost and time commitment necessary to train.

“I looked into the air traffic control major and thought that this is for me,” Carr said. “It’s an interesting job where I can go to work and come home the same day.”

Carr was attracted to the many labs and simulators CTI has made available to students.

“It’s something all students should consider when they are applying to various aviation programs. Ask yourself, ‘Does this college have any simulators?’ If it doesn’t, you will fall behind,” he said. “These labs give CTI students an advantage over many other schools that do not have simulators.”

Directly across the street from the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, ASU’s Polytechnic campus is home to the Simulator Building, a facility that houses state-of-the-art technology but honors the campus’ past. Lining the halls of the Simulator Building are several decade-old photographs of pilots training at the once active Williams Air Force Base. Display cases hold antique engine parts and Air Force memorabilia next to current ASU mementos. Today, aviation students can look at these keepsakes and be reminded of a tradition of excellence that is continued throughout CTI’s aviation program today.

The aviation program is comprised of three degrees; students can study air traffic management, aeronautical management technology, and professional flight. At the center of the program is a core of required classes that encompass aspects of all majors. Aviation Program Chair Mary Niemczyk considers the core classes to be comprehensive, teaching students about all areas of aviation.

“All students, regardless of their major, gain experience and knowledge in the design, management, operation and leadership of tomorrow’s safe and efficient aviation system,” she said. “We feel that this fulfills CTI’s goals of producing well-rounded students with a vast knowledge in aviation.”

Since its inception, the aviation program has undergone several changes to reflect current technology trends. Because aviation training is so dependent on simulated learning, the program has gone to great lengths to ensure the best possible simulation technology for students. All students going through the program will receive hands-on experience in one of many simulation labs.Flight simulators are used for all levels of training and students can expect exposure to this technology as early as

Students excel in CTI’s aviation program with updated technologies, a new partnership with ATP Flight School, and more opportunities for employment.

“You won’t find a program that is more hands-on than this one.”

ATP provided CTI’s aviation program with brand new, state-of-the-art airplanes specifically for ASU students. The planes were painted with ASU’s logo and features the pitchfork insignia on the doors. 3 polygon // winter 2012

their freshman year. Along with ASU’s own simulators, the Simulator Building is home to several multi-million dollar flight simulators that seasoned pilots from around the world come to train on.

New air traffic control simulation labs were installed in 2011 and aviation students have 24/7 access to the labs using their Sun card as a key. The software that students use in these labs are identical to what is used at the professional level.

Also housed in the Simulator Building is a 315-degree “life-size” display that simulates an actual air traffic control tower. Niemczyk says that it is this technology that makes the program an outstanding one.

In the next few months, the Simulator Building will experience some cosmetic renovations which include a contemporary lounge area for students to gather, study or relax. The area will feature monitors with flight times and other relevant information. Because the lounge will be located next to flight simulators used by industry professionals, students will have the opportunity to network with experts in their field.

In addition, ASU is also only one of three universities in the nation to have a high

altitude chamber lab and offer training courses related to recognition, treatment, and prevention of common aviation illnesses and conditions.

For prospective students considering a career in aviation, Orta says CTI’s aviation program is the perfect culmination of a relaxed campus atmosphere, a comprehensive curriculum, and a fun environment that fosters creativity and innovation.

“The instructors really do help CTI students achieve their personal, academic, and career goals,” he said. “You won’t find a program that is more hands-on than this one.”

Partnership with ATPThe CTI aviation program announced in July that ATP Flight School would become its newest flight partner. Although classroom training takes place on the ASU Polytechnic campus, official flight training must be done with a certified flight school provider, and faculty of the program determined ATP to be the perfect choice.

Located less than a quarter mile from the Polytechnic campus and the Phoenix-Mesa Gateway Airport, ATP provides state-of-the-art facilities where students can train using several types of aircraft, use flight simulators, and connect with pilots and other industry professionals using the facilities. ATP also provided the program with brand new aircraft exclusive for aviation students’ use. To show their enthusiasm in working with ASU, planes were specially designed to include the ASU logo and pitchfork on the tails and sides of the aircraft.

