Career Choices 25 08 2008

Mona’s StoryMona’s StoryFrom Egyptian School-From Egyptian School-girl to Newfoundland girl to Newfoundland

ScientistScientist

by

Mona Shahwan El-Tahan, B.Sc., M. Eng, P. Eng, E.MBA

August 25, 2008

Presented to WISE SSEP Career Night

Civil Engineering Degree, 1975, Cairo University

Immigrated to Canada in 1975 -

Newfoundland and Labrador

Master Ocean Engineering Degree, 1980, MUN

Dr. Tim Physiotherapist Yassir

Dr. Hussein

Professional Profile

•More than 25 years of engineering experience

in: management, marketing, and business

development in the fields of ocean and marine

engineering and information technology.

•Hired, supervised and trained more than 100

engineering work-term students over a period of 25

years.

Professional Profile_ Cont’d

“It's important to pass on your knowledge and skills to others, especially young people.” 

C-COREC-CORE

Field work

On board the test vessel for the IIFS

Field work:

Field work

Mona

•Managed and coordinated concurrent projects

and also individual projects having multi-

disciplinary teams belonging to different

organizations.

Professional Profile_ Cont’d

Recognized nationally and internationally

through awards for success in

Engineering

Business, and

Entrepreneurship.

Professional Profile_ Cont’d

•Global network of professional

industry and academic contacts in

North America, the Middle East,

Europe and Southeast Asia.

Professional Profile_ Cont’d

Holds five copyrights and two patents for ship navigational aids, Robotic control and ice & iceberg management systems.

Professional Profile_ Cont’d

Published more than 100 technical papers and reports and conducted more than 200 public and educational presentations.

Professional Profile_ Cont’d

The Intelligent Predictive The Intelligent Predictive Technology (IPT) Technology (IPT)

ApplicationsApplications::• The Integrated Information and Forecasting System (IIFS)

• The Ship Predictor System (SPS)

• The Advanced Ship Autopilot System (ASAS)

• KHruise Control

• The Intelligent Friction Compensation (IFC) technology

IPT – What it doesIPT – What it does

A core platform software can literally predict the future behavior of an object. It can also do this in a fluid set of circumstances.

"Listening" to the appropriate inputs, this patented IP can very rapidly learn the behavior of almost any object as it is affected by its external environment. Armed with this knowledge, the software can then predict how the object will react in a similar set of externally induced circumstances in the future.

IPT – Cont’dIPT – Cont’d

 This knowledge can enable controlled, predictive, corrective action to be taken before a non-desirable event happens. The unique ability to learn behaviour also enables predictive, corrective action to be implemented almost instantaneously in a rapidly and ever-changing set of circumstances.

Applications of the Predictive Applications of the Predictive Controller TechnologyController Technology

Other Autopilots

IndustrialProcess Control

Marine Applications

Robotics

IPT Application:IPT Application:

Ice Management and Environmental Monitoring

Ships and Boats

Satellites Flight reconnaissance

Offshore rigs

IIFS

Forecast MapsWeather Bureau

EnvironmentalEnvironmental Monitoring & Monitoring & ManagementManagement

HiberniaHibernia

Mona on the GBS at the Bull Arm site

Hibernia Tow Out RouteMap - compliments of Hibernia website

SEAWATCHSEAWATCH BUOY BUOY

A new generation of data A new generation of data buoys specifically designed buoys specifically designed for real-time monitoring and for real-time monitoring and forecasting of marine and forecasting of marine and meteorological conditions.meteorological conditions.

Environmental Monitoring Environmental Monitoring Beyond the state of the artBeyond the state of the art

The SEAWATCH Buoy was used during the towing out of the Hibernia Platform

Improved navigation safety and efficiency

IPT Application: IPT Application: Marine Navigational AidsMarine Navigational Aids

2 Key Problems

Human and Financial

•Loss of Life

• Loss of Property

• Damage to the Environment

• Wear & Tear on Gears

Accidents• 5,146 in Canada alone (1995-2004)• 45% Due to Navigational Errors

Our Solution: Our Solution:

Advanced Ship Autopilot System (ASAS)

Sophisticated ship maneuvering system:

• maintains a ship’s track• minimizes rudder movements• optimizes a ship’s fuel consumption

InCoreTec IPT Application:InCoreTec IPT Application:

1 – Ship Predictor system

M.V. Nanticoke: SPS Field Trial Vessel

SPS & ASASSPS & ASASThe SPS is a marine navigational aid based on Artificial Intelligence and standard vessel maneuvering techniques, which allows for short-term prediction of ship maneuvering in confined or restricted waters.

The ASAS is a sophisticated ship manoeuvring and control system capable of maintaining a ship’s track in confined waterways and harbours. It is also capable of optimizing the ship’s fuel consumption by minimizing rudder movements and course changes in open water.

