Description:
Princeton Docket # 16-3217-1
Researchers at Princeton in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering have designed a self-erasing chalkboard for improving the quality of classroom learning.
Conventional chalkboards are erased via the physical motion of moving a chalk eraser over prior chalk marks. Using electromagnetism, this new chalkboard immediately self-erases, providing a clean slate for educators to continue teaching. This invention employs a unique chalk composition, which was designed using an advanced understanding of fracture mechanics, to dramatically improve the erasing process without changing the simplicity of writing on a chalkboard. To accomplish this, the chalkboard incorporates an electromagnetic mechanism that repels the chalk from the board. Using this invention, the instructor only has to press a button and unwanted writing is removed, instead of halting lecture and tediously erasing a board, often leaving behind unwanted marks. The invention increases the efficiency of classroom teaching and has immediate application in the education industry.
Applications
• Education
• Toys
• Office settings
• Home automation
Advantages
• Selective and immediate erasure
• No moving parts
• Complete erasure
• No physical eraser needed
• Uses inexpensive technologies
• Preserves a continuous learning experience
Inventors
Winston Soboyejo received his Ph.D. in materials science from Cambridge University in 1988. He then worked at McDonnell Douglas Research Labs, The Ohio State University and MIT before joining the Princeton faculty as a professor in mechanical and aerospace engineering in 1999. Soboyejo moved to WPI as Dean of Engineering in September of 2016. He is the recipient of National Young Investigator Awards from NSF and ONR, and research/innovation awards from Princeton and Ohio State University. He is also a Visiting Scholar at Princeton University. His current research focuses on the structure and properties of multifunctional materials.
Aarav Chavda is an undergraduate senior in the Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Department at Princeton University. His research focuses on fracture mechanics, nanomaterials, and vision-enabled robotics. In past research, he has built and worked on Fibertect, a nonwoven materials science innovation that selectively absorbs harmful toxins in chemical warfare settings, and sold contracts to the U.S. military.
Isaac Ilivicky is an undergraduate senior in the Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Department at Princeton University. His research focuses on electromagnetism applications and optimizing efficiency through energy management systems and aerodynamic analysis. His work in optimization includes a comprehensive aerodynamics data visualization program for NASA's Space Launch System, which has been used for wind tunnel testing strategy determination.
Intellectual Property & Development status
Patent protection is pending.
Princeton is currently seeking commercial partners for the further development and commercialization of this opportunity.
Contact
Michael R. Tyerech
Princeton University Office of Technology Licensing • (609) 258-6762• tyerech@princeton.edu
Sangeeta Bafna
Princeton University Office of Technology Licensing • (609) 258-5579• sbafna@princeton.edu