For decades, researchers from across the globe have sought to discover ways in which to enable clear communication with underground miners in case of an emergency. Such a device is one of many technologies and solutions designed to help address societal needs that will be on display at West Virginia University’s Lane Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering’s Senior Design Expo. The expo will be held on Monday, April 29, from noon-2 p.m., on the ground floor of the Engineering Sciences Building in the Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources on WVU’s Evansdale campus.

More than 50 students majoring in electrical engineering, computer science, computer engineering and biometrics formed groups and began working last semester on various capstone projects. After conducting research and writing design proposals, the teams got hands-on experience building their projects and will now introduce them to the public.

“The senior design program allows students to find creative solutions to technical challenges,” said Ramana Reddy, program coordinator. “By working in a group setting on a real-world problem, students become better communicators, gain time management skills and learn to deal with interpersonal issues, all of which they will encounter in their professional careers.”

Other projects scheduled to be on display include a robot that cleans stairs and another that can dig soil on the moon, along with a system to enable WVU’s Department of Transportation and Parking to enforce regulations without human intervention.

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

-WVU-

mcd/04/22/13

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CONTACT: Mary C. Dillon, Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources
304-293-4086; mary.dillon@mail.wvu.edu