Mechanical engineering students’ innovations help people living with ALS

Mechanical engineering students’ innovations help people living with ALS

June 28, 2010

The World Health Organization predicts that neurodegenerative diseases like ALS will surpass cancer as the leading cause of death in Canada by 2040, but a number of mechanical engineering students at UBC aren’t waiting to help patients suffering from ALS. For the last three years, mechanical engineering undergraduates at UBC, with the support of the ALS society of BC, have been using their capstone design projects to help people with ALS.

Commonly known in North America as Lou Gehrig’s disease, ALS affects the motor neurons controlling voluntary muscles, leading to paralysis and muscle atrophy. However, ALS does not usually affect mental awareness, sensory perception or the control of eye movement. New technology has been developed to track the movement of the eye, and UBC Mechanical Engineering students have adapted this technology to improve neck braces, working to improve quality of life for members of their community.

“As ALS progresses and affects the muscles in the arms and hands, patients who had been able to use communication devices operated by switches are left with a challenge to communicate,” says Wendy Toyer, Executive Director of the ALS Society of BC. “I have seen firsthand how this type of technology has improved the quality of life for patients who are left with only eye movement.  Extraordinary!”

People with ALS are able to substantially benefit from mechanical devices, however many devices currently in use have not been specifically designed for people with ALS. Toyer points out, “As an example, most neck braces are designed to support a spinal cord injury, not muscle atrophy. Where the traditional neck braces work ’OK’ they are not the best scenario for ALS.”

Graeham Douglas, a fourth year mechanical engineering student in the Biomedical Engineering Option, became involved with the ALS controllable neck brace with the idea that “Engineers have a role alongside clinicians in providing healthcare solutions. ALS is not yet well understood from a medical perspective, giving the opportunity for engineers to help people until medical approaches lead to treatments and cures.”

Douglas and six other mechanical engineering undergraduate students took on the task of expanding on the design of the previous year’s motorized, controllable head support. The goal of the design project was to improve the prototype of the previous design and make a device that is able to take a wide variety of inputs, including eye gaze control, and is economically viable, durable and able to be mass produced.

Douglas was drawn to this project because it was at the stage where it needed refinement and design but could, after the completion of the year, be very close to really helping people who are suffering with ALS. He was also interested in the possibility of turning the project into an entrepreneurial venture. The team saw the project as an important proof of concept for eye-gaze tracking technology’s ability to control not just computers, but real world mechanical devices. In the future Graeham sees eye-gaze technology being used to control things as complicated as cars, further extending the quality of life for people with ALS who are left only with eye movement and giving them a way to interact and be a part of the world around them.

With fellow UBC student Andrei Pop coupled with Douglas’ entrepreneurial spirit, a business plan was drawn up for the neck brace which placed third in Western Canada in the Enterprise Canada Business Competition. The neck brace also won the 2010 Innovation Award from the ALS Society of BC.

Graeham is continuing to pursue a career in the biomedical engineering field, now working towards a Master in Biomedical Engineering at UBC and researching cardiovascular grafts as a treatment for aneurisms. After completing his Master’s he wants to continue to blend engineering and medicine while continuing as an entrepreneur creating new devices and technologies.

Toyer notes, “Patients volunteering to work with the students have told us that this was a very positive experience for them. We felt this is a win-win situation for all.”

There is no cure or effective treatment for ALS, patients become progressively more paralyzed as they lose neurons which control voluntary motor functions until they can no longer breathe or swallow on their own. The ALS Society of BC is part of the ALS Society of Canada , which was formed in 1977. The goals of the ALS society of BC are to provide direct support to the ALS community, to gather funds for research and patient services, and to increase public awareness of the disease

The mechanical engineering capstone design project is a year-long fourth-year course in which groups of students work with professional clients to produce products or prototypes, which are then expanded upon or implemented by the client.

