Karen Beljan, BS '05, Environmental Engineering
Beljan, of Eden, New York, evaluated remediation alternatives to improve the water quality of Onondaga Lake, ultimately helping to develop a method to aerate the lake that would improve the water and ecosystem.
(Photo: KC Kratt, MFA '84)
For many people, a computer is essential in aiding many important aspects of personal life. However, the simple hand control of a mouse is taken for granted. Many disabilities can take away this seemingly simple, yet significant activity. The immediate necessity for a solution has led a group of students from the University at Buffalo to tackle this problem as their Senior Design project.
The students are designing software which uses a single switch that is able to be clicked by a person tilting his or her head. From this simple click, their ingenious design will allow full control of a computer, including browsing the internet. For instance, one feature will number all links on a webpage and ask the user which number to select. Custom buttons will be constantly scanned, waiting for a user to click a selection
Currently, voice recognition software needs years of development until it can gracefully control a computer. Other solutions are very expensive or have limited use. The students are taking an original approach at a problem where no one best solution resides.
Date Open: Jan 21, 2008 to Jan 1, 2009
Professor(s): Mike Buckley (mikeb@cse.buffalo.edu)
Department: Computer Science and Engineering