InCoreTec IPT Application:InCoreTec IPT Application:

2- Advanced Ship Autopilot System(ASAS)

ASAS

ASAS Field TestsASAS Field Tests

Shuttle TankerSuper Tanker 1

Super Tanker 2

Tests in sunny conditions…

… in foggy conditions, and…

Hurricane Michael!!

Screen Capture during Manoeuvres

Steering

• Frequency of rudder movements

• Magnitude of rudder angle

Comparison of the ASAS Comparison of the ASAS and traditional Autopilotand traditional Autopilot

ASAS Steering Ship’s Autopilot

STD DEV

Rudder movement reduced by 68%

Khruise Control

from

Kelvin Hughes &InCoreTec

Khruise Control

from

Kelvin Hughes &InCoreTec

Frequency of rudder movementsFrequency of rudder movements((Number of rudder Movements per Number of rudder Movements per

minuteminute))

Sample Plot For 2 days ( 2 hr shifts)Sample Plot For 2 days ( 2 hr shifts)

SteeringSteering

ASAS: Fuel & Time SavingsASAS: Fuel & Time Savings

Rudder Movement Reduced 68% Over 900 hours of testing Study to quantify fuel savings- super tanker Average time savings of 2.3% Average fuel savings of $265,000 a year! For

a supertanker

Measured fuel savings at full speed equaled 2.1 tons/day. At $420 US per ton (Dec’ 07), the savings equal $882/day. Assumes 25 sailing days/month.

More Feedback- Super TankerMore Feedback- Super Tanker

“The predictive nature of the system is the key element in its success. We consider this as a big break-through in navigation and fuel saving." - T.M. George

“We realize the valuable contribution ASAS can make in energy conservation, improved performance and higher standard of navigation. No doubt it will be a milestone in the history of shipping as far as navigation by auto-pilot is concerned." - A N Lodhi - Sharjah (UAE)

ASAS PatentsASAS Patents

US patent filed in 1999 and 2001

International patent filed in 2000 in the following countries: United States (Patent has been GRANTED)United States (Patent has been GRANTED) Canada (Patent has been GRANTED)Canada (Patent has been GRANTED) United Arab EmiratesUnited Arab Emirates United Kingdom (Patent has been GRANTED)United Kingdom (Patent has been GRANTED) NorwayNorway

ASAS ConclusionsASAS Conclusions

Unlike existing autopilots, the ASAS utilizes advanced IPT to determine exactly how much rudder movement is needed to keep a ship on track. As a result, the ASAS can accurately maintain the vessel on its intended track with minimum rudder movements. The minimization of rudder movements directly translates into:

Reduced fuel consumption and sailing time

Higher efficiency and increased safety

The results of over 900 hours of testing indicated that, compared to the ship’s existing autopilot, the ASAS achieved:

Fuel savings of around 2.1% and

A reduction in travel time of approximately 2.3%.

IPT Application:IPT Application:

Intelligent Control System

Mona’s interest in Space started early in the 1990s

IC Development FocusIC Development Focus

Mona & Julie Payette, Canadian astronaut Nov. 1999

Mona & Dr. Roberta Bondar, Canadian Astronaut,

Nov. 2000

Intelligent ControllerIntelligent Controller

A fast, accurate and commercially viable control software for Harmonic Drive Systems.

Can be used for multi-tasking robots

Can be integrated into newly built or retrofitted to existing actuators.

Methodology Methodology

Hybrid AI Friction Compensation Modeling

Improves accuracy of Math Models

Accounts for un-modeled factors

ChallengesChallenges

Challenges in ExportingChallenges in Exporting

• One of the major challenges we faced in exporting the ASAS to the Middle East occurred after the devastating events of September 11, 2001. This tragedy and the ensuing war forced the company to stop all travel to the region, interrupting a crucial testing period for our product.

• In addition, the SARS scare in Asia cut down on our travel to Singapore, where we had meetings scheduled and where we were supposed to join one NITC vessel for ASAS testing.

• While these specific cases are, thankfully, rare and extreme, they do illustrate some of the challenges faced when dealing with other continents.

Funding and Cash FlowFunding and Cash Flow

• For any company, especially a small one, finding sufficient funding sources to assist in research and development costs is crucial.

• Cash flow for a small company is also a large problem – trying to stay afloat in the current market place is often a difficulty.

Self-DoubtSelf-Doubt

When I got my first Engineering position, I was the only female engineer (and they did not quite know what to do with me), and I needed to battle self-doubt.

These doubts resurfaced when I wanted to strike out on my own and start my own business.

Thankfully, in both cases, I had the tremendous support of my family, friends and colleagues, and my faith in myself and my capabilities was revived.

RecommendationsRecommendations

Board BenefitsBoard Benefits

It is really important for a company to have a Board of Advisors and a Board of Directors.

