Engineering Students Add ‘Spark’ to Advanced Manufacturing

Tuesday, April 8, 2014, By Keith Kobland
Students from the L.C. Smith College of Engineering and Computer Science submitted their idea's in front of a panel of judges during a recent Sparks competition at O'Brien & Gere in Syracuse.

Students from theCollege of Engineering and Computer Science submitted their idea’s in front of a panel of judges during a recent Sparks competition at O’Brien & Gere in Syracuse.

Students from Syracuse University’s College of Engineering and Computer Science recently took part in a competition that aims to add some spark to the field of advanced manufacturing.

As part of the second annual ‘Spark’ Innovation Competition, the students worked with staff from O’Brien & Gere to solve engineering challenges, including the design of a micro grid for an exhibition at the Milton J. Rubenstein Museum of Science & Technology and developing an automated system to improve safety and product quality for an advanced manufacturing client.

“It’s motivational,” says mechanical engineering student Anthony DiMare ’14. “It truly reinforces everything we learn in the classroom and it makes it so much more relevant.”

Anthony DiMare presents the winning proposal to the 2014 SPARK Innovation Competition judges.

Anthony DiMare presents the winning proposal to the 2014 SPARK Innovation Competition judges.

The ideas were evaluated by a panel of three judges, including College of Engineering and Computer Science Dean Laura Steinberg and O’Brien & Gere CEO Jim Fox. Awards were provided to the top teams. For students, it was a great way to gain real-life training in solving issues with innovative solutions. For O’Brien & Gere, it’s a chance to gain fresh perspective and meet top local engineering talent.

Lee Davis, along with the Yabroudri Chair of Sustainable Civil Infrastructures and Professor of Construction Engineering and Management at Syracuse University, Ossama Salem, meet with individual student groups during the 2014 SPARK Innovation Competition.

Lee Davis, along with Yabroudri Chair in Sustainable Civil Infrastructures and Professor of Construction Engineering and Management Ossama Salem in the College of Engineering and Computer Science, meet with individual student groups during the 2014 SPARK Innovation Competition.

“It was truly exciting to not only witness but support future engineers and scientists as they apply theory from the classroom to practical, real-world challenges,” says Lee Davis, president & COO of O’Brien & Gere. “This think-tank style competition encouraged creativity and innovation as an extension of the students’ core technical training while providing an opportunity for collaboration between the bright Syracuse University students and our subject matter experts here at O’Brien & Gere.”