QL Plus and Tech host Prosthetics Competition

QL Plus, a national nonprofit that engineers personalized solutions for injured veterans and first responders, invites media to a live student design competition on Saturday, May 3 at Virginia Tech’s Kelly Hall.

Hosted in partnership with Virginia Tech’s Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics, the event challenges eight student teams from leading universities across the country to develop prosthetic sockets and liners that address heat and moisture buildup—two of the most common issues impacting comfort and usability for lower-limb amputees.

Student teams will present, demo, and test their custom prosthetic socket and liner solutions before a panel of judges that includes injured veterans, prosthetists, VA doctors, and other end users.

WHAT: Lower-Limb Prosthetics Design Competition hosted by QL Plus and Virginia Tech

WHEN: Saturday, May 3, 2025 –  8:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

WHERE: Kelly Hall, Virginia Tech, 325 Stanger Street, Blacksburg, VA 24061

WHO:

• Veterans and below-the-knee amputees Richard Spice (former U.S. Air Force and current clinician at The Hanger Clinic in Roanoke, VA) and Bruce Bishop (former U.S. Army and retiree from U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs).

• Student teams from: Virginia Tech (Mechanical & Biomedical Engineering), Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), University of Dayton, University of Cincinnati, George Mason University, Florida Atlantic University, Rowan University

• Judges: Veterans, prosthetists, VA physicians, and other prosthetic users

• Dr. Chris Arena, Virginia Tech Biomedical Engineering

• QL Plus staff and leadership

Format: Five teams will compete in person, with three joining virtually. Teams will be evaluated on technical design, performance under pressure, and end-user impact.

To RSVP to the event, contact: Jon Amar, (925) 270-6511, jon@jza-pr.com

To contact Virginia Tech: Dr. Chris Arena, Biomedical Engineering & Mechanics, carena@vt.edu

About QL Plus
The Quality of Life Plus Program (QL Plus) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of injured and disabled veterans and first responders through innovative, custom-engineered solutions. By partnering with leading engineering programs, QL Plus empowers the next generation of engineers to create life-changing assistive technology for those who have served. Learn more at www.qlplus.org.

Veterans and first responders can submit project ideas for future collaborations at qlplus.org/request.