Filed Under: Research, Academic Affairs, Student, Biomedical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Student Design
While students nationwide are flocking to libraries for exhaustive studying, Johns Hopkins engineering students are trotting out original designs for everything from newly invented medical devices to better biopsy skin to large-scale mechanical devices to more effectively sort pellets when making plastic.
A hallmark of the senior experience on Homewood campus, engineering students come together in late April and early May in a flurry of creativity known as "Design Days." These senior capstone projects, from various disciplines and often involving graduate students too, illustrate the hands-on, research-oriented innovation that is the underpinning of a Johns Hopkins education.
One MechE design team, for example, designed a safer helmet, with sensors, to reduce injuries sustained from riding All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs).
At Mechanical Engineering's Design Day, Dean Nick Jones discussed with seniors Sarah McElman '12 and Adam Merritt '12 the challenges of designing a tow system mechanism for the Applied Physics Laboratory's 20-foot tow tank. The team designed an advanced system to pull model ships and submarines on a curved path and that could be programmed to execute a complicated 3D motion.
The previous day, Johns Hopkins University President Ronald J. Daniels attended the Department of Biomedical Engineering's Design Day at the Armstrong Building at the School of Medicine. BME undergraduate and graduate students spent the year working with clinicians from Johns Hopkins Hospital on state-of-the-art design challenges such as a high-tech vibrating stent expected to reduce bacterial infections.
In addition, students worked on global health projects with Johns Hopkins affiliate Jhpiego that focus on low-cost innovations to aid infants and mothers in developing countries. "The extraordinary creativity and innovation of our students is amazing," said Daniels. "I'm very impressed with these projects."
More about Johns Hopkins Engineering Design Days 2012:
Biomedical Engineering: The Center for Bioengineering Innovation and Design (CBID) was founded to educate students in medical innovation development. BME undergrads and CBID graduate students often work together on teams to tackle domestic and international design challenges. more »
Civil Engineering: Undergraduate civil engineering seniors tackled the job of new design elements for the Mattin Center on Homewood campus. Four teams looked at ways to adapt the site to the needs of the academic community. more »
Mechanical Engineering: Senior mechanical engineering students worked with sponsors from industry, academia, and non-profit groups to design and build advanced prototypes to solve real problems. more »
Johns Hopkins University Business Plan Competition: Many design day teams enter their medical devices or design project challenges into this Johns Hopkins challenge. Some teams create startup companies to further test, develop, and manufacture their products. more »