Tyler Hendee, left, explains his 1st place-winning innovation project while attending the WiSys SPARK Symposium this past August. 

OSHKOSH—Two students from the Universities of Wisconsin schools were recognized for their innovative projects at the 2023 WiSys SPARK Symposium. 

The award winners were:

• Tyler Hendee, UW-Platteville (1st) 
• Sydney Gang, UW-Green Bay (2nd) 

SPARK is WiSys’ annual celebration of the best and brightest researchers, innovators, and entrepreneurs working in or with the Universities of Wisconsin’s 11 regional universities. This year’s event was held at the Paine Center on the UW-Oshkosh campus and drew interest from over 200 students and faculty, as well as leaders from industry, government, and nonprofits. 

Students had the opportunity to present a research poster or showcase an innovative project during the Edge Student Research Poster & Innovation Showcase, which was evaluated by a team of faculty and staff judges. 

First Place 

UW-Platteville student Tyler Hendee received the first-place prize of $750 for their innovation project titled “Microscale Geometric Filtration.” During this project, Hendee was mentored by UW-Platteville Associate Professor of Engineering Physics, Dr. Gokul Gopalakrishnan. 

PROJECT ABSTRACT: Separation by shape of similar-sized particles requires innovative filtration methods with potential benefits to fields such as biomedical diagnostics, environmental testing, and manufacturing. Through microfabrication processes, we fabricate precision micropore chips with inverted pyramidal pore geometries. A stereolithographic 3D resin printer is used for its feature precision capabilities in the manufacturing of a microfluidic cell that houses the silicon filter and permits forward, reverse and cross-flow filtration. The chips can be bulk micromachined, leading to more cost-effective and transportable sample filtering mechanisms for particle detection and identification. 

Second Place 

Sydney Gang of UW-Green Bay received the second-place prize of $500 for their project titled “Skip the Warm-Up.” During the project, Gang was mentored by WiSys Innovative Ventures Associate, Wilson Fay. 

PROJECT ABSTRACT: Skip the Warm-Up is a company that has developed a knee sleeve that allows users to apply heat before and during a workout. The sleeve aids in rehabilitation and injury prevention to help customers feel and perform their best. 

WiSys is a nonprofit organization that works with faculty, staff, students and alumni of the Universities of Wisconsin to facilitate cutting-edge research programs, develop and commercialize discoveries, and foster a spirit of innovative and entrepreneurial thinking across the state. 

WiSys is the lead organization for a prestigious National Science Foundation Engines Type 1 Development Award in Sustainable Agriculture. Learn more about the grant here.