Engineering Commons^™

An Investigation Into The Use Of Amateur Astronomy Equipment For Optical Orbit Determination Using A Mobile Telescope Platform, Johan C. Govaars

Master's Theses

The process of optical orbit determination has long been in the domain of large organizations and stationary observatories with highly specialized scientific equipment. This thesis seeks to determine not only if satellites can be captured regularly using purely commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) equipment, but also if initial orbit determinations can be made using that data. Moreover, the use of a mobile telescope platform allows users to circumvent the restrictions of fixed observatories such as low horizon viewing restrictions or existing light pollution.

A completely COTS setup was utilized that included an 8-inch Celestron NextStar 8SE telescope with an f/6.3 focal reducer and …

Low-Cost Vehicle Controller Testing System, Kevin R. Jung

Electrical Engineering

This project aims to create a system to facilitate easier evaluation of PCBs designed for low-voltage vehicle applications with an emphasis on accessibility for student teams in collegiate design series' such as Formula SAE. Student teams or smaller vehicle electronics manufacturers often need to verify designs and validate functionality during both development and manufacturing. An inexpensive, small, and portable, yet capable, system for taking measurements and simulating inputs would allow designers to put their boards into vehicle-representative conditions and environments without needing to connect to actual vehicle hardware. Additionally, while systems exist off-the-shelf that could fulfill the requirements needed by …

Hitch Cart “Landing Gear”, Rebekah White, Jose Raygoza, Randy Hernandez, Brandon Leon

Mechanical Engineering

This report aims to allow our sponsor, to review our design process of the Hitch Cart Landing Gear Prototype. In the design overview section of this report, we discuss the primary design modifications we made to the wheel mechanism of the existing hitch cart prototype, including the addition of the ACME screws and the folding brackets. This allows our sponsor to see the intended improvements made to the past prototype and understand the primary goal of our project. Then, in the implementation section, we cover the entire manufacturing process to allow our sponsor to understand what manufacturing steps must be …

Pseudo Gps For Romi, Emmanuel Baez, Owen Guinane, Gabriel Coria, Conor Schott

Mechanical Engineering

The Pseudo-GPS system for Romi robots addresses the need for precise real-time location tracking in Cal Poly's Mechatronics lab. This project, developed by Emmanuel Baez, Gabriel Coria, Owen Guinane, and Conor Schott, under the guidance of instructor Charlie Refvem, provides a proof-of-concept system to enhance the Romi robots' geolocation capabilities for advanced robotic algorithms.

The proposed system uses a Raspberry Pi 4 equipped with a Pi camera module and ArUco markers to track the position and orientation of Romi robots within a lab environment. Custom 3D-printed stands secure markers on the robots, and a designated origin marker defines the coordinate …

Expandable And Retractable Wheel Design, Ethan Fortenberry, Emily Cottrell, Keegan Martin, Benjamin Mcconnell

Mechanical Engineering

Our sponsor, Jeremy Goren, wants to see his patented expandable wheel design come to life. He requires a functional final product actuated by linear actuators and with a continuous, circular outer shell. The overall design can be broken up into 2 parts: the inner hub and outer shell. The wheel's shell will consist of a 12-piece outer shell that guides the 6 inner shell pieces. The outer shell pieces will be connected via a UBracket. The hub will consist of 3 identical parts that will hold 2 linear actuators each. The pieces will be bolted together to create 1 singular …

The Waterbug: Adaptive Paddle Board Frame, Remy James Elio Lacchia, Katie Kellum, Madeline Evenson, Shelbi Sullaway

Mechanical Engineering

People with disabilities, particularly wheelchair users, face limitations in participating in outdoor activities like paddleboarding. Central Cal Adaptive, a nonprofit organization, aims to bridge this gap by offering adapted paddleboarding experiences. However, their current paddleboard presents challenges such as portability, range of motion, stability, and safety. Our team, comprising Madeline Evenson, Remy Lacchia, Katie Kellum, and Shelbi Sullaway, has collaborated with Central Cal Adaptive to refine the existing paddleboard design. The team’s goal is to enhance the paddleboard's functionality to better cater to wheelchair users' needs, ensuring lightweight, portable, and safe features for an improved outdoor experience.

