Project Process

This project consists of three phases: costumer exploration, product design, and business model generation. During the first phase, we are going to perform a market research. Information about target markets or customers will be gathered. This data will help us prepare our initial business model. Market research is a key factor to maintain competitiveness over competitors, it provides important information to identify and analyze the market need, market size and competition. Market research, which includes both social and opinion research, is the systematic gathering and interpretation of information about individuals or organizations using statistical and analytical methods and techniques of the applied social sciences to gain insight or support decision making. In order to make this market research, we are contacting different companies from different industries. Our goal is to make them try the prototype that has been already developed and receive feedback from their experience. After showing the prototype to the different companies we will obtain feedback from the potential users and subsequently improve our product. Finally, once we decide and develop the final software we will come up with a business model. The business model represent core aspects of a business, including purpose, target customers, offerings, strategies, infrastructure, organizational structures, trading practices, and operational processes and policies. In order to be successful in our business model, we will be using all the information gathered during the market research. This will help us target the right industries and be competitive with other current products in the market.

What is Morphing Algorithm?

As mentioned in earlier post, this morphing algorithm finds an optimal solution (in terms of cost function) to the design improvements between two and more objects. The data flow of the algorithm can be summarized in terms of shape input, constrains, cost functions, and output shape as shown in figure below.

The algorithm itself was optimized that it runs faster that the information transmitting time. From this splendid algorithm, we are working on the way to connect it with the designers. We are in the process of discovering the users’ need on the code, and the right business model to distribute this breakthrough technology to the design world.

How does this project started?

Prof. Marcus and Dr. Jiang have developed an optimization algorithm for a high speed train design problem. The algorithm was programmed to find an optimal shape for a train that run half of the time in tunnel, and another half outdoor. To find the optimal shape, two high speed train shapes were selected as basis for the shape design: one that runs in a tunnel, and one that runs outdoor. The algorithm calculated the optimal shape of the train based on types of variables and constraints as follows.

1.      Base train 3D shapes

2.      Cost function (eg. drag, aerodynamics stability measurement)

3.      Constraints (eg. maximum width and height, minimum size of frontal car compartment)

The initial project for this train optimization problem has been successfully executed. Prof. Marcus and Dr. Jiang found during the process of algorithm discovery that it can also applies to other design industries as well. The possible designing applications are various, range from vehicle bodyworks, to helmets, to artery shape for heart surgery, to concept for 3D animation. We are still exploring other industries that this algorithm might be applied to.

Who we are

Who we are...

We are a group of Master of Engineering (M.Eng.) students at University of California, Berkeley. The M.Eng. program is a part of Fung Institute for Engineering Leadership¹. The program requires students to achieve a capstone project as a part of integration of engineering leadership and technical skills together. For our capstone project, we are working on the commercializing a breakthrough design morphing technology. This project is supervised by Prof. Philip Marcus, and Dr. Chung-Hsiang Jiang in the Mechanical Engineering department at the University of California, Berkeley. Our team contact is listed as follows.

Students

Cong Chen, M.Eng. Mechanical Engineering, email: congchen_007@berkeley.edu

Alberto Hermoso Diaz, M.Eng. Civil Engineering, email: ahermoso@berkeley.edu

Theerapat Yangyuenthanasan, M.Eng. Mechanical Engineering, email: theerapat@berkeley.edu

Bin Zou, M.Eng. M.Eng. Mechanical Engineering, email: zou@berkeley.edu

Advisors

Prof. Philip Marcus, Project advisor, email: pmarcus@me.berkeley.edu

Dr. Chung-Hsiang Jiang, Post-doctoral researcher, email: chjiang@me.berkeley.edu

Team Members

Adviser

Philip Marcus

Professor of Mechanical Engineering at 

University of California, Berkeley

Master of Engineering Student Team

Cong Chen
Mechanical Engineering, Product Design




Alberto Hermoso Diaz
Civil and Environmental Engineering




Theerapat Yangyuenthanasan 
Mechanical Engineering, Product Design




Bin Zou
Mechanical Engineering, Advanced Energy Technology