Previous Project Summaries

Biopreservation by Cryomesh: scaling from demonstration to application 

Cryomesh can stop biological time for important human cell types and organoids and the larvae of endangered species.

Advisor: Carla Pavone

Superficial non-destructive plastics age determination 

We make it easy to find the cracks in flaws in your plastic so that you don't have to worry about failures. 

Advisor: Carla Pavone

Autoinjector: A computer vision guided robot for universal and large-scale microinjection  

We have invented a robot that automates the process of delivering nanoliter payload into biological organisms smaller than a grain of rice.

Advisor: Carla Pavone

Smart Wristband: Neutralizing Lactose Intolerance 

Refuse to be sick for days due to the horror of lactose intolerance. Monitor accidental lactose ingestion and stop the onset of symptoms.

Advisor: Carla Pavone

Octo: Educational Toy for Children with Congenital Heart Disease (CHD)

Octo is an educational and interactive companion toy for children with congenital heart disease that creates a positive, lasting imprint.

Advisor: Carlye Lauff

Fragile Pack

Shipping fragile items is really challenging, but shipping fragile items sustainably is even more challenging. I found that consumers lack recyclable options to ship their goods and the options available are hard to use. Fragile Pack is a recyclable corrugate packing tool that helps people easily pack and ship their fragile items with peace of mind.

Advisor: Carlye Lauff

Equilibrium

A carb counting scale that helps type 1 diabetic children balance their diet with just the right amount of short acting insulin (bolus).

Advisor: Carlye Lauff

Oral Bandage

Our solution aims to prevent and treat dry sockets in dental patients, and this is achieved through our next-generation hydrogel product.

Advisor: John Stavig

Telo: Walking Canes

A new style of walking canes that support more weight and improve walking symmetry compared to conventional canes. 

Advisor: John Stavig

Canopy

Canopy provides insights for greenhouses by deploying low-cost sensor networks that connect to an interface, so growers can be proactive. 

Advisor: John Stavig

Device for Optimizing Laparoscopic Appendectomies

A specialized bag for appendix removal that stabilizes and supports the organ during the procedure and eliminates the need for a 12mm port.

Advisor: Mark Sanders

Morphing head of an underground burrowing soft robot

An innovative morphing head for burrowing robots that can save energy and reduce size of the robot and is able to function in real soils.

Advisor: Mark Sanders

At-Home Tacrolimus Test Kit

An at-home saliva test kit for organ transplant patients that measures tacrolimus concentration in order to minimize clinic visits.

Advisor: Mark Sanders

Heater Humidifier for Neonatal CPAP

A Highly Affordable Heater and Humidifier Device for Non-Invasive Neonatal Respiration in NICUs in Low Resource Areas such as Africa, and rural India.

Advisor: Mark Sanders

A Novel Design to Improve Large Ovarian Cyst Removal

The device will decrease incision size, prevent cyst leakage, and be compatible with current tools used for large ovarian removal surgery.

Advisor: Mark Sanders

Awake Fiberoptic Intubation Trainer  

A device that mimics the upper airway (mouth, tongue, soft tissue, vocal cords, trachea) that includes a motion system that realistically demonstrates movement of vocal cords. 

Advisor: Mark Sanders

Omega Bugs

Genetically engineered black soldier fly offers sustainable omega-3 and protein while reducing waste for improved human and planet health.

Advisor: Deb Miedema

Xerostomia

An intraoral electromechanical fixture that stimulates saliva gland neural pathways, leading to long-term relief for patients experiencing xerostomia (dry mouth).  

Advisor: Deb Miedema

Live On Minnesota 

Live On MN envisions a future where Minnesotans have the opportunity to make a net positive impact on the environment in their passing. 

Advisor: Ashley Mahoney

SkyWindFarm

Harnessing powerful high-altitude winds via innovative airborne SkyWindFarm for a sustainable clean energy revolution

Advisor: Mark Sanders

Canopy

Canopy provides insights for greenhouses by deploying low-cost sensor networks that connect to an interface, so growers can be proactive. 

Advisor: Mark Sanders

Clear-Heart

A novel device to safely extract blood clot from the arteries of the heart, vastly improving quality of life and survival from heart attacks.

