Students in Auburn University’s Laboratory for Innovative Technology and Engineering Education (LITEE) program are conducting research on real-world engineering projects at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Chennai, India, through the National Science Foundation’s International Research Experiences for Students program. They will create applications and case studies that will be used as teaching tools in classrooms in both Auburn and Chennai.

Student case study topics being developed this summer include: acoustic design for an auditorium at the American International School in Chennai; development of a business plan for a start-up company in IIT’s research park; design of a non-destructive rail inspection trolley for use on Indian railroads; and an analysis of thermal features for apartment buildings in Delhi and Bangalore that can maintain acceptable temperature levels without air conditioning. Students will collaborate with executives from Larsen and Toubro, a technology, engineering, construction and manufacturing company in Chennai.

LITEE was recognized by the National Academy of Engineers this spring for being an exemplary program that infuses real-world experiences into undergraduate engineering education through multi-media case studies.

Auburn’s LITEE program is led by P.K. Raju, Thomas Walter professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, and Chetan Sankar, Advisory Council professor in the College of Business.

See LITEE’s case studies here