Our paddleboard concept …

Piston Crown Design, Kurt L. Lippmann, Liam T. Janssen, Alex Rangel, Larry J. Davis

Mechanical Engineering

This project investigates the effects of dimpling a piston crown, and its impact on engine combustion dynamics. Through computational methods, the effects of piston crown dimpling on flow characteristics were evaluated. Theoretical results were verified with experimental methods. Experimental methods included characterization of exhaust gas content, engine horsepower and torque, and exhaust opacity.

Swim Fly Drone, Alia Wolken, Sha'anan Levy, Andrew Jwaideh, Eduardo Santos

Mechanical Engineering

This project addresses the need for a versatile drone that is capable of operation in both air and water environments, with potential applications in infrastructure inspection, defense, search and rescue, and ocean exploration. This project focuses on the design and development of a waterproof aerial drone capable of floating on the water surface and submerging underneath to controlled depths with the integration of a custom detachable buoyancy chamber. The buoyancy chamber design utilizes syringes to compress and decompress air inside of the chamber, changing the volume of the chamber, with an actuation system controlled by a closed-loop control system that …

Analyzing Tms 402 -22 : Design Of Special Reinforced Masonry Shear Walls, Tristan D. Aranda

Architectural Engineering

This experiment examines possible inconsistencies in the TMS 402-22 masonry code between Section 7.3.2.5 and Section 9.3.5.6.2, regarding the requirements for special boundary elements in Special Reinforced Masonry Shear Walls. By investigating the two sections, it can be determined whether the two sections are in accordance with each other regarding aspect ratio. Tensile forces and strains are calculated respectively for each wall and block type and are compared to the respective tensile yield forces and ductile strains. This determines which respective boundary elements go past yield and become ductile. Based on this determination, recommendations can be made to the …

Cal Poly Gateway Decathlon Deliverable 3: Cost Estimate Development, Ruby Maria Sierra

Construction Management

The Gateway Decathlon is a global competition where university teams design, build, and operate sustainable, energy-efficient, and cost-effective homes using advanced technologies and materials. Teams create homes with renewable energy, energy-efficient systems, and sustainable materials. The competition evaluates design, energy efficiency, sustainability, and market viability. Currently, teams are working on Deliverable 3, which includes technical documentation, architectural plans, energy simulations, and cost analyses to ensure project feasibility. This deliverable bridges the design and construction phases and sets the foundation for building and operating the homes, helping to advance sustainable building practices and energy-efficient solutions.

Operation Webs - Tiny Home On Wheels: Quantity Take-Off, Estimate, And Site Logistics, Brendan Moynahan

Construction Management

The objective of this paper is to highlight and discuss the process of performing quantity take-offs, completing an estimate, and creating a site logistics plan for the Operation WEBS (Women Empowered Build Strong) Tiny Home on Wheels project performed at the Paso Robles State Fair. This project is a part of the interdisciplinary project based senior project completed by California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, College of Architecture and Environmental Design students Brendan Moynahan and Jake Torres. Brendan Moynahan performed the deliverables covered in this paper while Jake Torres completed his own deliverables for another paper. Our individual responsibilities …

Effects Of Concrete With The Implementation Of Spent Coffee Grounds, Nathan Limon

Construction Management

During this study, compression tests were performed on three different concrete mix designs to evaluate the effects of spent coffee grounds as an admixture. The initial mix design was the control mix, composed of a general concrete mix design containing aggregate, cement, and water. The second mixture utilized was high strength concrete; this included aggregate, cement, and water, fly ash. The third mixture tested consisted of aggregate, cement, water, and spent coffee grounds. The purpose of evaluating these three different mixtures is to see whether spent coffee grounds can be implemented into concrete without compromising the compressive strength. Substituting 15% …

