Fall 2023 Symposium Live Blog

Design and Development of Remote Operated and Soft Biomimetic Amphibious Mud Skipper

Undergraduate Students: Sungchan Cho, Lucas Schwenck, Connor Talley, Britt Walker, and Rafael Juarez.

Research Mentor: Ayse Tekes

Traditionally, when engineers design mechanisms, they tend to design the parts using rigid links and revolute joints to create relative motion between two adjacent links. 

However, all living things that move create motion through the bending of their links, not through the joints. This research project focuses on the design, development, and testing of a biomimetic locomotive robot that can move in different terrains and can be utilized as a rescue robot. 

The mudskipper has shown excellent performance in swimming in the lake against the current and swims a distance of 242.72 cm in 21 seconds resulting in 0.115 m/s or 0.42 body length/s.

“I was fascinated by the performance of soft robots and compliant mechanisms we designed in our research lab, located in G114,” Sungchan Cho said. “These compliant designs were something that I was not able to learn in school curriculum in depth. The fact that I am learning and applying this out-of-class, unorthodox mechanism greatly motivated me.”

From Silence to Thriving: Architecture as a Voice for the Wayuu Tribe

Undergraduate Student: Angie Son Pulido 

Research Mentor: Arief Setiawan

The Wayuu Tribe is an ancient indigenous community in Colombia that is gradually disappearing and threatened with extinction.

Similar to many other indigenous communities worldwide, the Wayuu people have endured centuries of adversity, including colonialism, exploitation, displacement, marginalization, and the loss of cultural identity.

Angie Son Pulido’s research project involves developing design strategies rooted in Wayuu architectural traditions and collective memory, with the aim of raising awareness about their struggles and empowering the community to preserve their heritage.

These elements form a comprehensive framework for a design approach that seeks not only to learn from the Wayuu culture but also to address a fundamental question: What design strategies, derived from the collective memories of the Wayuu people, can be developed to effectively raise awareness about the plight and to empower this community?

“I am drawn to this subject because of my personal connection to the Wayuu Tribe through my grandmother's heritage, and I believe that architecture can be a powerful tool for social change and community empowerment,” Angie Son Pulido said.

The Rebuild Project

Graduate Student: Maria Del Valle

Research Mentor: Ameen Farooq

Crux is an initiative aimed at providing relief to Puerto Rico, which has suffered destructive impacts of hurricanes.

This project focuses on transforming a city with abandoned homes, contaminated water, agricultural decay, and a damaged electrical grid into a self-sustaining community. This involves creating food markets, festival placemaking, urban farming, and showcasing local artists. 

Crux seeks to address multifaceted challenges faced by communities after natural disasters, incorporating elements of cultural preservation, economic development, education, and disaster resilience.

Maria Del Valle analyzed the interconnectedness of cultural, economic, and environmental factors to propose a comprehensive strategy to address hurricane damage issues.

"My inspiration to delve into Puerto Rico stems from my deep connection with the island," Maria Del Valle said. "I felt it was important to contribute to my community, as a way of giving back."

Graphic Novel Anthology: Exploring the Raw American Life on the Margins of Society

Undergraduate Student: Aria Leinberger 

Research Mentor: Joseph Karg

The Graphic Novel Anthology: Exploring the Raw American Life on the Margins of Society project aims to bring together those marginalized in society to create a graphic novel anthology series where their stories can be shared and appreciated in the community. By creating this project it brings together faculty, alumni, and students, to share their experiences through storytelling and art.

Contributing to this project allows students to work alongside comic professionals while gaining experience as a writer, penciler, inker, or colorist. Additionally, the publication of the graphic novel anthology will aid in the success of the artist's careers while also showcasing the talent that comes from Kennesaw State University's art department.

"As a nonbinary artist myself, I am passionate about amplifying the voices of artists and creators also who have been marginalized," Aria Leinberger said. "This project fits into my major as I study sequential art with the goal of one day working for Marvel Comics."

Year Two Microfiber Analysis of Lake Allatoona Sand and Water Using an Optimized Water Sampling Method and an Optimized Extraction Method

Undergraduate Student: Abby Moen 

Research Mentor: Marina Koether

Is there a safe level of microfiber contamination in Lake Allatoona, and if so, what is that level?

This project focuses on measuring microfiber concentration in Lake Allatoona water and sediment, as well as tap and deionized (DI) water from the laboratory. Water and sand samples from six different lake sites were collected, processed, and analyzed under a microscope for the presence of microfibers.

The project found that the sites farthest downstream from the Allatoona Dam had the highest microfiber concentration, and the majority of 2023 lake water samples had a higher microfiber concentration than those from Summer 2022 using plankton nets. Tap water was more contaminated with microfibers than DI water.

"I decided to pursue this project because of my interest in learning more about the contamination of our water sources and how that is changing over time," Abby Moen said.