“With a working concept that can make collecting and storing clean renewable energy more efficient, we really wanted to see David and Janio compete at the GHTC. We are really proud of the work they produced.”

Two recent local DeVry University graduates, David Palmer and Janio Moreno, were honored with the People's Choice Award at the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) Global Humanitarian Technology Conference (GHTC). Palmer and Moreno received the award for their Solar Energy Tracking System, which is designed to collect, store and use clean renewable energy from the sun.

The Solar Energy Tracking System operates by orienting a group of solar cells or solar panels into an optimal location to collect energy from the sun, then stored in lithium ion batteries to be used at a later time. The system can be used in residential, commercial and personal applications to power home appliances, cars, irrigation systems, etc., or to generate energy for lighting, cooking and heat when living or traveling off the grid.

The concept was created by Palmer and Moreno, along with other fellow students, in a product development class at DeVry's Long Beach campus, where they built the energy system as their senior project, a final course required for graduation. With the encouragement of their professors, Palmer, who lives in Banning, and Moreno, who resides in Moreno Valley, presented their Solar Energy Tracking System and the results it produced at the GHTC. Engineering students from around the world presented their projects that were designed to address critical humanitarian issues of vulnerable populations or for those with limited resources.

"Our senior class projects are designed to introduce students to real-world experiences, with hands-on opportunities to help solve a need or business problem, and be applied or useful in the world," said Mostafa Mortezaie, Ph.D., professor and faculty chair, College of Engineering and Information Sciences at DeVry University. "With a working concept that can make collecting and storing clean renewable energy more efficient, we really wanted to see David and Janio compete at the GHTC. We are really proud of the work they produced."

DeVry University offers associate, bachelor and master degree programs, online or at one of its 45+ locations nationwide. For more information on DeVry University or any of its undergraduate or graduate degree programs, please visit www.devry.edu.


About DeVry University

DeVry University's mission is to foster student learning through high-quality, career-oriented education integrating technology, business, science and the arts. Founded in 1931, the university offers undergraduate and graduate programs onsite and online within its six areas of study: Accounting, Business, Healthcare, Technology, Liberal Arts, and Media Arts & Technology. The university is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC, www.hlcommission.org). To learn more about DeVry University, visit devry.edu.