<h2 id="isPasted">The challenge</h2>The <a href="https://wevlv.co/wevolver-hackster" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Build2gether Inclusive Innovation Challenge</a> is an engineering contest that aims to create assistive technologies for individuals with disabilities. The challenge is offering more than 50 rewards, including an Inclusive Innovation Challenge Ultimate Award of $10,000. The contest is global, with judges and contest masters from the US, Europe, and Asia.Objective: To identify gaps in current assistive technologies and design innovative engineering solutions that cater to the unique needs of individuals with disabilities.Themes: The contest focuses on three main themes:<ol><li>Gaming for people with mobility impairments</li><li>Traveling for people with mobility impairments</li><li>Swimming for people with visual impairments</li></ol>Submission: Participants can submit up to three different solutions, one for each theme. Each submission will be evaluated on a 100-point scale.<a href="https://wevlv.co/wevover-hackster" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="button-main-action">Read more about how to enter.</a><h3 id="isPasted">Key Dates</h3><table style="width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td style="width: 50.0000%;">EVENT</td><td style="width: 50.0000%;">DATE</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 50%; vertical-align: top;">Engineering challenge begins</td><td style="width: 50%; vertical-align: top;">July 20, 2023</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 50%; vertical-align: top;">Applications for hardware close</td><td style="width: 50%; vertical-align: top;">September 17, 2023</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 50%; vertical-align: top;">Hardware recipients announced</td><td style="width: 50%; vertical-align: top;">September 24, 2023</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 50%; vertical-align: top;">Submissions close</td><td style="width: 50%; vertical-align: top;">November 30, 2023</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 50%; vertical-align: top;">Winners announced</td><td style="width: 50%; vertical-align: top;">December 20, 2023</td></tr></tbody></table><h3 id="isPasted">Prizes</h3>A total of more than 50 rewards, including the Inclusive Innovation Challenge Ultimate Award of $10,000, will be awarded to innovative projects.&nbsp;The Inclusive Innovation Challenge Ultimate Award carries a cash prize of $10,000. &nbsp;and is determined by the total number of points accumulated from all submissions. Accumulate as many points as you can by submitting up to three solutions, one for each theme.<h2>An inclusive and equitable future</h2><h3 id="isPasted">Judging and community feedback</h3>The Contest Masters, who are individuals with disabilities passionate about assistive technologies, will judge the solutions. Participants can interact with them via Discord channels to better understand the needs and problems faced by the disability community.<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjk0MTY2OTEyNDEzLW1hc3RlcnMuanBnIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo5NTAsImZpdCI6ImNvdmVyIn19fQ==" class="fr-fic fr-dii">The contest emphasizes the importance of collaboration with the disability community and aims to involve them in every stage of product design and prototyping. It seeks to build a more inclusive and equitable future for all by connecting engineers working on assistive technologies with the communities who will use their products. Register for the challenge to be granted access to the Discord channels where you can connect with the Contest Masters.&nbsp;<a href="https://wevlv.co/wevover-hackster" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" class="button-main-action">Learn more about the challenge and how to enter HERE.</a>

Identify gaps in current assistive technologies and design innovative solutions that cater to the unique needs of individuals with disabilities. Win great prizes. 

Build2gether Inclusive Innovation Challenge

The 2023&nbsp;<a href="https://vision-robotics.nl/news/smart-automation-can-drive-the-industry-to-the-next-level/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Vision, Robotics &amp; Motion Trade Show</a>&nbsp;was an industry-anticipated event that took place in the Netherlands on the 7th and 8th of June. The event was organized by Mikrocentrum and held at the Brabanthallen in &#39;s-Hertogenbosch<a href="https://vision-robotics.nl/home-en/" style="background-color: transparent;" target="_blank">1</a>.The aim of the trade show was to inspire and educate attendees about the potential for automation in the manufacturing sector and provide insights into the practical implementation of technologies like robotics, vision, and motion. It served as a platform for manufacturing companies to understand and explore ways to address challenges such as customer demands, lead times, workload, and personnel shortage through automation<a href="https://vision-robotics.nl/home-en/" target="_blank">1</a>.The event featured an expo where participants could meet 100 manufacturers, system integrators, suppliers, and consultants who could provide suitable solutions and help with implementation.<h3 dir="ltr">Wevolver presents Robotics Report</h3>Wevolver attended the event speaking to engineers and attendees engaging with the demo areas where attendees could learn from innovative applications from other industries such as logistics and agriculture.Wevolver team members also presented their recently launched robotics report,<a href="http://The Vision, Robotics & Motion" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">&nbsp;The 2023 Manufacturing Robotics Report</a>, to attendees at the Vision, Robotics &amp; Motion event.&nbsp;<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjg3ODUzMDk3MTM0LTc2NjZhOWE5LTliMmQtNDAzOC1iYTA3LTVhNGE0Nzg3OTU2Zi5qcGciLCJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjk1MCwiZml0IjoiY292ZXIifX19" style="width: 300px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Wevolver, CEO Richard Hulskes, presenting the Protolabs Robotics Report.&nbsp;<h3 dir="ltr">Young Talent Square</h3>One of the highlights of the event was the <a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/young-talent-square-at-vision-robotics-motion-2023-start-ups-and-student-teams-discuss-their-technologies" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Young Talent Square</a>, which provided a platform for student-teams and start-ups to showcase their innovative solutions. Five start-up companies and two student teams were featured in the 2023 edition of the event<a href="https://vision-robotics.nl/home-en/" target="_blank">1</a>. <a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/young-talent-square-at-vision-robotics-motion-2023-start-ups-and-student-teams-discuss-their-technologies" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Read more about these young teams</a> in our recent article highlighting their technologies.&nbsp;<h3 dir="ltr">Connecting across industries</h3>The event was not just a trade fair but also a conference where leading suppliers and scientists from the Benelux and Germany came to share the latest developments in fields such as vision, robotics, sensors, mechatronics, grippers, and drive and operating technologies.<iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/hQ8eWJ6pH7A?&wmode=opaque&rel=0&enablejsapi=1&origin=https://www.wevolver.com" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable" data-lf-form-tracking-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-yt-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-vimeo-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true"></iframe>As part of the Dutch high-tech ecosystem, the event was connected to Holland High Tech, a top sector for High Tech Systems and Materials in the Netherlands. Holland High Tech focuses on fostering innovation, collaboration, internationalisation, and economic growth in the high-tech sector, and it represents a wide range of companies, from multinationals to SMEs, start-ups, and scale-ups<a href="https://hollandhightech.nl/en/we-are-holland-high-tech" style="background-color: transparent;" target="_blank">3</a>.In summary, the Vision, Robotics &amp; Motion event in 2023 was a significant gathering that aimed to advance the manufacturing industry by sharing knowledge and innovations in automation and related technologies.The next edition of the Vision, Robotics &amp; Motion trade fair is scheduled for June 5 and 6, 2024. Would you like to know more about the next edition? Register then for their&nbsp;<a href="https://vision-robotics.nl/news/" id="isPasted" target="_blank">newsletter.</a>

The 2023 trade show brought together technological innovations, industry experts, and future talents in the field of automation.

Automation Innovation: A look of the 2023 Vision, Robotics & Motion Trade Show

Image source: Vision, Robotics & Motion, “Robot”, 2023. Accessed via https://vision-robotics.nl/ 

Vision, Robotics & Motion is a highly anticipated event in the manufacturing industry that will take place in the Netherlands on the 7th and 8th of June, 2023. It will celebrate its 20th edition in 2023. 


Young Talent Square at Vision, Robotics & Motion 2023: Start-Ups and Student Teams Discuss Their Technologies

Generative AI offers the potential to accelerate chip innovation by putting chip design into the hands of more people than ever before and enabling them to design faster and for less cost.<h3 dir="ltr">This Challenge aims to show how a community can use this powerful new tool to deliver interesting designs in a matter of weeks.</h3>The challenge is now open until Friday, June 2, 2023 at 11:59 pm PT.<h3 dir="ltr">Challenge Description</h3>Use generative AI (e.g. chatGPT, Bard or similar) to generate a complete Verilog model for a digital design. The design must be implemented using chipIgnite that includes an SoC template (Caravel) providing rapid chip-level integration and an open-source RTL-to-GDS digital design flow (OpenLane).A successful project must provide all prompts used to generate a complete RTL model for the design. In addition, verification testbenches that demonstrate the design meets the intended functionality must be provided and maybe created conventionally.<a class="button-main-action" href="https://efabless.com/ai-generated-design-contest" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Register to enter here.</a><h3 dir="ltr">Award</h3>Participants will be eligible to win free fabrication for their design and receive public recognition and promotion of their design by Efabless. The value of getting your chips made is $9750. Be among one of the first to design and tapeout an AI-generated open-source silicon design!In addition,&nbsp;each submission that meets the requirements will received a development board with a fabricated chip from one of the winning projects.&nbsp;<h3 dir="ltr">How to Enter</h3><ol><li dir="ltr"><a href="https://platform.efabless.com/dashboard" target="_blank">Register</a> on the Efabless platform.</li><li dir="ltr">Join the challenge channel <a href="https://join.slack.com/share/enQtNTI5NDQzMzE4NzkwNS0zNWFmMzY5YThiOWU2NDU1Yjc0ZjQ4MjE5YzkzNGVlYjMyMzkyZTFlZjQyOGY2NTI4OWI5MWU2ODg3OGUzODU0" target="_blank">#generative-ai-silicon-challenge</a> on <a href="http://open-source-silicon.dev/" target="_blank">open-source-silicon.dev</a> Slack space for updates and additional help and resources.&nbsp;Register for the&nbsp;<a href="https://efabless.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_UsWSpDPQRsKatWXMw4VvUw#/registration" style='font-family: "PT Serif"; background-color: transparent;' target="_blank">webinar</a>&nbsp;on&nbsp;May 24 @ 9am PST&nbsp;providing an overview and Q&amp;A.</li><li dir="ltr">Submit your entry by including all content (including video and screenshots)&nbsp;on a public GitHub repo.</li><li dir="ltr"><a href="https://platform.efabless.com/projects/create?project_definition=&shuttle=2306Q" target="_blank">Create</a> a public project for the chipIgnite 2306Q shuttle using the GitHub repo from the previous step.</li><li dir="ltr">Submit success precheck and tapeout jobs for your design.</li><li dir="ltr">Complete the remainder of the billing and shipping information as well as terms and export agreements. You will not be charged or invoiced for your submission. Complete the final submission for the project on the platform.</li><li dir="ltr">Send an email to&nbsp;shuttle@efabless.com&nbsp;with a link to your project.</li></ol>Limit one entry per person, per email address. Your entry must be original.Note: If you have not received permission to use copyrighted material, you may not include the material in your entry.Learn more about how to enter at the design contest webinar. The event will cover some tips on submitting your project and answer some of the most commonly asked questions about chipIgnite.&nbsp;<a class="button-main-action" href="https://efabless.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_UsWSpDPQRsKatWXMw4VvUw#/registration" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Register for the webinar here.&nbsp;</a><h3 id="isPasted">Key dates</h3><table style="width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td style="width: 50.0000%;">Event</td><td style="width: 50.0000%;">Date</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 50.0000%;">Challenge opens</td><td style="width: 50.0000%;">Friday, May 19th, 2023</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 50.0000%;">Challenge Webinar. <a href="https://bit.ly/3BY2F5X" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Register here.</a></td><td style="width: 50.0000%;">Wednesday, May 24, 2023, at 09:00 AM, PT</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 50.0000%;">Challenge closes</td><td>Friday, June 2, 2023, at 11:59 pm PT.</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 50.0000%;">Tapeout begins</td><td>Monday, June 5th, 2023</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 50.0000%;">Public winner announcement</td><td>Friday, June 9th, 2023</td></tr></tbody></table><h3 dir="ltr">Judging Criteria:</h3>All designs will be judged by a panel of experts who share a lifelong commitment to electronics and believe in the power of AI and machine learning to drive innovation. Stay tuned for more details!<ul><li dir="ltr">Project Documentation</li><li dir="ltr">Prompt Documentation</li><li dir="ltr">Code</li><li dir="ltr">Verification Coverage</li><li dir="ltr">Technical Merit</li><li dir="ltr">Project Description and success in &nbsp;the community interest poll</li></ul><h3 dir="ltr">All requirements must be met to be eligible to win</h3><ol><li dir="ltr">All submission content, documentation, prompt must be in English.</li><li dir="ltr">A short description of the project must be included with your design. It will be used for introducing your idea in the community poll.</li><li dir="ltr">All designs must be implemented and fit in the Caravel User Project area.</li><li dir="ltr">The Verilog for the design must be coded by AI.</li><li dir="ltr">Verification may be done outside of the AI environment but verification testbenches must be provided as a reproducible element of this process.</li><li dir="ltr">All prompts or auto GPT session logs used in the design must be provided as part of the deliverables for the design.</li><li dir="ltr">The design needs to be open source with all materials required to reproduce made public.</li><li dir="ltr">To facilitate reproducibility by the community, the design must be implemented using the OpenLane chipIgnite flow including all configuration and run results.</li><li dir="ltr">Must have testbenches for RTL verification as well as constraints for STA and SDF simulations.</li><li dir="ltr">Must be implementable in SKY130 with available standard cells and DFFRAM and not require open RAM or other discrete memories for implementation.</li><li dir="ltr">The design must pass precheck and tapeout submissions on the Efabless platform.</li><li dir="ltr">Winners will be expected to provide a video and screenshots demonstrating the creation of the project in a how-to or step-by-step format. These materials may be used by Efabless for promotional purposes.</li></ol><h3 id="isPasted">Contact</h3>Please contact <a href="mailto:shuttle@efabless.com" target="_blank">shuttle@efabless.com</a> if you have any questions about this contest. Join the Slack <a href="https://join.slack.com/share/enQtNTI3MTI3OTQ4MjEwMC1mZGY4MWNhN2YzN2FhYmNjYmNhNTlkODk1ODc2OGJkN2FjOGU0YzlmOTU1ZDg2MjU5NWM4NmFmOGRhNGYzM2Fl" target="_blank">channel&nbsp;</a>to learn more and vote in the community poll.

