11/28/07

The course project is the raison d'etre for the course. Teams of 3-4 students will conceptualize, design and implement an innovative proof-of-concept system.

The class will be fairly diverse with representation from various departments in engineering, science, and humanities along with professionals from local industries. E-teams of 3-4 students will be formed after considering various factors like majors, research areas, project requirements, skill-sets and logistical issues. The E-teams shall consult with the course instructor and e-team mentors to identify an intrapreneurial or entrepreneurial design project, e.g., research in labs, product ideas that have their genesis in the research labs, or even test systems for products being developed by other teams! Originality of the concept shall be a requirement.

*** SIGNIFICANT FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE TO PURCHASE EQUIPMENT FOR THE COURSE PROJECTS***

The equipment purchased from the course funds shall be the property of Penn State and needs to be returned at the end of the semester.

Course Ventures for the Spring 2007 & Fall 2007 semesters include:

• an open-platform cell-phone for transmitting health information (of remote communities) over GSM

• a Zigbee-based Wireless Sensor Network for Building Automation

• PDA based skiing performance enhancer - BlueToe

• 'Hy-Lion' safety system for a Fuel-cell based hybrid vehicle

• 'Shot Caller' to assist with target shooting practice

• Ocular Mouse: Control a computer mouse with your eyes

• Cosmos: Contact sport player monitoring system

• Zigbee based patient and asset tracking and monitoring system for nursing homes

• In-class videoconferencing system to enhance the classroom experience

All the course ventures were fully functional prototypes