Senior engineers showcase inventions at 56th design conference
The conference is free and open to the public.
KALAMAZOO—Western Michigan University students will showcase and demonstrate their senior projects at WMU's 56th Conference on Senior Engineering and Design from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, April 21, at the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences.
The event, on WMU's Parkview Campus, is free and open to the public.
About the projects
Seniors will present the projects they have completed to solve problems facing business and industry. Many of the projects are sponsored by over 30 southwest Michigan companies listed online in the Senior Engineering Design Conference brochure available at wmich.edu/engineer/senior-design-conference.htm.
There are a variety of disciplines involved, including civil and construction engineering, computer science, electrical and computer engineering, industrial and manufacturing engineering, mechanical and aeronautical engineering, and paper and chemical engineering. Projects run the gamut from a heat-powered cell phone charger to a 90-watt wireless power transmission system to charge a robot. Other projects include a feasibility study of small-scale wind turbine farms and an eco-friendly fountain structure designed by three students commissioned by WMU Campus Planning as part of the larger fountain redesign project. Their design is complete with USB charging ports, accent lighting and seating options for installation into Fountain Plaza on WMU's main campus.
The conference is held twice each year, in April and December, to showcase the work of graduating seniors in the engineering disciplines who are required to complete a real-world capstone project. The capstone design course is an important component of the senior year and is a traditional part of most engineering curricula.
For more information, visit wmich.edu/engineer/senior-design-conference.htm, contact Tamara Bergman at tamara.s.bergman@wmich.edu or call (269) 276-3248.
For more news, arts and events, visit wmich.edu/news.