To learn more about ALS and the ALS society of BC, visit www.alsbc.ca

To learn more about Capstone Design at UBC, visit: Capstone design project

UBC Engineering team wins ALSBC Innovation Award

UBC Engineers show business savvy, teams advance to Enterprize Canada finals

Mechanical Engineering Graduates, 2010

June 28, 2010

2010 Graduation Reception

On Tuesday, June 1 st , 2010, over 100 Mechanical Engineering students walked across the Chan Centre stage and received their degrees.  After the ceremony, a reception was held in the Chemical and Biological Engineering Atrium for the new graduates, their families, and their professors.  Cake, dessert and punch were served, and some of our outstanding students were formally recognized.
Letson Prizes: The Letson Prizes are given to the top graduating students in the General, Mechatronics,Thermofluids and Biomedical Engineering Options.

The Faculty of Applied Science Prize in Academic Excellence and the Letson Prize for Mechatronics goes to Craig Tomsett.
The Letson Prize for Mechanical Engineering goes to Samuel Mason.

The Letson Prize for Thermofluids goes to Devin Tod.

The Letson Prize for Biomedical Engineering goes to Sean Jager.
Canadian Society for Mechanical Engineering Gold Medal: The CSME Gold Medal is given for outstanding academic achievement.  This year’s winner is Jason Chu.
APEG Achievement Award: The APEG Achievement Award is given to one graduating student in each Department who shows great promise.  This year’s winner is Dan Boland.
Mechanical Engineering Outstanding Student Leader Award: the Outstanding Student Leader Award recognizes a student who demonstrates strong leadership skills and has made outstanding contributions to student life.  This year’s winner is Jason Le. Jason has served as the Team Captain for Supermileage since 2007, he has also been instrumental in branching the team to compete at the Shell Eco-Marathon in the challenging Urban Concept division.

Degrees with Distinction: Our next group of students to recognize are those who achieved a Degree with Distinction.  These students achieved a overall first-class average in all of the second through fourth year courses.  In alphabetical order:

  • Jacob Allen
  • Ian Bell
  • Dan Boland
  • Jason Chu
  • Darcy Corbin
  • Duncan Currie
  • Graeham Douglas
  • Sandra Fleming
  • Ibrahim Gadala
  • Wenjun Gu
  • Daniel Ingram
  • Sean Jager
  • Herman Li
  • Henry Lin
  • Geoffrey Lo
  • Samuel Mason
  • Kevin Mcconville
  • Arash Olyaei
  • Lam Pang
  • Bronson Patychuk
  • Eric Pospisil
  • Matt Seguin
  • Scott Seifert
  • Jeffrey Siow
  • Kelvin Sit
  • Raymond So
  • Devin Todd
  • Craig Tomsett
  • Victor Wang
  • Michael Whitehouse

Mechanical Engineering Student Leadership Award: The next group of students being recognized are those who have made strong leadership and service contributions to the Mechanical Engineering community.

In alphabetical order:

  • Arta Alagheband – Arta has served as President of Club Mech and in various roles related to curriculum in both the EUS and Club Mech.
  • Dan Boland – Dan has been highly involved with Engineers without Borders, and in working with the Department towards curriculum improvements.
  • Matt Budau – Matt is involved with Club Mech, and is one of the two guys who helps keep the candy machine stocked, a very important role.
  • Branislav Cvijetinovic – Baki has served as a leader within Formula UBC, and has been a key member of the aerodynamics group.
  • Graeham Douglas – Graeham was heavily involved in UBC Solar, filling the role of the mechanical systems manager and demonstrating his ability to lead and inspire younger students.
  • Wen Li – Wen is a key, longtime member of the Supermileage Team, and has co-lead the Aerodynamics division for the past few years. She has represented UBC at the competition for the past four years.
  • Stephen Leung – Stephen has been also been a key member of Supermileage, and has co-lead the Electronics and Engine Division for the past few years. His quick thinking in high stress situations and level head have been crucial to the team’s progress.
  • George Mak – George is a member of Formula UBC, and serves on the suspension team.
  • Aidan Moore – Aidan has twice served on the Club Mech executive – as Grad Rep this year, and Treasurer last year.
  • Bronson Patychuk – Bronson is a member of the Formula UBC team.
  • Erik Roy – Erik is a Team Leader on the Formula UBC Team. His expertise in engine design serves the team well. He also passes on his expertise as a TA in our third year engines lab.
  • Matt Seguin – Matt is a Club Mech 4 th year Rep, and the other Candy Guy. He’s also a general “go to” guy for the Club.
  • Devin Todd – Devin is a senior member of the Formula UBC Team, and a key part of the drivetrain subgroup.

