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LEARN ABOUT 3-D Printers and CNC ROUTER MACHINES !!!
SHOP TALK SERIES ON PROTOTYPING MACHINES
WHEN: Wed May 2nd 7pm
WHERE: Science and Tech I, bottom floor
In the Machine Shop
Engineers Jerry Branson and Chris Savage
will share their experience building
3-D Printers and CNC Router Prototype Machines
We will demonstrate the MakerBot Thing-OMatic
Email us at sci@gmu.edu to let us know
that you are attending so we can accomodate
Inventors Club Teaming up with the Physics
Department to create a Fab Lab at GMU
  
Join the club this year to experience 3-D Printing
  
$2200 raised to purchase our very own 3-D Printer
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Last Year's Events & News
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Starlight Technology
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2011 Events and News
Starlight Technology Prize Contest - Submission Deadline Sept. 30th, 2011
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The 2011 Starlight Tech Prize is a $50,000 dollar cash award for a promising new high-tech business idea. The winner of the prize may use the award for any purpose– paying off student loans, buying a new car, whatever. Getting started is simple. Just submit a 4-page (maximum) proposal online. See the Proposal Format section of this site for the details. Contest opens June 2, 2011 and closes September 30, 2011. |
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| Cash Prize: $50,000. This will not be investment capital – it will be your money to do with as you please, payable on the award date. Your ideas must be original, and you must have rights to the I.P., free and clear, to be awarded the prize. |
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| Employment: Provide leadership to the implementation team, either as a consultant or employee. |
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| Protect your interests: Work with us prior to award to develop a contract protecting your interests.
NOTE: The deadline for submissions was extended after the following video was made. The deadline is now Sept. 30, 2011. |
For more information, visit: http://www.starlighttechprize.com/
This Fall Join the 3-D Printer Builder's Club - (click here for dedicated page)
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We are making a Rapid Prototyping 3-D Printer for our club.
THAT'S RIGHT - YOU READ IT RIGHT - A 3-D PRINTER
it works just like a printer but it makes 3-D objects. So join the 3-D Printer Builder's Club to learn all about it to. For more information contact us at sci@gmu.edu
This fall semester we are raising the finds to get the printer inthe spring semester.
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(click here for dedicated page) |
Science & Engineering Expo at PWC Fair for Girl Scouts Adventure Day - We are doing it again !!!
Due to the enormous success and fun we had last year, this October we have been called to duty once again to do a hands-on science showcase in the Girl Scouts Adventure Day at the Prince William County Fairgrounds from 10am to 4pm. Among the many activities and events that were there on Adventure Day, the Inventors Club was asked to join the event. We will have several hands-on science and engineering activity stations to inspire the Girl Scouts in the fields of science and engineering. Over 500 Girl Scouts attended the event and they enjoyed the activity stations very much.
If you want to inspire our future generation and have a great time doing it, consider volunteering for future events. We are always looking for volunteers to join us and you will definitely enjoy the experience of inspiring our youth. For certain events as announced, volunteers will receive an honorary mention on our website, a guide on the art of inventing, and will be entered in a drawing for a chance to win one of several prizes to be awarded at the end of the semester!
E-mail us as soon as you can at sci@gmu.edu and asked to be placed on our outreach volunteer list and we will send you a welcome letter and will keep in touch as opportunities arise. Thank you and we look forward to hearing from you.
Officer Elections - NOW - see Malick or apply online via email
GMU Students: Do you know about the Inventors Club? http://inventors.gmu.edu/
Are you interested in becoming an officer in the Inventors Club? Click here for Elections Info
Stay Tuned for a Visit the International Spy Museum
"Are you a spy? It's OK, you can tell us..." Join us , incognito, as we visit the Int'l Spy Museum in DC http://www.spymuseum.org/ so we can find out what inventions real 007's have used to do their work.
For more information, contact us sci@gmu.edu and we will plan our mission together.
Number of spies attending so far: 4
Older Events and News
SPECIAL EVENTS - APRIL 2, 2011 FROM 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM - WEBINAR
From Patent to Profit - Ask the Experts - Today 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM, April 2nd, 2011
Ask the Experts - Saturday morning only |
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Ask our experts online any question you have!
The tougher, the better. |
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Space is limited.
Reserve your seat now at:
https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/802313862 |
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Ask our experts--highly successful inventors, entrepreneurs, authors, and legal experts--anything you want to know about inventing and patenting. |
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Ask the Experts |
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Saturday, April 2, 2011 |
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9:00 AM - 10:00 AM PDT |
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After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar. |
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System Requirements
PC-based attendees
Required: Windows® 7, Vista, XP or 2003 Server |
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Macintosh®-based attendees
Required: Mac OS® X 10.4.11 (Tiger®) or newer |
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From Patent to Profit®
IPT Co., Grass Valley, CA
www.frompatenttoprofit.com
888-53-PATENT |
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Two Announcement from INCA - DC Inventors Club
(see http://dcinventors.org/ for more on INCA)
April 4, 2011 - "Introduction to Fab Lab" Class at CCBC Catonsville, Maryland
One at 12:00pm, the other at 4:00pm - You will be trained on:
- ShopBot CNC milling/routing machine
- UPrint 3D printer
- Roland vinyl cutter
- Epilog laser cutter
- and the software associated with these machines.
