Class: ID 4061 |  Instructor: Roger Ball 

Are you a parent that is frustrated with throwing away shoes that your child has outgrown? Do you hate adding to the growing piles of scraps in landfills? Leave your frustrations at the door and look to Nova! Nova is the alternative pair of children's shoes that will change how we look at disposable products.

Nova Generation 1 is produced using strong natural materials and dyes for the best play experience and the greatest ecological benefit. The spider silk fiber upper provides an elastic, durable, yet soft covering. The mycelium composite derived from the intricate root systems of mushrooms provides foam-like support for even the most energetic periods of playtime. The polylactic acid (PLA) self-fastening straps and grommets keep the shoe stable while allowing for smooth and quick removal.

My goal when creating Nova was to make a shoe for children ages 4-6 that sacrificed none of the functionality of a traditional shoe while reimagining what a shoe can be once it is inevitably outgrown. After Nova has lived through its usefulness, it can be shamelessly discarded. Why? Because the unique composition of Nova enables it to degrade fully within a year when exposed to a composting environment, unlike traditional shoes that take 30-40 years on average to decompose in a landfill. No harmful substances. No parts that disrupt the delicate ecosystem. Only all-natural materials that break back down into natural nutrients.

Children need shoes, and they will need a lot of them when they start hitting growth spurts. Don't waste money on shoes that last 160 times longer in a landfill than on your child's feet. Look to Nova, the shoes that support the steps of your child, and the next steps for our planet.

Group Members: Amelia Keller, Rebecca Sun, Mary McGregor, Brigid Winston, Lizzy Fristoe, Mohammad Soudachi

Class: ID 3042 |  Instructor: Kevin Shankwiler

The Verge electric bicycle by Ahura reinvents the way you ride by giving the everyday commuter more freedom to adapt to their needs on the fly. Rider transitions like going to work or biking for exercise are made more exhilarating and safe when on the Verge. The Verge has three rear hub assisted drive modes that can be cycled through using the interface integrated within the handlebars. The rear hub motor tire and battery pack can be easily removed for a lighter unassisted ride. The battery can be conveniently charged while attached to the Verge via a 3 pin XLR port on the underside of the battery casing. The long seat stay provides more space for cargo carrying bike attachments.

The Verge electric bike does not look like a normal bike because it isn't a normal bike. It bridges the current gap between traditional commuter bikes and automobiles with such safety features as the light communication system and a lock mode. The integrated rear blinkers and tail lights in the saddle deliver clear communication to pedestrians and automobile drivers on the road. The lock mode is activated via a keyfob that comes with the purchase of a Verge bike. While in lock mode, if the bike disturbed or moved, a loud noise similar to a car alarm sounds. All of these features give the Verge electric bike a road presence that could rival any automobile.

Group Members: Stephanie Lewis

Class: ID 3042 |  Instructor: Kevin Shankwiler

The objective for this project was to redesign the existing Micromeritics Sedigraph III Particle Size Analyzer to eliminate such problems as hoses popping off, causing leaks outside and inside the machine, maintenance being limited by small windows and openings, a control panel that has unclear signals and obstructed features, and a difficult machine leveling system. We were also tasked with revitalizing the Micromeritics visual brand language to reflect their history of quality and precision products with a modern twist that would make them stand out from their competitors.

We based our redesign around a large corner window concept that would allow a lab technician to easily see into the inner x-ray chamber during maintenance and use. This large window also showcases the inner component engineering that Micromeritics proudly manufactures in-house at their Atlanta based facility. We included other features such as a slide-out pump drawer to keep the hoses organized with integrated water sensors that notify a technician in the case of a hose leak. The mixing chamber swings out of a similar drawer on the right of the machine. The new threaded levelers can be easily reached and do not need an external tool to make adjustments. Finally, the royal blue main body and the bold branding that can be seen on the side and top of the machine undeniably label the Sedigraph IV as the newest addition to a history rich with best lab equipment on the market.

Class: ID 3042  |  Instructor: Kevin Shankwiler

The Roost Vertical Storage System is a new innovative solution that tackles out of control clutter within the home by looking to the sky. All large home organization products on the market today only solve storage problems horizontally through the stacking of shelving units or the installing of cabinets. Even these solutions can become cluttered once items get stacked upon each other. A great example of this is the kitchen junk drawer that everyone has in their home. No one wants to show off their clutter, but they do want to show off their new gadget that eliminates their mess.

This is where Roost comes in. The modular container system is ceiling mounted and can be customized to meet a homeowner's specific functional and aesthetic preferences. At their core, all Roost systems work the same. The rectangular containers that vary in length and depth rest on the ceiling until the homeowner needs to store an item. The homeowner only needs to specify the relative size of the item(s) being stored and a properly sized cubby will be slowly lowered via four electric motors and nylon cables. Once the item is placed in the cubby, it returns to the ceiling and waits to be needed. To call the item back, the homeowner uses their home mounted interface to select the item(s) they need and Roost lowers the item into the homeowners awaiting arms.