Monday, November 19, 2007
Writer: Shanna Relford
news@utsi.edu
The 29th Quick-Goethert Lecture and Banquet was held at UTSI last
week and a good time was had by all who attended the event. This
year’s lecture was presented by Dr. Thomas Scherer, Vice President
of Environmental Control Systems Engineering with Airbus
Deutschland, the German headquarters of one of the world's leading
aircraft manufacturers.
Scherer’s lecture, entitled "Technological Tendencies and Challenges
in Aircraft Design. The A350 XWB," explained how this new aircraft
“brings together the very latest in aerodynamics, design and
advanced technologies.”
Professor Scherer said that the A350 XWB, which stands for “extra
wide body,” has been designed to compete with Boeing’s 777 and 787
models. Dr. Scherer said that Airbus has been using carbon fiber
composites in the construction of their aircraft since the 1980’s,
but that they continue to increase the amount of the composite
material used with each new model. The A350 XWB contains the highest
percentage of carbon fiber composite at 52 percent, with aluminum,
steel, and titanium making up most of the rest of the “intelligent
airframe.”
Dr. Scherer explained that the benefits of increased use of carbon
fiber include fuel savings through weight reduction, which decreases
cost and environmental impact, as well as, saving maintenance costs
as the composites are both fatigue and corrosion-free.
Other improvements seen in the A350 XWB include an advanced cockpit,
expanded room between seats, larger windows, flexible seat
configurations that can be changed quickly and easily, quieter
engines, re-designed wings to allow faster cruising speeds, and
more.
After the lecture, guests walked over to the UTSI Cafeteria for the
banquet. With all surfaces decked in gold and white and the windowed
wall looking out over Woods Reservoir, the setting was perfect for
the lovely event. The dinner included a delicious grilled shrimp and
pear salad, winter fruit stuffed pork loin, cranberry pecan wild
rice, broccolini and praline apple cobbler, all served by Cyn Shea’s,
who catered the event.
With the successful completion of this year’s event, plans turn now
to the presentation of the next Quick-Goethert Lecture at the
Technical University of Aachen in Germany in the spring of 2008.
2007 QUICK-GOETHERT EVENT—The University of Tennessee Space Institute was proud to host two very special guests from Germany for this year’s Quick-Goethert Lecture and Banquet. Shown left to right are UTSI’s Assistant Vice President for Administration and Finance Dr. George Jensen, Prof. Rolf Henke from Technical University of Aachen, Germany, 2007 Quick-Goethert Lecturer Professor Thomas Scherer, UTSI COO Dr. Don Daniel, UTSI Assistant Vice President for Research Dr. Angie Bukley, and UTSI’s Dean for Academic Affairs Dr. Bruce Bomar. --UTSI Photo by Shanna Relford
QUICK-GOETHERT LECTURER HONORED—UTSI COO Dr. Don Daniel is shown with this year’s Quick-Goethert lecturer Professor Thomas Scherer just after presenting him with a plaque in honor of his participation in the Quick-Goethert Lecture Series. -- UTSI Photo by Laura Horton
QUICK-GOETHERT BANQUET AT UTSI—Everyone
applauds as UTSI COO Dr. Don Daniel notes some of the special guests
present for the banquet, which included Winfried Goethert, son of
UTSI founder Dr. B.H. Goethert, and his wife, Gay; Rep. George
Fraley and his wife, Betty; this year’s lecturer, Professor Scherer;
previous lecturers Mr. Robert E. Smith, Jr., and Dr. Gary Flandro;
as well as executives from SGL Carbon, LLC. The first course of the
delicious meal, Grilled Shrimp & Pears over Fresh Baby Greens with
Raspberry Vinaigrette, is just being served in this photo.
--UTSI Photo by Laura Horton
