Snapshot Event Offers a Sneak Peek into Student Product Development
Wednesday, November 26 2008
Nov. 26, 2008 Photos are available at www.today.uidaho.edu/PhotoList.aspx Written by Leah Andrews MOSCOW, Idaho – For engineers, the University of Idaho’s Snapshot Day on Friday, Dec. 5, is akin to sneaking into the living room, rummaging around the base of the Christmas tree, shaking the presents and trying to figure out what is inside. Snapshot is a sneak-peek at the College of Engineering’s 2008-09 senior design projects, and is the first chance for the public to see projects designed for NASA, Schweitzer Engineering Laboratory, Boeing Company, Office of Naval Research, and other government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and regional industries. The open house event takes place in the Gauss Johnson Building from 8:30-10:15 a.m. and is free to the public. Student projects this year include an orbital debris detector for NASA, an electro-refiner salt removal apparatus for the Idaho National Laboratory, an El Salvador water project for Engineers Without Borders, and a thumbprint ignition system for Biketronics of Moscow. “This is the first chance our senior design teams have to share publicly solution concepts that have been drawn up in response to client needs,” said Steve Beyerlein, professor of mechanical engineering, and one of the coordinators of the university’s Capstone Design program for seniors. The design program culminates in Engineering EXPO, on May 1, 2009, a day-long showcase of the Capstone design projects. The University’s Capstone program was created to increase industry and university collaboration, to introduce students to the best practices for design and manufacturing, and to help students grow professionally in teamwork, communication and project management skills. The involvement of graduate student mentors and the interdisciplinary scope of the university’s program are distinctive. Students in the program come from agricultural engineering, biological engineering, computer engineering, electrical engineering, compuer science, materials science and mechanical engineering. “The Capstone design program challenges our students to use their engineering fundamentals in an authentic team-based design experience,” Beyerlein said. “The program also helps industry and government liaisons see first-hand the capabilities of our students and provides exposure to a talented pool of interns and permanent hires after graduation.” Immediately after the open house, from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., second semester design teams will give technical presentations about their finished projects in the Whitewater and Clearwater Rooms in the University of Idaho Commons. “We want to welcome members of the community to join us, our students are proud of their interaction with their clients and the creative solutions they are pursuing. Their enthusiasm about using engineering design methods and manufacturing tools to solve real-world problems is contagious. Their interest in getting feedback on their design ideas and their skill development through the capstone experience is equally strong,” Beyerlein said. More information about the individual projects can be found at http://seniordesign.engr.uidaho.edu/projectarchive.htm. Visitor parking permits are available for purchase at the North Campus Center or the Student Union Building information desk; permits are $1 each. The following are projects and the clients sponsoring the projects that will be on display, and the rooms they can be found in at the Snapshot Open House. Asterisk marks note second semester projects: Gauss Johnson Engineering Building, Room 102 (Power Lab) *Multi-touch Control Surface - Advanced Input Systems, Coeur d'Alene *Ballistic Test Fixture - ATK, Lewiston *Data Acquisition System for Electronic Ship Demonstrator - ONR, Bayview *Automated Crosswalk - Schweitzer Engineering Laboratory, Pullman Instrument Launcher - NASA Orbital Debris Detector - NASA On-Load Tap Changing - Schweitzer Engineering Laboratory, Pullman Generator Synchronization System - Schweitzer Engineering Laboratory, Pullman Large Scale Battery Charger Control - ONR, Bayview Gauss Johnson Engineering Building, Room 107 (Small Engine Research Facility) Eddy Current Dynamometer – National Institute for Advanced Transportation Technology (NIATT), University of Idaho CFR Engine Teststand - NIATT, University of Idaho Cooling Cart - NIATT, University of Idaho Gauss Johnson Engineering Building, Room 108 (Design Suite) Electrorefiner Salt Removal Apparatus - INL, Idaho Falls *Sparmill Workholder - Boeing, Auburn *Sand Slurry Pump - Bluewater Technologies, Hayden *Hybrid Gear Train Demonstrator – Mechanical Engineering Dept., University of Idaho *Micro Dilution Tunnel - NIATT, University of Idaho Remote Pesticide Applicator - Extension, University of Idaho Pulse Jet Air Supply - AIAA Chapter, University of Idaho El Salvador Water Project - Engineers Without Borders Open Architecture Robot - College of Engineering, University of Idaho Space Elevator – Electrical and Computer Engineering Dept., University of Idaho Gauss Johnson Engineering Building, Room 108a (Design Suite Meeting Room) Re-Entry Probe - NASA Active Cold Trap for Sodium Test Loop - INL, Idaho Falls Set Point Block - Boeing, Fredrickson Fixture for Measuring Ski Boot Forces – Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance Dept., University of Idaho Multicore Security - Raytheon Weld Cleaning for Airbag Initiators - Autoliv, Logan Gauss Johnson Engineering Building, Room 115 (Ideaworks Lab) CATIA Projects SolidWorks Projects IEW Projects Gauss Johnson Engineering Building, Room 120 (Vehicle Lab) *Motorcycle Stereo Amplifier - Biketronics, Moscow *Thumbprint Ignition System - Biketronics, Moscow Grid Impact of Electric Vehicle Charging - Idaho Power, Boise 1/4 Scale Tractor – Biological and Agricultural Engineering Dept., University of Idaho FSAE Vehicle – Mechanical Engineering Dept., University of Idaho Sand Motion Monitor - Bluewater Technologies, Hayden Clean Snowmobile - NIATT, University of Idaho # # # About the University of Idaho Founded in 1889, the University of Idaho is the state’s flagship higher-education institution and its principal graduate education and research university, bringing insight and innovation to the state, the nation and the world. University researchers attract nearly $100 million in research grants and contracts each year; the University of Idaho is the only institution in the state to earn the prestigious Carnegie Foundation ranking for high research activity. The university’s student population includes first-generation college students and ethnically diverse scholars. Offering more than 150 degree options in 10 colleges, the university combines the strengths of a large university with the intimacy of small learning communities. For information, visit www.uidaho.edu. Media Contact: Leah Andrews, College of Engineering, (208) 885-7978, leah@uidaho.edu
About the University of Idaho
The University of Idaho helps students to succeed and become leaders. Its land-grant mission furthers innovative scholarly and creative research to grow Idaho's economy and serve a statewide community. From its main campus in Moscow, Idaho, to 70 research and academic locations statewide, U-Idaho emphasizes real-world application as part of its student experience. U-Idaho combines the strength of a large university with the intimacy of small learning communities. It is home to the Vandals. For information, visit www.uidaho.edu.