Robert Morris University's Center for Applied Research in Engineering and Science (RMU-CARES) has received two grants from Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Southwestern PA (Innovation Works) to fund the development of a new manufacturing process and the creation of a device to aid in the care of homebound individuals.

Robert Morris University, founded in 1921, is a private, four-year institution with an enrollment of approximately 5,000 undergraduate and graduate students. RMU and BFTP frequently collaborate on developing new technologies and nurturing aspiring entrepreneurs.

The first grant, for $50,000, is to design and build a robotic work cell for Penna Flame, a Zelienople company that provides flame hardening, a process that renders the surface of machine parts more resistant to wear. Currently, Penna Flame utilizes a manual process in which each tooth of a gear is individually heated with a 2,200-degree Fahrenheit flame. As with other manual processes, problems arise with operator fatigue and consistency and quality. The manual operation will be eliminated and replaced by an automated one using industrial robots.

The second grant, for $25,000, will be utilized to design and build three prototypes of a unique device dubbed The Memory Minder. Triggered by a sensor, the device will provide recorded messages in response to the needs of the individual user. The Memory Minder delivers customized messages set by a caretaker, nurse, family member or the user. The device can deliver several timed messages throughout the day with personalized messages from familiar voices that are critical to an individual's care.

A Strong Partnership
"Robert Morris University and Innovation Works have formed a strong partnership to accomplish two important goals. First, help move promising research out of the university and into the commercial marketplace with grants that help researchers address key marketing and other business plan issues," says Rich Lunak, president and CEO of Innovation Works.

"The second goal is to leverage the resources of RMU—expert faculty, advanced research laboratories and student talent to help address specific research and development needs of the region's small manufacturers," Lunak says.

These projects will be undertaken by RMU-CARES, and the necessary prototypes will be developed by the university's recently launched Direct Digital Manufacturing Technology Transfer Center.

"Projects such as these, conducted under the auspices of our centers of excellence—CARES and the DDM Technology Transfer Center—offer RMU faculty and students challenging opportunities to engage industry and make a real impact on their operations," says Winston F. Erevelles, dean of the School of Engineering, Mathematics and Science at Robert Morris University.

RMU-CARES offers technical and consulting services to local industries while providing hands-on, real-world experiences for RMU students. The center offers a series of professional development workshops throughout the year for manufacturers, managers and other technical professionals. A schedule of workshops can be found at www.rmu.edu/cares. For more information, please contact Zbigniew J. Czajkiewicz, head of RMU-CARES and RMU Professor of Engineering at cares@rmu.edu, 412-397-3692 or 412-397-2502.