The Viability Of Styrofoam Beads In Concrete Mixtures, Colin Edward Sykes

Construction Management

This experiment revolved around the idea that an aggregate replacement in a concrete mixture could not only maintain its structural integrity but increase its sustainability as well. This idea was formulated into the experiment of embedding Styrofoam beads into concrete. The outcome of this experiment showed the compressive strength of the concrete increased the greatest with the substitution of Styrofoam beads for fine aggregate up to 20%. This 20% Styrofoam replacement mixture exhibited an 189% increase in compressive strength when compared to the control group in the third week of testing. In addition to this impressive compressive strength, the weight …

The Use Of Augmented Reality (Ar) Technology In Construction, Luke Zamlich

Construction Management

Building Information Modeling (BIM) has revolutionized construction by replacing traditional paper-based methods with advanced software, improving data management and project workflows. However, as projects become more complex, challenges like communication gaps and design errors persist, often leading to cost overruns. Augmented Reality (AR) is an emerging technology that could address some of these issues by enhancing real-time visualization and collaboration, helping avoid costly rework. Despite its potential, AR remains underutilized in the construction industry. This paper explores the feasibility of integrating AR into modern construction workflows to complement BIM models and improve on-site project management. A literature review highlights AR’s …

Building Safely: How Spanish Specific Safety Can Impact Job Sites, Luis D. Aguilar Montano

Construction Management

This project explores how Spanish Specific Safety Training is being approached in the construction industry, with an attempt to identify some possible issues associated with language barriers and accessibility to these trainings. This research involved data collection through thirty analytical surveys, in addition to conducting three semi-structured interviews with construction workers and supervisors. The focus of the data collection was to gain insights into several key areas, including training accessibility, workplace injuries, language barriers, and worker comfort. The survey results indicated strong support for Spanish-language safety training, with respondents recognizing its potential to improve safety and overall worker comfort. Many …

Caed Shop Entrance Wall Redesign, Theodore Haoran Khuong, Joelle Schalesky, Ellen Elizabeth Untalan, Katherine Evalyn Timbes

Construction Management

This paper details the preconstruction process involving the replacement and redesign of the north wall at the CAED Support Shop at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. Accomplished by an interdisciplinary team of Architectural Engineering and Construction Management students, this project explores the requirements and procedures of generating a project proposal to submit to Cal Poly Facilities Management. The project, initiated in the fall of 2024, aimed to redesign the wall aligned with the adjacent Engineering West building and replace it with a CMU low lift grouted wall. The CAED Support Shop is offered as a resource to all CAED students …

A Comparison Of Mass Timber Perceptions Among Construction Professionals Over Time, Josh A. Higginson

Construction Management

Mass timber is a relatively new construction building material consisting of large-scale engineered wood products such as cross-laminated timber (CLT) and glue-laminated timber (glulam). It is gaining attention as a sustainable alternative to traditional steel and concrete, offering benefits such as reduced carbon emissions and enhanced aesthetic appeal. Despite being used on notable projects recently, it is not yet widely accepted by the industry as a whole. This study investigates the evolving awareness, benefits, and challenges associated with mass timber construction among U.S. construction professionals. Through a survey of over 100 construction practitioners, primarily from Cal Poly’s Construction Management Advisory …

Lab Exercise For Cm 114: Static Bending Of Timber And Its Alternatives, Samuel E. Arreola

Construction Management

This lab exercise investigates the static bending behavior of various structural materials. In this lab, the primary objective is to evaluate and compare the stress, strain, and deflection of 2” x 10” lumber, TJI joists, LVL beams, and steel studs under controlled loading conditions. This lab will require the calculation of cross-sectional properties, applying incremental loads until failure, and recording all corresponding deflection values. Material failure was visually documented using photographs to understand structural performance under the load. By using structural engineering principles and the formulas for stress and strain, the completion of this lab exercise provides a comprehensive analysis …

Cutting Mechanisms And Control Systems Required For Precision Cutting With An Autonomous Lettuce Harvester, Aidan V. Fischer

Master's Theses

43% of California’s vast land is consumed for agricultural production to feed the United States and other nations Lettuce production alone brought in over $3 billion in 2022 in California. Most of the lettuce today is still harvested by hand using large groups of seasonal laborers; however, this has become increasingly difficult with an immigrant labor shortage. The objective of this study was to design a low-cost autonomous lettuce harvester prototype and evaluate the performance of the harvester capable of harvesting romaine lettuce preciously on a raised bed.

