Purdue University researchers are developing software in a “haptic device” that could give people with visual impairments the ability to identify scientific images on a computer screen using their other senses.

Purdue Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering graduate student Orlando Hoilett won first place prize in the Connect the World Using IoT student design challenge. He designed a multi-function fitness band, dubbed KiSens A Multi-Sensor Fitness Band, and won a MacBook for the winning proposal. The device is a wearable biometrics sensor that monitors dehydration, heart rate, blood oxygenation, skin temperature, and humidity--important biomarkers for health and fitness.

A student team from Purdue's Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering will participate in the prestigious Rice Business Plan Competition in April. The same team brought home $15K for their second place finish at Purdue's 30th Burton D. Morgan Business Plan Competition.

About 250 people packed the Herman and Heddy Kurz Purdue Technology Center for the recent Purdue Technology Showcase that featured dozens of pioneering innovations. The technology ranged from medical devices including a hands-free crutch design and an advanced wheelchair that converts to a walker, to analytical tools including an application that can interpret gang graffiti for law enforcement officials.

Brad Duerstock, an associate professor of engineering practice, and colleagues have developed a device that enables people with visual impairments to interpret images from a microscope in real-time. The touch-feedback device, featured in New Scientist magazine, is a promising assistive technology for visually impaired students and scientists in STEM careers.

Young Kim, an associate professor of biomedical engineering, has received a $110,000 grant, renewable on an annual basis, from the U.S. Air Force Office of Scientific Research. The grant supports his work on silk-based fibers for fabrication of flexible and multifunctional nanomaterial fabrics for use as biosensing and therapeutic platforms.

Chi Hwan Lee, an assistant professor of biomedical engineering and mechanical engineering, has received a $110,000 grant, renewable on an annual basis, from the U.S. Air Force Office of Scientific Research. The grant supports his work to develop flexible probes for use in neural sensing and interfacing on the brain. The probes consist of vertically ordered semiconducting silicon arrays that can transmit electrical signals with high signal-to-noise ratio.

The highly competitive Gates Cambridge Scholarship has named Purdue University senior Michael Drakopoulos one of its 2017-18 scholars. Fewer than 40 U.S. students from all disciplines will receive the award this year. It funds a postgraduate degree at the University of Cambridge and recognizes intellectually outstanding students who have a capacity for leadership and commitment to improving the lives of others. Drakopoulos is the second Purdue student to receive the award in two years.

Bionode LLC, a Purdue Weldon School-affiliated startup, is developing a non-invasive way to treat glaucoma and prevent blindness using contact lenses and glasses. Pedro Irazoqui, co-founder of Bionode and associate head and professor of biomedical engineering, explains how it works in this Inside Indiana Business interview.