NYP-12-1157-Inv_Brochure_PRESS.indd 1
9/10/12 1:50 PM
DISCOVER YOUR INNER INVENTOR, INNOVATOR AND ENTREPRENEUR At Polytechnic Institute of New York University, we are committed to empowering students like you to tackle the world’s scientific and technical challenges through invention, innovation and entrepreneurship (i2e). We pride ourselves on supplementing academic knowledge with real-world projects. Before long, you may find yourself working side by side with world-class faculty and industrial partners through a research program—or in an exciting internship on campus with one of our Brooklyn Tech Triangle neighbors. You’ll also have fun in the process! Every year, NYU-Poly stages a student lnno/Vention contest. Past winners have cooled a laptop with DNA and captured the exhaust heat of a car to power its headlights. What’s your big idea? As you read through the following pages of the many past and present inventors, innovators and entrepreneurs at NYU-Poly, we hope you will be inspired to walk in their footsteps and join us on our incredible journey in changing the world through engineering, science and technology. Sincerely,
Jerry MacArthur Hultin, President Polytechnic Institute of New York University
NYP-12-1157-Inv_Brochure_PRESS.indd 2
9/10/12 1:50 PM
HISTORY MADE. “ I never perfected an invention that I did not think about in terms of the service it might give others… I find out what the world needs, then I proceed to invent.” Thomas Edison, 1847–1931
1
NYP-12-1157-Inv_Brochure_PRESS.indd 1
9/10/12 1:50 PM
Innovation begins at NYU-Poly:
MAKING ONE GIANT LEAP FOR MANKIND www.poly.edu/i2e
THOMAS JOSEPH KELLY
Lunar Module—Class of 1958 In 1962, NASA gave Chief Engineer Thomas Joseph Kelly the challenge of designing and building the Lunar Module (LM) for the Apollo 11 mission. After several experiments, Kelly developed a two-stage design for the LM—one that would descend onto the Moon and another that would ascend back to the Command Module. The upper section was the ascent stage, which contained the crew compartment. The ascent
stage’s Reaction Control System (RCS) provided 3,500 pounds of thrust—enough to launch it into lunar orbit. The lower section was the descent stage, which stored equipment, as well as a rocket engine, landing gear, fuel and oxidizer tanks. On July 20, 1969, Kelly’s LM safely landed Neil Armstrong and Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin, Jr. on the surface of the Moon, solidifying the designer’s influential place in history.
2
NYP-12-1157-Inv_Brochure_PRESS.indd 2
9/10/12 1:50 PM
Invention begins at NYU-Poly:
GIVING THE WORLD A CLOSER LOOK www.poly.edu/i2e
LEONARD BERGSTEIN
Zoom Lens—Faculty, Class of 1959 Leonard Bergstein developed the original zoom lens and patented several different variations of his invention. Dr. Bergstein’s approach to the design was done with the help of sophisticated mathematical equations known as Chebyshev polynomials. These equations were
used to develop the proper zoom calibration to enable a photographer to zoom in and focus on an object. Dr. Bergstein’s zoom lens system technology revolutionized photography and film—making zoom lenses standard on almost every camera worldwide.
3
NYP-12-1157-Inv_Brochure_PRESS.indd 3
9/10/12 1:50 PM
Invention begins at NYU-Poly:
MAKING EGGS OVERLY EASY TO COOK www.poly.edu/i2e
JOHN GILBERT
Teflon-Coated Pots and Pans—Class of 1953 Working with DuPont Industries, John Gilbert was asked to research applications for a tough, waxy, nonflammable organic compound— polytetrafluoroethylene. Teflon (as it later came to be known) remains stable over a wide range of temperatures, retains a slippery surface,
and has the potential for multiple uses such as coating cables in high-rise buildings and protecting fabrics. But it was Gilbert who recognized its potential in the kitchen with his idea for the first non-stick, Teflon-coated pots and pans.
