MADMEC 2008:
"Materials Solutions for Alternative Energy"

MADMEC II: 2008 TEAMS

The following teams have been chosen to participate in MADMEC 2008:

AER - Air Energy Resource
Green Take-off
Heliotrope
HotTap
Infraconsto

MADMEC is a joint venture between MIT’s Department of Materials Science and Engineering and the Dow Chemical Company, Saint Gobain and General Motors Corporation. It is our hope that MADMEC will empower MIT students to shape the future of energy, making a difference through materials science and engineering.

In recent years, much of the world has been making efforts to reduce the dependence on fossil fuels and non-renewable resources. Regardless of the motivation of these efforts – environmental, political, social or fiscal – the student scientists and engineers at MIT have the ability to make significant contributions to the development and utilization of alternative, non-traditional sources of energy.

PRIZES
The three winning teams of MADMEC 2008 will receive the following prizes:
1st Prize: $10,000
2nd Prize: $5,000
3rd Prize: $3,000

Winning teams of each of the MADMEC "Checkpoints" will receive $500.

MADMEC 2008 CONTEST CHALLENGES:

Last year, MADMEC 2007 offered a single broad challenge to prospective teams and participants, centered around the theme of "Materials Solutions for Alternative Energy." MADMEC 2008 will still be centered around the same contest theme, but will revolve around 6 specific, focused contest challenges as well as an "open" category. The challenges are:

1. THE CAR CHALLENGE
2. THE BUILDING EFFICIENCY CHALLENGE
3. THE ROBOT CHALLENGE
4. THE BIO CHALLENGE
5. THE GREEN BUILDING WINDOW CHALLENGE
6. THE HABITAT CHALLENGE

Full details can be found on the Challenges page. Each teams can choose the challenge that appeals most to them, or design their own challenge and prototype. All teams will still be competing against each other regardless of the the challenge selected. Teams accepted into the MADMEC 2008 competition will receive $1000 funding to build their prototypes.

The most sucessful contest entries will be those that leverage advanced or novel applications of materials research, or incorporate materials science solutions in a creative manner. However, the primary intent of this contest is to engage students in prototyping, design and device fabrication, while elucidating the materials engineer's role in alternative energy development. Therefore prototypes are not necessarily required to be materials-centric. Good ideas, designs and prototypes are the main emphasis of the contest.

All intellectual property (IP) generated during the contest will be wholly owned by the inventors. MIT, Dow, GM or Saint Gobain will not claim a stake in your IP due to participation in MADMEC.

CONTEST OVERVIEW:

TEAMS
MADMEC is a team-based competition. Teams must include 2 to 5 members, comprised of MIT students only. At least two members of each team must be a full-time graduate or undergraduate student in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering. Graduates will 2008 degree dates are still eligible to participate. Additional information can be found on the rules page.

TEAM REGISTRATION
Teams must submit their registration information and proposals by April 25. Registration requirements are available here.

SCHEDULE (subject to slight changes)
March 19: MADMEC 2008 Kickoff and Information Session
April 25: Project proposals due
May 28: Checkpoint 1: Best CAD Drawing/3D printed model
July 1: Checkpoint 2: Best laser-cut part/assembly
July 30: Checkpoint 3: Best CNC part/assembly
August 13: Semi-Finals
Mid-September: Finals (Date TBA)