Skip to main content

BeAM Design Innovation Hub: Where UNC’s Boldest Ideas Take Shape

Glenn Walters, above and bottom left, who leads the BeAM Design Innovation Hub, works on the assembly of a 3D-printed cilium model for an exhibit exploring the science of cellular mechanics at the Morehead Planetarium and Science Center.

By Dave DeFusco

At the heart of UNC-Chapel Hill’s research ecosystem lies the BeAM Design Innovation Hub, an essential resource that empowers students, faculty and researchers with engineering consultation, design, fabrication and prototyping services. Leading this initiative is Glenn Walters, a professor of the practice in the Department of Applied Physical Sciences, whose expertise and hands-on approach have made the Hub a dynamic force in advancing innovation across disciplines.

Walters’ role at the BeAM Design Innovation Hub is to bridge the gap between research and practical application. His work involves tackling unique, highly specific engineering challenges that emerge from various research projects at UNC. Whether crafting devices for medical studies, developing interactive museum exhibits or supporting astronomical observation tools, Walters helps transform conceptual ideas into tangible realities.

One such project currently underway is for UNC’s School of Dentistry, working with Dr. Julie Marchesan, an assistant professor in UNC’s Adams School of Dentistry, who needed custom procedure beds for rat root canal studies. Originally designed in a Brazilian lab, the beds required refinement and fabrication for their use at UNC. Walters took photographs and rough dimensions provided by the researcher, translated them into computer-aided design (CAD) models, sourced materials and assembled the prototypes. With the first unit completed, adjustments will be made based on initial testing before producing additional models.

Beyond traditional research applications, Walters has played a key role in developing interactive science exhibits for Morehead Planetarium and Science Center. His involvement in this initiative spans years, contributing to hands-on displays that engage visitors in understanding complex scientific principles. A recent project includes designing 33 modules for an exhibit on stars and astronomy.

Some highlights include: A large, illuminated globe representing the Sun, featuring a sunspot that visitors can track using a control mechanism. This activity mimics how astronomers measure the orbital rotation rate of distant stars by monitoring the movement of sunspots. An interactive display that allows visitors to see their image in regular visible light alongside an infrared view, demonstrating how infrared cameras detect heat signatures beyond human perception. And a yet-to-be-finalized exhibit illustrating how astronomers use spectroscopy to identify elements in stars. Potential ideas include a rotating wheel displaying different spectral lines for various elements, allowing visitors to match them with reference samples.

Glenn Walters

“Unlike many museums that outsource exhibit production to high-cost fabrication firms, Morehead Planetarium prefers a collaborative, in-house approach,” said Walters. “I work with the Morehead team to interpret scientific concepts, design physical representations and coordinate with other fabricators for construction, creating engaging and educational exhibits.”

Walters has also played a crucial engineering role in the development of the Argus Array, an ambitious astrophysical observatory project. Inspired by Argus Panoptes, the all-seeing giant from Greek mythology, this project aims to monitor transient astrophysical events with an array of small telescopes. The Argus Array Pathfinder, a prototype consisting of 38 telescopes, was deployed to observe a vast portion of the sky, recording real-time celestial changes. The team hopes to expand the array this year to 900 telescopes, creating a 55-gigapixel continuous recording of the night sky.

Walters was brought onto the project at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, providing engineering consultation, material selection guidance and structural design expertise. His contributions ensured that the observatory’s components could be built in Chapel Hill, transported to its mountain site and assembled without damage. The success of the Pathfinder phase laid the groundwork for the larger array, which aims to revolutionize transient event detection in astronomy.

In addition to his contributions to research projects, Walters is deeply invested in educating students about the value of hands-on engineering and prototyping. He teaches APPL 110: Introduction to Design and Making for Engineers, a course that exposes students to the full design-to-fabrication process. Walters emphasizes that true innovation requires more than simply 3D printing a downloaded design—it involves critical thinking, iteration and collaboration.

The BeAM Design Innovation Hub is one of several engineering support facilities at UNC, alongside the Physics Instrumentation Shop, the Critical Electronics Instrumentation Lab in the Department of Chemistry and the Applied Mathematics Fabrication Lab. Walters’ expertise in mechanical design, engineering consultation and fabrication makes the Design Innovation Hub a vital asset for researchers and students.

“BeAM MakerSpaces provide a platform for students to gain practical experience, allowing them to use cutting-edge tools, work on real-world projects and collaborate with peers,” said Walters. “I encourage students to engage with makerspace resources, participate in workshops and interact with the community of innovators who use these facilities. Watching YouTube tutorials can be helpful, but engaging with peers in a makerspace provides a validating, problem-solving environment that accelerates learning.” 

February 3, 2025