HISTO â€“ HIgh-throughput Student-led Thin-section Operations

Department of Biology

Requested:

$98,806

Status:

Funded

Awarded:

$98,806

Abstract

We request funds to purchase equipment that will drastically reduce the amount of time it takes to prepare hard tissue thin-sections. We seek funds to purchase an EXAKT 400CS, which is a high precision tabletop, thin-section grinder and polisher that will enable graduate and undergraduate students to quickly generate thin-sections of fossilized and desiccated bones and teeth for osteological and paleontological research. The EXAKT 400CS is capable of automatically grinding thin-sections to sub-millimeter accuracy and has interdisciplinary applications in paleontology, oral biology, archaeology, geology, and biology. Acquisition of this equipment will dramatically reduce sample preparation and allow students more time for analysis and interpretation of their results.

Student Accessible Virtual Reality Equipment

Human Centered Design and Engineering

Requested:

$36,278

Status:

Funded

Awarded:

$36,278

Abstract

Although it is becoming an increasingly popular technological platform, access to virtual reality curriculum and development is fairly limited at the University of Washington. The Department of Human-Centered Design and Engineering is developing an initiative to increase access and resources to students at all levels in order to support design, development and research utilizing virtual reality platforms. For this reason, HCDE seeks to acquire 20 virtual reality (VR) workstations and a classroom set (30) of Oculus Quest 2 VR headsets to achieve the following goals: 1. Enable UW students working on virtual reality development projects and research to create VR applications and perform user testing on them; 2. Make high-throughput VR activities by UW students possible at a greater level ; 3. Open the field of VR design and research to students intersecting with HCDE classes and research projects 4. Provide UW HCDE instructors the opportunity to include VR development and immersive experiences as part of their curriculum; 5. Develop Directed Research Groups focused on the intersection of VR and human-centered design. Through these objectives, this initiative will aid in reducing accessibility to VR equipment, thereby increasing equity and access for students interested in learning to develop for virtual reality - an up and coming technology platform. This initiative reinforces UW's position on the forefront of innovation in the fields of VR and interactive education, opening the door for UW students at all levels to begin work in the field of VR development and research from its outset.

Spectrophotometer for analysis of small volumes

Department of Chemistry

Requested:

$12,579

Status:

Funded

Awarded:

$12,579

Abstract

We request funds to purchase a microvolume ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectrophotometer that will be located in the Analytical Facility of the Department of Chemistry. A UV-Vis spectrophotometer is an essential tool used to identify and quantify molecules in the physical and biological sciences. The major benefit of a microvolume UV-Vis instrument is the low-volume sample requirement. This system is designed to measure 1-2 uL of sample. In contrast, the UV-Vis spectrophotomers available in the Department of Chemistry require sample volumes of 1000 uL or more (1000 times the amount of a microvolume instrument). That means students must use a significant amount of sample material and/or they must dilute their sample, which requires additional cost, time, calculations, and can affect the accuracy of the measurement. Given the low sample volumes and diverse needs of student researchers across campus, a microvolume UV-Vis device is an essential research tool.

Comsol Multiphysics software to support student education and research

College of Engineering

Requested:

$48,934

Status:

Funded

Awarded:

$48,934

Abstract

This is a request for additional Comsol Multiphysics software licenses, and to make them available to all students at the University of Washington. Last year’s proposal requested licenses for use in the College of Engineering. Since then, we’ve had many requests for the limited number of licenses, from those both within and outside the College.

Washington Superbike Manufacturing Equipment

Department of Electrical Engineering

Requested:

$3,390

Status:

Funded

Awarded:

$3,390

Abstract

The ultimate goal of the University of Washington is to provide a challenging, meaningful, and well rounded educational experience to students.Our student club Washington Superbike aims to directly provide and enrich these educational experiences for students within both the College of Engineering and the Foster School of Business. We do so by competing in a rigorous international competition with the prototype electric motorcycle our club builds from the ground up every two years. To continue to build upon and deliver this experience to our diverse membership, Washington Superbike regularly requires additional resources, and relies on STF to supplement our club’s regular sponsorship outreach, especially in the COVID-19 climate.

ShopBot CNC Gantry for the McMahon 8 Community Center

Housing and Food Services

Requested:

$53,423

Status:

Funded

Awarded:

$53,423

Abstract

The McMahon 8 Community Center is a multi-use workspace where students can use the woodshop, metal shop, and makerspace for personal or academic projects. The 8 houses nine engineering Registered Student Organization (RSO) teams, as well as workspace and equipment for the Department of Digital Art and Experimental Media (DXARTS). Like the MILL in McCarty Hall, McMahon 8 is open to the entire UW community – undergraduate and graduate students, staff and faculty members. McMahon 8 is the newest site for collaboration, innovation and fostering partnerships on the UW campus funded by UW Housing &Food Services, DXARTS, and the College of Engineering. With varying degrees of support, provided by a full-time staff member, a graduate student, university faculty, and trained student staff, users of McMahon 8 receive safety training and help with their projects while knowledge transfers from entry-level all the way to professional and research level. This proposal is requesting a new ShopBot CNC Gantry machine that can be utilized by anyone in the UW community. HFS, DXARTS, and CoE will contribute monetary resources toward the electrical upgrade and staff training required to install and use this piece of equipment. Approval of this proposal will continue to enhance our goal of providing a space for students to be able to work with equipment that is difficult or impossible to access throughout campus. HFS is committed to helping train and teach students. We will have full-time staff available to students, in addition to an anticipated student staff of over 10 individuals. In accordance with our current operating plan, we also plan to facilitate at least 10 workshops and trainings on the ShopBot for students each quarter.

