The College of Engineering enjoyed a successful evening at the Innovative Idea Competition finals. Three representatives out of the 12 finalists were from the College, the second-highest of all schools behind Fox. All three students won awards, running the table on the undergraduate category, for their ideas in the "Shark Tank" style event held at the Fox School of Business and Management's Alter Hall.

 

Freshman Christopher Ricci took the first place for undergraduates for his Regenerative Suspension System that would turn bumps and potholes on a road into storable energy for electric and hybrid cars.

Junior Emily Kight earned the second prize for undergraduates for Prohibere, a topical solution to help patients suffering from trichotillomania, a disease that causes people to pull out hair impulsively.

Senior Matthew McCormick won second prize in the People's Choice for Oscar the Grouch, a sensor-driven robotic arm aimed to improve recycling efficiency and reduce contamination. Ricci won $1,000 while Kight and McCormick took home $500 each.

Ricci was very excited to receive one of the highest honors of the event. "I'm extremely honored that I was able to represent the college of engineering in this year's competition, and to win the undergraduate honors was just icing on the cake! I couldn't have done it without the support of my friends and family, along with guidance from Professor Robert Murray."

Kight also felt proud for the recognition. "Winning the award is very meaningful because it's encouraging of creativity and validating of hard work. Being around so many good ideas is inspiring and motivating so placing 2nd is an honor because all of the ideas were so exceptional. I didn't think I'd win but I knew I'd learn something by trying so it's really great for both to happen."

McCormick received support from his cheering section of classmates and handled the high-pressure presentation with aplomb. "I am very excited to be able to share my idea and compete in such a wonderful competition. My friends from my engineering classes did help me out a lot and came out to show their support. I have done presentations before and by practicing it in front of my friends it became a breeze."

Part of the students' success can be traced to Temple's involvement with Pathways to Innovation, a national program introducing engineering majors to more innovation experience through their coursework. "We're not surprised to see our students get recognized," said College of Engineering Dean Keya Sadeghipour. "We're infusing innovation across the curriculum through the Pathways to Innovation progam, of which we're a proud member."

-Marco Cerino