The University of Miami College of Engineering (UMCoE) hosted the inaugural Florida Intercollegiate Competition in Technological Innovation (FICTI) at eMerge Americas 2019 on April 30. At the event, 11 engineering-student teams representing seven Florida universities pitched their innovation projects to prospective employers and investors. All teams did a great job of showcasing the talents and innovative spirits of each university and Florida. The judges, as well as the audience, including Former Florida Senator Rene Garcia, were deeply impressed with the creativity and innovation displayed by all the participants. To watch the entire competition, please click here.
“This event brought together engineering students from seven Florida universities to showcase their innovation projects,” said Jean-Pierre Bardet, dean of UM College of Engineering. “It was truly exciting to see how students pitched their technological innovation to expert entrepreneurs. I am proud that the UM College of Engineering took the lead in organizing this event and very thankful to my dean colleagues at other Florida institutions for sending enthusiastic student teams to compete. The UM teams have learned a great deal by participating, although they did not win this year. I am confident that future competitions will clearly demonstrate to investors and tech companies that Florida universities can produce the engineering graduates capable of leading the high-tech innovation ecosystem of Florida.”
The University of Central Florida College of Engineering and Computer Science’s Capacitech Energy team won first place for its cable-based capacitor design project, which delivers longer operating life for solar-powered systems. The runner-up was Florida Institute of Technology’s Nixus team. Their pneumatic compression devices are easily incorporated into a patient’s lifestyle by being lightweight, slim-fitting and easy to apply. The device incorporates NiTi shape memory alloy actuators to create a durable pneumatic compression device that can apply treatments while walking and engaging in everyday activities. The third-place winner was the Florida International University College of Engineering and Computing’s Sterilized Water Energy Efficient Transport (SWEET) team, which addresses the two fronts of the global water insecurity crisis described by top water authorities.
Other student projects included:
- Ascend Knee Brace – Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University: The Ascend Knee Brace uses a patent-pending varying radius spring to provide the right amount of support to the muscles throughout recovery.
- Virtual Roll Call – Florida International University College of Engineering and Computing: Virtual Roll Call allows for police officers to be briefed on all the necessary information on demand and at all times. Supervisory staff can input relevant information into the system as soon as they have it, and officers are notified and informed of the latest information right away.
- NERD – Florida Atlantic University College of Engineering & Computer Science: NERD is an autonomous robotic-delivery service specializing in food, goods and mail delivery service on college campuses.
- NetFly – Florida Atlantic University College of Engineering & Computer Science: The NetFly start-up is a unique community of drone users with blockchain safety protocol for interactive remote quadcopter flights. The company provides specially designed drones with landing gear and solar charging pads so that the quadcopters can automatically return to base and recharge safely.
- Guardian Wearable (Pressure Sensor for Contact-Sport Athletes) – Florida Institute of Technology: Guardian Wearable has created a device for athletes to wear that detects and measures impacts on the body, allowing coaches and athletic trainers to monitor all the impacts athletes receive through a simple app.
- Surgical Drainage Tube Clamp – University of Miami College of Engineering: This surgical drainage tube clamp product is designed for all age groups and is easy to use. It costs little to make, and a user can assemble it quickly.
- Laissez Feast – University of Miami College of Engineering: Laissez Feast provides a fully programmable, automated, refrigerated and easy-to-use pet-feeding system, improving the efficiency and convenience of feeding animals.
- Sourse Energy – University of Florida Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering: Sourse™ is an alternative to solar panels that converts the sun’s energy to electricity by using solar collectors to heat water and run a heat engine. Sourse operates 10 hours a day, costs $7,250 and saves the homeowner approximately $860 a year.
“The pitch competition offers an exciting forum for innovative ideas to move from the planning stage to the real world,” said Bob Williamson, UMCoE entrepreneur-in-residence. “In the process, students who research an idea can learn what makes for a compelling pitch and receive feedback from professionals to help move the project forward. It expands our engineering students’ research applications and community engagement to help solve social problems and bring positive impacts on society.”
