Students Showcase Innovation at 2026 BME Bioinstrumentation Expo

The Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Colorado Boulder recently hosted its annual Bioinstrumentation Expo, where students in BMEN 3030 presented innovative, hands-on projects that highlight the intersection of engineering and medicine. The event marked the culmination of a semester of design, experimentation, and collaboration under the guidance of instructors Dr.Yide Zhang and Arielle Blum.

The Bioinstrumentation course introduces students to the principles behind systems used to measure and interpret biological signals, including biopotentials, pressure, motion, and other physiological phenomena. Throughout the semester, students learn how these signals can be converted into meaningful electronic data and applied to real-world biomedical challenges.

A central component of the course is a semester-long design project in which student teams identify a biomedical need and develop a functional device to address it. These projects require the integration of sensors, circuits, and microcontrollers to acquire and analyze physiological data, reinforcing the course’s emphasis on hands-on, application-driven learning.

The Expo provided an opportunity for students to present their final projects to peers, faculty, and members of the CU Boulder community. The projects showcased a wide range of applications, from systems designed to monitor physiological signals to devices aimed at improving accessibility and patient care. Each team demonstrated both technical skill and the ability to apply engineering principles to complex biomedical problems.

The Bioinstrumentation Expo serves as a celebration of student innovation and collaboration, highlighting the value of hands-on design experiences in preparing future biomedical engineers. By combining theory with real-world application, BMEN 3030 continues to equip students with the skills and mindset needed to advance healthcare technology.