You will learn the basics of how to design and create products using these machines, with the exception of the UPrint 3D printer, which uses 3 dimensional computer aided design (CAD) files for its input. The community college teaches separate 3D CAD classes in the CAD lab which is one floor above the Fab Lab. This class will also cover shop safety. For more information on the CCBC MIT Fab Lab see:
http://www.meetup.com/CCBC-MIT-Fabrication-Lab/
2011 USPTO Design Day - Tuesday, April 5th, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
Note: This message is only intended for experienced INCA members or those interested in "Industrial Design". Spend the day with United States Patent and Trademark Office Management and Examiners, Design Patent Practitioners and industrial designers from across the country in a lively and thought provoking discussion.
This (free) event is being co-sponsored by USPTO, AIPLA, IPO, Industrial Designers Society of America, and the ABA Section of Intellectual Property Law.
http://www.idsa.org/content/content1/uspto-design-day-2011
Cautions/Warnings: Most inventors should be broadly protecting the functionality of their inventions with utility patents. A design patent (which only protects the outward ornamentation/appearance) only provides an extremely narrow protection, when compared with a utility patent. In some situations, design patents can be used as part of a much larger strategy of employing many different types of Intellectual Property protection.
INCA has announced...
CCBC MIT Fab Lab - High Tech Workshop
New MIT Fab Lab Workshop opened up in Baltimore
First Training Session was Monday, Feb. 7th
Registration cost is $99 - see instructions below
There are several people from the are that went and coordinated a carpool
INCA (DC's Inventors Club - dcinventors.org) has announced the first training classes for the MIT Fab Lab, and there are several people in our area from INCA planning to attend - http://www.meetup.com/CCBC-MIT-Fabrication-Lab/ Please read on for more information.
FAB LAB - ABOUT THE LAB
http://time-center.org/pdfs/FABLab_opening.pdf
The CCBC MIT Fab Lab is a high tech workshop open to the public where entrepreneurs, product developers, inventors, and business people can get help making prototypes of their inventions. After taking safety and training classes, users will have access to a ShopBot CNC milling/routing machine, UPrint 3D printer, Roland vinyl cutter, Epilog laser cutter, 3D laser scanners, and SolidWorks (and other design software).
Lectures and resources at the lab educate users about industrial design, manufacturing, marketing, intellectual property protection, licensing, and other product development steps. The Fab Lab is located at 800 S. Rolling Road, Catonsville, MD. The Fab Lab is located in Room H145 of Building H. See http://www.ccbcmd.edu/directory/cat/catonsville.html for a map to the college. See http://www.ccbcmd.edu/directory/cat/camp_map.html for map of the college campus.
FAB LAB - THE TRAINING CLASS
The CCBC MIT Fab Lab is scheduling its first training classes on Monday February 7, 2011. The class will cover shop safety and use of equipment in the lab. Right now three classes are planned for this date. The first class is 8:00 am to 11:00 am. The second class is 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm. The third class is 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
FAB LAB - CLASS REGISTRATION
The class costs $99.00. Be sure you enroll in the class and pay for the class before showing up next Monday at the lab. Registration is through the Continuing Education and Economic Development program of this community college.
Continuing Education Registration Information:
http://www.ccbcmd.edu/ceed/reg.html
VOA 843
Fab Lab Introduction
Total Cost: $99 (Tuition: $50 Fees: $49)
CRN# Day/Ses. Dates Time Location
43225 M (1) 2/7 8-11:15am CC
VOA 843
Fab Lab Introduction
Total Cost: $99 (Tuition: $50 Fees: $49)
CRN# Day/Ses. Dates Time Location
43226 M (1) 2/7 12-3:15pm CC
VOA 843
Fab Lab Introduction
Total Cost: $99 (Tuition: $50 Fees: $49)
CRN# Day/Ses. Dates Time Location
43224 M (1) 2/7 4-7:15pm CC
FAB LAB - WHAT TO BRING
You may want to bring a notepad and writing material to class to take your own notes. A USB thumbdrive may also be useful during the completion of this course.
FAB LAB - BAD WEATHER?
If you are concerned with bad weather the day of the class you can call the CCBC Catonsville Weather Line at 443-840-4567 to see if the college will be closed all day or will open late due to bad weather.
FAB LAB - QUESTIONS?
If you have more questions please contact Bill Werneke at wwerneke @ ccbcmd.edu or 443-840-4401
For more information on the CCBC MIT Fab Lab see http://www.meetup.com/CCBC-MIT-Fabrication-Lab/
FAB LAB - LOCATION & MAPS
The Fab Lab is located in Room H145 of Building H, 800 S. Rolling Road, Catonsville, MD.
