Women in Engineering

Monday September 26, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. Sheldon S. Williamson, Senior Member at IEEE, will be presenting “Wireless Power Transfer Systems: Current Issues and Future Opportunities”. Speaker: Sheldon S. Williamson Associate Professor and Canada Research Chair in Electric Energy Storage Systems for Transportation Electrification Director, Smart Transportation Electrification and Energy Research (STEER) Group Advanced Storage Systems and Electric Transportation (ASSET) Laboratory UOIT – Automotive Center of Excellence (UOIT-ACE) Department of Electrical, Computer, and Software Engineering Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science University of Ontario – Institute of Technology Day & Time: Monday, September 26, 2016 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Location: Ryerson, KHE 225 Contact: Maryam Davoudpour Organizer: WIE, Magnetics, Measurement/Instrumentation-Robotics, Computer Science Department Ryerson University Abstract: More recently, with the automotive market getting introduced to several EV models (Tesla, Leaf, Mitsubishi – for example), the need for charging them within cities, suburbs, and highways, has driven power electronics engineers towards innovative ideas to solve the future charging infrastructure problem. Plugged charging topologies have been investigated thoroughly in recent years, based on existing SAE J1772 standards for AC and DC charging, ranging from 1.5 kW to 50 kW. On the other hand, in the last five years or so, power supply and charger manufacturing companies have been seriously started looking at wireless charging as an attractive solution, to avoid physical drawbacks of wired or plugged versions of charging EVs. The high-level goals of this seminar is to focus on introducing advanced power electronics solutions for charging traction batteries and ultracapacitors using wireless technologies. Both inductive power transfer (IPT) as well as capacitive power transfer (CPT, electrostatic) techniques of wireless charging will be introduced. The major market for IPT-based wireless charging is the mass transit industry, such as electric trains, buses, and trams, in the range of 10-50 kW, while both IPT and CPT could be used for charging small utility- grade EVs (golf carts/security vehicles), in smaller sizes of 1.0 kW. Critical issues, such as IPT transfer coil design, CPT capacitor dielectric medium/transfer plate designs, and converter topologies, will be discussed. Detailed results of finite element analysis (FEA) designs for energizer and pick-up coils will be presented. Specific emphasis is placed on reducing the effect of skin effect and proximity effect for both in-motion and static charging (for varied switching frequencies and air-gap lengths). An important aspect that will also be covered is the design of charger topologies on the secondary side of the IPT or CPT system. The challenge is to come up with 1-stage power conversion techniques, including high-frequency (HF) AC/DC rectification and DC/DC charger functionalities, with conversion efficiencies of 95% or larger. This seminar will be particularly useful for engineers with entry-level and medium-level knowledge of power electronics and energy storage systems for electric transportation. Biography: Sheldon S. Williamson (S’01–M’06–SM’13) received his Bachelors of Engineering (B.E.) degree in Electrical Engineering with high distinction from University of Mumbai, India, in 1999. He received the Masters of Science (M.S.) degree in 2002, and the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree (with Honors) in 2006, both in Electrical Engineering, from the Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, IL. From June 2006 to June 2014, Dr. Williamson held a tenure-track Assistant Professor position, followed by a tenured Associate Professor position in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, at Concordia University, in Montreal, Canada. Dr. Williamson currently holds an Associate Professor position in the Department of Electrical, Computer, and Software Engineering, at the University of Ontario-Institute of Technology (UOIT), in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada. Since July 2015, Dr. Williamson also holds the prestigious title of NSERC Canada Research Chair in Electric Energy Storage Systems for Transportation Electrification. Dr. Williamson’s research interests include transportation electrification, electric energy storage systems, automotive power electronics, and motor drives. Dr. Williamson is a Senior Member of the IEEE and a Distinguished Lecturer of the IEEE Vehicular Technology Society.

