Inventing the Future
 

Innovative projects by undergraduate CS students

Ashok Agrawala
#4149 A. V. Williams building
Tel: (301) 405-2525

 

 

Deadline for Spring 2007: January 15th

 

 

 

Do you have an idea for some cool technology that might teach a lesson to Microsoft, Google, Apple, or Sony? Here is an opportunity to try it out. Tell us about it and we will provide the tools and money you need to make it happen!

 

How to participate? 

By January 15th 2007, individuals or small teams should prepare a 1 page project proposal including:
  • The goal of the project;
  • A brief description of the intended design;
  • The resources that will be needed to conduct the project;
  • The potential impact of the project and why it should be supported;

All applications should also include a one page resume for each applicant.

A selection committee led by Prof. Agrawala will review each proposal and select 3 to 4 of the most promising projects. Reviews criteria will focus on the creativity and the potential impact of each proposal.

Selected participants should be planning to attend CMSC 498D: Introduction to Rapid Prototyping Techniques.


Resources 

Selected teams will be assigned a mentor who will help them build a proof of concept for their project. They will also receive financial support (up to $5 000) for equipment and supplies necessary to build a prototype. Finally, they will have access to a dedicated server (for network and web related projects) and the CS department rapid prototyping laboratory which includes:

  • Versa Laser cutter: Our laser cutter can cut wood, paper and acrylic. It can engrave wood, paper, painted metal, glass and ceramics.

  • Roland MDX-15 milling and scanning machine. This desktop milling machine can be used to manufacture small metal parts as well printed circuit boards. It can also be used as a 3D scanner.

  • Immersion MicroScribe G2X: This digitalized arm is used to reverse engineer existing devices by capturing exact measurements of their design.

  • Electronic design and testing bench: Design, build, and test your own circuit boards and program your micro-controller chips.

  • Prototyping hardware including: