EDI Thesis Projects: Class of '26

A smart lifting belt paired with an app that teaches proper bracing through feedback and insights; a bike lock that promises to thwart bike theft attempts; and a wheelchair add-on that provides motor assistance to caregivers when pushing uphill or over rough terrain.

These are just three of the final Thesis projects presented in March by students in Northwestern's Master of Science in Engineering Design Innovation (EDI) program. Thesis is a two-quarter long project that enables students to apply lessons learned in the 18-month program to a topic of their choice - and all of which, happened to result in a life-improving product or service.

Learn more about each Thesis project from the EDI Class of 2026 below.

Riley Nichol - Core

Lower back injuries often sideline new lifters who prioritize heavyweight over proper form and core bracing. While lifting belts supportsafe lifting through improved core stability, most beginners usethem incorrectly, rendering them ineffective. Core is a smart liftingbelt designed to bridge this gap. A companion app teaches properbracing through interactive tutorials and mind-muscle connectioncheck-ins. During lifts, the belt provides real-time haptic feedbackso users know they're bracing correctly. Post-set analyticstrack bracing consistency throughout the movement. Together,they transform bracing from an abstract skill into a measurablehabit, preventing lower back injuries before they happen.

Siyu (Steven) Xiao - LetyGo

As people enter later stages of life, they often face the task ofsorting through a lifetime of belongings. Many of these itemscarry deep meaning. Letting them go can feel like losing part ofoneself. As a result, decluttering becomes emotionally heavy,and many possessions remain untouched. LetyGo addressesthis emotional barrier by supporting people to preserve thestory behind their belongings before making decisions. Userscan record stories in their own voice, store them safely in theirpersonal archive, and, when they feel ready, share the stories andpass the items on. LetyGo shifts letting go from an experienceof loss to an act of continuity. It helps people move forward withconfidence, knowing their stories and connections remain intact.

Johnny Chen - Gaitway

Gaitway is a home health ecosystem that enables aging adults to liveindependently, prioritizing privacy-first monitoring. Unlike cameras orwearables, Gaitway utilizes sensors to provide predictive just-in-timecues—delivering timely, localized alerts when the resident enters ahigh-risk scenario, such as an identified trip hazard or the detectionof irregular gait patterns that signal a heightened risk of falling.The setup is streamlined through the user’s phone camerato scan the home, creating a Digital Twin. This spatialmap allows the AI to intelligently identify environmentalrisks and provide a "prescription" for where sensors andsensory cues should be placed to maximize safety.By continuously analyzing movement data, Gaitway identifiessubtle mobility declines and predicts risks before they result ininjury. It transforms reactive crisis management into a proactivesafety net that respects the dignity and privacy of the home.

 Yen-Shi (Tiffany) Chen - Circa

As female new grads navigate the transition into a new city, oftenfor a first job or a fresh start, they often encounter overwhelminginformation, conflicting advice, and low confidence when makinghigh stakes decisions about where to live. Circa responds to thismoment with a decision support experience that helps womenevaluate neighborhoods through the lens of everyday life, notjust rent prices or generic rankings. By bringing together safetyand comfort cues, cost context, and lived experiences fromwomen with similar routines and priorities, Circa helps usersmove forward with confidence that they are choosing the rightplace for them. Circa also aims to build a supportive toolkit andcommunity that grounds relocation decisions in human centeredinsight into what it actually feels like to live somewhere.

Jack Qu - Dex

We think constantly, but rarely stop to record ourthoughts unless the effort feels worth it. As a result,meaningful ideas and self-insights are often lost.Dex is an AI-powered note-taking tool that makes capturingthoughts effortless. It supports quick braindumps, automaticallyorganizes ideas, and offers intelligent suggestions without requiringstructure upfront. Dex is a valuable thought partner, especiallyfor those with ADHD, using AI to contextually resurface pastthoughts when they matter. No more out of sight, out of mind.

Rachel Xiangci - Orbit

As technology makes it easier to replace in-person interactionswith digital ones, it’s become harder for young adults in transitionallife stages to form and maintain meaningful relationships.Profile-led social apps create a paradox: endless options, but lessconfidence to act when decision-making is based on superficialjudgements and awkward initiations. Orbit is a privacy-firstsocial facilitator that maximizes the probability of in-personconnection by removing the friction of meeting new peopleand deciding what to do together, converting co-presence intospontaneous, low-stakes interactions. Orbit matches users intocurated group expeditions and learns who they want to see,progressing connections through shared experiences. Orbit’smission is to help people meet new faces in spaces they cherish,transform digital substitution into real belonging, proximityinto action, and one-off moments into lasting connections.

