Engineering Commons^™

Engineering Student Learning And Identity: Development Using Sociotechnical Analysis, Alex Yannelli, Fredy Herrarte

College of Engineering Summer Undergraduate Research Program

This project examines the effect of sociotechnical thinking in the context of engineering core classes. Sociotechnical analysis is a problem-solving method that integrates social economic factors into a technical problem to mimic a “real world problem”. Our team analyzed 51 responses to a sociotechnical module from two Statics classes at Cal Poly. Responses were coded and themes identified using qualitative research methods and an online qualitative research software. Our team identified a relationship between engagement with the module and discussions of self, personal engineering identity, and thinking skills. Future goals will be focused on continued data collection and analysis, application …

Spacecraft Attitude Control Simulator, Bricen S. Rigby

College of Engineering Summer Undergraduate Research Program

The Spacecraft Attitude Control Simulator is a single-axis attitude control platform which is intended to recreate the frictionless space environment in order to test cold-gas thruster control schemes. The overall goal of this research project was to observe settling data from the platform and compare it to simulated data. In practice, the predicted settling time was only 7% larger than observed settling time.

Remote Operated Amateur Radio Using Raspberry Pi And Limesdr, Esteban I. Perez

College of Engineering Summer Undergraduate Research Program

This project presents the design and implementation of a portable, remotely programmable amateur radio system operating on the 2-meter and 70-cm bands. The system utilizes Raspberry Pi 5 and LimeSDR hardware to facilitate communication between aerial and ground units, allowing for efficient transmission and reception of synchronization and calibration waveforms. A custom communication protocol incorporating BPSK modulation and a two-tone signaling mechanism enables time-of-flight measurements for calculating distances between nodes. This low-cost solution has potential applications in civilian sectors, such as search and rescue operations, where accurate direction finding and target localization are critical. Full-duplex operation enhances the system's capability …

Optimizing Resume Authenticity And Ats Compatibility With Llm Feedback Integration, Katie He, Justin Lau

College of Engineering Summer Undergraduate Research Program

Resume generation using Large Language Models (LLMs) like ChatGPT is becoming increasingly popular for automating the creation of customized resumes, but significant user modification is often required before submission. Common issues include poor alignment with job descriptions, inflated qualifications, and lack of authenticity, which undermine the effectiveness of LLM-generated resumes. This project addresses these challenges by integrating feedback from Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) to guide LLMs in producing resumes that accurately reflect an applicant’s qualifications and better align with job-specific requirements. By optimizing the model's output through ATS feedback, the project aims to create more authentic, tailored, and ATS-compatible resumes, …

Solubility Characterization Of Organic Molecules For Aqueous Organic Redox Flow Batteries, Anthony W. Ferrell, Harkeerith K. Vij, Seamus D. Jones

College of Engineering Summer Undergraduate Research Program

The major obstacle to renewable energy sources is a lack of long-term energy storage capabilities. Energy produced during the day dissipates, leaving insufficient electricity for at night. The goal of the project is to design an Aqueous Organic Redox Flow Battery (AORFB) to act as long-term energy storage. Work has been done using machine learning to identify suitable compounds for the batteries. In this work there was no indication as to the aqueous solubility of the molecules; this controls the device’s energy storage capabilities. We used a machine learning model to determine the aqueous solubility of slightly more than 3000 …

Enhancing Semantic Search With Human-Crafted Knowledge In Sentence Embeddings, Zachary Weinfeld

College of Engineering Summer Undergraduate Research Program

Semantic search plays a critical role in many domains, with numerous algorithms developed to address it. A common approach involves using sentence transformers to generate embeddings for both search queries and documents, allowing for the comparison of their vectors. While many different embedding models are widely used, our approach integrates these models with human-crafted knowledge in a novel way, resulting in an improvement in the Mean Average Precision (MAP) scores. Traditional embeddings often rely heavily on the specific words used in a query or document. Our technique mitigates this dependency by refining the vectors to capture the overall semantic meaning, …

Advanced Grasping Sensor Technologies For Autonomous Robotic Apple Harvesting Using Tactile Data And Cnns, Chris Bae

College of Engineering Summer Undergraduate Research Program

This research investigates how to achieve an optimal grasp of an apple using a four-finger soft robotic grasper equipped with force-resistive sensors. Specifically, we sought to determine whether a convolutional neural network (CNN) could accurately classify the grasper's state and recommend adjustments ("in," "out," or "good" grasp) based on tactile data from the sensors. Spatiotemporal tactile images were developed from the sensors and fed into our CNN, achieving near 100% accuracy on unseen test data. This work suggests that CNN-based processing of tactile images can be a powerful tool for real-time control of soft robotic grippers.

