Social Change Engineering - GineersNow Engineering Magazine

Turning WasteGas Emissionsinto Liquid FuelMIT researchers have found a way to convertexhaust emissions to oil using bacteria.The feat of turning waste gas engineered yeast to produce an oil. A pilot into liquid fuel has been test ran in Shanghai in September of 2015, successfully trialled in a test with only 1 to 2 liters in the laboratory. It plant in China. It could open will be different story now if it is moved more opportunities in turn- upscale to a thousand liters in the demon- ing emissions of power sta- stration plant which is set to be constructed tions, steel mills and garbage in Belgium and in China come 2017.dumps into liquid fuels, all thanks to Mas- The idea sprouted from asachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) post-doctoral project funded by the USresearchers. Energy Department. This will forward low- This innovation relies on bacte- cost gases, and more importantly, it cameria that convert the waste gases into acetic from emissions that are supposedly waste. acid, or popularly called as vinegar, then anPhotos by Technology Review Carbon Dioxide to be used in High-Performance Batteries Carbon dioxide finds another important use other than for methanol. Anew process in making use of carbon diox- ide from power plants has been discovered by researchers from George Washington University and Vanderbilt University: use carbon dioxide to boost batteries. Carbon dioxide has been used to make liquid fuels like methanol, but that isn’t so maximized. However, if we put it in high-perfor- mance batteries, carbon dioxide can be six times more valuable than one that is converted into methanol, according to Stuart Licht, a professor of chemistry at George Washington. It will replace graphite anodes which are now in use, which will give a small boost to the capacity of small lithi- um-ion batteries and almost quadrupled capacity of sodium-ion batteries. Also an attempt to save the earth from climate change, this initiative will bring great impact in improving the economic incentive in capturing dioxide or sucking it directly from the air. This new technology will forward the use of carbon dioxide now as a useful by-product rath- er then it being just an emission, and hopefully, the government will act upon it to elevate climate agreements. ISSUE NO.002 SOCIAL CHANGE ENGINEERING 51

Hybrid Energy Takes Engineers uniteOff in South East Asia for a renewable energy revolution It has been a major factor and transportation losses so concerning us for quite some that less primary energy is years now as it has a great required to provide the same impact on our lives, including energy services. the way we live, and how our Through majorSoutheast Asia is getting electrified as it shifts future might come to be. We improvements in energytowards hybrid energy, which is what some are need to take imperative steps efficiency, combined with acalling the key to the future of renewable energy. to prevent such disastrous rapid scale-up in renewable climate change. energy that rely primarily on The goal might technologies that are already sound simple, but it actually commercially available today,eTnheergpyrobsloemurcwesith renewable work on the same principle is a big task that needs to be we could be halfway to an all- like solar – two energy sources (like accomplished soon. Climate renewable world within theand wind is that when the solar and diesel, for example) change is not a pollution next two decades. Güssing insun stops shining and the covering each other and issue that can be improved by Austria, Rizhao in China, thewinds die down, the flow of funnelling electricity into a simply setting random rules. Danish island of Samsø, andelectricity grinds to a halt smart grid. There needs to be a defined several other communitiesas well, especially if this is The Philippines set of laws to govern the are already undergoingin tandem with outdated is one of those leading emissions of carbon dioxide revolution to achieve energyenergy grids – as is the case the charge with a solar- (CO2) to date. We also need transformation, usingin most Southeast Asian diesel hybrid power plant transformation in the entire combinations of variousnations. This is one of the in Palawan. Singapore has global energy system, as there innovations.biggest drawbacks of current been conducting R&D in is no benefit attached with the The world canrenewable energy solutions: the sector and has invested release of greenhouse gases. easily undergo the solarif natural fluctuations in installations in India and Developed and developing energy transformation sincecan derail a renewable Indonesia. Local Indonesian nations alike will benefit in technologies involving theenergy grid, how can it be mines are also looking for numerous ways from the use of solar energy are nowsustainable? sustainable energy solutions, transition to an energy- available at reasonable prices. That’s where and are looking for partners efficient and renewable world. Yes! These are possible, withhybrid energy systems come from the renewable energy The renewable the price of solar photovoltaicin. Think of it like an electric sector. energy technologies should panels declining over 99bicycle: your pedalling It may still be too be used to replace the percent over the last fourprovides the power most of early to tell, but this might thermal processes (such as decades, and the wind energythe time, but when you need just be the break that the fuel combustion or nuclear generation capacity has grownthat extra oomph, the motor sector needs to really push power), which in turn would for more than 20 percent overkicks in to help keep you renewable energy solutions result in a major reduction the past decade.stable. Hybrid energy systems into the limelight. in the amount of primary Thanks to the energy required. There increasing prices of the fossil are numerous renewable fuels and rapidly growing technologies that are well- safety concerns, the day is not suited for distributed uses, too far when the world will be generating fuel, electricity, a globally renewable energy and generating heat. Thereby, user! reducing the transmission Photo by Wikimedia52 ISSUE NO.002 SOCIAL CHANGE ENGINEERING

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15-year old Filipino Genius invents Biodegradable Plastic BagS Amin Hataman, a 15-year old Filipino student has invented biodegradable plastic bags that may save our earth from pollution. Photo by Mindanao ExaminerP lastic bags are known to be our Manila. He was thinking of a science proj- copy plastic that we use today, but it’s or- environment’s worst enemy. They ect, when he suddenly took notice of the ganic. Right now, I’m actually already try- are known as the ‘silent killers’ environment where he grew up in—Min- ing to patent this. In the future, if I go into that slowly poison our world to- danao. business, I might be able to implement day. “Growing up there, I developed this,” Hataman said. Studies show that this love for the environment,” Hataman His Science teacher saw the 300 Million plastic bags end up said. potential of his research and submittedin the Atlantic Ocean alone, endangering According to Hataman, as a it to various international contests. Now,sea life! What makes things worse, plastic child, he noticed people’s common prac- Amin Hataman is a certified internationalbags usually require hundreds of years tice of placing garbage inside that is not award-winning inventor of biodegradablebefore they break down. Because of this, biodegradable. plastic bags.many environmental advocates encourage “I did some research on how He has various awards: Apeople to use eco-friendly bags to at least plastic was actually doing a lot of damage bronze medal in the 2015 Internationalminimize the pollution caused by plastic to the environment,” Hataman said. Sustainable World Energy, Engineeringbags. So, he chose his science project and Environment Project (I-SWEEP) Meanwhile, a young 15-year to be related to biodegradable alternatives Olympiad held in Houston, Texas. A Goldold Filipino inventor successfully came up to plastic and learned about the cellulose medal in the 2014 International Young In-with a way to end this struggle forever. He properties of Nata de Coco. ventors Olympiad in Tbilisi, Georgia. Heinvented biodegradable plastic bags. “There was this suggestion is also listed in Forbes 30 under 30 Asia. Amin Hataman, a student at the of nata de coco, because it has celluloseFountain International School, in Metro properties, which means that it could54 ISSUE NO.002 SOCIAL CHANGE ENGINEERING