See http://www.ccbcmd.edu/directory/cat/catonsville.html for a map to the college.
See http://www.ccbcmd.edu/directory/cat/camp_map.html for map of the college campus.
Isn't this Fabulous?
2010 Events and News
2010 Events and News
Science and Engineering Festival on the National Mall - October 23rd and 24th
College of Science has an announcement for you. Join us in helping them make this a successful and historical event...
Volunteers Needed to Participate with George Mason University's Exhibits at the USA Science and Engineering Festival on the DC Mall, October 23-24. On Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 23-24, over 500 science exhibitors will gather on the DC Mall to celebrate Science and Engineering. The exhibitors will provide a vast range of educational exhibits for the public covering all of the sciences. Over half a million people are expected to attend this event, which will make it by far the largest science festival in history.
George Mason University has three exhibit booths that will be located in the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium (Constitution Ave between 12th and 14th, NW) located near the National American History Museum. GMU will set up the exhibits on Friday afternoon, 22nd, and they will remain open to the public through 5pm, Sunday, Oct. 24.
The theme of George Mason University's exhibits is Extreme Science. The departments of Physics & Astronomy, Computational & Data Sciences, Environmental Science and Policy, Micro and Molecular Biology, the joint GMU/Smithsonian Center, and the Robotics Group from the School of Engineering will have exhibits showing the latest in climate modeling, astronomical research, Molecular Biology, and Environmental Science.
The GMU Festival team will need approximately 30 student volunteers over the weekend to help man the booths and talk to visitors. Each of the three GMU exhibit booths will have three tables of displays, manned by one faculty member and two students. We anticipate a rotation plan of three hours, whereby teams of students and faculty will man the booths for three hours and have three hours off to visit the rest of the festival. The logistical plan is now being planned.
If you are interested in volunteering to help us with the exhibits, and at the same time get a chance to visit the largest science festival in history, please contact us immediately at the email (best) or phone numbers below:
Michael E. Summers
msummers (at) gmu.edu
Phone: 703-993-3971, Cell: 571-217-5272
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Girl Scouts Adventure Day - October 16th
Monday August 30th
On October 16th, we have been called to duty to participate in the Girl Scouts Adventure Day at the Prince William County Fairgrounds from 10am to 4pm. Among the many activities and events that were there on Adventure Day, the Inventors Club was asked to join the event. We had several hands-on science and engineering activity stations to inspire the Girl Scouts in the fields of science and engineering. Over 500 Girl Scouts attended the event and they enjoyed the activity stations very much.
If you want to inspire our future generation and have a great time doing it, consider volunteering for future events. We are always looking for volunteers to join us and you will definitely enjoy the experience of inspiring our youth. For certain events as announced, volunteers will receive an honorary mention on our website, a guide on the art of inventing, and will be entered in a drawing for a chance to win one of several prizes to be awarded at the end of the semester!
E-mail us as soon as you can at sci@gmu.edu and asked to be placed on our outreach volunteer list and we will send you a welcome letter and will keep in touch as opportunities arise. Thank you and we look forward to hearing from you.
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SACC Teacher Orientation Invention Presentation
Monday August 30th
The SACC http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/ofc/sacc.htm offers fun, safe and educational care for 5-12 year-olds before school, after school and during school vacations in most Fairfax County elementary schools. They wanted to provide programs to children in the subject Inventions and Inventing. They asked GMU's Inventors Club to make presentations to educators so that the educators can provide an educational outreach to children in the subject of Inventing. We answered the call, we delivered, and we had a great time !
More details:
The Inventors Club made eight 45-minute presentations to large groups on Monday August 30th from 12:30 to 4:15. Four presentations were made at the Waterford at Fairfax, and four at the Marriott in Fairfax for the 2010 SACC Teacher Orientation. We gave them the scoop on the inventing process and how they can teach our future generation in the art of invention. The teachers were inspired and are alerady working on year long programs for the youth. In the picure above, one educator has placed the invention process on their classroom door.
The content of the presentations can be seen here: http://inventors.gmu.edu/sacc/
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Modular Robotics Prototype Showing & Brainstorming
Thursday June 23rd, 3:30-5pm
  
Members joined Neil Desmond as he demonstrated his recent prototype developments for his modular robotic technology invention - see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnh7zCjagmw . Neil has come a long way this technology and is strategically working his way through several stages to attain is goals in self-reconfigurable modular robotic technology. We examined the prototype modules an they were very impressive. We discussed the current challenges to commercialize his invention and developed concepts for feasibly adapting this technology into the market. We had a great time of invention development, refreshments, and fun. If interested in our next self-reconfigurable modular robotic technology get together, please contact barnabasmogan@gmail.com.