4
NYP-12-1157-Inv_Brochure_PRESS.indd 4
9/10/12 1:50 PM
Innovation begins at NYU-Poly:
Making the world think along these lines www.poly.edu/i2e
JEROME SWARTZ AND SHELLEY HARRISON
Handheld Barcode Laser Scanner—Class of 1963 and 1969, Class of 1966 and 1971 Doctors Jerome Swartz and Shelly Harrison, designed the first handheld laser barcode scanner. Utilizing a photodiode to measure the intensity of reflected light from a laser beam, the scanner could detect specific modulated patterns in a barcode—ultimately transforming international
commerce methods. Today, the handheld laser barcode scanner increases package delivery efficiency, advances tracking capabilities and has helped create the modern inventory system used worldwide.
5
NYP-12-1157-Inv_Brochure_PRESS.indd 5
9/10/12 1:50 PM
Invention begins at NYU-Poly:
INTEGRATING CIRCUITS INTO MAINSTREAM TECHNOLOGY www.poly.edu/i2e
EUGENE KLEINER
Fairchild Semiconductor—Class of 1948 and 1951 Eugene Kleiner made a decision early in his career that would establish him as one of the pioneers of Silicon Valley. He worked at Shockley Labs until there was a disagreement over what material should be placed on computer transistors. Kleiner and his colleagues favored silicon due to its ability to conduct electricity. This led them to leave Shockley and
create their own company, Fairchild Semiconductor. They later received the patent for the integrated circuit that made computers more powerful and sparked the high-tech revolution that continues to this day in Silicon Valley.
6
NYP-12-1157-Inv_Brochure_PRESS.indd 6
9/10/12 1:50 PM
Invention begins at NYU-Poly:
PUTTING RADAR ON THE RADAR www.poly.edu/i2e
ERNST WEBER
Radar Technology—Faculty During World War II, Dr. Ernst Weber began solving the problems of measuring high-frequency microwaves, essential for the calibration of radar. His research involved the coating of glass tubes with a thin layer of conducting metal, which Weber derived from the ancient skill
of decorating chinaware with gold and silver. Weber’s efforts and production techniques helped the overall development of radar during the war and paved the way for the radar system still widely used today.
7
NYP-12-1157-Inv_Brochure_PRESS.indd 7
9/10/12 1:51 PM
Invention begins at NYU-Poly:
MAKING WAVES IN THE KITCHEN www.poly.edu/i2e
ERNST WEBER
Microwave Technology—Faculty Dr. Ernst Weber was a pioneer in the research and development of microwave technologies. Using the methods he applied to create the radar system we use today, Dr. Weber invented a way to utilize electromagnetic fields, as well as linear and nonlinear circuits, to
harness the power of microwaves for household cooking. His revolutionary process gave birth to the conventional microwave oven— a home appliance that has expedited the time of cooking in kitchens all over the globe.
8
NYP-12-1157-Inv_Brochure_PRESS.indd 8
9/10/12 1:51 PM
Invention begins at NYU-Poly:
KEEPING THE WORLD’S HEART BEATING www.poly.edu/i2e
BAROUH V. BERKOVITS
Pacemaker and DC Defibrillator—Faculty, Class of 1956 In 1960, Barouh Berkovits developed a way to revive the human heart when he patented the direct current (DC) defibrillator. Following clinical evaluation, DC shock became the dominant technology for the closed chest termination of ventricular tachycardia and ventricular and atrial fibrillation. Later, Berkovits invented the demand pacemaker, an approach to cardiac stimulation which was eventually adopted or
adapted by all clinical cardiac pacemakers. These technologies became the foundation for all future cardioverter-defibrillators, whether implantable or external for emergency use. His innovative work with pacemakers and the DC defibrillator—vital in emergency rooms to this day—advanced heart-related medical procedures globally.
9
NYP-12-1157-Inv_Brochure_PRESS.indd 9
9/10/12 1:51 PM
Innovation begins at NYU-Poly:
PIONEERING WORLD TRADE FROM THE OPEN SEA www.poly.edu/i2e
PAUL SOROS
Port Engineering Firm, Soros Associates—Class of 1950 As the holder of several patents in material handling and offshore technology, Paul Soros is an influential figure in port development. He has formed comprehensive master plan studies for ports in 26 countries and more than 700 bulk, liquid and general cargo port facilities in over 70 countries. He is the founder and former president of Soros Associates, which is now part of an international engineering firm. The company
introduced a novel approach to building bulk material shipping ports: an elegant, simple concept of handling materials by long conveyor belts that extended thousands of yards offshore to service ships, circumventing the bad weather that can wreak havoc at traditional ports. Today, through the Paul and Daisy Soros Foundation, he is an influential philanthropist, supporting the education of immigrant students.