Show the world how innovation can move from prompt to silicon in record time!

AI Generated Open-Source Silicon Design Challenge

The winner of the OKdo Engineering Challenge is Eric Schleicher from the company Constructive Realities, who are working on powerful, compact Time of Flight cameras. 


Innovative 3D camera technology wins OKdo engineering challenge

ADDITIV Medical World is an international virtual event focusing on the role and influence of additive manufacturing technologies in the medical sector. The goal? Half a day dedicated to panel discussions, workshops, and networking that will bring together the main players in medical 3D printing, as well as healthcare professionals and medical equipment manufacturers looking for an approach to new technologies.&nbsp;<a href="https://bit.ly/3McJPOn" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjgzODI1MjI3MTg0LVNPQ0lBTCBNRURJQSAoMykucG5nIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo5NTAsImZpdCI6ImNvdmVyIn19fQ==" style="width: 633px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"></a>From orthotics to dental, hospitals to bioprinting, and certifications to 3D printed implants, come learn all about the latest in 3D printing in medicine.&nbsp;Date: June 6th 2023Time: 7:30 AM to 12:30 PM ET (1:30 PM to 6:30 PM CEST)<a class="button-main-action" href="https://www.additiv.events/medical-world-registration?utm_source=Wevolver&utm_medium=various&utm_campaign=Partnership" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">REGISTER HERE</a>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;


ADDITIV Medical World is a free virtual event offered by 3Dnatives, the leading online magazine about 3D printing and Additive Manufacturing.

EVENT: ADDITIV Medical World 2023

<h2>Accelerating product design with simulation&nbsp;</h2>When applied early in the development cycle,<a href="https://www.wevolver.com/profile/altair" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">&nbsp;simulation (CAE, FEA) technologies</a> can rapidly accelerate the creation of high-performance, profitable products. But choosing and implementing the right simulation solution effectively can be challenging when you have limited resources.If you are considering implementing simulation (CAE, FEA) for the first time or utilize CAD embedded simulation tools but running into challenges with speed and accuracy or want to take the next step and explore multi-physics analysis, the free virtual event Simulate at the Speed of Design event on June 28, 2023,&nbsp;maybe for you.Learn from your peers and Altair&rsquo;s experts how a mixture of software, support, and know-how can help you be more efficient and effective in developing new products.<h3 id="isPasted">Why should you attend?</h3>Learn how small and medium organisations, are deploying Altair simulation (CAE, FEA) solutions such as Altair&reg; Inspire&trade;, SimSolid&reg; and SimLab&reg; to reduce the risk and cost of late design manufacturing changes.<h3>Topics covered in the event</h3><ul><li>Presentations from small-medium business (SMB) customers of Altair and Altair Channel Partners, on their transition from CAD embedded simulation and how they successfully implemented CAE, FEA simulation in their product development workflow.</li><li>Generative design, Concept development, topology optimization or design for manufacture in Altair&reg; Inspire&trade;.</li><li>Rapid structural analysis in Altair SimSolid&reg; for parts or large assemblies.</li><li>Drop test, thermal, CFD, fatigue or combined multiphysics analysis in Altair&reg; SimLab&reg;</li><li>Manufacturing feasibility, Process simulation with Inspire Cast, Inspire Form, Inspire Mold, or Inspire Print3D.</li></ul>Sessions will feature live audio translation into English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Japanese, Chinese, and Korean.&nbsp;<header id="isPasted"><h3>Who should attend?</h3></header><ul><li>Individuals working in the design department, including engineers, design managers, and heads of the design department</li><li>If you are using 3D CAD and considering adopting simulation tools (CAE, FEA) for the first time</li><li>Anyone experiencing difficulties with the speed and accuracy of CAD-embedded simulation (CAE, FEA) tools</li><li>CAE Engineers, analysts, and the head of the CAE department</li><li>If you are interested in exploring multi-physics analysis and looking to take the next step</li><li>Managers of related departments who rely on the CAE department or outsource simulation services</li></ul><h2>Register now:</h2><iframe src="https://c8056756.sibforms.com/serve/MUIEADq3_HCA2rWZ6TLgOBVpz2rFfM3A99dNaAFKmUeI7IqeN4er1dRCxRf0WscB4d47N6twI2wswvF6fM9QsF4ZraTQYV20Vc9yPSKpxq3bYwdQo7GzhEvbwRM5hzk77a2MbNtkW-WesJEcU8awRUxzXhfJbWVVhkz53YircAuuTx9vu4tHANFd3AwLwdb3G8Lfz-tMVTQo_dQE" frameborder="0" scrolling="auto" allowfullscreen="" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 100%; width: 540px; height: 600px;" class="fr-draggable" data-lf-form-tracking-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-yt-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-vimeo-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true"></iframe> <h2 id="isPasted">Event highlights</h2>The Simulate at the Speed of Design Event has events crossing the AMER, EMEA and APAC timezones. <a href="https://events.altair.com/simulate-at-the-speed-of-design-2023/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Check the full agenda on the event homepage</a>.<h3>Keynotes and Firesides</h3>Highlights of the agenda include keynote addresses from Ravi Kunju - Chief Product and Strategy Officer at Altair as well as a fireside chat with Michael Larner &nbsp;from ABI Research about SMB&#39;s Challenges to Adopting Simulation-Driven Design. The Fireside is moderated by Ujwal Patnaik, the Director of Product Strategy and Pricing at Altair.&nbsp;<h3>Exploring Multiphysics - How Design Engineers can Simulate like a Pro?</h3>Through examples and best practices, these sessions will demonstrate how Altair SimLab based easy-to-use Multiphysics solutions can inject innovation into your development cycle.&nbsp;Of note is the session, titled, &nbsp;Expert Chat: Handling Multiphysics Workflows with CAD associativity in Altair SimLab. Guna Krishna, Senior VP of SimLab development at Altair, hosts the session and Ujwal Patnaik, Director of Product Strategy and Pricing at Altair will moderate.&nbsp;<h2>More about Altair:</h2>Altair is a global technology company which provides software and cloud solutions in the areas of simulation, high-performance computing (HPC), and artificial intelligence (AI). Altair enables organizations in nearly every industry to compete more effectively in a connected world while creating a more sustainable future.&nbsp;Read more about simulation tools from Altair to streamline the product development cycle by accelerating product design, performing structural and multiphysics analyses, and ensuring manufacturing feasibility&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/revolutionizing-manufacturing-how-simulation-tools-reduce-risk-costs-accelerate-product-design" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here.</a>

Learn about how to reduce the risk and cost of late design, and manufacturing changes at the free Altair Virtual Global Event  on June 28, 2023.

EVENT: Simulate at the Speed of Design 2023

<h1 id="isPasted">Composite Engineering Challenge</h1>The Composite Engineering Challenge invited innovators, entrepreneurs, startups, and scaleups to submit projects that make use of fiber-reinforced composites.The challenge received submissions from over 20 countries. The jury selected <a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/the-composite-engineering-challenge-finalists" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">ten finalists</a> and three special recommendation projects.&nbsp;The Wevolver Community voted to select their favorite finalist who will&nbsp;be brought to the attention of senior management of MCG and the Venture group of MCG. The winner fo the 2023 Composite Engineering Challenge Wevovler Community Vote is&nbsp;CarboScreen.&nbsp;CarboScreen develops and produces a sensor-based monitoring system with AI-based software. It links sensor data to process know-how to optimize production and increase fiber quality. This has the potential to double production speed and reduce downtime, resulting in an increase in sales and enabling the use of CFs in mass markets.&nbsp;Wevolver sat down with Felix Pohlkemper of CarboScreen to ask him about their tech, its impact, and what winning the community vote means to him and the team.<h3 dir="ltr">Wevolver: Talk us through the CarboScreen concept. What is the tech and how does it work?</h3>Pohlkemper: To understand why CarboScreen shines, it&#39;s important to first understand the current state of carbon fiber production.&nbsp;Reinforcing fibers - such as carbon fibers - can only develop their full potential if they aren&#39;t damaged during production and processing. However, the current state-of-the-art optical monitoring of these processes is not good enough for most fiber production processes, such as detecting structural defects.&nbsp;This deficit is particularly evident in the complex carbon fiber manufacturing process, where there currently aren&#39;t any sensor systems available for monitoring the quality of carbon fibers. This leads to reduced fiber quality and, in extreme cases, plant fires.&nbsp;In order to be able to guarantee sufficient product quality, the maximum production speed of a carbon fiber line is limited to approximately 12-15 meters per minute. In other words, the production lines are only being used to 30-40% of their potential, due to process limitations. This restriction of production makes the final product more expensive. Averaging about &euro;20 per kilo - these fibers are well above the tolerable cost for mass applications.&nbsp;<h2 dir="ltr">How does CarboScreen stand out?</h2>The business model of CarboScreen includes the development, production and sale of a multimodal, sensor-based monitoring system to carbon fiber manufacturers. In addition to mechanical fiber damage, the system is also able to monitor relevant parameters, such as the degree of stabilization during the process.&nbsp;The core competencies lie in the adaptation of various sensor systems to the carbon fiber manufacturing process and the development of an AI-based software platform.&nbsp;The software platform links the measured sensor data with process know-how and derives recommendations for action for the plant operator. The combination of sensor, fiber and process know-how to derive recommendations for the customer is the company&#39;s unique selling point.<h3 dir="ltr">Wevolver: How do you think CarboScreen&#39;s tech will impact carbon fiber production?</h3>Pohlkemper:&nbsp;The monitoring systems will enable an increase in the production speed of carbon fiber production. By doubling the production speed alone, it is possible to achieve an increase in sales of up to &euro;37.5 million per year per plant for users of the CarboScreen technology.&nbsp;Long term, an increase in production volume per plant results in a significant reduction in the carbon fiber price. Industry experts are sure that this will enable the large-scale use of carbon fibers and their composites in mass markets such as the automotive sector.&nbsp;The CarboScreen technology is paving the way for cost-effective, lightweight carbon fiber solutions in numerous industrial sectors such as e-mobility, civil aviation and renewable energies. CarboScreen also offers customers the possibility to monitor their produced fibers holistically and to market them certified to their end customers.&nbsp;Carbon fiber production is the ideal entry market to develop and test this monitoring system due to its high added-value and sophisticated process control. However, we are planning to expand the portfolio to other markets, such as the glass fiber or man-made fiber industry.<img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1678780184846-Carbo+screen+1.jpg" style="width: 300px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">CarboScreen monitoring system: Image credit: CarboScreenWevolver: Do you see a potential partnership with the Mitsubishi Chemical Group venture team on the horizon? What do you hope this will look like?Pohlkemper: We are focusing heavily on our positioning in the market and the development of further partnerships. For the continued development of the technology, cooperation with various subsidiaries of the Mitsubishi Group would be greatly welcomed.&nbsp;Specifically, we are pursuing contacts who could be either potential customers (carbon fiber manufacturers/ processors), or potential partners (sensor manufacturers). For example, a partnership with the carbon fiber manufacturing department of Mitsubishi Chemicals would be useful for us. The partnership could go from a simple exchange to joint developments.&nbsp;Furthermore, the use of the Line Scan Bar from Mitsubishi Electric for the detection of macroscopic defects would be advantageous. We have already developed a corresponding monitoring system with another camera system. If there is interest, we would be happy to present the topic again to the respective departments.&nbsp;<h3 dir="ltr">Wevolver: What does the future hold for CarboScreen? Where do you plan to take the tech in the next 6-12 months?</h3>Pohlkemper: CarboScreen&#39;s value proposition is to offer holistic monitoring and control of carbon fiber production for increased process reliability and productivity. For this purpose, CarboScreen develops and sells modular monitoring systems specially designed for carbon fiber production lines with AI-supported evaluation software.&nbsp;In addition, consulting services on all aspects of carbon fiber production and the market are offered. The market entry will take place in cooperation with RWTH Aachen University and the Institut f&uuml;r Textiltechnik, respectively.The monitoring systems will then be distributed via two different sales channels. On the one hand, Onejoon, the leading plant manufacturer for carbon fiber equipment, will offer the monitoring system as an upgrade for new or existing production plants. On the other hand, direct sales will be made to carbon fiber producers who want to upgrade their plants.&nbsp;Interesting markets are located in particular in the growth countries China, Saudi Arabia and Turkey. Since the company founders have already worked with a large number of these companies (such as Saudi Aramco, Dow Aksa, SABIC), the chances of success for marketing are very good. Initial talks have already taken place.&nbsp;By combining process and sensor know-how with good networking within the carbon fiber industry, CarboScreen can offer customer-specific overall solutions and act broadly on the market at an early stage.&nbsp;Initially, the upscaling of the technology, the validation of the product and the marketing of the monitoring systems will be driven forward within the framework of the ongoing research project.&nbsp;After the foundation of CarboScreen in 2023 and after completion of the research project, the production of the first monitoring systems for laboratory and pilot plants will begin in 2025.&nbsp;In addition to offering consulting services such as workshops, studies or process design, and licensing the software, we plan for sensor system sales to be the main source of income. It is assumed that the first delivered systems will be designed for laboratory and pilot plants.&nbsp;We project that by 2029, our &nbsp;total revenue will be around &euro;2.2 million.<h3 dir="ltr">Wevolver: What does winning the Wevovler community vote mean to you and the team?</h3>Pohlkemper: Winning the Wevolver community award is a great honor for us. As the award was chosen by the community, it shows once again the relevance of the topic at the moment. A widespread use of carbon fibers, also in low-cost areas, is only possible in the long term, among other things, if the carbon fiber price is reduced significantly. We are convinced that our technology will make a major contribution to this.&nbsp;Furthermore, we are very pleased that we can further increase the visibility of our idea through the award. At this point in time, the most important thing for us is to position ourselves in the market in order to find out what customers want on the one hand and to build fruitful partnerships on the other. The Wevolver Community Award offers the ideal prerequisite for this. We have already received the first enquiries.&nbsp;Finally, we hope that the presentation of our idea will lead to a long-term cooperation with Mitsubishi.<h2 id="isPasted">About the sponsor:&nbsp;Mitsubishi Chemical Group Advanced Materials Division and Business Incubator Growth Garage</h2>MCG Advanced Materials Division&nbsp;is a leading global manufacturer of high-performance materials in the form of semi-finished products and finished parts. The company has locations in 20 countries and more than 2,800 employees. Its specialty engineering thermoplastics and composites are superior in performance to metals and other materials and are used in a wide range of applications, primarily in the capital goods industry. The company is continuously developing new areas of applications in close cooperation with industry leaders in a wide variety of customer markets.&nbsp;Growth Garage is the Business Incubator of the MCG Advanced Materials Division. Our mission is to support and grow new ideas using our technologies and advanced engineering materials to help tackle some of today&#39;s biggest engineering challenges. We are offering the opportunity for engineers and innovators to pitch us their ideas and receive manufacturing support and services.<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjc4NDUxNjg3ODQxLWV5SmlkV05yWlhRaU9pSjNaWFp2YkhabGNpMXdjbTlxWldOMExXbHRZV2RsY3lJc0ltdGxlU0k2SW1aeWIyRnNZUzh4TmpZMk5UazRNakEyTlRnMExVMURSeUJzYjJkdklHSmhibTVsY2k1cWNHY2lMQ0psWkdsMGN5STZleUp5WlhOcGVtVWlPbnNpZDJsa2RHZ2lPamsxTUN3aVptbDBJam9pWTI5MlpYSWlmWDE5LndlYnAiLCJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjk1MCwiZml0IjoiY292ZXIifX19" style="width: 300px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">