Harnessing Energy from PoomeVriaartxgeiidmnifiarzoeTmethchwe aaRsmetseoewuaanrtctehroefwreselhefclautvrseihcdidtisyocwtohnvaettrhceeadntaobiwleeatgy.etno-Two Virgina Tech Researchers discov- us a major piece of the puzzle to startered a way to maximize the amount of generating electricity in a sustainableenergy that can be generated from the way,” said Feng, an assistant profes-wastewater we flush down our toilets.  sor of biological systems engineering. Xueyang Fend and Jason “This is a step toward the growingHe were tracing bacteria when they trend to make wastewater treatmentsuddenly discovered that the com- centers self-sustaining in the energybined work between two specific they use.” substrates produced a lot more ener- This discovery is agy than either of them did separately. ground-breaker since not all organicsWith further development of their perform the same job in the same way.discovery, this could help the develop- Some only work because they are foodment of a new treatment system called for the electricity-generating bacteria,a microbial fuel cell. while the others are good at conduct-  “Tracing the bacteria gave ing energy. ISSUE NO.002 SOCIAL CHANGE ENGINEERING 55

The Bus that Doesn’t Need Gas Money The institute has launched On to stop for fuel. It provides the electric bus Line Electric Vehicle (OLEV) charging an invisible charge by a wireless inductive system that promises to charge cars and charging system in the span of a few min- even city buses wirelessly through induc- utes while at a bus stop. This also means tion systems contained within roads. charging in traffic, no more annoying The technology is closely roadblocks due to empty tanks. similar to the charging mats that were The application of inductive launched for cell phones and relies on charging on buses can work really well electromagnetic conduction. In OLEVs, and is sensible as the buses travel the the cables that lie beneath the roads cre- same routes on a regular basis. More- ate massive magnetic fields that a device over, it can be assured that the buses get placed on the underside of the bus then a proper charge every trip without a need converts to electricity. The charge plates to stop and recharge. This would save us that are placed under the road generally from using tons of oil for refilling these acquire only between 5 and 15 percent of giant gas tanks. The technology is already the total route and remain switched off in place and is powering buses in Utah, until an induction-capable bus approach- Germany, Italy and Netherlands. es. This technology is definitely a The ‘charging en route’ can solution to a number of issues that regu- prove to be highly beneficial for the bus- lar buses provide, from smoke pollution, es. The technology is a downsized battery to getting stranded as your driver forgot pack that results in lower weight and to fill up his tank. This can make elec- saves you a lot of cost. It can operate well trical buses very appealing. Introducing on regular bus routes. That’s not all! The the technology in your own country can opportunity charging allows the electric reduce carbon dioxide emissions and buses to run reliably for long hours, cov- smoke pollution caused by regular buses. ering longer distances, without the need Photo by Arup56 ISSUE NO.002 SOCIAL CHANGE ENGINEERING

Green plants that canlight-up the house will soon replace bulbsGlowing Plants is a biology start up that produce a plant that produces this chemi-seems to have taken Kickstarter by storm, cal itself and they appear to be very close.with pledges from 8433 backers blowing Updates on their Kickstarter site suggestaway the initial funding target of $64,000 they will be ready to ship seeds by Q4and raising a shade under half a million. 2015. Though the first generation plants What’s captured the Kickstart- are fairly dim, the expectation is that theirer community’s imagination? Well two bioluminescence will grow with each suc-things, first the company’s push for DIY cessive generation.Bio, a kit that allows you to genetically The company is a staunch ad-modify plants in your own home and turn vocate of GMO’s, which over the last fewthem into glow in the dark plants! years have had very bad press. The Eu- Remember the forest scene in ropeans have pretty much banned them,the movie Avatar where the forest glows at and even in the USA government agen-night? That’s the kind of vision the compa- cies have been pressured to slow the rateny’s CEO Antony Evans has for the future of development of some avenues of Bioof this branch of biotech. Imagine a world tech. Many people will see this “Franken-where instead of street lighting we have steinesque”, but think about the possibili-trees lighting our streets? There are ben- ties of publicizing this kind of tech? Well,efits not only in power consumption but actually, when you think about this in thealso greenhouse gas emissions. The plan is hands of amateurs it does get a little scaryto synthesize plant DNA with biolumines- but at least the idea of glowing trees couldcent organisms that produce luciferin (the be fun. But what happens in the autumnstuff that makes it glow). The goal is to when they lose all their leaves I wonder? Photo by Tech CrunchWhat happens when you combinebiology and electrical engineering? Glowing Plants. ISSUE NO.002 SOCIAL CHANGE ENGINEERING 57

Bionic Spinal Engineering MusicCord Makes the to Sound Better withParalyzed Walk Cochlear ImplantsthasttArseuintssttrooadvlieeap,rnaatrhrmaeelsyabenzrae-ardmcinhpaeadernoesdpbclrlgeoe.ivaotedesdvhetoshpseeel to Photo by Discovery Photo by BioTech in Asia Listening to conventional music through a cochlear implant would beAustralian researchers give hope to There are several stages to like trying to appreciate an extremely paralyzed people by creating a “bi- hearing loss that dictate what kind of pixelated photograph. onic spinal cord” that can make technology is needed for the affected However, members of the them walk again and to not resort to person to live a more or less normal medical community are attempting to open brain surgery. life. Those with difficulty hearing may isolate which layers of conventional The matchstick-sized device just need a hearing aid, which makes music are most enjoyable, which was called the stentode to be im- sounds louder and easier to hear. would guide how they can simplifyplanted in a blood vessel next to the brain. It serves Cochlear implants, on the other hand, music to be more enjoyable foras an electrode that would record the brain activity are for those with physical damage those with cochlear implants. Dr.for movement and translate commands to comput- to the inner workings of the ear – it Anil Lalwani and members of theer, wheelchairs, prosthetics and exoskeletons. bypasses these damaged portions Columbia’s Cochlear Implant Music Dr. Thomas Oxley, a neurologist at The and directly transmits sound to the Engineering Group is predictingRoyal Melbourne Hospital and research fellow at auditory nerve. that in the future, not only can wethe Florey Institute of Neurosciences and the Uni- But even with cutting-edge re-engineer conventional music, butversity of Melbourne, described the device as revo- technology like this, people that are also create original pieces of musiclutionary as it is the world’s only minimally invasive hearing-impaired still find it hard to specifically designed for those withdevice implanted in the blood vessel in the brain in appreciate music. Cochlear implants cochlear implants.a matter of one day. are designed for speech, which is He said it acts like the classical pacemaker much less complicated than music.but will enable movement connected to prostheticsor exoskeletons. The team, consisting 39 scientists,also aims to use it for treating epilepsy, depressionand Parkinsons.58 ISSUE NO.002 SOCIAL CHANGE ENGINEERING

