The heavy downpours so common in Cincinnati this week couldn't dampen the creative spark of graduating students during May 23's "Tech Expo" at the College of Applied Science.
Seniors from study programs as varied as chemical technology and architectural engineering technology rolled out imaginative research and working prototype products for all the world to see. Among their innovative efforts:
a new kind of safety harness for construction workers
Many of the Applied Science students said they want to use their skills to make the world a better place. Mechanical Engineering Technology (MET) senior Ken Bloomer, 38, a design engineer with Spectrum Control Systems, admitted that he created a bicycle/mower because, "I like to ride around on a bike. I'd rather be out riding than behind a lawn mower." He added quickly, however, that he is concerned for the environment and knows his gas-powered push mower is harmful to the environment.
"Tech Expo" visitors watched a video of Ken demonstrating his invention while he provided details of the exercise benefits. "I rode for an hour and 58 minutes, and I was puffing at the end even though my yard is flat. My goal was to get my heart rate up to 120 beats per minutes. It was at 150."
Fellow MET senior Andrew Heckman, 23, of Fairfield, liked the creative process of "making it in my head, bring it to paper to eventually creating something I can hold in my hand" when he spoke of his dent-repairing device. He created a small "gun" that repairs auto dents. The spring-action device sends a bolt to knock dents back out when the user pulls a trigger.
Other students wanted to make the world safer and better for workers. Information Engineering Technology senior Sherry Cunningham, 42, of Cincinnati's west side created a "one-stop shopping" Web site to provide training for women trying to move from welfare to work. In making that transition herself, she knows that many women with children find it very difficult to search out and attend in-person training sessions.
Mike Thiess, construction management senior, Robert Zahler, a double major in construction management and architectural engineering technology, and Megan Takacs, a construction management senior, teamed up to build a better safety harness for construction workers. Explained Megan, "The current OSHA-approved harness puts all the weight on the pelvis should a worker take a fall. That's very painful. We surveyed local construction workers, and 80 percent of them didn't wear the harness because it's difficult to put on and take off, and it's uncomfortable. Our harness incorporates into their clothing, and so is easier to put on and take off. Plus, it places the weight on the thighs if there's a fall. The thighs taking the pressure of a fall isn't nearly as painful."
There's more on "Tech Expo." Not everything in the show is about technology. Click here to read about more with a definite low-tech angle.