10
NYP-12-1157-Inv_Brochure_PRESS.indd 10
9/10/12 1:51 PM
Innovation begins at NYU-Poly:
WORKING MIRACLES TO PRODUCE THE MIRACLE DRUG www.poly.edu/i2e
JASPER H. KANE AND JOHN MCKEEN
Mass Production of Penicillin—Class of 1928, Class of 1926 Dr. Jasper Kane and John McKeen are responsible for developing a process to increase the growth of penicillin—an antibiotic that is effective in treating hundreds of diseases. Dr. Kane discovered that “deep fermentation” tanks could be used along with the addition of corn steep liquor—a by-product of corn processing that contains the concentrated nutrients to increase production. He shared his discovery
with Pfizer and began large-scale penicillin production in an old plant in Brooklyn, New York. Soon after, John McKeen converted the plant into the largest facility for manufacturing penicillin in the world. Dr. Kane and John McKeen’s efforts saved the lives of countless soldiers during World War II and revolutionized mass production of medicine.
11
NYP-12-1157-Inv_Brochure_PRESS.indd 11
9/10/12 1:51 PM
Innovation begins at NYU-Poly:
MAKING THE TICKER RUN SMOOTHLY www.poly.edu/i2e
CATT FACULTY
NASDAQ Automated Quote System and NYSE Floor Design The faculty members of NYU-Poly’s Center for Advanced Technology in Telecommunications (CATT) were instrumental in the ground-breaking development and design of both the NASDAQ Automated Quote System—the first nationwide, real-time, financial trading system—and its trading floor. The Automated Quote System displays both the highest and lowest bid offers and public quotes of market, which enables traders
to enter and execute orders. The trading floor allows for transparency of trading from all aspects—providing ubiquitous information while keeping traders abreast of trades up to the very second. Both the software and the architecture have made stock trading faster and more efficient through transparency and accessibility.
12
NYP-12-1157-Inv_Brochure_PRESS.indd 12
9/10/12 1:51 PM
Innovation begins at NYU-Poly:
ENLIGHTENING THE WORLD BY UNLEASHING THE POWER OF LIGHT www.poly.edu/i2e
Gordon Gould LASER窶認aculty
One of the pioneers of the LASER, Gordon Gould, coined its acronym, which stands for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation. His studies in optical and microwave spectroscopy provided him the background necessary for formulating his original concepts of LASER technology. The idea began in 1957 when Gould realized that one could make an appropriate optical resonator by using two mirrors in the form of a Fabry-Perot interferometer. He predicted that such
an optical resonator in an appropriate laser gain medium and a pump source to excite the particles could heat materials to extremely high temperatures in a fraction of a second. The research he recorded was the first written description for building a LASER and in 1977 he would eventually be awarded a patent. Since then, the technology has evolved significantly, making medical procedures faster and more precise, as well as advancing home entertainment in CD, DVD and Blu-ray players.
13
NYP-12-1157-Inv_Brochure_PRESS.indd 13
9/10/12 1:51 PM
Innovation begins at NYU-Poly:
FROM THE HANDSET TO COOPERATIVE NETWORKS www.poly.edu/i2e
ROBERT G. BROWN
ELZA ERKIP
Robert G. Brown designed and developed the first telephone system in Paris, France. He is credited for the invention of the “French telephone,” which offered a handset that combined the receiver and mouthpiece of the phone. Brown revolutionized communication by moving away from the crank generator and candlestick models and paved the way for the more convenient and sophisticated phone system we use today.
Dr. Elza Erkip is developing a way to strengthen mobile-device signals using other mobiles in a wireless environment. Her research will enable devices in close proximity to combine signals. This will increase battery life and reduce interference in a network—creating a greater level of reliability and efficiency.
