The Membrane Lattice Construction System is Manuel Baez’s work in progress. Baez, an Associate Professor at Carleton University’s School of Architecture, received funding from the Foundry Program to develop the project.

During the early part of the twentieth century, a fundamental conceptual shift occurred in our comprehension of the physical world,” said Baez in his Foundry Program application. “The nature of matter, at its most fundamental level, was at the heart of this new conception and held far reaching implications beyond the field of science.”

Solid entities were found to be comprised of wave-like networks, he added. Modern computer visualization techniques have allowed the complex processes in matter to be analyzed in greater detail. These reciprocal relationships existing between matter, developmental processes, growth, structure and form have served as the project’s inspiration, said Baez.

The Membrane Lattice Construction System allows new digital and exploratory modeling. The system’s flexibility allows structures like kiosks and pavilions to be examined carefully and designed to fit site specifications. Users can also utilize the system to analyze a structure’s construction process by changing different properties.

The objective of the project will help demo digital and virtual images, still or moving, of specific transformable properties or site requirements. The system also provides three dimensional models of possible structures. The potential uses of the system are wide-ranging. Event organizers planning festivals, circuses, dance shows, concerts or other entertainment could use the system to develop and build custom structures to suit their needs. The unique pavilions or kiosks could provide an evocative experience to visitors while reflecting the event’s purpose or diversity.

When every heartbeat counts, innovation can save lives.

Atif Shamim and Muhammad Arsalan, two electronic engineer Ph.D. students at Carleton University, are in the process of designing a new wireless electronic device that could monitor the heartbeats of hospital patients from a distance.

Their design, VSM Technologies, would use transceiver circuits and on-chip antennas that would reduce the size and power consumption of the medical patch. The technology could reduce the medical staff and costs for hospitals without compromising patient safety.

The idea won Shamim and Arsalan first place and $20,000 at the Enterprize Canada Entrepreneurial Championship, held in early February. The prestigious national engineering competition also awarded them the chance to present their ambitious business plan on the CBC show, “Dragons Den”.

“It was a really difficult competition because we are engineers; we don’t have any business acumen,” said Arsalan in an interview with the Ottawa Business Journal.

This competition is just the latest of many that Shamim and Arsalan have excelled in, making VSM Technologies something that could be in hospitals soon.

What social problems do we have in our society? What issues do we face? What are the challenges and struggles that we have to overcome? The annual Social Innovation Challenge at Carleton University aims to address these questions for the Ottawa community by allowing for Carleton students to voice their ideas.

The Challenge:

The Social Innovation Challenge is a challenge in search of ideas which can contribute to a better Ottawa. Teams submit and pitch their ideas to a panel of judges, which include active social entrepreneurs from the Ottawa community.

The winning team will not only receive a $500 prize, but also a $500 donation will be contributed to a registered charity of the team’s choosing.

Last year’s winners tackled the social issues of at-risk youth, street youth, and literacy.  Read about last years submissions here.

How To Get Involved:

Think small. Think BIG.

Take your your idea. Write it down. Make change.

Find out all the details here.

The Big Picture:

The Social Innovation Challenge is a competition in the spirit of innovation and helping others. The Challenge allows Carleton students to contribute to fostering a discourse about social justice, empowerment, engagement, development, active citizenship, and how to make change for those in the Ottawa community.

“If you are concerned about an environmental problem, entering this competition is the first step in making a difference,” according to the Environmental Innovation Challenge website.

The challenge, co-organized by The Carleton University Foundry Program and the Office of the Vice President of Research and International, ran for the first time in 2008. Last year’s competition was so successful that EIC is going annual. The two best two-page proposals will both receive a $500 cash prize and an additional $500 to be directed to an environmental charity of their choice.

Last year’s two co-winning teams were announced January 12, 2008. Alim Khamisa and Leopoldo Herrera were awarded for their submission on Enzymatic Degradation of Polyurethane, while Omar Nada and Katherine Newcombe won for their proposal on The Youthful Useful Program.

The Environmental Innovation Challenge is an excellent opportunity for Carleton students to demonstrate their skills and talents, but most importantly, contribute to the global search for eco-solutions.