Procurement of a 24/7 accessible Community Fridge!

ASUW SFC

Requested:

$7,707

Status:

Funded

Awarded:

$7,707

Abstract

Here in the University of Washington on the Seattle campus, we host a myriad of students with their varying backgrounds. My claim about UW and our students is meant to be broad because it means that we have a broad and wide range of students coming from different communities, income classes, neighborhoods, and across nations borders. As an institution, we are responsible for the care and well-being of our students in providing ways and resources to not only succeed in their academics but also experience success in their personal life and development. Without ensuring sustained student health and well-being, a student cannot be expected to learn and work. We have students who may struggle during their academic career due to financial and/or food insecurity. This can be shown in a study that was conducted by the Evans School of Public Policy (copypaste link to view https://evans.uw.edu/wp-content/uploads/files//student_housing_and_food_insecurity_report_may2019.pdf).

Collections-Based Archaeology Research Toolkits

Burke Museum

Requested:

$40,558

Status:

Funded

Awarded:

$40,558

Abstract

The Archaeology Department at the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture requests funding to facilitate student research. We are requesting ten mobile workstation kits, 3 imaging kits, and three specialized research stations The new Burke Museum opened in Fall 2020, and the Archaeology Department has increased student research space by 200%, providing undergraduate and graduate students with extensive direct access to collections-based research equipment and space. The Burke houses over one million archaeological artifacts and thousands of related archives from around the world with an emphasis on artifacts from the Pacific Northwest and the Western Pacific. These research collections provide vital data for Archaeology graduate and undergraduate students in their research, serve Museology students through internships and graduate research, and promote interdisciplinary research for students in many related departments including the iSchool, Anthropology, Art History, American Indian Studies and Geography. To successfully accommodate and provide for high-quality student driven research, the Burke Museum Archaeology Department requires new field and laboratory equipment. The proposed equipment will benefit dozens of Archaeology and Museology graduate students currently conducting research, as well as future graduate students and numerous undergraduate students by facilitating on-site and off-site access to collections and computing and other equipment necessary to conduct analyses. The proposed equipment will eliminate the need for loaning collections, providing greater access while simultaneously protecting collections from damage and loss. The above kits will also eliminate the need for students to provide their own work space and equipment. When not in use at the museum, the mobile research kits will be available for checkout for research conducted on non-Burke collections and in the field.

STLP Equipment Renewal - Winter 2021

UW Finance and Administration

Requested:

$239,401

Status:

Funded

Awarded:

$239,401

Abstract

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the inventory of laptop computers maintained by the Student Technology Loan Program (STLP) has experienced a surge in utilization by students. The program completely depleted its inventory of these devices during autumn quarter and is on track to do so again during winter quarter. This is despite heavy investment in both laptop and tablet computers utilizing the program's yearly block funding as well as a supplemental funding request approved in late spring 2020. Since the beginning of the pandemic, the program has procured a total of 304 laptop and 200 tablet computers. With the majority of the program's FY21 block funding already spent, the remaining balance is insufficient to conduct further mass replacement efforts. The program is proud to be in a position to lend technology items to so many students during this critical time; however, the experience continues to make real a frequent need to make bulk updates to the program's computing inventory. The program anticipates its inventory of laptop devices will remain under strain for at least the remainder of the academic year.

School of Aquatic & Fishery Sciences Quantitative Computing Lab Refresh

School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences

Requested:

$36,492

Status:

Funded

Awarded:

$50,945

Abstract

Computer workstations in the School of Aquatic & Fishery Sciences (SAFS) Quantitative Computing Lab (QCL) were established with STF funding in 1997, fully updated in 2002, 2007 and last refreshed in 2015 by STF Proposal 2015-002 entitled, “FAST TRACK Upgrade of the Fishery Sciences Building Quantitative Computer Lab.” The QCL) consists of 12 PC workstations using dual 24”monitors. This lab has served the high computational, quantitative, and technical needs of undergraduate and graduate students in the southwest campus (SAFS, Oceanography, Marine Affairs) as well as hundreds of undergraduate students from many other departments (e.g., mathematics, zoology, chemistry, genetics, sociology, political sciences, English, biology) that have classes or spend study time in the Fishery Sciences Building. We propose to replace these workstations because they no longer meet the intensive CPU processing and high memory demands of the students that use this facility. All current workstations in the QCL have reached the industry standard hardware lifecycle (5-8 years) and the 5-year equipment warranties have expired.

Funding Status: Funded