An Engineers Impact on
Global, Societal, and
Contemporary Issues
The “Big Picture” of current and
new technologies, regulatory and
legal requirements, human
factors, economic viability, safety,
and the environment
Why phishing scams still work
There are still many gullible
people
Battery Recycling
Interesting update on rebates
(back of Eggo waffles)
Send photo of your receipt
via text or email for ticket
Typical Computer Hard Drive
If damaged, your data will be lost
Store your information on a
cloud server or
a portable hard drive
A typical mechanical hard drive –
fragile and can be damage if
dropped
Technology
Its impact on society,
good and bad, large
and small
Ever increasing and
constantly changing
Smart
watches are
here
Smart watches
are available
now.
Apple iWatch is
here too
Time 9-10-2013
Cell phones
connected to retail
stores (and many
other places)
You might get a message
on your phone while
shopping about sales and
specials available.
Coupons may be available.
Shortest lines could be
sent. Museums could
provide information on a
exhibit as you approach.
Grocery stores could tie
into your groceries list
Cell phone cameras and videos
report the news and crime
Everywhere in the world people are recording events, both good
and bad, with their cell phone cameras
Cell phone cameras make it easy but when is it in poor
taste or illegal
Your privacy is a thing of the
past
Electronic
License Plate
for Vehicles
Kindle like screen that will
be linked to cellular network
and can alert authorities if
the vehicle does not have
registration, insurance, is
stolen, is linked to a crime,
etc.
Time 9-10-2013
Social networks like Facebook
have opened many new areas
for abuse and problems
Be careful what you post on
line!
CMS teacher may be fired for comments on
her Facebook page
Teacher made a comment
about the quality of her
students on Facebook
The comments where read on
Facebook by parents and
administration
Charlotte Observer 11-13-08
Remember –
what you put
on-line is nearly
impossible to
remove !
Distractions
include using a cell
phone, texting,
putting on
makeup, using a
laptop, etc.
Studies show only 2% of people can safely
multitask while driving
Is Google glass distracting?
NY has approved this device
NC law
effective Dec 1,
2009, makes it
illegal to text
while driving
for all ages
New Program at UNC-Charlotte
How do you feel when you see
someone texting and driving?
5 foot radius cell phone jammer
USAToday 9-17-2013
Get fined for walking and texting???
Pay by Phone
How safe will
your data be
when using your
cell phone to pay
bills and access
financial
information?
All used
electronics
and
batteries
need to be
recycled,
not thrown
into the
trash !
Value of materials in obsolete
cell phones
(Old data and materials values)
Companies take old electronics and
reclaim the valuable materials
Recycling – Do It !
Best Buy has bins at the entrance where you
can recycle cell phones, batteries, and other
electronics. Many other stores will also
provide recycle centers
There are
also various
companies
that will
reuse old
cell phones
Apple
Now offering free
recycling and
possible credit on
Apple devices
turned in.
Apple is also trying
to power their stores
with 100% renewal
energy
Free
downloads
Not an issue of
can you, but an
issue of should
you.
11-17-2015
Do not use a University computer for
unauthorized downloads
Every college
across the country
must have either
installed software
to block illegal filesharing or have
created some
other procedure
for preventing it.
8-4-2010
iTunes
Provided a way to down load
digital music legally and at a
reasonable cost ($.99, now $1.29)
But some people think this is still
too much
You need to make the decision
but remember, you may someday
be on the other side getting your
stuff ripped off
Are mobile phones safe?
Verizon info with mobile phone
“Bluetooth” Earpiece
Is this dangerous to your health?
“Bluetooth”
transmits at the
same frequency
as a microwave
oven but at a
much reduced
power level.
Still, it does sit
very close to the
brain
Electromagnetic waves are all
around us and increasing in
amount every day
Only time will tell how
harmful they are
Renewable Energy
• New fields opening for electrical
and computer engineers
• Energy sources more
environmentally friendly
• Initial cost high but operating cost
low
LED – Light Emitting Diode
replacing incandescent lamps
Lower power
consumption and
much longer
lifetime
What is a LED?
A special
semiconducting
material that
emits light when a
voltage is applied
Where are LEDs?
• Traffic lights
• Auto lamps
• Christmas lights
• Solar powered
landscape lights
• Replacement for
incandescent
lamps in houses
CREE is located in
Durham, NC and
recruits on our
campus
Wind Turbine
for electricity generation
Solar Cells
High installation cost but zero fuel cost
Solar cell farm
Silicon solar cell fabricated in Cameron
clean room
Fall Semester
Solar Cell Fundamentals Lab
ECGR 3090
• Limited enrollment
• Can be used as an
engineering/technical elective
• Engr 1202 is the prerequisite
• Will work in the clean room to
build solar cells