Winning team members Greg Williams, Cory Weinberg, Conrad Bowden and Daniel Tran with Dean JoAnn Browning.
Nov. 27, 2019 — 3BM, one of 96 student-led design teams, won the top prize at UTSA Fall 2019 Tech Symposium. The challenge, hosted yesterday by the College of Engineering and sponsored by the San Antonio Economic Development Corp., showcased innovative student projects and research across multiple engineering disciplines, preparing participants to launch scalable entrepreneurial ventures.
3BM was formed by Conrad Bowden, Daniel Tran, Cory Weinberg and Greg Williams and was mentored by George E. Karutz. The group created a paint-curing apparatus system that allows infrared paint curing technology to be used on flat surfaces as well as complex shapes, such as engines. During the course of development, the students demonstrated to their industry sponsor that their system could reduce utility costs and paint curing time by 60% each.
The student team will receive a $4,000 cash prize for its first place finish. Additionally, it received an Excellence in Industry Partnership Award from College of Engineering Dean JoAnn Browning for its successful work.
—JOANN BROWING, Dean of UTSA’s College of Engineering
Second place at the symposium was awarded to Alt-Bionics for its globally available robotic arm. The product, developed by Max Brecheisen, Evan Jenkins, Ruairidh McWilliam and Ryan Saavedra, is an artificial intelligence–enhanced bionic hand for below-elbow amputees that restores basic and essential mobility for its user. Although prosthetic hands can cost up to $160,000 per person, the UTSA students’ prototype cost less than $700 to produce. The students will receive a $3,000 cash prize.
Bexar Aerospace received third place, which comes with a $2,000 cash prize. The team, made up of Jeremy Browder, Robert Doris, Eduardo Gamez and Lino Villanueva, developed a soft suspension system for ground vibration testing of aircraft. Their technology allows for the testing of aircraft from weights of 1,750 pounds to 62,000 pounds.
Three Excellence in Engineering Awards were also given to Design I teams at this month’s symposium. Winners of those $1,000 cash prizes are:
UTSA recognized one team from each academic department participating in the symposium with an Excellence in Engineering Award. Recipients are:
⇒ Explore the College of Engineering’s programs for undergraduate students and graduate students.
Held semiannually, the College of Engineering’s Tech Symposium is the capstone project of UTSA’s engineering program. The hands-on learning opportunity enables students to apply the knowledge and skills they have accumulated throughout their undergraduate studies to design, develop and implement innovative and relevant engineering products. It also provides students with an opportunity to network with industry leaders and differentiate themselves from students at competing universities.
The College of Engineering’s senior design teams work together over the course of two semesters, including the time over the midsemester break. A team of four will log somewhere between 1,600 and 2,000 person-hours (approximately 200 to 250 hours per person per semester) to complete their projects.
“The Tech Symposium is a hands-on event that gives our students the opportunity to let their brilliance shine,” said Browning. “Our seniors are participating in cutting-edge work using the knowledge and skills they have acquired during their time here at UTSA. We are shaping the future of engineering.”
The six cash prizes awarded to students at the end of the symposium were sponsored by Karutz, Bill Balthrope at Mood Texas, Paul C. Kimball, Texas Capital Bank and Texas Research and Technology Foundation.
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Join the UTSA community in celebrating the life of Dr. Thelma Duffey.
Aula Canaria (BV 1.328), Buena Vista Building, Downtown CampusThe proposed annual BME Research Symposium will allow students to present their undergraduate research free of charge, providing them with the opportunity to network and build their professional skills.
H-E-B Student Union Ballroom 1 & 2, Main CampusThe UTSA Marches Committee, in partnership with the Cesar E. Chavez Legacy and Education Foundation, invites everyone to the 27th annual Cesar E. Chavez March for Justice. This event is in conjunction with the "Yes We CAN" food donation drive with the San Antonio Food Bank. Guests are encouraged to bring canned food items with them to the march to deposit cans into barrels before the march begins.
1310 Guadalupe St, San Antonio, TX 78207Join us to learn about how Impostor Syndrome can affect your career decisions and how you view yourself, your knowledge, and abilities. You will leave with actionable items related to implementing coping strategies for symptoms that may arise in your career development (mentally, physically, emotionally).
University Career Center (S.U. 2.02.04,) Main CampusJoin UTSA librarians for this introductory workshop for early career faculty on how to build your online scholarly identity.
John Peace Library, GroupSpot BJoin the conversation with Karleen Pendleton Jimenez, a professor in the Department of Gender and Social Justice at Trent University.
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