INNOVATION / ENTREPRENEURSHIP
THE FUTURE OF FLIGHT Freshman IonoCopter Takes First Place at TREP Expo Embry-Riddle’s 10th annual TREP Expo showcased a variety of concepts from budding innovators, including improvements in space mission design and traceable textiles, along with other exciting projects. This year’s event, held in November at the Daytona Beach Campus, featured 26 venture teams competing in two tracks: the Incubation Track for early-stage concepts and the Acceleration Track for advanced projects. Winning first place in the Acceleration Track, Aerospace Engineering student Andrew Murphy (’27) shocked the judges with his groundbreaking drone concept. Beaming about his win — and the $1,500 award — Murphy humbly admitted his own surprise, “I started this project three months ago, and I didn’t think I would get this far.” Murphy’s award-winning device, which he calls the IonoCopter, enhanced a traditional quadcopter by using ionic propulsion — producing thrust by speeding up charged particles.
Unlike traditional drones, the IonoCopter operates without moving parts, meaning it’s quieter, more efficient and potentially safer for operations in sensitive environments. Drawing on Embry-Riddle’s powerful network of industry connections, Murphy’s patent-pending device caught the attention of aerospace professionals, marking him as an emerging talent to keep an eye on. Not content to rest on his victory for long, Murphy is already dreaming of his next step. His future goals include improving upon his design, expanding his business and eventually working from the MicaPlex research center at Embry-Riddle. Experiences like these empower students like Murphy to dream big — going above and beyond coursework. Like Embry-Riddle itself, the TREP Expo is about taking initiative. Building on existing technologies and creating new ones, Eagles are shaping the future of innovation — and entrepreneurship.
Ready to See Your Innovation Soar? Now in its tenth year, Embry-Riddle’s annual TREP Expo is the university’s premier showcase for entrepreneurial talent and innovation. Open to all students, faculty, staff and alumni, this event serves as a launchpad for turning bold ideas into reality. Hosted by the Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship in collaboration with the David B. O’Maley College of Business, the expo offers mentorship, feedback and networking opportunities with industry leaders. The 2024 event at the Daytona Beach Campus featured 26 venture teams presenting ideas from drone technology and space mission design tools to traceable textiles and beyond. With two competition tracks — Incubation for early-stage concepts and Acceleration for more developed ideas — participants receive valuable feedback to enhance their ventures. TREP Expo continues to empower the next generation of innovators, offering Eagles the resources, guidance and platform to launch market-ready solutions and shape the future of emerging industries.
TREP EXP0
Each year, the TREP Expo competition for entrepreneurs encourages teams to pitch innovative business concepts to a panel of industry leaders. In competition to win funding for their projects, teams are evaluated based on three factors: market potential, creativity and overall appeal.
DID YOU KNOW
At Embry‑Riddle, you’re not just learning to fly — you’re preparing to lead the next era of aviation. As the first university to offer an accredited degree in Uncrewed Aircraft Systems, we’ll take you beyond the flight deck into a world where drones shape industries, defend communities and map the planet.
Florida | Arizona | Worldwide / Online | embryriddle.edu | 18
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online