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Essays on Engineering

Crafting an engineering essay isn't just about equations and diagrams; it's a blend of science, creativity, and effective communication. We're here to sprinkle some wisdom your way with tips, prompts, and a bunch of inspiring ideas to get those engineering gears turning.

1. Prompts to Get Your Brain Buzzing

Let's explore some sample prompts. These will help you understand the types of questions you might encounter:

• Discuss the impact of emerging technologies on the field of civil engineering.
• Analyze the environmental sustainability challenges in modern electrical engineering projects.
• Examine the role of robotics in revolutionizing manufacturing processes.
• Explore the ethical considerations in engineering decision-making, using a real-life case study.

These prompts serve as springboards for your essay, guiding your thoughts and helping you structure your content effectively.

2. Brainstorming Epic Essay Topics

Choosing the right topic is the first step towards crafting an outstanding engineering essay. Here are some points to consider while brainstorming:

• Passion: Pick a topic that genuinely excites you. Your enthusiasm will shine through in your writing.
• Relevance: Ensure your chosen topic is relevant to current engineering trends or issues.
• Originality: Avoid well-trodden paths and aim for a unique angle or fresh perspective.
• Research Potential: Confirm that there's enough research material available to support your chosen topic.
• Practicality: Consider the practical aspects of your topic and whether it can be explored effectively in an essay format.

Once you've considered these points, you'll be better equipped to select a topic that'll make your essay stand out.

3. 20 Engineering Essay Topics to Ignite Your Imagination

Now, let's get those creative engineering juices flowing with a list of unique and thought-provoking essay topics:

• 3D Printing Revolution: Explore the impact of 3D printing technology on various engineering disciplines.
• Engineering Marvels: Analyze a renowned engineering project like the Panama Canal or the Burj Khalifa, highlighting its challenges and innovations.
• AI in Healthcare: Discuss the role of artificial intelligence in improving healthcare technology and patient outcomes.
• Sustainable Energy Solutions: Examine the advancements in renewable energy sources and their potential to combat climate change.
• Space Exploration and Engineering: Explore the engineering feats behind space missions, such as the Mars rovers or the International Space Station.
• Green Building Technologies: Analyze the latest trends in eco-friendly construction methods and materials.
• The Ethics of Autonomous Vehicles: Discuss the ethical dilemmas surrounding self-driving cars and their impact on society.
• Water Resource Management: Examine innovative engineering solutions for sustainable water supply and management.
• The Future of Transportation: Explore the possibilities of hyperloop technology and its potential to revolutionize transportation.
• Engineering in Disaster Relief: Analyze the role of engineering in disaster response and recovery efforts.
• Nanotechnology Breakthroughs: Discuss the recent breakthroughs and applications of nanotechnology in various engineering fields.
• Biomechanics and Sports Engineering: Examine the engineering behind sports equipment and how it enhances athlete performance.
• Space Elevators: Explore the theoretical concept of space elevators and their feasibility for future space travel.
• Renewable Energy Storage: Analyze innovative methods for storing renewable energy efficiently.
• Engineering in Art Conservation: Discuss how engineering techniques are used to preserve and restore valuable works of art and cultural heritage.
• Humanoid Robotics: Examine the development of humanoid robots and their potential applications in various industries.
• The Role of Engineers in Climate Change Mitigation: Discuss how engineers are actively working to combat climate change through sustainable solutions.
• Environmental Impact of E-Waste: Analyze the environmental consequences of electronic waste and potential engineering solutions.
• Engineering Challenges in Underwater Exploration: Explore the unique challenges engineers face in designing equipment for underwater exploration.
• Smart Cities: Discuss the concept of smart cities and how engineering plays a pivotal role in their development.

These topics offer a wide range of exciting possibilities to explore in your engineering essay. Pick one that resonates with your interests and dive right in!

4. Inspiration for Crafting Stellar Paragraphs

Now, let's sprinkle some inspiration on your essay with sample paragraphs and phrases that can elevate your writing:

Paragraph 1: Introduction

Engineering is the backbone of modern civilization, driving innovation, and shaping our world. In this essay, we embark on a thrilling journey through the fascinating realm of engineering, exploring its diverse facets, challenges, and contributions to society. From cutting-edge technologies to sustainable solutions, we'll delve deep into the heart of engineering excellence.

Paragraph 2: The Impact of 3D Printing Technology

3D printing technology has revolutionized the way we design and manufacture products across various industries. Its applications span from aerospace to healthcare, offering cost-effective and efficient solutions. For instance, in the aerospace sector, 3D printing has enabled the creation of intricate and lightweight components, reducing fuel consumption and carbon emissions. This breakthrough technology not only enhances engineering efficiency but also paves the way for a more sustainable future.

Paragraph 3: Ethics in Engineering Decision-Making

Engineering isn't just about technical know-how; it also involves ethical considerations that can have far-reaching consequences. Take the example of the decision-making process in designing autonomous vehicles. Engineers face complex moral dilemmas, such as how an autonomous car should prioritize passenger safety over pedestrians or vice versa. These ethical questions require careful examination and transparent discussions to ensure that engineering advancements align with societal values and priorities.

Paragraph 4: The Future of Sustainable Energy

As the world grapples with the impending climate crisis, engineers play a pivotal role in developing sustainable energy solutions. Solar panels, wind turbines, and energy-efficient buildings are just a few examples of engineering innovations aimed at reducing carbon footprints. For instance, the incorporation of energy-efficient materials in construction not only lowers energy consumption but also contributes to the longevity of buildings, reducing maintenance costs. This intersection of engineering and sustainability holds the promise of a greener and cleaner future.

Paragraph 5: The Challenges of Space Exploration

Engineering marvels are prominently displayed in the field of space exploration. The challenges engineers face are immense, from designing spacecraft capable of surviving the harsh conditions of space to ensuring the safety of astronauts during extended missions. The Mars rovers, with their remarkable ability to explore the Red Planet remotely, showcase the engineering ingenuity required for interplanetary exploration. These endeavors expand our understanding of the universe and inspire the next generation of engineers to reach for the stars.

And there you have it, dear engineering essay enthusiast! Armed with prompts, brainstorming tips, unique topics, and inspirational sample paragraphs, you're well-equipped to embark on your journey of crafting an exceptional engineering essay. So, roll up your sleeves, grab your keyboard, and let your engineering brilliance shine through your words. Happy writing!

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Engineering is a discipline and profession that applies scientific, mathematical, and technical knowledge to design, create, improve, and innovate various systems, structures, machines, and processes to address practical problems and meet human needs. It involves the application of scientific principles, empirical evidence, and practical expertise to develop practical solutions that improve the quality of life, enhance efficiency, and contribute to societal advancements.

Engineering has its origins in the earliest human civilizations, where primitive engineering techniques were employed to build structures and develop technologies to meet various needs. The history of engineering is a testament to humanity's ingenuity and problem-solving abilities. The roots of engineering can be traced back to ancient civilizations such as Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Indus Valley, where advancements in agriculture, irrigation systems, and construction techniques took place. These early developments laid the foundation for engineering principles that are still relevant today. Over time, engineering evolved and diversified into various disciplines such as civil engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and many more. The Industrial Revolution in the 18th and 19th centuries marked a significant milestone in engineering history, with the emergence of innovative technologies and machinery that revolutionized manufacturing processes and transportation systems. Throughout the 20th century, engineering continued to advance rapidly, driven by scientific discoveries and technological breakthroughs. The fields of aerospace engineering, computer engineering, and biomedical engineering, among others, emerged, shaping the modern world and expanding the boundaries of human capabilities. Today, engineering plays a vital role in addressing global challenges and improving quality of life. Engineers are at the forefront of designing sustainable infrastructure, developing renewable energy solutions, creating advanced technologies, and finding innovative solutions to complex problems.

