IPRO Future Listings for Spring 2010
302: Techno-Business Analysis of Renewable Technologies for the Chicago Electric Grid
Semester:
Spring 2010Meeting Days/Time:
Tuesdays/Thursdays 1:50 to 3:05Sponsor:
Sargent & Lundy, LLCFaculty:
Don Chmielewski (ChBE) (chmielewski@iit.edu) and Myron Gottlieb (AA) (gottlieb@iit.edu)Appropriate Disciplines:
All disciplines are welcome.Description:
The objective of this study is to evaluate the full cost of implementing renewable energy projects for base load electricity supply. The primary fields of renewable energy supply that will be the basis of the study are wind and solar.
The electrical utility industry must make the most economical decision regarding which type of power generation they plan to use for future electrical needs. In order for renewable power supplies to be economic with or without government subsidies, they must be compared against conventional systems and also encompass the cost to supply the necessary back up systems. It is the intent of this study to analyze the problem of supplying reliable, economic and renewable power to the grid and to find the most economic source of power to compete with today’s standard of coal based power production.
The electrical utility industry must make the most economical decision regarding which type of power generation they plan to use for future electrical needs. In order for renewable power supplies to be economic with or without government subsidies, they must be compared against conventional systems and also encompass the cost to supply the necessary back up systems. It is the intent of this study to analyze the problem of supplying reliable, economic and renewable power to the grid and to find the most economic source of power to compete with today’s standard of coal based power production.
303: Innovative Mapping Solution through CoaliiTion (PERMIT ONLY)
Semester:
Spring 2010Meeting Days/Time:
Tuesdays/Thursdays 3:15 to 4:30Sponsor:
NAVTEQFaculty:
Jim Burstein (SSB) (burstein@iit.edu) and Limia Shunia (ID) (mail@limiashunia.com)Appropriate Disciplines:
Architecture, business, design, architectural engineering, civil engineering, computer engineering, information technology, psychology, computer science, computer information systems, internet communication, journalism, and professional/technical communication.Description:
This project's challenge relates to supporting NAVTEQ's mapping application development interests in ways that are compelling, can engage customers and enhance value and user experience.
NAVTEQ would like to develop a better means for mobile users to interact with NAVTEQ and its map products. Among the ways that NAVTEQ would like to get feedback from its users is by encouraging them to collect and upload new information about points of interest, particularly "microlandmarks" that people use for navigation, like the statute of Harry Carey at Wrigley Field. It generally does not appear on a map, but is a well known spot for people to meet before and after ball games. NAVTEQ aims to take advantage of this local knowledge and find a way to link its maps.
Initially NAVTEQ would like to focus on collecting information that is specifically relevant to pedestrians, but it also seeks interactive ways to allow users to inform NAVTEQ about incorrect data on its maps, i.e. an EL station depicted on the wrong side of the street. The IPRO team may also identify, prototype and test a social networking application that creates a support network for its users,addressing such questions as: Where are the best places to meet?How do I find the entrance to the State and Lake El Station?
In the very near future, GPS mapping may include inner building routing as well as street routing for pedestrians. Consequently a special interface should be implemented for the first institutions that would recognize the need to route their visitors. For instance, museums, college campuses and government agencies and branches would be among the first interested parties in routing visitors to their facilities and buildings.
In short NAVTEQ wants to work with this IPRO team to address how users can collect and share map data from mobile phones and otherwise leverage local "expert" knowledge that enhances the functionality and value of its maps beyond what is currently provided.
Enrollment in this course is by permit only. If you would like to register, please contact the instructor of the course for permission.
NAVTEQ would like to develop a better means for mobile users to interact with NAVTEQ and its map products. Among the ways that NAVTEQ would like to get feedback from its users is by encouraging them to collect and upload new information about points of interest, particularly "microlandmarks" that people use for navigation, like the statute of Harry Carey at Wrigley Field. It generally does not appear on a map, but is a well known spot for people to meet before and after ball games. NAVTEQ aims to take advantage of this local knowledge and find a way to link its maps.
Initially NAVTEQ would like to focus on collecting information that is specifically relevant to pedestrians, but it also seeks interactive ways to allow users to inform NAVTEQ about incorrect data on its maps, i.e. an EL station depicted on the wrong side of the street. The IPRO team may also identify, prototype and test a social networking application that creates a support network for its users,addressing such questions as: Where are the best places to meet?How do I find the entrance to the State and Lake El Station?
In the very near future, GPS mapping may include inner building routing as well as street routing for pedestrians. Consequently a special interface should be implemented for the first institutions that would recognize the need to route their visitors. For instance, museums, college campuses and government agencies and branches would be among the first interested parties in routing visitors to their facilities and buildings.
In short NAVTEQ wants to work with this IPRO team to address how users can collect and share map data from mobile phones and otherwise leverage local "expert" knowledge that enhances the functionality and value of its maps beyond what is currently provided.
Enrollment in this course is by permit only. If you would like to register, please contact the instructor of the course for permission.
304: Integration of Process Improvements
Semester:
Spring 2010Meeting Days/Time:
Tuesdays/Thursdays 3:15 to 4:30Sponsor:
A. Finkl & SonsFaculty:
Will Maurer (INTM) (maurer@iit.edu) and Sheldon Mostovoy (ARMOUR - MMAE) (mostovoy@iit.edu)Appropriate Disciplines:
Aerospace engineering, computer engineering, electrical engineering, material science/engineering, mechanical engineering, manufacturing technology, information technology, computer science, computer information systems, and physics.Description:
A. Finkl & Sons (www.finkl.com) is the world's leading supplier of forging die steels, plastic mold steels, die casting tool steels, and custom open-die forgings. Finkl open-die forgings are produced at its fully integrated production facility in the vicinity of Lincoln Park. Finkl products are distributed domestically and to more than 18 countries around the world.
Prior IPRO efforts involved attempting to detect cutting insert breaks during production at the Finkl facility. These proved unsuccessful since the variables that contributed to the breaks could not be controlled. A joint decision with Finkl management was made to proceed in a controlled manner in the lab at IIT.
The spring 2010 team is continuing the work begun in the fall 2009 semester. Their goals include:
Prior IPRO efforts involved attempting to detect cutting insert breaks during production at the Finkl facility. These proved unsuccessful since the variables that contributed to the breaks could not be controlled. A joint decision with Finkl management was made to proceed in a controlled manner in the lab at IIT.
The spring 2010 team is continuing the work begun in the fall 2009 semester. Their goals include:
- Examining the effect of each possible processing variable to insert breaks. This includes both individual and in combination with other variables.
- Developing processing parameters.
- Transfering, testing, adjusting and verifying the new parameters to full scale production level operations at Finkl's facilities.
305: Trailer Loading Optimization Planning Application Tool
Semester:
Spring 2010Meeting Days/Time:
Mondays/Wednesdays 3:15 to 4:30Sponsor:
DSC LogisticsFaculty:
Herb Shields (INTM) (shields@iit.edu)Appropriate Disciplines:
Business, engineering, manufacturing technology, information technology, computer science, computer information systems, and professional/technical communication.Description:
Third party logistics companies (3PLs) have become an important part of the global economy. Many manufacturing and marketing companies use 3PLs to provide a variety of services including warehousing, transportation, customer service and logistics.
DSC Logistics, the sponsor of this project, is a leading 3PL company headquartered in Des Plaines, Illinois. DSC has a nationwide network of logistics centers, and its customers include retailers such as WalMart and brand marketing companies such as Proctor & Gamble, Smucker's, etc. DSC supplies a full range of supply chain and logistics services for its customers. The IPRO team will work with personnel at DSC headquarters and at two of its logistics centers located in the Chicago area.
Trailer loading is an important aspect of DSC's distribution service, as trailer loads must comply with Department of Transportation regulations, or DSC can be assessed fines and penalties. The current manual system used by DSC relies on warehouse personnel's experience. The IPRO team will improve this system by designing a process and a computer-enabled tool to automate this system for all DSC logistics centers.
DSC Logistics, the sponsor of this project, is a leading 3PL company headquartered in Des Plaines, Illinois. DSC has a nationwide network of logistics centers, and its customers include retailers such as WalMart and brand marketing companies such as Proctor & Gamble, Smucker's, etc. DSC supplies a full range of supply chain and logistics services for its customers. The IPRO team will work with personnel at DSC headquarters and at two of its logistics centers located in the Chicago area.
Trailer loading is an important aspect of DSC's distribution service, as trailer loads must comply with Department of Transportation regulations, or DSC can be assessed fines and penalties. The current manual system used by DSC relies on warehouse personnel's experience. The IPRO team will improve this system by designing a process and a computer-enabled tool to automate this system for all DSC logistics centers.
306: Improving Global Supply Chain Management
Semester:
Spring 2010Meeting Days/Time:
Tuesdays/Thursdays 5:00 to 6:15Sponsor:
Sloan Valve CompanyFaculty:
John Caltagirone (INTM) (caltagirone@iit.edu)Appropriate Disciplines:
Business, engineering, computer engineering, material science/engineering, mechanical engineering, professional development, manufacturing technology, information technology, and professional/technical communication.Description:
Sloan Valve Company (www.sloanvalve.com), a long-standing family owned company, has sponsored an IPRO team to assist in supply chain operations. Sloan wishes to both streamline its processes and increase employee training and understanding of quality control systems.
In previous semesters, teams have assisted with the development of a new warehouse management system in SAP. This system will help manage the storage, movement and picking strategies of finished goods at Sloan Valve Company. The spring 2010 team will continue the overall project and will focus on order management, contract manufacturing, plant maintenance and transportation.
This project involves developing business process flows within multiple functional areas: production planning, materials scheduling, order management, outside manufacturing, warehousing and transportation. The project team will further define future-state processes based upon industry better practices, knowledge of available software packages, and in-house capabilities. Wasteful and/or non-value added processes will be identified. The team will also learn about Lean Six Sigma techniques.
In previous semesters, teams have assisted with the development of a new warehouse management system in SAP. This system will help manage the storage, movement and picking strategies of finished goods at Sloan Valve Company. The spring 2010 team will continue the overall project and will focus on order management, contract manufacturing, plant maintenance and transportation.
This project involves developing business process flows within multiple functional areas: production planning, materials scheduling, order management, outside manufacturing, warehousing and transportation. The project team will further define future-state processes based upon industry better practices, knowledge of available software packages, and in-house capabilities. Wasteful and/or non-value added processes will be identified. The team will also learn about Lean Six Sigma techniques.
307: Intermodal Container Facility Improvements for Chicago Region (Focus on Harvey & Dalton)
Semester:
Spring 2010Meeting Days/Time:
Tuesdays/Thursdays 3:15 to 4:30Sponsor:
Mi-Jack Products and Q-Sales & LeasingFaculty:
Laurence Rohter, P.E. (CAEE) (rohter@iit.edu)Appropriate Disciplines:
Students of all disciplines are welcome; this project will be of particular interest to business, architectural engineering, civil engineering, computer engineering, mechanical engineering, manufacturing technology, information technology, computer information systems, political science and public administration.Description:
Intermodal freight — the movement of containers and trailers by rail, truck or water carriers — has been the fastest-growing major segment of the U.S. freight rail industry, rising from 3.1 million trailers and containers in 1980 to 11.5 million trailers and containers in 2008.
Chicago is the third largest port in the world for intermodal operations. There are currently 19 intermodal yards in the region, comprising about 700 miles of loading/unloading tracks, spread over approximately 2200 acres. Rather than expanding these in-city facilities, the current approach is to actively research improvements that can quickly optimize performance, with low capital costs and positive environmental benefits, and to explore solutions that can work within the current patchwork of transportation systems and industrial development.
With the sponsorship of Mi-Jack Products of Hazel Crest, Illinois (www.mi-jack.com), the largest manufacturer and operator of intermodal equipment, IPRO teams have reviewed ThroughPort, Pathfinder, and other innovative approaches. The spring 2010 team is continuing to explore Mi-Jack's newest concept, the Pathfinder Accelerated Intermodal Terminal. Like a supercharger makes a car go faster, this concept makes an intermodal terminal run like a race car. For example, a trucker is in and out of the terminal in about twenty minutes, not several hours as is sometimes the case in today’s terminals that are crowded with stacks of containers and racks of chassis strewn all over the terminal, wasting valuable space.
The intention for spring 2010 is to develop an encompassing urban concourse for the area defined on the east by the Union Pacific intermodal facility in Dalton, and 2 miles to the west by the Canadian National intermodal facility in Harvey. Concourses provide for multiple activity centers to facilitate cross-platform transfers, much as an airport has multiple concourses with gates, allocated for airline operations.