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Opportunity to Showcase Your Invention
for Development Partnership - Present your idea
Booze Allen Hamilton has an outreach program for inventors to help them develop their technologies by utilizing their resources and connections. We have discussed the possibility of facilitating the private showcase meeting, and while we don't have anything planned to date, we hope to make this opportunity available to inventors in our community in the near future.As we do, attendees will be required to sign non-disclosure agreements. Please contact barnabasmogan@gmail.com for updates and more information.
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Field Trip to Inventors Hall of Fame &Museum in Alexandria Virginia - May 15th 11:30 am*
May 15th - we met for brunch at 11:30 am at Einstein's Bagel in Fairfax at Picket Shopping Center (Picket & 236) and then left for the tour.
| Einstein's Bagel |
NIHF & Museum |
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The museum is in Alexandria, Virginia at the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
It is located in the atrium of the Madison Building, 600 Dulany Street, Alexandria, VA, and easily accessible from the King Street and Eisenhower Avenue Metro stations (Blue Line and Yellow Line).
Museum Info: (571) 272-0095, Museum Address: 600 Dulany Street, Alexandria, VA |
Invent Now operates the National Inventors Hall of Fame at the headquarters of the United States Patent and Trademark Office in Alexandria, Virginia. The museum features exhibits about all the honorees of the National Inventors Hall of Fame, including digital portraits. Other exhibits include artifacts and documents from the collections of the Patent and Trademark Office. The Hall of Fame and Museum allows visitors to learn more about the inventors and their profound life changing work. Inscribed on large displays are the names of the inductees, and the museum also includes interactive kiosks, a digital portrait gallery, and a theater.
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The complex for the new home of the United States Patent and Trademark Office is quite impressive. It was a beautiful day for the visit and the Hall of Fame and Museum are easily accessible.
It was interesting to see the connection between a series of inventions from different inventors. One never knows how a new invention will affect new technology. The displays are laid out quite well in easy to read formats with snippets of information about the inventions.
Another room stores a live gallery, or theatrical gallery of several famous inventors. The gallery consists of video displays shown as framed art, and the inventors portrayed converse with one another about their inventions and the USPTO.
The gift shop has an interesting array of gadgets, books, toys and games and other USPTO memorabilia. |
INCA Announcements
Webinar
The Licensing Executive Society is having a May 12, 2010 webinar that may be of interest to some of you.
| Invention Triaging |
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DESCRIPTION
Tech Transfer/Licensing Professionals must be able to balance the flow of invention disclosures with the capacity to commercialize. This webinar will cover a triage method that can separate the portfolio of intellectual assets into categories from the most to least potential. Attendees will learn:
- Simple evaluation techniques
- How to apply them to all stages of development, particularly early stage; and
- How to leverage limited resources to implement them.
INSTRUCTOR
Michael J. Martin, CLP™, President, TechTransfer Associates |
See the following link to register. This is a fee based event.
Thanks,
INCA Meetings - meet with inventors and members of the Inventors Network of the Capital Area
May 24, 2010 - Evening
INCA's May 2010 meeting is 5:30 pm on Monday, the 24th (fourth Monday of the month) at the Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library, 7584 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22043-2099. Note, this is the planned meeting location for this month's meeting, but there is a slight chance the meeting location could be moved to the Capitol Hill, Washington DC area. Please double check your email and the INCA website before commuting to this month's meeting.
The speakers will include a television producer(s) who is working on a show about inventors for the Discovery Channel and a professional patent drawing illustrator, and may include an inventor who also works in the US government.
Thank you to all the volunteers that make INCA work smoothly! :)
Have a good weekend,
Glen Kotapish
www.dcinventors.org
June 21, 2010 - Evening
Our June 2010 meeting is 5:30 pm on Monday, June 21, 2010 at the Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library, 7584 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22043-2099. Note, that the meeting is on the third Monday of the month.
The speaker for this meeting has yet to be determined.
July 19, 2010 - Evening
Our July 2010 meeting is 5:30 pm on Monday, July 19, 2010 at the Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library, 7584 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA 22043-2099. Note, that the meeting is on the third Monday of the month.
The speaker for this meeting has yet to be determined.
Create the Future Design Contest 2010 - Make Your Vision Reality
Enter your best new product ideas in the 2010
Create the Future Design Contest.
Grand prize - $20,000
Other great prizes, fame and glory are on the line!
Contest begins March 1, 2010 and ends June 30, 2010.
We must receive your entry by 11:59 pm ET on June 30, 2010.
Click here for official contest rules: http://contest.techbriefs.com/contest-rules
There are three easy steps to enter the contest:
1. Click here to register: http://contest.techbriefs.com/register
2. Confirm your registration
3. Log in and complete the entry form
more info: http://contest.techbriefs.com/
A Call for Inventions
Inventor's Showcase for Booz Allen Hamilton's Gallery of Inventions
On March 19th the Inventors Club visited Booz Allen Hamilton (BAH) in McLean and toured their gallery of inventions.
