With the wide range of uses for electricity and electromagnetism, there comes an enormous range of problems that electrical engineers can engage with. Electrical engineering is a broad field that can cover anything from artificial intelligence, to cutting edge healthcare solutions, to personal electronics, and the field’s influence can be seen everywhere. It is difficult to imagine life without telecommunications, Alexander Graham Bell, and his telephone. Another important field is computers, with major advances made by electrical engineers William Hewlett and David Packard. On a more local level, electrical engineers here at Northeastern are working on developing a humanoid robot with NASA.
There are a variety of ways for electrical engineers to communicate and share new ideas and knowledge. With the internet, many engineers have their personal blogs where they detail the projects they have worked on. There are also websites that have databases filled with project ideas and step by step tutorials. In a more academic setting, IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers), publishes hundreds of journals and magazines covering topics in electrical engineering. Additionally, IEEE offers societies, communities, conferences, and events for members. The organization’s tagline is “advancing technology for humanity,” which seems to be a common goal for all people in this discipline.
Issues with the production and distribution of agriculture can be solved by this discipline. Different startups right here in Boston and Cambridge are using electrical and computer engineering to solve problems with the physical growing of produce. One company Grove Labs developed a product that combines a fish tank and a garden to create an ecosystem that can grow food indoors. LEDs are used to simulate the sun, and Wi-Fi and sensors monitor the system. Another company Freight Farms has their own product Leafy Green Machines. These machines are actually shipping containers turned into miniature controlled farms. Similar to the Grove Labs product, LEDs have been programmed to provide plants with light. The shipping containers also contain an extensive climate control system that uses sensors and feedback to adjust the temperature, humidity, and carbon dioxide levels. There is also a watering system where the user can adjust nutrient levels.
