For Applied Science Students, the Creative Juices Flow From: University Currents Date: May 10, 2000 By: Mary Bridget Reilly Phone: (513) 556-1824 Photo by: Lisa Ventre Archive: General News, Campus News College of Applied Science student Chris Dennison has a lock on a popular student show of working innovations and inventions Thursday, May 18, from 5 to 7:30 p.m. and Friday, May 19, from 1 to 4 p.m. Dennison, a senior in mechanical engineering technology, was recruited by The Coca-Cola Company to build a better vending machine lock. Stemming from his position with Coke as a professional intern, Dennison is developing a conceptual electronic lock that patrons of Tech Expo 2000 will test, earning a free Coke in the bargain. "The minute I started the project, all kinds of ideas were flowing immediately. I obtained the project during a cooperative education quarter when I was working in Atlanta with Coke's (Cold Drink System) group, which looks at new technology that will affect vending machines," he explained. Thanks to Dennison's efforts, the ubiquitous T-lock on vending machines, in use for about 20 years now, may eventually disappear, replaced by a more efficient, almost-impossible-to-foil electronic button blending seamlessly along the side of vending machines. Dennison's cooperative education supervisor Michael George, supply quality manager for Coke, said the company asked Dennison to develop a conceptual lock for a variety of reasons. First, the current T-locks require considerable time and hand force to operate. A new, electronic lock would thus mean savings in time and sheer physical effort for the bottlers who replenish them. Second, an electronic lock would mean a tighter refrigeration seal for vending machines, in addition to providing improved security. George added that this seems to be a good time to look at electronic locks for vending machines, now that they have proven themselves in automobile design. However, he cautioned, it may be a few years before any such locks appear on vending machines because of the currently prohibitive production costs. Dennison claims it would take 100 computers nearly 28 years to break the code for the conceptual electronic lock that he has assembled using a linear actuator from Actuator Company of America (Sunnydale, CA) and an electronic button from Dallas Semiconductor. However, he won't be asking Tech Expo visitors to try to break this code, but to merely activate the lock in order to earn a Coke. "I want to test its longevity and ease of use and how quickly people can use it. It's a great way to test how much time this version might save the bottler refilling the machine over the traditional T-lock which, in comparison, takes a long time to unlock," he added. "Showing it is the best part of the project." Along with Dennison, about 100 College of Applied Science students will exhibit their designs and working inventions during Tech Expo. The expo takes place on the first floor of college's administration building and in the courtyard adjacent to the building. The College of Applied Science is at 2220 Victory Parkway. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call 513-556-6567.