French Telephone/One-Piece Handset—Class of 1868
Boosting Signal Strength Using Surrounding Wireless Devices—Faculty
14
NYP-12-1157-Inv_Brochure_PRESS.indd 14
9/10/12 1:51 PM
HISTORY IN THE MAKING. “ Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.” Steve Jobs, 1955–2011
15
NYP-12-1157-Inv_Brochure_PRESS.indd 15
9/10/12 1:51 PM
Innovation begins at NYU-Poly:
Learning about marine life with artificial life www.poly.edu/i2e
MAURIZIO PORFIRI
Biomimetic Robot Fish—Faculty One of Popular Science’s “Brilliant 10” and a frequent feature in science media, Maurizio Porfiri is recognized for his work on biologically inspired robots that mimic the near-silent movement of schooling fish so
convincingly that real fish are enticed to follow them. His goal is to create self-powered underwater robots capable of steering fish populations away from hazards such as oil and chemical spills or power turbines.
16
NYP-12-1157-Inv_Brochure_PRESS.indd 16
9/10/12 1:51 PM
Innovation begins at NYU-Poly:
ENSURING SECURITY IN CYBERSPACE www.poly.edu/i2e
NASIR MEMON
Cyber Security窶認aculty Nasir Memon, an associate professor of computer science, is leading the field of cyberspace security with his research in steganography, the practice of hiding one piece of information within another. His academic interests include digital forensics, data compression and multimedia computing. He has published over 250 articles in journals and conference proceedings, and holds a dozen patents in image compression and security. He is one of the founding members of the
Center for Interdisciplinary Studies in Security and Privacy (CRISSP), a collaborative initiative of multiple schools within NYU, including NYU-Steinhardt, NYU-Wagner, NYU-Stern and NYU-Courant. Due to the efforts of Memon and other faculty members, Poly has been named a Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education by the National Security Agency (NSA). The Institute is the first school in New York City to receive this prestigious designation.
17
NYP-12-1157-Inv_Brochure_PRESS.indd 17
9/10/12 1:51 PM
Innovation begins at NYU-Poly:
USING TINY FIBERS TO STRENGTHEN CITIES www.poly.edu/i2e
MASOUD GHANDEHARI
Fiber Optic System for Monitoring Structural Integrity窶認aculty Masoud Ghandehari, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering, is solving the challenges involved in the aging of roads and bridges, as well as gas, electric and water infrastructures. He specializes in the development of monitoring and condition assessment tools for the evaluation of the internal chemical states of materials in service. Consequently, he has been involved with a variety of research projects ranging from infrastructure durability issues such as
corrosion and permeability in reinforced concrete, to non-destructive testing and interferometric techniques for damage detection. Additionally, he has a number of years of consulting experience on the analysis, design, condition assessment and rehabilitation of bridges, tunnels, buildings, stadiums and tensile structures. Using fiber-optic technology, Dr. Ghandehari aims to improve infrastructure performance and optimize repair strategies and schedules.
18
NYP-12-1157-Inv_Brochure_PRESS.indd 18
9/10/12 1:51 PM
Innovation begins at NYU-Poly:
BUILDING GLOBAL COMMUNICATION SKILLS www.poly.edu/i2e
THEODORE (TED) RAPPAPORT NYU Wireless—Faculty
NYU Wireless, led by Theodore (Ted) Rappaport, professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, is an interdisciplinary research center that brings together academics with expertise in millimeter wave wireless communications and circuits, distributed networking and computing, and many branches of medicine. Just launched this year, there are already 24 faculty and 100 graduate and undergraduate students who participate in about $10 million in annual research, funded by industrial affiliates and large
NSF, NIH and other competitive research programs. The center’s diverse personnel come from NYU-Poly’s Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, NYU’s Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences and the NYU Langone School of Medicine. Working with some of the world’s best doctors and surgeons, the center aims to solve real problems in the medical field, while bringing industry sponsors in direct contact with engineering challenges and market opportunities at the intersection of wireless and health care.
19
NYP-12-1157-Inv_Brochure_PRESS.indd 19
9/10/12 1:51 PM
Innovation begins at NYU-Poly:
STRIKING A HARMONY BETWEEN SOUND AND TECHNOLOGY www.poly.edu/i2e
R. LUKE DUBOIS
Digital Media—Faculty R. Luke DuBois is an American composer, performer, conceptual new media artist, programmer, record producer, laptop musician and pedagogue. As a conceptual artist, DuBois takes on various topics in American culture and places them under a computational microscope, attempting to raise issues relevant to information theory, perception of time, canonicity and gaze. His research into issues of musical time revolve around a technique called time-lapse phonography, as used in his piece “Billboard.” Like his artwork, his instrumental writing is often
based on techniques derived from stochastic music and data mining, using metaphors and information from cultural topics as source material but with a post-modern stylistic approach. Having collaborated with a wide range of artists and musicians, his music integrates real-time performer-computer interaction with algorithmic methodologies repurposed from other fields, most notably formal grammars such as L-systems. DuBois is the co-author of Jitter, a software suite for developing video effects in Max/MSP by Cycling 74.