Monday October 17, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. Dr. Sergio A. A. Freitas, Associate Professor in the Gama Engineering College at the University of Brasilia, will be presenting “Using and Evaluating Gamification as a Strategy of Engagement in the Classroom”. Speaker: Dr. Sergio A. A. Freitas Associate Professor, Gama Engineering College, University of Brasilia Coordinator of Research, FGA Software Factory Laboratory Day & Time: Monday, October 17, 2016 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Location: KHE 225, 340 Church Street, Ryerson Contact: Maryam Davoudpour Organizer: WIE, Magnetics, Measurement/Instrumentation-Robotics, Computer Science Department Ryerson University Abstract: The gamification of activities other than games has become one of the main goals of a new research topic. In the education area the proposal could not be different: the new generations entering the higher education has a lot of experience in the virtual information environment and games. So, nothing more natural than checking the adherence of gamification to teaching this new student profile. In this scenario, this talk presents a case study of a gamification for a discipline of an undergraduate course. The gamification space was built based on a framework that stands on basic human motivations. Finally, I present some statistical evaluations of the students’ engagement after the introduction of gamification in the classroom. Biography: Sergio A. A. Freitas is currently an Associate Professor in the Gama Engineering College (FGA) at the University of Brasilia (UnB), Brazil. He is also the coordinator of research in the FGA Software Factory Laboratory. His current research projects focus on interdisciplinary studies and applications of learning methodologies on engineering undergraduate courses, and software engineering methodologies. Prof. Freitas areas of expertise include gamification, PBL, virtual learning environments in education and training, and software engineering methodologies. Dr. Freitas has coauthored journal publications, conference articles and book chapters in the aforementioned topics, and has coordinated and participated on many projects from various funding agencies CNPq, FAP-ES, FAP-DF, Cebraspe, and some Brazilian Federal Ministries.

Wednesday October 19, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. Sara Jost, Registered Nurse working at Blackberry as a Global Healthcare Industry Lead, will be presenting “Blackberry’s Platform for True End-to-End Mobile Security for Healthcare”. Speaker: Sara Jost Registered Nurse Global Healthcare Industry Lead, Blackberry Day & Time: Wednesday, October 19, 2016 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Location: Centennial College Progress Campus, Room A3-17 Contact: Maryam Davoudpour, Nicoleta Zouri Organizer: WIE, Magnetics, Measurement/Instrumentation-Robotics Abstract: Blackberry is the one platform for true end-to-end mobile security. Together with our partners, Blackberry has developed secure mobile solutions for healthcare organizations across the continuum of care. From clinics, to hospitals, to first responders, home care workers and the home, we offer tried and true solutions that maximize patient outcomes and improve the patient experience, reduce costs and are fully secure to protect PHI. 1. We have helped hospitals reduce their emergency room wait times by 50% and meet their code STEM window 100% of the time. 2. In home care, we have shown drastic reductions in missed visits and savings of more than $7,000 per home care worker per year. 3. Blackberry secure messaging has improved efficiency so much that hospitals staff have saved 2 hours per day just by eliminating the need to track down other team members. Biography: Sara Jost is a Registered Nurse working at Blackberry as a Global Healthcare Industry Lead where she leads the promotion of digital devices for use in medicine. Previously Sara worked as a Registered Nurse at Sunnybrook Hospital.

Monday October 31, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. Dr. Richard Lachman, Associate Professor, will be presenting “Algorithms and Ethics”. Speaker: Dr. Richard Lachman Associate Professor, Digital Media in RTA School of Media Day & Time: Monday, October 31, 2016 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Location: KHE 225, 340 Church Street, Ryerson Contact: Maryam Davoudpour Organizer: WIE, Magnetics, Measurement/Instrumentation-Robotics, Computer Science Department of Ryerson University Abstract: Software algorithms are becoming more and more influential on the daily lives of citizens. Netflix, Spotify, Facebook, and Google openly discuss their use of algorithms as part of their operations, and mainstream critics have discussed the effects of filter-bubbles and echo-chambers on our points of view. However, algorithms are increasingly embedded in governmental and legal systems – with mathematical models influencing everything from teacher evaluations to police dispatch locations, and even parole board hearings. Algorithms exert their influence over our social, political, legal, financial, and educational systems, with average citizens and politicians having little understanding of how computation affects the conventions, laws, and assumptions that underlay our society . What are the responsibilities of computer scientists and software engineers towards an ethical practice as algorithmic decision-making becomes integrated into policy? Biography: Dr. Richard Lachman directs Zone Learning for Ryerson University, Research Development for the Faculty of Communication and Design, and the Experiential Media Institute (formerly the Transmedia Research Centre). He is an Associate Professor, Digital Media in the RTA School of Media, and also serves as a Technology and Creative Consultant for entertainment and software-development projects. Dr Lachman completed his doctorate at UNE (Australia) studying software recommendation-engines, did his undergraduate work in Computer Science at MIT, and holds a masters degree from the MIT Media Lab’s “Interactive Cinema” group. His work with the Petz artificial-life software has over 3 million units shipped worldwide, his later transmedia projects have garnered a Gemini, CNMA and Webby Honouree awards, and he has lead projects with UNICEF, TIFF, Penguin UK, Kobo, CTV, the Discovery Channel Canada, the Banff Centre for the Arts, and the CRTC. His areas of research include virtual reality, transmedia storytelling, digital documentaries, augmented/locative experiences, mixed realities, and collaborative design thinking.