BGROONWEINSG Start-ups aren’t all cheap and and co-founder of EpiBone, the easy. Sometimes it’s the opposite. world’s first company growingFOR SKELETAL On the radio show “Entrepre- bones for skeletal reconstruc- neurs are everywhere”, the host tion; and Brandon McNaughton,RECONSTRUCTION Steve Blank interviewed two co-founder and CEO of Aka- guests to see what it’s like to get deum Life Sciences cell sorting out of a research lab and build technology company. Here are their own start-ups. some excerpts from the inter- The two guests in the view. interview are Nina Tandon, CEOPhoto by Nina Tandon Nina shared her experience ofPhoto by INC what it was like to get out of the comfort zone—in the laboratory. As a scientist you think that you’re confident about uncertainty be- cause you’re operating in the un- certainty of knowledge, and yet you have the crutch of the scientif- ic method constantly at your side saying, “Hypothesis, test, conclu- sion, reevaluate.” But to take that to the jungle in the real world (outside the lab) is a totally different level of uncertain- ty. (And to add even more uncer- tainly) throw in having to make a payroll, wanting to make sure you take care of people, knowing that people’s lives and livelihoods de- pend on my ability to make sure there’s enough money in the bank. Brandon, on the other hand explained what’s real- ly important in a business. I’ve learned that business is about relationships. Relation- ships with customers, it’s rela- tionships with your employees, your investors, because when you buy something, there’s an expec- tation, there’s a back and forth. That’s something that I didn’t really appreciate until after my first startup. I thought it was all about the technology, “Oh, if I could just get this technology to work. If I could just get it to do this, then everything’s going to be OK,” and in some ways I now think technology doesn’t matter. ... what matters more is the ... the customer’s problem. ISSUE NO.002 SOCIAL CHANGE ENGINEERING 59

Tissue EngineeringScaling Up at HarvardBioprinting technique creates thick 3D tissues composed of Photos by 3Dershuman stem cells and embedded vasculature, with potentialapplications in drug testing and regenerative medicineA team at the Wyss Institute fundamental scientific understanding re- for Biologically Inspired quired for bioprinting of vascularized liv- Engineering at Harvard ing tissues,” Zhijian Pei, National Science University and the Har- Foundation Program Director for the Di- vard John A. Paulson rectorate for Engineering Division of Civil, School for Engineering Mechanical and Manufacturing Innova- and Applied Sciences tion, which funded the project. “Research(SEAS) has invented a method for 3D bi- such as this enables broader use of 3-Doprinting thick vascularized tissue con- human tissues for drug safety and toxicitystructs composed of human stem cells, screening and, ultimately, for tissue repairextracellular matrix, and circulatory chan- and regeneration.”nels lined with endothelial blood vessel Lewis’ novel 3D bioprintingcells. The resulting network of vasculature method uses a customizable, printed sili-contained within these deep tissues en- cone mold to house and plumb the print-ables fluids, nutrients and cell growth fac- ed tissue structure. Inside this mold, a gridtors to be controllably perfused uniformly of vascular channels is printed first, overthroughout the tissue. The advance is re- which ink containing living stem cells isported March 7 in the journal Proceedings then printed. The inks are self-supportingof the National Academy of Sciences. and strong enough to hold shape as the “This latest work extends the ca- structure’s size increases with each layer ofpabilities of our multi-material bioprinting deposition. At intersections meeting with-platform to thick human tissues, bringing in the foundational vascular grid, verticalus one step closer to creating architectures vascular pillars are printed, which inter-for tissue repair and regeneration,” says connect a pervasive network of microves-Wyss Core Faculty member Jennifer A. sels throughout all dimensions of the stemLewis, Sc.D., senior author on the study, cell-laden tissue. After printing, a liquidwho is also the Hansörg Wyss Professor of composed of fibroblasts and extracellularBiologically Inspired Engineering at SEAS. matrix fills in the open regions around the To date, scaling up human tis- 3D printed tissue, cross linking the entiresues built of a variety of cell types has been structure.limited by a lack of robust methods for em- The resulting soft tissue struc-bedding life-sustaining vascular networks. ture is replete with blood vessels, and via aBuilding on their earlier work, Lewis and single inlet and outlet on opposite ends ofher team have now increased the tissue the chip, can be immediately perfused withthickness threshold by nearly tenfold, set- nutrients to ensure survival of the cells. Theting the stage for future advances in tissue pervasive vasculature facilitates stem cellengineering and repair. The method com- differentiation by enabling delivery of cellbines vascular plumbing with living cells growth factors throughout all areas of theand an extracellular matrix, enabling the tissue.structures to function as living tissues. In To achieve a variety of tissue shapes, thick-the study, Lewis and her team showed that nesses, and compositions, the shape of thetheir 3D bioprinted tissues could sustain printed silicone chip can be customizedand function as living tissue architectures and the cell inks can be tuned to include afor upwards of six weeks. wide variety of cell types. In the study, Lewis’ team “Having the vasculature pre-fab-demonstrated the 3D printing of one centi- ricated within the tissue allows enhancedmeter-thick tissue containing human bone cell functionality at the deep core of themarrow stem cells surrounded by connec- tissue, and gives us the ability to modulatetive tissue. By pumping bone growth fac- those cell functions through the use of per-tors through the supporting vasculature fusable substances such as growth factors,”lined with the same endothelial cells found said David Kolesky, a graduate researcher atin our blood vessels, the team induced cell the Wyss Institute and SEAS and one of thedevelopment toward bone cells over the study’s first authors.course of one month. “Jennifer and her team are shift-“This research will help to establish the ing the paradigm in the field of tissue en-60 ISSUE NO.002 SOCIAL CHANGE ENGINEERING

