George Mason University Team Wins Third Place in National Assistive Tech Challenge with Innovation for Prosthetic Liners
At George Mason University’s College of Engineering and Computing, a student team has earned national recognition for their ingenuity and commitment to inclusive design. Led by Dibyashree Basu, the team was awarded Third Prize in the year-long 2024–2025 QL Plus National Design Competition, which brings together engineering students from top universities to develop real-world solutions for injured veterans and first responders.
Their project focused on mitigating heat and moisture buildup in prosthetic liners—a persistent problem that impacts the comfort, hygiene, and mobility of prosthesis users. Using advanced materials like aluminum oxide (Al₂O₃) coatings and two types of silicone, the team designed an innovative prosthetic interface aimed at improving temperature regulation and moisture wicking, especially in warm or active environments.
“We used Fusion 360 to design our prototype,” Basu wrote in a reflection on LinkedIn. “QL Plus continues to accelerate assistive technology for injured veterans and first responders. Though we were beat out by the two Virginia Tech teams, I’m so proud that our team just took Third Prize.”
The competition brought together teams from leading institutions such as Virginia Tech, Rowan University, University of Colorado, University of Cincinnati, and University of Dayton. Despite the stiff competition, the GMU team’s thoughtful materials approach and rigorous engineering design stood out among a field of outstanding entries.
Basu also credited her educational journey at George Mason University as being a pivotal moment. “Once again, I feel grateful for making the best decision when the opportunity was right in front of me—transferring to George Mason University - College of Engineering and Computing for my final undergrad year and pursuing my master's from Thapar Institute of Engineering & Technology.”
The project was fully funded by George Mason University, allowing the team to travel and participate in the final competition showcase. Basu shared her gratitude to her team—Cassidy Worzalla, Kunaal Jindal, and Gabriel Gibson—and to their project mentors Shani Ross, Stephen McMillan, and Kristie Yelinek for their guidance throughout the process.
The team's work exemplifies the mission of QL Plus. In this case, the GMU team tackled a nuanced but widespread issue in prosthetic design—demonstrating not just technical skill, but deep empathy and awareness.
As George Mason continues to expand its reputation in biomedical engineering and human-centered innovation, this national placement is a testament to the university’s growing impact.
(Photo credit: Dibyashree Basu)