Chicago is the third largest port in the world for intermodal operations. There are currently 19 intermodal yards in the region, comprising about 700 miles of loading/unloading tracks, spread over approximately 2200 acres. Rather than expanding these in-city facilities, the current approach is to actively research improvements that can quickly optimize performance, with low capital costs and positive environmental benefits, and to explore solutions that can work within the current patchwork of transportation systems and industrial development.
With the sponsorship of Mi-Jack Products of Hazel Crest, Illinois (www.mi-jack.com), the largest manufacturer and operator of intermodal equipment, IPRO teams have reviewed ThroughPort, Pathfinder, and other innovative approaches. The spring 2010 team is continuing to explore Mi-Jack's newest concept, the Pathfinder Accelerated Intermodal Terminal. Like a supercharger makes a car go faster, this concept makes an intermodal terminal run like a race car. For example, a trucker is in and out of the terminal in about twenty minutes, not several hours as is sometimes the case in today’s terminals that are crowded with stacks of containers and racks of chassis strewn all over the terminal, wasting valuable space.
The intention for spring 2010 is to develop an encompassing urban concourse for the area defined on the east by the Union Pacific intermodal facility in Dalton, and 2 miles to the west by the Canadian National intermodal facility in Harvey. Concourses provide for multiple activity centers to facilitate cross-platform transfers, much as an airport has multiple concourses with gates, allocated for airline operations.
308: Developing Web Applications for the Northern Illinois Hockey League
Semester:
Spring 2010Meeting Days/Time:
Tuesdays/Thursdays 3:15 to 4:30Sponsor:
Northern Illinois Hockey League (NIHL)Faculty:
Dr. Chris Lam (HUM) (lamchri@iit.edu)Appropriate Disciplines:
Students of all disciplines are welcome.Description:
In the Northern Illinois Hockey League(NIHL), over 3,500 games are played each season. Assignments are scheduled by hand, and score reporting is completed by faxby more than 200 team managers. Both the scheduling and statistics tracking processes are out of date, inefficient and inconvenient for team managers and league administrators.
Previous IPRO teams observed the old scheduling process at the end of August and beginning of September as the 2009-2010 season was organized. The team then designed and developed a working prototype for both the scheduling and statistics tracking applications.
The Spring 2010 IPRO team is conducting user interviews and usability tests to complete the applications. The team is also in charge of interfacing with the NIHL organization and deploying the applications for actual use. This process will be just as important, if not more important, than the actual development of the system. Students will be able to express their analytical and critical thinking skills to solve problems that will invariably arise between the interaction of humans and computers.
Previous IPRO teams observed the old scheduling process at the end of August and beginning of September as the 2009-2010 season was organized. The team then designed and developed a working prototype for both the scheduling and statistics tracking applications.
The Spring 2010 IPRO team is conducting user interviews and usability tests to complete the applications. The team is also in charge of interfacing with the NIHL organization and deploying the applications for actual use. This process will be just as important, if not more important, than the actual development of the system. Students will be able to express their analytical and critical thinking skills to solve problems that will invariably arise between the interaction of humans and computers.
309: Orthotics & Prosthetics Education for Latin America and the US (PERMIT ONLY)
Semester:
Spring 2010Meeting Days/Time:
Tuesdays/Thursdays 8:35 to 9:50Sponsor:
Cooperating organizations: Universidad de los Andes (Bogotá, Colombia), La Escuela Colombiana de Rehabiltación (Bogotá, Colombia), Centro Don Bosco (Bogotá, Colombia), Laboratorio Gilete (Bogotá, Colombia), Bioconcepts, Inc. (Burr Ridge, Illinois), Dynamic Orthotics and Prosthetics (Houston, Texas), Children’s Memorial Hospital (Chicago, Illinois), Joliet Junior College Tech Prep Program (Joliet, Illinois), and Northwestern University Prosthetics and Orthotics Center (Chicago, Illinois)Faculty:
Kevin P. Meade (MMAE) (meade@iit.edu)Appropriate Disciplines:
Students of all disciplines are welcome.Description:
There is an unusually large need for creating and supporting educational opportunities in orthotics and prosthetics in Latin America, as well as the United States. In the last seven semesters, IPRO 309 teams have developed over 25 educational modules treating many of the topics required for training prosthetic/orthotic technicians. These materials are currently being utilized in new programs at Centro Don Bosco in Bogotá, Colombia and at Joliet Junior College in Joliet, Illinois.
In the past, the IPRO 309 teams have concentrated on developing the content of the theoretical portion of the curriculum for prosthetic/orthotic technicians. In the proposed continuation of IPRO 309, the emphasis will be on synthesizing the materials already developed into forms. This will involve not only technical content but also explicit inclusion of principles of management, teamwork, communications and ethics for a clinical treatment team consisting of medical professionals, allied health professionals and engineers.
The business aspects of prosthetics and orthotics, such as procurement, cost estimation, and insurance reimbursements for services, will be the major emphasis for the project in spring 2010. It is anticipated that the results of this project may support the creation of a future EnPRO project, where we may design a business plan for sustaining the educational programs at Centro Don Bosco and Joliet Junior College.
Enrollment in this course is by permit only. If you would like to register, please contact the instructor of the course for permission.
In the past, the IPRO 309 teams have concentrated on developing the content of the theoretical portion of the curriculum for prosthetic/orthotic technicians. In the proposed continuation of IPRO 309, the emphasis will be on synthesizing the materials already developed into forms. This will involve not only technical content but also explicit inclusion of principles of management, teamwork, communications and ethics for a clinical treatment team consisting of medical professionals, allied health professionals and engineers.
The business aspects of prosthetics and orthotics, such as procurement, cost estimation, and insurance reimbursements for services, will be the major emphasis for the project in spring 2010. It is anticipated that the results of this project may support the creation of a future EnPRO project, where we may design a business plan for sustaining the educational programs at Centro Don Bosco and Joliet Junior College.
Enrollment in this course is by permit only. If you would like to register, please contact the instructor of the course for permission.
310: Assistive Devices for Blind Swimmers & Other Exercise Activities
Semester:
Spring 2010Meeting Days/Time:
Tuesday/Thursday 3:15 to 4:30Sponsor:
Collaborating organizations: Chicago Lighthouse for the Blind & Visually-Impaired, Wisconsin School for the Blind, electrical engineering design teams at Rose Hulman University, and the Department of Behavioral Science and Community Studies at the University of Maine at MachiasFaculty:
Frank Lane (PSYC) (lane@iit.edu)Appropriate Disciplines:
Students of all disciplines are welcome.Description:
According to the American Foundation for the Blind, there are approximately 1.3 million individuals who are legally blind and roughly 10 million individuals with some form of visual impairment in the United States. Independent living and the ability to participate in recreational activities such as exercise are two of the most important goals for individuals who are blind. Unfortunately, current devices that assist individuals who are blind require the assistance of another individual, thereby maintaining their dependency.
The spring 2010 team is continuing the work of previous teams to develop, test and implement active and/or passive assistive devices for visually impaired individuals, including those who are legally blind. Electromagnetic field devices that can help a blind swimmer to locate themselves in a pool have been developed. While partially functional, these devices emit a noise but do not vibrate when a swimmer crosses the field. The primary goal of the fall 2009 team was to build a working prototype with a receiver that vibrates when crossing the EM field and increases in intensity the closer the swimmer gets to the perimeter.
The spring 2010 team is building on the learning protocol developed in the fall 2009 semester so the swimmer learns how to utilize the tactile and or auditory information received from the EMF receiver to acquire a cognitive spatial map, allowing the person who is blind to determine his or her orientation in the pool. Testing to determine the reliability and safety of the device will be conducted. The team will also determine other uses for the technology to assist persons who are blind exercise independently.
Additional goals of the two teams are twofold: (1) construct devices that are simple in operation and have a cost structure that makes the devices affordable to appropriate consumers of each device, thereby increasing the ability of blind individuals to participate in swimming activities; and (2) raise awareness at IIT, on college campuses and in the general public of the need for blind and visually impaired individuals to exercise through swimming and related physical activities.
The spring 2010 team is continuing the work of previous teams to develop, test and implement active and/or passive assistive devices for visually impaired individuals, including those who are legally blind. Electromagnetic field devices that can help a blind swimmer to locate themselves in a pool have been developed. While partially functional, these devices emit a noise but do not vibrate when a swimmer crosses the field. The primary goal of the fall 2009 team was to build a working prototype with a receiver that vibrates when crossing the EM field and increases in intensity the closer the swimmer gets to the perimeter.
The spring 2010 team is building on the learning protocol developed in the fall 2009 semester so the swimmer learns how to utilize the tactile and or auditory information received from the EMF receiver to acquire a cognitive spatial map, allowing the person who is blind to determine his or her orientation in the pool. Testing to determine the reliability and safety of the device will be conducted. The team will also determine other uses for the technology to assist persons who are blind exercise independently.
Additional goals of the two teams are twofold: (1) construct devices that are simple in operation and have a cost structure that makes the devices affordable to appropriate consumers of each device, thereby increasing the ability of blind individuals to participate in swimming activities; and (2) raise awareness at IIT, on college campuses and in the general public of the need for blind and visually impaired individuals to exercise through swimming and related physical activities.
313: Refuelable Electric Cars (PERMIT ONLY)
Semester:
Spring 2010Meeting Days/Time:
Tuesdays/Thursdays 3:15 to 4:30Sponsor:
Power Air Corporation, Natural Resources Canada, (Vancouver branch), and Exelon Corporation.Faculty:
Francisco Ruiz (MMAE) (ruiz@iit.edu)Appropriate Disciplines:
Students of all disciplines are welcome.Description:
Electric cars are clean and powerful, but their range is limited by battery charge. There is a new type of battery that can be recharged by supplying it with a fresh electrolyte containing zinc particles. This battery "fuel", which is safe, inexpensive and easily recycled, has a much greater energy density than hydrogen and other alternatives.
The team is converting a car to run as a refuelable electric vehicle. In this very new type of electric car, primary power comes from a battery that can be recharged in minutes by supplying it with a liquid mixture of electrolyte and pulverized zinc metal. The metal yields its energy in the battery as it converts into zinc hydroxide gel, which is collected during refueling. Peak acceleration power comes from a secondary battery, connected to an electric motor driving the wheels.
This innovative new form of electric car has the same ecofriendliness of all electrics, plus unlimited range due to its unique "electric fuel", which can use the same infrastructure currently used by liquid hydrocarbon fuels.
This is the second semester of a multi-semester effort. Currently the prototype power battery will be tested, and the results used to design and build the main power battery that will go in the vehicle. At the same time, the vehicle will be assembled, tested and tweaked using the secondary battery as a power source. If time allows, the team may attempt a record-breaking run from Chicago to Washington DC, which we hope to complete in under 10 hours. Other tasks include the design and prototyping of a refueling system using zinc metal fuel, as well as the systems for recovery, recycling, and redelivery of the spent fuel.
Enrollment in this course is by permit only. If you would like to register, please contact the instructor of the course for permission.
The team is converting a car to run as a refuelable electric vehicle. In this very new type of electric car, primary power comes from a battery that can be recharged in minutes by supplying it with a liquid mixture of electrolyte and pulverized zinc metal. The metal yields its energy in the battery as it converts into zinc hydroxide gel, which is collected during refueling. Peak acceleration power comes from a secondary battery, connected to an electric motor driving the wheels.
This innovative new form of electric car has the same ecofriendliness of all electrics, plus unlimited range due to its unique "electric fuel", which can use the same infrastructure currently used by liquid hydrocarbon fuels.
This is the second semester of a multi-semester effort. Currently the prototype power battery will be tested, and the results used to design and build the main power battery that will go in the vehicle. At the same time, the vehicle will be assembled, tested and tweaked using the secondary battery as a power source. If time allows, the team may attempt a record-breaking run from Chicago to Washington DC, which we hope to complete in under 10 hours. Other tasks include the design and prototyping of a refueling system using zinc metal fuel, as well as the systems for recovery, recycling, and redelivery of the spent fuel.
Enrollment in this course is by permit only. If you would like to register, please contact the instructor of the course for permission.
314: Interactive Urban Landmark Kiosks for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Walk to Commemorate Equal Housing March
Semester:
Spring 2010Meeting Days/Time:
N/ASponsor:
Gage Park High School in collaboration with various foundation, government and community organizationsFaculty:
Thomas McLeish (ARCH/ID) (mcleish@iit.edu)Appropriate Disciplines:
Students of all disciplines are welcome.Description:
The students of Gage Park High School in Chicago (near South 55th and Western Avenues) were surprised to learn that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. had actually walked through their neighborhoods, Gage Park and Marquette Park, in the summer of 1966 to bring attention to issues related to equal housing opportunity. Because of this new awareness, the students of Gage Park High School decided to develop a memorial so that their younger brothers and sisters would know what had happened in their own community.