Advisor: Mark Sanders

Salamander Life System

A novel wastewater monitoring system developed specifically for industrial agriculture will identify viral outbreaks in livestock before they occur, stemming economic losses.

Advisor: Ashley Mahoney

Kangarue Care Project

A device for hospitalized infants that ameliorates infant hospitalization by facilitating kangaroo care.

Advisor: Deb Miedema

Jolt Handle

A bus handle for standing passengers that has promise to substantially reduce non-collision bus injuries.

Advisor: Carlye Lauff

Phosphate Scrubbers

Our proprietary phosphate scrubber membrane is the first efficacious, safe, and easy treatment for hyperphosphatemia during dialysis. 

Advisor: Ashley Mahoney

Pulmonary Drug Delivery to Infants

Pulmonary delivery of therapeutics to infants in low-resource settings: aerosolized, pacifier-based, inhalation-synced, and non-invasive.

Advisor: Ashley Mahoney

Osmo-Loader

The Osmo-loader will enable the first CPA loading protocols that eliminate osmotic stresses, a critical barrier to susceptible cell survival.

Advisor: Deb Miedema

Pediatric Otoscope

The pediatric otoscope will aid in the diagnosis of ear infections in a non-threatening, comfortable manner for pediatric patients.

Advisor: Deb Miedema

Any Print

A novel combination of 3d printing, 3d scanning, and nonplanar slicing software to enhance the capabilities of additive manufacturing.

Advisor: Carlye Lauff

A Machine Learning-Based Decision Support System for Analyzing Medical Device History and Recalls 

A ML-based system that automatically extracts and creates a medical device citation network from public clearance records to study device recalls.

Advisor: Carla Pavone

MVP Creation of a Common Web-based PSEO Application

We will streamline the PSEO enrollment process by creating a single application form for students to apply to many PSEO colleges.

Advisor: David Nguyen

Psychosocial Assessment and Resource Platform

A psychosocial assessment and intervention platform to assist physicians in providing trauma-informed, patient-centered, equitable care.

Advisor: David Nguyen

Fanimation!

A fundraising platform to allow small independent animation studios to be funded directly by investors and fan crowdfunding.

Advisor: David Nguyen

AR Urinalysis Screening Kit 

We developed a preventative health care screening solution to address the access barriers that prevent individuals from getting screened.

Advisor: David Nguyen

Tera

Tera uses exposure therapy technique by providing individuals uncomfortable in group settings with a personalized list of challenges that expose them to a variety of tailored social activities according to their needs, empowering them to overcome their social uncomfort when working in groups.

Advisor: David Nguyen

Goldy Dog

An open-source, biomimetic robot dog making STEM fun and accessible worldwide through interactive, hands-on learning.

Advisor: David Nguyen

Vertex 360

A trauma-informed, community referral platform that connects patients to community resources that address their health-related social needs.

Advisor: David Nguyen

Community Wealth Capture and Amplification

Big ideas and radical innovation to support rural excellence and vibrancy.

Advisor: Erik Halaas

Alimah International

Alimah International enables collaboration and reciprocal mentorship of graduate women to create solutions to global challenges.

Advisor: Erik Halaas

Global Youth Leader Development Project

My proposed solution for the youth development in this globalized world is to use online training and internship platforms to connect youths in China and the US to study and work together in real business world.

Advisor: Erik Halaas

Best Friends Forever for You (BFF4U)

The proposed venture will unravel the underlying causes of poor health outcomes among adolescents’ girls aged (14-19) and work towards building sustainable solutions for supporting the teens in their adolescence journey. 

Advisor: Erik Halaas

Water Testing for All

A Minnesota Water Quality Testing Service that can be used by any citizen, regardless of their economic status, or partner with an organization that can provide free water testing for any community, especially for disenfranchised communities. 

Advisor: Erik Halaas

North Star Compass

A platform addressing counselor-to-student gap by providing comprehensive career guidance for high school students to enhance education equity and career outcomes.

Advisor: Erik Halaas

Alimah International

Connecting resource constrained female researchers with female researchers in the global north will make their gender and socio-economic constraints less relevant.

Advisor: Erik Halaas

School Support for Deployed and Relocated Veterans

Create a platform for deployed and re-stationed veterans to continue their education without being forced to take months or even years away from their schooling.

Advisor: Erik Halaas