The powerless engineer: questioning approaches to teaching social responsibility

In recent years there has been growing emphasis on the requirement for engineers to contribute toward the complex socio-technological challenges confronted by society. The need for a more holistic understanding of the societal impact of engineering has been highlighted by government, professional institutions and industry, and has strengthened calls for a widening of engineering curricula. Despite this, there is evidence to suggest that the higher education (HE) sector is not producing socially responsible engineering graduates. This study explores potential barriers to the development of socially responsible, culturally aware engineers. In so doing, it draws upon student feedback and reflections from a UK based engineering design course which makes use of the Engineers Without Borders UK Design for People Challenge, and which focuses on human centered, sustainable design. The findings are discussed in the context of theories of reasoned action and planned behaviour. It is argued that engineering culture and curriculum act to discourage alternative modes of thought which leave students powerless in their ability to enact meaningful change. Alternative modes of teaching and learning are discussed

(Re)Defining Engineers’ Resilience: Part II Reflexive Accounts Of Doing Reflexive Thematic Analysis

This work accompanies another paper which describes interpretivist qualitative research that made use of data from semi-structured interviews pertaining to how engineering educators conceptualize resilience and support students in its development. In that work, we utilized reflexive thematic analysis (RTA) for several reasons. Firstly, it is considered a useful method for under-researched areas. Secondly, its flexibility allows for inductive and deductive theme generation. Finally, it is considered a reasonably accessible method which we believe is important when considering 1.) the varied audience of engineering education research (EER) and 2.) the relative lack of consensus as to acceptable theoretical frameworks or methodologies for use within the space. In taking this approach, and in acknowledging its flexibility, I consider what that means for the process. RTA is not accompanied by a distinct theoretical framework, meaning researchers must clearly communicate methodological decision-making. In situating myself as an interpreter of meaning I recognize the need to share the role I play in knowledge production. Finally, being relatively new to qualitative research, I wanted to document my struggles and capture ways my practice has developed. I, therefore, document my reflexive process in relation to the six-stage process proposed by Braun and Clarke

Why do students choose to study on engineering foundation year programmes within the UK?

In recent years there have been calls to increase both the number and diversity of engineering graduates within the UK. In addition to this, technological advancement and the need to solve complex socio-economic problems, have contributed toward a shift in the skills and abilities that practicing engineers require. Such changes have led to increased focus on attracting students from a variety of backgrounds, who may want to study engineering for an increasing number of reasons. There is thus an interest in the factors which influence students to apply to study engineering. This paper describes the use of digital storytelling to understand the reasons that 82 engineering FY students from one UK based institution, chose to study engineering. The research makes use of social cognitive career theory (SCCT). The findings demonstrate the complex way in which environmental contextual factors influence self-efficacy, learning experiences and career expectations. Based on these findings, some suggestions are made for attracting and retaining engineering students

The Role of pH on the Inhibition of Aqueous Zinc Corrosion by L-tryptophan

A combination of in situ Scanning Vibrating Electrode Technique (SVET), and time lapse photography were used to investigate the influence of the amino acid, L-tryptophan, on the localized corrosion occurring on unpolarized zinc (Zn) samples immersed in a 0.17 mol.L−1 aqueous sodium chloride electrolyte. The addition of 1 × 10−2 mol.L−1 of L-tryptophan was found to have a significant effect on the corrosion rate for all pH values tested. At both pH 2 and pH 7, primary protection was suggested to occur as a result of adsorption due to electrostatic interactions. A secondary mechanism, whereby an insoluble complex is formed between Zn (II) ions and anionic L-tryptophan, was also proposed to occur at areas of localized high pH. At pH 2 the additions resulted in an 88% decrease in mass loss, as measured by gravimetric mass loss results and SVET, demonstrating the effectiveness of L-tryptophan inhibitors for this material

The Use of Chromium and Chromium (III) Oxide PVD Coatings to Resist the Corrosion Driven Coating Delamination of Organically Coated Packaging Steel