The harvester is equipped with an electrohydraulic control system that is used …

Open-Source Cubesat Flight Board, Braydon M. Burkhardt

Electrical Engineering

The Helmsman Flight Board is an open-source main flight computer and electrical power system for educational and entry-level CubeSats. The board incorporates commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components in conjunction with simplified monitoring and management circuitry, supporting easy adoption, modifiability, and affordability while crucially enabling the emerging aerospace industry’s rapid ‘design-build-test’ methodology in student satellite teams. Its design includes essential CubeSat subsystems such as battery management, command and data handling, attitude determination, on-board processing, and is built to support real-time embedded operating systems. Key features include an Arm Cortex-M7 based STM32, radiation-resistant memory for OS storage, bulk Flash memory, real-time clock, two …

Zero-G Exercise Equipment, Charisse Biglete, Jake Brajevich, James Monroe, Ethan Siahpush

Mechanical Engineering

In a micro-gravitational environment, the body undergoes less loading than that found on Earth. This leads to muscular atrophy, Osteoporosis, decreases in protein synthesis, and various other undesirable outcomes. To prevent this, astronauts undergo a strict exercise regime to maintain their health. The current exercise equipment available for spacecraft is large, heavy, complicated to use, costly, and unsafe. There is a definite need for the re-engineering of the exercise equipment to be used by astronauts while in microgravity environments to rectify these issues.

Practical Model Of A Labview Controlled Active Magnetic Bearing On A Bently Rotor Kit Validated With Matlab And Msc Adams, Luis Herrera-Delgado

Master's Theses

This thesis aimed to model a rotor supported by an active magnetic bearing (AMB). The magnetic force equation due to a single electromagnet was first derived which served as the basis of AMB modeling. The finalized model utilized Matlab, Simulink, and MSC Adams to simulate a rotor supported by an AMB. Matlab and Simulink were used to model the AMB control system and actuator output. MSC Adams was used to capture the dynamics of a flexible rotor. This model was verified by comparing the model’s simulated vibration to real vibration data measured from a modified Bently Nevada rotor kit equipped …

Peer Collaborative Networks In Undergraduate Computing Classrooms, Noah T. Ravetch

Master's Theses

Peers are an invaluable resource for students at undergraduate universities. Many factors can impact how students form connections, some of which are tied to the students’ identities. While social networks have been studied in the context of universities, little research has been done specifically about peer collaboration and even less in the context of computer science classes. Our research aims to gain an understanding of how peer networks form in computing classes and the effect of being involved in one on students’ academic performances. We collected survey data (n = 139) about students’ peer collaborative behaviors in computer science classes. …

Performance Of Multi-Composite Materials With Corrugated And Cell Geometries Under Low-Velocity Impact, Lukas S. Kolbl

Master's Theses

Composite structures have demonstrated great potential to improve mechanical performance in various applications, including ballistics protection. This study demonstrates that the integration of geometrically optimized composites into core-face sheet assemblies provide great impact resistance. The research investigated the performance of two composite manufacturing methods under low-velocity impact through residual strength and damage comparisons. Corrugated core composites were produced with traditional manufacturing methods, namely compression molding, using twelve stacking sequences. These stacking sequences were chosen to represent four laminate groups, where a unique fiber orientation scheme was employed across three laminate thicknesses (6, 8, and 12 layers). In contrast, honeycomb and …

Finite Element Analysis And Verification Of Transverse Mechanical Properties Of Generally Cylindrical Orthotropic Constitutive Modeling Of 3-Phase Nanocomposite Unit Cell, Christopher J. Hawkins

