Engineers Take Center Stage in NCAA Tournament

Engineers Take Center Stage in NCAA Tournament Engineers Take Center Stage in NCAA Tournament Engineers Take Center Stage in NCAA TournamentAt Purdue University this March, the pressure was on as a major NCAA basketball game hung in the balance. With time a factor and the clock ticking, strategy and teamwork had to come together for the win.However, the team members in this case were elend basketball players but engineers.When 7-foot-2-inch starting center Isaac Haas broke his elbow in the second round of this years NCAA tournament, it was thought that the tournament was all but over for the Boilermakers and its star player. However, a group of mechanical engineering students at the university went to work, aiming to create a brace that would allow Haas to play in the next game and keep the universitys national title hopes alive.It was known that Isaac Haas had broken his elbow and I thought that was it for his season. It didnt occur to me that he would try to play, says Eric Nauman, professor of mechanical engineering and biomedical engineering at Purdue. Then, on a Sunday night, administrators sent an e-mail out asking if we could make a brace for a man as big as that.They put students on alert Sunday night and then Monday morning the athletic trainers contacted us and we were out to see what a brace could do.Prof. Eric Nauman, Purdue University Prof. Eric Nauman with his team of engineering students who worked on a solution for the brace. Image Purdue UniversityWe would end up being Nauman and his group of mechanical engineering students.We had done a lot of work with assistive equipment related to head injuries and working on helmets, so we had already learned a lot about composites and rapid prototyping, he says. They put students on alert Sunday night and then Monday morning the athletic trainers contacted us and we were out to see what a brace could do.Just for You Read mora about the latest in manufacturing and design at ASME.org. One cri tical roadblock to the project was that the NCAA needed to approve the brace for Haas, so the team needed a quick turnaround time to create something that might pass inspection. Their first design failed.The brace that wasnt approved was a state of the art elbow brace and it had really good metal and composite components meant to stabilize the arm, but there was the thought that it possibly could hurt another player, Nauman says. We needed to come up with what something that would stabilize, prevent lock-out of the elbow, reduce the pain somewhat if he fell again, and have enough padding to avoid injuring the elbow further.From their previous work, they had patented polymer materials on which they could base their design, along with composite work. One team member was even a student who did leatherworking in his spare time and who could make straps to prevent the elbow from locking out.For the brace we created and that was approved, there is a sleeve where we stitched the leather, h e says. The leather straps come down and are mounted on the bicep and they stretch down to some other straps that are connected to the forearm. That holds it together and prevents it from locking out. Our new padding material was on the back end over his elbow so if he fell it wouldnt hurt nearly as much through absorbing as much energy as possible.On the sides of the elbow is where we had these nicely tuned compositeswhere they were flexible side-to-side. This way, if someone ran into them they wouldnt get hurt but it was also rigid up and down so they would provide some stability.Creating several prototypes in the short timeframe, team members worked round the clock, some not sleeping at all, for a total of 34 hours.We gave the NCAA all the parts and showed them three or four different configurations, Nauman says. The team was playing in Boston, where there was a storm, and the NCAA didnt get to look at it until later in the week.The ruling? A win. They approved it, he says. We fe lt like meeting NCAA criteria was a huge win for us, enabling Isaac to practice and test if he could go. I love how the students came together.The excitement grew as the game drew near. While ultimately the verdict was that the injury was just too much for Haas to play, the brace made at least made it a possibility for the teams center. And now the team is building on their work to see if they can turn it into a device that could be used for rehabilitation.Everybody would have liked to have seen him in the game, Nauman says. But he gave it his best. And those students who worked on the brace can feel they gave it their best, too.Eric Butterman is an independent writer.

