Header Image Source: Adapted from [1]

Project Summary

February 2025 - April 2025

P3 Team: Swetha Jagannath, Fatima Atiq, Stephanie Nkansas, Swar Thakar, Hugh Carson

https://youtube.com/shorts/utkpX2JsqM0?si=7Z_myWlyHTBG_GZ3

Figure 1. Demonstration of the Semi-Ring Burner Visibility Aid

Proposed Solution

In order to help Kimberly safely and independently detect active cooktop burners, my group developed the Burner Visibility Aid (Figures 1-2), a collection of aluminum semi-rings. The semi-rings are positioned around each burner to provide visual and tactile clues. They are heat-resistant and contrast-enhanced. The design allows Kimberly to safely navigate her stovetop without relying on her phone or risking contact with open flame.

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Important Design Features

• Semi-ring structure provides tactile guidance and visual boundaries without obstructing cookware (Figure 1).
• Made from 6061 aluminum, which withstands temperatures above 400°C and ensures long-term durability.
• Sloped ring surface and white enamel finish create high contrast against the black stovetop for enhanced visibility (Figure 2).
• Mounted using heat-resistant adhesive, making the rings easy to install & maintain.
• Designed for hands-free identification of burner zones, increasing safety and confidence in the kitchen. </aside>

Project Statement

Our client, Kimberly, is a 59-year-old Hamilton resident living with Usher’s Syndrome, a condition that causes progressive vision and hearing loss. Kimberly has tunnel vision, no color or night vision, and 90% hearing loss, making it difficult for her to safely locate stove burners without relying on her smartphone. We were tasked with designing a hands-free, stove-top visibility aid that improves her independence and safety in the kitchen (Figure 1).

Project Objectives

• Follow an iterative design process to develop a functional and accessible stove-top guidance system.
• Explore the design space through objectives, constraints, metrics, and user-focused functions.
• Communicate and test prototypes effectively to incorporate feedback into the final design.
• The final design should be durable, non-intrusive, intuitive, visually accessible, and safe for daily use.
• Test and refine the design based on performance, safety, and usability.
• Present the solution in a client-focused pitch and document the process in a professional engineering report.

Project Constraints

• Design must:
  • Cost less than $100 to fabricate.
  • Be heat-resistant with a melting point above 400°C (to ensure stovetop safety).
  • Be non-interfering, allowing one-handed use and not obstructing Kimberly’s movement.
  • Be securely mounted and require minimal maintenance.
  • Fit within standard stovetop burner dimensions, accounting for limited fabrication space.

Applied & Technical Skills

• 3D modelling with Autodesk Inventor to design and refine burner ring geometry.
• CAD optimization to reduce ring thickness while maintaining structural integrity.
• Decision matrix analysis to select the most effective design based on weighted criteria.
• Iterative prototyping through full-ring, half-ring, and quarter-ring trials.
• Metric-based testing to evaluate durability, usability, and visual effectiveness.
• Material research and life cycle analysis (see Figures 12 in Personal Contributions) to confirm aluminum's suitability.
• User-centered design thinking based on client needs and TA feedback.
• Stove environment simulation to test heat resistance and user interaction.
• Professional engineering communication through structured reports and presentations.

Figure 2. Final Prototype of Burner Visibility Aid: Heat-resistant semi-rings mounted on template to represent stove burner layout.

Project Journey & Design process

Team’s Contributions

Personal Contributions

Project Reflection

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A big lesson I learned during this project was how to let go of overly complex ideas and focus instead on simple, thoughtful solutions that truly meet user needs.

My original concept for the project was a pair of smart glasses that used high-contrast filtering and GPS-based navigation to help Kimberly move through her home more easily. I had done deep research and explored patents like TW202446354A [2], which outlined a white cane with ultrasonic sensors, and US20080120029A1 [3], which described a GPS-enabled haptic feedback system. These technologies inspired me to create something high-tech and assistive. But during our first pitch, our TA pointed out the limitations of what we could build within Design Studio due to time, resources, and tooling. Letting go of the smart glasses was tough, but it ended up being a turning point for me.

We decided to focus on a more grounded and targeted idea: the burner ring. It was a solution designed specifically for Kimberly’s kitchen, where she spends a lot of time and needs to operate safely without relying on sight or audio cues. This project taught me that impactful design doesn’t have to be high-tech. In fact, the most effective solutions are often those that are simple, user-centered, and grounded in real constraints. We created a testing plan that measured the prototype’s usability, visibility, and durability, not just in ideal conditions, but also in practical, real-life scenarios. These decisions helped me grow in my ability to think through both the technical performance and everyday function of what we were designing.

Another major shift in my thinking came during our material selection phase. We initially considered stainless steel for its heat resistance, but after input from our instructor, I realized we hadn’t accounted for important production constraints like how materials are sourced, milled, and manufactured. We ultimately chose aluminum because it was easier to machine, more cost-effective, and scalable. I learned that engineering decisions aren’t just about picking the strongest or most durable material. They are about feasibility at every level, from sourcing to manufacturing to usability. This changed how I think about design. I now understand how important it is to identify real limitations early, whether it’s tooling access, budget, or time, and let those guide the design from the start.

I also learned that balancing creativity with practicality is what makes a design truly effective. Design has to be buildable, testable, and usable for the person it’s intended to help. In future projects, I plan to create testing plans that evaluate not only performance but long-term usability. I will also factor in hidden costs like milling, labor, or distribution, which might not be obvious at first. I’ll work more closely with my teammates and mentors early in the process to get technical feedback before committing to a direction. That kind of collaboration can save time, reduce rework, and make the solution more successful overall.

Looking back, I saw how much I grew in both technical thinking and teamwork. Whether it was brainstorming design improvements, prototyping an alternate CAD model with ridges, or building the life cycle diagram for aluminum, I felt like I was developing the mindset of a real engineer. I now think more critically about sustainability, cost, and long-term usability. From our TA’s comments to our instructor’s industry-based insights, every bit of feedback helped shift my thinking. I’m walking away from this project with a new mindset: one that values clarity, feasibility, and user empathy just as much as it values creativity.

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References