The Composite Engineering Challenge, organized by the Mitsubishi Chemicals Group and Wevolver, invited innovators, entrepreneurs, startups, and scaleups to submit projects that make use of fiber-reinforced composites.


Composite Engineering Challenge Community Winner: Interview with Felix Pohlkemper of CarboScreen

Growth Garage, the Business Incubator of the Mitsubishi Chemical Group Advanced Materials Division and Wevolver are thrilled to announce the results of the <a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/the-composite-engineering-challenge" target="_blank">Composite Engineering Challenge</a>. This global competition&nbsp;invited entrepreneurs and startups to showcase their products and projects utilizing fiber-reinforced composites.&ldquo;The Composite Engineering Challenge provides a platform for the most promising ideas and projects in the field of fiber-reinforced composites,&rdquo; said Tim Vorage, Global Growth Manager at Growth Garage, Business Incubator of the MCG Advanced Materials Division. &ldquo;We are thrilled to see the level of innovation and impact being made by the finalists, and look forward to seeing more in the future.&rdquo;The challenge received entries from engineers in over 20 different countries, demonstrating that carbon composites are an increasingly important tool in the future of sustainable product design and technology.&nbsp;Out of 45 entries, ten finalists were selected.&nbsp;<h3>Enabling the reuse of the carbon composite performance for structural performance parts.&nbsp;</h3>The overall challenge winner is <a href="https://herone.de/" target="_blank">Herone</a>, a solution that reinstates the direction-dependent properties of carbon fiber and enables the reuse of its performance for structural performance parts.&nbsp;The process involves aligning the carbon fibers in axial direction, consolidating the fleece, using textile braiding for customized orientation and press molding for manufacturing.Herone, addresses the problem that scrap from production and composite parts end up as waste or are thermally processed. Companies like carboNXT started to recover the valuable carbon fibers. The material can be reused as a fleece with random fiber orientation, though the performance of the carbon fibers cannot be fully recovered. The random fiber reinforcement leads to performance loss and a downcycling of the material, whereby it is primarily used for secondary structures.The Herone solution is to reinstate the direction-dependent properties of the carbon fiber and enable the reuse of the material&#39;s performance for structural performance parts. They propose to take the fleece from Mitsubishi carbon fleece and align the recycled carbon fibers in an axial direction. They will then consolidate the fleece (carbon fiber + thermoplastic polymer fiber) into a thermoplastic tape and slit it, so that it becomes processable by textile technology. The next step is to use the Herone technology - a combination of automated textile pre-forming with efficient press molding &ndash; for manufacturing of thermoplastic composite profiles, to convert the tape into consolidated tailored performance parts.&nbsp;<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjc2OTA0MTE4NDAyLUhFUk9ORS5qcGciLCJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjk1MCwiZml0IjoiY292ZXIifX19" style="width: 300px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">The handlebar product demonstration by Herone. Image credit Herone.&nbsp;The textile braiding process allows for customized orientation of the tapes, thus tailoring the mechanical properties of the resulting part. The press process allows the manufacturing of parts in minutes rather than hours, making the parts available for serial applications. The application demonstrator is a &ldquo;tailored recycle performance bike handlebar.&rdquo; The list of benefits of this technology is long and includes the enhanced possibility of creating more complex parts through increased formability.&nbsp;Compared to the original continuous fiber reinforcement, the resulting thermoplastic composite material becomes increasingly formable through the long fiber reinforcement. This opens new process routes and applications, as demonstrated by the handlebar product demonstrator of this application.&nbsp;Further, the recycling rather than downcycling of carbon fibers has a significant environmental impact by avoiding the need for using virgin material.&nbsp;Herone is awarded a $25,000 partnership with Growth Garage to help bring their product to market and scale production.&nbsp;<iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/E9afDLBN_Vw?&wmode=opaque&rel=0&enablejsapi=1&origin=https://www.wevolver.com" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable" data-lf-form-tracking-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-yt-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-vimeo-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true"></iframe><h2 dir="ltr">Innovation award: Project Unlimited</h2>The innovation award went to the most impactful, innovative idea. It was awarded to <a href="https://www.unlimitedtomorrow.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Project Unlimited</a>, who will receive a partnership package with Growth Garage valued at $10,000.&nbsp;Project Unlimited is a multidisciplinary team of designers, engineers, human movement scientists, and physiotherapists who work together to create a lower leg prosthesis that allows children to do the sports and activities they like to do and is also suitable for daily life. So they can run, sit in the classroom, go to their football training, and sit in the car to swimming classes, all with the same prosthesis and with minimal discomfort.Their goal is to create a prosthesis system that is completely focused on complying with the specific user&#39;s needs. They do this by creating a product (prosthesis) with a modular build-up, such that parts can be swapped according to the child&#39;s needs. This product is accompanied by a service that allows orthopedic technicians to identify the needs of the end user, and track these needs over time.<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjc2OTAzNDY0NzUyLXNwbGl0LTIuanBnIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo5NTAsImZpdCI6ImNvdmVyIn19fQ==" style="width: 300px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Project Unlimited aims to make prosthetics that meet all their user&#39;s needs. Image credit: Project Unlimited.&nbsp;Once changes in the needs are apparent, parts of the prosthetic are swapped such that it yields a better performance in the customers&rsquo; daily life. They want to achieve this goal by designing new prosthesis geometries, exploring and applying new ways of finding and monitoring the needs of children with a lower leg prosthetic and by experimenting with different composite materials that could yield better performance and comfort for the user.&nbsp;<iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/V7rYs0m5ZZs?&wmode=opaque&rel=0&enablejsapi=1&origin=https://www.wevolver.com" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable" data-lf-form-tracking-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-yt-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-vimeo-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true"></iframe> <h3>Wevovler community vote winner: CarboScreen</h3>The community prize was awarded by a public vote. CarboScreen impressed the engineering community. CarboScreen develops and produces a sensor-based monitoring system with AI-based software. It links sensor data to process know-how to optimize production and increase fiber quality. This has the potential to double production speed and reducing downtime is possible, resulting in an increase in sales and enabling the use of CFs in mass markets.&nbsp;The Wevovler community vote winner received an honorable mention at the awards ceremony and introductions to the senior management of MCG and the Venture group of MCG. The winner will also be featured in a future article on Growth Garage and Wevolver.<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjc2OTA0NTUxMzc2LTE2NzY5MDQ1NTEzNzYucG5nIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo5NTAsImZpdCI6ImNvdmVyIn19fQ==" style="width: 300px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Image credit:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.carboscreen.com/" id="isPasted" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">CarboScreen</a>&nbsp;<h3>More about the challenge</h3>The challenge was supported by MCG Advanced Materials Division, a leading global manufacturer of high-performance materials, and Growth Garage, the Business Incubator of the MCG Advanced Materials Division.&nbsp;The ten challenge finalists were:<ul><li dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.autonomyo.ch/" target="_blank">Autonomyo</a> - a rehabilitation platform allowing users to train at home.</li><li dir="ltr">Helmet retrofit - a device to reduce impact from falls</li><li dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.reese-solutions.de/" target="_blank">Reese Solutions</a> - providing bended polymer tubes reinforced with carbon fibers</li><li dir="ltr"><a href="https://herone.de/" target="_blank">Herone</a> - A solution that reinstates the direction-dependent properties of carbon fiber and enables the reuse of its performance for structural performance parts.</li><li dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/tijmen-seignette-51153b101/?locale=en_US" target="_blank">Project Unlimited</a> - a lower leg prosthetic that enables children to do sports and activities they love.</li><li dir="ltr"><a href="https://swissrig.ch/" target="_blank">Swiss Rig</a> - a sustainable and lightweight device for content creators</li><li dir="ltr"><a href="https://comppair.ch/" target="_blank">CompPair</a> - a new type of resin that allows composite materials to repair themselves.</li><li dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.carboscreen.com/" target="_blank">CarboScreen</a> - a sensor based system for production monitoring of carbon fibers</li><li dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.cometskateboards.com/" target="_blank">Comet Skateboards</a> - A sustainable and cost-competitive skateboard made of recycled carbon fiber and a sustainable resin system.</li><li dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.intermode.io/" target="_blank">Intermode</a> - &nbsp;a universal robotic platform</li></ul><a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/the-composite-engineering-challenge-finalists" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Learn more about their projects here.</a><h2 id="isPasted">About Mitsubishi Chemical Group Advanced Materials Division and Business Incubator Growth Garage</h2>MCG Advanced Materials Division&nbsp;is a leading global manufacturer of high-performance materials in the form of semi-finished products and finished parts. The company has locations in 20 countries and more than 2,800 employees. Its specialty engineering thermoplastics and composites are superior in performance to metals and other materials and are used in a wide range of applications, primarily in the capital goods industry. The company is continuously developing new areas of applications in close cooperation with industry leaders in a wide variety of customer markets.&nbsp;Growth Garage is the Business Incubator of the MCG Advanced Materials Division. Our mission is to support and grow new ideas using our technologies and advanced engineering materials to help tackle some of today&#39;s biggest engineering challenges. We are offering the opportunity for engineers and innovators to pitch us their ideas and receive manufacturing support and services.<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjc2OTA1MjA1MjU2LTE2NzY5MDUyMDUyNTYucG5nIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo5NTAsImZpdCI6ImNvdmVyIn19fQ==" style="width: 300px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">

Herone is enabling carbon fiber to be recycled while maintaining product quality. 


