Ebonee JohnsonEach year, Penn Engineering’s seniors present their Senior Design projects, a year-long effort that challenges them to test and develop solutions to real-world problems, to their individual departments. The top three projects from each department go on to compete in the annual Senior Design Competition, sponsored by the Engineering Alumni Society, which involves pitching projects to a panel of judges who evaluate their potential in the market.
This year’s panel included 42 judges, 21 in-person and 21 online, who weighed in on 18 projects. Each winning team received a $2,000 prize, generously sponsored by Penn Engineering alumnus Kerry Wisnosky.
Technology & Innovation Award
This award recognized the team whose project represents the highest and best use of technology and innovation to leverage engineering principles.
Winner: Team Modulo Prosthetics
Department: Bioengineering
Team Members: Alisha Agarwal, Michelle Kwon, Gary Lin, Ian Ong, Zachary Spalding
Mentor: Michael Hast
Instructors: Sevile Mannickarottu, David Meaney, Michael Siedlik
Abstract: Modulo Prosthetic is an adjustable, low-cost, thumb prosthetic with integrated haptic feedback that attaches to the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint of partial hand amputees and assists in activities of daily living (ADLs).
Judges’ Choice Award
This award recognizes the group whose all-around presentation captures the best of the senior design program’s different facets: ideation, scope of project, team problem-solving, execution and presentation.
Winner: Team Pillbot
Department: Electrical and Systems Engineering
Team Members: Srisa Changolkar, Bryan Romanow and Christopher Lee
Mentor: James Won
Instructors: Sid Deliwala, Dr. Jan Van Der Spiegel
Abstract: PillBot is a smart dispenser to prevent addiction to medication by not only making it easy for patients to adhere to their prescriptions, but also providing doctors with the ability to track patient adherence and intervene when necessary.
Social Impact Award
This award recognizes the team whose project represents the greatest potential benefit for society by creatively solving an issue in a socially relevant field, such as health, sustainability or energy.
Winner: Team CO2+CH4 to Liquids Plasma
Department: Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Team Members: Nathaniel Hess, Caitlyn McCloskey, Brandon Burghardt
Mentor: Aleksandra Vojvodic
Abstract: CO2+CH4 to Liquids Plasma is a novel technology for the production of high-value chemicals from two greenhouse gases.
Leadership Award
This award recognizes the team which most professionally and persuasively presents their group project to incorporate a full analysis of their project’s scope, advantages and challenges, as well as addresses the research’s future potential and prospects for commercialization.
Winner: Team ReiniSpec
Department: Bioengineering
Team Members: Caitlin Frazee, Caroline Kavanagh, Ifeoluwa Popoola, Alexa Rybicki, Michelle White
Mentor: JeongInn Park
Instructors: Sevile Mannickarottu, David Meaney, Michael Siedlik
Abstract: ReiniSpec is a redesigned speculum to improve the gynecological exam experience, increasing patient comfort with a silicone shell and using motorized arm adjustments to make it easily adjustable for each patient, while also incorporating a camera, lights, and machine learning to aid in better diagnosis by gynecologists.