Monday, November 6

Gas Technology Institute 11:45am - 4:30pm (Bus will depart at 11:45am at the 8th Street door exit of the hotel - South end of the lobby) Tickets: $25 GTI is the leading research, development and training organization serving the natural gas industry. For more than 60 years, GTI has been meeting the nation's energy and environmental challenges by developing technology-based solutions for consumers, industry, and government. The tour includes the overview of GTI operations, specifics on six research centers (Energy Utilization, Hydrogen Energy Systems, Distributed Energy Systems, Gasification and Gas Processing, Distribution and Pipeline Technology, Exploration and Production) as well as walking tour over GTI Applied Research Laboratories. (Note: no specific dress code required)

Tuesday, November 7

Searle Rehabilitation Research Center/Northwestern 1:30pm - 5:00pm (Bus will depart at 1:30pm at the 8th Street door exit of the hotel - South end of the lobby) Tickets: $25 The first portion of the tour allows attendees to visit the Northwestern University Prosthetics Research Laboratory (NUPRL) & Rehabilitation Engineering Research Program (RERP) located on the 14th floor of the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. Present research and development activities are concentrated in the areas of biomechanics, human walking, artificial limbs, ambulation aids, and rehabilitation engineering. This involves the design and development of modern technological systems for persons with amputation and other disabilities, and utilizing a scientific approach to analysis and description of human movement and physical disability. One of the primary goals is to provide researchers, and ultimately clinicians, with more complete knowledge and a better understanding of the mechanical interactions that occur between humans and prosthetic/orthotic systems. This knowledge should contribute to improved fitting and the manufacturing processes for these systems, and help individuals using these devices to lead an improved quality of life. The research laboratories are integrated with the Prosthetics-Orthotics Education Program of Northwestern University, which trains new prosthetists and orthotists and also gives short courses in prosthetics and orthotics to physicians and therapists. Research funding for NUPRL & RERP is provided by the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR), the Department of Veteran's Affairs, and the NIH. The second half of the tour includes a visit to Searle Rehabilitation Research Center's research area. It is devoted to the study of musculoskeletal, neuromuscular and sensory disorders that are associated with abnormal control of posture and movement. There are 20 Faculty members with appointments in the Medical and Engineering Schools at Northwestern University and at Illinois Institute of Technology. Searle's research employs technology to understand how the nervous system controls movement, how movement abilities break down as a result of injury, and how function might be restored. Much of the technology employed is robotic/mechatronic devices, and many approaches employ control theory, machine learning, and theoretical mechanics. (Note: no specific dress code required)

Wednesday, November 8

Mittal Steel, Burns Harbor Tour 11:00am - 5:00pm (Bus will depart at 11:00am at the 8th Street door exit of the hotel - South end of the lobby) Tickets: $35 A fully integrated steel-making facility located on Lake Michigan in northwestern, Indiana. It is the only steelmaking facility in the US that is bound on two sides by a national park. Burns Harbor primarily serves the automotive industry. Principal products made at this location are hot-rolled, cold-rolled and coated-sheet products. Other markets they serve include appliances, construction, office furniture and rail cars. The tour includes a driving portion of (most of) the facility. This will allow for an appreciation of the size of the plant, and the overall function of the various operations. Specific departments to tour may include the Basic Oxygen Furnace (BOF) operation, where liquid iron is converted to steel; the Hot Strip Mill where slabs are converted to coil form and possibly the Hot Dipped Coating Line, where very sophisticated steel is produced for the automotive market. This tour is offering a box lunch on the tour. (Note: There are some minor restrictions with regards to dress code (i.e. no dresses, tennis shoes or open toed shoes. Synthetic materials are not recommended) UIC Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Open House & Facilities Tour Time: 5:30 PM - 9:30 PM Place: Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL Cost: Free The UIC Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering (MIE) will host an Open House and Tour of their engineering facilities for the IMECE attendees on Wednesday, November 8, 2006. The UIC campus is located near downtown Chicago, about 2 miles west of the Hilton Chicago. Buses from the South end lobby of the Hilton will be provided for attendees to travel to the UIC Open House between 5:30 and 6:30 pm. The Open House will begin with a buffet dinner at UIC. Tours of the facilities, guided by graduate students, will be arranged throughout the evening. Buses will begin returning to the Hilton at 8:30 pm with the last bus leaving UIC at 9:30 pm. University of Illinois at Chicago is one of the three campuses of the University of Illinois system. UIC ranks among the nation's top 50 universities in federal research funding and is Chicago's largest university with 25,000 students, 12,000 faculty and staff, 15 colleges and the state's major public medical center. The MIE Department, one of the six departments in the UIC College of Engineering, is known for its academic excellence. The Department's 23 faculty members include 2 NAE members, 2 Chaired Professorships, 13 Fellows of Professional Societies, 4 Editors of major international journals, and many winners of prestigious awards.

Thursday, November 9

Amtrak Car & Locomotive Mechanical and Maintenance Facilities 9:00am - 11:30am (Bus will depart at 9:00am at the 8th Street door exit of the hotel - South end of the lobby) Tickets: $25 The Amtrak Mechanical Facility is divided into 6 different areas of responsibility: Diesel Shop, Repair Shop, Yard, Chicago Union Station, Brighton Park and Material Control. It is the central location for trains going East, West, North and South. This portion of the tour will consist of a walk-thru visit of: Material Control - where all train parts and inventory are controlled and maintained for the various areas of the mechanical facility; Repair Track -which houses and manages the following car equipment: Superliner, Amfleet, Horizion and Viewliners. The repair track is responsible for all cars requiring maintenance on everything from wheel-work to refrigeration and finally: the Yard - where all trains are prepared for departure. This includes light repairs, cleaning and servicing. (Note: There are some minor restrictions with regards to dress code (i.e. no tennis shoes or open toed shoes. Safety glasses and hard hats will be provided)