WASHINGTON, Oct. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Six NCIIA E-Teams will present cutting-edge biotech inventions during a special weekend event at the Smithsonian Museum of American History. “Building Bionic Bodies,” hosted by the Smithsonian’s Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation October 23-24 2004, examines the physical, ethical, social and emotional consequences of implant technology.
The National Collegiate Inventors and Innovators Alliance (NCIIA) is a non-profit organization that fosters entrepreneurship in higher education. Participants in NCIIA-funded projects work in E-Teams (the “E” stands for Excellence and Entrepreneurship) -- multidisciplinary groups of faculty, students, and industry mentors bringing a product from idea to commercialization.
E-Teams products to be displayed at “Building Bionic Bodies” include: * From Dartmouth College, a headset that uses “feedforward technology” and Active Noise Reduction (ANR) to reduce the effects of dangerous noise levels in the workplace * From Brown University, a smart alarm clock that electronically monitors a user’s eye movements to distinguish various sleep stages, sounding the alarm only during the lightest stage of sleep * From the University of Pittsburg, a prosthetic device to facilitate blinking in patients suffering from facial nerve palsy
Presentations from these and other E-Teams complement an exciting program itinerary at the Smithsonian, including exhibits, lectures, and interactive discussions.
Admission is free, but tickets are required. For information on registration and free tickets, call 202-633-1000 (voice), 202-357-1563 (TTY) or visit the Lemelson Center’s website.
About the NCIIA
The National Collegiate Inventors and Innovators Alliance was launched in 1995 with support from The Lemelson Foundation. The NCIIA provides grants and resource support to nearly 200 member colleges and universities around the country to encourage invention, innovation, and entrepreneurship education. For more information, call (413) 587-2172, or visit http://www.nciia.org/.
About The Lemelson Foundation
The Lemelson Foundation is a private philanthropy established by one of the most prolific U.S. inventors, Jerome Lemelson (1923-1997), and his family. Invention and innovation play a vital role in economic development and improving people’s lives. The Lemelson Foundation uses its resources to inspire, encourage and recognize inventors, innovators and entrepreneurs, with a growing emphasis on those who harness invention for sustainable development where the needs are greatest.
National Collegiate Inventors and Innovators Alliance
CONTACT: Bette Abrams-Esche of NCIIA, +1-413-587-2172,babrams-esche@nciia.org; or Public Affairs Office of Smithsonian NationalMuseum of American History, +1-202-633-3129
Web site: http://www.nciia.org/
