RIT on TV News: Innovation Symposium

WROC-TV (Channel 8) reports on the ingenuity of Rochester Institute of Technology students showcased at the Undergraduate Research and Innovation Symposium.

"They're piling up at ports in New Jersey and other ports in California," said Corey Mack.

If all goes according to plan, thousands of people could one day call these prototype shipping containers home.




"You take a container from a port, you strip it down and repaint it," said Mack.

After a major natural disaster, displaced families are normally housed in government trailers, but Mack says his idea is more environmentally friendly. Some of the containers would be powered by solar panels.

"I've also proposed some that can come stand alone. Some have a green roof."

The container is just one of a dozen ideas proposed by RIT students at the Undergraduate Research and Innovation Symposium.

"You could have the next Facebooker. You could have the next Dean Kamen. You could have the next Thomas Edison for all I know," said RIT professor Jon Schull.

On Friday, students presented their summer research work to business leaders and alumni. RIT said the purpose is to get students to think outside the box. Literally.

"Knowledge is something students make, not just something students absorb. It's a chance for them to get some practice in a professional capacity," said Schull.

Mack says his container idea would cost about $15,000. That's about the same price for already existing disaster relief housing.

"When I say its $15,000 its not just the shell. It includes the shell, interior walls, doors, electricity, plumbing, furniture," said Mackk.

To someone who just found themselves recently homeless, its money well spent.

"The next step is to apply for grants to build a prototype," said Mack.

The winning students get research grants to help build a prototype of their presentations.

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[SophistAtheist]

the next obama! :D