Civil Engineering: This branch deals with the design, construction, and maintenance of infrastructure such as buildings, bridges, roads, dams, and water supply systems. Mechanical Engineering: Mechanical engineers work on the design, development, and manufacturing of machinery, engines, vehicles, and other mechanical systems. Electrical Engineering: Electrical engineers specialize in the study and application of electrical systems, including power generation, transmission, and utilization, as well as electronics and telecommunications. Chemical Engineering: Chemical engineers are involved in the design and operation of processes that transform raw materials into useful products, such as pharmaceuticals, fuels, and chemicals. Aerospace Engineering: Aerospace engineers focus on the design, development, and testing of aircraft, spacecraft, and related technologies. Computer Engineering: Computer engineers work on the design and development of computer systems, hardware, and software, including areas like computer networks, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence. Environmental Engineering: Environmental engineers work to protect and improve the environment by designing sustainable solutions for waste management, pollution control, and resource conservation. Biomedical Engineering: Biomedical engineers combine engineering principles with medical and biological sciences to develop solutions for healthcare, including medical devices, prosthetics, and imaging systems.

Nikola Tesla: A Serbian-American inventor and electrical engineer, Tesla's work revolutionized the field of electrical power and laid the foundation for the development of alternating current (AC) systems. Leonardo da Vinci: Although best known as an artist, da Vinci was also an engineer and inventor. His designs and sketches showcased his visionary ideas for inventions such as flying machines, bridges, and military weapons. Thomas Edison: An American inventor and businessman, Edison is credited with numerous inventions, including the practical electric light bulb, phonograph, and motion picture camera, which revolutionized the modern world. Grace Hopper: An American computer scientist and naval officer, Hopper played a pivotal role in the development of computer programming languages. Her work on the development of COBOL (Common Business-Oriented Language) paved the way for modern software engineering. Elon Musk: A contemporary entrepreneur and engineer, Musk has made significant contributions to various fields, including electric vehicles (Tesla), space exploration (SpaceX), and renewable energy (SolarCity).

Innovation and Advancement: Engineering drives innovation by developing new technologies, products, and solutions to address societal needs. It fosters advancements in various fields, including transportation, communication, healthcare, energy, and more. Infrastructure Development: Engineers design and construct critical infrastructure such as buildings, bridges, roads, and transportation systems. These structures are the backbone of societies, facilitating economic growth, connectivity, and improved quality of life. Problem Solving: Engineers are problem solvers, using scientific and mathematical principles to analyze complex challenges and develop practical solutions. Their expertise is essential in finding sustainable and efficient ways to tackle global issues like climate change, pollution, and resource scarcity. Economic Growth: Engineering contributes to economic growth by fostering innovation, creating job opportunities, and driving productivity. It supports industries and entrepreneurship, leading to the development of new businesses and the generation of wealth. Safety and Sustainability: Engineers play a critical role in ensuring the safety and sustainability of our built environment. They develop and implement measures to mitigate risks, protect the environment, and promote sustainable practices in areas such as waste management, renewable energy, and urban planning. Global Challenges: Engineering is instrumental in addressing global challenges such as climate change, water scarcity, and healthcare accessibility. Through sustainable engineering practices, efficient resource management, and the development of resilient infrastructure, engineers contribute to a more sustainable and inclusive future.

1. The word "engineer" is derived from the Latin word "ingeniator," which means "clever contriver" or "deviser of engines." 2. The Great Wall of China, one of the most iconic engineering marvels, spans over 13,000 miles (21,196 kilometers) and took centuries to build. 3. The world's tallest man-made structure, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, stands at a height of 2,717 feet (828 meters) and required the expertise of thousands of engineers. 4. The Panama Canal, an engineering feat completed in 1914, shortened the sea journey between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans by approximately 8,000 nautical miles. 5. The Hoover Dam, located on the border of Nevada and Arizona in the United States, generates enough electricity to serve over 1.3 million people and provides water to millions of acres of farmland. 6. According to the American Society for Engineering Education, the number of engineering bachelor's degrees awarded in the United States has been steadily increasing, with over 114,000 degrees awarded in the 2019-2020 academic year.

Engineering is a topic of utmost importance to explore and discuss in an essay due to its profound impact on society and the world we live in. This field plays a crucial role in shaping our infrastructure, technology, and quality of life. By studying engineering, we gain insights into the innovative solutions that engineers develop to address complex challenges and improve various aspects of our lives. An essay on engineering allows us to delve into the diverse branches of engineering, such as civil, mechanical, electrical, and biomedical, highlighting their unique contributions to society. It enables us to explore the fascinating history of engineering, from ancient marvels to modern advancements, showcasing humanity's quest for progress and innovation. Moreover, engineering is intricately linked to key global issues, including sustainability, renewable energy, transportation, healthcare, and urban development. By examining these topics in an essay, we can explore the ways engineers contribute to finding sustainable solutions, mitigating environmental impact, and creating a better future for all.

1. Bucciarelli, L. L. (1994). Engineering philosophy. Springer. 2. Budynas, R. G., & Nisbett, J. K. (2016). Shigley's mechanical engineering design (10th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education. 3. Dowling, N. E., & Carew, A. L. (2015). Engineering your future: A comprehensive introduction to engineering (9th ed.). Oxford University Press. 4. Gere, J. M., & Goodno, B. J. (2017). Mechanics of materials (9th ed.). Cengage Learning. 5. Helsel, S. C., & Helsel, J. L. (2012). Engineering ethics: Concepts and cases. Cengage Learning. 6. Hillier, F. S., Lieberman, G. J., & Lieberman, M. A. (2013). Introduction to operations research (10th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education. 7. Kutz, M. (Ed.). (2016). Mechanical engineers' handbook: Materials and engineering mechanics (4th ed.). Wiley. 8. Moran, M. J., Shapiro, H. N., Boettner, D. D., & Bailey, M. B. (2010). Fundamentals of engineering thermodynamics (7th ed.). Wiley. 9. O'Brien, J. A., & Marakas, G. M. (2010). Management information systems (10th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education. 10. Shigley, J. E., & Budynas, R. G. (2014). Mechanical engineering design (10th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.

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There are three essay portions to the application: “Statement of Purpose,” “Outstanding Achievements” and “Additional Information.” Although “Outstanding Achievements" and “Additional Information” are optional, it is highly recommended that you complete these essays.

This application uses plain text formatting. You are encouraged to use a word processor like Microsoft Word to compose your essays and to check your word count (250 words for each essay), spelling and grammar. You can then copy and paste your text onto the application text area. 

Do not use AI text generators such as ChatGPT to complete your ETAM application. Using AI text generators may be considered plagiarism and/or cheating according to Student Rule: 20.1.2.3. Suspected use of generative AI may constitute a violation of the Texas A&M Honor Code and will be referred to the Aggie Honor System Office for investigation. More information may be found through the Aggie Honor System Office.

The University Writing Center  is a resource available to help prepare and/or review your essays. View this brief video with ETAM essay tips and information about ETAM-related services from the University Writing Center.

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• Statement of Purpose:  You will write one “Statement of Purpose” for each major you select. Your statement of purpose should explain your reason for selecting this major and include academic areas of interest, future professional career goals and strengths you would bring to the department. You should clearly articulate why you are interested in a specific major. You can also write about student organizations you have joined within the major or faculty you have met from this major and include all accomplishments related to the major.
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Introduction to the Engineering Design Process Essay

In this paper, the introduction of young students to the topics of Science and Engineering is summarized. Observations are based on several examples, including Massachusetts DSTE classes for 4th-grade students, the NASA Best Engineering Design Process course, and NASA Engineering in the Classroom guide. The basis of successfully integrating complex topics into the learning process of school students is to make it engaging, reasonably simple, and interactive.

The first step to bringing the audience into the process is to present a relevant and exciting problem engagingly. NASA’s Best Engineering Design Process course demonstrates how presenting the audience with the idea of bringing a satellite to the Moon can lead to introducing deeper problems associated with the engineering side of the idea. Breaking the topic into small parts and addressing them gradually opens the way to introduce game elements into the learning process. Including elements of competition, necessary teamwork, and providing interactivity keeps the students engaged in solving the issues they are presented with. Letting the students define their group’s roles allows them to use the relevant skills they already have more effectively. For example, the Massachusetts DSTE Motion Science lessons show how students with better communication skills took on a role of a reporter, while some quickly got to constructing the prototyping the designs based on previous collective brainstorming.

Providing interactivity, like building a satellite model in NASA’s Best Engineering Design Process course, introduces the idea of an engineering process. Including comprehensive visual data like slides and animations additionally diversifies the learning experience.

Sharing and discussing opinions within the group, proposing solutions and approaches, and repeated application and testing of the results help to keep the audience motivated and teach them essential soft skills in combination with practical technical and design knowledge. It is important to introduce these interactive and engaging approaches into the learning process, starting from the school level, to bring as many young talents into the STEM industry as possible.

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Free Essay On Engineering Design

Type of paper: Essay

Topic: Literature , Business , Marketing , Design , Books , Engineering , Customers , Products

Words: 1000

Published: 01/20/2020

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Engineering design touches on the very diverse aspects of product creation in all areas of expertise. Regardless of whether the area covered is in the field of food, software, buildings, or cars, it still requires the art of design. Design may not be fully dictated upon the knowledge of the inventors but also the needs of the market place and completion. Since the beginning of time, engineering has been the sole key to survival and development. The early inventors followed the same criteria that designers today use. This is efficiency and necessity. The three books touch on different areas that explain engineering design.

Ullman Ullman (2002) insist that the design process can only be measured by product cost, quality of the design, and time of presentation to the market. Research has shown that the most notable motivating for customers is the price, better compared to product existing in market, and efficiency. The factor of price is adequately discussed in the chapter. The author highlights on the fact that many engineers tend to overlook the fact that design contributes to almost 5% of the total cost of production of the machinery (Ullman 2002). If the machinery is of higher quality, the percentage goes even higher. This concludes that cost is fundamental to the design and quality of a product. Ullman (2002) also discusses the issue of quality. He defines quality as the ability of a product to do the work it is stipulated for. Another characteristic of good quality is the durability. The way that most products meet this requirement is incorporating latest technology and having additional features. Ullman and Otto & Wood show similarity in that they focus on the structure of engineering design other than the technical know-how of design. In addition, Ullman and Otto & Wood both insist that engineers do not overlook on process of manufacturing the design. This in most occasions will call for a new manufacturing methodology. Ullman includes assembly, installation, recycling, and use to the new design. Notably, Dym & Little and Ullman differ in defining the constraints of the engineering design. While Dym & Little states that the constraints involve the designer, client and customer, Ullman claims that the constraints are customers, marketing, design, and client.

Otto & Wood

Otto & Wood (2000) specializes on this topic on making a fit for the customer’s needs. In the very beginning, he highlights on the time taken in developing the perfect product giving examples of Microsoft, Ford, Xerox and the rest. Notably, he shows that the key to success is incorporation of the best ideas in the market to make a fully efficient product. This translates that compromises have to be made to succeed in such ventures. Also, research must be performing to find out the customer’s needs before making a design. Otto & Wood (2000) give the general methodologies of creating a perfect design. These are backing on creativity to solve existing problems, taking into consideration the fundamentals of an effective design, and finally its consequences to the user and environment. When creating the product design, many engineers foresee the element of design manufacturing process. The book cautions about such oversees and advices engineers to always keep both factors in mind since they rely on each other (Otto & Wood 10). Otto & Wood and Ullman share similar ideas since they both advocate for adapting better other ideas that already exist in the market and incorporating them to make a better idea. Otto & Wood call it adaptive design to create a variant design. Another similarity is that Dym & Little and Otto & Wood insist on the repetitiveness of designing in order to succeed in the area. However, this book differs from the other two. This is because Otto & Wood show that designs may fail due to several oversights while the other book neglects on this crucial factor. Such occurrences happen due to misconceptions, wrong information and the difference in cultures (Otto & Wood 6).

Dym & Little

Dym & Little (2004) define engineering design as the organized, intellectual creation, and weighing of the best specifics that best fit a product whose form will meet the needs of the constraints. The class that sets the constraints of a design is the designer, client, and the customer. However, the most important role is played by the customer since they decide whether the product best meets their needs then the designer transforms the idea into the product. The chapter visits on the factor of communication in design (Dym & Little 9). Communication in design is very vital. This arises since for an idea to be translated into design then product, it must be understandable. The book also shows factors to consider while designing in order to achieve the most success. The first is that designing goes beyond mathematics. Formulas and logarithms though important, may be deemed useless in the first stages of design since structure is the most important. The second is that for one to succeed, they must understand that a problem may have different solutions. The similarity that arrives between the three books is that the customer is the most important part of design process. In fact, they almost dictate the actions of the designer. This determines the success or failure of a design. Another similarity is that both Dym & Little and Ullman compare design from the beginning of time and showcase that the fundamentals still mater to date. However, Dym & Little differ from the other books in that they mainly discuss the technical part while the others discuss the how to do technically to succeed in design. However, this gives insight and relevance both to the engineers and layman readers.

Dym, Clive., & Little, Patrick. Engineering Design: a project based introduction. California Paper B ack. 2004. Print. Otto, Kevin., & Wood, Kristin. Dallas. Product Design. Prentice Hall. 2000. Print. Ullman, David. The mechanical design process. New York City. McGraw-Hill Higher Education. 2002. Print.

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Reimagining Design with Nature: ecological urbanism in Moscow

• Reflective Essay
• Published: 10 September 2019
• Volume 1 , pages 233–247, ( 2019 )

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• Brian Mark Evans   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0003-1420-1682 1  

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The twenty-first century is the era when populations of cities will exceed rural communities for the first time in human history. The population growth of cities in many countries, including those in transition from planned to market economies, is putting considerable strain on ecological and natural resources. This paper examines four central issues: (a) the challenges and opportunities presented through working in jurisdictions where there are no official or established methods in place to guide regional, ecological and landscape planning and design; (b) the experience of the author’s practice—Gillespies LLP—in addressing these challenges using techniques and methods inspired by McHarg in Design with Nature in the Russian Federation in the first decade of the twenty-first century; (c) the augmentation of methods derived from Design with Nature in reference to innovations in technology since its publication and the contribution that the art of landscape painters can make to landscape analysis and interpretation; and (d) the application of this experience to the international competition and colloquium for the expansion of Moscow. The text concludes with a comment on how the application of this learning and methodological development to landscape and ecological planning and design was judged to be a central tenant of the winning design. Finally, a concluding section reflects on lessons learned and conclusions drawn.

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The politics of designing with nature: reflections from New Orleans and Dhaka

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The landscape team from Gillespies Glasgow Studio (Steve Nelson, Graeme Pert, Joanne Walker, Rory Wilson and Chris Swan) led by the author and all our collaborators in the Capital Cities Planning Group.

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Evans, B.M. Reimagining Design with Nature: ecological urbanism in Moscow. Socio Ecol Pract Res 1 , 233–247 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42532-019-00031-5

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Published : 10 September 2019

Issue Date : October 2019

DOI : https://doi.org/10.1007/s42532-019-00031-5

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Mechanical Engineering Design Projects 2024

Engineering Projects Expo is here! We invite you to spend some time getting to know this year's Mechanical Engineering Senior Design projects and teams. 

Engineering Projects Expo  celebrates the hard work and many achievements of more than 250+ students as they close out their undergraduate careers. Since August 2023, these students have been working through the design process from start to finish and have engineered solutions to real-world problems. 

Students completing industry-sponsored projects were presented with challenges of relevance to their clients from a variety of specialties. Those in the Engineering for Social Innovation section of Senior Design developed entrepreneurial products based on user needs. 

Teams were mentored and supported by a dedicated group of faculty directors and student program assistants, as well as fabrication, administrative, and laboratory staff over the course of the academic year. Most projects required students to develop skills across disciplines with some multi-disciplinary teams bringing together student expertise in mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and computer science. 

Please explore projects below to learn more about this year's teams, their designs and the positive impact these engineers are making. Thank you for your support of our program and students. 

If you would like to learn more about the program or sponsoring a project, please visit  Design Center Colorado . 

Design Projects

Engineering Students

Student Hours per Project

Dedicated Directors

2024 Winners

Team 01: Airbag Deployable Data Recorder for Aircraft

The Air Bag Deployable Data Recorder is a floating flight data recorder used to assist in the evaluation, search, and rescue of a water landing of a Boeing 777 aircraft. Using a pressure sensor, we can detect when the plane conducts a water landing, eject the device from the plane, and send out a distress signal to the rescue teams in the area. This allows Boeing to quickly analyze the problem and correct it to help prevent further disasters in the future.

Sponsored by Boeing Digital Solutions

• Project Poster

Team 02: Small-Scale Spacecraft Composite Curing Oven

Securing technological superiority in space requires tailorable composite solutions. In partnership with CesiumAstro, the SSSCCO cures composites with the precision and accuracy necessary to optimize for Low-SWaP and enhanced material properties. Our solution is an affordable and innovative approach for in-house manufacturing methods and vertical integration bespoke to the needs of CesiumAstro.

Sponsored By CesiumAstro

Team 03: Wide-Field Imaging Device for Retinopathy of Prematurity Examination

To help doctors at Children’s Hospital Colorado detect a debilitating but correctable disease called retinopathy of prematurity in infants, our team has developed an affordable and portable device that illuminates an infant's retina using a high-power lighting system and captures wide-field images. Captured images are processed on-board and displayed in an app on any personal iOS device, facilitating rapid and remote detection to enable prompt treatment.

Sponsored by Children's Hospital Colorado

Team 04: Automated Insulation Wrapping Machine

CU Physics is working with Advanced Conductor Technologies to develop high temperature superconducting cables for high-current power systems and high-field magnets. Our team has been tasked with developing an insulation wrapping machine capable of wrapping these cables in a dielectric film. Our machine will minimize the number of defects in the insulation, ultimately improving cable performance.

Sponsored by CU Physics Department

Team 05: Aerially Deployed Jetpack Launched Mars Helicopter Chassis

The Aerially Deployed Jetpack Launched Mars Helicopter Chassis design project will provide JPL with a high-precision mass estimate for the proposed Mars Science Helicopter exploration rotorcraft. The rotorcraft structure is designed to withstand the loads associated with launch and flight operation. The rotorcraft mechanisms are designed to facilitate a complex mid-air landing procedure on Mars.

Sponsored by Jet Propulsion Laboratory

Team 06: EOD Flexible Cutting Tool

EOD Technicians are responsible for handling hazardous explosives to render them safe. Partnering with Los Alamos National Laboratory, the team designed a flexible wire cutter attachment that technicians can equip to current defusing tools to better access wires around obstacles. Cutting force is delivered through a hydraulic piston design using tension from cable reels to flex the assembly.

Sponsored by Los Alamos National Laboratory

Team 07: Electronic Ligasure Handle

Medtronic has developed a portfolio of blood vessel sealing devices known as the LigaSure. By Reducing the cost of purchasing and manufacturing the device, Team 7 has designed the next step in LigaSure technology. These changes eliminate the single use nature of the device by adapting a reusable housing where major components can be user replaceable and serviced.

Sponsored by Medtronic

Team 08: Robotic Surgery Sterile Interface Module

Medtronic’s Hugo ™ robotic-assisted surgery system is modular and portable for flexibility and efficiency across surgeries. Our team redesigned the Sterile Interface Module, which separates Hugo’s arm and reusable instrument to maintain a sterile field. The modified SIM connects to a now single-use instrument, creating opportunities for more affordable and sterile surgeries with the Hugo ™ system.

Team 09: Dragon Boat Paddle Assist

We designed a race paddle for one-armed use by Gary, a local veteran. Gary enjoys dragon boat racing, but his current shoulder-mounted paddle hurts, limits motion and fails race specifications. We made a leg-mounted paddle that is comfortable, easier to use and enables powerful paddling with better form. It also meets international racing specifications so Gary can compete with his team worldwide.

Sponsored by Quality of Life Plus

Team 10: 3D Archery Target Challenge

We partnered with Quality of Life Plus to advance archery technology by creating a moving target base that replicates realistic shooting scenarios for the user. The product can be moved with a remote control, pre-made paths, and an independent autonomous program. We implemented electromechanical design, impact ballistics, and dynamic programming to create a durable and practical prototype.

Sponsored by Quality of Life Plus

Team 11: Digital Aircraft Skylight Mockup and Study

This project, led by Rosen Aviation, developed a life-sized business jet cabin mock-up with an OLED skylight, enhancing the passenger experience through simulated natural light. Key tasks included design, material procurement, psychological study contributions, and setting new standards in aviation interior innovation.

Sponsored by Rosen Aviation

Team 12: Particle Damper for Wind Turbine Blades

Wind turbine blades are structures subject to dynamic loading. The project explores particle damper technologies as a passive vibration suppression system to damp unwanted blade vibrations. Through experimentation on a representative blade model, key variables influencing particle damper performance were identified, leading to the development of an optimized prototype to improve turbine longevity.

Sponsored by Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy

Team 13: Net Launcher

Orbital space debris poses a significant threat to current and future space missions, from damaging satellites to hindering future space travel. Sierra Space tasked the team to develop a Net Launcher to identify, capture, detumble, and retrieve space debris of varying sizes. This project contains several mechanisms, sensors, and control systems to enable net capture of an unresponsive satellite.

Sponsored by Sierra Space

Team 14: Blood Plasma Bottle Active Weight Station

Our team has partnered with Terumo, a global leader in blood component technologies, to maximize plasma yields from their new Rika Plasma Donation System. We developed a motor-integrated base that communicates with a weight station to rotate a plasma bottle throughout the donation process. This design will allow for an increase in plasma collection while maintaining donor safety and comfort.

Sponsored by Terumo BCT

Team 15: Train Bearing Inspection Automation​

Locomotive bearings require quality inspections before reuse, with their longevity heavily dependent on thorough surface level examinations. Wabtec requests a device to automate this bearing inspection process. The machine manufactured for this project manipulates five 70 lb. bearings to accurately measure for roundness and scan for surface defects smaller than a human hair.

Sponsored by Wabtec

Team 16: Baja SAE Vehicle Design Competition

The 2023-2024 Baja SAE team is designing and manufacturing a one-seated, off-road vehicle. The team must design for durability, agility, speed, and comfort while adhering to strict guidelines. A final competition will take place in May 2024, where colleges from across the country will come together to test and race their vehicles on multiple courses build around tough terrain.

Sponsored by SAE International

Team 17: Aerosol & Particulate Generation and Test System For Aircraft Mounted Atmospheric Measurement Instrumentation

To better understand aerosols in the atmosphere, Boeing utilizes instruments over a wide range of sizes and composition. These instruments require precise calibration. Our team developed a system that produces, mixes, and delivers aerosol to these instruments with high accuracy, repeatability and uniformity, to enable Boeing to perform in-house sensor calibration for more accurate data collection.

Sponsored by The Boeing Company

Team 18: Miniature 3mm Laparoscopic Port

Laparoscopic surgeries on neonates require smaller surgical ports than those used on children to facilitate minimally invasive access to the abdominal cavity. Larger ports can crowd the surgical field and are easily dislodged from the abdominal wall. With Children’s Hospital Colorado, we developed a 3mm port that incorporates a novel retention mechanism and minimizes the presence of the port head.

Team 19: Autonomous Methane Monitoring Rover​

Addressing the need for frequent landfill methane monitoring, Team 19 designed a fully autonomous rover equipped with HAQ Lab's methane sensing package, terrain navigation, and obstacle avoidance, complemented by a solar-powered rover house for charging. The project builds on current monitoring attempts by minimizing human interfacing, increasing safety and frequency of methane scans in landfills.

Sponsored by Hannigan Air Quality Lab (HAQLab) 

Team 20: Optimized Arrow Vanes for Broadhead Flight

An arrow’s flight is characterized by a delicate balance of drag, accuracy, stability, sound, and wind drift. With Iron Will Outfitters, we wanted to design a new arrow vane that improves upon these characteristics in broadhead flight over industry competition. By utilizing empirical testing and complex fluid simulations we have developed the optimized arrow vanes for broadhead flight for use in both the target and hunting archery market.

Sponsored by Iron Will Outfitters

Team 21: Miniature HAZMAT Crimp and Seal Tool

In conjunction with Los Alamos National Lab, the team designed a handheld crimp and seal tool to allow HAZMAT teams to quickly seal tubes leaking hazardous materials. We characterized crimping forces and associated leak rates by developing precise testing systems which informed our 4-bar linkage design. This design creates a high mechanical advantage and effectively seals to a desired leak rate.

Team 22: Low SWaP Dust Tolerant Interface

The resurgence of humanity's presence on the lunar surface calls for fresh ideas. Lockheed Martin’s Team 22 has developed a dust-tolerant mechanical and electrical robotic interface, a robotic arm, and an end effector for use on the Artemis Lunar Terrain Vehicle. The team's solution allows for reliable autonomous connections between the arm and interface despite the hostile lunar environment.

Sponsored by Lockheed Martin 

Team 23: Cordless Monopolar Smoke Attachment

Surgical plume is a hazardous byproduct of electrosurgery and is typically captured using large, cumbersome smoke evacuation systems. Our team has innovated a hand-held solution, eliminating the trip and entanglement hazards of traditional plume evacuator tubing. The final design is an ergonomic, functional, and all-in-one monopolar surgical pencil attachment capable of plume capture and filtration in the OR.

Team 24: The Vibe Table

Our team has designed and built a vibration table for small-scale testing of constant vibration loads experienced by components utilized in the flow meters made by Micro Motion. The design utilizes a slip bearing composed of a granite base, oil circulation system and magnesium test plate, with a custom control system to generate accurate acceleration and frequency for vibration profiles.

Sponsored by Micro Motion

Team 25: Adaptive Fishing Device

The Adaptive Fishing Device is a versatile, intuitive, and robust product that provides people with spinal cord injuries independence and a return to normalcy. Our advanced mechanical design gives users complete control over the therapeutic fishing experience and can adapt to accommodate different disabilities, settings, and equipment.

Sponsored by Quality of Life Plus

Team 26: Pressure Sensors

To enhance the communication between practitioners and patients during the diagnostic fitting stage of prosthetics, our system is designed to visualize high-pressure areas causing discomfort. The spider-like design is integrated between the inner liner and outer diagnostic socket and transmits data, representing true pressure values, to a 3D model to optimize the prosthetic socket fitting process.

Sponsored by RockyTech

Team 27: Smart Aviation Cupholder

Our team has developed a smart cup holder designed to enhance the private aircraft travel experience, integrating heating, cooling, and beverage level measurement into a compact package. The system recognizes standard cup-ware via RFID, automatically activating set functions and notifying flight staff when a beverage is low.

Team 28: Automated Optical Fiber Alignment for Trapped-Ion Quantum Computing

One approach to creating a quantum computer is to use trapped ions, which rely on lasers delivered by optical fibers for quantum control. Our robust feedback control system uses a six-axis stage to autonomously align optical fiber arrays with micron scale precision. Using a final epoxy connection, we have streamlined the coupling process — paving the way for the quantum computing revolution.

Sponsored by Sandia National Laboratories

Team 29: Project R.O.C.K. - Remote Observation and Covert Kinetics

With support from the US Army Research Office and Practical Scientific Solutions, this project aims to minimize operational risks to military intelligence gathering and surveillance. Project R.O.C.K., a geologically camouflaged autonomous system, will be deployed in the field to detect and verify the presence of an approaching vehicle and, subsequently, launch a sensor onto the vehicle in motion.

Sponsored by United States Army Research Office ​

Team 30: Collegiate Wind Competition and Multipurpose Wind Tunnel

Designed to meet the test metrics of the Collegiate Wind Competition, our wind tunnel serves a range of student needs previously not met on campus. The wind tunnel features a 4’x4’ cross-section, sensors for wind speed, and provides high-resolution near-laminar flow up to 36 fps, allowing students to get hands-on with aerodynamics. Its modular design allows for easy maintenance or relocation.

Sponsored by Design Center Colorado ​

Team 31: Collegiate Wind Competition

The fourth annual CU Wind Team will compete in the Department of Energy’s Collegiate Wind Competition to design a small-scale prototype offshore wind turbine that utilizes advanced controls; create a detailed financial analysis and timeline for a hybrid offshore wind farm site; and conduct outreach activities with local K-12 and collegiate students to promote the future of wind energy.

Sponsored by Collegiate Wind Competition

Team 40: LegUp

MobilUS addresses inaccessibility issues a person may face while recovering from a lower-leg injury. Existing solutions cause discomfort and restrict mobility. The Leg-Up solution elevates the injured leg above the ground with a flexible composite blade to prevent pressure from being applied to the foot while enabling normal walking, traversal of stairs, knee mobility, while being cost effective.

Sponsored by MobilUS

Team 41: Click Changer

Team Dextrous has developed the “Click Changer”, a mechanical device revolutionizing the speed, safety and accessibility of changing drill bits. Easy to use and comfortably worn on the belt, the Click Changer allows drill and driver bits to be changed using one hand, in any environment, such as on the top of a ladder or crawling under equipment. Electric drills have been around for a long time - it is time for such innovation! Team Dextrous is looking forward to revolutionizing the drill industry and making similar innovations.