BAH is always looking for new innovations and potential projects. They have taken numerous projects from the concept phase into development and have the desire and facilities to help local inventors.
BAH has agreed to participate with GMU's Inventors Club in allowing inventors in our community to present their inventions to BAH's innovation department to determine what inventions would be considered for development.
We will hold a private presentation meeting in the coming weeks. If you would like to present your invention for BAH's consideration, please complete the following questionaire and send to sci@gmu.edu and we will contact you.
All information will be kept strictly confidential and the meeting attendees will be required to sign a non-disclosure agreement if they wish to view any presentations.
To apply please complete: VendorTechSubmission.doc
Submit the above doc by May 30th to: sci@gmu.edu
We will contact you shortly thereafter and plan to schedule the meeting in mid-June.
Field Trip to Booz Allen Hamilton's Gallery of Inventions
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On March 19th the Inventors Club visited Booz Allen Hamilton in McLean and toured their gallery of inventions.
As a result of this trip, we will host private inventor presentations for inventors who would like to find out if their invention would be a product that Booz Allen Hamilton
can partner with for development. |
USPTO to Held Independent Inventors Roundtable at Alexandria Headquarters
Event To Be Webcast Live
David Kappos, Director of the United States Patent and Trademark hosted a roundtable for independent and small entity inventors on Monday, March 29 from 4:30 to 5:30 pm. The event was held in the Madison Auditorium on the agency’s campus in Alexandria, Virginia. It was also webcasted live on www.uspto.gov. Director Kappos made the opening remarks and invited questions from the audience and those watching on the web. The roundtable addressed current issues of concern to the independent and small entity inventor community including patent reform legislation.
INVENTORS CLUB CALENDAR OF EVENTS
2009 Events and News
PAST EVENTS ...
 
The Inventors Club Opened its House on Wed Feb 17th
Offiers and new members mingled, learned more about the club, enjoyed refreshments,
and discussed fouture events. The event was followed by an invitation to Dr. Arciszewski's
course Introduction
to Design and Inventive Engineering with a special evening of
Inventive Talks (see below). Please stay tuned and join us for future events!
The Open House was followed by ...
Inventive Talks at 7:20pm with Dr. Arciszewski
• Dr. Kalu Uduma, Senior Technical Specialist at Chrysler's Technology Center
"Transformation from an Analytical Specialist to an Inventor", bio-energy in developing countries challenge
• Mr. Nick Berte, a Project Manager with Dewberry
Mr. Berte’s Various Inventions Including "Flying Fire Breathing Dragon," as recently shown on the CNN.
• Dr. Paul Seguin of the US Army Corps of Engineers - Inventive Challenge
• Dr. Arciszewski, GMU Profssor and CEIE Chairman - Inventive Challenge on earthships.
Dear Inventors Club Officers and Advisors,
We recently had an Officers / Advisors meeting on February 5th.
Project students also attend and we briefly discuss the project at the end of the meeting.
Meeting topics:
- Welcoming our new Secretary and Webmaster - 10 minutes
- Professor Yan Ling invites us to help promote and organize YEA event - 15 minutes
- Plan events with guest speakers with Dr. Arciszewski's recommendations - 15 minutes
- Plan our semester Kick-off meeting - shoot for mid February - 20 minutes
- Super Brainstorming Session for the following - 20 minutes
- exciting and creative promotions for the club
- one exciting and fun semester-end activity
- fundraising activities
- GMU Sponsored Project Update - 10 minutes
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- Last semester we have been focusing on developing a non-profit company to help inventors, so we didn't have much going on as far as events. This semester we plan to have a few speakers on inventing, a "Teaching the Sciences" event, "Inventors' Lounge" socials, perhaps a movie or two, and a field trip to Edison's Factory if it's open.
- Suggest an event - email sci@gmu.edu
ANNUAL HIGH TECH
HALLOWEEN SHOW
October 31st - from dusk to midnight
mark your calendar! One of the most innovative
high tech Halloween shows
you will ever see!
Would you like to be a part of the show and help them put all these neat gadgets and sophisticated displays together? The Park brothers are brilliant and you will learn a gerat deal from them. Learn more below and contact us if you want to join them: sci@gmu.edu. |
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Brian Park and his brother have been doing the High Tech Halloween Show for over 30 years, and spend over a month setting this up. If you want to see "behind the scenes", come after 11PM, after the crowds (thousands) die down.
The High Tech Halloween Show officially starts Halloween night at dusk and most everything will be set up by then. But you can get a glimpse of it if you go today as they are still setting up. And, for those that want to help, they are always looking for anyone who would like to help and especially learn about the technologies and their applications.
There will be many suprises to give you a good scare, and along with Halloween traditionals you'll see...
