THE FOURTEEN GRAND CHALLENGES OF ENGINEERING

Date: 2/4/10Prepared by: Javier Kienzle, Fellow - GK12  ProgramPresented at: Columbia High SchoolSupported by:  NSF Graduate Teaching Fellow in K-12 Education ProgramAssociated Institution: Stevens Institute of Technology - Hoboken, NJSources: NAE, NRC (2009)

Keep in mind…

“Although engineers cannot solve these challenges alone, neither can the challenges

be solved without engineers.”

Making Solar Power Economical

There is a natural efficiency for converting solar energy to electricity.

This limit is imposed by material properties.

Providing Energy from Fusion

In essence, fusion is the opposite of fission (nuclear reactors)

E = mc2

Requires 100 million Kelvin!

Developing Carbon-Sequestration Methods

CO2 pollution is a big problem

How do we “capture” it instead of releasing it into the atmosphere? Chemically Store

underground Reduce emissions

Managing the Nitrogen Cycle

Nitrogen is abundant in out atmosphere, and essential for life.

Humans have made an impact: nitrogen overload Fertilizer Fossil-fuels

Providing Access to Clean Water

Restoring Urban Infrastructure

Reverse-Engineering the Brain

Preventing Nuclear Terror

Last but not least…Engineering better medicinesAdvancing health informaticsSecuring CyberspaceEnhancing virtual realityAdvance personalized learningEngineering the tools of scientific

discovery

Questions

Questions or Comments?