"Anyone can be an inventor. However, most people give up the idea to be an inventor before a good idea comes up." This is one of the wise sayings by the king of invention, Thomas Edison. To become an inventor is not hard. The first step is simply making something comfortable and easy to use. There is a class not to be an inventor but to develop inventive skills. There is a subject related to invention at KMU. This subject is for undergraduates and has a different name for each grade. The level gets higher each year, so students can create an invention related to their major at the end.

 Introduction to Engineering Design is the class for freshmen. The School of Electrical Engineering applies  TRIZ (Teoriya Reshniya lzobretatelskikh Zadatch). TRIZ is a problem solving method based on logic and data. TRIZ also ensures repeatability, predictability, and reliability due to its structure and algorithmic approach. For example, let us suppose the task is to find a needle in the grass. We can suggest finding it directly or think of a more convenient way by using a magnet. The goal of TRIZ is to find the most convenient ways and utilize them. Based on this method, students try to find things that bother them in their everyday life, and solve them.

 Kim Eui Hyun, Kim Jung Mok (Freshman, School of Electrical Engineering) designed an eraser called Environment Eraser. Think about the eraser. It is not only dirty but also harmful for the health, so they took these issues into account and made an Environment Eraser which involves the use of malic acid. This eraser is similar to correction fluid, and removes the carbon with phtalic acid ester. The School of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering has improved a weak point of the piano keyboard, by eliciting students' creative ideas. This department not only provides students with practical lessons, but also has them think in a variety of ways. In the School of Advanced Materials Engineering, students were given an assignment to make a photovoltaic power car. The surface of the car is composed of silicon solar batteries which can convert light energy into electric energy. How can the car run faster and be more durable? This is the issue to think about and to solve. Who can handle this issue most innovatively? We are looking forward to finding out.

 The class called Capstone Design is for seniors. Capstone Design is related to their major and they create using their more advanced knowledge. Park Min Ah, who won an award both in our school and also in the whole country in hydraulic engineering, initiated the idea called Point-Of-Care (POC). This idea originated from the problem of so many Africans who have died from AIDS. The Point-Of-Care machine has the advantage not only of diagnosing AIDS early by observing the size and shape of the cell, but also simplifies the testing process, so many people will be able to use this machine. She said, "In Introduction to Engineering Design, it°Øs possible to enable students to think creatively about a subject and limited matter. In Capstone Design, students must choose their own subject and design, and make their own numerical analysis. Therefore, it's difficult but it is effective because they learn many things by being their own leader."
 Kim Ju Heon (Professor, School of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering) said, "In reality, students seldom have the chance to design and manufacture their ideas, but in this class, they can learn to do it smoothly in the future. To do the course effectively, you should think actively and be curious. Furthermore, it is a beautiful experience to cooperate and share with your friends."

 Every year, KMU holds a Capstone Design Fair by CIEEK (Center for Innovation in Engineering at Kookmin University). This tournament gathers all students in the Engineering Department to compete with their creative ideas. At this year's fair, Kim Sang Kyun and Lee Man Ho (School of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering) designed a novel bike that has an automatic transmitter for different topographies. They had a great result, coming in first in the whole country, and winning a gold statue. Today, there’s a Design Competition being held in the Engineering Building. If you want to see what the department of technology has created, why not check it out! 

THE KOOKMIN REVIEW No.214