Student showcase of 2017 Engineering Capstone Design Projects

Engineering projects that push the boundaries of innovation will be on display at the annual Capstone Design symposium, beginning this week at the University of Waterloo.

Senior-year engineering students will exhibit projects ranging from an automated snow removal machine that uses ultrasonic technology (Systems Design) to short-wave vascular endoscope design to make interventional procedures faster, easier, and safer (Mechanical) at this years Capstone Design symposiums.

Capstone Design is a degree requirement for undergraduate engineering students at Waterloo. During the symposia from March 17 through 28, at least 700 students in 12 programs will present more than 150 projects. Members of the public are encouraged to view the projects.

Project highlights this year include:

• Lightweight wearable technology featuring oxygen-absorbing nanomaterial designed to replace heavy oxygen tanks (Nanotechnology)
• Ergonomic gloves fitted with sensors to instantly translate sign language into speech (Electrical)
• Drinking water generator for developing countries (Chemical)
• Wearable sensor suit that provides masons with posture feedback (Systems Design)
• Decaffeinating coffee filter for household coffee machines (Nanotechnology)
• Golf ball you will never lose thanks to built-in GPS and wireless technology (Mechatronics)
• Mobile robot for mapping and inspecting pipes in the boiler rooms of nuclear power plants (Mechatronics)
• Tools to assist illiterate and innumerate adults in developing countries with financial planning (Management)
• Design for a foldable and lightweight temporary bridge for post-disaster regions (Civil)
• Specialized 3D printer designed to produce biocompatible bone grafts (Systems Design)
• Online service for personalized storybooks using children’s names and photos (Software)

Symposium dates and times for 2017:

Mechatronics Engineering
Friday, March 17 | 1 to 5 p.m. | Great Hall, Davis Centre

Chemical Engineering
Monday, March 20 | 9 a.m. to 12 noon | Engineering 6

Electrical and Computer Engineering
Tuesday, March 21 | 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. | Great Hall, Davis Centre

Civil, Environmental and Geological Engineering
Wednesday, March 22 | 12 noon to 5 p.m. | Great Hall, Davis Centre

Mechanical Engineering
Thursday, March 23 | 1 to 5 p.m. | Sedra Student Design Centre, Engineering 5

Management Engineering
Friday, March 24 | 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. | Great Hall, Davis Centre

Nanotechnology Engineering
Friday, March 24 | 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. | Great Hall, Davis Centre

Systems Design Engineering
Tuesday, March 28 | 1 to 5 p.m. | Great Hall, Davis Centre

Software Engineering
Tuesday, March 28 | 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Great Hall, Davis Centre

Overview of Capstone from 2014: