Design World

  • Home
  • Technologies
    • ELECTRONICS • ELECTRICAL
    • Fastening • joining
    • FLUID POWER
    • LINEAR MOTION
    • MOTION CONTROL
    • SENSORS
    • TEST & MEASUREMENT
    • Factory automation
    • Warehouse automation
    • DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION
  • Learn
    • Tech Toolboxes
    • Learning center
    • eBooks • Tech Tips
    • Podcasts
    • Videos
    • Webinars • general engineering
    • Webinars • Automated warehousing
    • Voices
  • LEAP Awards
  • 2025 Leadership
    • 2024 Winners
    • 2023 Winners
    • 2022 Winners
    • 2021 Winners
  • Design Guides
  • Resources
    • Subscribe
    • 3D Cad Models
      • PARTsolutions
      • TraceParts
    • Digital Issues
      • Design World
      • EE World
    • Engineering diversity
    • Trends
  • Supplier Listings
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe

Engineer pushes environmental approach in processes

By atesmeh | June 3, 2013

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. — Words like green and sustainability are often used to refer to recycling, taking better care of the Earth, and new or alternative forms of energy, such as solar- or wind-power.

Army engineer Gregory Harris would say it’s much more than that and is working to make that point to the Army and to manufacturers involved in developing the latest military technology.

Harris takes a systems engineering approach to sustainability, which he said includes not just energy, the environment, production and the product, but also sustainability in the work force, technology and product lifecycle.

“When people think of ‘green’ they think of the environment and energy,” Harris said, “but it’s much, much more.”

Harris is an engineer in the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command’s aviation and missile center. He is part of the Manufacturing Science and Technology Division, Engineering Directorate of the Aviation and Missile Research Development and Engineering Center where he supports sustainability, supply chain management, model-based enterprise and manufacturing readiness initiatives.

Before joining AMRDEC, Harris was director of the Center for Management and Economic Research and the Manufacturing Extension Partnership Center at the University of Alabama-Huntsville. It was in this role that Harris first started exploring the idea of sustainability.

“The key,” Harris said, “is to integrate sustainability into everything you’re doing; both the product and the process.”

He recently completed coursework in Purdue University’s Green Enterprise Development Workforce Training Program to become credentialed as a Green Manufacturing Specialist.

Developed by the Society of Manufacturing Engineers and Purdue University, the program provides training in the latest green manufacturing practices and ideas through a series of in-depth training modules. After completing 56 hours of classroom instruction and a comprehensive final exam, students have a thorough understanding of the many topics that comprise sustainable manufacturing.

The program, he said, encourages manufacturers to change their way of thinking to actively look for ways to incorporate more sustainable, environmentally friendly improvements that have a positive effect on the bottom line.

As an engineer and a Green Manufacturing Specialist, Harris plays a vital role in AMRDEC providing education for his fellow Army employees and their business partners about integrating green practices into every facet of the manufacturing process.

“We need to be educating and providing assistance for improving sustainability,” Harris said. “If you get people to actually think about it, sustainability starts to make sense.

Most of the time, it’s just making people aware, then they start to realize there’s more going into the trash bin than just trash. Sustainability is not just a good idea or the right thing to do, it makes financial sense because we are limiting waste and reducing costs.”

Harris brings a wealth of education and experience with him to his current position.
He has a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering from Auburn University, a master’s from St. Edwards University and a doctorate in industrial and systems engineering from UAH. His expertise in this area stems from more than 30 years experience as an industrial engineer, quality engineer, operations manager, plant manager, and consultant in operations and supply chain.

Along with his work at the AMRDEC, Harris is adjunct professor in the College of Business Administration and a member of the graduate faculty in the College of Engineering at UAH. He teaches courses in Supply Chain Management, Transportation and Logistics, and Production and Inventory Control. Harris also teaches systems engineering as an adjunct assistant professor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Redstone campus.

—

AMRDEC is part of the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command, which has the mission to develop technology and engineering solutions for America’s Soldiers.

RDECOM is a major subordinate command of the U.S. Army Materiel Command. AMC is the Army’s premier provider of materiel readiness — technology, acquisition support, materiel development, logistics power projection, and sustainment — to the total force, across the spectrum of joint military operations. If a Soldier shoots it, drives it, flies it, wears it, eats it or communicates with it, AMC provides it.

Source: http://www.army.mil/article/101974/Engineer_pushes_environmental_approach_in_processes/

You Might Also Like


Filed Under: Aerospace + defense

 

LEARNING CENTER

Design World Learning Center
“dw
EXPAND YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND STAY CONNECTED
Get the latest info on technologies, tools and strategies for Design Engineering Professionals.
Motor University

Design World Digital Edition

cover

Browse the most current issue of Design World and back issues in an easy to use high quality format. Clip, share and download with the leading design engineering magazine today.

EDABoard the Forum for Electronics

Top global problem solving EE forum covering Microcontrollers, DSP, Networking, Analog and Digital Design, RF, Power Electronics, PCB Routing and much more

EDABoard: Forum for electronics

Sponsored Content

  • Sustainability, Innovation and Safety, Central to Our Approach
  • Why off-highway is the sweet spot for AC electrification technology
  • Looking to 2025: Past Success Guides Future Achievements
  • North American Companies Seek Stronger Ties with Italian OEMs
  • Adapt and Evolve
  • Sustainable Practices for a Sustainable World
View More >>
Engineering Exchange

The Engineering Exchange is a global educational networking community for engineers.

Connect, share, and learn today »

Design World
  • About us
  • Contact
  • Manage your Design World Subscription
  • Subscribe
  • Design World Digital Network
  • Control Engineering
  • Consulting-Specifying Engineer
  • Plant Engineering
  • Engineering White Papers
  • Leap Awards

Copyright © 2025 WTWH Media LLC. All Rights Reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of WTWH Media
Privacy Policy | Advertising | About Us

Search Design World

  • Home
  • Technologies
    • ELECTRONICS • ELECTRICAL
    • Fastening • joining
    • FLUID POWER
    • LINEAR MOTION
    • MOTION CONTROL
    • SENSORS
    • TEST & MEASUREMENT
    • Factory automation
    • Warehouse automation
    • DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION
  • Learn
    • Tech Toolboxes
    • Learning center
    • eBooks • Tech Tips
    • Podcasts
    • Videos
    • Webinars • general engineering
    • Webinars • Automated warehousing
    • Voices
  • LEAP Awards
  • 2025 Leadership
    • 2024 Winners
    • 2023 Winners
    • 2022 Winners
    • 2021 Winners
  • Design Guides
  • Resources
    • Subscribe
    • 3D Cad Models
      • PARTsolutions
      • TraceParts
    • Digital Issues
      • Design World
      • EE World
    • Engineering diversity
    • Trends
  • Supplier Listings
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
We use cookies to personalize content and ads, to provide social media features, and to analyze our traffic. We share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising, and analytics partners who may combine it with other information you’ve provided to them or that they’ve collected from your use of their services. You consent to our cookies if you continue to use this website.OkNoRead more