NAIT BTech students develop unique prototypes in industry-led challenge

Two teams from NAIT shared first-place at this year’s Capstone Applied Research Project Symposium.

The annual symposium is an opportunity for students in NAIT’s Bachelor of Technology in Technology Management (BTech) program to showcase their real-world solutions to problems posed by industry sponsors.
Team AgMatics developed a working prototype of a device that identifies counterfeit silver coins. This is done by sending electrical currents through a coin and measuring conductivity.
Team Saga Alliance developed a proof of concept and prototype for a low-profile medical device first responders can use to close open chest wounds up to 20 mm long, using just one hand.
“We would like to extend enthusiastic congratulations to both of our winners,” said David Schmaus, associate chair of the BTech program.  “For the first time in the history of the event there was a tie for first place.  The judges were so impressed with the thoroughness of research and the commercial potential of both products that they declared a tie.”
There was also a tie for third place. MAAD Consulting used sophisticated modeling techniques to determine the most energy efficient options for upgrades to the University of Alberta’s Butterdome. Team Progressio explored the feasibility of replacing sodium hydroxide (NaOH) with a new palm oil-based product to aid in the extraction of bitumen from oil sands.
In September, students in the final year of the BTech program were divided into 12 teams and matched with an industry sponsor. The teams had six months to design real-world solutions to the challenges posed by industry. After 600-800 hours of intensive teamwork, solutions were presented to a panel of judges. Four teams were chosen to represent BTech at the NAIT BTech Capstone Symposium, held April 17 at Main Campus.
The two first-place teams received $2,500, while the third place teams each received $1,000.