User Ideas / Prospects

Electrical engineering covers the generation, transmission, and use of electrical power and systems.

• Purpose: Early form of a capacitor used to store static electricity.
• Category: Electricity storage.

• Inventor: Alessandro Volta.
• Purpose: The first chemical battery capable of producing a steady electrical current.
• Category: Power generation.

• Inventor: Michael Faraday.
• Purpose: Discovered the principle of electromagnetic induction, leading to the development of electrical generators and transformers.
• Category: Power generation.

• Inventor: Thomas Davenport.
• Purpose: Converts electrical energy into mechanical energy.
• Category: Electrical machines.

• Inventor: Werner von Siemens.
• Purpose: The first electrical generator capable of delivering power for industrial use.
• Category: Power generation.

• Inventor: Thomas Edison.
• Purpose: Practical electric light, revolutionizing residential and commercial lighting.
• Category: Electrical devices.

• Inventor: William Stanley.
• Purpose: Enabled the widespread use of alternating current (AC) for power distribution.
• Category: Power distribution.

• Inventor: John Bardeen, Walter Brattain, and William Shockley.
• Purpose: Semiconductor device used to amplify and switch electronic signals.
• Category: Electronics.

• Inventor: Jack Kilby and Robert Noyce.
• Purpose: Miniaturized electronic circuits on a single chip, revolutionizing electronics.
• Category: Electronics.

• Inventor: Intel.
• Purpose: The first commercial CPU, the Intel 4004, launched the era of modern computing.
• Category: Electronics and computing.

common engineering jobs along with their primary subject matter expertise and essential skills that are considered foundational or "bread and butter" for each role:

• Primary Subject Matter Expertise: Mechanics, Thermodynamics, Materials Science
• Bread and Butter Skills:
  • CAD (Computer-Aided Design) software (e.g., SolidWorks, AutoCAD)
  • Finite Element Analysis (FEA)
  • Fluid dynamics and heat transfer
  • Mechanical systems design and analysis
  • Manufacturing processes and materials selection

• Primary Subject Matter Expertise: Circuit Design, Electromagnetism, Power Systems
• Bread and Butter Skills:
  • Circuit analysis and design
  • PCB (Printed Circuit Board) design and layout
  • Control systems engineering
  • Embedded systems and microcontroller programming
  • Power generation and distribution

• Primary Subject Matter Expertise: Structural Analysis, Geotechnics, Fluid Mechanics
• Bread and Butter Skills:
  • Structural design and analysis (e.g., using software like SAP2000, ETABS)
  • Surveying and mapping techniques
  • Soil mechanics and foundation design
  • Hydraulics and water resources engineering
  • Construction management and materials

• Primary Subject Matter Expertise: Algorithms, Data Structures, Software Development
• Bread and Butter Skills:
  • Programming languages (e.g., Python, Java, C++)
  • Software development methodologies (Agile, Scrum)
  • Version control systems (e.g., Git)
  • Data structures and algorithms
  • Database management (SQL, NoSQL)

• Primary Subject Matter Expertise: Chemical Reactions, Process Design, Thermodynamics
• Bread and Butter Skills:
  • Process simulation software (e.g., Aspen HYSYS, CHEMCAD)
  • Chemical reaction engineering
  • Heat and mass transfer
  • Process control and instrumentation
  • Safety and environmental regulations in chemical processes

• Primary Subject Matter Expertise: Aerodynamics, Propulsion, Structural Analysis
• Bread and Butter Skills:
  • Aerodynamics and fluid dynamics
  • Structural analysis for aerospace applications
  • Propulsion systems (e.g., jet engines, rockets)
  • Flight mechanics and control
  • Materials science for aerospace (e.g., composites, alloys)

• Primary Subject Matter Expertise: Process Optimization, Operations Research, Human Factors
• Bread and Butter Skills:
  • Process improvement techniques (Lean, Six Sigma)
  • Operations research and optimization
  • Supply chain management
  • Human factors and ergonomics
  • Statistical analysis and quality control

• Primary Subject Matter Expertise: Environmental Science, Water Resources, Waste Management
• Bread and Butter Skills:
  • Environmental impact assessment
  • Water and wastewater treatment processes
  • Air quality management
  • Waste management and remediation techniques
  • Regulatory compliance and sustainability practices

• Primary Subject Matter Expertise: Biomedical Devices, Biomechanics, Systems Biology
• Bread and Butter Skills:
  • Medical device design and testing
  • Biomechanics and biological systems modeling
  • Imaging and signal processing
  • Biomaterials and tissue engineering
  • Regulatory standards and medical ethics

• Primary Subject Matter Expertise: Materials Science, Metallurgy, Polymer Science
• Bread and Butter Skills:
  • Material characterization techniques (e.g., X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy)
  • Metallurgy and materials selection
  • Polymer and composite materials design
  • Failure analysis and materials testing
  • Development of new materials and coatings

These core skills are essential for professionals in these roles and are often the foundation for further specialization within their respective fields.