Master's Theses

Fiber-reinforced composites are increasingly popular due to their specific strength and stiffness, making them ideal for high-performance applications. However, these materials primarily exhibit superior properties in-plane, while their out-of-plane characteristics remain comparatively weaker. Previous research has shown that the most effective method to enhance out-of-plane properties involves the incorporation of carbon nanotubes. Experimental tests have demonstrated significant improvements in properties such as tension, flexural, short beam shear, and fracture toughness. Alongside these experimental studies, analytical equations have been developed to predict the behavior of these composites under various loading conditions, including tension, bending, shear, and fracture. Existing models primarily address …

Bonsai Merkle Tree Streams: Bulk Memory Verification Unit For Trusted Program Verification System, Richard J. Rios

Master's Theses

Today, all modern computing systems are undoubtedly vulnerable to numerous types of attacks that could be targeted toward any layer of the system from dedicated hardware to highly abstracted software. Unfortunately, many devices and systems naturally contain inadequately protected components or software modules that un- dermine their security as a whole. Additionally, security is heavily variable system to system, and has a huge dependence on adequate implementation and ongoing support from device and software manufacturers. To address these various security issues in a very general way, TrustGuard, a containment security system utilizing an external device called the Sentry that would …

Photophoretic Optical Particle Trapping Improvements Using Beam Reflection, Ian A. Garcia, Xiaomin Jin Phd., Kun Hua Phd.

Master's Theses

Current research has shown that photophoretic optical trapping (POT) is a promising method for creating true three-dimensional holograms. A landmark study by Smalley et. al. at BYU was able to generate a full hologram within a 2 cm edge cube with remarkable success. However, a key drawback to this method is its poor ability to hold trapped particles within the focal point of the laser for an extended period of time. An investigation from our group presented at SPIE Photonics West 2023 sought to improve these results by varying the focal length of the trapping and the wavelength of the …

Investigating The Conversion Of A Signalized Intersection To A Turbo Roundabout, Vyshnavi P. Shetty

Master's Theses

Turbo roundabouts are multilane roundabouts that utilize a spiral design with raised lane dividers to guide traffic flow effectively. While they have seen widespread use in Europe, California is the second state in the US (after Florida) to have installed a turbo roundabout. Turbo roundabouts separate the ingress and circulating lanes. The concept was first proposed and implemented in the Netherlands to address safety concerns and improve traffic flow efficiency on conventional multilane roundabouts.

This research evaluates the first-ever turbo roundabout in California and compares its safety and operational performance with the previously existing 4-legged signalized intersection. The research team …

Hypoxic Incubator: Improving Robustness/Reliability And Demonstrating Physiological Efficacy, Damon Dennis Tan

Master's Theses

The Microphysiological Systems Laboratory aims to develop colorectal cancer tumor models under a hypoxic environment to assess model response to pharmaceutical compounds in vitro. To perform relevant studies, researchers have attempted to use different hypoxic inducing strategies such as a nitrogen pod and hypoxic incubator to recreate in vivo physiological responses to hypoxia. However, studies would be interrupted due to incubator functionality failure. To ensure successful and physiologically relevant studies, I improved and verified the robustness and reliability of a hypoxic incubator previously designed and manufactured in the lab. Through the testing and iterating design processes, I engineered and implemented …

3d Printed Microfluidic Fabrication Methodology, Characterization, Mechanical Design, And Applications In Electrostatic Artificial Muscles And Benthic Microbial Fuel Cells, Terak B. Hornik

Master's Theses

The fabrication of microfluidic devices often requires specialized methods. The development of these methods requires careful characterization and understanding of the processes involved. Using primarily PolyJet 3D printing technology, microfluidics offers a wide scope of applications such as microfluidic benthic microbial fuel cells (MBMFCs) and electrostatic artificial muscles. MBMFCs benefit from the confinement of the microbes resulting in close proximity between the electrode and the organisms. Using a modular design called the Sponge, assembly and upscaling is possible. Electrostatic artificial muscles benefit from a microfluidic approach due to the non-linearity of electrostatic attraction creating disproportionate benefits when miniaturized. When designed …