gineering based on their unique bio- are developing innovative new en-printing approach,” said Wyss Institute gineering solutions for healthcare,Founding Director Donald Ingber, energy, architecture, robotics, andM.D., Ph.D., who is also the  Judah manufacturing that are translated intoFolkman Professor of Vascular Biolo- commercial products and therapiesgy at Harvard Medical School and the through collaborations with clinicalVascular Biology program at Boston investigators, corporate alliances, andChildren’s Hospital, and Professor of formation of new startups. The WyssBioengineering at SEAS. “Their ability Institute creates transformative tech-to build living 3D vascularized tissues nological breakthroughs by engag-from the bottom-up provides a po- ing in high risk research, and crossestential way to form macroscale func- disciplinary and institutional barriers,tional tissue replacements that can be working as an alliance that includessurgically connected to the body’s own Harvard’s Schools of Medicine, Engi-blood vessels to provide immediate neering, Arts & Sciences and Design,perfusion of these artificial tissues, and in partnership with Beth Israeland thus, greatly increase their like- Deaconess Medical Center, Brighamlihood of survival. This would over- and Women’s Hospital, Boston Chil-come many of the problems that held dren’s Hospital, Dana–Farber Cancerback tissue engineering from clinical Institute, Massachusetts General Hos-success in the past.” pital, the University of Massachusetts In addition to Lewis and Medical School, Spaulding Rehabilita-Kolesky, other team members on the tion Hospital, Boston University, Tuftsnew study include co-first authors University, Charité – Universitäts-Kimberly Homan, Ph.D., Research As- medizin Berlin, University of Zurichsociate at the Wyss Institute, and Mark and Massachusetts Institute of Tech-Skylar-Scott, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Fel- nology.low at the Wyss Institute. The Harvard John A. Paulson SchoolThe work was supported by the Na- of Engineering and Applied Scienc-tional Science Foundation and the es serves as the connector and integra-Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired tor of Harvard’s teaching and researchEngineering at Harvard University. efforts in engineering, applied scienc- The Wyss Institute for Bi- es, and technology. Through collabo-ologically Inspired Engineering at ration with researchers from all partsHarvard University  uses Nature’s of Harvard, other universities, anddesign principles to develop bioin- corporate and foundational partners,spired materials and devices that will we bring discovery and innovation di-transform medicine and create a more rectly to bear on improving human lifesustainable world. Wyss researchers and society. ISSUE NO.002 SOCIAL CHANGE ENGINEERING 61

THE WORLD NEEDS MORE SCIENTISTS AND ENGINEERS. CONVINCE MORE STUDENTS TO BE INVOLVED IN SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, AND MATHEMATICS.62 ISSUE NO.002 SOCIAL CHANGE ENGINEERING

Google Invests on Students toDraw Interest in STEM fields Google reportedly announced Macquarie University, Outback Robotics Last year, Lithgow Highsignificant cash grants to help get more and NASA. School was benefited bystudents in STEM careers. It also includ- Engineering Community and Google’s investment oned three non-profit groups in partnership. Outreach Manager Sally-Ann Williams students to help get moreOne of the group, For Inspiration and expressed her excitement to see the FIRSTRecognition of Science and Technology Robotics program grow, delivering men- young people in STEM(FIRST), began its robotic program into toring and hands-on trainings to more careers150 schools across Australia. student across the country. It also included the Lithgow Director of FIRST Australia Art by LinkedInHigh School which was visited last week Luan Heimlich shared the same excite- Group Photo by Lithgow Mercuryby FIRST Robotics. They assisted the stu- ment as she believes that through FIRST,dents with their robots in the competition students will be encouraged and engagedcalled First Robotics Asia Pacific final in in school to show strong interest in sci-Sydey to be held on March 18 and 19. The ence.activity involved brainstorming, design- Google’s $330,000 grant al-ing and creating 2-meter tall robot proto- lowed them to gather other schools, nottypes. reached before, in the robotics program. The Lithgow students are ex- Definitely, students will be more involvedpected to be part of the program and to in STEM careers with this robotics pro-work with knowledgeable mentors from gram and competition. ISSUE NO.002 SOCIAL CHANGE ENGINEERING 63

ARE YOU READY FOR A CAREER CHANGE?64 ISSUE NO.002 SOCIAL CHANGE ENGINEERING

Jump Start YourEngineering Career ChangeIn A Different WaysgFtoeaaerlltsiniagnrucenhnhaoantpgcipnleygaayrtoyuwerotc,raky?oreuEecvraewnnitisfhttitlhlhmoissaeckoecoaalrmeheeerathdod.by Farrel Pinto Start with the opposite. Such examples would be a person who chose to put “CustomerArrows photo by Brave Leaps “What do I not want?” Start writing this Service” in the “don’t want” list. May- question on a sheet of paper. (Surely, many can be he previously had a job like that So you’re unhappy at work? answer this question. Especially if you have work- but finds it hard to handle. So theAnd you’re still not sure where to ing experiences before. ) opposite would be taking less tasksturn to? Although that’s daunting to on customer service or staff training.think about, can I just say that you Make a list of things Other outcome would becan still do it. Yes, even if the waters you don’t want in putting “Customer Service” on theare not clear yet, you can move ahead. your career. list but finds that his company doesn’t We all know that getting value it as a priority. So the otherstarting on a career change may be So next thing is giving yourself 10-15 opposite might be finding a com-hard and yeah, there will be no perfect minutes to reflect and list down. Yes, internal- pany that values customer service.method for everyone’s situation is dif- ize and write the things you don’t want in your To get the most out of theferent. But this may be the perfect ex- career. It is self-knowledge where you can put method, go beneath the surface. An-ercise to propel and get that “direction”. what you don’t like to experience, what skills you other tip would be always asking Just follow these steps. don’t want to use and even the working envi- yourself what you feel like doing. Ex- ronment that you find stressful. Relate what you plore the meaning behind your listed experienced and what you don’t want to expect. things and you can ask advice about it. Yes, it may be hard at first Shorten your list. to immediately know where to go in a career change but you need some From the list you made, short- action to get started. Reverse psychol- en it up to top five or six items that ogy, clarify what you don’t want to do most resonate your thoughts about it. to get what you really want. Clarity Obtaintheoppositesandmakethenewlist. will help you change your career for From the top items, find their op- the better and definitely, it has to start posites. And this will be your new list. somewhere, within you. Review and Reflect Evaluate your new list and check what you want to add. Consider specifically what item means to your personality and goals in life. ISSUE NO.002 SOCIAL CHANGE ENGINEERING 65