Sponsored by Dextrous

Team 42: Talon Tech Ski Bindings

Over 15,000 US skiers injure their knees every year. Many of these expensive injuries are caused by industry-standard ski bindings failing to release during falls. Talon Tech has invented a new style of ski binding with specialized releases that allow users to release from their skis in high-risk falls. This will disrupt a 50-year-old industry to keep our users skiing safe, not slow.

Sponsored by Talon Tech

Team 43: Air Quality Monitor

Air quality affects health today significantly, but is often neglected since we can’t see what’s in the air we breathe. We address this problem through an air quality monitor that informs users when air quality is poor using an LED and speaker, as well as how to improve it. This kitchen countertop device ensures the user is always breathing heathy air.

Sponsored by High AQI

Team 44: wAIste

wAIste, our innovative waste management solution, employs artificial intelligence to ensure waste stream purity. Its modular and customizable system categorizes waste in real time, guiding users to the correct disposal bin category. This streamlined process eliminates the need for man-hours spent on hand-sorting waste, reducing contamination and diverting recyclables and compostables from landfills, thereby cutting unnecessary greenhouse gas emissions. wAIste not only promotes education and awareness but also facilitates compliance with climate change initiatives. By adopting wAIste we ensure businesses, municipalities, and organizations can prioritize environmental sustainability and compliance in their waste management practices.

Sponsored by wAIste

Mechanical Engineering Graduate Design

Team 52: Full Motion Flight Simulator

We've collaborated with Boeing Global Services, a division of The Boeing Company, to create, develop, and implement a full-motion flight simulator for the Denver Simulation Lab. Incorporating high-fidelity human factors scenarios alongside diverse flight simulations and real-time motion on the 6 Degree of Freedom platform, this setup will closely emulate actual flight conditions, showcasing the future of aircraft technologies.

Sponsored by Boeing Global Services

Team 53: Electromagnetic Hold-Down and Release Mechanism

This hold-down and release mechanism (HDRM) utilizes an electro-permanent magnet and ferrous plate to attach a Cube Satellite to a deployable. The HDRM provides secure attachment of a deployable during launch and controlled release once powered. Flight performance was verified by exposure to NASA's General Environmental Verification Standards for vibration, thermal, and vacuum conditions.

Team 54: Smart Prosthetic Cooling System for Amputee Patients (SPC system)

Our team addresses a critical need for adjustable cooling in prosthetics to prevent heat buildup. We're developing above-knee/below-knee prosthetics with thermo-electric devices to absorb heat from the liner. Additionally, our innovative flexible heat sink efficiently dissipates heat from these devices, ensuring user comfort and temperature regulation.

Team 55: Pump-Fed Space Vehicle Propulsion System

Traditional propulsion systems are not viable for smaller space vehicles, therefore it is necessary for innovative solutions. An electric pump-fed system would allow multiple benefits. The goal of this project is to design and build a bench-top fuel pump system to simulate flight operations and perform data collection and testing to characterize critical components.

Team 56: Free-Piston Linear Generator

In partnership with Woodward, Inc., a global leader in controls in Fort Collins, CO, the team is developing a free-piston linear generator as an alternative internal combustion technology. It utilizes a magnetic piston oscillating through copper coils to generate electricity. The FPLG removes many traditional and costly engine components, making it a direct competitor to hydrogen fuel cells.

Sponsored by Woodward Inc.

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Computer Science > Computation and Language

Title: sample design engineering: an empirical study of what makes good downstream fine-tuning samples for llms.

Abstract: In the burgeoning field of Large Language Models (LLMs) like ChatGPT and LLaMA, Prompt Engineering (PE) is renowned for boosting zero-shot or in-context learning (ICL) through prompt modifications. Yet, the realm of the sample design for downstream fine-tuning, crucial for task-specific LLM adaptation, is largely unexplored. This paper introduces Sample Design Engineering (SDE), a methodical approach to enhancing LLMs' post-tuning performance by refining input, output, and reasoning designs. We conduct a series of in-domain (ID) and out-of-domain (OOD) experiments to assess the impact of various design options on LLMs' downstream performance, revealing several intriguing patterns that hold consistently across different LLMs. Based on these insights, we propose an integrated SDE strategy, combining the most effective options, and validate its consistent superiority over heuristic sample designs in complex downstream tasks like multi-aspect sentiment analysis, event extraction, and nested entity recognition. Additionally, analyses of LLMs' inherent prompt/output perplexity, zero-shot, and ICL abilities illustrate that good PE strategies may not always translate to good SDE strategies. Code available at this https URL .

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arXivLabs: experimental projects with community collaborators

arXivLabs is a framework that allows collaborators to develop and share new arXiv features directly on our website.

Both individuals and organizations that work with arXivLabs have embraced and accepted our values of openness, community, excellence, and user data privacy. arXiv is committed to these values and only works with partners that adhere to them.

Have an idea for a project that will add value for arXiv's community? Learn more about arXivLabs .

• University of Wisconsin-Madison

Undergrad’s ambitious research project produces novel haptic glove design

Departments:, focus areas:.

As a high school student in the San Francisco Bay Area during COVID pandemic lockdowns, Ben Levy had a lot of free time on his hands while being stuck at home. To combat his boredom, he decided to try to build a humanoid robot in his family’s garage.

“I had an Arduino kit, which has simple microcontrollers, and a bit of experience using it at a summer camp,” Levy says. “I thought it would be a fun challenge to see what I could build.”

Ultimately, he created a rudimentary gesture device that resembles a robotic hand. His setup involved wearing sensors on one of his hands, allowing the robot hand to mimic his gestures.

Later, as a mechanical engineering freshman at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, he took ME 201: Introduction to Mechanical Engineering , and stopped by Assistant Professor Michael Wehner ’s office hours to discuss an idea related to the course’s hands-on design project. The conversation eventually moved on to Wehner’s research, which is focused on robotics, machine interaction and soft systems.

“With my growing interest in robotics, I found Professor Wehner’s research really exciting,” Levy says. “I showed him a video demo of the humanoid robot I built in high school, and he offered me an opportunity to work in his research lab.”

With Wehner’s mentoring, Levy wanted to build a haptic glove for virtual reality that not only could be used as a controller in a video game, but also allow users to “feel” virtual objects as they played.

Levy teamed up with mechanical engineering graduate student Megh Doshi , a member of Mechanical Engineering Associate Professor Michael Zinn ’s research group, for the project. For their prototype, they focused on developing a “layer jammer” device to serve as the actuator for haptic feedback in the glove. To make it, they stacked sheets of paper and put them inside a plastic bag. Applying a vacuum to the sealed bag compresses the paper and makes it stiff . Removing the vacuum returns the device to its original soft, flexible state.

Levy says the simplicity of their layer jammer makes it far cheaper and more user friendly than the very expensive actuators used in commercial virtual reality gloves, which use complicated designs and control methods.

“The layer jammer offers a very cheap way to transition between high transparency, where it feels like nothing is stopping your finger, to high impedance, where it feels like you’re touching something hard,” Levy says.

To start, Levy and Doshi had to figure out a way to consistently manufacture the layer jammers so they’d operate reliably. Levy says this was a surprisingly complex challenge, which involved trying to find ways to maintain the highest level of vacuum.

Next, they performed thorough characterization of the devices, evaluating key parameters so they could be designed into many different wearables. As a freshman new to engineering, Levy says this characterization work had a big learning curve. “Getting reliable data from testing the devices was a huge challenge and the most difficult engineering problem I faced with this project,” he says.