20
NYP-12-1157-Inv_Brochure_PRESS.indd 20
9/10/12 1:51 PM
Innovation begins at NYU-Poly:
GIVING VIDEO GAME CHARACTERS MORE CHARACTER www.poly.edu/i2e
KATHERINE ISBISTER
Emotion and Gesture in Games—Faculty Trained in both social science and design, Katherine Isbister leads the Gaming Innovation Lab at NYU-Poly, where her research explores and enhances the social emotional qualities of the digital experience. Her interests involve understanding the impact of design choices on how players feel and interact with each other and figuring out how to improve
making and evaluating digital experiences that have these qualities. Isbister’s work examines how gestures create emotion in game play, which will help formulate design principles and build games that push the range of emotional and interpersonal experiences.
21
NYP-12-1157-Inv_Brochure_PRESS.indd 21
9/10/12 1:51 PM
Invention begins at NYU-Poly:
REENERGIZING THE POWER INDUSTRY www.poly.edu/i2e
FRANCISCO DE LEON
Toroidal Distribution Transformer—Faculty Francisco de Leon, professor of electrical and computer engineering, is one of the researchers whose efforts to improve the delivery of electricity are contributing to smart grid technology. His areas of interest include the electromagnetic design and modeling of electrical machines, the analysis of transient and steady-state power
systems, cable ampacity, and the definitions of power for nonlinear and unbalanced circuits. He is developing a toroidal distribution transformer—an innovative design that will allow for more efficient use of power, lower utility costs and conservation of raw materials—to increase electromagnetic energy conversion in distribution grids.
22
NYP-12-1157-Inv_Brochure_PRESS.indd 22
9/10/12 1:52 PM
Innovation begins at NYU-Poly:
MAKING BUSINESS LESS RISKY www.poly.edu/i2e
NASSIM NICHOLAS TALEB
CHARLES TAPIERO
Nassim Nicolas Taleb (left), the distinguished professor of risk engineering, is an honored world leader on many issues that relate to market defaults. He is also the author of the best seller The Black Swan: The Impact of the Highly Improbable (2007), in addition to his acclaimed books, Fooled by Randomness: The Hidden Role of Chance in Life and in the Markets (2001, 2005) and Dynamic Hedging (1997). Selected honors include: Power 30 Wall Street Journal/Smart Money (2007), Frost & Sullivan Visionary of the Year (2008), and Derivatives Strategy Hall of Fame (2000).
Charles Tapiero (right) is the Topfer Chair and distinguished professor of financial engineering & technology management and the Chair of the Department of Finance & Risk Engineering. Professor Tapiero is a recognized leader in risk engineering and insurance-finance. He has published three books and over 350 papers on a broad range of issues spanning risk finance management, stochastic modeling and applied stochastic control in risk engineering, insurance, technology and other areas.
Finance and Risk Engineering窶認aculty
Finance and Risk Engineering窶認aculty
23
NYP-12-1157-Inv_Brochure_PRESS.indd 23
9/10/12 1:52 PM
Innovation begins at NYU-Poly:
Filling gas tanks instead of landfills www.poly.edu/i2e
RICHARD GROSS
Biodiesel Fuel—Faculty Richard Gross focuses on research at the interface between polymers and the biological sciences, as well as biosynthesis, biocatalysis and biotechnology. His laboratory work encompasses a wide variety of projects directed toward the development of new enzyme and chemo-enzymatic strategies and methods for the synthesis of polymers for a wide variety of applications. He and his colleagues found a way
to turn plant oil into “bio-plastic” thus creating a new kind of material that easily converts itself into eco-friendly diesel fuel. With his company SyntheZyme, Gross’s project has gained the support of the Pentagon and the National Science Foundation, which recently gave him more than $2 million in grants to continue his ground-breaking research.