WEnghinaetertinog TWipes:ar to by Farrel PintoSo you’re having an interview anytime sers or skirts. Your skirt must have a hem- Red also shows power butsoon? After learning things about the line no more than a biro length above the in a different way. It can come off ascompany, the nature of work and review- knee though. A plain blouse or with a sim- domineering and rebellious except foring questions you expect them to ask you, ple stripe top is enough and avoid lacy and applying in sales and law fields wherethe next thing would be your wardrobe. So animal prints. As for the shoes, a closed- aggressiveness is a plus.what to wear then? toe mid-heel is safe. You may opt to wear Gray is also a safe choice as printed or pastel style to brighten up your it imposes your logical and analyticalDress to impress! outfit. Remember that their gaze will finish character. It works well in interviews at your shoes. in any field. Well, note that your fashion It’s okay to wear accessories such Brown is okay as it sendsstatement may dictate first impressions in as watch and earrings but don’t wear too the vibes of being comforting and re-an interview as it shows how you present shiny bling blings that maybe distracting. liable though brown all over may con-yourself. The impression happens in less Avoid danglings and do not overdecorate vey old-fashioned and simplicity. Addthan 30 seconds and it’s based entirely upon or overdress. other colored outfits or mix differentyour attire according to Sherry Maysonave, shades so you may look modern andhead of Empowerment Enterprises, an im- Colors forward-thinking.age consulting firm in Texas. What to wear Orange and Yellow may bein an interview may be old news but style Blue or any shade of blue is the off to wear in interviews. You may looknever goes out of fashion! safest choice. It sends the impression that unprofessional or like a campaigning Interviews usually demands you’re credible and trustworthy. Studies agent. Imagine a tangerine top? Saveconservative and preppy attires. For men, show that blue is the best color for a suit it for your summer get up or for thewearing suits may never go out of style. as it inspires confidence according to AOL weekend though.Adding a plain shirt or wearing sleeves Jobs. Good luck in your interviewalong with pants or trousers is also fine. Black maybe boring and cliché and put your best foot forward!Avoid garish patterns as it can distract the but it is best for management positions. Itinterviewer. Shoes should be either black or conveys leadership and authority. Just don’t Top photo by Hallie Crawfordbrown and not too shiny. make it look overpowering though. Try to Right photo by The Corvallis Advocate For women, you can go for trou- balance it with other colors.66 ISSUE NO.002 SOCIAL CHANGE ENGINEERING

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How Engineers Should Respond toInterview Questions that Crossed the Line by Dion Greg Reyes Have you ever had that awk- Respond with a Evaluate the situation.ward experience during an interview question of your own.wherein you were caught off guard with Think about what the intent of the ques-the questions of the interviewer? If you While challenging the interviewer may tion really was: it may be a product ofhad, I’m sorry that this article has been a win you the point, you will most likely real bias or just an accidental misstep onlittle late. But if you never had, read on to lose the job opportunity. Instead, respond the part of an inexperienced interviewer.help you with future encounters. with another question to clarify the inter- If you think of the former, the company What seem to be illegal ques- viewer’s purpose in asking. Ask if how it might not be the best for you as that biastions in a job interview will slip through relates to your job or why did the inter- will just surface once you work for them.no matter how careful the interviewer is. viewer ask. The interviewer may give you It’s time to move on and find a companyThe interviewer will look at you straight an answer or cave in to his or her intent that will appreciate you despite of yourin the eye and squeeze out an intriguing of personal interest. Either way, you need sexual orientation, religion, nationality orquestion and even questions that total- to speak in a friendly gesture that will get disabilities.ly cross the line. In a way, he or she will you out of that question. There are existing laws in theoverlook at that impressive resume and United States when it comes to employ-your excellent interview responses and Answer the concern ment discrimination based on age, dis-judge you through questions with regard behind the question. abilitiy, genetic information, nationalto sexual orientation, religion, nationality, origin, sex, sexual orientation, race andor disabilities. Those issues may hinder You need to guarantee the interviewer that religion. Check whether you country hasyou to get the job if you don’t respond ap- despite that sexual orientation, religion, one, education yourself with it and use itpropriately. nationality or disabilities issue, it will not to your advantage. That part of your re- Questions like, “In what coun- get in the way of doing the job. You need sponsibility as a job hunter.try were you born?” “Are you gay?” “What to take control of the situation by focusing Photo by Devangstis your religion?” “Do you have a neuro- on what you can do as an engineer to thelogical disease?” “How many years will it company and not with the discrimination.be before you qualify for social security?” Present your accomplishments and howmay turn up and here’s how you should you represent a strong fit.respond.68 ISSUE NO.002 SOCIAL CHANGE ENGINEERING

t“AhPavutemrrysaupyeomwyaeokrufeurolPrstabarsteesmaikoenynostu.”. KNOW WHAT’S AHEAD by Cielo Panda Stop daydreaming and do your research. Check the unemployment rate of your Everyone loves reading inspira- Dream Job or Passion. Will it be able to paytional stories of how a certain person was the bills? If it’s an entrepreneurial job, whoable to do the thing they loved and got will be your target market? Will you be ablesuccessful with it. How fulfilled they felt to use your present skills? How large will bewhen they were able to become success- your capital? If your passions fail, do youful in life by doing what they loved, and have a plan B? Research everything—to thetheir best quote is “Do what you love and tiniest bit possible. Knowing more aboutyou’ll never have to work a day in your what’s ahead will help you prepare for yourlife.” What makes it surprising is that most contingency plan. You can do this after work,of them had to abruptly LEAVE their jobs before you go to bed or when you’re bored atjust to follow their passions. lunchtime. WAIT WHAT? Leave my job? ICAN’T DO THAT! Might be what you’re SAVE UPthinking right now, and you’re absolutelyright. Reality check: Not everyone could Yes, this too is important. If you want tojust leave their jobs and follow their pas- follow a certain passion, there will alwayssions. Most people have mouths to feed, be finances involved. If YouTube is enoughmortgages or debts to pay, tuition fees and for training, that’s awesome. But if you needschool loans to end. Besides, following some formal training for certifications, thenones passion also needs money. It’s nei- you might want to save up for that. You willther an easy thing to do, nor an easy deci- also need to save up if your passion needssion to make. I am not against people who tools, like the necessary tools and safety pro-actually HAVE abruptly left their jobs tection equipment for woodcarving, or a setcompletely, and gone on to follow their of paintbrushes and an isle for painting. Or ifdreams. Some of these people, like I said you’re passion needs big funding like a smallearlier, are actually really successful. But business, then set aside a part of your salary.for average people like us, especially those It doesn’t matter how much you set aside, asfinancially challenged—ABRUPTLY leav- long as you set aside some, it’ll bulk up even-ing a job is not an option. tually. So what should you do? Hereare some slow but sure tips to pursue your SPARE AN HOUR A DAYpassions realistically. This one hour will be set for your PAS- SION-TIME. During this time, you can fo- cus on your passion, like music, painting, dancing, whatever your passion is. Make sure to commit to this, if one hour a day is still too much for you, then make it an hour ev- ery other day. Just make sure to make a reg- ular schedule for it. Doing your passions will not only make you feel good, it will also help against depression and will make you more alert in doing your normal work. Photo by Innovastrat ISSUE NO.002 SOCIAL CHANGE ENGINEERING 69

