MSU Design Day Features Fascinating Projects
Sparty will be cooler, MSU's FRIB will be one step closer to becoming a reality, and life should become a little easier for some persons with disabilities, thanks to the innovations of several teams of engineering students.
Spartan engineers will present their projects -- through exhibits, posters and presentations -- at the Michigan State University College of Engineering Design Day on Friday, April 29, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the MSU Union.
MSU students from throughout the college will be presenting design projects from a variety of courses including applied engineering sciences, biosystems engineering, chemical and materials science engineering, civil engineering, computer science and engineering, electrical engineering and mechanical engineering. Student teams are involved with projects that demand the integration of engineering theory and practice.
The senior capstone teams design and build projects for corporate sponsors and others. This semester's projects include an incident reporting system for a health care provider, preliminary design elements for MSU's Facility for Rare Isotope Beams, a wall-mounted kitchen robotic arm with a wireless control module that can provide independence for quadriplegics, and an apparatus to keep Sparty cool.
Corporate sponsors include Boeing, Chrysler, Dow Chemical, GE Aviation, Kellogg's, Medtronic, Meijer Inc., Motorola Mobility, MSU Center for Orthopedic Research, Pepsi Beverages Co., Sparrow Health System, Texas Instruments and the U.S. Air Force.
Also on exhibit will be projects developed in a freshman engineering course for clients through MSU's Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities. Projects include a wheelchair charging jack, a portable unit that enables one to control various household devices from a wheelchair, and a kitchen utensil holder that will be attached to a robotic arm being developed by a team of senior engineering students as their capstone project.
"The students involved with these projects have had a tremendous opportunity to make daily tasks a little easier for some folks in the local community," said Tim Hinds, lead instructor for EGR 100 -- Introduction to Engineering. "It is not often that first-year engineering students get to work on real-world problems."
Also at Design Day, more than 175 Michigan middle school students will come to campus to learn about careers in engineering, taking part in hands-on robotic and structural support system activities that explore design principles requiring the application of creativity and ingenuity.
"The excitement at Design Day is contagious, inspiring pre-collegiate students to pursue their interest in science and engineering," said Maureen Blazer-Adams, Design Day coordinator. "As you visit our various exhibits throughout the MSU Union, you will see that MSU engineers are ready to lead, create and innovate."
Auto-Owners Insurance Co. of Lansing is the executive partner sponsor of the spring 2011 Design Day. As a Lansing-based Fortune 500 company, Auto-Owners Insurance has a rich history of engagement with Michigan State University. GE, known internationally for their work in aviation, healthcare, transportation, and appliance and lighting, joins Design Day this semester as the directing partner sponsor. GE provides continued support for MSU's engineering program.
For more details, and to view the program booklet, visit http://www.egr.msu.edu/design-program/day.
