Earlier in January, the ASME student chapter at the University of Central Florida (UCF) hosted the first EFx event of the year. Nearly 140 students participated in the daylong forum "Think Outside the Box," which took place in Orlando, Fla.
The event kicked off with a keynote address by former NASA astronaut and UCF alumna Nicole Stott, who served as a flight engineer on the International Space Station Expeditions 20 and 21 in 2009. She was also a mission specialist on the 128th and 133rd Space Shuttle missions in 2009 and 2011, respectively. During her speech, Stott, who retired in 2015 after 27 years at NASA, discussed engineering innovation and her own experiences.
Another session, titled “NASA Technology Transfer,” was presented by Mikaela McShane, technology marketing and communications director for the Kennedy Space Center. McShane provided an overview of the NASA’s Technology Transfer Program that aims to introduce NASA technologies into private industry, universities, and start-up companies.
The EFx at UCF featured the Foam Plane Impromptu Competition, in which students were provided with various materials needed to create a flyable foam airplane. The competition was judged by representatives from the USTPO and members of the Orlando ASME senior section. The winners were Anna Borbely, Andre Rahrooh, Andoni Sanjuan, Michael Soto, and Khoi Tran.
In the evening, Albert Manero, president of Limbitless Solutions, delivered the dinner address, discussing his non-profit organization that employs 3D printing in the design and manufacturing of personalized bionics and prosthetic limbs for children. Levi Zima, a UFC student studying RF and microwave engineering who has been designing and building since the age of 12, also spoke about his experiences as an inventor and patent holder.
The next EFx is set to take place on February 8 at the University of Houston. A second EFx will follow on March 14 at the Northeastern University in Boston.
Learn more about the upcoming EFx events.
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