Compared to other programs around the nation, ATP and ASU offer tuition rates that are considerably lower than those found in other programs. The faculty expects that this, along with the industry need for future aviation professionals, will become a determining factor for students who are considering CTI’s aviation program.

ASU Express Jet / Delta Airlines Pathways ProgramIn addition to CTI’s partnership with ATP, the aviation program announced a collaboration with Express Jet and Delta Airlines to implement a pathways program—called AP3. In this effort, aviation students will begin a pilot screening process in their freshman and sophomore years that will prepare them for and guarantee an interview for jobs as first officers with Express Jet. Successfully

meeting several outlined guidelines will also guarantee students an interview for a position as a pilot with Delta Airlines.

CTI is just one of five colleges in the nation to be selected to participate in the AP3 program. Officials have indicated that selection is based off of an established track record of producing top-quality students, and as such CTI’s aviation program was selected because of their consistency as a reliable source of high-caliber pilots.

James Anderson, a lecturer in the aviation program, said that the need for pilots is growing exponentially. After a period of slow personnel growth, the industry is faced with such factors as a wave of pilot retirements, changing FAA rules that affect a need for more pilots, an increase in international travel routes, and an improving U.S. economy.

“There is a huge need for pilots now, and that need will only become greater,” he said. “Several airlines put our students at a higher standard because they know how innovative and adaptive CTI students are.”

Anderson hopes that enrollment will increase once more students hear about the pathways program and the increasing need for pilots. //

ATP provided CTI’s aviation program with brand new, state-of-the-art airplanes specifically for ASU students. The planes were painted with ASU’s logo and features the pitchfork insignia on the doors. polygon // winter 2012 4

Student Profile: John ReeherASU’s Polytechnic campus full of diverse makers interested in a myriad of concentrations. When John Reeher was applying for various colleges, he wanted a university experience that would complement his interests in making—and he found just that with CTI’s engineering program.

“I looked at a bunch of schools, and this school was the only one that combined a traditional engineering program with technical application,” Reeher said. “Lots of schools have technology programs but don’t actually incorporate the full engineering side of it.”

Reeher was also looking for a school that would accommodate his veteran status. His tuition was covered because of the newly revised G.I. Bill and his housing and other living expenses were supplemented the government funding.

Reeher was impressed with the engineering program from the beginning and is excited to pursue his own interests.

“Instructors encourage you to look at things differently. They encourage you to explore and innovate but at the same time remind you to be responsible with what you have,” he said.

Reeher considers CTI professors to be the key to student success in many situations.

“They treat you like you’re on their level and really cater to your own personal needs,” he said.

Reeher hopes to pursue a career in the automotive industry or work for a bicycle manufacturer designing various parts. Regardless of his career choices, Reeher said he wants to do something that will make a difference. //

Professors install sustainable latrine in GhanaA team of faculty from ASU’s CTI traveled to Ghana in May to install an innovative pit latrine that purifies human waste and generates electricity.

Mark Henderson, professor in the engineering department at CTI, and Brad Rogers, associate professor in the department of engineering technology at CTI, are co-principal investigators on the project and collaborated with Caitlyn Butler, a civil engineering professor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Butler developed the primary design and implementation of the microbial fuel cell latrine while Henderson and Rogers supported the global sustainability efforts of the project. The project was funded by a $100,000 grant from the Grand Challenges Exploration program supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

The pit latrine was developed as a response from many rural African communities who experience problems

Maker: Dale Dougherty visits CTI

CTI was pleased to host Dale Dougherty, editor and publisher of MAKE magazine. While visiting the ASU Polytechnic campus, Dougherty gave a talk titled “We Are Makers.”

During his time on campus, Dougherty toured facilities at CTI and saw student maker spaces.

“Just seeing that there’s space for student projects and there’s lab equipment and materials for students to do things is heartening,” he said. “There’s lots of problems to solve and lots of ideas that need exploration. Let’s engage students in solving those issues.”

Dougherty said that what he sees at CTI is positive.

“The idea that they’re in a social environment and they’re learning from each other, and seeing the work of other people—how other people think, how other people interact, how other people design—is really the heart and soul of why you come to a university,” he said. “It’s not about having a few brilliant minds here. It’s about lighting all the minds that are already here.”