Solution that reinstates the direction-dependent properties of carbon fiber wins the Composite Engineering Challenge.

Connect for Good: Low Power Wireless Sustainability Challenge

The Rock Engineering Challenge is open now until April 12th, 2023. It invites engineers, entrepreneurs, inventors, and developers to submit an idea for a part, product, or system that takes advantage of the <a href="https://wevlv.co/okdo-rockshop-wevolver" target="_blank">ROCK</a> single-board computers.&nbsp;<ul><li dir="ltr">The first 500 valid entries will receive a ROCK board of choice. Simply tell us what you are working on, and we&#39;ll send you a piece of cutting-edge hardware to bring your ideas to life.&nbsp;</li><li dir="ltr">The most-cutting edge entry will be rewarded with a grand prize of a $50,000 partnership with electronics company OKdo to scale up their project idea.&nbsp;</li></ul>We have been receiving exciting entries from all over the globe and have selected a few to highlight the broad applications of the ROCK family.&nbsp;<a class="button-main-action" href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/the-rock-engineering-challenge" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Submit your idea here.</a><hr><h3>Patrick Whetman</h3>Intelligent Wildlife Species Detector<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjc2NTU0MzEyMDE1LTE2NzY1NTQzMTIwMTUucG5nIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo5NTAsImZpdCI6ImNvdmVyIn19fQ==" width="602" height="401" class="fr-fic fr-dii">Image credit: Patrick WhetmanMicrophones are used to capture audio data which is then processed using machine learning to identify the animal species, whether it be bird, bat, rodent, whale, dolphin or anything that makes a distinct noise. The key advantage over other existing technology is that: the audio data is filtered at source, saving both disc space and human intervention. &nbsp;Previously recordings could easily generate many hours of footage per day, consuming up to 5 Gb per hour of disc space.&nbsp;The applications for this include animal surveys, invasive species monitoring, and agriculture efficiency.&nbsp;<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjc2NTU0MzEzMzM2LTE2NzY1NTQzMTMzMzYucG5nIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo5NTAsImZpdCI6ImNvdmVyIn19fQ==" width="602" height="376" class="fr-fic fr-dii">Image credit: Patrick Whetman<h3>Soham Chakraborty</h3>Battery management system<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjc2NTU0MzA5OTMzLTE2NzY1NTQzMDk5MzMucG5nIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo5NTAsImZpdCI6ImNvdmVyIn19fQ==" width="602" height="401" class="fr-fic fr-dii">Image credit: Soham ChakrabortyI am the Electronics Design Lead of TeamKART Motorsports, the Formula Student team of IIT Kharagpur. We are all set to make our first Formula Student Electric Vehicle this year. Our battery pack is a 100S5P of Molicel INR-21700 P42A cells. It is divided into five segments of 20S5P. The battery pack is designed to be 81 kW peak power, 420 Ah capacity, 350V, 250A discharge current, and 20 A charging current.&nbsp;Lithium-ion cells require constant monitoring for proper charging/discharging. After looking at multiple off-the-shelf BMS, our team decided to make a BMS of our own. The BMS monitors every cell voltage and at least 30% of the cell temperatures., in compliance with the FSAE rules. The designed BMS should provide additional protection to the cells during charging and discharging by using passive cell balancing controlled by the BMS onboard controller, which controls the bleed FETs.&nbsp;The BMS will be organized in a master-slave architecture with five slave boards for the five segments of the battery pack. The master board will be connected via a CAN bus to the 5 slave boards and will perform State of Charge (SoC), State of Health (SoH), Range, and Power Estimations. It will also perform diagnostics on the battery pack to determine overtemperature, under-temperature, overcurrent, under-voltage, and overvoltage faults and would open the Accumulator Isolation Relays through a relay driver if the fault is critical.&nbsp;Otherwise, in case of a non-critical fault, it would derate the system by communicating with the Vehicle Control Unit (VCU) over RS-232 or CAN. The master board also passes certain management commands to the VCU and its slave boards via CAN or RS-232, as applicable.&nbsp;The master board also acts as a data logger for the BMS. It logs all cell voltages, temperature, segment currents, and pack current on an onboard micro-SD card. This data can be used for analysis and to design a better battery pack for the upcoming iterations of the car.&nbsp;Each segment will contain 33 thermistors placed on the negative terminals of the cylindrical cells. The thermistors are optimally placed in the battery pack so that no cell can go undetected beyond the temperature threshold of 55 degrees (image attached). Each slave board contains 6 LTC6813 18-Cell Battery Stack Monitor chips for monitoring the 100 cells. LTC6813 communicates with the Rockchip by using an isoSPI interface. The LTC6813 implements passive balancing using external resistors and transistors to remove excess energy from the most charged cell. The BMS Slave contains 100 sets of the same components since each cell needs its own circuitry.&nbsp;The BMS will have to deal with 500 voltage readings (with a precision of 2 mV), 165 temperature readings, and 6 current readings (5 x segment, 1 x pack). It will have to use this data to diagnose each cell and estimate SoC, Range, SoH, and power requirements. It is imperative to large a high main memory to perform these many operations. Rock 5B comes equipped with 8 GB LPDDR4x SDRAM which is ideal for dealing with the volume of data that comes through it.&nbsp;The project would satisfy the following objectives:&bull; Build a custom BMS solution for TeamKART Motorsports&bull; Add a foundation for the state of charge measurements&bull; Reduce the number of wiring failure points&bull; Optimise for cylindrical 21700 cells&bull; Improve charge and balance time&bull; Add integrated temperature sensing board&bull; Improve overall system robustness<iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JSdIKUr9uXM?&wmode=opaque&rel=0&enablejsapi=1&origin=https://www.wevolver.com" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable" data-lf-form-tracking-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-yt-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-vimeo-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true"></iframe> <h3>Jeffrey Higgason</h3>Accessible drone technology<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjc2NTU0MzEyMDU1LTE2NzY1NTQzMTIwNTUucG5nIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo5NTAsImZpdCI6ImNvdmVyIn19fQ==" width="602" height="524" class="fr-fic fr-dii">Image credit: Jeffrey HiggasonOur team at Charity 1.0 is a 501c3 non-profit that is looking to make technology accessible. Our first project- openSAR.net- aims to make drone technology easy and low-cost for first responders. We are currently working on an open-source indoor sUAS that uses ROS2 computer vision and lidar to map the environment and give advanced recon to unknown areas.&nbsp;The structure core depth camera adds a real-time, 3D video feed based on depth data provided by the camera. This 3D view into a completely dark environment adds incredible reconnaissance and intelligence into an unknown world. The camera also allows for avoidance-based algorithms to make the drone incredibly easy to fly in a small area.Later versions of our project plan on introducing a 360 lidar and 3D printed frame for the sUAS.&nbsp;Based on our current research, cost-effective sUAS solutions do not exist that gather information and promote safer initial response efforts while providing valuable intelligence.The project&#39;s primary objectives are:&bull; Design, build, test, and demonstrate sUAS solutions that address the primary need associated with flying a sUAS in an indoor and constrained environment.&bull; Develop innovative solutions that further enhance the first responder&rsquo;s ability to gain situational awareness of the indoor environment.&bull; Develop a product at an affordable price that meets the budget of a public safety agency.Use cases:&bull; Collapsed buildings&bull; Operations under dense canopies&bull; Indoor barricaded suspect&bull; Indoor hostage situations&bull; Indoor active shooters&bull; Structure fires&bull; Partially flooded buildingsOperating sUAS indoors in a constrained environment (e.g., limited lighting, compromised structural integrity, lack of global positioning system, or GPS-denied environment) presents many challenges for first responders who may be responding to an ongoing incident. Before inserting first responders into an unfamiliar environment, assessing the risks and obtaining better situational awareness could be critical to mission success and the safety of victims, survivors, bystanders, and first responders.&nbsp;While there are sUAS solutions available in the market, these solutions typically cost more than what a local public safety agency might be able to afford. Additionally, it may be too difficult to operate a UAS in a small room or building without visual line of sight (VLOS), autonomous capabilities, and additional sensors. Also, information provided to incident command may not have sufficient fidelity or interpretability to be actionable. The objective of this project is to provide user-friendly, affordable solutions for first responders to accomplish their missions involving indoor environments.<h3>David Tischler</h3>Running&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wevolver.com/profile/edge.impulse" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Edge Impulse</a>&nbsp;on the Rock 5B<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjc2NTU0MzE4MTM0LTE2NzY1NTQzMTgxMzQucG5nIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo5NTAsImZpdCI6ImNvdmVyIn19fQ==" width="602" height="465" class="fr-fic fr-dii">Image credit: David TischlerAs the Community Developer Manager at Edge Impulse, I would like to demonstrate the Rock 5B running an Edge Impulse machine learning model!I suspect that for now, we will need to simply use the CPU (which is of course very powerful anyways) to run our Linux CLI and perform inferencing, as opposed to the onboard NPU. I took a look at the NPU documentation and software support, and it seems to be a bit thin at the moment, but perhaps it will improve in the future. If the Rock 5B does indeed work &quot;normally&quot; I can help craft some community documentation that shows users how to deploy their AI model to the Rock5B.This proof-of-concept and enablement would allow other users to come along and build AI Gateways and other machine learning and computer vision product demonstrations, but the first step is this testing and deployment to ensure Edge Impulse can run on the device.<h3>Allan Kantombera</h3>Firefighters assistance drones<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjc2NTU0MzA4NTQzLTE2NzY1NTQzMDg1NDMucG5nIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo5NTAsImZpdCI6ImNvdmVyIn19fQ==" width="602" height="304" class="fr-fic fr-dii">Image credit: Allan KantomberaUsing many small faster drones to assist firefighters and rescue people can potentially improve the current ways of dealing with fire and rescue operations. &nbsp;Small, fast drones could navigate a large building or area in just a few minutes. The proposed drone will be equipped with different sensors and cameras, enabling it to send live data that can help inform the decision-making process of first responders.&nbsp;<ul><li dir="ltr">Thermal camera, the camera will help to identify where the fire is and make a map of the fire. It will also help to identify people in the building.&nbsp;</li><li dir="ltr">RGB cameras will identify people and others using objects and other appliable information.&nbsp;</li><li dir="ltr">The drone will also have high-accuracy GPS, which will help the firefighters easily locate a person when the drone has found him.&nbsp;</li><li dir="ltr">The drones will send real-time data to the control center so that they have a picture of the building during rescue and fire fighting. Firefighters will have a wearable device that will show the maps from the drones and their position.&nbsp;</li><li dir="ltr">All the drones will be connected to one computer through WiFi, and software will help in processing the information and sending back instructions to each drone.&nbsp;</li></ul><h3>Goren Gordon</h3>Robot platform for education<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjc2NTU3MzQ5ODcxLXJvYm90b2Rfc2V0dXBfY3JvcC5wbmciLCJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjk1MCwiZml0IjoiY292ZXIifX19" width="602" height="401" class="fr-fic fr-dii">Image credit: Goren GordonWe are creating a social robot platform for education. The platform aims to enable low socio-economic schools to build their own social robots, where we will provide high-end software. We will use the ROCK single-board computer as the robot&#39;s brain, enabling us to run highly sophisticated interactive software.&nbsp;Our social robotic platform addresses the problem of delivering highly efficient, updated, and much-needed pedagogy to low-income schools.&nbsp;By programming the social robot to be a teacher assistant and small group facilitator, we will enrich the educational experience of children of all ages. &nbsp;Our social robot platform has 6-degrees of freedom for human-like movement and an LCD screen to project facial expressions.&nbsp;The ROCK single-board computer will also be connected to a camera, microphone, and speaker to enable an interactive experience that involves detecting facial expressions, poses, and speech. We have thus far used an external laptop for our robotic platform and are prepared to create a standalone version of our robot.&nbsp;<hr>Do you have an idea of how to use the ROCK? The challenge is open to all OEM&#39;s, startups, research teams, and students working on innovative SBC applications.&nbsp;<h3 dir="ltr">How to Enter?</h3>Submit your entry via this <a href="https://wevlv.co/okdo-form" target="_blank">form</a>. You will be asked for a comprehensive idea description, details of your team, and images or videos that support your idea. The challenge is open until April 12, 2023.&nbsp;We can&rsquo;t wait to see your entries!<a class="button-main-action" href="https://www.wevolver.com/submit/okdochallenge" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Enter Now.</a><h2>About the sponsor: OKdo</h2>OKdo is a brand delivering a unique combination of hardware, software, development, and manufacturing services to help customers turn their innovative ideas into commercial realities. The company has been endorsed by technology giants such as Arm, NXP, Broadcom, Intel, and SEEED. OKdo partners with different brands to bring the latest and most innovative IoT and SBC products to people around the world.<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjc2NTU2ODQ0MTYzLWltYWdlMS5wbmciLCJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjk1MCwiZml0IjoiY292ZXIifX19" style="width: 300px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">

Entries to the ROCK Enginering Challenge are using SBCs to address challenges related to climate, education, and emergencies. 