Under the guidance of Victor Harbison, Gage Park American History teacher, the students researched the history of the period and focused on designing a memorial. The initial design they created consisted of four-to-six computer based kiosks that would be placed at strategic places along the route of the marches that took place in 1966. The kiosks would be designed for interaction by people who would follow in the footsteps of Dr. King, displaying video of oral histories, video of the marches, etc.
The team is working closely with the Gage Park students and other interested parties to understand the needs of the intended users, shaping the requirements and specifications and investigating the range of technologies and information design approaches that can be considered in a kiosk solution. This will lead to developing concepts, prototyping and user testing.
Under the guidance of Victor Harbison, Gage Park American History teacher, the students researched the history of the period and focused on designing a memorial. The initial design they created consisted of four-to-six computer based kiosks that would be placed at strategic places along the route of the marches that took place in 1966. The kiosks would be designed for interaction by people who would follow in the footsteps of Dr. King, displaying video of oral histories, video of the marches, etc.
The team is working closely with the Gage Park students and other interested parties to understand the needs of the intended users, shaping the requirements and specifications and investigating the range of technologies and information design approaches that can be considered in a kiosk solution. This will lead to developing concepts, prototyping and user testing.
316: Improving Ability to Verify Audio CAPTCHAs to Serve Visually-Impaired
Semester:
Spring 2010Meeting Days/Time:
Tuesdays/Thursdays 3:15 to 4:30Sponsor:
Faculty:
Matt Bauer (HUM) (bauerma@iit.edu)Appropriate Disciplines:
Architecture, business, design, computer engineering, psychology, computer science, computer information systems, internet communication, and professional/technical communication.Description:
CAPTCHAs (Completely Automated Public Turing Test to Tell Computers and Humans Apart) are used to prevent automated access to sensitive information online. In its usual format, users are presented with distorted text and asked to enter the displayed text in an answer box. If successful, humans, but not computers, will be able to interpret the distorted text.
Another format of CAPTCHAs asks users to identify audio information (usually a string of digits or phrase of words) that has been distorted or placed against a background of noise (“white” noise, reversed speech, etc.). Users type the words they hear into an answer box. The audio format is intended to be accessible to blind and low-vision users who cannot use the visually-based format. Unfortunately, audio CAPTCHAs are difficult for humans to use (Bigham and Cavendar, 2009) but relatively easy for computers to solve (Tam et al., 2008), which is exactly the opposite outcome desired.
At issue is whether audio CAPTCHAs can be designed so that users can easily solve them but computers cannot. The current project will focus on using two concurrent undistorted, high-quality streams of speech, both of which can serve as the target signal or background noise, depending on context.
Another format of CAPTCHAs asks users to identify audio information (usually a string of digits or phrase of words) that has been distorted or placed against a background of noise (“white” noise, reversed speech, etc.). Users type the words they hear into an answer box. The audio format is intended to be accessible to blind and low-vision users who cannot use the visually-based format. Unfortunately, audio CAPTCHAs are difficult for humans to use (Bigham and Cavendar, 2009) but relatively easy for computers to solve (Tam et al., 2008), which is exactly the opposite outcome desired.
At issue is whether audio CAPTCHAs can be designed so that users can easily solve them but computers cannot. The current project will focus on using two concurrent undistorted, high-quality streams of speech, both of which can serve as the target signal or background noise, depending on context.
317: Nana - a Sustainable Restaurant Development
Semester:
Spring 2010Meeting Days/Time:
Tuesday/Thursday 3:15 to 4:30Sponsor:
Nana Restaurant (33rd and Halsted Streets)Faculty:
Nancy Hamill Governale (ARCH) (hamill@iit.edu)Appropriate Disciplines:
Students of all disciplines are welcome.Description:
Nana (www.nanaorganic) is a newly opened organic restaurant within walking distance of IIT. Nana's owners would like to make their building green and their restaurant sustainable. The team will work to understand the Nana restaurant philosophy, their organic mission, their building structure, their food generation, preparation and disposal chain and their conservation of energy.
In addition, after baseline information is gathered and understood, the team will develop plans for re-development or modifications to the Nana building or operations to further their mission of sustainability.
In addition, after baseline information is gathered and understood, the team will develop plans for re-development or modifications to the Nana building or operations to further their mission of sustainability.
318: Zoo Tech: An iPhone Learning Application to Classify Animals
Semester:
Spring 2010Meeting Days/Time:
Mondays/Wednesdays 11:25 to 12:40Sponsor:
Brookfield ZooFaculty:
Dennis Hood (ITM & CS) (dhood@iit.edu) in consultation with Cindy Hood (CS) (hood@iit.edu)Appropriate Disciplines:
Design, engineering, biomedical engineering, computer engineering, professional development, information technology, psychology, science, biology, computer science, computer information systems, professional/technical communication, and science education.Description:
Brookfield Zoo education staff and animal researchers need help in developing a guided inquiry process that will assist users in identifying animals. This tool will be implemented as a mobile device (iPhone) application that will be tested at the Zoo.
This problem contains two dimensions of challenge: classification and mobile device application development. The classification aspect of the problem will require the team to study the process of guided inquiry and develop a set of questions for efficiently leading users to a correct identification. The application development aspect will require the team to work with subject matter experts to design and develop an application that provides an effective user experience in the constrained environment of a mobile device.
This problem contains two dimensions of challenge: classification and mobile device application development. The classification aspect of the problem will require the team to study the process of guided inquiry and develop a set of questions for efficiently leading users to a correct identification. The application development aspect will require the team to work with subject matter experts to design and develop an application that provides an effective user experience in the constrained environment of a mobile device.
319: New Technologies for Cardiac Arrest Victims
Semester:
Spring 2010Meeting Days/Time:
Tuesday/Thursday from 1:50 to 3:05Sponsor:
Faculty:
Francisco Ruiz (MMAE) (ruiz@iit.edu)Appropriate Disciplines:
A variety of disciplines are welcome.Description:
Many people die each year of sudden cardiac arrest, sometimes without an underlying cardiac condition. In this project, we will study technologies that may increase survival rates at different stages in the treatment of such victims: first aid, emergency medical personnel, and emergency room.
Previous teams have created a product that can be used in the field starting in spring 2010. Most likely, this will be a combination shaker/cooler to be used by untrained witnesses of a cardiac arrest.
One of the components is a body-oscillating platform, currently being prototyped, which will provide a more effective means of CPR while waiting for an AED unit to operate or emergency personnel to arrive. In some cases, AED units give up and direct that CPR be continued. This device will facilitate this action.
The second component is a brain cooler. It has been shown that cardiac arrest victims have a much greater chance of recovery if their brain temperature is lowered to about 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Emergency protocols are being changed so that ambulances now take cardiac patients to hospitals with cooling units, but the effect would be greatest if cooling can start even before resuscitation. Our project seeks to add this component to the shaker platform.
In spring 2010, the project will begin to move closer to the commercial stage, involving parallel investigation of the patent landscape, financing opportunities, and thinking about the elements of a venture or commercialization strategy with organizations competent in this field. Testing required for FDA approval will be identified.
Previous teams have created a product that can be used in the field starting in spring 2010. Most likely, this will be a combination shaker/cooler to be used by untrained witnesses of a cardiac arrest.
One of the components is a body-oscillating platform, currently being prototyped, which will provide a more effective means of CPR while waiting for an AED unit to operate or emergency personnel to arrive. In some cases, AED units give up and direct that CPR be continued. This device will facilitate this action.
The second component is a brain cooler. It has been shown that cardiac arrest victims have a much greater chance of recovery if their brain temperature is lowered to about 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Emergency protocols are being changed so that ambulances now take cardiac patients to hospitals with cooling units, but the effect would be greatest if cooling can start even before resuscitation. Our project seeks to add this component to the shaker platform.
In spring 2010, the project will begin to move closer to the commercial stage, involving parallel investigation of the patent landscape, financing opportunities, and thinking about the elements of a venture or commercialization strategy with organizations competent in this field. Testing required for FDA approval will be identified.
320: What does alma mater mean to IIT alumni?
Semester:
Spring 2010Meeting Days/Time:
Tuesdays 5:00 to 7:40Sponsor:
Bruce Liimatainen, IIT ME Alum and TrusteeFaculty:
Jeremy Alexis (ID) (alexis@id.iit.edu)Appropriate Disciplines:
All disciplines are welcome.Description:
It takes a lot to make a university run, and every element is crucial. A successful institution of higher education needs functional buildings, intelligent and ambitious students, top faculty and administrators, and a supportive community. But perhaps the most important part of a university’s success comes from its alumni — the vast group of graduates who promote their alma mater, are proud of their educations, and who invest their time and money to push their institution to new heights. Put simply, when alumni participate in the life of their university, they give their school a mighty boost.
At IIT, we see a university with many of the elements needed for extraordinary success: a dedicated and curious student body, top tier faculty, a historic campus and gifted leadership. But a missing element needs to be added.
We challenge an IPRO team to solve the mystery of alumni participation at Illinois Institute of Technology. Why is involvement so low among this critical group? What steps and measures can be taken to address this problem?
At IIT, we see a university with many of the elements needed for extraordinary success: a dedicated and curious student body, top tier faculty, a historic campus and gifted leadership. But a missing element needs to be added.
We challenge an IPRO team to solve the mystery of alumni participation at Illinois Institute of Technology. Why is involvement so low among this critical group? What steps and measures can be taken to address this problem?
321: Developing a Collaborative Online Student Research Forum (PERMIT ONLY)
Semester:
Spring 2010Meeting Days/Time:
Tuesdays/Thursdays 5:00 to 6:15Sponsor:
Faculty:
Robert Ellis (AMAT) (ellisr@iit.edu)Appropriate Disciplines:
All College of Science and Letters disciplines, all Engineering majors, business, design, information technology, and psychology.Description:
Three recent phenomena need unification: the proliferation of non-traditional undergraduate coursework and summer programs, the surge in published undergraduate research, and the power of online collaboration to produce high-quality content with high impact. This IPRO team is addressing these issues by developing and promoting a web-based tool (ResearchWeb) for collaborative research. The spring 2010 team is:
- Assessing the needs of ResearchWeb stakeholders, including the Office of Undergraduate Research, the IIT chapter of Sigma Xi, the Office of Undergraduate Admission, and the Department of Communications and Marketing;
- Improving ResearchWeb by employing usability testing and analysis of the results of (1);
- Conducting outreach and training for IIT student researcher involvement; and
- Promoting ResearchWeb to students outside IIT, possibly including Chicago-area undergraduates and high school students, and prospective scholarship applicants at high schools nationally.
322: Carbon Footprint of Automobiles
Semester:
Spring 2010Meeting Days/Time:
Monday/Wednesday 10:00 to 11:15 am at IIT; Monday 8 hours later (2.5 hours at VGTU)Sponsor:
Faculty:
Dr. Donatas Tijunelis (INTM) (tijunelis@sbcglobal.com) and Dr. Edita Baltrenaite (Vilnius GTU, Lithuania)Appropriate Disciplines:
Students of all disciplines are welcome.Description:
An international IPRO team from Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (VGTU) and IIT will address the problem of a lack of public awareness for the greenhouse gas (GHG)contribution made by cars and trucks. A GHG emission metric is not well understood by the public or normally used to rate vehicles worldwide. A GHG measure could, and perhaps should, accompany the fuel efficiency value now being shown for each car and truck by the dealers. Therefore, the objective of this project is to help the public understand by an illustration of greenhouse gas emission values for vehicles with a choice of power source.
Initially, relying on online Internet and IITV communications, an international team from IIT and VGTU will cooperate to research and report GHGs (carbon-footprint) for vehicles in USA and Lithuania using several current and emerging power source option e.g. 100% gasoline, 10% alcohol, 20% alcohol, diesel, as well as plug in electric, hybrid.
Initially, relying on online Internet and IITV communications, an international team from IIT and VGTU will cooperate to research and report GHGs (carbon-footprint) for vehicles in USA and Lithuania using several current and emerging power source option e.g. 100% gasoline, 10% alcohol, 20% alcohol, diesel, as well as plug in electric, hybrid.
323: Zero CommunIITy: A Prototype for a Zero-Energy Residential Development
Semester:
Spring 2010Meeting Days/Time:
Tuesdays/Thursdays 3:15 to 4:30Sponsor:
Faculty:
Steven Beck (ARCH) (sbeck@codallac.net)Appropriate Disciplines:
Architecture, business, architectural engineering, civil engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, law, psychology, political science, and public administration.Description:
The goal of Zero CommunIITy is to utilize technology as a design tool in the development of a zero-energy community. In the current economic climate, the private sector will not likely be invested in such an endeavor. Energy usage is becoming an ever increasing concern, and if communities can share infrastructure and share energy generated on-site, whether that be solar, wind, geo-thermal or something we develop, Zero CommunIITy may become a reality. This is an opportunity for the IIT community to establish guidelines for approaching forward-thinking community planning in our near future.