24
NYP-12-1157-Inv_Brochure_PRESS.indd 24
9/10/12 1:52 PM
Entrepreneurship begins at NYU-Poly:
USING POLYMERS TO DIAGNOSE CANCER www.poly.edu/i2e
KALLE LEVON
Founder, BKM Diagnostics—Faculty Kalle Levon is using organic electronics to create a method for early cancer detection with his company BKM Diagnostics. His research funding over a 10-year period has led to novel discoveries in bacteria, virus, protein and DNA detection. Using organic electronics as early‑stage cancer markers, Levon focuses his efforts on assisting
medical doctors with point-of-care diagnostics. He has also furthered the development of NYU-Poly’s chemical and biological sciences program by developing courses in bio-sensors, tissue engineering, sequence analysis and protein structure/property relationship.
25
NYP-12-1157-Inv_Brochure_PRESS.indd 25
9/10/12 1:52 PM
Innovation begins at NYU-Poly:
USING ONE’S BRAIN TO FIGHT EPILEPTIC SEIZURES www.poly.edu/i2e
JONATHAN CHAO
Hybrid Neuroprothesis (HNP)—Faculty Jonathan Chao has made several key steps toward the completion of a fully implantable device—the subdural Hybrid Neuroprosthesis (HNP)—for the treatment of severe cerebral cortical epilepsy. This form of epilepsy is resistant to all available antiepileptic drugs and
also unsuitable for traditional surgical interventions. Chao’s HNP will record the electrical discharge of neurons in the epileptogenic cerebral cortical area, recognize abnormal patterns leading to an epileptic seizure and deliver an antiepileptic drug to prevent seizure generation.
26
NYP-12-1157-Inv_Brochure_PRESS.indd 26
9/10/12 1:52 PM
Innovation begins at NYU-Poly:
Preserving masterpieces with mathematics www.poly.edu/i2e
DAVID AND GREGORY CHUDNOVSKY Numerical Computation—Faculty
NYU-Poly Professors David and Gregory Chudnovsky have left an indelible mark on the world of mathematics. Most recently, the brothers have assisted the Metropolitan Museum of Art in merging a series of digital photographs taken of “The Hunt of the Unicorn” tapestries.
The brothers built a customized, sophisticated super computer to create a vector displacement map to merge the tens of thousands of threads in the 500-year-old tapestry.
27
NYP-12-1157-Inv_Brochure_PRESS.indd 27
9/10/12 1:52 PM
Innovation begins at NYU-Poly:
Detecting Deadly Secrets in a Drop of Blood www.poly.edu/i2e
STEPHEN ARNOLD Biosensors—Faculty
Dr. Stephen Arnold, professor of physics and chemistry, noticed the way microscopic particles interacted with light. This observation led him to invent a prototype for a biosensor—the world’s most sensitive virus detection device—that identifies infectious agents in real time. Named the “Whispering Mode Biosensor,” his development is capable of isolating a single blood-borne virus and locating a foreign particle in a patient’s
blood, immediately saving precious time and ultimately saving lives. Recent advancements to the technology enabled Arnold and his team to set a record for identifying the smallest single virus particles in solution. Instant detection of a viral or toxic infection is a perennial health-care need and yet-to-be realized clinical dream that is increasingly important in an age that faces pandemics and bioterrorism threats.
28
NYP-12-1157-Inv_Brochure_PRESS.indd 28
9/10/12 1:52 PM
Entrepreneurship begins at NYU-Poly:
Creating models tHAT turn social media into big business www.poly.edu/i2e
KEITH ROSS
New Media窶認aculty Professor Keith Ross has worked in security and privacy, peer-to-peer networking, Internet measurement, video streaming, multi-service loss networks, content distribution networks, queuing theory and Markov decision processes. Now, Ross is using the information posted on social media sites such as Facebook, MySpace and
YouTube to help optimize online advertising, thereby advancing corporate revenues. Ross uses rigorous mathematic models to explore the economics of user-generated content, particularly text and video on the Internet. His research examines the linkages between this content and its monetization through online advertising.
