Two UOIT engineering students earn 'Cool' Design Awards
February 16, 2007
UOIT Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science students Jade Cho and Joseph Paonessa earned 'Cool' recognition for their design capabilities and knowledge of leading industry software, when their entries were selected as among the best for a design contest that included professionals employed within the commercial industry.
Cho, a second-year Manufacturing Engineering student, finished third in the 2006 Javelin/SolidWorks 'Cool' Design Awards, while Paonessa, a second-year Automotive Engineering student, earned an honourable mention. The contest recognizes excellence in design function using SolidWorks 3D CAD software, and was offered by Javelin Technologies, an authorized and certified SolidWorks training and support organization. Contest entries were submitted by commercial and educational customers and judged on product functionality, degree of difficulty of design task and coolness of the entry.
Cho's third-place entry was a two stage reciprocating air compressor used for auto refinishing and industrial applications. The compressor is comprised of 60 different parts and includes component materials such as carbon and stainless steel, brass, copper, aluminum, ductile iron and grey iron. Practical uses include household products such as fridges, dryers and dust collectors, as well as industry products such as saws, jointers and feeders used by the manufacturing industry.
"Participating in the Javelin Technologies' 2006 'Cool' Design Awards allowed me to test my own level of SolidWorks and I am excited to have done so well against the other entries," said Cho. "We are investing precious time and effort to become the best engineers in Canada and the university experience is like the base of a house that requires us to build our own structure. Selecting a good solid base is very important and by choosing UOIT we have already made the right choice. I am proud to be a UOIT student."
Paonessa won an honourable mention for his design of a hydrogen gas filling station. His 'cool' idea grew from his professor's interest in hydrogen energy production.
"Dr. Greg Naterer always talks about renewable energy sources and new ways of meeting our demands," said Paonessa. "He showed us a clip of the movie An Inconvenient Truth which got me thinking about global warming and climate change and what we can do."
Paonessa explored how to generate the fuel of the future by creating a self-sustaining filling station. The environmentally-friendly station offers energy-independent solar panels and a wind turbine, which can create electricity for lighting, gas pumps and accessories. It also produces hydrogen fuel for the consumer. In addition to refueling vehicles, Paonessa's pumping station can also run diagnostic tests that show the status of a vehicle's electric motor, fuel cell and hydrogen tank.
Both Paonessa and Cho developed their ability to work with SolidWorks 3D CAD software through UOIT's unique and leading-edge laptop-based learning environment.
"Because we have SolidWorks on our laptops, I was able to practise and become very proficient," added Paonessa. "Within a year and a half, I was able to create a project that is at the same level as (those created by) industry professionals."
"Recognition such as this will only help UOIT to be seen in the public eye for what we are - one of Ontario's elite and leading-edge universities," said Paonessa. All the hard work going on behind the scenes at the university is certainly paying off."
Dr. Marc Rosen, dean of UOIT's Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, offered congratulations to both students.
"Jade's and Joseph's submissions were very interesting and highly deserving of the honour," he said. "Everyone at UOIT is extremely proud of their accomplishments.
"Competitions like this showcase our students' talents well and I am delighted that Jade and Joseph feel their education at UOIT, including the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in our state-of-the-art labs, is providing them with the tools they need to succeed. Our design-focused engineering programs are enabling students to excel in competitions such as this and I am confident Jade and Joseph will go on to successfully apply their skills in the workplace."
Students at UOIT are now two-for-two with the Javelin/SolidWorks 'Cool' Design Awards. Last year, a team of five Manufacturing Engineering students took fifth place for its four-by-four vehicle design, the university's first-ever entry.
For more details and to view the models submitted with Cho's and Paonessa's winning entries, along with other submissions, visit www.javelin-tech.com/main/company/2006_contest.htm.
Cho, a second-year Manufacturing Engineering student, finished third in the 2006 Javelin/SolidWorks 'Cool' Design Awards, while Paonessa, a second-year Automotive Engineering student, earned an honourable mention. The contest recognizes excellence in design function using SolidWorks 3D CAD software, and was offered by Javelin Technologies, an authorized and certified SolidWorks training and support organization. Contest entries were submitted by commercial and educational customers and judged on product functionality, degree of difficulty of design task and coolness of the entry.
Cho's third-place entry was a two stage reciprocating air compressor used for auto refinishing and industrial applications. The compressor is comprised of 60 different parts and includes component materials such as carbon and stainless steel, brass, copper, aluminum, ductile iron and grey iron. Practical uses include household products such as fridges, dryers and dust collectors, as well as industry products such as saws, jointers and feeders used by the manufacturing industry.
"Participating in the Javelin Technologies' 2006 'Cool' Design Awards allowed me to test my own level of SolidWorks and I am excited to have done so well against the other entries," said Cho. "We are investing precious time and effort to become the best engineers in Canada and the university experience is like the base of a house that requires us to build our own structure. Selecting a good solid base is very important and by choosing UOIT we have already made the right choice. I am proud to be a UOIT student."
Paonessa won an honourable mention for his design of a hydrogen gas filling station. His 'cool' idea grew from his professor's interest in hydrogen energy production.
"Dr. Greg Naterer always talks about renewable energy sources and new ways of meeting our demands," said Paonessa. "He showed us a clip of the movie An Inconvenient Truth which got me thinking about global warming and climate change and what we can do."
Paonessa explored how to generate the fuel of the future by creating a self-sustaining filling station. The environmentally-friendly station offers energy-independent solar panels and a wind turbine, which can create electricity for lighting, gas pumps and accessories. It also produces hydrogen fuel for the consumer. In addition to refueling vehicles, Paonessa's pumping station can also run diagnostic tests that show the status of a vehicle's electric motor, fuel cell and hydrogen tank.
Both Paonessa and Cho developed their ability to work with SolidWorks 3D CAD software through UOIT's unique and leading-edge laptop-based learning environment.
"Because we have SolidWorks on our laptops, I was able to practise and become very proficient," added Paonessa. "Within a year and a half, I was able to create a project that is at the same level as (those created by) industry professionals."
"Recognition such as this will only help UOIT to be seen in the public eye for what we are - one of Ontario's elite and leading-edge universities," said Paonessa. All the hard work going on behind the scenes at the university is certainly paying off."
Dr. Marc Rosen, dean of UOIT's Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, offered congratulations to both students.
"Jade's and Joseph's submissions were very interesting and highly deserving of the honour," he said. "Everyone at UOIT is extremely proud of their accomplishments.
"Competitions like this showcase our students' talents well and I am delighted that Jade and Joseph feel their education at UOIT, including the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in our state-of-the-art labs, is providing them with the tools they need to succeed. Our design-focused engineering programs are enabling students to excel in competitions such as this and I am confident Jade and Joseph will go on to successfully apply their skills in the workplace."
Students at UOIT are now two-for-two with the Javelin/SolidWorks 'Cool' Design Awards. Last year, a team of five Manufacturing Engineering students took fifth place for its four-by-four vehicle design, the university's first-ever entry.
For more details and to view the models submitted with Cho's and Paonessa's winning entries, along with other submissions, visit www.javelin-tech.com/main/company/2006_contest.htm.
About Ontario Tech University
A modern, forwarding-thinking university, Ontario Tech advances the discovery and application of knowledge to accelerate economic growth, regional development and social innovation. We inspire and equip our students and our graduates to make a positive impact in a tech-focused world. For us, it’s not only about developing the next tech breakthrough. Understanding and integrating the social and ethical implications of technology differentiates us as university. Learn more at ontariotechu.ca.
