Mall goers to be treated to research smorgasbord this Saturday

Everything from human-sized robots that can bash in buildings to new devices that help people exercise more efficiently will be on display when the university hosts its annual research showcase at Devonshire Mall this Saturday.

“This will be a wonderful opportunity for members of the community to experience first-hand some of the amazing research that goes on every day at the University of Windsor,” said VP, Research Michael Siu.

Faculty from a wide variety of disciplines will demonstrate examples of their work. Chad Sutherland, an applied learning coordinator in kinesiology, said people who visit his department’s display can try out the Attitube. Developed by a local inventor and tested for its effectiveness in his lab, the device is a long plastic tube filled with liquid that comes in several sizes and is used for a variety of exercises.

“It’s used as whole body training tool,” said Sutherland, who noted that visitors can test it while standing on a force platform used to evaluate balance and sway patterns under various conditions. “We found it can result in better balance, and that it’s especially effective for people experiencing muscle atrophy.”

Kinesiology lab coordinator Adriana Duquette said other exhibits from her department include a cup stacking demonstration used by sports psychologists to help with team building and goal setting, as well as a Fitts’ reciprocal tapping task board. Used to explore the laws of motor learning and control, it requires subjects to tap holes in a metal plate with a stylus at various distances as quickly as they can.

“The majority of motor skills require a goal-directed movement involving some form of speed or accuracy during the movement," she said. "Fitts' Law is a really a good way to examine the speed and accuracy trade-off.”

Other exhibits that will be on display include:

  • A robot the WEtech Alliance uses as a learning tool with engineering and computer science students from the university’s robotics club to mentor high school students and prepare young people for 21st century economy. The robot can shoot basketballs and climb structures.
  • Games kids can play to test their cancer knowledge and microscopes where people can examine cancer cells just like the ones used by scientists in the Windsor Cancer Research Group
  • Reaction time tests to demonstrate how driving performance is impaired while texting
  • Research demonstrating how playing computer games improves cognitive processing by enhancing visual-motor, spatial, visual and verbal skills, as well as one’s ability to self- regulate, make appropriate decisions and problem- solve.
  • Devices that people can squeeze called hand dynamometers that are used as a training tool to help reduce blood pressure
  • A simulation to demonstrate how a healthy life style can prevent heart disease and cancer

The annual Research Showcase and Outreach Community Event takes place at Devonshire Mall on April 27 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Grad student Michelle Peters attempts a cup stacking test while being observed by kinesiology lab coordinator Adriana Duquette. It's just one of the research exhibits visitors to Devonshire Mall will get to try out on Saturday.