BCoarttFechdahecoseGenbNotFiomrBkioedastat:yons? 0000085612::::00:00300000PPPPPMMMMMSMTDDyoaudeknbnlyhiaeloiiay theoamnJt otionhiunedrstfFhoeaelvlcoemewrbyeioenWotgikentdpgimnaogeefessd: ay 0100032819::::00:00300000PPAPAMMMMMSMTDDyoadueknnblyhiaeloiaiy70 ISSUE NO.002 SOCIAL CHANGE ENGINEERING

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ROBOTSTO REPLACEHUMANEMPLOYMENT?Computer scientist Moshe Vardi predictshumans have to be concerned about theemergence of robots in the industry.Photo by AI ResearchWithin 30 years, robots will flourish in technological advancements that ease ourindustries replacing humans, according to lives. We just can’t take away the fact thatRice University computer scientist Moshe in the industrial age, a human employ-Vardi. He predicts that unemployment ment crisis may arise.rates will soar greater than 50 percent, and We have already existing robotshumans will have to make more time to that may soon enough doom human em-leisure then. ployment. He introduced his fearless fore- Take for example Nadine, a Sin-cast at a presentation entitled “Smart Ro- gaporean human-like robot who worksbots and Their Impact on Society,” which as a receptionist at Nanyang Technologi-was presented in the annual meeting of cal University. The robot was revealed inthe American Association for the Ad- 2015. They also presented EDGAR, Na-vancement of Science in Washigton, D.C. dine’s robot-in-arms, which is equipped If machines continue to out- with a rear-projection screen on its faceperform humans at almost any task, this and two arms.will bring a great crisis to humankind. How doomed are we exactly onBut it is undeniable, however, that we take this regard? Well, we have to wait. great benefit from these robots as they are72 ISSUE NO.002 SOCIAL CHANGE ENGINEERING

TECHNOLOGY SHOULD NOT REPLACE TEACHERS,BUT COMPLEMENT INSTEADThere’s something about teachers that nology by developing skills that will part-technology could never emulate: the hu- ner up to the technologies.man touch. While technology makes it Students now have the perception of theeasier for students to understand the les- 21st century while teachers lag behindsons through interactive learning, teach- with 20th century methods, much moreers must never be replaced with technol- with the 19th century classrooms. It isogy, but instead, they should complement important that the gap be bridged as soonthem. as possible before technology will become A conference participated by powerful enough to be omnipresent indelegates from around the world in the schools instead of teachers.Global Education and Skills Forum in Parents are encouraged to expect higherDubai agrees that technology will never standards from teachers when it comes tocome to a point that they are enable to their children’s education as a preparationeducate and at the same time, inspire. But for emergence of technologies in generalteachers recognize the need to cope up education.with the advent of better education tech- Illustration by Andrew Rae via Wired ISSUE NO.002 SOCIAL CHANGE ENGINEERING 73

Celebrating AwesomeFemale Engineers onInternational Women’s Day The Institution of Engineering and The Institution of Engineering at Jaguar Land Rover, Naomi Technology (IET) launched its 2016 and Technology (IET) Mitchison, a senior hardware Young Woman Engineer of the Year launched its 2016 Young engineer at Selex ES and Abbie Awards (YWE) and are calling on all Woman Engineer of the Year Hutty, a spacecraft engineer successful young female engineers to Awards (YWE) and are calling currently working on Europe’s enter. on all successful young female first Rover mission to Mars. engineers to enter. This awards President of the IET, Photo by Process Industry Forum will recognize their talent and Naomi Climer, said: “Women professionalism showing to are woefully underrepresented74 ISSUE NO.002 SOCIAL CHANGE ENGINEERING young women and girls across in engineering. In a profession the UK that engineering is an with a serious skills shortage, exciting and diverse industries this represents a problem for the that offers creative and economy as well as for diversity. challenging careers. To coincide with International Some of the former Women’s Day, we want to make winners of the Awards are Orla it clear that engineering is a Murphy, an audio engineer fantastic career for women.

ExxonMobil VP FEMALE ENGINEERSengages middle IN TANZANIA ARE OUTschool girls into TO PROVE THEMSELVESengineering There is no And female engineers in Tanzania, like absolute civil engineer Angela James, have to break acceptance that by working hard and proving that en- about women gineering is not exclusive to males alone. yet in the world James is a 25-year-old woman of engineering. technician working in the construction Men are still of a five-storey building in the capital of dominant and Tanzania. She is working for the past two the perspective years towards her final professional qual- of women in ification being a graduate engineer from engineer is yet the University of Dar es Salaam. to change. She wants to break the stereo- type that women can’t work in the field.ExxonMobil Vice President Lynne She is proving that just fine by ensuringLachenmyer started projects that that all the technical standards are met inwould entice the future generation the field, upon participation in the wom-of women engineers. en-only Structured Engineering Appren- ticeship Programme. SEAP is composedPhoto by Kera News of almost 300 female trainees. SEAP has now managed to dou- ble the only four percent of all Tanzanian registered engineers in 2009, since it start- ed in 2010. All thanks to this implemen- tation by the Engineering Registration Board which is funded by the Norwegian government. This is a definitely good start for Tanzanian female engineers for them to prove themselves. Soon, Tanzania and the rest of the world will no longer have that separation of male and female in en- gineering.The engineering world 35 years been filled with dozens ofago was just 6 percent women. aspiring middle school girlsThis 2016, that population has who were tasked to build a rampbeen said to have increased to 14 that would make a marble fallpercent as per the Congressional the slowest. Their tools wouldJoint Economic Committee. only be some constructionThe amount of college women paper, scissors, and some tape.in engineering are just at 20 This project is to set the girlspercent, which is not at all a on finding solutions usingbig value. ExxonMobil Vice engineering.President Lynne Lachenmyer “By giving themwants that all to change. She a hands-on opportunity thehas started projects that would students seem to come alive andentice the future generation of really understand what it meanswomen engineers. to be an engineer.” Lachenmyer The Irving added in conjuction to theConvention Center room has project. Photo by Norway ISSUE NO.002 SOCIAL CHANGE ENGINEERING 75

