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“Through the whole process, I actually began to see my design turn into a prototype, and now my prototype might actually become a patented reality. By the end, I was so happy that I had chosen to take a chance on myself and do something that brought my engineering and hooping life together.”
—Danielle McIntosh
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“I thought of this product two years ago—I wrote it down and kind of forgot about it for awhile. And I realized that if I didn’t do it, I’d always regret it, so I just decided to pursue it. The competition is a great outlet for anyone interested in innovation and development. The experience gives you the tools to develop the idea and the confidence to continue.”
—Daniel Gartenberg
Eco Stream, a carbonated soft-drink dispensing system for a vending machine that offers users multiple payment options and enables them to fill their own reusable containers. Invented by mechanical engineering senior Michael Deau.
Portable Refugee Shelter, a portable, weather-resistant, easily assembled modular emergency shelter that is large enough to house an entire family. Invented by electrical and computer engineering junior Jason Lohr.
Split Key, a two-piece removable laptop keyboard that enables users to position right- and left-hand sections individually for maximum typing comfort. Invented by engineering mechanics and astronautics junior Benjamin Conrad.
Eco Stream, first place $2,500, Tong Prototype Prize; third place and $4,000, Schoofs Prize for Creativity; and $1,000, Younkle Best Presentation Award |
One-Handed Canoe System: A set of devices that enables people with disabilities or physical limitations to paddle a canoe with one arm and carry the canoe more comfortably and easily during a portage. Invented by chemical and biological engineering senior Andrew Burton.
The Potsticker: A kitchen aid that securely clips a cooking utensil to a pot, potentially eliminating stovetop drips and cross-contamination from use of a conventional stovetop utensil rest. Invented by civil and environmental engineering junior Tony Brown and mechanical engineering junior Jarrett Wiesolek.
Wopometer: An inexpensive, portable sensor that can measure the concentration of alcohol in a small container, such as a glass of “wopatui,” a fruity alcoholic punch often served at college parties. Invented by physics senior Graham Gisselquist.
Elevator Call Queuing System: An early-input interface and dynamic queuing algorithm that, when applied to one or more elevators, could reduce user wait time and increase elevator efficiency. Invented by finance junior Win Tsen Siew.
Proactive Sleep: For users interested in improving their sleep, a noninvasive method and device that can assess and predict the stages of sleep cycles without the nuisance and cost of directly measuring sleep characteristics when the subject is asleep. Invented by psychology and neurobiology senior Daniel Gartenberg and electrical and computer engineering senior Justin Beck.
Portable Refugee Shelter, second place Schoofs Prize for Creativity and $7,000, and second place Tong Prototype Prize and $1,250 |
Split Key, third place Tong Prototype Prize and $700, and Sorenson Design Notebook Award and $1,000 |