Dougherty encouraged students to document their work so others can be inspired as well. //

with waterborne diseases because of poor sanitation facilities. In the process, principal investigators designed a system in which liquids are used to generate electricity while solids can be used as compost for farming.

Called a microbial fuel cell latrine, the system uses liquid parts to generate electricity by functioning as a fuel cell – urine is filtered from its solid counterparts and the nitrate in urine is oxidized in a chamber. During this process electrons are released through a cathode and produce electricity.

At this stage, with enough use the generated electricity lights the outhouse where the latrine is contained. Henderson and Rogers hope the system can be developed to produce even more electricity as technology improves and usage of the latrine becomes more frequent. //

5 polygon // winter 2012

CTI gets a social media makeoverThey’re not your father’s old video cassette recorders; the Virtual CTI Representatives (VCRs) are a new group of CTI student ambassadors dedicated to representing life at CTI on our new college-wide social media channels. Hailing from diverse majors and backgrounds, the VCRs truly represent the multidisciplinary culture of CTI.

To kick off the VCR program, CTI launched a three-day social media campaign that

CTI’s Creative Director named 2013 Ted Fellow

Congratulations to Safwat Saleem, creative director at CTI, for his recent recognition as a 2013 TED Fellow. Saleem was carefully selected as one of the 21 Fellows from around the world to “give the talk of their life” at the 2013 TED Conference in Long Beach, California. TED is a nonprofit organization devoted to spreading innovative ideas and giving makers across the globe a platform for sharing their concepts.

Saleem graduated from CTI’s Graphic Information Technology (GIT) master’s program in 2004. While in graduate school, he started an online music magazine for Pakistani music which was the focus for his applied project. During his time in GIT, he was nominated twice for SXSW Interactive awards in the student category. He has worked at ASU ever since and joined the CTI Comm Shop team in 2012.

Outside of ASU he has shown his artwork and short films locally and nationally. He has been featured in WIRED magazine and has had three successful Kickstarter projects. His work includes a silly short film about a day in the life of a lonely bear and an angry political exhibit that he claims no one liked. Saleem’s work uses humor to tell stories of people (and creatures) who have the odds stacked against them. //

included a t-shirt blitz and a stealthy overnight installation of the CTI “today I will make ____” chalkboard outside the student union. The event created a lot of buzz on campus and resulted in a sharp increase in online student engagement on CTI’s social media channels.

Join them on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to see what it’s really like to be a student at CTI.

overheard@asucti

@TyCTI: Just saw an F-18 take off from #mesagateway airport. So awesome! #asucti 24 Oct 2012

@ShannonRaeGreen: Hey @ASUCTI! I'm one of your @ASUOnline students, so you have to tell me more about this bear! 11 Nov 2012

@MsSonicFlare: Excited about my keynote at @asucti & in collaboration w @girlscouts on #stem empowering girls k-12 #asucti #tech 8 Oct 2012

@ASUCTI: Nice! We have a @make celebrity in the house! RT @intel_jim: @ASUCTI The young maker is @docprofsky. #make 23 Oct 2012

Connect With CTI: twitter.com/ASUCTI | facebook.com/ASUCTI | instagram.com/ASUCTI

polygon // winter 2012 6

contact usFor more information:(480) 727-5232To submit story ideas:(480) 727-5251

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technology.asu.edu

Key Datesevent description

Dean’s Club BreakfastDec. 12, 2012 / 8:00-9:00amCooley Ballrooms, ASU Polytechnic

Prospective Dean’s Club members are encouraged to attend this event to learn more about CTI and our efforts to change higher education. The event includes remarks by Dean Mitzi Montoya, as well as bystudents. To attend, [email protected]

Innovation ShowcaseDec. 12, 2012 / 9:30-11:30amCooley Ballrooms, ASU Polytechnic

The Innovation Showcase is aexhibit of projects held at the endof each semester. Free and opento the public.

A polygon has many angles that join up to make a unique shape. They take on countless forms, from the simplest of equilaterals to complex self-intersecting designs.

CTI is like a polygon. We teach and learn from different perspectives that create an interconnected yet diverse community of makers.

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