A Competition Challenges Engineering Students to Design Devices That Use Alternative Energy

A Competition Challenges Engineering Students to Design Devices That Use Alternative Energy

SUNDAY, NOV. 11 AT HILTON AMERICAS IN HOUSTON

[Editor's Note: Event will provide opportunities to interview students and gather b-roll/images of their projects. B-roll video, images and sound bites of the winning team will be available at the conclusion of the competition.]

NEW YORK, Nov. 6, 2012 — In a unique form of a relay race, engineering students will run model-sized vehicles that are specially designed to initiate motion of the next device on a flat track.

"Energy Relay," the 2012 ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers) Student Design Competition to be held at Hilton Americas Houston, showcases the creativity and ingenuity of student engineers representing tomorrow's workforce of innovators and problem solvers.

The challenge for the twenty student teams in the competition is to design four self-propelled devices, three of which are capable of transferring energy to trigger motion in subsequent devices positioned on a 12-meter course. According to the rules of the competition, the motion of the second, third and fourth vehicles in line on the course must be initiated by the prior device.

"Students participating in the design challenge are exposed to the basics of alternative energy via a scaled, technical experience," noted Timothy M. Hodges, chair of the 2012 ASME Student Design Competition. "Students are placed in a design and build environment in which they must troubleshoot their designs and fix problems that arise."

Judges will score each run, applying a formula that accounts for elapsed time between the time the first vehicle is switched on and the time the fourth one crosses the finish line.

The Student Design Competition will be held in conjunction with the 2012 ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition, Nov. 9-15. The annual Congress is a premier global conference that focuses on today's technical challenges, research updates and breakthrough innovations that are shaping the future of engineering. For more information, visit www.asmeconferences.org/congress2012.

Student Design Competition Finalists

  1. California State University
  2. Northridge Grand Valley State University
  3. Hong Kong Polytechnic University (China)
  4. Indian Institute of Technology (India)
  5. Institut Superieur de l'Aeronautique et de l'Espace (France)
  6. Instituto Tecnologico de Estudios Supereriores de Monterrey (Mexico)
  7. Instituto Tecnologico Superior de Coatzacoalcos (Mexico)
  8. Khalifa University of Science, Technology & Research Lebanese American University (Lebanon)
  9. Milwaukee School of Engineering Notre Dame University (Lebanon)
  10. Oregon State University Purdue University Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolas de Hidalgo (Mexico)
  11. University of South Alabama
  12. University of Toronto (Canada)
  13. University of Virginia
  14. University of Wyoming
  15. Wentworth Institute of Technology
  16. Western New England University

About ASME
ASME helps the global engineering community develop solutions to real world challenges. Founded in 1880 as the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, ASME is a not-for-profit professional organization that enables collaboration, knowledge sharing and skill development across all engineering disciplines, while promoting the vital role of the engineer in society. ASME codes and standards, publications, conferences, continuing education and professional development programs provide a foundation for advancing technical knowledge and a safer world.

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