In the world of technology research and development, it’s all about gathering the best and brightest ideas and then synthesizing them so a product can take the next step forward.
That’s why PowerFilm Solar turned to CIRAS. PowerFilm designs and manufactures custom solar modules and power solutions—including lightweight, flexible, waterproof solar-powered battery chargers. They’re used in transportation, the military, marine industries, and outdoor recreation. But the Ames-based company needed some help to improve its LightSaver Max V2 model, specifically simplifying its USB-C port, increasing its battery capacity, and speeding up charging time.
So they reached out to CIRAS to help connect them with the right engineering department’s capstone program.
PowerFilm had worked with CIRAS and capstone projects before with good results. Every Iowa State University engineering senior must
complete a capstone project before graduation, demonstrating their ability to solve real-world problems and help develop potential new products.
It can be tricky to connect a business with the right capstone program, so CIRAS has taken the role of matching company needs to the appropriate Iowa State department.
CIRAS ensures that both the students and the companies benefit from the project,” said Mayra Ramirez, CIRAS project manager.
The students made good progress on the PowerFilm project, but as so often happens, real life intervened. A PowerFilm client needed upgrades on a similar product as soon as possible, so PowerFilm hired a professional consultant to develop the improvements.
But the capstone project turned out to be valuable in other ways, says Dan Stieler, president of PowerFilm. “They did a lot of work researching what is available in USB-C power delivery integrated circuits. That is going to help us in the future.”
The project also had a workforce benefit. Jon Fecht, who was both an employee and an Iowa State student at the time, was able to be part of the capstone project. “It really boosted his knowledge level and expedited his design work with us,” says Stieler.
Stieler estimates the capstone project benefits at around $200,000 over a two-year period in retained or additional sales through modernizations of the current product offering.
Capstone projects “are a good way for companies like ours to expedite product development,” says Stieler. Student work might not result in a completed product, “but it can give you a real jump start.”
For more information, contact Mayra Ramirez at ramirezm@iastate.edu or 515-520-3101.