Tech News

Mizzou alumna uses web design expertise to give back to engineering, community – University of Missouri College of Engineering

Published

2 weeks ago

April 20, 2024

MU Logo
July 10, 2023
Erica Martin, BS CS/IT ’08, has had a whirlwind couple of years. Her business, Pixel Jam Digital, celebrated its fifth anniversary this summer with a current roster of roughly 100 clients from across the globe seeking website and digital design services. Last year, she launched an online database of medical, social and other resources. And she’s been to a few awards ceremonies — Pixel Jam Digital was named a Columbia Area Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year finalist this summer, and — much to her delight — Martin received the “Nerd of the Year” award from a local non-profit.
Despite her jam-packed schedule, Martin jumped at the opportunity to join the new Department of Engineering and Information Technology Industrial Advisory Council. For her, it was a way to use the skills she honed at Mizzou Engineering to give back while also encouraging diversity within engineering.
“Professor Chip Gubera reached out to me last summer and told me they were putting this committee together and wanted people they knew would be active,” she said. “So, of course, I was like, ‘Yes, sign me up, that’s me.’ But it also reminded me of how I felt when I was one of four women in the computer science department. Representation is extremely important. I thought ‘what can I do on the council that would make other women and students in general feel safe, comfortable and confident that they can succeed?”
Now interim chair of the IAC, Martin helps guide curriculum and programming, while providing industrial input for accreditation. As part of IAC duties, she joined fellow council members to judge senior capstone projects this spring.
“I was so overwhelmingly impressed by some of the projects, not just by the functionality or design, but the business planning in general,” she said. “I know how much thought and effort they put into it, and I was impressed to see that at an undergraduate level.”
From fashion to passion
Martin grew up in what she calls the gateway computer era, and she was passionate about programming from the get-go.
“At that time, households had a dedicated computer room with a huge monitor and came in a box that looked like a cow,” she said. “I remember when we got our first computer. I set up an AOL profile and discovered ASCII code, the most basic version of digital design, and I would customize my profile daily.”
She soon found herself helping friends personalize their MySpace profiles and exploring web design through the once-popular web hosting service, GeoCities.
Not realizing yet she could turn that passion into a career, she enrolled at Stephens College to study fashion design. When she took Calculus I “for fun,” a professor suggested she look into engineering at Mizzou. By sophomore year, she had transferred to information technology, then under the umbrella of computer science, with a minor in fine art.
“The crossover of studies really kept my interest piqued,” she said. “I could do the math and programming, and then do colorful design and aesthetics an hour later.”
Academically, she surpassed male classmates, ultimately leading a capstone project that took second-place in a statewide competition and helped IT at Mizzou snag its first award as a program.
In addition to leadership, she gained foundational and analytical skills that helped her navigate industry before ultimately branching out on her own in 2018.
“Mizzou Engineering really set good expectations for me in terms of learning how to learn,” she said. “It helped me learn to break things down granularly, which has helped with business ownership.”
Today, Pixel Jam Digital offers a full range of web design, custom development and analytics services. Her client base has grown from contracting with other brand and design agencies to working directly with businesses around Missouri to servicing companies as far away as Australia.
Changing the world, one pixel at a time
During the pandemic in 2020, Martin began noticing a hodgepodge of social service messaging scattered across her social media channels. One organization was offering food assistance, another transportation, another medical screenings and so on.
To better organize these resources, she created an online database to serve as a one-stop shop for users. When other organizations began launching similar databases, she paused the project but returned to it last year, expanding the scope and type of resources.
“I decided to relaunch it in 2022 with the long-term goal of building it on the Decentralized web, a different foundation of the internet that’s more private and secure,” she said. “The whole premise is you can go to a website that doesn’t track your data and find unbiased information.”
The site, Help Radar, connects users to food, legal assistance, LGBTQIA+ support, mental health services and more. Currently, she manually populates the site with mostly regional resources but ultimately hopes to expand it across the country with representatives in each state to keep content current.
It’s just another way she’s using her Mizzou Made expertise to give back.
“I like to joke that I want to save the world through web design,” she said. “But what I mean is that I want to use my knowledge to build tools that end up helping people.”
Learn more about the information technology program at Mizzou Engineering.
MU Logo
College of Engineering
[email protected]
W1024 Lafferre Hall
Columbia, MO 65211
Phone: (573) 882-4375
MU is an equal opportunity/access/affirmative action/pro-disabled and veteran employer and does not discriminate on the basis of sex in our education programs or activities, pursuant to Title IX and 34 CFR Part 106. For more information, visit MU’s Nondiscrimination Policy or the Office of Institutional Equity.
© 2024 — Curators of the University of Missouri. All rights reserved. DMCA and other copyright information. Privacy policy