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- a variety of robotics like a 4 wheel-driven cruiser designed as a low cost expendible military reconnaissance vehicle with 3-d vision and added fancy light displays for show - controlled by a live walking Transformer alien, R2D2, ICU2, and robotic arms picking and placing objects and it is remotely tele-operated via live stereo ("3-D") TV
- optical illusions including projected talking heads that appear to face you, floating colored bubble display with mesmerizing colored LED strobe effects, and real image projection of an object into space
- new LED illumination are used for many of the displays, various light effects including lasers such as a set up combining two mixed gas lasers and dichromatic filters to produce red, green and blue shot through two diffraction gratings rotating in opposite directions, a lightsabor that combines neon light with cmos transistors and an RF field to create the effect of the lightsaber extending just like on Star Wars, plus strobe effects and more...
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The Park brothers have an incredible degree of knowledge and can explain the physics behind the innovative applications and get into the mechanics, electonics, RF and programming during their "behind the scenes" presentation at 11pm. Click here for Behind the Scenes of the Laser Light Show (this is a Flash flv video file that may require download to play).
Directions: from Washington DC, travel south on the George Washington Parkway, through Old Town Alexandria, continue south, make a right on Waynewood Blvd (3 miles north of Mt Vernon). Earlier in the night, park at Waynewood School, cross Waynewood Blvd, and walk up Crowley Pl. (Crowley Pl is closed dark to 11PM). After 11, you can take a right at the school onto Crowley Pl.
Addres: 8414 Crowley Pl. Alexandria, Va. 22308
View Larger Map
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- October 20th 11-12pm, "Teaching & Learning in the Sciences"
~ this event has been postponed until next year ~
Cindy Smith, GMU Professor, invites us back to her class where we set up and demonstrate interactive electricity lab stations. We have a need for volunteers and training and materials will be provided. This is a great opportunity to help our future educators teach children about science. We'll have several station each demonstrating different topics in science with hands-on activities. If you would like to be a part of this contact Barnabas at bmogan@gmu.edu for more information.
- Officer Elections
The club is open to new officers: President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, SA Liaison, and Webmaster. All positions are open for reelection as the current officers are preparing for graduation. Officers will have opportunities for board membership to the Inventor's Club spin-off, Students Center for Innovations - not-for-profit organization to help inventors. For more info email bmogan@gmu.edu
- Raising Funds for the Club
We'd like to raise money for the club to purchase materials and other items that cannot be funded by the GMU Funding Boards. We can do magazine subscription sales, car washes, or sell baked goods at the kiosks in the Johnson Center. It is a good way to get to know other club members while helping the club.
Can you help? Do you have other ideas for fundraising? Contact Barnabas at bmogan@gmu.edu
- Subscribe to our Email List Listserv for Event News
To get on our email list for event updates, subscribe to the listserv in the following way:
Send an email to: listserv@listserv.gmu.edu
Put this in the body of the email:
SUB INVENTORS-L your full name
To subscribe anonymously, put this in the body:
SUB INVENTORS-L ANONYMOUS
To be removed put this in the body:
SIGNOFF INVENTORS-L
(subject heading won't affect listserv commands)
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"Big Challenges - Incredible Opportunities" - Novemebr 19th
Speaker Josh E. Tetrick - Attorney & Entrepreneur
(postponed for next semester - details pending)
Cosponsored with Mason Entrepreneurs & REAL
Josh - a social entrepreneur, writer, and speaker - has led a United Nations business initiative in Kenya, worked for both former President Clinton and the president of Liberia, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, and taught street children as a Fulbright Scholar in Nigeria and South Africa. Through Generation We, an innovative grassroots organization, he is currently engaging companies and thousands of students around the world on how solving our world's biggest needs align with dynamic career and financial opportunities. Josh is a graduate of Cornell University and the University of Michigan Law School.
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ROBOTICS CONFERENCE 2006
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Inventors Club News ...
2010-2011 - A New Dawn
The Inventors Club has made a transition with new leadership and will assist in the spin-off of a new organization to help inventors and entrepreneurs in our community. Through many pilot programs and various activities and events, the club has refined its model to fulfill the it's own mission on campus to inspire and educateinnovation through club activities and events, while providing the needs of inventors and entrepreneurs assisting them in low cost research and development for their pursuits in inventions and businesses through a separate organization structured specifically for that purpose. Stay tuned as they prepare to launch this exciting new venture.
2009-2010 - Passing of the Torch
This academic year we have a new group of students who have chosen to lead the Inventors Club. The Inventors Club is a prestigous organization inspiring innovations in the community and abroad, helping local inventors, and finding opportunities to get hands-on experience in prototype development. We are happy to see the ongoing interests that students have in the field of innovation, which is a driving force in creating a better economy and a better world.
2008-2009 Academic Year - Wrapping Up the GMU Invention Project
We are continuing with the prototype for the semester invention project! It is an interactive map project for the GMU campus. We have the map built and are almost complete with the programming. Contact us for more information.
Summer Paid Internships / Short Term Contract Work
Local inventors and entrepreneurs are looking for students to help them with the development of their inventions, products, and businesses. Please contact us if you are intetrested: sci@gmu.edu
Officers & Advisors
The doors are always open for those interested in leading the club. For more information click here.
