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Valparaiso University Engineering in the News

Engineering students to demonstrate projects

4-23-08

From a device that could help calm autistic children to a recliner retrofitted with a beverage delivery system, Valparaiso University engineering students will show off their design and building skills during the College of Engineering 's 10th annual Design Expo on May 3.

More than 100 engineering students will demonstrate their projects during the Design Expo, which will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Gellersen Center. The event is free and open to the public.

The Design Expo features projects undertaken by teams of Valparaiso's electrical, mechanical, computer and civil engineering majors during the past year. Every engineering student participates in a senior design project that provides experience developing creative solutions to engineering challenges and working in a team environment.

Among the senior design projects being displayed at this year's Design Expo are:

• A device that provides extra simulation to autistic children suffering from sensory integration disorders and behaviors such as banging one's head against a wall. By calming these behaviors, the device could help autistic children better integrate into society;

• A solar reactor that will be tested at a solar furnace in Germany this summer. The reactor will help demonstrate the potential of high temperature solar electrolysis of zinc oxide as a means to reduce reliance on fossil fuels;

• A robotic ‘pack mule' capable of caring supplies to a destination by automatically following a human guide;

• A recliner outfitted with a beverage delivery system that includes variable temperature control and a pneumatic actuation delivery system.

Dr. Kraig Olejniczak, dean of the College of Engineering, said Valparaiso's engineering program emphasizes opportunities for students to combine engineering theory with the practical application of their skills.

“Students have an opportunity through the Design Expo to share their work with the entire community,” Dr. Olejniczak said. “The event also gives the community an opportunity to learn how the work of engineers can improve their lives and see the sort of cutting-edge design work being done by Valparaiso's undergraduate engineering students.”

The event includes activities that will appeal to families with children ranging from elementary to high school age. More than a dozen laboratories in the College of Engineering will be open , including the environmental engineering, electronics, manufacturing and soil testing laboratories. Students conducting research in the University's Scientific Visualization Laboratory also will provide demonstrations of its three-dimensional virtual reality imaging system throughout the Design Expo.