These individuals will be essential to you in various ways as your company grows. They can offer you a wealth of information based on their past experiences and can introduce you to the people you need to know.

InCoreTec has been extremely fortunate to have both a wonderful Board of Advisors (Mr. Dennis Clarke, Ms. Ruth Graham, Mr. Dave King, Captain Mike Scala, and Mr. Sam Walters) and an excellent Board of Directors.

InCoreTec First Board of InCoreTec First Board of DirectorsDirectors

InCoreTec’s Board meets either in-person or via teleconference several times a year.

Austin Thorne

John-Peter Bradford

Mona El-Tahan

Richard Potts

Brian Tobin

Debbie Weinstein

Mentors & SupportMentors & SupportOften, it will help to find a Mentor – someone who has been through it all before and is willing to share what they have learned with you.

I am a firm believer in this and have acted as a mentor to numerous students and young entrepreneurs through work-term positions and through my work with Women in Science and Engineering (WISE), NLOWE, and Women Business Owners of Canada (WBOC) .

And a great support network is key!

Partnerships & AlliancesPartnerships & Alliances

Forming an alliance and/or partnership with another company is often beneficial to both parties, resulting in a win-win relationship. The alliance allows you to pool your resources and knowledge, and assists you in entering new markets and making new contacts.

OrganizationsOrganizations

It is imperative to find assisting organizations that are the right fit for your company, who can give you the specialized help that you need, be that in the form of business advice or financial aid.

There have been numerous industry and government entities and representatives who have helped InCoreTec along the way, and I would like to take a moment to thank them for their tireless assistance. These include Canship-Ugland, Royal Bank, CCMC, Lavalin, MUN, C-CORE, NITC, SAAB Marine, Canadian Coast Guard, NATI, NEIA, NOIA, NLOWE, BDC, IC, CSA, ACOA, IRAP, DITRD, the GENESIS Centre, and all other provincial and federal government departments who have offered a helping hand.

Money, Money, MoneyMoney, Money, Money

Important Advices:

• Get investors at an early stage

• Keep a very close eye on your cash flow

• Develop a good relationship with your account manager at the Bank – be very open and direct with him/her, letting him/her know everything that is going on with your finances. Remember, the bank is there to help you and they don’t like surprises!

Struggling with ConfidenceStruggling with ConfidenceA Study by Irene MeglisA Study by Irene Meglis

The 2000 National Conference for the Advancement of Women in Engineering, Science & Technology provided the participants with a paper by Ms. Meglis in which she gave a discussion of “So You Want to Be a Scientist? – The Top 10 Things I Wish Someone Had Told Me”. I think a few of these bear repeating:

1. It’s Okay to Fail – some of the most interesting discoveries came about when something did not work ‘right’

2. … but Never Accept Defeat – do not demand the unreasonable of yourself, but never be satisfied with “good enough”

3. Take the Reins – you are responsible for directing, checking and correcting yourself

4. Be Patient – things may not come easily, but with a little patience and perseverance they WILL come

Awards, Awards, Travel & Travel &

NetworkingNetworking

Honorable John Ottenheimer presenting Mona with NLOWE Entrepreneur of the Year award

CATA High-Tec Woman of the CATA High-Tec Woman of the Year AwardYear Award

Presented for outstanding technological innovation and corporate leadership - leadership that has significantly expanded the frontiers of Canada's advanced technology industry.

St. John’s Mayor Andy Wells presenting Mona with the CATAlliance first annual Sara Kirke Award

RecognitionRecognition

• The Newfoundland Herald

• The Telegram

• BusinessWoman Canada

• Canadian Business Magazine

• The Sunday Independent

• Atlantic Business Magazine

• Atlantic Progress

• Computing Canada

• The Express

• Progressive Choices

• Two Text Books

NATIONAL COMMITTEES AND NATIONAL COMMITTEES AND BOARDS OF DIRECTORSBOARDS OF DIRECTORS

Appointed as a member of the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) Committee on Scholarships and Fellowships (2000-2004)

Served on the Newfoundland and Labrador Association of Technology Industries (NATI) Board of Directors for the Ocean Technology sector (2003-2005)

Served on the National Board of Director's of

Women's Business Owners of Canada (WBOC) representing the Atlantic region (1999—2000)

Women in Science & Engineering Women in Science & Engineering (WISE)(WISE)

FounderFirst President & Board MemberLife-Time membership in recognition of

outstanding dedication and service

Global network of professional industry and

academic contacts in North America, the

Middle East, Europe and Southeast Asia.

Display at Canadian Technology Showcase, Dubai 1999

The Gate to the Suez Canal,

Egypt 1999

So, Mona El-Tahan’s work has taken her all over the world –

to places such as Europe, the Middle-East, Asia and Africa.

And driven a motor scooter down the streets of Port Said!