Jack Killian - Flint

Charcoal grilling is meant to be a fun and authentic ritual, butgetting started often feels slow, dirty, and tedious. Pouring charcoal,dealing with dust and debris, and searching for scattered tools canmake grilling feel inaccessible for busy families and weekday grillerswho want the experience but not the hassle. Flint is designed toturn the idea to grill into sparks that set a great dinner and nightin motion, rather than letting setup frustrations snuff out thedesire to grill before a fire is ever lit. Acting as a central home forcharcoal, kindling, fire starters, and grilling tools, Flint cleanlydispenses charcoal directly into your chimney starter while keepingeverything organized, accessible, and ready to get you grilling!

Eva Ford - Align

We go to the gym to reclaim ourselves. It is the one window in abusy day where we can sweat off the stress and prove throughphysical progress that we are capable of growth. We show uptrusting that our effort will translate into strength and confidencebut when an injury strikes, the loss is more than physical. It stealsthe version of ourselves we’ve worked so hard to build. In thatmoment of frustration, we’re met with a flood of overwhelmingadvice. Between conflicting internet trends and "quick-fix"hacks, it’s impossible to know what actually works for you.Align is a mobility app designed to protect that foundation.By using camera tracking to assess your unique range ofmotion, it replaces generic trends with a plan built for yourspecific body. With an AI coach and subtle reminders, Alignturns mobility into a seamless habit that protects yourstrength and ensures you never have to stop moving.

Phoenix Lyu - Kinetica

The modern urban commute presents a unique set of conflictingneeds where students and young professionals constantly choosebetween the quick accessibility of their daily essentials and themaximum safety of their personal items. Kinetica directly addressesthis friction by proposing a completely new architectural approachto the daily commuter backpack engineered specifically for thechaotic and fast paced environment of the US public transit system.It reimagines quick access for transit and solves the ergonomicconflict of carrying bulky personal items alongside a sleek semi rigidouter shell that protects fragile electronics from the crush of packedtrains. Ultimately, Kinetica transforms the backpack from a simplestorage sack into a highly functional tool that actively improves thedaily travel experience.

Hao Wang - Nook

Creative work begins with a messy influx of inspiration: a photoof a product, a web link, a sketch on a napkin, or a sudden digitalnote. These fragments often scatter across physical notebooksand disconnected apps, ending up in a "junk drawer" of lostpotential. Nook bridges this gap through agentic knowledgemanagement, serving as a proactive partner that understandsthe hidden connections within your research. Unlike traditionalfolders that just sit there, Nook intelligently resurfaces a long-lostsketch or a specific reference at the exact moment you encountera design block. By transforming a static archive into a responsiveworkspace, Nook allows creators to stop managing files and startbuilding visions. The goal is a seamless transition where yesterday’srandom spark becomes today’s breakthrough. Nook isn't just aplace to save your thoughts; it’s the engine that ensures your bestideas are always within reach when it’s finally time to create.

Ibrahima Bah - Encore

Many home cooks rely on instinct when they season. They adjustflavors in the moment, tasting, tweaking, and experimenting asthey go. Over time, those decisions shape their style, but thedetails are hard to trace and even more difficult to share. Encoresupports intuitive cooking without interrupting it. Designed forsmall kitchens and everyday meals, the system quietly recordsseasoning activity in the background. Each session becomes partof a personal history of flavor that cooks can revisit, refine, andpass on. Encore does not replace intuition. It strengthens it, turningexperimentation into insight and everyday meals into somethingthat can be recreated, evolved, and shared with confidence.

Ramya Ramaswamy - Little Hands

When families learn that their baby is Deaf or hard of hearing, they aresuddenly handed a world of new information: medical appointments,terminology, decisions, and advice. In the middle of that overwhelm,many are told to start learning American Sign Language, but few areshown how to begin in a way that feels manageable in everyday life.Little Hands is a Deaf-centered communication platformdesigned for the earliest months of a baby’s life (newborn to 18months). It helps parents learn to communicate through ASL byintroducing one age-relevant sign at a time and guiding themon how to use it during real moments like feeding, playtime, orbedtime. Flexible and customizable, the platform gently suggestswhat to try and when, reducing mental load and helping parentsfocus on connection rather than being perfect. Over time,these small, consistent interactions build comfort, confidence,and shared communication between parent and baby.

