MADMEC III:
"Materials Solutions for Alternative Energy"
PROPOSALS DUE MAY 15
DESIGN REVIEW APRIL 30

MADMEC -- Making and Designing Materials Engineering Contest -- is a joint venture between MIT’s Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Saint Gobain, and the Dow Chemical Company. MADMEC challenges teams of students to design and build prototypes that address a variety of energy issues through the use of materials science. It is our hope that MADMEC will empower MIT students to shape the future of energy, while giving them an opportunity to practice and develop their creative design and engineering skills.

Everyone is well aware of recent efforts to reduce our 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 III will receive the following prizes:
1st Prize: $5,000
2nd Prize: $3,000
3rd Prize: $2,000

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

MADMEC III CONTEST CHALLENGES:

MADMEC III offers six specific challenges to prospective teams and participants, centered around the theme of "Materials Solutions for Alternative Energy." The challenges are:

1. ALTERNATIVE BUILDING MATERIALS
2. THE REVOLVING DOOR
3. BIOFUELS CHALLENGE
4. THE ROAD CHALLENGE
5. THERMOELECTRIC MATERIALS
6. THE CAR CHALLENGE

Full details can be found on the Challenges page.

Each team 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 MADMEC III 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, 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 with 2009 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 May 15. Registration requirements are available here.

SCHEDULE
April 9: MADMEC III Kickoff and Information Session
April 30: MADMEC Design Review
May 15: Project proposals due
June 18: Checkpoint 1: Best CAD Drawing/3D printed model
July 10: Checkpoint 2: Best laser-cut part/assembly
August 7: Checkpoint 3: Best CNC part/assembly
August 27: Semi-Finals
October 7: Finals

See recent MADMEC updates.