Education robots, firefighting drones, and listening to wildlife: The latest entries in the Rock Engineering Challenge.

The Composite Engineering Challenge invited innovators, entrepreneurs, startups, and scaleups to submit projects that make use of fiber-reinforced composites.The challenge received submissions from over 20 countries. The jury has selected ten finalists and three special recommendation projects.&nbsp;The final ten are now being reviewed by the jury, and the overall winner will be announced on February 21, 2023.&nbsp;The Wevolver Community Vote is selected by the engineering community. The winner will receive an honorable mention at the awards ceremony and be brought to the attention of senior management of MCG and the Venture group of MCG. Further, the winner will be interviewed for an article published on Growth Garage and Wevolver. &nbsp;&nbsp;Read about the ten finalists and then head to the <a href="https://www.wevolver.com/community-vote/circular-economy-challenge" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">voting page</a> to cast your choice.&nbsp;<a class="button-main-action" href="https://www.wevolver.com/community-vote/circular-economy-challenge" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Vote now.</a>1. AutonomyoAutonomy is a rehabilitation platform allowing users to train at home. It combines a physical support in the form of a lower limb exoskeleton and a body weight support, and it is connected to a digital platform to perform guided exercises in the form of entertaining games. Autonomyo merges an exoskeleton with tele-rehabilitation and exergaming.&nbsp;<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjc1MzM5OTk1NTY2LUF1dG9ub215by5wbmciLCJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjk1MCwiZml0IjoiY292ZXIifX19" style="width: 300px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Autonomyo&#39;s exoskeleton. Image credit:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.autonomyo.ch/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Autonomyo</a><h2>2. Helmet Retrofit</h2>68% of concussions in hockey and snowboarding are from falls to the BACK of the head. Helmet Retrofit is a unique approach to this issue. It works by attaching a carbon fibre omega to the outside of the helmet. This has been shown to reduce impact &nbsp;from falls from 384 Gs to 115 or less.&nbsp;<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjc1MzQxMzQ2Njg3LUR5bmFtaWMgQ29tcG9zaXRlcy5qcGciLCJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjk1MCwiZml0IjoiY292ZXIifX19" style="width: 300px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Image credit: Helmet Retrofit<h2 dir="ltr">3. Reese Solutions</h2>We are working on the bending of polymer tubes based on an automated CNC-machinery. These tubes can be made of any thermoplastic polymer and they can be reinforced with all kinds of fibers (short, long, continuous). A special interest is in endless fiber reinforced tubes for fluid flow applications where the tubes need high mechanical properties or structural applications.<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjc1MzQxMzkyOTM5LVJlZXNlIFNvbHV0aW9ucy5wbmciLCJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjk1MCwiZml0IjoiY292ZXIifX19" style="width: 300px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Bended thermoplastic polymer tubes. Image credit:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.reese-solutions.de/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Reese Solutions</a><h2 dir="ltr">4. Herone</h2>High performance composite products made from realigned recycled carbon fibers. The solution reinstates the direction-dependent properties of carbon fiber and enables the reuse of its performance for structural performance parts. The process involves aligning the carbon fibers in axial direction, consolidating the fleece, using textile braiding for customized orientation and press molding for manufacturing.<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjc1MzQxODg1NTM2LWhlcm9uZS5wbmciLCJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjk1MCwiZml0IjoiY292ZXIifX19" style="width: 300px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Image credit:&nbsp;<a href="https://herone.de/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Herone</a><h2 dir="ltr">5. Project Unlimited</h2>Creates a lower leg prosthesis that allows children to do sports and activities they love. By using a modular design and monitoring needs, parts can be swapped for better performance and comfort. The solution uses advanced composite materials including fibers for durability and improved function.&nbsp;<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjc1MzQxOTMzMDQ5LVByb2plY3QgVW5saW1pdGVkLnBuZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6OTUwLCJmaXQiOiJjb3ZlciJ9fX0=" style="width: 300px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Lower leg prosthetic. Image credit:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/tijmen-seignette-51153b101/?locale=en_US" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Project Unlimited</a><h2>6.&nbsp;Swiss Rig</h2>Uses a fiber reinforced polymer, to manufacture the Bresson. A sustainable and lightweight device that combines the advantages of pro gear and mobile gear for content creators everywhere. It offers pro audio, a custom mic, physical controls, a rechargeable power system and MagSafe magnet.&nbsp;<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjc1MzQyNjQ4NzAyLVNjcmVlbnNob3QgMjAyMy0wMi0wMiBhdCAyLjU1LjUwIFBNLnBuZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6OTUwLCJmaXQiOiJjb3ZlciJ9fX0=" style="width: 300px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Bresson, a sustainable and lightweight device for content creators. Image credit:&nbsp;<a href="https://swissrig.ch/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Swiss Rig</a><h2>7.&nbsp;CompPair</h2>ComPair offers a new type of resin chemistry that enables composite materials to repair themselves. Its unique technology helps repair damaged composites in just 1 minute, using the same fibers (carbon, glass, natural) without adding new materials.<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjc1MzQxOTU5NDI1LVNjcmVlbnNob3QgMjAyMy0wMS0zMSBhdCAzLjE5LjUwIFBNLnBuZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6OTUwLCJmaXQiOiJjb3ZlciJ9fX0=" style="width: 300px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Image credit:&nbsp;<a href="https://comppair.ch/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">CompPair</a><h2 dir="ltr">8. CarboScreen&nbsp;</h2>CarboScreen develops and produces a sensor-based monitoring system with AI-based software. It links sensor data to process know-how to optimize production and increase fiber quality. Doubling production speed and reducing downtime is possible, resulting in an increase of sales and enabling the use of CFs in mass markets.<img src="https://s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/wevolver-project-images/froala%2F1675430743025-Carboscreen+with+Logos.jpg" style="width: 300px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Image credit:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.carboscreen.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">CarboScreen</a><h2 dir="ltr">9. Comet Skateboards</h2>A sustainable and cost-competitive transit-oriented skateboard to reduce the economic burden of transportation. The skateboard is made of recycled carbon fiber and a sustainable resin system, reducing the demand for wood and plastic commonly used in deck manufacturing.<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjc1MzQxOTg1MTcwLUNvcm5ldCBTa2F0ZWJvYXJkcy5qcGVnIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo5NTAsImZpdCI6ImNvdmVyIn19fQ==" style="width: 300px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Skateboard made of recycled carbon fiber. Image credit:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cometskateboards.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Comet Skateboards</a><h2 dir="ltr">10. Intermode&nbsp;</h2>A universal robotic hardware that can be easily customized based on the customer delivery requirement.&nbsp;The robots are designed to recapture some portion of their material value at end of life for reuse in future robots.<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjc1MzQxOTk1ODQzLUludGVybW9kZS5wbmciLCJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjk1MCwiZml0IjoiY292ZXIifX19" style="width: 300px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Image credit:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.intermode.io/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Intermode</a><hr><h2>Honorable mentions</h2><h2>1. MCVE Technologies</h2>MCVE Technologies is working to manufacture wiring integrated functionalities in hybrid GFRP- / CFRP-structures.&nbsp;<h2 dir="ltr">2. FibreCoat</h2>FibreCoat develops and markets high-performance fibre materials. The aluminum basalt fiber &quot;AluCoat&quot; is the first market-ready product. Unlike currently used conductive polymer yarns, AluCoat is thermally and electrically conductive as well as temperature resistant up to 600&deg;C. Compared to pure aluminum fibers, AluCoat can be produced at one-tenth the cost. As a result, the material has the potential to become the much-needed, affordable shielding material for the electromagnetic shielding of electric cars and 5G devices of the future.<h2 dir="ltr">3. AS Research Center</h2>AS Research Center developed and patented a pre-ceramic composite, reinforced with new or recycled carbon fibre that has a low thermal conductivity and resists flame up to 2500&deg;C without emitting anything. They have developed an industrial cycle under hot press, lowering the cycle for a ceramic composite from tens of hours (autoclave + high temperature post cure) to minutes. The cost of the matrix is &lt; 5&euro;/kg. Making it a competitive material for mass production. Applications include battery cases, battery cells, hydrogen tanks protection from outside fire, interiors for aircrafts and rail, thermal protection for high performance engines, protection covers for oil and gas valves, aircraft nacelles, aircraft bleed air ducts, aircraft bulkheads and more.&nbsp;The winners of the Composite Engineering Challenge will be announced on Tuesday, 21 February.&nbsp;<a class="button-main-action" href="https://www.wevolver.com/community-vote/circular-economy-challenge" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Vote for your favorite entry here.&nbsp;</a><h2 id="isPasted">About Mitsubishi Chemical Group Advanced Materials Division and Business Incubator Growth Garage</h2>MCG Advanced Materials Division&nbsp;is a leading global manufacturer of high-performance materials in the form of semi-finished products and finished parts. The company has locations in 20 countries and more than 2,800 employees. Its specialty engineering thermoplastics and composites are superior in performance to metals and other materials and are used in a wide range of applications, primarily in the capital goods industry. The company is continuously developing new areas of applications in close cooperation with industry leaders in a wide variety of customer markets.&nbsp;Growth Garage is the Business Incubator of the MCG Advanced Materials Division. Our mission is to support and grow new ideas using our technologies and advanced engineering materials to help tackle some of today&#39;s biggest engineering challenges. We are offering the opportunity for engineers and innovators to pitch us their ideas and receive manufacturing support and services.<img data-fr-image-pasted="true" src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjY2NTk4MjA2NTg0LU1DRyBsb2dvIGJhbm5lci5qcGciLCJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjk1MCwiZml0IjoiY292ZXIifX19" style="width: 300px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">

These ten finalists push the boundaries of using composite materials. 