The Capstone Design Awards recognize outstanding accomplishments in Engineering Design.
The Capstone Design Award in Mechanical Engineering goes to the team of students who completed the CARIS sponsored “Elumens Integrator” Project.

  • Matt Seguin
  • Jeffrey Siow
  • Michael Whitehouse
  • Dominic Yeo

The Capstone Design Award in Mechatronics Engineering goes to the team of students who completed the “RobotSoccer” Project.

  • Sandra Fleming
  • Curtis Gutjahr
  • Kate Mears
  • Victor Wang
  • Arya Yazdani

E-Week’s E-Team Event features Mech Alumna Kat Louman-Gardiner

UBC’s E-Team has invited Mech Alumna Kat Louman-Gardiner to speak during E-Week to share her experiences on the Canadian Bobsleigh Team. Their event description:

Work Hard, Play Hard: The Ultimate Engineering & Bobsledding Experience

Kat Louman-Gardiner is going to make your ice melt when she tells you her incredible stories and teaches us all a thing or two about raising the bar a few inches higher. As a woman with a Bachelor’s Degree of Applied Science in Mechanical Engineering from UBC, Master’s Degree of Science in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Calgary, and a former member of the Canadian Bobsleigh Team, Kat’s story is an inspiration to all of us engineers.

Join us for a FREE Greek lunch and listen to Kat’s words of wisdom. Afterwards, compete in the Engineering Bobsled Competition in which your team will build a bobsled and race for glory! Prizes will be awarded to the Gold, Silver, and Bronze teams.

Date: Wednesday, February 3
Time: 1-3 PM
Place: Kaiser 2020/2030

Celebration of Achievements

On Wednesday, January 13, 2010, the Department of Mechanical Engineering celebrated the achievements of outstanding students, faculty and staff. It was a great way for students, their families, alumni, friends of the Department, faculty, and staff to start the new year! Pictures from the event can be viewed on our photo album.

 

2009 Graduation Reception

On Tuesday, May 26, 2009, over 100 Mechanical Engineering students walked across the Chan Centre stage and received their degrees.  After the ceremony, a reception was held in Kaiser 2030 for the new graduates, their families, and their professors.  Cake, dessert and punch were served, and some of our outstanding students were formally recognized.

Letson Prizes: The Letson Prizes are given to the top graduating students in the General, Mechatronics and Thermofluids Options.
The Letson Prize for Mechanical Engineering goes to Christopher Bibby.  A graduate of the Camosun Bridge program, Chris will be continuing his studies in September with a M.A.Sc. with Dr. Murray Hodgson.
The Letson Prize for Mechatronics goes to Troy Adebar.  Recently recognized as Co-op Student of the Year, Troy will also be continuing with a M.A.Sc. in September, moving to the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering to study with Dr. Tim Salcudean.
The Letson Prize for Thermofluids goes to Tu Minh Nguyen.  Minh has been instrumental this year in starting a chapter of ASHRAE, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, at UBC.

Mechanical Engineering Prize in Biomedical Engineering:  The Mechanical Engineering Prize in Biomedical Engineering Award for the top graduating student in the Biomedical Option goes to Jeff Kennelly.  Outside of his studies, Jeff can often be found at UBC Rec Intramurals or in Club Mech.

Canadian Society for Mechanical Engineering Gold Medal: The CSME Gold Medal is given for outstanding academic achievement.  This year’s winner is Thomas Huryn.  Tom is often seen participating in events in the department, and has begun a M.A.Sc. with Dr. Elizabeth Croft.

APEG Achievement Award: The APEG Achievement Award is given to one graduating student in each Department who shows great promise.  This year’s winner is Pierre Couturier.  Pierre is a graduate of the Camosun Bridge and, in addition to strong academic skills, excels in design and teamwork.

