ASME Cites Westinghouse Electric Co. for President's Award (4/11/05)

ASME this month presented Westinghouse Electric Company with the prestigious President's Award, honoring the company for more than 100 years of engineering excellence.

Established in 1998, the ASME President's Award provides an opportunity for the president to present special recognition to industry or to prominent individuals who have demonstrated significant contributions to the engineering profession.

During a ceremony at Stevens Institute of Technology, in conjunction with the Society's Heritage Day celebration, ASME President Harry Armen remarked that Westinghouse and ASME have worked together closely for well over a century.

"Westinghouse and ASME have shared a rich history dating to the late 19th century industrialization," he said. "That tradition continues today. Westinghouse and ASME are partners in technology development, engineering education, nuclear safety, and homeland security."

Armen noted that Westinghouse founder and namesake, George Westinghouse, served as ASME's 29th president (1910-1911). He also recognized Westinghouse involvement in codes and standards activities that help to ensure the safety and reliability of this technology wherever adopted.

Most recently, Westinghouse Sr. Vice President and Chief Technology Officer Dr. Regis Matzie chaired the Critical Assets Protection Initiative, whose work led to the creation of the ASME Innovative Technologies Institute, LLC. That organization is now engaged by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, including work on the first national Homeland Security Regional Forum and related work regarding risk analysis and management for critical asset protection.

Westinghouse President and CEO Steve Tritch, who accepted the award, thanked ASME for its long-term and ongoing support of the commercial nuclear power industry.

"The work you have initiated to develop codes and standards for advanced nuclear materials and systems will be important as we extend the operating life of existing nuclear plants and develop the next generation nuclear reactor," said Tritch.

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Nuclear Engineers to Meet in Beijing for ICONE 13

The 13th International Conference on Nuclear Engineering (ICONE 13), the world's premier conference on nuclear engineering and the nuclear industry, will be held May 16-20, in Beijing, China.

The conference will serve as a forum for presentations, discussions and the international exchange of ideas and advancements in nuclear engineering and plant operations. A technical track will feature topics on near term deployment and next generation systems; plant operations, installation and life cycle; safety and security; waste management; code, standards and licensing; thermal hydraulics and more.

Many of the world's leading engineers, scientists, and industry professionals will participate in panel sessions designed to expand international cooperation, understanding and promotion of nuclear programs.

It is fitting that ICONE 13 will be held in China, one of the world's fastest growing economies and a county in need of increased electrical supply. "To meet the need of energy supply and environmental protection, nuclear power will play a more active role in China," said Rixin Kang of China National Nuclear Corporation and conference chair of ICONE 13. "Recently, ten new nuclear power units have been approved by the Chinese government and this is just the beginning of China's ambitious nuclear power program."

ICONE 13 is sponsored by ASME, the Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers and the Chinese Nuclear Society. For more information visit the Web site at www.conferencetoolbox.org/ICONE13.




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