Community Projects
We were contacted by Faquier County Schools to help develop a hands-on project program for their students to provide them opportunities for developing skills in building innovative projects. Please contact us for more informations.
High School Students Internship Pilot Program
We were contacted by the Community Service Coordinator for the City of Alexandria looking for internship opportunities for high school students. Their program called Project Discovery is a college access program for low-income and/or first generation college-bound students at T.C. Williams High School in Alexandria, Va.
We discussed it with the club members and decided to start an internship pilot program with a student. The program is going very well and we welcome all GMU students to participate in this opportunity to give high school students a head start in college. For more information on Project Discovery, visit related web sites at:
http://alexandriava.gov/dhs/children_and_youth_services/proj_discovery.html
http://groups.google.com/group/pdiscovery
Community Members Research and Development for Inventions
From time to time, we receive requests for assistance for inventions from students and members in the community. We are currently doing research and creating a design proposal for an invention by a member in the community. Contact us if you would like to participate in this project
Last Year's Inventors Club Events ...
Inventors Boot Camp #8
"Your (Inventors) Exit Strategy"
Startup expert Jim Wolfe gave us the run down on knowing your end game plan at the start, and what are some of the key factors the increase the chance of success of any venture. Thank you Mr. Wolfe!
Inventors Boot Camp #7
"Enter The Real World"Licensing Your Invention
Inventor and Entrepreneur Andrew Park shared his experience on
licensing intellectual property. The highlights of the event were:
Attendees received Mr. Parks first hand experienced on IP Licensing and received a book of valuable licensing information.Thank you Mr. Park!
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Inventors Club Events See the complete history of events at Archived Events. |
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Last Year - Our Inventors Boot Camp Series for 2008-2009
Complete schedule
| Sept. 8th |
"Mother of Invention" - Generating Ideas
Skip West - Maxsa Innovations
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| Oct. 13th |
"Is It Worth it?" - Feasibility
Mike Young - YDI Wireless |
| Nov. 3rd |
"Can We Patent It?" - Patent Search
Dr. Bijan Tadayon - B6Tech, LLC
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| Dec.1st |
"Proving the Concept" - Design
David Grossman - GMU Tech Transfer
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| Feb. 2nd |
"Show Me the Money” - Raising Capital
John Casey - Mason Enterprise Center |
| Mar. 23rd |
“Making It Real” - Building a Prototype
Jerry Porter - Inventor / INCA Member
Where: Student Union II room VIP 2 |
| Apr. 13th |
“Enter the Real World” - Licensing
Andrew Park - Inventor / Entrepreneur
Where: JC room A |
| May 4th |
“Mission Accomplished” - Exit Strategy
Jim Wolf - GMU School of Management |
Sponsored in part by the Department of Research and
Economic Development, and the Student Funding Board.
Our most recent events
Inventors Boot Camp #8
"Your 'Investors' Exit Strategy"
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Jim Wolfe
CEO and co-founder
J Street Consulting Management Executive
Consultant, Attorney
Assistant Professor of Management
Entrepreneur-in-Residence of
The School of Management |
Startup expert Jim Wolfe gave us the run down on knowing your end game plan at the start, and what are some of the key factors the increase the chance of success of any venture. Thank you Mr. Wolfe!
Jim Wolfe is a management executive, consultant, and attorney with 25 years experience helping emerging growth firms. He is the CEO and co-founder of J Street Consulting, a Washington, D.C., firm providing strategic marketing for new products, markets, and companies. He also serves as the Entrepreneur-in-Residence and assistant professor of management in the School of Management at George Mason University. Read more about Jim Wolfe ...
Inventors Boot Camp #7
"Enter the Real World"
Licensing
Your Invention
presented by
Andrew Park
- The Nuts & Bolts of IP Licenses
- Key Provisions of License Agreements
That Make Business & Legal Sense
- Do's and Don'ts of Drafting IP Licenses
Andrew Park is known internationally for his achievements in homeland security and safety related products, and holds numerous patents for anti-ballistic materials and high performance fiber and composite materials. He has launched ventures around ten patents that have made significant profit. Click here for complete bio and patent info ....
Inventors Boot Camp #6
"Making It Real"
Making a Marketable Prototype
Jerry Porter has twenty years experience building models and prototypes of his own ideas and has taken several of his ideas from concept to commercialization. Jerry has real world inventors experience from the school of hard knocks and delivered an informative, energetic and eclectic talk.
He demonstrated how he made one of his prototypes from household materials which was enough to have it tested in the market. This product is now on the market. He had broght several of his inventions to the meeting and showed us that it doen't take rocket science to get your product into the market. Thank you Jerry !
Inventors Boot Camp #5
"Show Me the Money"
Raising Capital For Your Invention
What do you do if you don't have the money to develop your invention? John Casey shared his knowledge on raising funds for businesses and inventions at:
Inventors Boot Camp #5 "Show Me the Money" . . .