Heres how you can prepare to start biking to work every day

Heres how you can prepare to abflug biking to work every dayHeres how you can prepare to start biking to work every dayIn the month of May, we celebrate a few things the start of summer. The arrival of healthy sunshine after months of grim skies. And bikes. Okay, so perhaps we dont know exactly who deemed Bike to Work month but were fans of the concept. Not only is it better for the environment but those who exercise first thing in the morning see increased levels of creativity and focus.They also stimulate their overall health and well-being and get the benefit of fresh air to start their brain flow. Depending on where you live biking to work might not be an option, but if you happen to live in a city, or within a 20-minute drive of one, switching your transit card or car for a two-wheeler could be one of the best choices you ever make. To get yourself equipped and ready to roll - no pun intended - consider these bike buysFirst, stop by a cycling shop.Sure, you could order a bike offline. You could also go to a warehouse or big box store. But if you really want a bicycle thats made for your height and your speed, its best to head straight to the experts. A local cycling center will make stellar recommendations within your budget and based on your lifestyle. No matter if you live in a teeny-tiny apartment without bike storage or a condo by the water, let them guide your purchase.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and morePriority Bicycles Stack Folding HelmetEspecially if youre in an open office plan, space isnt exactly something you have. You want to make your bike accessories as condensed as possible, so this helmet is a must-buy. It stacks to a compact size, but totenstill offers the protection and safety you need while youre on the road. Its also super-light, at only 330 grams, so you wont have to lug around a heavy load on top of your laptop, charging cable, n otebook and the list goes onSolo New York Hybrid Backpack ToteYou want to have a backpack for your bicycle commute - but a tote for your client presentation. This multi-purpose (and affordable) bag serves as both. We love the simple design, waterproof material and best of all, how light it is. Strap it on, take it off and power through your day.Nite Ize SpokeLit Wheel LightsFor when a last-minute revision or comment from the client has you in the office past sunset, you need to have protective lights to keep you safe. These hook on to your wheels and will illuminate as you travel. Though youll also want to have regular lights on the back and front, these add a fun dimension that will definitely catch the attention of passersby, and most importantly, cars.Grease Monkey WipesEven if youre in a city where mud isnt exactly a common fear, biking can still be a dirty deed. You want to keep your wheels greased up but you definitely dont want that gunk on you when youre about to head into a meeting. To the rescue are these wipes, created by a pair of friends who had to change a flat in the middle of nowhere on a 100-mile bike ride. Their hands were left sticky and gross, and they couldnt clean them easily. So, they created these multi-purpose, pre-moistened and disposable cleaning wipes that remove oil, grime, and you guessed it, greaseWild Friends Foods Vanilla Collagen Almond Butter Exercise in the morning can leave you feeling energized but it also supercharges your metabolism. This is a great thing - but it could also leave you hungry. And if you dont load up on protein before you attend a two-hour brainstorming session, your growling tummy could easily lead you to the darker world of hanger. Pack these for the ride and enjoy one with an apple or banana.Google Home HubNo, you dont want to bring this with you to play music on your ride - but it can help save you time, traffic and headaches. Once you set up your account and location, you can let Google take care of the research for you when it comes to your commute and route. You can ask Hey Google, how long will it take to bike to work today?, or if youre worried about the weather, simply ask about it. You wont have to worry about being caught in a downpour in the middle of an avenue againYou might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will ersatzdarsteller your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people

12 marriage tips that double as team tips

12 marriage tips that double as team tips12 marriage tips that double as team tipsWhen my second daughter got married I texted zu sich one Daily Marriage Tip each morning preceding the big day. Now you might ask after having one failed marriage what makes me an expert. Im not. I just know from being an executive coach that what we prioritize we realize. And what we dont pay attention to gets neglected.When I give precedence to self-care, my value of connected relationships and my commitment not only to my love for my husband but to our commitment to each other it creates steadfast currency for happiness. When I do these things, my life is rich. When I dont, I start to fill that the bank is depleting.(Leadership Note You can substitute team for spouse or marriage in most of these tips.)12 Marriage (Team) Tips Always follow your gut. Your head is too analytical and your heart is too emotional. Tell your spouse that you appreciate him/her every day. When at odds, go for a walk together . Walking outdoors at a steady pace can melt away tension. Avoid saying, I know how you feel. Calm down. You shouldnt feel that way. Heres what you need to do. Use only I statements. I feel hurt when Never begin a sentence with You. Love your marriage by first taking care of yourself. Write down one thing each day that you appreciate about yourself. Savor silence. Sometimes the best way to address a problem is to just walk away and let it go. If you stay silent and still harbor badeanstalt thoughts, thats where ulcers come from. As the Beatles told us, Let it Be. Release it like a butterfly in the wind before it dies in your hand. Say thank you for the little things. He/she will smile that you notice. Leave love notes. Nobody gets them if someone special doesnt leave them. Show interest. Every morning ask, Whats on your calendar today? Learn how to disagree and still respect each other. Accept that you will never agree all the time. Thats ok. Its not a contest. Budget and allocate t ime for a consistent date night. Time is the currency of relationships so consistently invest time into your marriage. Agree to hold hands when arguing. Choose to love each other even in those moments when you struggle to like each other. Love is a commitment, not a feeling. Remember that a strong marriage rarely has two strong people at the same time. Its usually a husband and wife taking turns being strong for each other in the moments when the other feels weak.Mary Lee Gannon, ACC, CAEis an executive coach and corporate CEO who helps busy leaders get off the treadmill to nowhere to be more effective, earn more, becalmer and enjoyconnected relationships with the people who matter while it still matters.Watch her FREE Master Class training on Three Things to Transform Your Life and Career Right Now.