When working for a technology blog, sometimes opportunities arise where you can report on a gathering of technological goods (e.g. LAN parties, technology conventions, tours of enterprise-grade server arrays, etc.) for everyone’s benefit. Today, I was an attendant of the University of Cincinnati’s Tech Expo 2007, at the Duke Energy Center. Where Paul would call this a “really big carnival”, I am inclined to agree. Put on by the University of Cincinnati’s College of Applied Sciences, the Tech Expo 2007 was a conglomeration of projects designed and executed by Seniors from all areas of engineering and science majors, including Information Technology, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Chemical Technology, Architechtural Engineering, Construction Management, Horticulture, and Culinary Arts and Sciences. While down there, I got to talk to plenty of people about their projects and the outcomes…
Here’s a quickie list of some of the exhibits that caught my eye:
- LAN Asset Tracking and PC Inventory
- Advantages of Using EIGRP on Enterprise Networks
- Remote Learning Meets Web 2.0
- Electrically Heated Concrete Forms
- Personal Air Convection Hard Hat (an Air-Conditioned lid for the rest of us…)
- PC-based Oscilloscope
- Universal Pyrotechnic Firing System
- Wireless Smoke Detector Notification for the Deaf
- News.Net
- Electrical Vehicle Conversion (An Old Mustang ICE car)
- Un-Cloggable Water Pump
- Jogging Generator
- Wind Tunnel Testing Device
One characteristic of this expo is that each project is tailor-made to address a difficulty with modern technology or face a new problem. Previous year’s exhibits have gone on to become successful products in the business world; whether by introducing new software to a large enterprise, or developing a new way of keeping construction workers safe, these students and their projects are in demand somewhere, which means there is no slacking off. Each person could be approached by a company looking to license the product you have spent as a Senior creating for this expo. Even having an electrical and IT background, I was really impressed with a few of the entrants; quite some novel stuff.
Anyways, the next few days, I’m going to be bringing you articles, commentary, and pictures describing and showing merely a few of the 124 exhibits we encountered down at the Tech Expo 2007. You guys had better stay tuned…
