The Future Belongs to the Innovators

Time: Thursday, April 18, 2013 - 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Type: Seminar Series
Presenter: Dean Kamen; President, DEKA; Founder, FIRST
Room/Office: Room 114
Location:
Sheffield-Sterling-Strathcona Hall
1 Prospect Street
New Haven, CT 06511
United States

Victor M. Tyler Distinguished Lectureship in Engineering

"The Future Belongs to the Innovators"

Dean Kamen
President, DEKA; Founder, FIRST

Dean Kamen is one of America's most prominent inventors and a leading advocate for increasing our country's science and engineering capacity. He is the President of DEKA, a privately owned research and development company, and the Founder of FIRST, an organization dedicated to inspiring the next generation to pursue education and careers in engineering and science.

Many of Kamen's innovations have been in medical technologies, with his work dramatically improving the quality of life for those who have used his inventions. Kamen is noted for developing game-changing technologies in a spectrum of technical disciplines. His inventions include the first infusion pump, a portable dialysis machine, an all-terrain auto-balancing transportation device for the disabled, and an advanced prosthetic arm for injured soldiers. His expertise extends well beyond medical technologies and includes inventing a power generator based on the Stirling engine and a water purifier that uses vapor compression distillation. These two innovations have the ability to be used together to produce clean water using any combustible fuel source, thereby making water purification readily available nearly anywhere in the world.

One of Kamen's proudest accomplishments is the creation of FIRST, a world-wide organization to promote engineering and science as accessible, achievable and rewarding pursuits for youth. With over 300,000 youth participants in more than 60 countries, FIRST is the world's largest engineering outreach program and its impact is well documented by the countless achievements of those who have participated in the program over the last 20 years.

Among Kamen's many honors are the National Medal of Technology presented by President William J. Clinton, election to the National Academy of Engineering, and induction to the National Inventors Hall of Fame. He was presented with the Global Humanitarian Action Award by the United Nations and has been awarded honorary doctorates by ten universities.

April 18, 2013
4 p.m.
Sheffield-Sterling-Strathcona Hall
1 Prospect Street, New Haven, CT
Reception to follow