This approach will build upon previous work on townhomes and consider the potential of adjoining live/work buildings. An emphasis must be on creating community amongst these differing uses and determine mutually beneficial links.
Zero CommunIITy already has an audience interested in its results. Findings will be presented to these parties and have the potential to establish dramatic change in zoning requirements of our neighboring municipalities and the design community at-large. By quantifying the benefits of integrating technology in community development, the inclusion of technology in private developments of our future can be assured. Zero CommunIITy will look to the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system as well as the American Institute of Architects' goal of fossil fuel reduction for direction. This will require inventive use of technologies, unit planning, building systems, construction methods, and community planning.
This approach will build upon previous work on townhomes and consider the potential of adjoining live/work buildings. An emphasis must be on creating community amongst these differing uses and determine mutually beneficial links.
Zero CommunIITy already has an audience interested in its results. Findings will be presented to these parties and have the potential to establish dramatic change in zoning requirements of our neighboring municipalities and the design community at-large. By quantifying the benefits of integrating technology in community development, the inclusion of technology in private developments of our future can be assured. Zero CommunIITy will look to the U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system as well as the American Institute of Architects' goal of fossil fuel reduction for direction. This will require inventive use of technologies, unit planning, building systems, construction methods, and community planning.
324: Power Measurement for Road Bicycles: Towards a Universal Solution
Semester:
Spring 2010Meeting Days/Time:
Mondays/Wednesdays 5:00 to 6:15Sponsor:
Software Technologies Group, Inc.Faculty:
Dietmar Rempfer (MMAE) (rempfer@iit.edu)Appropriate Disciplines:
Design, aerospace engineering, computer engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, science, applied mathematics, and physics.Description:
Professional athletes as well as many serious hobby athletes and recreational cyclists have great interest in measuring their mechanical power output on the bicycle. A number of solutions to measure this quantity are available, but all of them have at least one or more drawbacks, including a very substantial investment of up to several thousand dollars and questionable accuracy. In addition, most of the systems that are available on the market cannot be retrofit to existing complete bicycles, but require the replacement of parts like the rear wheel or the crankset. For a high-end road bicycle, these parts alone are typically worth a couple of hundred dollars themselves.
The team is developing a system that measures the applied torque at the crankset. In contrast to existing solutions, the team wants to retrofit its system to existing cranksets, obviating the need to abandon parts that the bicyclist already owns. According to preliminary tests performed by previous teams, this can be done, in principle, using sets of quite inexpensive strain gauges. However, being able to get accurate torque measurements will require some advanced processing of the signals from the strain gauges. These signals can then be transmitted wirelessly to a bicycle computer, like the Edge 705 that Garmin has announced for this spring. There is a defined wireless protocol (ANT+Sport) that has been developed specifically for the purpose of transmitting exercise data (including power output, heart rate, etc.) to small computers. Chipsets and development kits for this protocol are also available commercially.
The team's task, therefore, is to find an optimal configuration of strain gauges that will be attached to the crankset, and to develop an algorithm to process the strain gauge data in order to isolate a signal that is proportional to the applied torque. This signal will then be transmitted to the bicycle computer for display and storage.
The team is developing a system that measures the applied torque at the crankset. In contrast to existing solutions, the team wants to retrofit its system to existing cranksets, obviating the need to abandon parts that the bicyclist already owns. According to preliminary tests performed by previous teams, this can be done, in principle, using sets of quite inexpensive strain gauges. However, being able to get accurate torque measurements will require some advanced processing of the signals from the strain gauges. These signals can then be transmitted wirelessly to a bicycle computer, like the Edge 705 that Garmin has announced for this spring. There is a defined wireless protocol (ANT+Sport) that has been developed specifically for the purpose of transmitting exercise data (including power output, heart rate, etc.) to small computers. Chipsets and development kits for this protocol are also available commercially.
The team's task, therefore, is to find an optimal configuration of strain gauges that will be attached to the crankset, and to develop an algorithm to process the strain gauge data in order to isolate a signal that is proportional to the applied torque. This signal will then be transmitted to the bicycle computer for display and storage.
325: Affordable & Sustainable Quality of Life Improvements for World's Poor
Semester:
Spring 2010Meeting Days/Time:
Tuesdays/Thursdays 3:15 to 4:30Sponsor:
Faculty:
Kenneth Schug (BCPS) (kschug@msn.com) and Margaret Huyck (PSYC) (mhhuyck@sbcglobal.net)Appropriate Disciplines:
A variety of disciplines are welcome.Description:
Almost 2 billion rural poor live on $3.00 or less/day. Since 2006, IPRO teams have designed, built, and field tested solutions that can be constructed, used, maintained, and disseminated by the target population, using affordable and readily available local materials.
Previous IPRO 325 teams have worked on the following specific devices: cooking stoves that are more fuel efficient and less polluting than the widely used open wood fires; water filtration and other water purification methods; evaporative coolers for food preservation; and composting toilets for converting human waste into fertilizer. Since January 2008, several IPRO 325 team members have made visits to three Latin American sites to identify local needs, establish collaborations, and conduct field tests.
In spring 2010 the team is focusing on Peru, but will also be considering other countries that might provide an opportunity. Options for the project include one or more of the following: continued refinement of the devices described above, based on field trial results; identification and development of new ventures in previously visited communities; strengthening our collaborative arrangements with other groups currently involved in quality of life efforts in Peru (or elsewhere), and, of course, embracing an entirely new challenge that fits our overall Quality of Life goal.
Previous IPRO 325 teams have worked on the following specific devices: cooking stoves that are more fuel efficient and less polluting than the widely used open wood fires; water filtration and other water purification methods; evaporative coolers for food preservation; and composting toilets for converting human waste into fertilizer. Since January 2008, several IPRO 325 team members have made visits to three Latin American sites to identify local needs, establish collaborations, and conduct field tests.
In spring 2010 the team is focusing on Peru, but will also be considering other countries that might provide an opportunity. Options for the project include one or more of the following: continued refinement of the devices described above, based on field trial results; identification and development of new ventures in previously visited communities; strengthening our collaborative arrangements with other groups currently involved in quality of life efforts in Peru (or elsewhere), and, of course, embracing an entirely new challenge that fits our overall Quality of Life goal.
326: A Greener IIT: Creating a Self-Sustainable Urban Campus Ecosystem (ARCH BY PERMIT ONLY)
Semester:
Spring 2010Meeting Days/Time:
Tuesdays/Thursdays 3:15 to 4:30Sponsor:
Faculty:
Blake Davis (INTM) (blake.davis@iit.edu)Appropriate Disciplines:
Architecture, engineering, psychology, and the sciences.Description:
Every year IIT invests thousands of dollars in the renewal of its landscape, an otherwise automatic process that occurs in nature all the time. The grass dies in the winter and must be manually chopped, ripped out of the ground, and replanted every spring. Sprinklers run from spring through November, sometimes even when it rains. The sidewalks flood and kill the grass. The winter salt on the sidewalks soaks into the ground and kills the periphery grass. The ornamental shrubbery and annuals are just that, annual investments in the campus beautification, which require constant monetary input, manpower, and time.
“A Greener IIT” aims to explore totally sustainable urban ecosystem design with the goal of presenting a renewable plan for the IIT campus that provides all the necessary beauty and function of a college campus while also necessitating minimal to no maintenance or additional, secondary expense past the initial investment.
“A Greener IIT” aims to explore totally sustainable urban ecosystem design with the goal of presenting a renewable plan for the IIT campus that provides all the necessary beauty and function of a college campus while also necessitating minimal to no maintenance or additional, secondary expense past the initial investment.
328: The Energy Corps: Helping Local Churches Save Energy
Semester:
Spring 2010Meeting Days/Time:
Tuesdays/Thursdays 1:50 to 3:05Sponsor:
Vince Cushing of Clean Urban EnergyFaculty:
Jim Braband (SSB) (braband@iit.edu) and Nancy Hamill-Governale (ARCH) (hamill@iit.edu)Appropriate Disciplines:
Students of all disciplines are welcome; this project may be of particular interest to architecture, business, engineering, manufacturing technology, information technology, computer science, political science, and professional/technical communication.Description:
Chicago's south and west side neighborhoods are adorned with old churches and community centers with antiquated heating and air conditioning systems, inadequate maintenance, and poor energy strategies. With escalating energy costs and budget deficits, they are struggling to survive, lacking both the expertise and funding to identify ways to pursue even modest, quick-payback projects.
The IPRO team is creating a volunteer service organization called the Energy Corps that will consist of energy professionals, trained IIT students and local community volunteers. It will provide the resources to audit the energy consumption of churches, provide a list of affordable energy-savings projects, give advice on potential sources of funding, and provide the manpower to execute some of the simpler, labor-intensive projects using a Habitat-for Humanity or Christmas-in-April community service model. As a point of reference, the Bronzeville area alone has almost 40 churches that are candidates for the program.
Guidance will also be provided to pursue state and federal grants made available specifically for this purpose, many of which were recently expanded as part of the Economic Stimulus Package.
The IPRO team is creating a volunteer service organization called the Energy Corps that will consist of energy professionals, trained IIT students and local community volunteers. It will provide the resources to audit the energy consumption of churches, provide a list of affordable energy-savings projects, give advice on potential sources of funding, and provide the manpower to execute some of the simpler, labor-intensive projects using a Habitat-for Humanity or Christmas-in-April community service model. As a point of reference, the Bronzeville area alone has almost 40 churches that are candidates for the program.
Guidance will also be provided to pursue state and federal grants made available specifically for this purpose, many of which were recently expanded as part of the Economic Stimulus Package.
329: Improving Surgery Patient Outcomes via Facilities and Environment Design (BY PERMIT)
Semester:
Spring 2010Meeting Days/Time:
Thursdays 3:15 to 4:30 and 5:00 to 6:15Sponsor:
TBD (On-going discussions with such organizations as Stryker Corporation, Johnson Controls, Siemens, Stutz, etc.)Faculty:
Harry Mallgrave (ARCH) (mallgrave@iit.edu) in consultation with Constance Nestor (ARCH) (cnestor@iit.edu) and academic units that include Biomedical Engineering and PsychologyAppropriate Disciplines:
Students of all disciplines are welcome.Description:
This IPRO project is organized to address safety issues in a hospital surgery suite. The class will conduct a site visit to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital in Park Ridge, Illinois (located near O’Hare International Airport). While at the hospital, a general surgeon (posing as “client”) will explain the challenges associated with achieving safe conditions in the surgery suite and will outline the IPRO design problem to the students. The IPRO team will be guided through the surgery facility, including actual operating rooms.
During the semester, the IPRO team will develop solutions for the problem presented by the surgeon client. Students will be divided into three to four sub-teams that will address various needs and opportunities for creative solutions that depend on multidisciplinary thinking. This includes improved facility design, innovative equipment and technologies, “healing elements” within the environment that may lead to mental health and a sound business model. Each sub-team will collaborate to develop a single design solution (to be determined by the IPRO team and instructor) in addition to engaging in professional business practices. Four in-class project reviews will be conducted prior to IPRO Day when faculty, the surgeon client and guest jurors will comment on the progress of the sub-teams and offer constructive input that helps the team advance. The project will culminate in participation by all student teams in IPRO Day.
Students majoring in architecture, business, biomedical engineering, electrical engineering, architectural engineering, mechanical engineering, materials science and engineering, psychology and business are particularly encouraged to join this IPRO team.
Please note that this project has an unusual double meeting time on Thursday afternoons. The team will discuss whether they will actually meet continuously from 3:15 to 5:45 depending on everyone's input.
During the semester, the IPRO team will develop solutions for the problem presented by the surgeon client. Students will be divided into three to four sub-teams that will address various needs and opportunities for creative solutions that depend on multidisciplinary thinking. This includes improved facility design, innovative equipment and technologies, “healing elements” within the environment that may lead to mental health and a sound business model. Each sub-team will collaborate to develop a single design solution (to be determined by the IPRO team and instructor) in addition to engaging in professional business practices. Four in-class project reviews will be conducted prior to IPRO Day when faculty, the surgeon client and guest jurors will comment on the progress of the sub-teams and offer constructive input that helps the team advance. The project will culminate in participation by all student teams in IPRO Day.
Students majoring in architecture, business, biomedical engineering, electrical engineering, architectural engineering, mechanical engineering, materials science and engineering, psychology and business are particularly encouraged to join this IPRO team.
Please note that this project has an unusual double meeting time on Thursday afternoons. The team will discuss whether they will actually meet continuously from 3:15 to 5:45 depending on everyone's input.
