Problem Owner : Paul Manning
Chief Service Officer, Office of Volunteerism
With the pandemic causing food insecurity, the community gardens are seeing more traffic than they ever expected. In order to meet the increased demand, Paul could use your help on two problems.
Can you come up with a way for them to weigh their vegetable output?
Can you come up with a way for them to pump water from their rain barrels without a power outlet?
Example Solution Paths
- A weather proof IoT Scale.
- A scale with a mechanically powered recording device.
- A Solar Powered Water Pump.
Email Address: paul.manning@richmondgov.com
Problem Owner : Indranil Sarkar
Patent Attorney & PhD. in Electrical Engineering
Zoom has become our primary mode of communication over the past year. It has changed our life in a way we didn’t think possible. Including the loss of Eye Contact with our fellow humans. Can you help Indranil come up with a way for us see eye to eye?
Example Solution Paths
- A Camera that keeps your eye center.
- A Software that can Shift Perspectives using multiple cameras.
- A see through screen with a camera behind it.
Email Address: sarkar@fr.com
Problem Owner : Radhika Barua
Chair of the IEEE Magnetics Society, and Assistant Professor at VCU – Advanced Magnetic Materials Processing Lab
The “Cold Chain” for the COVID-19 vaccine is difficult enough in resource-rich areas such as the United States… Imagine how difficult it would be in areas without ready access to electrical lines…
While you are imagining, Can you help Radhika come up with a way to keep the vaccine at -80C without reliable access to electricity?
Example Solution Paths
- A CAD design or prototype of a Super Insulated Cooler
- An Electrical Diagram for a new Solar-Powered Cooler
- A Car battery powered Cooler
- Using the magnetocaloric effect to create an energy efficient refrigeration system
Email Address: rbarua@vcu.edu
Problem Owner : Carrie Rose Pace
Director of Communications with GRTC
GRTC is facing a shortage of Bus Drivers in the Richmond Area! Can you come up with a way to help them keep the buses running?
Example Solution Paths
- A Smartphone Application that assists users with earning a CDL*.
- A Revamp to their old-school website application process.
- A data tracking QR-code campaign, directing users towards the application process, while determining the most-likely-to scan place on the bus!
*CDL – Commercial Drivers License
GRTC Application Website – Application Page – requirements slightly updated since video recording.
Email Address: carrie.rosepace@ridegrtc.com
Problem Owner : Allen Jones
Chair of the Richmond Section of IEEE
The Virginia Department of Health is doing all it can to track The Corona Virus… But some of their graphs could use an upgrade! Can you help Allen discover a better way to show trends in the data?
Example Solution Paths
- A Graph that shows rate of infection over time in different locations.
- A more detailed color gradient for infection rates.
- An interface that allows you to select which information you want to see.