JOB OR CAREER?I’m Cielo, and I currently work as a Ju- One morning, once I woke up, I as a thesis consultant to some graduatingnior Editor at GineersNow. Profession- printed the resignation letter I had made engineering students as well. At first Ially, I am branded as an Electronics several months ago but never printed, worked a lot of hours… almost the sameEngineer, but personally I brand my- shoved it in my bag, completed my 8hour as my previous work, but there was some-self as an artist, writer and musician. shift +4hr Overtime and submitted it to thing different—I wasn’t that stressed. I Let me share with you my jour- my manager. It wasn’t an easy decision, I found my CAREER.ney as a professional. swear. I didn’t have any other plans after, A time came, where I saw GineersNow was Directly after graduation, I was no NEXT company to go to. I know it’s a looking for Junior Editor Engineers. “Hey,employed at and international mecha- rash decision but hear me out. I love writing” and “hey, I’m an engineer”tronics company as a Product Design En- Bills came in, BIG bills—and I crossed my mind while reading the ad.Igineer. Everything was great! I could say honestly didn’t know how to pay them. immediately passed a resume, and here II almost had it all in this job. I had good am writing for you guys right now. It real-compensation, I had a good boss, great DO WHAT YOU LOVE AND ly has been a blessing to be able to work asreputation, exciting trainings, and good YOU’LL NEVER HAVE TO an engineer and share my knowledge andbenefits. But after some years, I was start- WORK A DAY IN YOUR LIFE. learn new things at the same time.ing to lose interest in my JOB. Like some- If you really LOVE your JOB, then wellthing wasn’t right. There was something LIFE SLAPPED ME IN THE FACE. Then and awesome for you, you got yourself aMISSING. I tried to remember what I was taught CAREER! But for other people it’s differ- Don’t get me wrong here, I re- as a child. “Do what you love, success ent. If you’re one of those others, DON’Tally appreciated everything the company will always follow”… I was like, WTF?! GIVE UP! Some people built their busi-was doing for me, but as I said, I felt some- Those things don’t work! But then again, nesses from NOTHING!—even whilething missing. I was so engrossed with it hit me… I had nothing to lose. I tried they were doing their 8-hour jobs. Youconnecting at work that I had forgotten to to search on the internet on ways I could don’t have to quit your job like I did. Someconnect with MYSELF and what I love to make a living online. I was good at dig- people had to compromise on a “job” justdo. ital arts and writing, and so I joined a to make ends meet WHILE working their I know what you’re thinking. freelance site, and worked as a freelance way up with their passions. There are“There’s what you call time management. graphic artist. At first I didn’t make much, countless people who built their dreamsDuh?” Well, if you can balance your but as time went by, people were recogniz- from nothing. Others even tried out start-work-time and you-time, then awesome ing me for my work. Having connections ups that people didn’t think would be afor you. But for a lot of average people like at the University I used to attend, I worked success, but turned out to be one! Nothingme, most of our time is consumed with is easy! So work on it! The possibilities are8-12hour jobs, the rest of the day is either endless.chores, bath, eat and sleep. Bit by bit, we I still do graphic arts, but I don’tslowly die a bit inside. do consultations anymore, and I am hav- ing a blast at GineersNow.76 ISSUE NO.002 SOCIAL CHANGE ENGINEERING

Passionis the difference between having a job orhaving a career. ISSUE NO.002 SOCIAL CHANGE ENGINEERING 77

FoRoodbMotasntuofaBcotousrting The United Kindgom reportedly invested additional funds in robotics and automation to increase food production. According to the research of Barclays, the UK economy will boost its food manufacture by investing in robotics and auto- mation to over the next decade. The additional investment costs £1.2 Billion that can add as much as £60.5 Billion in the economy. It is expected that 10% increase in output from the food and pharmaceutical manufacturing industries will be observed in between 2016 and 2020. It will grow to 25% in between 2020 and 2025 for both sectors. This is largely driven by the automa- tion technology and will also increase competitiveness of the UK’s manufacturing sector according to Future-proofing UK manufac- turing report. More than half of British manufacturers are said to in- vest in automation where two-thirds say that they are more pro- ductive. Others asked for more flexible equipment that can do multiple tasks and access to external funding. Photo Source: Food Manufacture Photo by Shutterstock78 ISSUE NO.002 SOCIAL CHANGE ENGINEERING

ROACH ROBOTS In the future, when unfortunate events induce buildingsGROOMED TO to collapse, the search and rescue team will be accompanied by anSAVE MANKIND intrusion of helpful new heroes—robotic cockroaches. As gross as it may sound, roaches have the amazing abil-In the future, when unfortunate events induce ity to adapt their bodies to the size of their surroundings. Theybuildings to collapse, the search and rescue team can squeeze their bodies down to a quarter of their original size,will be accompanied by an intrusion of helpful and are still capable of running at top roach speed. They can alsonew heroes—robotic cockroaches. withstand 900 times their body weight without being hurt. These remarkable cockroach feats inspired scientists to Photo by YouTube create a robot that can have these feats of strength and agility. The researchers plan to have swarms of these roach ro- bots fitted in cameras, microphones, and other gadgets and can be easily accessed in times of earthquakes and other disasters to help search for victims. These roach robots also have the ability to let rescuers know if the fallen debris or rubble pile is stable enough to enter. ISSUE NO.002 SOCIAL CHANGE ENGINEERING 79

Investor tries toHarness Energyfrom Ocean WavesAdam Norris is trying to solve one of the mostdifficult problems in renewable energy—harnessing power from ocean waves.Norris Photo by Scottish RenewablesWaves Illustration by Kopecky Design Ifhw imhdowicconnrronfoaaoaaegamvrtwevnmanhneresttnpyekeeest-da-otpnlrsnpnwooaoiresnfrvoeeooicionNrotocygednwfwwoekogrtbnhogahloatietmsAlttdtrnnrhebferhorydhdmgtmlhtreihehihoisaawbsnamfiseremfafetssugianortoacetbi.svcoosehnnunsciieeewvsnestaeNodlesetseotnletn.rmn.lroshdlsgeyNv,pesrEearipypueiv,caforgob.nvfaopia,iwifylseanvcawooilebrlebHeeuninneuyteelsrliildddoaeeeersss---tt Whbdbho ysfbstfpipsiuiaeeyfreevooaep]ycloaauoetwnp.”atsvrhcd2pl’pointt.eHone0uolrrhoympemto2gcWweetrhso0iwdht’usiBnmisawox,puhnticaivugnwliehcoeeikhwyelntgdrinroieenneoic.bbeamnhiLligrtynetraehasdo.ktsefcaledepuft2laftir“rwofye,rdrse0enogIrrowitfeaa2ryicmrumncn“0atitytchltNhhhhgs,dewlo”yiytiiafeamuohnnwuiatnhlnl,[egksllild.aiitnorkenorthvHwe.neehbiugie’atnddlgaeeeess-Ittl80 ISSUE NO.002 SOCIAL CHANGE ENGINEERING

