A new magnetostrictive force sensor is presented and its operation is verified experimentally. The sensor has a single excitation coil and a single detection coil, which utilize the magnetostrictive effect. The cores of the coils function as ‘‘spring elements’’ of the sensor, and are linked together by rigid end plates. The magnetostrictive force sensor is compensated for asymmetric magnetostrictive behavior, and measures both tensile and compressive forces. Force sensitivity increases with excitation current and coil turns, but is less influenced by excitation frequency.

MercyDr. Kleinke has over 25 years of industry experience in the design and development of electro-mechanical systems. As a tenure-track faculty member and Chair of the University of Detroit Mercy Mechanical Engineering department, he has developed a program of instruction that promotes student-lead design of assistive technology products for people with disabilities. The guiding principle is that student project work is more meaningful and fulfilling when students have the opportunity to experience interaction with real live "customers." Dr. Kleinke is currently the Director of the Graduate Engineering Professional Programs, emphasizing Systems Engineering and Graduate Product Development programs.In addition to academic work, Dr Kleinke continues his involvement in industry as he conducts seminars on innovation which are tailored to the needs of industrial product companies. Dr Kleinke's work with the Detroit-based technology hub, Automation Alley, is engaging academia in the dissemination of Industry 4.0 knowledge to support the regional industrial ecosystem.

University students are trained in specific disciplines, which can benefit disabled individuals in a variety of ways, including education, health promotion, assistive technologies, logistics, or design improvement. However, collaboration with other disciplines can have a greater impact on improving the health of disabled individuals than can training in one discipline alone. The University of Detroit Mercy Colleges of Engineering and Nursing have partnered to develop and provide assistive devices to disabled individuals while teaching innovation, technology, and collaboration to students. After 4 years of developing and implementing our multidisciplinary program, numerous unique and helpful assistive devices have been designed, created, and delivered to individuals in our community. More nursing schools should initiate multidisciplinary programs to train and prepare students for workplaces where such innovative, collaborative skills are increasingly sought. Nurses need to be at the forefront of such collaborative work.

The operation of a noncontacting magnetostrictive strain sensor (NMASS) is verified experimentally. The sensor has a single excitation and a single detection coil, and utilizes the magnetostrictive effect. The magnetostrictive sensor offers noninvasive strain measurements on ferromagnetic materials with an accuracy comparable to conventional strain gages. The NMASS produces significantly more output compared to strain gages and holds promise for development into a generic strain sensor.

Darrell Kleinke has more than 25 years of industry experience in the design and development of electromechanical systems. As a tenure-track faculty member of the UDM Mechanical Engineering Department, he has adopted a program of instruction that UDM has branded "Faces on Design," in which student project work is made more meaningful as students have the opportunity to see and experience the faces of real live clients. In the series of design courses he teaches, students design mechanical devices for use by disabled clients. In addition to academic work, Kleinke is a registered Professional Engineer and conducts seminars on innovation that are tailored to the needs of automotive engineers. Kleinke's recent publication, "Capstones Lessons to Prepare Students for the Changing World of Corporate Innovation", was awarded fist place as Best Paper at a 2011 regional conference of the American Society for Engineering Education.