Levy and Doshi persevered, and once they managed to get reliable data, they focused on building the glove based on the key parameters they identified. Levy took the lead on building the glove, with the goal of integrating the layer jammers so that they would conform well to the hand. To achieve this, he designed a base plate and mounted the jammers on it. Making the glove required some sewing skills as well.

“I called my mom to ask her for some sewing tips and also watched some sewing tutorials online,” Levy says. “Building the glove was a blast, and this was the part of the project that I enjoyed the most.”

Lastly, Levy created a video game environment using Unity software. Wearing the glove, he could control a virtual hand in the game and actually feel and see a virtual ball in a live video game environment .

The duo submitted their work to the IEEE Haptics Symposium 2024, which accepted their paper. Doshi presented the research at the conference.

“Having a paper accepted to a conference is a great accomplishment for any undergraduate, but it was particularly inspiring for a freshman,” Wehner says. “Ben is a very talented student and I’m impressed by his work.”

Levy, who is now a sophomore, says this hands-on research project was a wonderful learning experience that helped deepen his understanding of concepts in his engineering courses. For example, he entered his mechanics of materials course with an already strong understanding of beam deformation due to his work on this project.

“I’m very grateful to Professor Wehner for giving me the opportunity and the flexibility to pursue this project and help guide the creative direction. He has been fantastic to work with,” Levy says. “This experience has definitely confirmed that engineering is what I want to do.”

Featured image caption: Mechanical engineering sophomore Ben Levy makes an adjustment to his haptic glove. Credit: Joel Hallberg .

Layer Jammers in a Simulated Environment Soft Haptic (S.E.S.H.) Glove

Layer jammer demo with weight, layer jammer in curved position demo.

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CEM Expo 2024

The Virtual Expo consists of 3-5 minutes videos prepared by the participants that describe the details of their projects.

Virtual Expo Presentations

Once you have finished viewing the participant videos, please participate in our Best in Class voting for each category. The winning projects will receive a scholarship. 

The projects have been broken into two categories below.

Prototype Projects

Process/research projects, prototype projects ( open this section).

The CEM Design Expo Competition defines a Prototype Project as a project that has a physical build. This can be in the form of an actual prototype product or as a proof of concept of a certain aspect of a product. Although simulations are typically used in design, physical testing is typically done to ensure the final product’s functionality.

Advanced Rocketry Club

Aggregation of seeded hepatocyte stem cells, agritech north 3d printable beehives, argo electric, cardio control, converting one way pairs to two way streets, energy harvesting from human motion, fsae - admin, fsae - chassis, fsae - drivetrain, fsae - suspension, grand forks wastewater fine screens building foundation, healthcare records management, hess natural gas condensate removal, k7 mech runner, marvin glass mull reinforcement fin, metal 3d printing, preventing condensation, smart hydrocephalus shunt, solar photovoltaic dual axis maximum power tracking system, supply chain finance, underpass and railroad bridge, wastewater treatment plant, process/research projects ( open this section).

The CEM Design Expo Competition defines a Process/Research Project as a project that is primarily based in at least one of the following: Software Simulation, Research & Development of Theoretical Concepts and/or Materials, or Process Improvement. Although physical test apparatuses can be built and used as part of these projects, they are not the focus of the goals and criteria for success.

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Hydrological and geomechanical modeling of deep sedimentary rock, lake beverage delivery device, materials research on-campus, materials research online, sanitary sewer for und east campus, ten bus electric power protection system, urban subdivision design, wastewater treatment for sugarbeet processing, vote for best in class.

Voting closes at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, May 2, 2023.

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Meet Moscow’s Take On The Twisting Tower: Evolution Tower

Evolution Tower is a twisting 255 meter tall skyscraper located in ‘Moscow City’, Moscow, an initiative by the Russian government to create a new business district on an old industrial site. The twisting tower provides approximately 85,000 m² of retail and leisure facilities and 85,000 m² of offices and public functions. It is the twelfth tallest building in Russia and the 20 th tallest in Europe.

 The dramatic form of the tower was designed by architects RMJM in collaboration with Scottish artist Karen Forbes. The double helix DNA inspired form has become an iconic landmark in the Moscow skyline, as the city has never been known for its skyscrapers or architectural identity. The form is also reminiscent of two ribbons wrapping around each other. Each of the 51 floors of the tower is rotated 3 degrees relative to the previous one, so the building is “swirled” by more than 150 degrees. In this way, the central core and eight columns with 15-meter spans between the axes remain strictly vertical all the way up. The spiral geometry is repeated only by four corners of the building. The top of the tower is crowned with two asymmetric “arches” spanning 41 m, visually uniting the two opposite facades.

The facade of the tower boasts a near complete covering of LED lights, this media façade is the largest in all of Asia. The scale and the form of the building made the installation and management of the LED system quite a challenge, thus the building also boasts one of the most sophisticated lighting management and control systems on the planet.

The plot covers an area of 2.55 hectares, of which most are landscaped into a terrace while the rest is used for the tower. The tower and the terrace are built on a three-level stylobate designated the Evolution Gallery with an area of 28,000 square metres (300,000 sq ft). There are exits from the tower that lead directly to the nearby metro station. This podium features a shopping mall and the roof is landscaped to provide additional space for users to unwind in the midst of fountains, terraces and cafes, thus providing a strong connection with the larger urban sphere.

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College of Engineering

April 30, 2024

Spring 2024 Design Day: 15 Spartan Engineering teams honored

Nearly 1,000 students participate in premier academic event.

The Michigan State University College of Engineering celebrated the 30th anniversary of its premier undergraduate event on Friday, April 19, 2024.

Called Design Day, it features competitions and project presentations from a variety of engineering classes. It gives students the opportunity to apply the knowledge and experiences they have gained during their engineering education.

The event, held at the end of every fall and spring semester, includes Capstone Projects completed by teams of seniors during a 15-week capstone course and presented on Design Day.

Teams put their best efforts forward to solve real-world problems for the college’s industry and corporate partners, and a panel of corporate judges presents awards to the most impactful, presentable, innovative, sustainable, well-designed and technically challenging projects.

The Spring 2024 Design Day held in the Engineering Building, included nearly 1,000 Spartan Engineering students representing 10 degree programs, 14 courses, and 207 teams. Among this group were 625 senior students involved in 126 capstone teams.

Fifteen awards were presented at the Spring 2024 Design Day. A look at the honorees:

Applied Engineering Sciences Mike Sadler Competitive Edge Award For the team that strives to achieve the highest possible outcome to attain the next level of success. Team Munters FoodTech Project: Product Packaging Design Optimization Team members: Jade Candela, Michael Harper, Hana Duncan, Kyle Lee, Kaylin Nguyen, Isaac Richardson Most Impactful Award Team Perrigo Project: Machine Vision Test Unit Team members: Cameron Cowland, Chance Wilczynski Most Sustainable Award Team Kautex Textron Project: Identifying a Circular Economy for Plastic Composites Team members: Jack Deak, Natalia Pittendrigh, Yashi Kumar, Shreya Peddi, Kaitlin Ifkovits, Charles Eppink Civil and Environmental Engineering Rolla C. Carpenter Senior Design Award Presented to the best team as judged by MSU College of Engineering faculty members and a panel of practicing engineers. Team Spartan Associates Project: Consumers Energy New Lansing Operations Center Team members: Colin Edwards, Dana LeFevre, Andrew Carter, Olivia Hagan, Laura Hershauer, Sarah George, Ryan Soto Computer Science Auto-Owners Insurance Exposition Award Presented to the team with the best overall design. Team TechSmith Project: Enhanced Video Assistant Team members: Albert Cho, Kyle Nowak, Sriram Seelamneni, Emmett Barrett, Carter Salna, Chirag Rudrangi MSU Federal Credit Union Praxis Award Presented to the team with the most technically challenging software system. Team MillerKnoll Project: Product Lifecycle Tracing System Team members: Ashley Jarria, David Xiong, Keshav Babu, Felix Liang, Mohammad Zaman TechSmith Screencast Award Presented to the team with video that best describes and demonstrates a software product. Team General Motors Project: Recovery of Lost and Stolen IT Assets Team members: Auden Garrard, Hunter Jones, Joel Marshall, Jemin Han, Seth Youngstrom Amazon Sigma Award Presented to the team that demonstrates the best overall Capstone experience. Team Vectra AI Project: Hybrid Cyberattack Simulator Team members: Nathan Motzny, Henry Barton, Alisha Brenholt, Campbell Robertson, Andrew Talbott Electrical and Computer Engineering First Place Awards Team MSU College of Music Project: Feel the Music Team members: Jason Ahn, Spenser Lafferty, Maria Scannell, Jason Shell, Andrew Morgan Team MSU D-Cypher Lab Project: Design of Hardware-in-the-Loop Fire Simulator Team members: Alayna Schumaker, Nick Fedewa, Najiha Jaigirdar, Doriana Vuljaj Second Place Awards Team Fraunhofer USA Project: The Design and Fabrication of an Inkjet Printer for Selective Diamond Growth Team members: Scott Risdon, Andrei Bodea, Herminee Orzech, Morgan Gates, Joey Lopez, Ruiqi Lu Team MSU Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Project: 24W DC-DC Converter Team members: Ben Torok, Jake Cabana, Ben Schuchardt, Manan Patel, Douglas Bombard Mechanical Engineering Presentation Award Presented to the team with the best presentation. Team Pratt Miller Project: FSAE Front Outboard Electric Motor Assembly Team members: Cameron Hesano, Rafael Abage, Matthew Ajlouny, Anissa Sant, Ronak Patel Edison Undergraduate Design Award Presented to the team with the best technical design. MSU Combat Robotics Team Project: Combat Robotics Vehicle Design and Development Team members: Owen Korff, Ryan Prost, Nicole Gibbons, Ellie Clark (also sponsor), Ari Bozann, Ahmed Abboushi da Vinci Award Presented to the team with the best machine design. Team 13, Station B Project: Cornhole Bag Launching Mechanism Team members: Jack Darrow, Connor Mackenzie, Luke Naughton, Kaden Swierkos, Kieran Velasquez

Written by Eric Lacy, [email protected]. See more at the Engineering  Media and Public Relations page .

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NMSU announces 34th annual WERC Environmental Design Contest winners

• Tiffany Acosta
• 30 April 2024
• By Tiffany Acosta
• 575-646-3929
• [email protected]
• April 30, 2024

Nearly 100 students from 11 universities competed in New Mexico State University College of Engineering’s 34th annual WERC Environmental Design Contest April 7-10 at the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum.

The WERC Environmental Design Contest brings industry, government and academia together in search for improved solutions to today’s environmental challenges in all fields of engineering. Real-world environmental challenges were presented in five different topics, and each team was challenged to build working models of their solutions.

“This was a landmark year for the contest as we focused on engineering challenges that address environmental justice issues. Industry and government agencies helped us develop the tasks by providing us with real-world situations and data,” said Ginger Scarbrough, WERC program manager. “Three of the five tasks addressed environmental justice concerns. The tasks were stormwater management for community resilience, sodium sulfate for a circular economy – community-based solutions, and modular carbon dioxide removal for community integration.”

A total of $37,000 in awards were presented. Winning universities include NMSU, Northern Arizona University, Michigan Technological University, University of Arkansas, University of Idaho, University of Mississippi and Washington University in St. Louis.

NMSU won the Energy, Environment and Sustainability Award for task two, towards net-zero—distributed energy resource management systems for the electoral grid.

“Their solution involved complex power usage scheduling on the electrical grid, an issue that is a major challenge to electric companies as the world moves toward using electricity as a clean-energy power source,” Scarbrough said.

NMSU also received an invitation to publish in WERC’s Conference Proceedings in the IEEE Xplore, a digital research database.

Sponsors for the 2024 contest were New Mexico Space Grant Consortium; El Paso Electric; Freeport-McMoRan; Las Cruces Utilities; Chevron Corporation; Department of Energy’s Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management; Environmental Protection Agency’s Office of Research and Development; NGL Water Solutions; IEEE, El Paso Section; Jacobs; and Souder, Miller, and Associates.

For a breakdown of all winners, awards and tasks, visit  https://werc.nmsu.edu/teams-winners/2024-teams1.html . To learn more about the WERC Environmental Design Contest, visit  https://werc.nmsu.edu/index.html . 

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NASA tests tiny 4.3-foot engine to develop new ultra-efficient airplanes

D eveloping a new airplane engine system takes extensive research and development. Nowadays, there is a strong drive to make aviation a more sustainable sector. 

NASA has been conducting experiments using a small-scale, fully-working jet engine to advance sustainable aviation technology. 

The engine, known as the DGEN380 Aero-Propulsion Research Turbofan (DART), is housed in the Aero-Acoustic Propulsion Laboratory at NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland. DART is not associated with NASA’s other same-name mission that redirected an asteroid’s trajectory.

This tech is small enough to sit on a tabletop, measuring only 4.3 feet (1.3 meters). This makes it nearly half the size of engines seen in medium-sized aircraft. 

“DART’s small size makes it appealing. It’s a great way to explore new technology that hasn’t yet reached the level of a full-scale operation,” said Dan Sutliff, who coordinates research for the engine at NASA Glenn.

Fully operational engine

This engine enables researchers and engineers to test new engine components without needing a costly full-sized jet engine test rig. It was built by a French firm called Price Induction (now Akira) and purchased by NASA in 2017. 

It is compact yet powerful, capable of producing 570 pounds of thrust . The DGEN 380 engine consists of five primary turbo machinery parts: a high-pressure turbine, a high-speed shaft, a compressor, and a low-pressure turbine.

The engine also boasts a high bypass ratio. This implies that DART’s design allows a large part of incoming air to bypass the engine core.

A high bypass ratio is a common feature in bigger engines used in commercial airplanes. Interestingly, this design helps to higher fuel efficiency as well as emits less noise, bringing DART closer to bigger engines used in commercial aircraft.

These high-tech features make DART ideal for testing next-gen propulsion techniques. 

NASA to design fuel-efficient jet engines by 2030

NASA engineers aim to use the engine in their efforts to develop a new small-core, fuel-efficient jet engine for commercial airliners by the 2030s. 

If the technology’s current testing proves successful, the next step would likely involve subjecting it to more thorough evaluations in larger and more advanced testing facilities, such as NASA’s wind tunnels. 

“DART is a critical bridge between a design and a wind tunnel test. Technologies that work well here have a greater chance of achieving successful inclusion on future aircraft engines. The test rig helps NASA save resources and contribute to protecting our environment,” added Sutliff in the press release.

The DART can also be a test bed for evaluating engine noise, engine protection coatings, sensors, and other instruments. 

In the past, DART assisted NASA researchers in understanding how integrating materials might aid in minimizing engine noise. Moreover, this assists in the development of less noise and the creation of next-generation airliners.