Outstanding Future Alumnus, Wesbrook Scholar, and a soon-to-be-announced Major Award: One of this year’s graduates won all of these prestigious awards in this past year.  We would like to offer our congratulations to Parisa Bastani for these exceptional accomplishments.  In addition to outstanding academics, Parisa has been Captain of the Formula UBC Student Team and Chair of the Engineering Student Teams Council.

Mechanical Engineering Outstanding Student Leader Award: New this year, the Outstanding Student Leader Award recognizes a student who demonstrates strong leadership skills and has made outstanding contributions to student life.  This year’s winner is Lana Rupp.  Lana has been involved in the Department from the time she first joined it, and is relied upon for her leadership and organizational skills.  Her resume includes strong involvement in Club Mech, including holding joint-Presidency for the last two years, representation on the EUS and in student advocacy, the SUBC design team, and GEERing Up!
Degrees with Distinction: Our next group of students to recognize are those who achieved a Degree with Distinction.  These students achieved a overall first-class average in all of the second through fourth year courses.  In alphabetical order:

  • Troy Adebar
  • Dion Anggabrata
  • Parisa Bastani
  • Alan Beran
  • Christopher Bibby
  • Jeanie Chan
  • Arminta Chicka
  • Nicholas Comyn
  • Pierre Couturier
  • Paul Dirksen
  • Sean Fabris
  • Sandy Godwin
  • Thomas Huryn
  • Keigo Karakama
  • Jeff Kennelly
  • Bradley Neels
  • Tu Minh Nguyen
  • Chukwuemeka Nzekwu
  • Hedyeh Rafii-Tari
  • David Richard
  • Adnan Siddiqui
  • Daniel Tsang
  • Andrew Walsh
  • Christopher Wong

Mechanical Engineering Student Leadership Award: The next group of students being recognized today are those who have made strong leadership and service contributions to the Mechanical Engineering community.

In alphabetical order:

  • Parisa Bastani – Chair of the Engineering Student Team Council and Captain of Formula UBC
  • Arminta Chicka – Organizer of the popular Keener Day, and general organizer of everything that needs to get done.  Academically, attends feedback sessions, organizes study sessions, and tutors peers.
  • Nicholas Comyn – SUBC Captain and SNAME student rep
  • Eric Kaarsemaker – Formula UBC Engine Team
  • Chu Lin – Heavy Lift Team Manager
  • Katy Lue – Club Mech Treasurer, and a regular volunteer, always willing to lend a hand
  • Lachlan MacLean – Club Mech Grad Rep, Clubroom Manager, and the entire Ball Model committee.
  • Morgan Meents – Club Mech Year rep, Curriculum Rep & Co-op Rep; Co-op Advisory Council; VP of the ASHRAE Student Chapter and an all-around volunteer.
  • Tu Minh Nguyen – ASHRAE Student Chapter President
  • Jad Saab – Strong involvement with EWB, including a placement in Ghana
  • Michelle Salvail – Runs Club Mech sales, and has branded the new Club Mech logo throughout the department.  A big contributor to E-Week
  • Daryl Schubert – Club Mech Co-President, past year rep, represents students to the EUS; Mechanical Engineering Ambassador program
  • Richard Situ – Club Mech Sports Representative, and general volunteer
  • Ian Tranter – Club Mech Vice President, and de-facto charity and social coordinator. Played a large role in organizing the two major charity projects this year – collecting household goods for the Gather and Give drive, and fundraising for the Garreth Thomas Memorial Scholarship.
  • Kristy Wiens – General involvement throughout the Department, and previous Club Mech positions of Social Coordinator and Pop and Candy rep.
  • Wojciech Ziemnicki – a constant presence at curriculum and department feedback meetings, and always available to help.  Formerly held positions of Vice President and Pop and Candy rep.