331: Global Warming & Community Outreach
Semester:
Spring 2010Meeting Days/Time:
Tuesdays/Thursdays 3:15 to 4:30Sponsor:
Faculty:
Peter Lykos (BCPS) (lykos@iit.edu), Lidia Calcaterra (BCPS) (lcalcate@iit.edu) and Suzanne von Leuschner (vonleuschner@earthlink.net)Appropriate Disciplines:
Students of all disciplines are welcome.Description:
People are bombarded by different facts about global warming. New technologies and information are presented every day, making it virtually impossible to be correctly informed and up-to-date. Many people also believe that they will not see the effects of global warming in their lifetime, so they do not pay close attention to new developments.
This IPRO team has been working to inform the general public on correct and current information on global warming from credible sources. Its goal is to increase awareness by presenting to larger and more diverse audiences. The team has been investigating how to locate target audiences and the best methods to reach them, and preparing content for dynamic and effective presentations.
For Spring 2010, the scope of IPRO 331 will be expanded to consider two additional interesting dimensions of trends in sustainability, as described below:
UNDERSTANDING SUSTAINABILITY-DRIVEN DECISION MAKING. Is it a response to global warming that more sustainable energy systems in residences are appearing? What drives the decisions to take a chance? What strategies guide homeowners and developers when planning for sustainability? How did they plan for decision making? How do rating systems such as USGBC’s LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standards and Energy Star limit decision-making practices? What changes as projects move from concept to construction? Research of actual local residential cases will determine motivations and identify go/no go decision points from the initial concept through design to the final construction processes. The primary objective will be production of case study narratives emphasizing the human element to be made available to those contemplating undertaking and/or financing such activities.
A two-person sub-team will develop and conduct multimedia interviews with the owners, architects, engineers, contractors, and suppliers of each project and develop/report key challenges and problem indicators. The teams will evaluate greater and lesser successes and compromises and present actions that will help keep visions and targets tractable for outreach and training purposes.
Principals in three specific and quite complementary such projects in Chicago and Oak Park have already expressed interest. The Illinois Solar Energy Association catalog of over 100 buildings listed for the October 3, 2009 Illinois Solar Tour offers potential candidates for additional projects that can flesh out the initial results adding breadth and depth.
IMPACT OF LOCAL LANDSCAPING ON CO2 EMISSIONS. It is pretty much accepted that: “trees are good and cars are bad” so local communities are making planting a part of their energy savings strategy. The Village of Arlington Heights, for example, has included creating “Green Corridors” in its 2009 Energy Efficiency Conservation Strategy. However, using nature’s photosynthetic machinery to reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide is not the same as planting for landscaping purposes only. The planning needs to take into account a) the type of soil required vis-à-vis the existing soil and the consequent conditioning requirements, b) the indigenous flora that would thrive with minimal care, including grass, c) the water levels needed for the vegetation to grow healthy, d) the maintenance requirements, e) the disposal of leaves and other debris from deciduous vegetation, f) the total carbon footprint of planting and maintenance, g) estimation of the percent of carbon dioxide emissions that these plantings could offset and h) the economics of the plan.
For the Spring 2010 semester a two-person sub-team will focus on the first phase of this project which comprises: a) coming up with the metrics, i.e., ways to evaluate the carbon taken up by vegetation (using grass and another plant as prototypes) and b) identifying and interviewing resources, such as researchers at the Morton Arboretum and US forest preserve, that can be used in later phases of the project to obtain the information needed to evaluate choices in the Chicago metropolitan area (5 county region).
This IPRO team has been working to inform the general public on correct and current information on global warming from credible sources. Its goal is to increase awareness by presenting to larger and more diverse audiences. The team has been investigating how to locate target audiences and the best methods to reach them, and preparing content for dynamic and effective presentations.
For Spring 2010, the scope of IPRO 331 will be expanded to consider two additional interesting dimensions of trends in sustainability, as described below:
UNDERSTANDING SUSTAINABILITY-DRIVEN DECISION MAKING. Is it a response to global warming that more sustainable energy systems in residences are appearing? What drives the decisions to take a chance? What strategies guide homeowners and developers when planning for sustainability? How did they plan for decision making? How do rating systems such as USGBC’s LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standards and Energy Star limit decision-making practices? What changes as projects move from concept to construction? Research of actual local residential cases will determine motivations and identify go/no go decision points from the initial concept through design to the final construction processes. The primary objective will be production of case study narratives emphasizing the human element to be made available to those contemplating undertaking and/or financing such activities.
A two-person sub-team will develop and conduct multimedia interviews with the owners, architects, engineers, contractors, and suppliers of each project and develop/report key challenges and problem indicators. The teams will evaluate greater and lesser successes and compromises and present actions that will help keep visions and targets tractable for outreach and training purposes.
Principals in three specific and quite complementary such projects in Chicago and Oak Park have already expressed interest. The Illinois Solar Energy Association catalog of over 100 buildings listed for the October 3, 2009 Illinois Solar Tour offers potential candidates for additional projects that can flesh out the initial results adding breadth and depth.
IMPACT OF LOCAL LANDSCAPING ON CO2 EMISSIONS. It is pretty much accepted that: “trees are good and cars are bad” so local communities are making planting a part of their energy savings strategy. The Village of Arlington Heights, for example, has included creating “Green Corridors” in its 2009 Energy Efficiency Conservation Strategy. However, using nature’s photosynthetic machinery to reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide is not the same as planting for landscaping purposes only. The planning needs to take into account a) the type of soil required vis-à-vis the existing soil and the consequent conditioning requirements, b) the indigenous flora that would thrive with minimal care, including grass, c) the water levels needed for the vegetation to grow healthy, d) the maintenance requirements, e) the disposal of leaves and other debris from deciduous vegetation, f) the total carbon footprint of planting and maintenance, g) estimation of the percent of carbon dioxide emissions that these plantings could offset and h) the economics of the plan.
For the Spring 2010 semester a two-person sub-team will focus on the first phase of this project which comprises: a) coming up with the metrics, i.e., ways to evaluate the carbon taken up by vegetation (using grass and another plant as prototypes) and b) identifying and interviewing resources, such as researchers at the Morton Arboretum and US forest preserve, that can be used in later phases of the project to obtain the information needed to evaluate choices in the Chicago metropolitan area (5 county region).
334: A New Life - Michael Reese Campus
Semester:
Spring 2010Meeting Days/Time:
Tuesdays/Thursdays 5:00 to 6:15Sponsor:
Faculty:
Steven Beck (ARCH) (sbeck@codallac.net)Appropriate Disciplines:
Architecture, business, architectural engineering, civil engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, law, political science, and public administration.Description:
Be part of the future of the historic 37-acre Michael Reese Campus at 31st Street and King Drive.
Consider how Bauhaus founder Walter Gropius’ buildings can be adaptively reused, and respond to the historical significance of Walter Gropius' vision for the buildings, landscaping and planning for the campus.
Determine if there are viable, inventive uses to be considered for the site, and provide creative proposals for how the campus will be part of Chicago’s future - perhaps satellite residence halls for nearby campuses, including IIT.
Adaptive re-use is likely to be a critical component as we strive to be sustainable. In the case of buildings, energy is not expended in demolition, materials are not taken to land-fills, and existing infrastructure is reused. Adaptive re-use is heightened in the case of historically significant buildings, just as art is being maintained for our future. This approach may require more creativity and innovation to utilize existing conditions, as it is often easier to start from the ground up and control all aspects of a new building. We need creativity and inventiveness for the sake of Walter Gropius and the Michael Reese Campus!
Consider how Bauhaus founder Walter Gropius’ buildings can be adaptively reused, and respond to the historical significance of Walter Gropius' vision for the buildings, landscaping and planning for the campus.
Determine if there are viable, inventive uses to be considered for the site, and provide creative proposals for how the campus will be part of Chicago’s future - perhaps satellite residence halls for nearby campuses, including IIT.
Adaptive re-use is likely to be a critical component as we strive to be sustainable. In the case of buildings, energy is not expended in demolition, materials are not taken to land-fills, and existing infrastructure is reused. Adaptive re-use is heightened in the case of historically significant buildings, just as art is being maintained for our future. This approach may require more creativity and innovation to utilize existing conditions, as it is often easier to start from the ground up and control all aspects of a new building. We need creativity and inventiveness for the sake of Walter Gropius and the Michael Reese Campus!
336: Planning the 21st Century Farm (ARCH BY PERMIT ONLY)
Semester:
Spring 2010Meeting Days/Time:
Tuesdays 6:25-9:05Sponsor:
John Edel, Owner, Midwest Center for Sustainable Manufacturing and The Plant, LLCFaculty:
Blake Davis (INTM) (blake.davis@iit.edu)Appropriate Disciplines:
Architecture, business, design, engineering, aerospace engineering, architectural engineering, biomedical engineering, chemical engineering, civil engineering, computer engineering, electrical engineering, material science/engineering, mechanical engineering, professional development, manufacturing technology, information technology, psychology, science, applied mathematics, biology, chemistry, public administration and science education.Description:
Today, fresh food is grown in areas with climates that are warm year-round, such as California and Florida. Winter fruits and vegetables are often grown even farther away, in Southern Hemisphere countries such as Chile. This produce is then shipped several thousand miles to Chicago, which wastes energy, has environmental consequences (a large carbon footprint), and delivers food that has lost freshness and nutritional value. It also makes the food system for Chicago vulnerable to disruption due to anything from poor weather to trucking strikes.
At least some of our food should be produced closer to home, which can be made possible by vertical farming. Advocates of vertical farming believe that by controlling plant growth factors in urban greenhouses, crops can be produced very efficiently. Improved production techniques such as hydroponics and CO2 enhancement can be utilized in such a controlled-environment facility, where it has been shown that as many as 6-8 crops a year can be produced. This means that an urban farm can produce 4-12 times the amount of food that could be grown in the same space outdoors. Because the farm is already in the city where the food is being eaten, transportation costs are minimized and more environmentally friendly packaging can be used to preserve the freshness of the food.
The team is continuing to research the technical feasibility of, and business opportunities for, an urban farm on the south side of Chicago. The sponsor, John Adel, plans to provide approximately 200,000 square feet of space to the development of this urban farm. He has provided test facilities to allow the team to begin testing various agricultural systems.
At least some of our food should be produced closer to home, which can be made possible by vertical farming. Advocates of vertical farming believe that by controlling plant growth factors in urban greenhouses, crops can be produced very efficiently. Improved production techniques such as hydroponics and CO2 enhancement can be utilized in such a controlled-environment facility, where it has been shown that as many as 6-8 crops a year can be produced. This means that an urban farm can produce 4-12 times the amount of food that could be grown in the same space outdoors. Because the farm is already in the city where the food is being eaten, transportation costs are minimized and more environmentally friendly packaging can be used to preserve the freshness of the food.
The team is continuing to research the technical feasibility of, and business opportunities for, an urban farm on the south side of Chicago. The sponsor, John Adel, plans to provide approximately 200,000 square feet of space to the development of this urban farm. He has provided test facilities to allow the team to begin testing various agricultural systems.
337: Charging Pavilion/ House Battery Back-Up with Chevy Volt
Semester:
Spring 2010Meeting Days/Time:
Tuesday/Thursday 11:25 to 12:40Sponsor:
Faculty:
Nancy Hamill-Governale (ARCH) (hamill@iit.edu)Appropriate Disciplines:
Students of all disciplines are welcome.Description:
The Chevy Volt will be the first electrical commercial vehicle and will be released next year. While a number of people are making solar pavilions for charging vehicles, no systems are currently on the market that tie the vehicle into the building electrical system. This IPRO team is using the vehicle's batteries to backup the building electrical system. This is a refinement of the Mobile Energy Cart system developed for the Zero Energy Lab (also via IPRO 337 in previous semesters). The Mobile Energy Cart system is functioning as designed.
The Chevy Volt is perfectly appropriate for this application because when the vehicle batteries are low, the vehicle automatically starts to charge the system. This ensures that the vehicle batteries will never be discharged and will provide reliable battery back up for the building well beyond the capacity of the batteries.
The Chevy Volt is perfectly appropriate for this application because when the vehicle batteries are low, the vehicle automatically starts to charge the system. This ensures that the vehicle batteries will never be discharged and will provide reliable battery back up for the building well beyond the capacity of the batteries.
338: Improving Electrical Efficiency with Building Information Modeling (BIM)
Semester:
Spring 2010Meeting Days/Time:
Tuesdays/Thursdays 5:00 to 6:15Sponsor:
The Electrical Contractors Association of the City of Chicago, Inc.Faculty:
Dan Tomal, Ph.D. (INTM) (drtomal@aol.com)Appropriate Disciplines:
Students of all disciplines are welcome.Description:
As societies become more environmentally conscious, they are becoming increasingly motivated to encourage and even mandate the use of green technologies and efficiency in the design and construction of private and commercial structures. The team is focusing on the technological challenges associated with this by investigating BIM software and other strategies to improve the efficiency of electrical building construction.
