we can see the danger

but the system won’t act

These 9 problems run against what engineering students expect about safety. The sensor works, the danger is detected, and the system doesn't act. A pipeline operator ignores a leak alarm after years of false alarms. A hot bearing detector fires and no federal standard requires the train to stop. An adverse event from a breast implant is reported and nothing forces long-term follow-up. Green hydrogen is certified and no standard requires that it be produced at the hours when clean power is available. Detection works. The path from signal to action is broken.

The sensor works, the alarm fires, and the danger is real. No regulation requires anyone to act, so the signal is ignored until the disaster happens.