John is a member of the research faculty at George Mason University and a program director at Mason Enterprise Center, with a special focus on small business, entrepreneurship and regional economic development. He will be sharing his knowledge on raising funds for businesses and inventions. See his bio below.
John B. Casey
John has been doing independent consulting since 1984, advising fellow entrepreneurs and startup companies on information technology, equity financing; international sales; strategic alliances; and M&A alternatives. He has assisted many entrepreneurs with VC financings and M&A transactions over the years.
John served as CEO of Caucus Systems Inc., a collaboration software company, where he led the company's first institutional venture capital round, its transition to a new business model, and its merger and acquisition (M&A) activities. Before that, as VP of Business Development at Baranof Software, he was responsible for strategic alliances and international sales, and helped lead the M&A effort that resulted in the sale of the company to Tally Inc. As Director of the Advanced Systems Group at Phoenix Systems, a software and network integration firm, he worked with clients such as Microsoft, Lotus, and Novell and played a key role in the M&A process that led to the sale of the company to Corporate Software Inc. As Director of Sales and Marketing for Coyne Kalajian Inc., a database software company, he led sales, marketing, and customer support activities; helped obtain venture capital; and drove the company's international expansion prior to the company's acquisition.
John holds a Master of Science in Information Technology from George Washington University and a Bachelor of Arts from Colgate University. He is a member of the Northern Virginia Technology Council, the MIT Enterprise Forum, and the Business Alliance of GMU. |
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Seminars / Conferences / Other Meetings |
Young Inventors International
All GMU students have free YII membership ! However, not everyone may have registered. The GMU Office of Business and Economic Research and Development has generously paid for university membership for the entire GMU community to use the resources of Young Inventors International. To see if you are registered, you can go to the following URL type in your GMU email:
http://younginventors.communityzero.com/advantage/findmember.jsp
If it is not in there, then you'll need to register, and it's free thanks to GMU's desire to emphasize innovation and entrepreneurship opportunities and for the GMU Office of Business and Economic Research and Development generous contribution for a University-Wide Subscription to YII.
YII Events / Webinars / Podcasts
5th International YII Conference
April 3rd and 4th, 2009
Hosted by Project Olympus at Carnegie Mellon University, the conference features interactive "marathon" sessions with experts in intellectual property, raising financing, strategy for bringing your product to market, product development, and market research. The experts will tell you specific next steps to take to bring your technology to market.
A young entrepreneur panel, featuring Luke Skurman, Founder and CEO of College Prowler and Susan Koger, Co-founder and Creative Director of ModCloth, moderated by Alan Veeck, Principal at Meakem Becker Venture Capital.
Visit the YII conference web site for more information and be sure to check back for updates because we'll be adding Registration fee: $20 for YII Premium members, including all conference materials and pizza dinner on Friday. If you have received this version of the newsletter, you are a Premium member. The conference sells out quickly, so be sure to register early. We look forward to seeing you in April!
Create the Future Design Contest 2010 - Make Your Vision Reality
Enter your best new product ideas in the 2010
Create the Future Design Contest.
Grand prize - $20,000
Other great prizes, fame and glory are on the line!
There are three easy steps to enter the contest:
1. Register
2. Confirm your registration
3. Log in and complete the entry form
more info: http://contest.techbriefs.com/
Other contests:
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The Hammacher Schlemmer Search for Invention Contest – To foster the spirit of inventing, Hammacher Schlemmer offers a contest that they describe as "a national inventor's competition that rewards inventors of patented products that have not yet reached the marketplace."
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The Lemelson-MIT Awards for Invention and Innovation – The $500,000 prize from this award is the single largest award for inventors. "The Lemelson-MIT awards program honors both established and rising inventors, for their ingenuity, creativity and contribution to American invention. The awards are part of a comprehensive program that recognizes the profound impact that individual ingenuity can have on all of society."
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The Dupont Plunkett Awards – "The Awards competition is open to processors or users of fabricated products who have invented new or improved products or applications, incorporating DuPont fluoropolymers as a critical component. Products or applications must result from work done by the entrant in conception and commercialization of the entry."
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Intel Science Talent Search – "Finding Tomorrow's Scientists": This contest is to encourage and stimulate scientific discovery and innovation in today's youth with awards and scholarships totaling $1.25 million.
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Innovations in Life Jacket Design Competition – A 2004 BoatU.S. Foundation study found that while life jackets save lives every day, many boaters don't wear them because they're uncomfortable. In response to this problem, the BoatU.S. Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water has teamed up with the Personal Floatation Device Manufacturers Association (PFDMA) to encourage innovative ideas and new technology to design a life jacket that the majority of boaters might wear. The winning entry will receive $5,000.
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3dpublishing.com Inventor's Contest – Offers monthly assignments to win a free history kit from 3dpublishing.com.
contest list from: http://www.inventhelp.com/inventor-awards-and-competitions.asp
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