339: Building Graduate Student Housing Using Recycled Shipping Containers (ARCH BY PERMIT ONLY)
Semester:
Spring 2010Meeting Days/Time:
Saturdays 10:00 to 12:40Sponsor:
Faculty:
Michael Glynn (ARCH) (mpgalfa@aol.com)Appropriate Disciplines:
Students of all disciplines are welcome.Description:
IIT has recently expressed the need for graduate student housing, and the university even made a commitment to purchase some of the housing from the Olympic Village if Chicago would have hosted the Olympics in 2016. Although Chicago did not win the Olympic bid, graduate housing is still needed. The team for this project would like to follow up and demonstrate how recycled shipping containers could be utilized on campus as graduate student housing.
In previous semesters, the IPRO 339 team has worked to build a model home on campus. The spring 2010 team is continuing to use the model home to demonstrate how shipping containers can be utilized to produce affordable housing in the city while working to locate a site on which to build student housing and collaborating with IIT staff and management to develop an architectural program for the project. The team is also developing floor and site plans for the project and determining the final cost for constructing these units, which it will present to IIT Administration and other interested members of the IIT community.
Enrollment in this course is by permit only for Architecture majors. If you would like to register, please contact the instructor of the course for permission.
In previous semesters, the IPRO 339 team has worked to build a model home on campus. The spring 2010 team is continuing to use the model home to demonstrate how shipping containers can be utilized to produce affordable housing in the city while working to locate a site on which to build student housing and collaborating with IIT staff and management to develop an architectural program for the project. The team is also developing floor and site plans for the project and determining the final cost for constructing these units, which it will present to IIT Administration and other interested members of the IIT community.
Enrollment in this course is by permit only for Architecture majors. If you would like to register, please contact the instructor of the course for permission.
340: Knowledge Management Research and Design Concepts & Requirements
Semester:
Spring 2010Meeting Days/Time:
TBDSponsor:
Access Community Health Network (ACCESS)Faculty:
TBDAppropriate Disciplines:
Business, Computer Information Systems, Computer Science, Design, Internet Communications, Journalism, Psychology, Technical Communication, Biomedical EngineeringDescription:
This is a potential IPRO project for Spring 2010 that has not yet been listed, since an IPRO instructor is yet to be confirmed. Anyone interested in the mean time can contact Tom Jacobius (jacobius@iit.edu) to be kept informed about whether this will be listed.
ACCESS Community Health Network is interested in finding better ways to manage its organizational knowledge. Recognizing that knowledge management can vary across organizations, our goal is to understand how other organizations are using knowledge management systems and determine how a knowledge management system could be used at ACCESS. This project will be funded for two terms.
The focus of the first term is to conduct research on knowledge management and knowledge management systems. The research should address the following, at a minimal: • What is a Knowledge Management System (KMS)?• What are the knowledge management system needs of ACCESS Leadership Forum members, including the Marketing/Communications director?• What are other organizations (healthcare, non-healthcare and former Malcolm Baldrige winners) doing in terms of knowledge management and knowledge management systems?
The focus of the second term is to develop design concepts and requirements for the ideal knowledge management system at ACCESS.
ACCESS Community Health Network is interested in finding better ways to manage its organizational knowledge. Recognizing that knowledge management can vary across organizations, our goal is to understand how other organizations are using knowledge management systems and determine how a knowledge management system could be used at ACCESS. This project will be funded for two terms.
The focus of the first term is to conduct research on knowledge management and knowledge management systems. The research should address the following, at a minimal: • What is a Knowledge Management System (KMS)?• What are the knowledge management system needs of ACCESS Leadership Forum members, including the Marketing/Communications director?• What are other organizations (healthcare, non-healthcare and former Malcolm Baldrige winners) doing in terms of knowledge management and knowledge management systems?
The focus of the second term is to develop design concepts and requirements for the ideal knowledge management system at ACCESS.
341: Design and Global Market Analysis of a Tool Cabinet
Semester:
Spring 2010Meeting Days/Time:
Mondays/Wednesdays 3:15 to 4:30Sponsor:
Versatility Tool WorksFaculty:
Will Maurer (INTM) (maurer@iit.edu) and Sheldon Mostovoy (MMAE) (mostovoy@iit.edu)Appropriate Disciplines:
Business, aerospace engineering, architectural engineering, computer engineering, electrical engineering, material science/engineering, mechanical engineering, professional development, manufacturing technology, information technology, computer science, computer information systems, and internet communication.Description:
Versatility Tool Works, located in Alsip, Illinois, custom makes heavy duty industrial tool cabinets for equipment manufacturers. At the present, their cabinet is not durable enough to support the required 550 pounds per drawer for the length of time customers want (10,000 cycles). Versatlity's management sees an opportunity to not only to re-evaluate the present design but to also consider introducing possible new features not seen in competitor's cabinets.
The team is continuing the work of the previous semesters. Its goals are twofold: (1) evaluate, design and test alternative drawer designs to achieve the 10,000 cycle and weight requirements; and (2) propose and develop product features that would attract both existing and new customers for the new and improved tool cabinet.
The team is continuing the work of the previous semesters. Its goals are twofold: (1) evaluate, design and test alternative drawer designs to achieve the 10,000 cycle and weight requirements; and (2) propose and develop product features that would attract both existing and new customers for the new and improved tool cabinet.
342: Power Plant Waste Heat Utilization for Greenhouse Applications
Semester:
Spring 2010Meeting Days/Time:
Tuesdays 6:25 to 9:05Sponsor:
Exelon has expressed interest in the project. We are currently working with Exelon Nuclear, their power generation division, to identify sites where land and heat are available. They may wish to sponsor the project. However, they have not yet agreed to be the sponsor for this IPRO.Faculty:
Blake Davis (INTM) (blake.davis@iit.edu)Appropriate Disciplines:
Architecture, business, engineering, chemical engineering, civil engineering, and material science/engineering.Description:
Electric Power Plants convert only about a third of the heat in their turbines into electrical energy. The rest of the heat is released into the environment as low-temperature water, usually below 120 degrees. This water is then cooled by various means and returned to the boiler to be reheated again. At a typical nuclear power plant, this can amount to as much as 6-7 billion BTU/hour worth of heat. This heat contributes to global warming and wastes a potentially valuable resource.
The problem has been how to utilize this low-temperature heat effectively. In the past it has been used to heat buildings and agricultural facilities, including greenhouses, but the economics of this has been marginal due to the low cost of competing fuels such as natural gas. However in recent years, many greenhouses have gone out of business due to the increasing costs for heating.The IPRO team is working with the electric utilities in the Chicago area to utilize the waste heat they produce in low-cost greenhouses to grow food for the local market. Many of the plants are on large sites which lend themselves well for this purpose.
Major tasks of the team include:
The problem has been how to utilize this low-temperature heat effectively. In the past it has been used to heat buildings and agricultural facilities, including greenhouses, but the economics of this has been marginal due to the low cost of competing fuels such as natural gas. However in recent years, many greenhouses have gone out of business due to the increasing costs for heating.The IPRO team is working with the electric utilities in the Chicago area to utilize the waste heat they produce in low-cost greenhouses to grow food for the local market. Many of the plants are on large sites which lend themselves well for this purpose.
Major tasks of the team include:
- Identify power generating facilities that have suitable sources of heat and sufficient land around them to set up a profitable greenhouse operation,
- Evaluate where in the generating process to remove the waste heat, and determine what impacts this might have on plant operation,
- Research potential ways to utilize the low-temperature water in agricultural operations,
- Select appropriate low-cost greenhouse structures.
- Determine the types of profitable crops to grow, and the market outlets for the volumes of produce that a facility like this will produce, and
- Determine the capitalization and operational requirements for the facility.
345: Improving Food Packaging Processes Using Process Mapping Techniques
Semester:
Spring 2010Meeting Days/Time:
Tuesday/Thursday 3:15 to 4:30Sponsor:
Land O' Frost, Lansing, ILFaculty:
Phil Lewis (INTM) (lewisp262@aol.comAppropriate Disciplines:
Business, Architectural Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Material Science / Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Technology, Psychology, Applied Mathematics, Biology,Chemistry, Computer Science, Internet Communication, and Physics.Description:
Land O' Frost is a third generation, privately held food processing company providing sliced lunch meat products to the North American marketplace. The company produces its own line of proprietary products and also produces a growing number of private label specialty products.
Their production process is divided into two functions: formulation and packaging. Formulation is the activities of ordering raw materials, blending the recipe of each meat product, curing and baking. After baking, the product is delivered to the packaging department, where the products are sliced and packaged.
Packaging, like formulation, is a complex process with many variables. The Sponsor desires to better understand the interdependent relationships of these variables and their impact on throughput, productivity and quality. The Fall 2009 IPRO team studied the company's formulation process and reported results to the company.
The Spring 2010 team is studying, in a similar fashion, the company's packaging function. The study will identifying all inputs, map the production process, observe activities and work to identify improvements.
Their production process is divided into two functions: formulation and packaging. Formulation is the activities of ordering raw materials, blending the recipe of each meat product, curing and baking. After baking, the product is delivered to the packaging department, where the products are sliced and packaged.
Packaging, like formulation, is a complex process with many variables. The Sponsor desires to better understand the interdependent relationships of these variables and their impact on throughput, productivity and quality. The Fall 2009 IPRO team studied the company's formulation process and reported results to the company.
The Spring 2010 team is studying, in a similar fashion, the company's packaging function. The study will identifying all inputs, map the production process, observe activities and work to identify improvements.
346: Water Conservation Strategy Development for the Village of Oak Park
Semester:
Spring 2010Meeting Days/Time:
TBDSponsor:
Village of Oak ParkFaculty:
Nancy Hamill Governale (ARCH) (hamill@iit.edu)Appropriate Disciplines:
A variety of disciplines are welcome.Description:
Information to be added soon.
347: Production of Biodiesel from Renewable Resources
Semester:
Spring 2010Meeting Days/Time:
Tuesday/Thursday 3:15 to 4:30Sponsor:
TBD (Potential sponsors include Testa Produce, Universal Oil Products (UOP) and Archer Daniels Midland (ADM))Faculty:
Satish Parulekar (ChBE) (parulekar@iit.edu)Appropriate Disciplines:
business, design, engineering, biomedical engineering, chemical engineering, engineering management, material science/engineering, science, biology, chemistry, molecular biochemistry/biophysicsDescription:
Renewable energy has attracted considerable attention in the last few years because of increased concerns about global climate change and energy security, which indicate the need for alternative energy choices in addition to fossil fuels. Two renewable energy sources are bioethanol and biodiesel, which can be synthesized by plants and algae. Both types of living species also synthesize triglycerides. Triglycerides are present in plants as plant oils, such as corn, palm, rapseed, and soybean oils (vegetable oils). Plants and algae therefore allow for carbon dioxide fixation (reduction in greenhouse gases) to generate biofuels as byproducts of cellular metabolism. Outstanding benefits of these biofuels are the lack of polluting hetero-atoms like sulfur and nitrogen and high octane numbers (biodiesel). Triglycerides produced by plants and algae can be made suitable for use as alternative fuel by subjecting them to transesterification.
IPRO team members will be introduced to chemistry and biochemistry of metabolism of carbon sources, such as carbon dioxide and sugars, to generate ethanol and triglycerides. The focus of this IPRO project will be on transesterification of triglycerides to produce different types of esters, which together constitute biodiesel. Transesterification of vegetable oils, available individually or as mixtures, using homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts [synthetic and biological (enzymes)] will be studied. To a certain extent, this IPRO project will expose the students to key process design and process economics challenges that professional engineers have to confront in chemical and biotechnology industries and provide training in approaches adopted in these industries. Constraints imposed by reaction mechanisms, reaction stoichiometry, and thermodynamics in conversion of carbon sources, such as carbon dioxide, to biofuels will have to be fully appreciated and incorporated to predict yield of biofuels and these will have significant bearing on process design and economics. Separation processes will play an important role prior to and after transesterification. Design will be attempted at different scales, providing the students with some insight into process scale-up and difficulties involved therein.
IPRO team members will be introduced to chemistry and biochemistry of metabolism of carbon sources, such as carbon dioxide and sugars, to generate ethanol and triglycerides. The focus of this IPRO project will be on transesterification of triglycerides to produce different types of esters, which together constitute biodiesel. Transesterification of vegetable oils, available individually or as mixtures, using homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts [synthetic and biological (enzymes)] will be studied. To a certain extent, this IPRO project will expose the students to key process design and process economics challenges that professional engineers have to confront in chemical and biotechnology industries and provide training in approaches adopted in these industries. Constraints imposed by reaction mechanisms, reaction stoichiometry, and thermodynamics in conversion of carbon sources, such as carbon dioxide, to biofuels will have to be fully appreciated and incorporated to predict yield of biofuels and these will have significant bearing on process design and economics. Separation processes will play an important role prior to and after transesterification. Design will be attempted at different scales, providing the students with some insight into process scale-up and difficulties involved therein.