The Composite Engineering Challenge Finalists

We are incredibly grateful for the enthusiasm and talent demonstrated by all participants.The challenge winners are Eric Schleicher, Mike Macdonald, and Justin Berger of Constructive Realities. Read more about their incredible technology&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/the-rock-engineering-challenge-finalists-and-community-vote" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here.&nbsp;</a>The winner of the Wevolver community vote was Marcel Ochsendorf. He will be featured as part of a Wevolver article soon!<hr>We invite engineers,&nbsp;entrepreneurs, inventors, &nbsp;and developers&nbsp;to submit an idea for a part, product, or system that takes advantage of the&nbsp;<a href="https://wevlv.co/okdo-rockshop-wevolver" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="background-color: transparent;" target="_blank">ROCK</a>&nbsp;single-board computers.&nbsp;<ul><li dir="ltr">The first 500 valid entries will receive a ROCK board of choice worth $45 - $159. Simply tell us what you are working on, and we&#39;ll send you a piece of cutting-edge hardware to bring your ideas to life.&nbsp;</li><li>The most-cutting edge entry will be rewarded with a grand prize of a $50,000 partnership with electronics company&nbsp;OKdo to scale up their project idea.&nbsp;</li></ul>The challenge is now open until April 12th, 2023.<h3 dir="ltr">Who can enter?</h3>The challenge is open to all OEM&#39;s, startups, research teams, and students working on innovative SBC applications.&nbsp;<h3>How to Enter?</h3>Submit your entry via this form. You will be asked for a comprehensive idea description, details of your team, and images or video that support your idea.&nbsp;<h2 dir="ltr"><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjczMzA4MTQ0MzMwLXJvY2s1XzgyNS5qcGciLCJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjk1MCwiZml0IjoiY292ZXIifX19" style="width: 300px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">The ROCK 5B: Image credit: EuroCircuits</h2><h2 dir="ltr" id="isPasted">The ROCK SBC and CM series</h2>Developed in collaboration between OKdo and Radxa, ROCK boards provides class-leading capabilities, hardware, and performance in a similar form factor as other popular SBC boards.&nbsp;The <a href="https://wevlv.co/okdo-rockshop-wevolver" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">ROCK series</a> offers professionals, startups, and industrial OEMs a range of single-board computers that are robust, customizable, low-power, and high-performing.The ROCK boards are particularly suited for commercial applications that need a powerful and customizable board and the ability to scale, including but not limited to robotics, smart home devices, medical devices, automation, IoT, and environmental monitoring.&nbsp;<h3 dir="ltr">Introducing the ROCK 5B</h3>The powerful features of the ROCK 5B and its ability to be customizable bring substantial financial and environmental benefits during the current supply chain challenges. The ROCK 5B enables professional design engineers to leverage cutting-edge technology for developing high-volume end products.<a href="https://wevlv.co/rock5-review_wev" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Read more about the ROCK 5B here.</a><h2 dir="ltr">The ROCK 5B at a glance:</h2><table style="width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td style="width: 100%;">Based on the powerful Rockchip RK3588 SoC&nbsp;</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 100%;">Arm&reg; DynamIQ&trade; Quad Cortex&reg; A76, Quad Cortex&reg; A55 CPU, and Arm Mali&trade; G610MC4 GPU</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 100%;">8GB 64-bit RAM and eMMC socket</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 100%;">Power on/off button for performing quick, easy, and safe shutdowns without the risk of corrupting storage</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 100%;">The first SBC supporting up to 8Kp60 resolution tailor-made for advance multimedia applications</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 100%;">Built-in Real-Time-Clock, Dual HDMI and USB C port</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 100%;">Micro-HDMI input port supporting up to 4Kp60 resolution</td></tr></tbody></table><img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjczMzExOTc0OTIzLTVCX0JsYWNrQkcuanBnIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo5NTAsImZpdCI6ImNvdmVyIn19fQ==" style="width: 300px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">The ROCK 5B is the first SBC supporting up to 8Kp60 resolution tailor-made for advance multimedia applications. Image credit: OKdo.<h2 dir="ltr" id="isPasted">The ROCK 4C+ at a glance:</h2><table><tbody><tr><td>Based on the powerful Rockchip RK3399-7 SoC</td></tr><tr><td>Arm&reg; big.LITTLE&trade; dual Arm Cortex&reg; A72, quad Cortex-A53 CPU and Arm Mali&trade; T860MP4 GPU</td></tr><tr><td>Power on/off button, integrated fan control, external antenna &amp; audio jack</td></tr><tr><td>Bluetooth 5.0 with BLE, Gigabit Ethernet and Wireless LAN</td></tr></tbody></table>Learn more about the ROCK 4C+ <a href="https://wevlv.co/okdo-cplus-wevolver" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>.<h2 dir="ltr" id="isPasted">The ROCK 4SE at a glance:</h2><table><tbody><tr><td>Based on the powerful Rockchip RK3399-7 SoC</td></tr><tr><td>Arm&reg; big.LITTLE&trade; dual Arm Cortex&reg; A72, quad Cortex-A53 CPU and Arm Mali&trade; T860MP4 GPU</td></tr><tr><td>Expandable with eMMC module or SSD through m.2 connector</td></tr><tr><td>Onboard RTC, WiFi, Bluetooth, Antenna, Audio jack (headphone and headset), 4K HDMI port</td></tr></tbody></table>Learn more about the ROCK 4SE <a href="https://www.okdo.com/us/p/okdo-rock-4-model-se-4gb-single-board-computer-rockchip-rk3399-t-arm-cortex-a72/?utm_source=ok-do&utm_medium=wevolver2" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a>.<h2 dir="ltr">The Prizes</h2><h3>Hardware prize</h3>The first 500 valid entries will receive a ROCK board of choice.Eligible submission criteria<ul><li dir="ltr">Clearly articulates how the project can use a customizable, industrial-grade, mass-producible SBC.</li><li dir="ltr">The submitted idea is not related to the creation of weapons or illegal material.</li><li dir="ltr">The entrant is located within RS Shipping limits. <a href="https://www.rs-online.com/" target="_blank">(Check your region here).</a>&nbsp;</li></ul><h3 dir="ltr">Grand Prize</h3>The winner of the OKdo Single Board Computer Challenge will enter into a partnership worth $50,000&nbsp;with OKdo to develop their entry in a way that enables them to scale or improve their current model.The partnership may be a combination of technical, design, business advice, prototype development, or other manufacturing assistance. The package will be tailored to give the winner the resources and support they need at their specific production and business stage. This includes but is not limited to:Hands-on Support and Access to Resources: <ul><li dir="ltr">Support in technology selection.</li><li dir="ltr">Support to design for manufacturing.</li><li dir="ltr">Support to scale your production.&nbsp;</li><li dir="ltr">Support in providing a cost prognosis for production and prototyping.</li></ul>Exposure to OKdo&#39;s Professional Network:&nbsp;<ul><li dir="ltr">Exposure to potential customers.</li><li dir="ltr">Access to experts in the community and jury.</li><li dir="ltr">Global exposure in various media outlets. &nbsp;</li></ul><h3>Community Winner</h3>The Wevolver Community Winner is decided through a public poll of the finalists. The winner will receive an honorable mention at the awards ceremony and be pitched to the senior management of OKdo and its partners for a chance at establishing partnerships. Further, the winner will be interviewed for an article published on Wevolver. &nbsp; <img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjczMzExNzAwNDAxLURyb25lLmpwZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6OTUwLCJmaXQiOiJjb3ZlciJ9fX0=" style="width: 300px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">The ROCK 5B can be used to develop advanced UAVs. Image credit Chodorek et al.&nbsp;<h2 dir="ltr">Meet the Jury</h2>All entries to the challenge will be reviewed by the expert jury composed of engineers, business leaders, and designers.&nbsp;<ul><li dir="ltr">Richard Curtin: SVP Innovation &amp; Partnerships - RS Group | Co-Founder &amp; CTO at OKdo&nbsp;</li><li dir="ltr">Matt Johnson: CEO of LAIIER</li><li dir="ltr">Majenta Strongheart: Director, DesignLab at Supplyframe</li><li dir="ltr">Rachel Gordon: Communications Manager at MIT&#39;s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory</li><li dir="ltr">Chen Feng: Senior Vice President, Rockchip Electronics&nbsp;</li><li dir="ltr">Bram Geenen: CEO and founder of Wevolver.&nbsp;</li></ul><h2 dir="ltr" id="isPasted">Judging Criteria</h2>The jury will reward projects that push the boundaries of SBC application. Successful designs will meet the following submission requirements:Uniqueness and Impact on Industry:<ul><li dir="ltr">Does the project address an area previously identified or underutilized?</li><li dir="ltr">Does the project propose to use a ROCK board in an innovative application or use case?</li></ul>Scalability:<ul><li dir="ltr">Is the current team and product scalable with the injection of resources?</li></ul>Commercial Feasibility:<ul><li dir="ltr">Is there a proven business case?</li><li dir="ltr">Did you already test your product or prototype with customers?</li><li dir="ltr">Do you have recurring sales?</li><li dir="ltr">Are you looking for finance opportunities to scale your business?</li></ul><h2 dir="ltr">Key Dates</h2><div align="left" dir="ltr"><table><tbody><tr><td>Challenge Launch&nbsp;</td><td>January 12th, 2023</td></tr><tr><td>Challenge Close&nbsp;</td><td>April 12th, 2023</td></tr><tr><td>Winners Announcement</td><td>May 19th, 2023</td></tr></tbody></table></div><h2 dir="ltr" id="isPasted">About the sponsor: OKdo</h2>OKdo is a Uk-based company that delivers a unique combination of software, development support, and manufacturing services to inspire and enable customers to generate new ideas and turn them into commercial reality. They are on a global mission to deliver the imagination, creativity, and technical expertise our customers desire.&nbsp;<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjczMzY1MjQ5NjYzLWV5SmlkV05yWlhRaU9pSjNaWFp2YkhabGNpMXdjbTlxWldOMExXbHRZV2RsY3lJc0ltdGxlU0k2SW1aeWIyRnNZUzh4TmpVMk56a3dNREl4TlRJd0xWVnVkR2wwYkdWa0lHUmxjMmxuYmkweklDZ3hLUzVxY0djaUxDSmxaR2wwY3lJNmV5SnlaWE5wZW1VaU9uc2lkMmxrZEdnaU9qazFNQ3dpWm1sMElqb2lZMjkyWlhJaWZYMTkud2VicCIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6OTUwLCJmaXQiOiJjb3ZlciJ9fX0=" style="width: 300px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">

Show the world what you can create with cutting-edge single-board computer hardware. 