source

Tech News

Exploring Startup Opportunities In Alternative Fuel Technology – Forbes

Published

2 days ago

May 1, 2024

knitved

In this article, we explore four startup opportunities in alternative fuel technology, ranging from … [+] electric vehicle charging infrastructure to biofuels, highlighting their potential for innovation and market disruption.
In the context of the ever-growing energy consumption demands of our global civilization, especially bearing in mind the rising living standards in some of the most populous areas in Asia and Africa, combined with the environmental impact of the energy sector, innovations in energy and fuel technology are likely some of the most important and impactful technological developments to look forward to in the coming decades.
With this in mind, if you are a startup founder looking to change the world for the better alternative fuel technology is a promising field to focus your energy on. Startups at the forefront of this movement have the opportunity to revolutionize the transportation sector and accelerate the transition to a sustainable future. Моreover, because of the environmental impact of such technologies finding funding for your startup could be easier because of the availability of public funding for green technologies in a generally favorable regulatory environment.
In this article, we’ll explore four startup opportunities in alternative fuel technology, ranging from electric vehicle charging infrastructure to biofuels, highlighting their potential for innovation and market disruption.
Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming increasingly popular as consumers and governments prioritize cleaner transportation options. However, the widespread adoption of EVs hinges on the availability of reliable and convenient charging infrastructure.
Startups in this space can focus on developing innovative solutions such as fast-charging stations, wireless charging technology, and smart grid integration. For example, companies like ChargePoint and EVgo are pioneering the development of EV charging networks across the globe, catering to the growing demand for electric mobility.
The opportunity for startups lies in addressing key challenges such as scalability, interoperability, and user experience. By leveraging advanced technologies and strategic partnerships, startups can play a vital role in expanding EV charging infrastructure and accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles.
Battery technology is a critical component of alternative fuel technology, enabling energy storage for electric vehicles, renewable energy systems, and portable electronics. In fact, energy storage technology is becoming a choke-point for most of the mass adoption and practical feasibility of a lot of EV and alternative energy solutions.
Startups in this space can focus on developing advanced battery chemistries, materials, and manufacturing processes to improve performance, safety, and cost-effectiveness. For example, companies like Tesla and Panasonic are leading the charge in lithium-ion battery production, driving down costs and improving energy density.
The demand for high-performance batteries is expected to surge as electric vehicles and renewable energy installations continue to grow. Startups that can innovate in areas such as solid-state batteries, silicon-anode technology, and battery recycling have the potential to disrupt the market and capture significant market share. Moreover, advancements in battery technology can unlock new applications such as grid-scale energy storage and electric aviation, further expanding the market opportunity for startups.
Hydrogen fuel cells offer a promising alternative to traditional combustion engines, providing zero-emission power for various applications, including vehicles, drones, and stationary power systems. Startups in this space can focus on developing innovative solutions for hydrogen production, storage, distribution, and fuel cell technology.
For example, companies like Ballard Power Systems and Plug Power are leading the commercialization of hydrogen fuel cell technology for transportation and industrial applications.
The scalability and versatility of hydrogen fuel cells present a compelling opportunity for startups to drive innovation and market penetration. By overcoming technical challenges such as cost, efficiency, and infrastructure, startups can position themselves as key players in a possible transition to a hydrogen-based economy. Additionally, government incentives and industry partnerships can provide critical support for startups seeking to capitalize on the growing demand for clean energy solutions.
Biofuels offer a renewable alternative to conventional fossil fuels, derived from organic sources such as biomass, algae, waste materials, or agricultural residues. Startups in this space can focus on developing sustainable biofuel production processes that minimize environmental impact and maximize energy efficiency.
For example, companies like Renewable Energy Group and Gevo are leveraging advanced biotechnology and feedstock optimization to produce low-carbon biofuels for transportation and heating applications among others.
The abundance of organic feedstocks and the potential for carbon neutrality make biofuels an attractive option for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating climate change. Startups that can innovate in biofuel production, distribution, and certification have the opportunity to disrupt traditional energy markets and drive the transition to a more sustainable energy future. Additionally, government mandates and corporate sustainability initiatives create a favorable regulatory environment for biofuel startups to thrive.

