Nanotechnology Engineering Teams win Design Analysis Competition Award
Two Nanotechnology Engineering teams took second and third place in the Design Analysis Competition Award for their 2023 Capstone Design Projects. The ANSYS-sponsored Design Analysis Competition aims to promote the effective use of engineering analyses by executing a Capstone Design Project.
Team 10’s project "Isoflex: A Flexible and Multi-Directional Force Sensor" took second place in the competition. The force sensor that they created is a combination of resistive and capacitive elements that provides sensitivity in multiple directions.
The team aimed to solve the problem of developing a novel flexible sensor. They challenged themselves by applying the skills and knowledge learned in their undergraduate nanotechnology degree in a practical way. The team developed a solution to issues surrounding flexible sensors. This could add to the potential of the sensors to bring many benefits, such as improving medical devices, enhancing wearable technology, and enabling new forms of human-machine interaction.
“Winning first runner-up in the ANSYS Design Analysis Competition was a gratifying experience for our team. We knew that we were up against other strong engineering teams from other departments, so it was a great accomplishment for us to be recognized in this manner,” said Team 10 members. “The simulations we conducted in COMSOL on our device’s structure as well as the effects of porosity and conductive additives on its performance were a crucial part in ensuring that our final prototype worked effectively. Our team invested a significant amount of time and effort into the simulations, and this award made us feel that our hard work was recognized and appreciated.”
The team had to overcome a few challenges when designing their prototype. A significant obstacle was creating the active sensing composite material for the sensor. The synthesis methodology found in scientific literature were often contradictory, but they persevered by experimenting with different synthesis variables until they achieved the desired composite properties.
One of the biggest obstacles the team faced was lack of time. They needed to create and incorporate various systems, such as materials and fabrication, electromechanical testing jigs, signal collection, and software, all within a four month timeframe. Despite the tight schedule, they overcame this challenge by working tirelessly in the lab and ensuring that each team member took responsibility for their individual roles in the project.
The team credits much of their success to their supervisor, Professor Vivek Maheshwari. As an expert in nanomaterials and wearables sensors, his knowledge and experience in the field of tactile sensors were vital to the development of their project.
The technology has a wide range of applications in various fields from wearables to use in soft robotics.
Team 1 earned third place in the competition thanks to their project titled "Endonostix: A Non-Surgical Diagnostic Tool for Endometriosis." Their goal was to create a highly sophisticated biomarker detection system that utilized DNA origami technology to address the problem of undiagnosed endometriosis.
This team also had to address various obstacles. They figured out how to build and modify the DNA origami structure. They also learned a great deal about communication and coordination in the lab.
The synthesis and characterization process for their structures had very structured timing. Each group member took a single-week cycle in the process and took ownership of a set of lab protocols relevant to the project. The coordination of timelines between five people and the smooth handover required was complex.
“The NE program teaches us to be adaptable multi-disciplinary engineers," said Team 1 members.” It teaches us to approach problems from and interpret design problems from many different perspectives such as electrical engineering, chemistry, computer science, biology, etc.”
Congratulations to both teams on their significant win!