AgroTech, a proposed system of readily identifiable signs designed to help farms stay in compliance with pesticide safety regulations, won first place at the second annual Northern Indiana Innovation Competition, which took place Nov. 21-22 at Indiana University South Bend.
Sponsored by the Judd Leighton School of Business and Economics and Kem Krest Corp., the competition was open to undergraduate or graduate students who have completed at least one, three-hour course during 2013 or 2014 at IU South Bend, IU South Bend Elkhart Center, or the Purdue University College of Technology at South Bend/Elkhart.
Developed by Renae Michalski and Nicholai Stuckwisch, AgroTech would help farmers avoid the costly and time-consuming task of having to design, print, transport and post pesticide information for every application of a susceptible chemical on each of their fields. In many cases, sign postings are not up to date with the pesticide applications currently on the field, which increases the likelihood of an accident or a fine being assessed.
Prize money awarded by the contest judges was deposited into the students’ bursar accounts. The first place winners received $1,500, with second and third place receiving $1,000 each and fourth place receiving $500.
Other winners include:
Second place: Adult Undergarment by Lisa Blair Williams. This concept is a hand-sewn, pocket undergarment with waterproof fabric on the outside and athletic wicking material on the inside that draws moisture away from the body. It allows wearers to insert appropriate absorbent layers for incontinence or similar issues, eases laundering, and are less bulky than many products available on the market.
Third place: Narcotic Automatic Pill Dispenser by Jessica Bordeau. This concept seeks to improve upon basic pill dispensers — and avoid missed or double doses — by automatically dispensing the needed amount of prescription drugs to patients at the proper time. The device would be rely upon wireless technology and notify patients and physicians when medication use does not comply with the prescribed dosage.
Fourth place: Dock Beam by Dawn Nicely. This proposal would use the existing beam technology of automatic garage doors to help truck drivers accurately gauge the distance between the back of their tractor-trailer and loading docks. Many businesses already use a red-green signal, yet still sustain damage from trailers because drivers run into the dock too hard rather than “bump” it. The yellow light would indicate when the trailer is within 2 feet of the loading dock.
Learn more about the competition by visiting its webpage here.