Floating Bins that CollectTrash in the OceanThese trash bins could clean up the world’s oceans.A new automated floating trash bin device isthe hope of the planet’s seemingly worseningwater pollution. All thanks to two Australiansurfers who have risen up to the calling. The device, called Seabin, pumpswater into the container and takes the waterback into the ocean, but collects the trashand other debris, including oil, on the watersurface that flows into it. It collects all sorts ofpollutants including plastics, which accountsto 4.4 million to 13.2 million tons that arewashed ashore according to scientists. The Seabin is composed of acylindrical container lined with a naturalfiber catch bag and a water pump systemthat can separate oil and water as an option.They are made of polyethylene plasticsthat are gathered from the recycled oceanplastics. When it is in use, It is attached to afloating dock in a marina and connected toan onshore water pump. This project is the brainchild ofsurfers Pete Ceglinski and Andrew Turton,who thought of the concept eight years ago.Despite of existing ways to clean the debrisin the ocean, they found it more practical forSeabin to clean up debris rather than trashboats which are expensive to operate andmaintain. But there’s a drawback to thisdevice: it cannot cater to the big amountof pollution in the water; but this is indeeda great initiative for small-scale cleaning ofour world’s oceans.Top photo by IndigogoBottom photo by Inhabitat ISSUE NO.002 SOCIAL CHANGE ENGINEERING 81

Fund Clean Waterjust by being5 Minutes Awayfrom your PhoneHow is it possible to support a clean water This month of March, this cam-project just by separating yourself from paign can get up to $75,000 from Giorgioyour phone for just 5 minutes? It’s quite a Armani Fragrances, while up to $100,000disconnected agreement, but this is what from S’well, which depends on the partic-the UNICEF Tap Project is all about. ipation of the users. Giorgio Armani and S’well com- With an increasing threat in pol-mitted to provide the funding equivalent luted water, millions of children still areof one day of clean water for a child for the deprived of safe, clean water to drink.UNICEF Tap Project , if a user of a mobile Approximately 663 million people do notphone visit the UNICEFTapProject.org have clean drinking water and 2.4 billionsite, click “Begin” and put the phone down live without adequate sanitation facilities.for five minutes. That’s it. Although this is This is how we can take part forquite a hassle for those who live by their cleaner water in the world! Visit UNICEF-phones, this simple contribution will go a TapProject.org now and leave your phonelong way. for just five minutes. Photo by UNICEF USA82 ISSUE NO.002 SOCIAL CHANGE ENGINEERING

UAE FundsResearchTeams toMake it Rainin the DesertPhoto by Impala AdventuresThe United Arab Emirates is goingto fund three research teams fromaround the world to study on howto make it rain over the ArabianDesert. The three teams are fromGermany, Japan and the UAE, andthey will be sharing 5 Million USDfrom the UAE Research Programfor Rain Enhancement Science. Thedifferent teams will tackle a differentaspects of cloud seeding—a tech-nology wherein chemical is injectedinto the atmosphere from an aircraftto induce water condensation andcloud formation to make it rain. “[The programme] will se-cure the UAE’s water supplies in thelong run, and support innovation toreach future solutions that enhancewater security in the region and theworld,” says programme directorAlya Al Mazroui. A team from Germany willbe trying to find the best spots forseeding by checking at how weath-er convergence zones interact withland cover. The Japanese team onthe other hand will be developingalgorithms to be able to identify theclouds most likely to be successfullyseeded.ISSUE NO.002 SOCIAL CHANGE ENGINEERING 83

Photo by Medical Daily Directly Upload Skills to Your Brain? If you were given the chance to upload a skill into your brain, would you take it? Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to randomly ulation (tDCS)—a non-invasive, painless choose a skill from a catalogue and have it shock that uses a constant, small electric uploaded into your brain, just like down- current to excite specific brain regions. loading a software and installing it on the The research are able to excite certain ar- computer—and voila! You’ve got eas in the human brain which are respon- yourself a new skill ready to be used. sible for learning and skill retention, with You could choose any skill, let’s the use of the tDCS technique. say playing the piano, learning 21 lan- “When you learn something, guages, cooking like a chef and have it your brain physically changes,” Philips uploaded to your brain like how Neo from said. “Connections are made and strength- the matrix had his Kung Fu skills upload- ened in a process called neuroplasticity. ed and became a Kung Fu master. It turns out that certain functions of the Would you want it? brain, like speech and memory, are locat- OF COURSE, who doesn’t? ed in very specific regions of the brain, Recently, a lot of media chan- about the size of your pinky.” nels have been reporting that a group of During their research, brain- researchers from HRL Laboratories in waves of six commercial as well as military California has found a way to “upload pilots were monitored, and transmitted knowledge to your brain”, by developing a their patterns into 32 newbies who were technology that could be used to feed any training to pilot aeroplanes in a flit simu- skill into the human brain, without the lator. Findings show that the tDCS tech- usual effort and shorter amount of time. nique could help to enhance a person’s ability to learn, since the newbies who WHAT THE SCIENTISTS received tDCS brain stimulation had im- HAVE ACTUALLY proved piloting abilities especially in land- DISCOVERED AND ing skills. ACHIEVED This does not mean that re- searchers were able to “upload” or trans- Recent research shows that it mit any skill or type of data using their is possible to enhance a human’s existing technique. It is better to say that they ex- ability to learn new skills, but directly cited brain regions which are responsible uploading any skill in particular into a for learning, so a person will be able to person through brain waves is outside the improve their learning ability scope of their study. So, no. You can’t choose a skill The HRL Labs research team, set form a catalogue and instantly be a which was headed by Matthew Phillips Kung Fu master like Neo. For now, efforts and conducts R&D for the Boeing Com- are still your best bet. But then again, tech- pany and General Motors, made use of nology is rather fast paced, and we don’t a neuro-stimulation technique which is know what the future would bring. This called transcranial Direct Current Stim- technology could lead to interesting re- sults in the future.84 ISSUE NO.002 SOCIAL CHANGE ENGINEERING

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