Paul V. Birke - Resume
PAUL V. BIRKE PEng
395 Ironwood Road, Guelph, ON N1G 3P2
Phone: (519) 824 3674
Profile
A technical leader with strong experience in R&D with proven applications adding value.
- Extensive R&D experience in the practical application of mathematical techniques within Engineering, Marketing and Supply Management environments.
- Proven Business and Process Analysis skills
- Experience in Neural Networks and Nonlinear Optimization
- Proven skills in detailed technical report, presentation and letter writing
- Creative thinker with the ability to stick to a well thought out vision
- "Stick-to-it-tive-ness" ability to go the distance for economic results
- Strong ability to communicate either in one-on-one or on a group basis
Professional Expertise
Nonlinear Design Optimization:
- Developed a new optimization method: Smoothed-Out Minimax Nonlinear Programming
- Method was applied to large, medium and small power transformer design
- Accepted cost reduction for application was $1,000,000
- Method was applied also to Manufacturing & Marketing (Nonlinear Demand)
6-Sigma Design of Experiments:
- Fully Black Belt trained
- Applied complicated DoE to problems on the manufacturing floor. Variability models are established via replicated models to secure a robust model. Results are analyzed for complexity reduction and optimization of the economic dependent variable
- Processes changed and results monitored. Significant cost savings of $100,000
Futures Prediction via Neural Networks:
- Investigated prediction of copper futures via advanced Neural Networks
- Used Gradient Radial Basis Function approach to predict future time events
- Invented a theoretical procedure for future prediction based on past events and concurrent highly positive and highly negative correlated past events
Fuzzy Pricing:
- Led an international team to investigate the application of modern mathematical techniques to the arcane art of pricing of power transformers
- R&D re: Fuzzy Set Theory, Subjective Probability, Neural Networks, Decision Trees, Optimum Expectation Theory, Games Theory and Conjoint Analysis
- Extended the idea of Value Pricing by incorporating an UltraFuzzy Function method to represent the pricing market with value as an independent variable
- Created pricing scenario simulation software to estimate selling price intervals
Work Experience:
- Westinghouse Canada, Hamilton, R&D Engineer
- Westinghouse Canada, Hamilton, R&D Manager
- ABB, Guelph, R&D Engineer
- ABB, Guelph, R&D International Projects Leader
- ABB, Guelph, R&D University Liaison
- ABB, Guelph, Technical Advisor, Quality
- ABB, Guelph, Supervisor: Quality Inspectors
Education and Training:
- B.A.Sc. in Electrical Engineering from University of Toronto
- M. Eng. in Electrical Engineering from McMaster University
- K-T Problem/Decision/Potential Problem Analyses
- Product Integrity (FMEA/Fault Tree)
- Engineering Design Optimization Techniques
- Design of Experiments Course
- Project Management
- Supply Management
- Six Sigma Black Belt
- Neural Networks
Awards and Patents:
- Optimized Transformer Design $1,000,000 Cost Reduction, Westinghouse
- Gold Engineering for Gapped-Core Shunt Reactors, Westinghouse
- Smoothed-Out Minimax Nonlinear Programming ($5000), Westinghouse
- Canadian Patent CA 1208324 on Low-Loss Machine Transposed Cable, Westinghouse
- USA Patent 6028266: Low Frequency EMF Shield, ABB
Publications and Presentations:
- NONLINEAR PROGRAMMING: Mathematical Technology for Ontario's Industrial Sector, Presentation to University of Guelph and NRC Reps, June 9, 1993
- Optimum linear selection indexes for multiple generation objectives with non-linear profit functions, Animal Science, Vol. 61, pp165-175, 1995
- Flexible Bell Radial Basis Function, NN Course Presentation, U. of Guelph 1997
- Distributed Magnetic Coupling Synchronized a Stacked 25-kV MosFet Switch, IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics, Vol 15, No 1 pp.58-61 January 2000
Paul V. Birke is a Registered Professional Engineer in the Province of Ontario. He holds a “Certificate of Authorization” from the Professional Engineers of Ontario allowing him to engage the public in specific Engineering Services related to Scientific Modelling and Optimization. He is the founder of Nonlinear Synergetics, a “Sole Proprietorship” company registered with the Province of Ontario.