A promising start

PolyProject got off to a flying start, achieving a breakthrough almost right off the bat with its very first invention, a fibre-optic sensory glove. Able to accurately model hand movements in real-time and in space, the glove can communicate in sign language. The prototype's design and manufacture surpassed all expectations, winning a number of awards, including third place in the Innovative Design category at the prestigious 2011 Canadian Engineering Competition. Efforts are underway to patent the device.

 Left to right : Jonathan Lavoie, Lucas Majeau, Jonathan Borduas and Sébastien Loranger

PolyProject, an educational experience

Bringing together both undergraduate and graduate students, PolyProject provides a platform for mutual assistance and the exchange of knowledge. In addition to promoting co-operation between different engineering fields, the committee fosters teamwork and project management skills while leveraging student creativity. Students can get involved in every stage of a project, from its inception right through the final phases. Sponsored by the Department of Engineering Physics, PolyProject is an exceptional opportunity to acquire hands-on technical training in conjunction with classroom learning.

Front, left to right : Jonathan Lavoie (outgoing director), Jean Sébastien Boisvert, Sébastien Loranger and Burak Morali
Back, left to right : Jérôme Lapointe (primary founder), Vincent Latendresse, Christine Laganière, Mathieu Lebeuf, Karl St-Arnaud, Alberto Teyssedou (PolyProject associate professor), Jonathan Borduas, Yahya El Iraki and Lucas Majeau (incoming director)
Absent members (active in PolyProject's founding): Jonathan Daniel-Rivest, David Banville, Amadou Thiaw and David Hassan Bambara

A committee with commitment

Impassioned and motivated, PolyProject's student founders hope their committee raises Polytechnique's profile. Indeed, one of their goals is to boost awareness about the importance of engineering in everyday life. This year, PolyProject was part of a science- fair-like activity during the Association francophone du savoir (ACFAS) conference at the Eureka! Festival, as well as at Polytechnique's open house and new student orientation days. The committee also intends to maintain its involvement with local high schools and CÉGEPs. And what could be better for piquing the interest of young people than a project as "real" as the sensory glove!
 
PolyProject seeks like-minded enthusiasts

Keen to share its knowledge, the innovation-oriented technical society invites all students wishing to find out more to contact PolyProject's executive at exec@polyproject.ca, or subscribe to the mailing list through the PolyProject website (http://polyproject.ca/info/recrutement/). The committee also holds weekly meetings for anyone who wants to know more. The next meeting will be on May 11 at 6 p.m. in Room A-373.2.

While PolyProject has already chosen its project for 2011-2012, interested students are invited to submit their invention ideas for the following year to http://polyproject.ca/proposition/. Don't be shy: history shows us that even the most seemingly far-fetched ideas can turn around and win Nobel Prizes!


Polytechnique is proud to support this promising initiative and wishes all these young, dedicated engineers the best of luck!

To find out more :
Lucas Majeu interviewed on Radio-Canada's Première Chaîne (in French)
PolyProject website
Article on the Canadian Engineering Competition