source

Tech News

GHSP Leverages Allegro MicroSystems' Technology to Shift – GlobeNewswire

Published

2 days ago

May 1, 2024

knitved

April 30, 2024 10:00 ET | Source: Allegro MicroSystems, Inc. Allegro MicroSystems, Inc.
MANCHESTER, N.H., April 30, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Allegro MicroSystems, Inc. (“Allegro”) (Nasdaq: ALGM) a global leader in power and sensing semiconductor technology for motion control and energy efficient-system is pleased to announce, that GHSP, a global provider of mechanical and electromechanical systems and portfolio company of JSJ Corporation, is closely collaborating with and has adopted Allegro’s best-in-class gate driver and vehicle sensor technology for its new eVibe vibration enhancement system.

In the rapidly evolving world of xEV technology, there is a new class of xEV enthusiasts who crave a more immersive motoring experience. GHSP’s eVibe system transforms xEV driving by providing drivers with the noise and vibrations that mimic the familiar feel and sounds of a traditional internal combustion engine. At the heart of this next-level technology, is Allegro’s A89500 motor driver and APS12215 Hall-effect latch, which provide best-in-class performance and switching capabilities.
“From the beginning, our challenge has always been to create a solution that would address a unique and growing xEV market segment,” said Dan Dawiedczyk, President of GHSP. “We are excited to collaborate and combine our industry experience and expertise, to help bring our vision to life. Together, Allegro and GHSP are developing groundbreaking innovations. We look forward to a winning partnership for many years to come.”
Helping to elevate the end product, Allegro’s A89500 motor driver allows for high power density and fast switching to help provide instant response and feel. Its transient robustness and wide input voltage range make it a standout solution in the market. The APS12215 Hall-effect latch, on the other hand, provides high-temperature performance and stable switching capabilities, enabling the eVibe system to precisely track and monitor the position of the motors’ unbalanced weights, ultimately leading to a more realistic vibration experience. The eVibe technology allows several applications including ADAS, ICE emulation, or high performance.
“For more than a decade, Allegro has worked closely with market-leading automotive partners to develop innovative solutions that help shift the future of driving, power and performance in electric vehicles,” said Suman Narayan, Allegro’s Senior Vice President, Products. “Our latest collaboration highlights a new, growing market segment and demand for Allegro’s technology. We value GHSP’s automotive expertise and look forward to our continued partnership as we develop solutions that drive innovation.”
The impact of eVibe extends beyond just the driving experience. It represents a shift towards the future of xEV technology and the way owners engage with their vehicles. From mimicking an idle feel to simulated engine throttle and high-speed gear shifts via premium vibration indicators, GHSP’s technology is providing drivers with a more immersive and connected drive. This innovation has the potential to reshape the xEV market, catering to a wider range of custom options and individual customer preferences, while also helping to further the adoption of electric vehicles.
On Thursday, May 2, GHSP and Allegro will host a virtual round table discussing “The Evolution of eVibe with GHSP and Allegro MicroSystems.” To learn more and register for this event please visit: https://allegromicro.com/en/applications/automotive
For more information about the eVibe system please visit: https://www.ghsp.com/evibe
About Allegro MicroSystems
Allegro MicroSystems, Inc. is a leading global designer, developer, fabless manufacturer and marketer of sensor integrated circuits (“ICs”) and application-specific analog power ICs enabling emerging technologies in the automotive and industrial markets. Allegro’s diverse product portfolio provides efficient and reliable solutions for the electrification of vehicles, automotive ADAS safety features, automation for Industry 4.0 and power-saving technologies for data centers and clean energy applications. For additional information, please visit https://www.allegromicro.com/en/.
About GHSP
GHSP is a privately owned company based in Grand Haven, Mich., that specializes in the design and manufacturing of innovative control systems and technology solutions primarily for the automobile and high-end appliance industries. Founded in 1924, GHSP has locations in North America, Europe and Asia. GHSP is a portfolio business within JSJ Corporation, a growth firm with global manufacturing, distribution and service businesses that focus on highly technical skills to deliver engineered solutions. Learn more at GHSP.com and JSJcorp.com.
Allegro Contact:
Laura Kozikowski
Sr. Director of Global Marketing and Corporate Communications
[email protected]
GHSP Contact:
Liz Hoffswell
Marketing & Communication Leader
[email protected]