348: Silver Nanorods as Indicators of Thermal History: Tailoring Sensitivity
Semester:
Spring 2010Meeting Days/Time:
Tuesdays/Thursdays 3:15 to 4:30Sponsor:
NoneFaculty:
Victor H. Perez-Luna (ChBE) (perezluna@iit.edu)Appropriate Disciplines:
business, design, engineering, biomedical engineering, chemical engineering, material science/engineering, manufacturing technology, science, biology, chemistry, molecular biochemistry/biophysics, physics, professional/technical communication, science educationDescription:
This projects involves the use of silver nanoparticles as indicators of thermal history. This IPRO is a continuation of IPRO 497-317 (Spring 2009), where students developed batch synthesis of these nanomaterials, demonstrated proof-of-concept of their use as thermal history indicators, made a comparison of competing technologies, and made preliminary estimates of the size of potential markets of this technology. Following on the accomplishments from last year, this IPRO will focus on tailoring the composition of these systems according to the desired sensitivity (response time from minutes to days or weeks). Further investigations on market size for specific applications of this technology will be another activity where students will work with the goal of exploring potential commercial applications of this technology. The potential ethical implications will be addressed through comparison with other nanomaterials already in the market and with the historical use of colloidal silver as a disinfectant.
349: Fuel cells for Unmanned Air and Undersea Vehicles
Semester:
Spring 2010Meeting Days/Time:
Tuesdays/Thursdays 3:15 to 4:30Sponsor:
NoneFaculty:
Vijay Ramani (ChBE) (ramani@iit.edu), NoneAppropriate Disciplines:
aerospace engineering, chemical engineering, electrical engineering, material science/engineering, mechanical engineeringDescription:
There is significant interest in using noise-free propulsion systems with low thermal signatures for unmanned air and undersea propulsion applications. Fuel cells lend themselves to these applications; however, there are several cost, durability and performance criteria that need to be met prior to successful implementation. This IPRO team will work to design fuel cell based propulsion systems for unmanned air and undersea propulsion applications.
350: Smart Specs: Reducing Friendly-Fire Casualties in Combat Zones (PERMIT ONLY) (An entrepreneurial IPRO project)
Semester:
Spring 2010Meeting Days/Time:
Tuesdays/Thursdays 5:00 to 6:15Sponsor:
Kern Family FoundationFaculty:
Jim Braband (SSB) (braband@iit.e du), Faculty Advisor; Dr. Alan Glodowski (BCPS) (glodowski@iit.edu) Technical Adviser,Appropriate Disciplines:
Computer Science, Electrical/Computer Engineering, Mechanical/Aerospace Engineering, Business (Marketing and/or Finance), and Psychology.Description:
Recognizing friendly forces in combat scenarios is a serious military need. The current technology that exists for communication, tracking and GPS purposes (hand-held GPS units, compasses, range-finders, maps and radios) does not provide a hands-free platform and can divert a soldier’s attention from the immediate battle scene (ranging from scenario Paintball to actual battlefield).
The purpose of this IPRO is to develop a headgear device, called Smart Specs, that gives the user hands-free capabilities. Real-time location information is displayed in a user’s regular field of view, allowing him/her to be fully aware of the positions of friendly troops (by means of real time tagging) while maintaining focus on immediate surroundings. The integrated wireless technology provides the information to multiple users and thus eliminates the need for other means of communication. In addition to military applications, it could be helpful to SWAT teams and other paramilitary units. The EnPro is currently targeting Paintball as its initial market for the technology but the platform technology can further be developed for applications in Military as well as Search and Rescue.
Registration for this project is by permit only. Students interested in joining the team should send an email to smart.specs.iit@gmail.com.
The purpose of this IPRO is to develop a headgear device, called Smart Specs, that gives the user hands-free capabilities. Real-time location information is displayed in a user’s regular field of view, allowing him/her to be fully aware of the positions of friendly troops (by means of real time tagging) while maintaining focus on immediate surroundings. The integrated wireless technology provides the information to multiple users and thus eliminates the need for other means of communication. In addition to military applications, it could be helpful to SWAT teams and other paramilitary units. The EnPro is currently targeting Paintball as its initial market for the technology but the platform technology can further be developed for applications in Military as well as Search and Rescue.
Registration for this project is by permit only. Students interested in joining the team should send an email to smart.specs.iit@gmail.com.
351: Alcometre: Innovating Solutions to Prevent Driving Drunk (BY PERMIT ONLY) (An entrepreneurial IPRO project)
Semester:
Spring 2010Meeting Days/Time:
Mondays/Wednesdays 3:15 to 4:30Sponsor:
Kern Family FoundationFaculty:
James Braband (SSB) (braband@iit.edu)Appropriate Disciplines:
Business, design, biomedical engineering, chemical engineering, electrical engineering, material science/engineering, psychology, and biology.Description:
The statistics are chilling: in 2007 over 1.4 million drivers were arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotics, a small percentage of the 159 million self-reported episodes of alcohol-impaired driving among U.S. adults each year. Alcohol-impaired drivers are responsible for 15,000 traffic deaths each year, roughly one-third of all traffic-related deaths in the United States. Drivers with prior DUI convictions are 8 times more likely to be involved in traffic fatalities.
The only surefire solution to this problem is a device that takes the decision to drive the vehicle out of the hands of an alcohol-impaired driver. This team will look at new technology that could be integrated into vehicles that prevents the vehicle from starting if the device measures the driver as "legally drunk." The proposed device uses light waves directed at body tissue in the hand to measure the level of alcohol molecules.
Basic research has been reported, but there is no evidence of any significant effort to incorporate this technology in a commercial device for this application. The team is investigating a hybrid device which will not only determine the blood alcohol level, but will simultaneously identify the person being measured using fingerprint identification technology to make it more difficult to cheat the system. The new technology is considerably less invasive and more discrete than the traditional breathalyzer technology which is currently used by all law enforcement agencies.
The only surefire solution to this problem is a device that takes the decision to drive the vehicle out of the hands of an alcohol-impaired driver. This team will look at new technology that could be integrated into vehicles that prevents the vehicle from starting if the device measures the driver as "legally drunk." The proposed device uses light waves directed at body tissue in the hand to measure the level of alcohol molecules.
Basic research has been reported, but there is no evidence of any significant effort to incorporate this technology in a commercial device for this application. The team is investigating a hybrid device which will not only determine the blood alcohol level, but will simultaneously identify the person being measured using fingerprint identification technology to make it more difficult to cheat the system. The new technology is considerably less invasive and more discrete than the traditional breathalyzer technology which is currently used by all law enforcement agencies.
352: Cat Tractor: Battery-Powered Transport for Beach-Launched Boats (An entrepreneurial IPRO project)
Semester:
Spring 2010Meeting Days/Time:
Tuesday/Thursday 3:15 to 4:30 (Tentative)Sponsor:
Wilmette Park DistrictFaculty:
Jim Braband (SSB) (braband@iit.edu)Appropriate Disciplines:
Students of all disciplines are welcome. This project will be of particular interest to business, electrical engineering, and mechanical engineering.Description:
While recreational boating is usually associated with bass boats, runabouts, power yachts or large sailboats, all of which are either stored in the water or slipped into the water directly from a boat trailer, the vast majority of recreational boats are stored away from the water’s edge and are hauled to the water and later returned to their storage location each time they are used. Included in this category are kayaks, canoes, rowboats, small sailboats and catamarans.
The terrain over which these boats must be transported varies from a concrete road to a gravel or dirt path to a soft sand beach. Simple wheeled dollies are available for kayaks and canoes and allow a single person to haul the relatively light object across any of the above terrain, but the same is not true for sailboats or other objects weighing in excess of 150 pounds, owing either to the shear weight and size of the vessel or the terrain it must navigate. While there are beach dollies sold for this purpose, they have serious shortcomings, requiring the individual(s) to expend a lot of energy with considerable lifting and resultant back strain.
The purpose of this IPRO is to provide a battery-powered transporter to dramatically reduce the physical labor associated with the current method of transport. The initial target will be a catamaran application where the typical weight is about 400 pounds. The team will determine whether the device should be “full power” or function in a “power-assist” manner and whether the apparatus will be built as a stand-alone transporter or be coupled in some fashion with the very basic beach wheels that many catamaran sailors already own. The goal for the end of the semester is a fully-functioning prototype and a final set of design drawings.
353: Fab Lab: Creating an Idea-to-Prototype User Community at MSI (ARCH BY PERMIT ONLY) (An entrepreneurial IPRO project)
Semester:
Spring 2010Meeting Days/Time:
Tuesdays/Thursdays 11:25 to 12:40Sponsor:
Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago, ILFaculty:
James Braband (SSB) (braband@iit.edu) and Blake Davis (INTM) (blake.davis@iit.edu)Appropriate Disciplines:
Students of all disciplines are welcome. This project may be of particular interest to architecture, business, design, engineering, psychology, and science.Description:
The primary objective of IPRO 333 is to partner the knowledge and ideas of young engineers, architects, and scientists at IIT with the resources of the Museum of Science and Industry (MSI) in Chicago. This partnership endeavors to help the museum's Fabrication Laboratory (Fab Lab) maximize its potential as a resource for museum guests, young and old, as well as for IIT students, staff, and faculty. Because other Fab Labs around the world have focused on solving critical issues within their local communities, IPRO 333 will concentrate on the education of two groups within greater Chicago: visiting school children ages eight and up, and adults who would like to fabricate something.
The education of children in science is one of the central goals of the Museum. Very young children probably cannot effectively utilize the facilities. However, middle school aged children in other places have shown that they can benefit from the use of Fab Labs. To allow them to do effective work in the lab, IPRO 333 will be completing the design of various educational projects that can be done in the Fab Lab by primary and secondary school students. These projects have been prepared to meet the science education goals of children in several specific age ranges. They have also been selected to be able to be done in the limited time that may be available to teachers and students.
Adult users are being identified through the groups that they are part of such as electronics hobbyists or alternative energy researchers. The groups to which they belong are being invited to the Fab Lab for orientation visits. Discussions with Museum Staff will develop a workable access policy for these adult “volunteers”.
354: Small-Scale Desalination for Global Water Solutions (An entrepreneurial IPRO project)
Semester:
Spring 2010Meeting Days/Time:
Tuesdays/Thursdays 3:15 to 4:30Sponsor:
Kern Family FoundationFaculty:
David Mogul (BME) (mogul@iit.edu)Appropriate Disciplines:
Architecture, business, engineering, biomedical engineering, chemical engineering, electrical engineering, material science/engineering, mechanical engineering, manufacturing technology, and science.Description:
Fresh water is a critical resource to sustain human civilization. It is needed for daily ingestion by people, but is also critical for agriculture, raising of livestock, industrial processes and other necessary functions. In many locales in the world, fresh water is an extremely scarce resource that limits growth and threatens human sustainability. This is especially true in underdeveloped countries where the funds to generate or transport fresh water are insufficient. Furthermore, global warming threatens to exacerbate this situation, especially along equatorial regions.
This IPRO is looking at finding efficient solutions to the problem of providing a source for fresh water using sea water as its primary source. Issues of energy demands, conversion technologies, financial feasibility, and user knowledge demands would be investigated. The focus of the project is on the use of electrodialysis (ED) as the means for desalination. Most large-scale desalination plants use membrane-based reverse osmosis (RO) which requires expensive materials that need frequent replacement. ED is better-suited to small-scale processing of brackish and salinated water in third world environments because maintenance is much less than RO and the primary external demand is for models levels of electrical power for operation. The use of renewable energy as power sources for this type of facility will be explored.
355: The Acara Challenge: Affordable & Sustainable Water & Energy Solutions for India (An entrepreneurial IPRO project)
Semester:
Spring 2010Meeting Days/Time:
TBDSponsor:
Acara Institute in collaboration with professionals and students in IndiaFaculty:
Atul Wad (ID)Appropriate Disciplines:
Biology, Biomedical Engineering, Business, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Civil Engineering, Design, Electrical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Manufacturing Technology, Materials Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Molecular Biochemistry & Biophysics, Physics, Political Science, PsychologyDescription:
This is an IPRO project for Spring 2010 that has not yet been listed with the Registrar. An IPRO instructor has now been secured and the day/time will be determined early in the week of November 16. Anyone interested in the mean time can contact Tom Jacobius (jacobius@iit.edu) to express interest in joining this team.
