Highway 1 Collapse – Interconnected Infrastructure Failure
A recent catastrophic loss of infrastructure occurred on Highway 1 in California near Big Sur when a section of the road collapsed and slid into the ocean. This wash-out highlights the interconnectedness of civil engineering. The source of the failure has been reported as “overwhelmed drainage infrastructure, flowed across the highway, and eroded the road resulting in the complete loss […]
Wisdom from the Past to Guide Our Future
At the end of ASME SmartBriefs are nuggets of wisdom from those who have had great success in their life. These nuggets always inspire my thoughts for what I want to accomplish in the future, however far out that might be. Hopefully these selected quotes (a dozen from a recent issue) will do the same for you. […]
FEATURED TESTIMONIAL – Clear and Concise Teaching
“I purchased Dr. Tom’s Mechanical Thermal and Fluid Systems review course due to the positive feedback it had received from various engineering message boards. I was especially encouraged by the free videos accessible from Dr. Tom’s YouTube channel. As I worked through the course, I found that Dr. Tom was able to clearly and succinctly […]
The Perfect Socially Distanced Vacation – With Manatees
Like many families these days, mine spent part of our holiday break socially-distanced in nature. For a combination of wildlife and warm weather, we traveled to Weeki Wachee, Florida to kayak and swim amongst the manatee in the crystal clear waters of the Weeki Wachee River. Kayaking is one of our favorite water activities because of the exercise […]
Try Before You Buy for $50
With our Test Drive and Pay-As-You-Go options, you can try out our courses for only $50 before you buy the full course. We’re so sure you’ll like what you see that there’s no obligation beyond your initial purchase. “Just finished the intro and it was great! I was skeptical about subscribing to anything and was […]
Nature Inspires New Medical Applications
In a recent ASME article, “9 Bioinspired Medical Technologies,” by technology writer Cassie Kelly highlights the ways scientists are being inspired by nature in the development of innovative medical devices. From an adhesive that greatly improves biodegradable bandages by mimicking the surface of a gecko’s feet to electric eel-inspired power sources for artificial organs, these advances […]
Can Your Christmas Tree Shore Up the Beach?
If you are like me, after the holidays, there’s the sad task of taking down your decorations, and putting the dried out tree out for the yard waste collection. But if you live near the coast, your tree may be able to have a new life, helping build up the beach. Where my parents live on […]
Miss Flying? Add a Little “Luxury Aviation” to Your Home Decor
Boeing is now “upcycling” retired aircraft parts and making them into “luxury aviation” furniture. Prices range from $5,500 to $19,500. What caught my eye was their top of the line chair at $19,500, made from the ejection seat on an F-4 Phantom II. Having flown in F-4’s in the Navy, it was like love at first sight all […]
FEATURED TESTIMONIAL – Focused in Exactly the Right Areas.
“Great Thermal & Fluids course! I found the practice tests to be excellent preparation for the exam and my review was focused in exactly the right areas. Since this course prepared me so well, I found the actual test to be easier than expected and I had ample time to complete it. Dr. Tom was […]
Celebrating the Cape Hatteras Light
On December 16, Dare County, North Carolina celebrated the “sesquicentennial” – 150th anniversary — of the lighting of the Cape Hatteras lighthouse. This iconic lighthouse was completed in 1870, and was an amazing engineering feat at the time. Long before GPS navigation, the light protected mariners from the so-called “Graveyard of the Atlantic,” the shoals […]