This paper describes a systematic study into the role of chromium and chromium (III) oxide thickness in preventing corrosion driven coating disbondment of organically coated packaging steel. A graded wedge of chromium and chromium (III) oxide is applied to steel using physical vapour deposition (PVD). A polyvinyl butyral (PVB) overcoat is applied and corrosion is initiated from an artificial defect using NaCl. Scanning Kelvin probe (SKP) potentiometry is used to monitor coating delamination. Wedge thickness variation allows for high throughput investigations into the effect of both metallic chromium and chromium (III) oxide thickness, on coating disbondment rate. A linear reciprocal relationship is observed between chromium metal thickness and disbondment rate. Increasing chromium (III) oxide thickness (applied over chromium metal) results in a decrease in delamination rate. This work highlights the ability of PVD to produce chromium/chromium (III) oxide corrosion resistant coatings to use as alternatives to hexavalent chromium-based systems

A Method for Quantifying the Synergistic Inhibitory Effect of Corrosion Inhibitors When Used in Combination: A ‘Chromate Generating Coating’

Corrosion inhibitive pigments, based on the cations Ce4+ and Cr3+ exchanged into smart release resins, are dispersed in a polyvinyl butyral (PVB) model coating and applied to a hot dip galvanised steel (HDG) substrate. An investigation is made into the influence of different pigment volume fractions (øpig) of Ce(IV) and Cr(III) based inhibitors, used both in isolation and combination, on the kinetics and mechanism of corrosion driven cathodic coating delamination. The rate of coating delamination is obtained using scanning Kelvin probe (SKP) potentiometry and time lapse photography, and the efficiency with which each inhibitor combination is able to resist cathodic coating delamination is calculated. Isobolograms, commonly utilized within the field of drug interaction, are presented as an effective method for characterising corrosion inhibitor interactions. In some cases, the sum of the efficiencies calculated for Ce(IV) and Cr(III) based pigments is shown to be greater than the sum of their individual efficiencies. It is proposed that Ce4+, released upon electrolyte exposure, is able to oxidize the Cr3+ species resulting in the formation of transient CrO4−2

The Sacrificial Protection of Steel by Zinc-Containing Sol-Gel Coatings

The scanning vibrating electrode technique (SVET), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and salt spray testing are used to investigate the ability of Zn rich sol-gel coatings to provide sacrificial protection to carbon steel. Three types of coatings (containing either Zn powder, a colored pigment, or both) are applied to steel. Intact coatings are shown to act as barrier layers through which electrolyte ingresses over time. Under conditions where the substrate is exposed by an artificial coating defect, SVET is used to investigate the extent to which different coatings offer sacrificial protection when the defect size is systematically changed. The total anodic current, as derived using SVET, doubles when the defect covers 25% of the total area compared to when 12% of the area is exposed. This finding is consistent with efficient sacrificial protection of the steel by the zinc based coating. This sacrificial protection is observed for up to 24 hours for cases where the defect constitutes up to 52% of total area. The protection offered in the presence of a colored pigment is delayed and it is proposed that the pigment restricts the ability of Zn to couple with the underlying steel

Combinatorial Studies into the Effect of Thermally Inter-Diffused Magnesium on the Kinetics of Organic Coating Cathodic Delamination from Zinc Galvanized Steel

This paper describes a high-throughput study into the role of Mg in preventing corrosion driven coating disbondment of organic coatings from Zn-Mg alloy galvanized steel. A graded Mg wedge is applied to a hot-dip zinc galvanised steel substrate using physical vapour deposition, and subsequently annealed to produce metallic inter-diffusion and formation of Mg2Zn11 intermetallic. An overcoat of electrically insulating polyvinyl butyral (PVB) is applied and corrosion is initiated from a penetrative coating defect using an aqueous electrolyte. The variation in Mg coating weight across the wedge facilitates a systematic investigation of the effect of Mg on Volta potential and the rate of corrosion driven cathodic coating disbondment using scanning Kelvin probe (SKP) potentiometry. The rate of cathodic disbondment is shown to decrease rapidly even at very low Mg coating weight (corresponding to 25 nm thickness before annealing). The results are explained in terms of the galvanic polarity of the corrosion cell formed between Zn exposed at the defect site, and the intact Zn-Mg layer at the metal-organic coating interface