We are thrilled to announce the Fall 2024 Innovation Catalysts grant recipients!
These exceptional students have been awarded funding from the Jacobs Institute Innovation Catalyst Program to support their creative projects that push the boundaries of design and technology. Selected from a competitive pool of applicants, each Catalyst will receive funding and mentorship to bring their innovative ideas to life.
The Fall 2024 cohort features 7 projects and 17 students, with 5 teams awarded the Ignite grant ($2,000) for more advanced projects, and 2 additional teams receiving the Spark grant ($500) for early-stage project concepts. This semester’s participants include students from undergraduate, master’s, and PhD programs.
During the semester, the grant recipients have been actively developing their projects with the financial support and guidance provided by Jacobs Hall Makerspace Design Specialists. Each recipient has received a Maker Pass, allowing full access to our Makerspace facilities, along with ongoing mentorship from our Student Advisory Board, Jacobs Technical Staff, Design Fellows, and other experts.
Winners of the Ignite and Spark Grants will showcase their projects and accomplishments during the Winter Jacobs Design Showcase, with the Innovation Catalyst program scheduled for Thursday, December 12th, 2024 from 4-5:30 PM. (RSVP here.)
Beyond Covid Aggregates: Living Concrete: Chengyao Liang (Ph.D. Civil and Environmental Engineering ‘25), Qi Zheng (Ph.D. Civil and Environmental Engineering ‘25)
Building on the success of our previous Ignite project, ‘COVID Aggregates,’ we have developed an innovative multi-scale self-healing technique to prevent concrete cracks. This Spark Project will design and fabricate intricate crack-free mini-concrete structures using this advanced technique. The goal is to produce a range of consumer products that can be used for relaxation, education, artistic display, and more. By enhancing the artistry and design of cement and concrete, and actively involving students in the process, we aim to deepen their understanding of civil engineering through hands-on, immersive experiences.
HeliCAL: Jacob Gottesman (M.S. Mechanical Engineering ‘25), Nour Akiki (Ph.D. Mechanical Engineering ‘25), Joseph Julian Rosales (B.S. Mechanical Engineering ‘25), Eric Alexander Djajadi (B.S. Industrial Engineering & Operations Research ‘26)
This project aims to significantly increase the scale of a relatively new form of 3D printing called Computed Axial Lithography (CAL), a form of volumetric additive manufacturing. This scale-up requires throwing CAL at the drawing board. Designing it from the roots up, and all the challenges associated with doing so.
ida: Hanji Xu (B.S. Cognitive Science ‘25), Karissa Wong (B.S. Cognitive Science ‘25)
ida is a small, safe, and reusable tampon for making periods as easy as peeing. It eliminates the need to remember, repurchase, replace, or readjust products, improving menstruators’ quality of life. ida will serve the health of a diverse group of menstruators globally while sourcing sustainably.
NeuroMorph Duo: Nessia Dambal (B.S. Bioengineering ‘25), Phil Xie (B.S. Bioengineering ‘25)
NeuroMorph Duo is a cost-effective, modular neuroimaging circuit and headset system that allows users to freely position electrodes and optodes, while having the option of adding additional channels. Our mission began with the development of a customizable, modular headset for EEG. We are now excited to dive into further research and testing to integrate fNIRS sensors, which will expand possibilities for students and independent researchers.
Portable Bathroom Safety Grab Bar: Tavleen Kaur (B.S. Mechanical Engineering ‘26), Elizabeth Emily Sun (B.S. Data Science ‘25)
The bathroom safety grab bar combines portability and versatility. It features removable suction cups for easy installation and removal, as well as a telescoping bar that extends and contracts to accommodate various needs, such as shower safety and assistance with standing up. Built to be waterproof, this grab bar is engineered to withstand substantial loads, ensuring reliable support for users of different weights.
Aquoomba: An Intelligent Autonomous Robot for Water Circulation of Still-Water Lakes to Prevent the Rise of Waterborne Diseases: Aniket Mittal (B.S. Aerospace Engineering, B.S. Business Administration, ‘28), Rhythm Goyal (B.S. Data Science ‘28), Krish Sujay Desai (B.S. Bioengineering ‘28)
Stagnant water poses a significant threat to the world’s water supply—much of world’s drinkable water comes from freshwater sources (i.e. lakes, ponds, etc) which are often most susceptible to microbial and insect blooms largely as a result of the mostly stagnant or still water they contain. To solve this problem, we propose Aquoomba: a cost-effective and sustainable solar-powered autonomous robot that helps circulate and clean up water by moving through the water with a spinning turbine (a portable “roomba” water pump for the world’s lakes!).
Electrical Feel: Charles Gordon (B.S. Computer Science ‘25), Savit Bhat (B.S. Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences ‘25)
A modular, wireless, biomimetic tactile sensing & haptic feedback platform for sensory augmentation in the context of prosthetics. A larger goal of the project is to provide a platform for students and researchers to be able to conduct motor learning and sensory augmentation research without prohibitively expensive setups.
We celebrate the incredible creativity and commitment of our new Innovation Catalysts cohort. Their innovative projects are poised to make a significant impact across various fields, including consumer products, assistive technology, research, and education.
Stay updated on our Catalysts’ journey, project highlights, and milestones by following us on Instagram at @jacobsdesigncal, and don’t miss the chance to see their work at the Jacobs Spring Design Showcase on May 1st and 2nd.
Have a great idea you want to develop? Consider applying for a Spring 2025 INNOVATION CATALYST GRANT! Applications will open soon—visit the program home page for more information on how to apply.