Christopher Nycz recently presented at IEEE’s annual Enigneering in Medicine and Biology Conference (EMBC) Milan, Italy, on the “Modeling and Design of a Tendon Actuated Soft Robotic Exoskeleton for Hemiparetic Upper Limb Rehabilitation”. The paper discussed the kinematic modeling and calculation of torques applied to the hand through a cable actuated, soft exoskeleton. It also presented the design and construction of a prototype based on these models. The intended end use of the device is for the rehabilitation and assistance of individuals recovering from stroke. The purpose of using a cable actuated design is to create a safely actuated exoskeleton which places minimal weight at the end of the arm as even small amounts of weight can prove to be burdensome to a patient.

Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Award

Dr. Denis Kole, Research Scientist, Biomedical Engineering (co-PI, WPI PhD ’14), IGERT faculty Terri Camesano and Marsha Rolle, and IGERT fellow Lindsay Lozeau were awarded a Phase I STTR award from the National Science Foundation to develop a novel antimicrobial scaffold to treat infected wounds.  The project is a collaboration with Dr. Gail Naughton (PI) and her team at Histogen, Inc., who will lead commercial translation of products based on the WPI team’s technology.

Associate Professor Glenn Gaudette and WPI received a $488,500 award from The Kern Family Foundation. Developing entrepreneurially minded engineers who can “support human flourishing by recognizing and acting on opportunities to create economic, personal, and societal impact” is a major focus of The Kern Entrepreneurial Engineering Network (KEEN). The Foundation created the network to support colleges and universities interested in developing innovative ways of instilling an entrepreneurial mindset in engineering students to help ensure that the United States remains competitive in the global marketplace.

The program, “Developing the Entrepreneurial Engineer,” will help infuse WPI’s project-based curriculum with the entrepreneurial experiences, challenges, and opportunities for the students to develop the skills they need to solve the grand challenges of the world.