May Phan - Story Stack

Story Stack is a low-stakes storytelling card game designed tomake sharing family memories feel natural and fun. Sharing familystories strengthens identity and connection, but it doesn't alwayshappen easily. Stories can feel challenging to tell, and existingrecording tools often feel like homework. Many families rely onscattered photos or memory, leaving gaps in their shared history.Through prompts inspired by real family stories, Story Stackhelps family members of all ages learn more about one anotherwithout pressure. The game encourages exploration of commonfamily stories, from childhood memories to traditions. Anoptional digital component allows stories to be voice recordedduring gameplay or captured spontaneously outside of it.Recorded stories are sorted by category and player, makingthem easy to find and relive. Over time, families build ameaningful collection of stories that can be passed down.

Isabel Raz Guzmán Macedo - BÁILALO

For many adults, the hardest part of dancing isn't the rhythm—it’s the intimidation of the first step. BÁILALO is an experiencetailored for the beginner starting to learn a structured dance,specifically those unused to moving their body who needextra guidance to understand the mechanics of motion.By integrating wearable haptic technology with interactivevisual interfaces, BÁILALO allows users to feel thefoundational mechanics of dance. Physical pulses and visualcues guide you through basic weight shifts and posture,helping you internalize the ""why"" behind the motion.The philosophy here is simple: Set your base to spark your growth.BÁILALO isn't meant to be a permanent crutch, but a launching pad.It provides the haptic confidence needed to master the basics inprivate so that you can eventually leave the tech behind and steponto any dance floor with a newfound sense of self-assurance.

Sihan Zheng - FinGlance: A News-Driven AI FinancialIntelligence Platform for Young Professionals

FinGlance is a news-first, AI-driven financial decision intelligenceplatform designed to help young professionals make informeddaily investing choices with minimal cognitive load. Builton real-time financial news streams and portfolio context,FinGlance turns breaking headlines into structured event briefsand actionable micro-recommendations. The system combinesbehavioral finance principles with multi-angle analysis toreduce impulsive reactions and FOMO. Through glanceable,lock-screen-to-decision flows and “right-time digestion” forlower-urgency updates, FinGlance aims to improve financialliteracy, decision quality, and long-term financial resilience.ideas are always within reach when it’s finally time to create.

Lauren Harrington - Encase

Packing and accessing jewelry for a trip shouldn’t require strategy,yet most portable jewelry cases depend on intricate systems andtiny features that feel frustrating to use. In search of convenience,many travelers resort to unstructured solutions like tossing piecesinto a pouch or plastic bag, only to find their necklaces knottedtogether in a tangled mess and their smaller items lost duringalready time-sensitive moments, like packing and getting ready.Encase simplifies jewelry storage on-the-go by functioning as aneffortless catch-all for precious pieces. Instead of threading chainsthrough loops or fastening clasps into designated slots, users dropitems into sectioned pockets, close it, and trust that everythingwill stay exactly where it belongs. Once sealed, pieces are gentlysecured between protective film that keeps them separated andfree from tangles, even when packed imperfectly or in a rush.

Zhiyu (Z) Ren - LĀ

This thesis explores how sunscreen application can be redesignedto make effective sun protection more intuitive, hygienic, andindependent. Although dermatological guidelines recommenda specific amount for proper protection, many people under-apply, struggle with hard-to-reach areas like the back, or avoidreapplication because the process feels messy and inconvenient.These gaps often lead to sunburn and long-term skin damage.The project proposes a compact, self-contained, refillablesunscreen applicator that integrates measured dispensingwith a purpose-shaped spreading surface, enabling evencoverage without getting sunscreen on the hands. Designed tobe filled with users’ preferred sunscreen rather than selling aproprietary formula, the system translates dosage standardsinto physical interaction to support greater independence,consistency, and confidence in everyday sun protection.

Samantha Borri - Roll Call

Roll Call is a women's onboarding and retention program forsmall Jiu-Jitsu gyms, hosted on the Fujisports platform. It isdesigned for complete beginners; it is focused around womenwho are curious about BJJ but have never trained before.The program combines three products an Ambassador Program,a Digital Scheduling tool, and a Gym Experience Kit with a fullyautomated communication workflow that takes a new studentfrom first booking to first class feeling supported, informed, andgenuinely welcomed. Ambassadors are matched up with a newstudent automatically, confirmation and hype messages go outwithout the owner having to follow up, and every new student arrivesalready knowing what to expect and who will be waiting for them.Roll Call sits inside Fujisports a platform already used byBJJ gyms for equipment and events making it the naturalhome base for gym owners who want to invite more womeninto the sport without adding complexity to their day.