The Capstone Design Awards recognize outstanding accomplishments in Engineering Design.
The Capstone Design Award in Mechanical Engineering goes to the team of students who completed the project “Design of a Resonant Drum Compactor.”  They are:

  • Ameer Balouch
  • Michael Parras
  • Dane Reelie
  • Salim Semsarilar

The Capstone Design Award in Mechatronics Engineering goes to the team of students who completed the project “Three-Dimensional Haptic Emulation of Hard Surfaces with Applications to Orthopaedic Surgery.”  They are:

  • Sean Fabris
  • Arya Oskui
  • Anthony Pak
  • Bradley Roger
  • Sina Sajadian-Mousavi
  • Adnan Siddiqui

2009 Engineering Physics Grad Studies Information Night

 

Download: ENPH Info Night Scholarship Opportunities Presentation (.pdf)
Download: UBC Mechanical Engineering Graduate Studies (.pdf)

Dr. Green recognized by the Canadian Academy of Engineering

June 4, 2010

Dr. Green is a distinguished scholar and educator who has carried out pioneering research on the fluid mechanics of papermechanics, on the spraying on non-Newtonian fluids, and on the aerodynamics of wing and propeller tip vortices. The research has spanned the spectrum from fundamental to applied. Dr. Green’s excellence in teaching has been recognized through receipt of four major teaching awards, including national and international awards.

The Canadian Academy of Engineering (CAE) comprises many of the country’s most accomplished engineers, who have expressed their dedication to the application of science and engineering principles in the interests of the country and its enterprises. The Academy is an independent, self-governing and non-profit organization established in 1987 to serve the nation in matters of engineering concern.

The Academy is an active member of the International Council of Academies of Engineering and Technological Sciences (CAETS), which involves 26 leading countries.

Members of the Academy are nominated and elected by their peers to honorary Fellowships, in view of their distinguished achievements and career-long service to the engineering profession. Members work closely with the other national engineering associations in Canada, and with the other Canadian academies that comprise the Council of Canadian Academies.

Congratualtions Dr. Green

Rising Stars of Research

May 27, 2010

Mechanical Engineering Alumna Lauren Kulokas wins Inaugural Applied Science Outstanding Young Alumnus Award

May 6, 2010

Lauren Kulokas (B.A.Sc. UBC Mechanical Engineering, 2005) has been awarded the Applied Science Outstanding young Alumnus Award for her work as VP Operations with Energy Aware Technology.  The Outstanding Young Alumnus is presented to a UBC Applied Science alumnus who since graduation has made significant positive contributions to society and whose professional achievements, community service or academic excellence are distinguished and reflect the essence of UBC Applied Science mission. Lauren co-founded Energy Aware Technology with several other UBC students in 2005, a spin-off from the Applied Science New Venture Design course.

Energy Aware Technology develops products to promote sustainability and real time feedback of energy consumption. Their product, the Power Bar, is featured in the Millennium Waters development in South East False Creek, the home of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Village.The Power Bar allows for real time feedback and information on energy consumption, an elegant yet simple reminder of our in home energy usage.Energy Aware Technology also works with partners to offer the utility sector products that provide real-time feedback and information on consumption, allowing greater control of energy distribution and management.

Energy Aware has received numerous awards including, 2009 “Most Promising Startup” from the BC Technology Industry Association, BC Hydro Sustainability Award and Natural Resources Canada Energy Ambassadors Award.

Nine UBC Mechanical Engineering students win prestigious national scholarships.

May 5, 2010

Nine UBC Mechanical Engineering students win prestigious national scholarships.

UBC Mechanical Engineering students won nine scholarships in the recent 2010/2011 National Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada scholarship competition with a total value of nearly $360,000. Four of our current graduate students won NSERC Doctoral scholarships. Five students: three current MECH fourth year undergraduates and two current MECH grad students, won prestigious Alexander Graham Bell Canada Graduate Scholarships to support their masters studies. Congratulations to all our winners:

Jeffrey Abeysekera

Richard Graetz

Sarah McFaul

Heather Murray

Eric Pospisil

Devin Todd

Irfan Usman

Victor Wang

Susana Zoghbi

Mechanical Engineering Student Hengameh Hoseini wins Canadian Engineering Memorial Foundation 2010 Scholarship.

April 30, 2010

 

Mechanical Engineering Student Hengameh Hoseini wins Canadian Engineering Memorial Foundation 2010 Scholarship.

Third year student Hengameh Hoseini has been named one of the nation’s top-five undergraduate engineering students in this competition and will receive the $5000 British Columbia regional scholarship.

