Innovation Meets Creativity
Innovation meets creativity at Imagine RIT
Artificial intelligence, robots, glass blowing, virtual reality, and performing arts were just a sampling of what thousands of visitors experienced at the 2024 Imagine RIT: Creativity and Innovation Festival on April 27.
Since 2008, the campus at Rochester Institute of Technology has welcomed tens of thousands of visitors one day each spring to get a glimpse of the creativity and innovation that RIT students, faculty, and staff have every day.
“The festival inspires the next generation of problem solvers by connecting young people to the wonders of science, technology, engineering, math, design, business, health sciences, the liberal arts, and the arts,” said RIT President David Munson. “This is the showcase event for the university. It just gets better every year.”
More than 400 exhibits were on display, up by nearly 50 from last year. And more than 2,700 students, faculty, and staff accompanied those exhibits. Some were class, senior, or capstone projects. Others were demonstrations from some of the more than 300 student clubs and organizations at RIT. All were prime examples that you can have fun while learning.
Mechanical engineering students Ryan Catunto, second from right, and Ibrahim Gusau, far right, explain how their electric motorcycle operates to a group of local youth from the Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP) in the RIT K-12 University Center. Credit: Carlos Ortiz
Visitors enjoy a digitally responsive tactile experience that puts a flattering spotlight on a mundane subject: mold. The digital petri dish game was created by a team of 10 students from the new media design and new media interactive development programs. Credit: Traci Westcott
Ronan Sinha, left, of Rochester gets a lesson in small simple computers from Thomas Kinsman, computer science senior lecturer. Kinsman’s “Computer Petting Zoo” displays the interactive nature of computer toys. Credit: Travis LaCoss
Marlena Cukteras, right, an ecology professor at RIT Croatia’s Dubrovnik campus, enjoys a light moment with Julia Autovino, 12, far left, and Ellie Finger, 11, both of Penfield, N.Y., at the EChOes of the Neretva Delta: Wings of the Wind exhibit, created by interest in understanding the human impact on nature and climate change. Credit: Gabrielle Plucknette-DeVito
Garrett Maury, a computing and information technologies major, shows off what’s under the hood of his custom pinball machine. RIT’s Computer Science House built the machine from the ground up, including soldering transistors and using a CNC router in the SHED. Credit: Gabrielle Plucknette-DeVito
A long line of visitors wait to enjoy liquid nitrogen ice cream. The exhibit was provided by students from the College of Science. Credit: Traci Westcott
Prototype to Production
Power-assist wheelchair
Industrial design student Chase Kahn, center, demonstrates the power-assist wheelchair Kahn designed with Matt Meleski, from E-Bikes East. The two plan to seek a patent for their device. Credit: Carlos Ortiz
Virtual reality
Pratheep Kumar Chelladurai, a human computer interaction master’s student, helps a visitor try a VR prototype. The prototype enhances sound perception by converting sounds into distinct vibration patterns with the goal of enhancing VR gaming experiences for deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals. Credit: Traci Westcott
Brace yourself
Biomedical engineering students Lydia Blatnik, far left, and Margaret Carey explain how a newly designed cervical collar was designed for emergency medical services. The student team built a prototype that is more comfortable and able to attach to a backboard. The design prototype will undergo further testing with the hope of commercialization. Credit: Carlos Ortiz
Improving healthcare
Working with a physician, mechanical engineering students, from left to right, Will Christ, Matthew Butkevitch, and Wyatt Kaneps talk about a new CPAP machine with Mike Ritter from Syracuse, N.Y. The students designed a cost-effective CPAP machine that can assist individuals with breathing difficulties. Credit: Carlos Ortiz
Discover the Future
Recycling plastics
Mechanical engineering technology student Will Roberson demonstrates a system for recycling 3D-print waste to make new prints. The exhibit is a project of RIT’s chapter of the Society of Plastics Engineers, which promotes a more sustainable maker experience at RIT. Credit: Carlos Ortiz
Global connection
Rejane Kastrati, a computing and information technologies student at RIT Kosovo, helps Maya Proano Alm, 11, of Pittsford, N.Y., get ready to enter the JoySphere, an exhibit inspired by Kosovo’s hospitality and joyous culture. The exhibit inside Gordon Field House utilized adaptive AI algorithms and sensory integration to personalize happiness experiences like a beach or forest. Credit: Gabrielle Plucknette-DeVito
Experimenting with color
Rochester residents Porter, right, and Bailey Ellis experiment with color under unusual lighting. The exhibit was run by students from the Chester F. Carlson Center for Imaging Science. Credit: Traci Westcott
Exploring space
Aubrey Tarmu, left, a computer engineering student, and Chelsea Taylor, an industrial and systems engineering student, show a containment system that can be used by NASA to collect and preserve samples from asteroids. The prototype will be sent to NASA this summer for additional testing. Credit: Carlos Ortiz
You can see more images from Imagine RIT on our Facebook page.