Design Day – Spartan Engineers Showcase Innovations
April 24, 2009
Spartan Engineers will present their innovations and interact with Future Engineers during the Michigan State University College of Engineering Design Day on Friday, May 1, between 8:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. at the MSU Union.
The event showcases the accomplishments of the next generation of MSU engineering designers, innovators, and entrepreneurs. At the same time, it provides an opportunity for interaction between Spartan Engineers and pre-college students – or Future Engineers.
The event is held at the end of each fall and spring semester. Participating this semester are the Applied Engineering Sciences program, the Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering, the Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and the Department of Mechanical Engineering.
“For the first time in the history of this event, Design Day includes participation from all of our engineering disciplines,” says Maureen Blazer-Adams, Design Day coordinator. “It has been a vision of the college to showcase all of its talents, and this step certainly moves us toward that goal. With so many achievements on display, one can clearly see the leadership, creativity, and innovation of MSU engineers.”
The College of Engineering student teams, involved with projects that demand the integration of engineering theory and practice, will be in the spotlight. Robotic competitions, innovative machines, and prototype design builds are highlights of the day. Middle school and high school students will have the opportunity to participate in design activities that allow them to explore engineering principles while interacting with their peers. They’ll also be able to interact with the college students as they evaluate the MSU student projects.
“The atmosphere at Design Day encourages the transfer of knowledge between pre-college students and College of Engineering students,” says Blazer-Adams. “This arena also provides a thrilling backdrop for students, faculty, and corporate leaders to share their experience and efforts. Engineering projects presented at Design Day not only reflect the trials and accomplishments of a single semester, but rather a culmination of the students’ education and experience thus far. This unique event provides an environment to showcase our graduating seniors and their talents.”
Headliners of the event are the graduating seniors as they present their capstone design projects through posters and oral presentations, providing unique opportunities for students and faculty to collaborate with more than 30 industrial sponsors on design projects. Each senior is a member on a team that has designed a new or improved product or process for a project sponsor, including: Auto-Owners Insurance; Blue Sky Chicago; Boeing; BorgWarner; GE Aviation; IBM; Lear Corp.; Microsoft; Mobile Digimedics, LLC; Motorola; Shell Oil Co.; The Toro Company; and Texas Instruments.
Spring 2009 projects include:
- an adaptive errand/utility cart – to assist in transporting small items, like lunch trays – for Heartwood School, a learning environment for all students regardless of their limitations
- heat-reactive clothing as a wheelchair accessory for people with spinal injuries; to help provide greater independence and safety for those who cannot regulate their own body temperature
- a system to detect tampering of medical device packaging
- simulation software that assists soldiers in battle to plan strikes with the use of detailed satellite images, including the maneuvering of vehicles through the terrain
- a vaccine refrigerator for remote regions
- a wireless blood pressure module
For more details, view the program booklet, or see the YouTube video.