Hoseini, a third-year mechanical engineering student, is committed to “making communities stronger and more resilient, deepening her understanding of the world around her and making a positive change through leadership, mentorship and community involvement.” At UBC she is actively involved in many groups including the tri-mentoring program and Women in Engineering.

Outside of UBC she has been involved in an Aquatic Conservation team, Canadian Blood Services and international renovation projects.

The Canadian Engineering Memorial Foundation was founded in 1990 to develop scholarship and award programs that encourage women to choose engineering as a career to honour the memory of the 14 women at École Polytechnique whose contributions to Canada ended on December 6, 1989.

CEMF is committed to creating a world where engineering meets the needs and challenges of Canadians by utilizing the skills and talents of men and women alike, promoting engineering as a career choice with the generous support of Canadian corporations and many individual engineers from coast to coast. The Foundation provides a total of 13 scholarships at the undergraduate, Masters and PhD levels of study and promotes engineering as a career choice for women through their website, press releases, Annual Awards Luncheon and scholarship winner presentations to high school students.

For more information on the CEMF scholarships, visit www.cemf.ca.

Dr. Pete Ostafichuk from the Mechanical Engineering Department wins the Killam Teaching Prize

April 22, 2010

“Dr. Pete” Ostafichuk wins Killam Teaching Prize Dr. Pete (to the hundreds of MECH 2 students who have been through our program) Ostafichuk has been awarded a Killam Teaching Prize in recognition of his outstanding teaching. Dr. Ostafichuk has been the prime mover behind MECH 2 since its implementation. In the six years MECH 2 has existed, this program has received numerous accolades and awards including the ASME 2005 Curriculum Innovation Award, the UBC Alfred Scow Award for Outstanding Undergraduate Program (2006/7), and the Allan Blizzard Award (2008) . Dr.Ostafichuk has also done a remarkable job of teaching courses outside the MECH 2 program as varied as MECH 325 (design) and MECH 481 (Aerodynamics).

More recently, Dr. Ostafichuk has also taken on a substantial administrative role as Assistant Head. Dr. Ostafichuk has consistently been recognized by students as an exceptional instructor

The UBC Killam teaching prizes are awarded annually, from the Killam Endowment Fund, to faculty nominated by students, colleagues, and alumni in recognition of excellence in teaching.

– Teaching, in which role he has been instrumental in overseeing changes to our curriculum. – he was selected by students as “Engineering Undergraduate Society Honourary President” in the 2006 academic year and received the “Best Prof of the Year” award in 2004 as voted by students in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and presented by “Club Mech”. He has also consistently received high teaching evaluation effectiveness ratings through all courses he has taught

Dr. Altintas elected as the Fellow of University of Tokyo

March 2, 2010

Professor Yusuf Altintas from the Department of Mechanical Engineering has been elected as the Fellow of University of Tokyo for his academic contributions in metal cutting mechanics, machine tool vibrations and control. The graduate students and postdoctoral fellows of Professor Altintas will be able to spend research periods at School of Engineering, University of Tokyo

Professor Elizabeth Croft elected Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineering

February 22, 2010

UBC Mechanical Engineering Professor Elizabeth Croft has been elected Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineering (ASME) in recognition of her significant engineering achievements and contributions to the engineering profession.

Elizabeth Croft is a dedicated engineer, scholar, teacher and mentor, who is passionately devoted to supporting, promoting and increasing the participation and retention of women in engineering. An expert in robotics and industrial automation, her work enables robots to work productively and safely in human environments-from factories and hospitals to homes. As a teacher, she has developed visionary and award-winning educational programs, as well as innovative, extra-curricular programs to support her students’ professional development outside the classroom. She is an energetic, motivational speaker, exposing young girls to the possibility of an engineering career.

About the American Society of Mechanical Engineers

Founded in 1880, ASME is a not-for-profit professional organization that promotes the art, science and practice of mechanical and multidisciplinary engineering and allied sciences throughout the world. The core values of ASME are rooted in its mission to better enable mechanical engineering practitioners to contribute to the well-being of humankind.