Using the Internet of Things for good

Published: October 16, 2015

Undergraduate students who attended the October Research and Creative Practice Fair found more than 60 posters describing opportunities to engage in faculty-mentored research and creative activity projects. The topics ranged from a smart medical devices lab and the North Creek Forest to Clamor Magazine and Chancellor Yeigh’ Nano fluid Simulations.

One of the biggest hits was the poster on The Internet of Things by Director of Strategic Initiatives Jonathan Cluts. The poster described a funded research opportunity for students. “More than 20 billion devices are expected to get connected to the Internet by 2020,” says Cluts. “Constant connectivity presents boundless opportunities to change the world by solving real world problems. I am thrilled that through the support of Microsoft and the University of Washington Bothell Makerspace, we are able to have this great opportunity for our students to engage on this topic.”

The application process is open for students teams that wish to compete for two grants that will provide four paid student positions to do the research and $10,000 for technology. One will focus on the campus and one on an international issue or need. There are additional benefits to support students on the final two teams.

Much like the Internet, the selection process will move quickly. Over the next few weeks, there will be networking sessions to learn more about the grants and form teams. The first event will be held on Wednesday, October 21. Students will hear from faculty industry experts and begin forming teams around common ideas.

Cluts says, “This is such a great opportunity for students to not only be involved in research, but also for them to actually get to shape the problem that they want to address.”

More information on The Internet of Things can be found here.