29
NYP-12-1157-Inv_Brochure_PRESS.indd 29
9/10/12 1:52 PM
Innovation begins at NYU-Poly:
Innovation begins at NYU-Poly:
IMPROVING EYESIGHT WITH IDEVICES
Repurposing Materials to energize creativity
Jared Frank AND David Lopez
BILLY GORDON
NYU-Poly graduate students Jared Frank (left) and David Lopez are using the features of iPads, iPhones and iPods to make personal robots easy to control, and interactions between them and humans as natural as possible. Taking advantage of the cutting-edge sensors, accelerometers, gyroscopes and other innovations of commonly available consumer electronics, their project would allow a paralyzed or disabled person to control a robot using eye motions recorded by a camera on a mobile device.
Electrical engineering major Billy Gordon, pictured here with his solar-powered LED flower built of repurposed waste material, has already been featured in Popular Science, Make Magazine and PCMagazine.com for his out-of-the-box ideas. He was the first user to have a million views for his posts on instructables.com, a website where users can submit instructions for making anything from ice cream sandwiches to biofuel briquettes.
www.poly.edu/i2e
iDevice—EE, Class of 2012, Class of 2013
www.poly.edu/i2e
Solar LED Flowers—EE, Class of 2012
30
NYP-12-1157-Inv_Brochure_PRESS.indd 30
9/10/12 1:52 PM
Invention begins at NYU-Poly:
Innovation begins at NYU-Poly:
www.poly.edu/i2e
www.poly.edu/i2e
Creating socially-aware radio stations in the cloud
helping healing with A BIODEGRADABLE BANDAGE
LUC SUCCES AND SHIRLEY WYNN
JOSEPH LANDOLINA AND KENNY MAI
NYU-Poly Time Warner Cable lnno/Vention finalists Luc Succes and Shirley Wynn created a cloud-based service called Neocast.fm that provides radio stations with real-time feedback and analytics on their listeners connected through web and mobile platforms. Listeners can pick what they actually want to hear and communicate with other listeners and the DJ. Their innovation has landed them first place in the 2012 Inno/Vention Competition at NYU-Poly.
Joseph Landolina and Kenny Mai recognized a need to evolve the common bandage, which has remained unchanged for nearly a century. The two developed Medi-Gel, an organic, gelatinous bandage that solidifies and bonds to a laceration. This medical breakthrough is biodegradable, self‑absorbent and will help reproduce healthy skin cells around the injured area. The pair were winners in the 2011 NYU-Poly Inno/Vention Competition.
Neocast.FM—CS, Class of 2012
Medi-Gel—BME/CE, ME, Class of 2014
31
NYP-12-1157-Inv_Brochure_PRESS.indd 31
9/10/12 1:53 PM
Innovation begins at NYU-Poly:
Creating a new dimension in space exploration www.poly.edu/i2e
CHARLES J. CAMARDA
NASA Astronaut—AE, Class of 1974 Throughout his illustrious career at NASA, Charles Camarda logged over 333 hours in space, obtained seven patents and received more than 21 awards for technical innovations. Perhaps his most notable distinction was his Research and Development 100 Award from Industrial Research Magazine for the “Heat-Pipe-Cooled Sandwich Panel.” Camarda’s design synergized the thermal efficiency of heat
pipes and the structural efficiency of honeycomb sandwich construction, which significantly reduced stress from high temperatures in NASA Scramjet engines. Carmarda’s efforts have led to the improvement of structural stability in NASA’s spacecrafts and the development of more advanced launch vehicles. Camarda was NYU‑Poly’s current distinguished engineer in residence from 2009 to 2011.
32
NYP-12-1157-Inv_Brochure_PRESS.indd 32
9/10/12 1:53 PM
What Will You Do? Invention, innovation and entrepreneurship (i2e) is more than a slogan—it’s a way of life at NYU-Poly. We hope you will be inspired to learn how to put your own ideas into action in our challenging academic programs in engineering, science and technology management. Who knows? Your “eureka” moment just might change the world.
33
NYP-12-1157-Inv_Brochure_PRESS.indd 33
9/10/12 1:53 PM
Six MetroTech Center Brooklyn, NY 11201 1-800-POLYTECH www.poly.edu
Scan this code to visit NYU-Poly’s I2e Invention Gallery
NYP-12-1157-Inv_Brochure_PRESS.indd 34
9/10/12 1:53 PM