Dayton Engineer

Engineers love to build new skills - but not every engineer can be an expert in everything. So what happens when you’re ready to take the next step in manufacturing the item you created through research? You look to the expertise of fellow colleagues.

This was the case for Dr. Chris Muratore, Ohio Research Scholars Endowed Chair Professor and associate professor in the Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering.

Muratore’s current research focuses on creating small, ​​electronic sensors that can be used for rapid detection of some of the world’s most common and contagious pathogens including SARS COVID-19, Flu A/B, RSV and more. 

When he was ready for the next step — determining how to package the sensors for consumers — he needed to find a partner with expertise in this area. Manufacturing isn’t his speciality, but luckily faculty in the Department of Engineering Management, Systems and Technology were eager to help.

Muratore reached out to Sean Cahill, faculty of practice. Cahill has over 20 years of applied experience in manufacturing, including for the medical field.

“I had submitted a proposal last year to expand the AIM (Automation and Industrial Mechatronics) lab,” Cahill said. “In that proposal, I discussed our existing capabilities and several of the experiential learning projects that we envision. Dr. Muratore reached out after reading that submission and suggested a possible collaboration.”

Cahill is always eager to include students in independent study projects to help them build their skills and resume. He got to know mechanical engineering technology seniors Joe Boise and Nick Ross through classes and knew that their skills were perfect to help Muratore.

“I feel strongly that supporting students as they pursue independent projects allows for enhanced comprehension by exploring the connections between coursework and applications,” Cahill said.

Ross was working on other projects to learn more about programming a robot. Boise was also working on other independent projects to create a simple, cost effective conveyor system.

“A lot of times in industry, you just buy a conveyor. But even a small one can be upwards of $4,000,” Boise said. “I wanted to figure out the critical components of a conveyor and be able to replicate it with fewer components to be more cost effective.”

Cahill connected both of them to work together to create a conveyor that would move the sensors a set distance and a robot arm that would pick up a sensor from a consistent spot on the conveyor and add it to a bin.

“Problem solving is huge,” Ross said. “I’m glad I was able to be a part of this project. Being able to have the experience to work with this equipment on a specific application, running into issues and troubleshooting is applicable anywhere in manufacturing and automation.”

Boise and Ross have been working together outside of classes and other commitments since January. They now have a good proof of concept to provide to Muratore.

“Being able to understand things from a deeper level was the biggest goal for me,” Boise said. “It’s really easy to design something that’s way overkill, knowing that it’ll work but it’s expensive. It’s a lot harder to design something simple that still holds the same capabilities as a more expensive machine.”

Muratore is grateful for the work Boise and Ross completed, and glad that they can now discuss their added skillset with future employers as they look for their first post-grad positions.

“Automated packaging of advanced bioelectronic devices was the final step in the manufacturing workflow requiring lab-scale to pilot-scale translation,” Murator said. “Sean and his team rapidly developed an automated pick-and-place packaging system that exceeded our expectations. I am so pleased we were able to make the University of Dayton home of another key development enabling this impactful technology.”