As graduation nears, seniors in West Virginia University’s Lane Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering are putting the finishing touches on their senior design projects.

The projects will be showcased in the Department’s semi-annual Senior Design Expo on Monday, April 27, from noon–2 p.m., on the first floor of the Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources’ Advanced Engineering Research Building.

“The goal of the Lane Department capstone program is to expose our graduating seniors to the real world,” said Ramana Reddy, professor of computer science and electrical engineering. “The course provides them the opportunity to hone their skills in communications, time and project management and group dynamics, which are vital to their success in their future careers.”

Twenty-four groups will display their projects, ranging from a low-cost respirator for in-home pulmonary issue diagnosis to a mobile app that helps teachers keep track of student progress. One project looks to use a solar tree to create a community hangout while generating electricity and collecting water.

“In the most basic sense the solar tree is a sculpture of a tree with solar panels attached to the branches, but it’s really so much more than just that,” said Zeke Falcon, a senior electrical engineering major from Bethany. “It’s about the marriage of form and function, creating a place for people to get together, and the ability to provide needs to a community.”

Not only will the solar tree create a comfortable, shaded area, it will utilize the electricity for those enjoying the tree’s shade. In a college setting, a solar tree will allow students to charge laptops, gain internet access and connect with the trees’ informational interface. In another location, the solar tree could have other uses.

“The cool thing about solar tree is when you think of the different places that it could be applied,” said Falcon. “Take the same tree and place it in a third-world country, change the features around a little bit, and you’ve got a lifeline for a struggling town in Africa. Instead of powering cell phones, the electricity could be used to pump and cool water or cook food. The possibilities are endless.”

Falcon and his classmates have teamed up with students from the WVU College of Creative Arts, who have been an asset in the design and sculpture of the tree.

“There is a dynamic quality to this project, not only because of the way it attempts to tackle the big issues of our day, but also because of how it brings together students from various backgrounds and areas of expertise,” said Dylan Collins, assistant professor of sculpture and co-advisor to the group. “This is a wonderful capstone experience for both engineering and visual art students, because it mirrors the collaborative nature of projects they will encounter as they pursue careers in their respective disciplines.”

The event is free and open to the public. Students will be on-hand to answer questions about their projects.

-WVU-

bmd/4/20/15

CONTACT: Mary C. Dillon, Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources
304.293.4086, Mary.Dillon@mail.wvu.edu

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