University of Cincinnati

04/23/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/23/2026 19:57

UC students engineer cold-weather lifeline for Paralympians

UC students engineer cold-weather lifeline for Paralympians

Capstone project provides impactful solution for athletes

5 minute read April 23, 2026 Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on LinkedIn Share on Reddit Print Story Like

Winter Paralympians often feel left out in the cold, literally, as they struggle to stay warm during long stretches between races.

Three University of Cincinnati students aim to change that, designing a residual limb warmer to help athletes stay comfortable while resting without their prosthetics. They brought their idea to life in the Ground Floor Makerspace at UC's 1819 Innovation Hub, and now WLWT reports that they're ready to help keep athletes warm as they recover after bobsled and skeleton runs.

A solution with impact

Edelenbos using his team's residual limb warmer. Photo/Stephen Kenney

Mechanical engineering seniors Ethan Edelenbos, Joe Robbins and Ruiyang Sun wanted a capstone project that would do more than just complete their degree. They wanted to help others.

A nonprofit group called Project S.E.R.V.E. dedicated to improving the lives of veterans and first responders living with disabilities offered the chance to do just that.

Erik Mossberg, a Paralympic athlete who lost his left leg in 2011 during the Iraq War, loves competing in winter sports but faces one big challenge. Amputees like Mossberg often remove their prosthetic limbs between runs, leaving residual limbs exposed to the cold and increasing the risk of nerve damage or other complications.

The charity connected Edelenbos, Robbins and Sun. Soon the engineers realized they'd found not just a senior project but a purpose.

Our team was inspired by the opportunity to work with a group that typically does not receive a great deal of attention.

Ethan Edelenbos, UC College of Engineering and Applied Science

"Our team was inspired by the opportunity to work with a group that typically does not receive a great deal of attention or specialized equipment support," Edelenbos says. "We wanted to create something that could meaningfully help athletes who face unique challenges in the sport."

Building for a cause

Motivated by Mossberg's experience, the team began sketching ideas for residual limb warmers. Each student created an individual design. They traded feedback to combine the best elements. The team refined and tested updates until they felt confident it would meet the needs of Mossberg and other athletes.

The limb warmer's previous and current prototype. Photo/Stephen Kenney

To turn their final concept into a usable one, the students relied on the 1819 Innovation Hub's makerspace.

"The sewing machines available in the 1819 Ground Floor Makerspace allowed us to access the threading, bobbins and sewing equipment needed to assemble the layered fabrics that make up our device," Edelenbos said.

As the final prototype for the limb warmer nears completion, Edelenbos, Robbins and Sun are running tests to check temperature performance, moisture control and water resistance.

They showcased their work during CEAS EXPO in early April.

Looking ahead, the team hopes its design not only supports Mossberg but benefits Paralympians across cold-weather sports. Their goal: "To allow athletes to focus fully on their sport without worrying about the negative effects cold temperatures can have on their residual limbs."

Where makers thrive

The team chose the 1819 Innovation Hub for a reason. As Greater Cincinnati's best-equipped makerspace, spanning more than 12,000 square feet, it has everything needed to turn bold ideas into physical creations.

Sewing machines at 1819's Ground Floor Makerspace. Photo/Stephen Kenney

Bearcats enjoy free access to the space, using it for personal projects, professional work and capstones alike. Certification programs and workshops make it easy for anyone to get started, whether they're new or experienced.

"Projects like this are a win-win: Students gain hands-on experience tackling real-world challenges, while community partners and clients receive thoughtful, bespoke solutions tailored to their needs," Benjamin Jones, director of the 1819 Ground Floor Makerspace, says. "It's a powerful example of how making with purpose can create meaningful impact both inside and outside the classroom."

For Edelenbos, Robbins and Sun, building their residual limb warmer at the makerspace was more than a project. Completing their capstone was a relief, but honoring veterans and first responders through Project S.E.R.V.E. gave their work a deeper meaning no deadline could match.

Featured image at top: Edelenbos, Robbins and Sun at their booth during CEAS EXPO 2026. Photo/Stephen Kenney

Impact Lives Here

The University of Cincinnati is leading public urban universities into a new era of innovation and impact. Our faculty, staff and students are saving lives, changing outcomes and bending the future in our city's direction. Next Lives Here.

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University of Cincinnati published this content on April 23, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on April 24, 2026 at 01:57 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]