The Rock Engineering Challenge

<h1 id="isPasted">Composite Engineering Challenge</h1>The challenge is now closed. The winners will be announced shortly.&nbsp;The Composite Engineering Challenge invited innovators, entrepreneurs, startups, and scaleups to submit projects that make use of fiber-reinforced composites.The challenge received submissions from over 20 countries. The jury has selected ten finalists and three special recommendation projects.&nbsp;The final ten are now being reviewed by the jury, and the overall winner will be announced on February 21, 2023.&nbsp;The Wevolver Community Vote is selected by the engineering community. The winner will receive an honorable mention at the awards ceremony and be brought to the attention of senior management of MCG and the Venture group of MCG. Further, the winner will be interviewed for an article published on Growth Garage and Wevolver. &nbsp;&nbsp;Read about the ten finalists and then head to the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wevolver.com/community-vote/circular-economy-challenge" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">voting page</a> to cast your choice.&nbsp;<a class="button-main-action" href="https://www.wevolver.com/community-vote/circular-economy-challenge" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">VOTE NOW</a><hr>The challenge will award innovative products / projects that make use of fiber-reinforced composites.The challenge is open for innovators, entrepreneurs, (pre-) startups and scaleups.We welcome projects, programs, and companies in the field of new mobility (EV, e-motor, battery casing, etc.), autonomous vehicles, people movers, robotics, aerospace, space, bicycles, UAV, AAV, bionics (wheelchairs, exoskeletons, prosthetics), alternative energy, sport &amp; leisure, alternative (low carbon footprint) fibers and more!<a class="button-main-action" href="https://c8056756.sibforms.com/serve/MUIEAASlra81V1iZasKRZmA7U7n22-x7CxwVy_ehLPfJrr9Imp76jJPdpiZ1kuHbxnO80jW3anG-pE6KVVsOuwjTTXc3mf6IrOzBQX1BaoxGD0GF2Dmb5Ge1wEOKwm9kd1j8bpk13Mnf0S77OIPT2-rJiFelFwxjPYFFUKczFqqHgn4Yg4a41M65_hndhjcamu6m0HgutqfJEtLs" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">ASK ANY QUESTION REGARDING THE CHALLENGE</a><a href="#_msocom_3" id="_anchor_3" language="JavaScript" name="_msoanchor_3" target="_blank"></a><a href="#_msocom_4" id="_anchor_4" language="JavaScript" name="_msoanchor_4" target="_blank"></a><h1>Challenge Awards</h1><h3>Overall Jury Winner: Business, manufacturing, and design support package worth $25,000.</h3>The winner of the Composites Engineering Challenge is awarded a $25,000 partnership with Growth Garage, the Business Incubator of the MCG Advanced Materials&nbsp;Division, to develop their product or part in a way that enables them to scale their production.&nbsp;This may be a combination of technical, design, business advice, prototype development, or other manufacturing assistance. The prize is designed with the winner to give them the resources and support they need at their specific production and business stage.&nbsp;This includes but is not limited to:Hands-on Support<ul><li>Support in material/technology selection.</li><li>Support to design for manufacturing.</li><li>Support in tool design.</li><li>Support to scale your production.&nbsp;</li><li>Support in providing a cost prognosis for medium to high-volume production and prototyping.</li></ul>Access to resources<ul><li>Access to MCG&#39;s latest carbon-reinforced composite materials (thermoset and thermoplastic-based) at scale.</li><li>Access to part production manufacturing technologies at scale (either at MCG or within the partner network).</li></ul>Exposure to Wider Network&nbsp;<ul><li>Opportunity for equity investment via MCG&#39;s CVC arm (Diamond Edge Ventures).</li><li>Exposure to potential customers.</li><li>Access to experts in community and jury.</li><li>Global exposure in various media outlets.</li></ul>Innovations for a Circular Economy&nbsp;<ul><li>Access to circularity and sustainability experts<a href="#_msocom_6" id="_anchor_6" language="JavaScript" name="_msoanchor_6" target="_blank"></a>.</li><li>Access to composites with a low carbon footprint by using recycled Carbon Fiber (rCF)<a href="#_msocom_7" id="_anchor_7" language="JavaScript" name="_msoanchor_7" target="_blank"></a>.</li><li>Access to the take-back program (production waste or end-of-live parts).</li></ul>The total value of this package is $25,000 and is developed together between the winning team, Growth Garage, and MCG Advanced Materials&nbsp;Division. Read about previous challenge winners and the support they received <a href="https://growthgarage-resources.mcam.com/articles" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">here</a><a href="#_msocom_8" id="_anchor_8" language="JavaScript" name="_msoanchor_8" target="_blank"></a>.<h3>Innovation Award: Business, manufacturing, and design support package worth support worth $10,000.&nbsp;</h3>The innovation award will be awarded to the most impactful, differentiated, innovative idea.&nbsp;The Innovation Award Winner of the Composites Engineering Challenge will enter a partnership with&nbsp;Growth Garage, Business Incubator of the MCG Advanced Materials Division, to further develop their product or part to scale their project.&nbsp;This may be a combination of technical, design, business advice, prototype development, or other manufacturing assistance. The total value of this package is $10,000 and is developed together between the winning team and Growth Garage.&nbsp;<h3>Wevolver Community Winner: Media package and Venture pitch. &nbsp;</h3>The winner will receive an honorable mention at the awards ceremony and be brought to the attention of senior management of MCG and the Venture group of MCG. Further, the winner will be interviewed for an article published on Growth Garage and Wevolver. &nbsp;&nbsp;<hr><h1 id="isPasted">Composite Engineering Challenge Introduction Webinar</h1><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5yXgnnUxXsM?&wmode=opaque&rel=0&enablejsapi=1&origin=https://www.wevolver.com" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable" data-gtm-yt-inspected-8="true" data-lf-form-tracking-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-yt-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" data-lf-vimeo-playback-inspected-kn9eq4roawkarlvp="true" width="640" height="360" frameborder="0" data-gtm-yt-inspected-9="true" id="467181678" title="Introduction to the Composite Engineering Challenge"></iframe> In this recorded webinar, Tim Vorage, Global Growth Manager at (Growth Garage, Business Incubator of the MCG Advanced Materials Division). introduces the composite challenge, discusses the latest in carbon fiber technology, and provides insight into how to create a competitive advantage. <hr><h2> </h2><h2>Challenge the status quo of composites&rsquo; scalability</h2><h3>Who can enter?</h3>The challenge is open to any business, research team, or project currently working on a product or part manufactured from or suitable for composites with the ambition to ramp up its production. &nbsp;The challenge is open to teams and companies around the world.If you have the ambition to scale your production either now or in the future &ndash; this is the opportunity for you.Do you have the ambition to:<ul id="isPasted"><li>Design, develop and produce a prototype based on fiber-reinforced composite materials</li><li>Replace metal with fiber-reinforced composite materials</li><li>Shift from a manual to an automated, medium/high volume production process</li><li>Reduce your products carbon footprint (light-weighting, rCF, alternative fibers)</li><li>Introducing smart composites for self-sensing or self-healing</li><li>Efficiently scale the (manual) production of your composite part and need the right material/design/manufacturing combination or investment.</li></ul>Mitsubishi Chemical Group and Growth Garage, Business Incubator of the MCG Advanced Materials Division will help you take you from where you are to the next level of production, assisting with design and business mentorship, material selection, and manufacturing. &nbsp;If you are unsure if you qualify to enter, please contact the Business Incubator Growth Garage team directly at <a href="mailto:growthgarage@mcam.com" target="_blank">growthgarage@mcam.com</a>.&nbsp; <img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjY1NTY1ODU4ODY4LTE2NjU1NjU4NTg4NjguanBlZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6OTUwLCJmaXQiOiJjb3ZlciJ9fX0=" class="fr-fic fr-dii" width="602" border="0"><h1> </h1><h1>The Judging Criteria</h1>The jury will reward projects that prioritize sustainability and push the boundaries of lightweighting while maintaining high feasibility and ingenuity.We welcome submissions at all stages of growth and production.<a class="button-main-action" href="https://wevlv.co/launch-page-mcam" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Register to submit here.&nbsp; </a><h2>The 2022 Composite Engineering Challenge Jury</h2><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/timvorage/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Tim Vorage</a><a href="#_msocom_16" id="_anchor_16" language="JavaScript" name="_msoanchor_16" target="_blank"></a> - Global Growth Manager at (Growth Garage, Business Incubator of the MCG Advanced Materials Division).<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-lisa-weigand/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Dr. Lisa Weigand</a> - Advisor Circular Economy at Mitsubishi Chemical Europe.<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/geenen/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Bram Geenen</a> &ndash; Founder and CEO, Wevolver.<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/randy-white-412a7479/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Randy White</a> - President -Engineered Solutions at MCG Advanced Materials Division<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mgeljon/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Mark Geljon</a> - Customer Experience leader, change-maker, and social entrepreneur.<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jules-harings-67427a30/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Jules Harings</a> - Associate Professor &amp; Group leader Macromolecular Physics &amp; Technology at AMIBM / Maastricht University.<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/peterwalde/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Dr. Peter Walde</a> - Founder &amp; CEO at MAPEGY.<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/andy-rudd-a8a0317/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Andy Rudd</a> - Global New Business Development Manager, Mitsubishi Chemical Methacrylates.<a href="http://Henning Bloech" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Henning Bloech</a>&nbsp; - Global Director Sustainable Solutions MCG Advanced Materials Division<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/will-chan-74ab3527/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Will Chan</a>&nbsp;-&nbsp;Composites Engineering Manager, Specialized Bicycle Components.<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/fumiko-uraki-73305b4/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Fumiko Uraki</a> - Director of Venture Department at Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corporation.<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonas-grau-thomsen/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Jonas Grau Thomsen</a> - CEO and Founder of Nordic Bionics / Thought leader/InfluencerNordic Bionics - Rehabilitation and Wearable Technology.<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidcleach/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">David Leach</a> - Director, Business Development ATC Manufacturing<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefan-schnippering-33b973103/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Stefan Schnippering</a> - Venture Associate, Ph.D., Diamond Edge Ventures<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjY1NTY1ODU4ODk1LTE2NjU1NjU4NTg4OTUuanBlZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6OTUwLCJmaXQiOiJjb3ZlciJ9fX0=" alt="A person and person looking at each other

Description automatically generated with low confidence" class="fr-fic fr-dii" width="601" border="0"> <h2>Key Dates</h2><table style="width: 100%;"><tbody><tr><td style="width: 50.0000%;">Composite Challenge Launch&nbsp;</td><td style="width: 50.0000%;">Monday, October 24th, 2022</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 50.0000%;">Composite Challenge Webinar. &nbsp;(Watch above)</td><td>Thursday, November 17th, 17:00 - 18:00 CET.&nbsp;</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 50.0000%;">Early Bird Submission Closes&nbsp;</td><td style="width: 50.0000%;">Wednesday, November 30th, 2022</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 50.0000%;">Challenge Close&nbsp;</td><td style="width: 50%;">Sunday 22 January 2023</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 50.0000%;">Finalists Announced&nbsp;</td><td style="width: 50.0000%;">Wednesday 1 February 2023</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 50.0000%;">Wevolver Community Vote&nbsp;</td><td style="width: 50.0000%;">From 1-12 February 2023</td></tr><tr><td style="width: 50.0000%;">Winners announcement&nbsp;</td><td style="width: 50.0000%;">Tuesday 21 February 2023</td></tr></tbody></table><a class="button-main-action" href="https://wevlv.co/launch-page-mcam" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Enter the Challenge here</a><h2>Mitsubishi Composite Toolbox</h2>Mitsubishi Chemical Group has developed the Composites Toolbox, a combination of high-quality composite materials, experts, and manufacturing methods to rewrite what&rsquo;s possible in engineering. &nbsp;By replacing traditional materials with composite solutions that meet future performance, consumer, and sustainability requirements, more engineers can help enhance the world.The Composite toolbox includes a variety of materials; ranging from glass, carbon, or natural fiber reinforcements with a thermoset or thermoplastic matrix. A reduction of the environmental footprint can be obtained with low carbon footprint solutions, such as&rdquo; recycled carbon fiber (rCF), recycled thermoplastics, or biobased thermoset resins.Are you using a manual layup and think you need to compromise on freedom of design? The design freedom of some of these materials, such as <a href="http://KyronTEX," rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">KyronTEX</a>, enables new designs at scale with high process efficiency due to the elimination of various intermediate process steps.From a custom thermoplastic carbon composite organofleece into a part in 1 compression molding step, i.e. no intermediate lamination, placement, and consolidation steps required.<h3>Further reading and resources:</h3><ul><li><a href="https://growthgarage.mcam.com/" target="_blank">Growth Garage, Business Incubator of the MCG Advanced Materials Division</a></li><li><a href="https://composites.mcam.com/toolbox" target="_blank">MCG Composite Toolbox</a></li><li><a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/discovering-advanced-composites-how-a-new-generation-of-composite-materials-is-revolutionizing-engineering/draft" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Discovering Advanced Composites</a></li><li>Carbon Fiber Recycling: Accelerating Aerospace Circularity<a href="#_msocom_21" id="_anchor_21" language="JavaScript" name="_msoanchor_21" target="_blank"></a></li></ul>For more information get in touch with Wevolver Content Director, <a href="mailto:jessica@wevolver.com">Jessica Miley</a>.<h2>About the sponsor: Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials &amp; Growth Garage</h2>MCG Advanced Materials Division&nbsp;is a leading global manufacturer of high-performance materials in the form of semi-finished products and finished parts. The company has locations in 20 countries and more than 2,800 employees. Its specialty engineering thermoplastics and composites are superior in performance to metals and other materials and are used in a wide range of applications, primarily in the capital goods industry. The company is continuously developing new areas of applications in close cooperation with industry leaders in a wide variety of customer markets.&nbsp;Growth Garage is the Business Incubator of the MCG Advanced Materials Division. Our mission is to support and grow new ideas using our technologies and advanced engineering materials to help tackle some of today&#39;s biggest engineering challenges. We are offering the opportunity for engineers and innovators to pitch us their ideas and receive manufacturing support and services.&nbsp;<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjY2NTk4MjA2NTg0LU1DRyBsb2dvIGJhbm5lci5qcGciLCJlZGl0cyI6eyJyZXNpemUiOnsid2lkdGgiOjk1MCwiZml0IjoiY292ZXIifX19" style="width: 300px;" class="fr-fic fr-dib">

MCG Advanced Materials Division and Wevolver will award innovative products / projects that make use of fiber-reinforced composites. 

The Composite Engineering Challenge

Wevolver&rsquo;s University Technology Exposure Program invited student-researchers from across the globe to showcase their projects to thousands of engineers and company owners. The event was open to recent graduates and saw the participation of dozens of students and teams.We are happy to announce Mikhail Basov, the winner of the University Technology Exposure Program 2022. Mikhail receives a prize of $5,000 for his research work on a novel circuit design, &lsquo;piezo sensitive differential amplifier with negative feedback loop (PDA-NFL).&#39;This article summarises the winning project and six other submissions that were shortlisted for the final evaluation by the jury.<h2 dir="ltr">The Jury</h2>Rachel Gordon, Ash Ravikumar, and Bram Geenen were part of the jury. Rachel holds a bachelor&#39;s in international relations. She is currently working with the Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL), Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), as a Communications &amp; Media Relations Officer. Ash is in charge of the Business Incubation Centre (BIC) at the European Council for Nuclear Research (CERN). The goal of BIC is to cultivate a culture of entrepreneurship. Bram is the CEO and Co-founder of Wevolver, an award-winning one-of-a-kind platform dedicated to sharing knowledge and creating networking opportunities.<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjYyNzM5OTM5NzAyLUp1cnkucG5nIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo5NTAsImZpdCI6ImNvdmVyIn19fQ==" class="fr-fic fr-dii" alt="rachel-gordon-ash-ravikumar-bram-geenen-utep-2022-jury"><h2 dir="ltr">The winner: <a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/novel-circuit-design-approach-makes-pressure-sensors-smaller-and-more-sensitive" target="_blank">Novel circuit design approach makes pressure sensors smaller and more sensitive</a> - <a href="https://www.wevolver.com/profile/mikhail.basov" target="_blank">Mikhail Basov</a></h2>Micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) sensors are miniature devices built by fabricating mechanical and electronic components responsible for carrying out the sensing process on a silicon chip. These devices have the advantage of small size and are widely used in various sectors, including manufacturing industries, biomedical applications, consumer products, and more. Balancing the performance and size of components is one of the main challenges faced by an R&amp;D engineer working in the field of MEMS.<img src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjYyNzI2NDk3MTU4LUdyb3VwIDV0ZXN0LnBuZyIsImVkaXRzIjp7InJlc2l6ZSI6eyJ3aWR0aCI6OTUwLCJmaXQiOiJjb3ZlciJ9fX0=" class="fr-fic fr-dii" alt="mikhail-basov-wevolver-university-technology-exposure-program-2022-winner">New sensor design and fabrication processes add incremental improvements to the technology, but most sensors have used the classic Wheatstone bridge circuit for more than 50 years. Mikhail proposes a novel circuit design, &lsquo;piezo sensitive differential amplifier with negative feedback loop (PDA-NFL)&rsquo;, that aims to significantly improve the sensitivity and reduce the size of the sensor.The market (after first-level packaging for MEMS pressure sensors) is currently growing with a CAGR of 5.1% and will reach $2.2B in 2022 vs. $1.6B in 2020). The presented pressure sensor chip PDA-NFL, or rather the type of the proposed electrical circuit, will have high relevance for applications in all fields that require precise pressure sensing. Here are some examples of its applications:<ul><li dir="ltr">In automotive systems, the novel circuit can be used for powertrain, Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP), Barometric Air Pressure (BAP), particle filter, fuel tank, exhaust gas recirculation, engine oil, automatic transmission oil, Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), brake booster, side airbags, pedestrian protection, and more.</li><li dir="ltr">It can be used in consumer electronic products such as smartphones, watches, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, smart home devices, etc.</li><li dir="ltr">Industrial systems can also extensively use such sensing circuits in applications such as Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC), industrial process controls, and transportation.</li><li dir="ltr">PDA-NFL is relevant in medical systems such as blood Monitoring (invasive), respiratory care, and smart inhalers.</li><li dir="ltr">The technology can also be applied to the Defense/Aerospace sector in air data acquisition, Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC), hydraulics, etc.</li><li dir="ltr">Additionally, the pressure sensor chips PDA-NFL can be used in a variety of studies and research in hydromechanics, robots, biophysics, acoustics, geophysics, and a lot of other projects.</li></ul>Read the complete article by Mikhail here: <a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/novel-circuit-design-approach-makes-pressure-sensors-smaller-and-more-sensitive" target="_blank">Novel circuit design approach makes pressure sensors smaller and more sensitive</a>.In addition to the winning article, here are the six other articles that were shortlisted for the final round of evaluation by the jury:<h3 dir="ltr">The runner-up: <a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/how-to-survive-on-mars" target="_blank">How to Survive on Mars?</a> - <a href="https://www.wevolver.com/profile/mark.baldry" target="_blank">Mark Baldry</a></h3>Did you know that it would take around 225 tonnes of rocket fuel to deliver a single tonne of any material (including fuel) to the martian surface? Transporting materials from the earth during space travel is among the biggest engineering challenges faced by space exploration teams. Long-duration exploration missions would just not be possible if the astronauts were to depend on transporting all life-supporting systems from the earth.&nbsp;To solve this problem, engineers are looking to convert raw materials available on the heavenly body into useful products. Martian regolith, the grainy layer of dust and rock covering mars&rsquo; surface, can be used to extract water, breathable oxygen, and alloys. Using a systematic approach, raw materials can be converted into versatile, small molecules, which can be combined in a variety of ways to form valuable products.In this submission by Dr. Mark Baldry from the University of Sydney, he explains an integrated system for producing essential materials on Mars using local resources, paving the way for self-sufficient settlements. The applications for this technology are not limited to a Martian settlement but may also form the basis of establishing a Lunar refueling station to facilitate trips to Mars and the wider solar system. Closer to home, this technology can help remote communities in harsh conditions be less reliant on expensive resupply.Here is the link to the article: <a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/how-to-survive-on-mars" target="_blank">How to Survive on Mars?</a>&nbsp;<h3 dir="ltr">The runner-up: <a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/making-3d-printers-smarter-with-mtouch-a-low-cost-automatic-fault-detection-system" target="_blank">Making 3D printers smarter with MTouch, a low-cost automatic fault detection system</a> - <a href="https://www.wevolver.com/profile/sam.aidala" target="_blank">Sam Aidala</a></h3>Desktop fused filament fabrication (FFF) 3D printers are fast gaining popularity as low-volume manufacturing tools. They work by heating plastic filament and extruding it through a nozzle onto a bed. A major issue with such printers is that it is extremely difficult to find out defects until the printing is complete. Manually monitoring the whole process is not an option as the process sometimes takes a long time.Sam Aidala, a recent graduate from the University of Michigan (UoM) explains in the article how a team of researchers from the Smart and Sustainable Automation Research Lab (S2A Lab) at the UoM has developed an augmentative solution for FFF 3D printers capable of detecting multiple types of faults in real-time. It is a module that determines if the object being printed has millimeter-scale geometric defects. It checks for the presence or absence of the print at specific locations and compares it to pre-computed expected results.Check out the submission by visiting this link: <a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/making-3d-printers-smarter-with-mtouch-a-low-cost-automatic-fault-detection-system" target="_blank">Making 3D printers smarter with MTouch, a low-cost automatic fault detection system</a><h3 dir="ltr">The runner-up: <a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/modeling-design-and-control-of-a-hosing-drone-unmanned-aerial-system" target="_blank">Modeling, Design, and Control of a Hosing-Drone Unmanned Aerial System</a> - <a href="https://www.wevolver.com/profile/blake.hament" target="_blank">Blake Hament</a></h3>Workers put themselves in danger every day to clean bridges and overpasses with pressure washing. Often, they are suspended beneath or beside the infrastructure while spraying at a pressure of over 3000 PSI. Water and debris can splash back into the workers&#39; eyes, noses, and mouths, or worse, dislodge them from their precarious perches. Frequent injuries are reported.To make the job safer and faster, Blake Hament, a Ph.D. student at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas introduces a multicopter that can fly close to bridges, overpasses, and other pieces of large infrastructure to perform high-pressure washing. Water is pumped to high pressure on the ground and then sent to the drone via a hose. As water sprays from the actuated nozzle on the drone, the flight controller compensates for high reaction forces and torques due to the spraying.Read the submission here: <a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/modeling-design-and-control-of-a-hosing-drone-unmanned-aerial-system" target="_blank">Modeling, Design, and Control of a Hosing-Drone Unmanned Aerial System</a><h3 dir="ltr">The runner-up: <a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/design-inspiration-from-woodpeckers-could-allow-robotic-arms-to-be-bendable-and-extendable" target="_blank">Design inspiration from woodpeckers could allow robotic arms to be bendable and extendable</a> - <a href="https://www.wevolver.com/profile/ayato.kanada" target="_blank">Ayato Kanada</a></h3>Woodpeckers have flexible and extendable tongues that they use to reach their prey through tiny openings in trees and insect burrows. The special anatomical features of woodpeckers manipulate their surprisingly long tongues. Unlike human and anteater tongues, which are made mainly of muscle, the woodpecker&#39;s tongue is rigidly supported by the bones.The team behind the project aims to take inspiration from the woodpecker&rsquo;s tongue to combine the benefits of both conventional and soft robotics to develop something like Dr. Octopus&rsquo; arms in reality. The resulting robotic hands that operate in unstructured environments can unlock multiple opportunities for application in biomedical instrumentation, manufacturing, space research, agriculture, and numerous other fields of engineering.Visit this page to read the complete article: <a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/design-inspiration-from-woodpeckers-could-allow-robotic-arms-to-be-bendable-and-extendable" target="_blank">Design inspiration from woodpeckers could allow robotic arms to be bendable and extendable</a><h3 dir="ltr">The runner-up: <a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/surface-engineered-nickel-rich-cathode-material-enabling-high-power-discharge-for-li-ion-battery-applications" target="_blank">Surface engineered nickel-rich cathode material enabling high power discharge for Li-ion battery applications</a> - <a href="https://www.wevolver.com/profile/anish.raj.kathribail" target="_blank">Anish Raj Kathribail</a></h3>Electric Vehicles (EVs) are all set to replace vehicles powered by fossil fuels. But to be successful and offer performance equivalent to conventional vehicles, they need batteries that can function with high power for an extended period of time.&nbsp;Nickel-rich materials like LiNixMnyCozO2 (NMC, x+y+z=1; where x&ge;0.5) are a popular choice for making the cathode due to their high specific capacity but undergo a drastic capacity loss, especially at high voltages due to a side reaction.The article explains a surface-coating technique for NMC particles that improves the Lithium-ion battery&#39;s total available capacity and high-power performance. The technology can be applied in vehicles, drones, power tools, military, grid storage, electronics, and more.Link to the complete article: <a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/surface-engineered-nickel-rich-cathode-material-enabling-high-power-discharge-for-li-ion-battery-applications" target="_blank">Surface engineered nickel-rich cathode material enabling high power discharge for Li-ion battery applications</a><h3 dir="ltr">The runner-up: <a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/predictive-model-of-adaptive-cruise-control-speed-to-enhance-engine-operating-conditions" target="_blank">Predictive Model of Adaptive Cruise Control Speed to Enhance Engine Operating Conditions</a> - <a href="https://www.wevolver.com/profile/srikanth.kolachalama" target="_blank">Srikanth Kolachalama</a></h3>Cruise control is a feature that helps a vehicle maintain its speed when being driven on long loads. It reduces driver fatigue and is a commonly available feature in many personal vehicles. Adaptive Cruise Control takes a step forward by allowing vehicles to detect and adjust their speed depending on the presence and speeds of other vehicles.This article presents a novel methodology to predict the optimal Adaptive Cruise Control Set Speed Profile (ACCSSP) by optimizing the Engine Operating Conditions (EOC) considering Vehicle Level Vectors (VLV). The work investigates EOC criteria to develop a predictive model of ACCSSP in real-time.Here is the link to the submission: <a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/predictive-model-of-adaptive-cruise-control-speed-to-enhance-engine-operating-conditions" target="_blank">Predictive Model of Adaptive Cruise Control Speed to Enhance Engine Operating Conditions</a><h3 dir="ltr">Jury&rsquo;s remarks</h3>The competition was extremely tough due to the variety and novelty of the articles submitted by the participants this year.<blockquote>Talking about the submissions, Ash mentions, &ldquo;This year&#39;s shortlist is insanely amazing, and I really struggled with rating them. I was very torn on &ldquo;judging&rdquo; them. I don&rsquo;t think I have done justice.&rdquo;</blockquote>Rachel feels the societal relevance and impact category was extremely robust this year, touching critical verticals and applications in many relevant research areas.&nbsp;<blockquote>She says, &ldquo;The novelty bar is set very high given my exposure to research at CSAIL - for example, recent work I&#39;ve seen such as an ML model for adjusting and monitoring 3D printing process to correct errors in real-time, a lot of bio-inspired robotics, drone usage for crops, using cubic boron arsenide for chips, and so on. For the quality section, I also focused on what could potentially be scalable and feasibly extrapolated.&rdquo;</blockquote>Ash found Mikhail&rsquo;s NFA-PDL circuit and Ayato Kanda&rsquo;s woodpecker-inspired robotic arm the most innovative and technically novel projects. Among the runner-up, Ash was impressed by Sam Aidala&rsquo;s MTouch &lsquo;3D printer fault detection system&rsquo; and &lsquo;surface-engineered nickel-rich cathode material enabling high power discharge for Li-ion battery applications&rsquo; by Ayato Kanda.Along with Mikhail&rsquo;s project, Rachel rated Srikanth Kolachalama&rsquo;s &lsquo;Predictive Model of Adaptive Cruise Control Speed to Enhance Engine Operating Conditions high in terms of quality of engineering and social relevance.Ash congratulates the winners and the Wevolver team for the event&#39;s success.<blockquote>He adds, &ldquo;It is a pleasure to be a part of this event. Please continue this effort. It&rsquo;s amazing to see that you are providing a platform to showcase great engineering globally&rdquo;.</blockquote><h3 dir="ltr">Conclusion</h3>On that note, Wevolver&rsquo;s University Technology Exposure Program 2022 comes to an end. Wevolver thanks all the readers, participants, sponsors, and jury members for making the event a huge success. We wish the participants all the best for their future.&nbsp;Until then, do check out some previously published featured UTEP articles by visiting these links:<ul><li dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/university-technology-exposure-program-2022-july-august-final-update/" target="_blank">University Technology Exposure Program 2022: July-August Final Update</a></li><li dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/university-technology-exposure-program-2022-june-update" target="_blank">University Technology Exposure Program 2022: June Update</a></li><li dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/university-technology-exposure-program-2022-may-update" target="_blank">University Technology Exposure Program 2022: May Update</a></li><li dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/university-technology-exposure-program-2022-april-update" target="_blank">University Technology Exposure Program 2022: April Update</a></li><li dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/university-technology-exposure-program-2022-march-update" target="_blank">University Technology Exposure Program 2022: March Update</a></li><li dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.wevolver.com/article/university-technology-exposure-program-2022-february-update" target="_blank">University Technology Exposure Program 2022: February Update</a></li></ul><h2 dir="ltr">About the University Technology Exposure Program 2022</h2>Wevolver, in partnership with <a href="https://mouser.com/" target="_blank">Mouser Electronics</a> and <a href="https://www.ansys.com/" target="_blank">Ansys</a>, organized University Technology Exposure Program 2022. The program aimed to recognize and reward innovation from engineering students and researchers across the globe. Learn more about the program <a href="http://www.wevolver.com/student-program" target="_blank">here</a>.<img alt="university-technology-exposure-program-mouser-ansys" src="https://images.wevolver.com/eyJidWNrZXQiOiJ3ZXZvbHZlci1wcm9qZWN0LWltYWdlcyIsImtleSI6ImZyb2FsYS8xNjYyNzE3ODIwMzQwLTE2NjI3MTc4MjAzNDAucG5nIiwiZWRpdHMiOnsicmVzaXplIjp7IndpZHRoIjo5NTAsImZpdCI6ImNvdmVyIn19fQ==" class="fr-fic fr-dii">

University Technology Exposure Program 2022 invited student researchers to submit articles on their innovative projects and ideas. It’s time to announce the winner of the event who wins a prize of $5,000.