Waterloo engineering students exhibit innovative projects

Media and the public are invited to check out what could be the next great Canadian company.

Senior-year students in the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Waterloo will showcase projects ranging from a hockey bag that dries itself, a diabetic foot monitor to a low-cost prosthetic hand, as part of the annual Capstone Design symposia, which starts Friday.

Capstone Design is a degree requirement for undergraduate engineering students at Waterloo. During the symposia, students in 11 programs will present more than 150 projects they have spent months designing and building. Held during National Engineering Month, it takes place over five days.

“Capstone Design, the culmination of the Waterloo Engineering undergraduate education, challenges students to push their ideas and apply the knowledge and skills learned in the classroom and on co-op work terms,” said Pearl Sullivan, dean of engineering. “The symposia provide a tremendous opportunity to see first-hand the creative technologies and work of our remarkably talented engineering students as they near graduation.”

On April 2, 15 qualifying teams will compete for $60,000 in a pitch presentation funded by the Esch Foundation. The winner of the Sedra People's Choice Award will receive an additional $3,000 in funding. Media are invited to cover the Esch awards.

Other project highlights this year include:

· UV-responsive marker that indicates when to reapply sunscreen

· Combination wheelchair and bed that reduces the need for caregiver assistance

· Technology design to remove arsenic from drinking water in developing countries

· Handheld device that determines your vitamin levels in minutes

· Device that uses virtual reality technology for 3-D home tours

· Personalized trip planner

· Safe, easy-to-use consumer soldering iron

· Automated green-roof system

· Automated tree climber and fungicide sprayer

· Intelligent brewing machine for making beer at home

Symposia dates and times: