Former Lethbridge College students win 2022 Capstone Project of the Year Award
26, Oct, 2022
EDMONTON, Oct. 26, 2022 – A former team of Lethbridge College geomatics engineering technology students has won this year’s Capstone Project of the Year Award. The award is given out annually by the Association of Science and Engineering Technology Professionals of Alberta (ASET). Former Lethbridge College students Jeff Plowman, Scott Polec and Jaxson Kopp received the award for conducting a road network analysis of emergency services.
The former team’s project was lauded by ASET for its high level of professionalism and overall excellence, and for addressing an issue that is relevant to daily life. It also represents a side of engineering technology not always showcased in Capstone Projects: the critical behind-the-scenes work that is vital to the positive and safe advancement of society.
“The project from Lethbridge College offers a genuine thoughtfulness and strategic mindedness about how to approach emergency services infrastructure in our communities,” said ASET CEO Barry Cavanaugh.
Seven other former teams from Alberta polytechnics/technical colleges were recognized provincially as finalists for the award due to their exceptional innovation. “At ASET, we see all of the Capstone Project finalists as winners,” added Cavanaugh.
2022 Capstone Project of the Year Award finalists:
Lethbridge College Roof Truss to Top Plate Connections
Roof trusses are the pyramid-shaped wooden triangles that fasten to the top part of the house frame, which is the top plate. The strength of roof truss to top plate connections is at particular risk of damage and failure during hurricanes, tornadoes and plow winds. The former team of Lethbridge College civil engineering technology students conducted research to determine the strongest connection, findings that are especially noteworthy given recent wind events in southern Alberta and hurricanes on Canada’s East Coast.
NAIT Lassie 2.0 Life Alert System for Service Dogs and Their Handlers
Invented by a former team of NAIT biomedical engineering technology students, the Lassie 2.0 life alert system has three components: a wearable handler’s device with a large push button; a special vest worn by the service dog; and a mobile app. If the service dog’s handler falls or is otherwise in distress or incapacitated, the service dog pushes the large button on the wearable handler’s device. This automatically opens the mobile app and sends a message to the handler’s emergency contact, providing the handler’s GPS location. The mobile app also switches on the service dog vest, causing lights and a siren to go off to attract help from someone within the immediate vicinity.
NAIT Design of Internet Access for Underserved Rural Areas
A former team of NAIT wireless systems engineering technology students found a cost-effective, reliable way to distribute internet access to an underserved community.
SAIT Effectiveness of Coffee Grounds in Industrial Wastewater Filtration
A former team of SAIT chemical laboratory technology students discovered how to turn coffee grounds into environmentally friendly gold. They adapted previously invented new technology – a bioelastomeric foam filter made of coffee grounds – to treat and eradicate heavy metals from industrial wastewater. This method has the potential to replace the current standard in wastewater treatment.
SAIT Refrigeration Plant Addition
An all-women former team of SAIT chemical engineering technology students designed an oil and gas industry refrigeration plant addition.
Red Deer Polytechnic Solar Panel Duster
Given that the efficiency of solar panels can deteriorate by as much as 50 per cent if they’re not kept clean, a former team of Red Deer Polytechnic engineering technology students developed an original solution for this. Their pneumatic air blast cleaning system requires minimal maintenance, is cost-effective and simple to install, is fully automated, needs no water supply, and can be powered by the same solar panel system it is designed to clean.
Red Deer Polytechnic Micro Scaled Compressed Air Energy Storage System
Renewable energy is often found in intermittent sources, such as wind and solar energy, that are only available for certain periods of time. A former team of Red Deer Polytechnic engineering technology students sought to determine how this generated energy could be stored for time periods of non-generation or when peak demand is in effect.
About ASET
ASET is the professional self-regulatory organization for engineering technologists and technicians in Alberta. ASET currently represents over 17,000 members, including full-time technology students, recent graduates and fully certified members in 21 disciplines and more than 120 occupations across a multitude of industries.
Media Contact:
Michele Penz, Calico Communications for ASET
1.778.888.2249
calicocomm@telus.net