Engineering Creativity Lab
The Engineering Creative Space at the American University of Beirut (AUB) has been established by Professor Mohammad Harb in 2022. In order to make engineering education more efficient in a way that contributes to the future workforce, Professor Harb gives his students the means to get creative in their courses, using the concepts of Human-centered Design as a core motivator. Students could ideate and prototype in this space, and could also benefit from the available makerspace at AUB, The Red Room, established in 2017. The ongoing research focuses on sustainability of 3D printed structures, and recycling plays a pivotal role in formulating and creating new 3D printing materials.
The Core Concept
Human-centered design (HCD) is an emerging technique in problem solving and product design, where designs are built based on people’s needs and perspectives. When incorporated into engineering education, HCD allows students to better understand the needs of sustainability and therefore design more practical and ethical approaches into problem solving.
The Core Concept
Human-centered design (HCD) is an emerging technique in problem solving and product design, where designs are built based on people’s needs and perspectives. When incorporated into engineering education, HCD allows students to better understand the needs of sustainability and therefore design more practical and ethical approaches into problem solving.
The Space
To enhance the students’ creativity, a space is given where they could conduct their experimental creative work. They could combine different materials and study their material properties using MSFEA and the CRSL facilities at AUB.
The Facilities
The space supplies students with a filament extrusion set, with its cooling array, spooler, and crusher. There is a Creality 3D printer at their disposal to test their created filaments. Also, they have all the space to ideate and conduct group meetings.
Current Projects
Sustainable 3D Printing
Eco-friendly 3D Printing Earth Materials
Four final year project (FYP) students are conducting research to create 3D printing filaments from earth materials. Such eco-friendly materials would revolutionize the sustainability of 3D printing.
Recycling 3D Printing Wastes
Students are recycling wastes from 3D printing by creating new filaments. They are testing them to ensure if material properties are retained after the new extrusion.
Recycling Fishing Nets
A post-doctoral researcher is investigating the recycling techniques of fishing nets. These will be used to obtain sustainable 3D printing filaments.
Composites Research
Recycled Carbon Fiber Composites for Sustainable 3D Printing
A group of enthusiastic Tomorrow’s Leaders Program (TLP) scholarship holders are working on recycling Carbon Fiber to integrate it into 3D printing. Their work is outstanding as they could enhance existing materials by incorporating Carbon Fiber.
Damage Imaging
Description to be provided
Curing Composites
Description to be provided
Makerspace Impact
Check out the facilities provided by The Red Room at AUB.
Working Hours
M-F: 8am – 5 pm
Address
American University of Beirut, Irani Oxy Engineering Complex
EmailS
Professor Mohammad Harb, PhD, Principal Investigator mh243@aub.edu.lb
Farah Tibni, MSc, Collaborator ft15@aub.edu.lb