This IPRO team will participate in the Acara Challenge (see http://acarainstitute.org). This is a competition that includes student teams from Arizona State University, University of Minnesota, Yale, Cornell, Duke, University of Hartford and University of Illinois at Chicago. A team from Mexico City will also be competing, i.e., Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo De México. The US and Mexico teams are matched to student teams at various universities in India: IIT-Bombay, IIT-Delhi, IIT-Roorkee, Vellore Institute of Technology and KIIT University.
Thus, this project will offer an opportunity to work in a global virtual way, collaborating with students in another country who will help to be the "eyes and ears on the ground" for informing the US teams about local conditions that can lead to thinking about innovative sustainable business models that can make a difference in providing quality water and reliable, affordable energy.
The IPRO team will consider how to organize in several sub-teams to address the following challenges: (1) develop an affordable and sustainable mechanism for reuse and/or recycling of water in an economically disadvantaged area in your community, OR (2) Develop an affordable and sustainable mechanism for energy generation for a rural or remote area.
The teams are expected to use design thinking, combined with actual input from field research, in solving the challenge. Teams must develop a product or service, and corresponding sustainable business model for delivery of the product or service. A sustainable business model means that the company or organization delivering the product or service can do so by generating revenue. The business model could be either for a for-profit organization or a non-profit organization, but in either case the same sustainability criteria would be used. Financial profit will not be the only measure of return. For example, in creating clean water in the slums, public health should improve. That is a measurable outcome, and can be used as part of the “return”.
The final deliverable for the competition is a business plan and a 45 -90 minute presentation, including Q&A, that will be made before a panel of judges. The presentation may contain video and any prototypes or artifacts that the team deems appropriate to explain their results.
The overall presentation should answer the following questions: What is the specific problem that your business addresses? What is the goal of your business solution? What metrics will you be using to demonstrate that you’ve achieved your goal? What other concepts or goals did you consider? Does your solution work, technically? Would your customers use your solution if it were available to them? Is the market real? In other words, would sufficient numbers of customers see value in it? Is the market large enough to be worth it? Is your product or service good enough to win that market and be sustainable? What is the business model?
The winning team may have the opportunity to travel to India to advance their project and may be invited to participate in a two-month paid summer internship at the University of Minnesota to further develop their idea.
This IPRO team will participate in the Acara Challenge (see http://acarainstitute.org). This is a competition that includes student teams from Arizona State University, University of Minnesota, Yale, Cornell, Duke, University of Hartford and University of Illinois at Chicago. A team from Mexico City will also be competing, i.e., Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo De México. The US and Mexico teams are matched to student teams at various universities in India: IIT-Bombay, IIT-Delhi, IIT-Roorkee, Vellore Institute of Technology and KIIT University.
Thus, this project will offer an opportunity to work in a global virtual way, collaborating with students in another country who will help to be the "eyes and ears on the ground" for informing the US teams about local conditions that can lead to thinking about innovative sustainable business models that can make a difference in providing quality water and reliable, affordable energy.
The IPRO team will consider how to organize in several sub-teams to address the following challenges: (1) develop an affordable and sustainable mechanism for reuse and/or recycling of water in an economically disadvantaged area in your community, OR (2) Develop an affordable and sustainable mechanism for energy generation for a rural or remote area.
The teams are expected to use design thinking, combined with actual input from field research, in solving the challenge. Teams must develop a product or service, and corresponding sustainable business model for delivery of the product or service. A sustainable business model means that the company or organization delivering the product or service can do so by generating revenue. The business model could be either for a for-profit organization or a non-profit organization, but in either case the same sustainability criteria would be used. Financial profit will not be the only measure of return. For example, in creating clean water in the slums, public health should improve. That is a measurable outcome, and can be used as part of the “return”.
The final deliverable for the competition is a business plan and a 45 -90 minute presentation, including Q&A, that will be made before a panel of judges. The presentation may contain video and any prototypes or artifacts that the team deems appropriate to explain their results.
The overall presentation should answer the following questions: What is the specific problem that your business addresses? What is the goal of your business solution? What metrics will you be using to demonstrate that you’ve achieved your goal? What other concepts or goals did you consider? Does your solution work, technically? Would your customers use your solution if it were available to them? Is the market real? In other words, would sufficient numbers of customers see value in it? Is the market large enough to be worth it? Is your product or service good enough to win that market and be sustainable? What is the business model?
The winning team may have the opportunity to travel to India to advance their project and may be invited to participate in a two-month paid summer internship at the University of Minnesota to further develop their idea.
356: Design of Large-Scale Structural Systems for the 21st Century (CE & ARCHITECTURAL ENG BY PERMIT ONLY) (An entrepreneurial IPRO project)
Semester:
Spring 2010Meeting Days/Time:
Tuesdays/Thursdays 5:00 to 6:15Sponsor:
American Society of Civil Engineers, American Institute of Steel Construction, and local steel fabricatorsFaculty:
Jay Shen (CAEE) (shen@iit.edu), Jorge Cobo (CAEE) (cobojor@iit.edu)Appropriate Disciplines:
Architecture, engineering, architectural engineering, civil engineering, electrical engineering, material science/engineering, mechanical engineering, and mathematics education.Description:
This integrated design course involves a complete design of a major civil engineering project, considering several civil engineering aspects. Typical projects may include design of pedestrian bridges, residential buildings, hotel buildings, airports, transportation facilities, train or bus terminal stations, and other structures. As a minimum, the project requires: (1) selection of the type of structure to be used (steel or concrete); (2) structural analysis and design including proportioning typical girders, columns and foundations and a check of pertinent serviceability requirements (deflection, cracking, and floor and/or roof vibration); (3) study of parking around the structure (if the project involves a building); (4) design of the traffic flow capacity and transportation issues; (5) pedestrian accessibility following the requirements set forth in the Americans with Disabilities Act; (6) preparation of construction scheduling and detail drawings; and (7) an estimate of the project cost.
This IPRO project satisfies the civil and architectural engineering capstone requirement, as well as offer an interesting experience for students from a variety of disciplines who work in an integrated fashion. Students from a variety of disciplines such as architecture, engineering (civil, electrical, materials, mechanical), political science and business will be able to make contributions to this project. In addition to design, the elements of management, leadership, teamwork and ethics responsibilities are covered. Expertise in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning from mechanical engineering; and electrical engineering as related to systems used in buildings will be helpful. Architectural design and expertise in health issues related to sick buildings syndrome, may also be helpful.
This IPRO project satisfies the civil and architectural engineering capstone requirement, as well as offer an interesting experience for students from a variety of disciplines who work in an integrated fashion. Students from a variety of disciplines such as architecture, engineering (civil, electrical, materials, mechanical), political science and business will be able to make contributions to this project. In addition to design, the elements of management, leadership, teamwork and ethics responsibilities are covered. Expertise in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning from mechanical engineering; and electrical engineering as related to systems used in buildings will be helpful. Architectural design and expertise in health issues related to sick buildings syndrome, may also be helpful.
357: Green Building Design Concept & Integration (CE & ARCHITECTURAL ENG BY PERMIT ONLY) (An entrepreneurial IPRO project)
Semester:
Spring 2010Meeting Days/Time:
Tuesday/Thursday 1:50 to 3:05Sponsor:
Faculty:
Jeff Budiman (CAEE) (budiman@iit.edu) and Jay Shen (CAEE) (shen@iit.edu)Appropriate Disciplines:
Architecture, business, architectural engineering, civil engineering, computer engineering, electrical engineering, engineering management, material science/engineering, mechanical engineering, information technology, political science and public administration.Description:
This integrated design course involves the complete design of a building considering all architectural engineering aspects. As a minimum, the project requires:
The scope of this IPRO project spans structural, architectural, foundation, HVAC, lighting and electric system designs, as well as building cost estimating and professional ethics. The IPRO team will become informed about and apply principles associated with “green design concepts,” energy sustainability, post occupancy comfort, acoustic design issues, smart building concepts, health issues (abatement of mold- and allergy-causing agents), and safety considerations.
This IPRO project satisfies the civil and architectural engineering capstone requirement, as well as offer an interesting experience for students from a variety of disciplines who work in an integrated fashion. Students from a variety of disciplines such as architecture, engineering (civil, electrical, materials, mechanical), political science and business will be able to make contributions to this project. In addition to design, the elements of management, leadership, teamwork and ethics responsibilities are covered. Expertise in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning from mechanical engineering; and electrical engineering as related to systems used in buildings will be helpful. Architectural design and expertise in health issues related to sick buildings syndrome, may also be helpful.
- selection of the type of structure to be used (steel or concrete);
- structural analysis and design including proportioning typical girders, columns and foundations and a check of pertinent serviceability requirements (deflection, cracking, and floor and/or roof vibration);
- building comfort requirements including the design of a heating, ventilation and air conditioning system depending on the building occupancy and usage;
- design of the electrical system;
- design of the lighting system
- design for acoustics system
- preparation of detail drawings;
- green building concepts; and
- an estimate of the building cost
The scope of this IPRO project spans structural, architectural, foundation, HVAC, lighting and electric system designs, as well as building cost estimating and professional ethics. The IPRO team will become informed about and apply principles associated with “green design concepts,” energy sustainability, post occupancy comfort, acoustic design issues, smart building concepts, health issues (abatement of mold- and allergy-causing agents), and safety considerations.
This IPRO project satisfies the civil and architectural engineering capstone requirement, as well as offer an interesting experience for students from a variety of disciplines who work in an integrated fashion. Students from a variety of disciplines such as architecture, engineering (civil, electrical, materials, mechanical), political science and business will be able to make contributions to this project. In addition to design, the elements of management, leadership, teamwork and ethics responsibilities are covered. Expertise in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning from mechanical engineering; and electrical engineering as related to systems used in buildings will be helpful. Architectural design and expertise in health issues related to sick buildings syndrome, may also be helpful.
358: Product Development & Business Planning for a Fishing Innovation (An entrepreneurial IPRO project)
Semester:
Spring 2010Meeting Days/Time:
Tuesdays/Thursdays 3:15 to 4:30Sponsor:
Sparrowhawk (Taylor Augy Park, CEO)Faculty:
David Gatchell (BME) (dgatchel@iit.edu) and John Stoner (SSB) (stoner@iit.edu)Appropriate Disciplines:
Architecture, business, design, aerospace engineering, architectural engineering, biomedical engineering, material science/engineering, mechanical engineering, law, manufacturing technology, psychology, applied mathematics, biology, and physics.Description:
Recreational fishing generates $125 billion of economic output and provides over one million American jobs. Within this market, fish hooks and lures comprise a sizable percentage of revenues. Though many different fishing hooks are commercially available, almost all retain the same basic shape and structure and suffer from the same limitations: 1) dangerous to angler and fish; 2) snag weeds, roots, logs and other underwater objects; and 3) fail to reliably fasten fish.
Sparrowhawk has patented a revolutionary design for a fish hook that addresses each of the above issues. By introducing flexibility to the traditional treble hook design and shaping each hook to obviate the need for barbs, the Delta Hook Technology (DHT) is safe to cast, safer for fish, fastens fish more securely, and is nearly weedless.
IPRO 358 is responsible for helping Sparrowhawk bring the DHT to market. Two groups of angel investors have expressed an interest in this project but need to see results from additional testing and prototyping, which will be carried out by the team in spring 2010. This testing will include fishing with various versions of the DHT and benchmarking the performance of the DHT against commercial J-hooks, treble hooks and lures. A test bench has been created during the fall of 2009, and it will be used to assess the structural integrity of all iterations of the DHT.
In addition, sketches of the DHT have been sent to a manufacturer in China and discussions for mass producing the DHT have begun. From the business perspective, the finances of Sparrowhawk need to be reworked and a marketing plan needs to be developed.
Future Projects News
- Please know that you may need a permit to register for an IPRO course. Enrollment is controlled to make sure that the project teams are sufficiently multidisciplinary. If you have any problems with online registration, please contact Tom Jacobius (jacobius@iit.edu) to request a permit.
- Most projects for the Spring 2010 semester have been listed as of mid-November, but a couple more could be added by early December. More will be added as information for them is finalized.
- For help in selecting a project that fits your major and/or interests, please contact the IPRO Office: Jennifer Keplinger (keplinger@iit.edu) or Tom Jacobius (jacobius@iit.edu)
- Visit this page to see if there are any new, updated or canceled IPRO projects between now and the beginning of the next semester.
- Visit this page to learn about any special alerts for IPRO projects that need students from specific disciplines.
IPRO Course FAQ
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Student Testimonials
IPRO was an amazing experience that allowed me to go out and change people’s lives through the work of our team. I went down to Peru, and I actually built a rocket stove and showed villagers how to build it themselves.
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Questions?
For questions regarding IPRO courses, please email Tom Jacobius at jacobius@iit.edu.