Public Invited to Stroll Through Year’s Best in Engineering, Science, and Math

NEW YORK, May 16, 2013 – As a newly minted class of engineers walk the stage at the Polytechnic Institute of New York University (NYU-Poly) Commencement next week, New Yorkers will have an opportunity to walk into the future, as Downtown Brooklyn’s MetroTech Plaza transforms for the university’s first annual Research Expo.

The Expo will be highly interactive, showcasing 40 of the most promising research projects across all 10 NYU-Poly academic departments, as well as work from NYU-Poly’s business incubators and outreach programs to boost science and technology learning in New York City public schools.

Visitors to the MetroTech commons will have the chance to interact with ground-, water-, and aerial-robots; peer beneath the murky surface of the Gowanus Canal; conjure up their own instant augmented reality experience, and more. The NYU-Poly Research Expo will take place on Monday, May 20, from 1:00-5:00 p.m. at MetroTech Plaza in Downtown Brooklyn. The event is free and open to the public. 

NYU-Poly President Dr. Katepalli R. Sreenivasan believes there’s no better time to celebrate. “Commencement is about pride and accomplishment, and it is a time that many of our students feel very connected to the work they’ve done here in Brooklyn,” he said. “It’s fitting to use this opportunity to show the breadth and depth of our research, which isn’t just about innovating in the lab—it’s about designing practical solutions for the real world, and instilling a passion for science and engineering in the next generation.”

Vikram Kapila, professor of mechanical engineering at NYU-Poly and one of the organizers of the Expo added, “This inaugural NYU-Poly Research Expo will present a wide range of research projects that will appeal to everyone from scholars to youngsters. From energy-harvesting building materials that have won international recognition, to math that demonstrates how timely therapeutic interventions can stop a cancer from spreading, and wireless monitors for epileptic seizures, this event will demonstrate the excitement of the life-changing science, math and engineering that can be found year-round at NYU-Poly.”

The NYU-Poly Research Expo will feature the scholarly results of masters, doctoral and faculty research as well as family-friendly exhibits such as:

• An opportunity to design, build and “drive” robotic fish, learning how size, shape and tail motion can attract or repel live fish.
•  CAESAR, a humanoid robot-head that can engage with people by following their moving faces, recognizes faces and greets visitors. CAESAR may someday aid the disabled.
• Create your own augmented reality experience through a revolutionary new mobile app, and see an object of your choice—from a Tyrannosaurus Rex to a roller coaster—appear on the MetroTech commons.
• Want to know what’s really in the Gowanus Canal? Check out Brooklyn Atlantis, a submersible robot that is demystifying the site and offering everyday people the chance to contribute to scientific research.
• A newly-patented fiber optic sensor may be the future of home security. Visitors can test the sensor in action, and learn how it may safely monitor not just homes, but airplanes, spacecraft, and even oil spills.
• Taxi! An award-winning mobile app created by Weeels, a startup at one of NYU-Poly’s business incubators. The app is revolutionizing the hail and making ride-sharing affordable and social.
• A new wireless video game controller will move much more than virtual characters—it’s part of a project to devise new therapies for stroke victims.

For directions to the NYU-Poly campus, visit http://engineering.nyu.edu/about/contacts/brooklyn.