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Ardsley students win MIT grant to develop wheelchair invention
By DAVID NOVICH

THE JOURNAL NEWS
Ardsley High School InvenTeam, 2006-07
Ben Barber, Sahib Singh, Ilya Naoumov, Alex Aqel, Richard Bordoni, James Doerhoff, Jeffrey Rovenpor, Jonathan Goldszmidt, Max Brivic, Michael Cornell, Artem Efremkin, Julia Brady, Emil Antonovici
On the Web:
For more information on the Lemelson-MIT Program, check out http://web.mit.edu/invent




ARDSLEY - The problem is easy to see on streets and sidewalks.

The solution is not all that complicated - just a couple of metal ramps attached to poles.

But if it works, it will help millions of people who depend on wheelchairs every day to traverse the urban landscape.

A group of 13 students at Ardsley High School have won a $10,000 national grant to develop the "curb conqueror wheelchair attachment," a ramp system that will allow non-motorized wheelchairs to surmount curbs. By the spring, they are planning to have the invention done and present it at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Sophomore Ben Barber, who has a sister in a wheelchair, came up with the idea.

"I think it's great that things like this can happen," said Barber, 15. "Because we can help the world, and it's fun to invent things."

The invention works much like a sled. Ramps are attached to poles on the side of a wheelchair, creating a flat surface so it can get over curbs.

The idea was one of 20 selected in a grant program funded by the Lemelson Foundation, a private philanthropy that celebrates and supports inventors.

To create the invention, the team has developed a wide range of student talent, from computers and metalwork to writing.

Senior Alex Aqel, whose father owns an iron and sheet-metal company in Manhattan, volunteered when the teacher, Ahron Rosenfeld, asked if anyone knew how to weld.

"I enjoy this kind of stuff," said Aqel. "I don't know why. Maybe it's just because I've been doing it for so long."

Others, such as sophomore Sahib Singh, are reporting to MIT on the team's progress three times this year. Singh reported this month on the design and the importance of dividing labor.

"It's essential for that to be the focus of our team," said Singh.

Rosenfeld said the students are learning the value of teamwork.

"You put all these kids together and you have like a machine that really represents how things are done in terms of teamwork," he said.

The team has already received the attention of Harvey Diamond of Armonk, president and CEO of Drive Medical Design & Manufacturing. He offered to send them sample wheelchairs and consult with his company's engineers. He decided to help after he saw their project on WCBS-TV news.

"I felt it was a great opportunity for myself and my company to chip in and help these students," said Diamond. "And at the same time, I happen to think that the youngsters have come up with perhaps what could be a good invention that could help people for a long time."

Reach David Novich at dnovich@lohud.com or 914-694-3527.