Ann Mulgrew - Arlo

Arlo is an at-home stroke rehabilitation system that connectsclinician-guided care with game-based therapy. Cliniciansprescribe daily therapeutic games aligned with a patient’s personalgoal, such as making an apple pie. That goal is broken into 3 to5 milestones like mixing ingredients, placing a pan in the oven,and decorating. Each milestone targets specific movementsincluding arm flexion, grip strength, and finger dexterity. Patientsplay prescribed games through an app, such as putting groceriesaway, where they reach, grip, and place objects at varying heightsand force levels. A paired physical controller with motion sensorsand grip sensors tracks arm movement, orientation, speed, andpressure. Progress data is shared with clinicians to personalizerecovery and support measurable, meaningful progress at home.

Joshua Greenburg - The Skip-Stream

When “Thru-Hiking” long-distance trails (like the AppalachianTrail, the Pacific Crest Trail, or the Continental Divide Trail),water filtration and storage become one of the main sourcesof stress for those “going the distance”. Stopping to filter waterslows hikers down, and common filtration systems make hikersfearful of a malfunction that could prevent their access toclean water. The Skip-Stream allows long-distance thru-hikersto collect and filter large quantities of water without wastingtime or expending unnecessary effort. Its shoulder-mounteddesign balances weight and distributes it directly onto the frameof the pack. It separates the filter from the “water collectingprocess” and minimizes the chance of dropping (and potentiallybreaking) the filter. With the Skip-Stream, you have the flexibilityto hike without stopping and drink clean water without fear.

Xinran (Rannie) Li - EMA

EMA is a comprehensive support system designed for parentsof newly diagnosed autistic children (ages 5–10). At its heart isinteroception—the "hidden sense" that allows us to understandinternal body signals, like a racing heart or a growling stomach.For many autistic children, these signals are overwhelming,leading to distress that is difficult to communicate.EMA bridges this gap through an interactive app and a physicaltoy that translate complex emotions into tangible "body clues".By turning everyday moments into shared "body experiments,"the system teaches parents to help their children identifyphysical sensations and match them to specific emotions.Unlike generic therapy tools, EMA empowers families to builda personalized toolkit of "feel-good actions"—transforminginternal confusion into calm, safety, and self-advocacy.

Jimmia Tabe - Spotlight

Spotlight is where unforgettable events begin. As hosts plancelebrations, they often struggle to find entertainers who can trulyelevate their events. The search is fragmented across social media,search engines, and word-of-mouth, leaving hosts overwhelmedand vendors overlooked. In response to this gap, Spotlight providesa curated marketplace designed specifically for discovering andbooking performers for events. Through Spotlight, hosts gain clarityand confidence in planning process, while vendors gain visibility,credibility, and sustainable opportunities to grow their businesses.

Susan Ni - PawMatch

Dog adoption today is often driven by emotion, urgency,and scattered information. Shelters rely on informalcounseling and fragmented systems, while adoptersstruggle to interpret behavior notes, compare listings,and know what to expect after bringing a dog home.PawMatch reimagines this journey as a structured, transparent, andsupported experience. By centralizing listings, capturing meaningfulbehaviour signals, and generating clear “why-this-dog” rationalestailored to each household, PawMatch strengthens decision-making at the moment of adoption. Built-in 3-3-3 guidance andlight-touch follow-ups extend support beyond the shelter doors.The result is a more confident placement process that reducesreturns and builds lasting matches between dogs and families.

Krishna Suresh - Jointly

Think back to your last group trip. Your group chat has 47 messagesabout Barcelona. Sarah saved 30 Instagram reels. Nobody's bookinganything. And you're about to just pick the restaurants yourself.Jointly turns that chaos into an actual plan. Everyone exploresand adds ideas they love (Instagram links, blog posts, whatever).The group votes and comments on ideas. Jointly builds a smartitinerary based on what people actually want, optimized bylocation and timing. See it on a map. Trust it makes sense.Group travel planning made effortless.

Patrick Zhou - Co-Op Creation

My project, CoRoot, is a digital platform designed to help smallfarmer cooperatives form, govern, and operate more effectively.It provides structured yet flexible tools for setting up cooperativegovernance, categorizing decisions, delegating responsibilities,and maintaining shared transparency across members. Insteadof forcing co-ops into rigid, corporate-style systems, the platformsupports democratic decision-making while reducing meetingoverload and administrative burden. By making roles, decisions, andaccountability visible and adaptable, CoRoot acts as a lightweightgovernance took that helps cooperatives coordinate day-to-day operations without compromising their collective values.