WNC engineering students apply design skills to address problems related to COVID-19
Submitted by Carson Now Reader on Tue, 06/09/2020 - 4:03pm
This spring, the occurrence of COVID-19 presented students at Western Nevada College a unique and challenging context for their final project. The Engineering Design class applied problem-solving and engineering design skills to address a real-life scenario in managing the response to the virus.
Not only was the challenge an excellent way for them to demonstrate their learning of engineering concepts, but it also impressed upon them the important role that engineers play when innovating new solutions to keep a community safe and functioning.
Working in small teams of 2-3 members, the students were asked to create a solution for a problem currently impacting their lives due to COVID-19. Students who work as essential employees built a respirator machine that would use heat to kill the virus while incubating in the body.
Another team that included veterans used their military experience to build a personal filtration system that would allow the wearer to work extended hours by having two sets of filters. One of the students, Miguel, currently serves in the National Guard, protecting facilities for many hours of the day.
Understanding the limitations of the N95 mask, prompted Miguel and his team members to develop improvements to address the issues with the current design. Ambu bags (manual resuscitators) which were in short supply for ambulances, were created using 3D printing, and one of the teams solved the problem of air quality in airplanes by imagining a special filtration system that could kill the COVID-19 virus.
The students presented their final projects via zoom, in a remote competition. The panel of three judges included Dr. Vincent R. Solis, WNC president, who gave the students valuable feedback on effective public speaking. Dr. Karen Sachs, an MIT Ph.D., and Stanford postdoctoral researcher, shared advice on how to apply and get into top engineering schools.
The third judge, Ms.Karen Salita, provided tips for how to engage with customers, and effectively pitch a product, by relating the story to the problem you solve. The student will share the designs they created on different makers' websites, hoping people around the world will adapt their ideas and use them while fighting COVID-19.
The Introduction to Engineering Design class is taught by Professional Engineer, Lior Singer, who works full time for the State of Nevada, and in his free time teaches at Western Nevada College. Singer believes that successful engineering is not just measured by any one design, but by the humanitarian response that is enabled. “I know that the value of using their engineering skills for helping society will stay with them for their professional life. Educating engineers with a soul is my real goal.”
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