Cryogenic Fuel Applications To Sustainable Commercial Aircraft, Jack R. Kisling, Lillian Panning

College of Engineering Summer Undergraduate Research Program

Finding a source of clean and renewable energy is one of the greatest challenges humanity will face in the 21st century. With populations expanding, developing countries increasing their use of resources, and the rapid and alarming effects of climate change, a shift to a sustainable future is an existential prospect.

The goal of our project is to take the first steps toward getting safety procedures and lab space established, so mechanical engineering senior projects can quickly begin to experiment with cryogenic fuels. They will explore the application of cryogenic fuels to commercial aviation.

Incorporation Of Gnss Technology For Water-Level Instruments, Armaan S. Oberai, Toma Grundler, Serena B. Lee, Stefan A. Talke

College of Engineering Summer Undergraduate Research Program

Our goal was to take an existing water-level measuring embedded system and upgrade the GNSS module for the purpose of getting the elevation of the device within an error of 1 cm. Main milestones for the project included deploying a successful field test at a known survey point, using software-based post processing to improve the GNSS solution point, and implementing robust hardware and software for the water-level embedded system such that it was easily scalable.

Promoting Retention And Success Of Underrepresented Minorities In Engineering, Sebastian Macias-Gonzalez

College of Engineering Summer Undergraduate Research Program

Equity gaps in higher education have long been a pressing concern, with factors like race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status influencing college attendance, retention, and success rates. While CSU-wide initiatives have been implemented to reduce these disparities, Cal Poly's distinctive role as the only campus transitioning into a Hispanic-serving institution calls for heightened efforts on our campus. Additionally, the persistence of equity gaps in STEM fields, combined with Cal Poly’s strong engineering program, makes it essential to focus on retaining and supporting underrepresented minorities (URM) in engineering disciplines.

Biomechanical Effects Of Worn-Out Shoe Outsoles And Insoles On The Human Foot, Yuka M. Iwashita, James A. Engebretson, Shreeshan Jena

College of Engineering Summer Undergraduate Research Program

The combination of outsole, midsole and insole layers of new shoes provide proper cushioning to the foot during the daily activities of life. Subsequently, the wear-based degeneration or damage to one or more of these sole layers can reduce the cushioning effect to the plantar surface of the foot. This reduction of cushioning effect can impact the distribution of stress concentration regions along the foot plantar surfaces and lead to foot pathologies. The present proposed research intends to study these effects of shoe-wear on the plantar surface of the human foot, using FEA (ABAQUS) and experimental methods. Commonly, the worn-out …

This Is An Automated Software Platform For Grid Interconnection Of Renewable Energy Resources., Cathy Chen, Lani Nguyen

College of Engineering Summer Undergraduate Research Program

To help curb climate change, the United States is rapidly electrifying many sectors of the energy economy, such as transportation (electric vehicles) and home heating (electric heat pumps). Thus, recent years have witnessed an explosion of businesses that want to connect and operate energy resources on the electric grid. However, getting an energy resource connected to the grid is an arduous process that takes years or more, requires specialized technical knowledge, and requires navigating complex and varying regulatory procedures. This project will develop a software platform that leverages AI and high-performance computing to automate and accelerate grid interconnection and energy …

Development Of Python Library For Spacecraft Modeling, Shreya Kale

College of Engineering Summer Undergraduate Research Program

This project involved developing a python library to be used in modeling spacecraft attitude dynamics and control

Gamified Machine Embroidery, Sai Rama Balakrishnan, Vince Thanh Doan

College of Engineering Summer Undergraduate Research Program

This project aims to improve accessibility to the embroidery field by developing an application that captures the utility of a embroidery software (controlling an embroidery machine to produce embroidered output) and combines it with the playfulness of a game, to put those advanced controls in the hands of novices.

Measurement Automation & Measurement System Research Endowment, Brian Bivinetto, Beneda Loya, Shiron Bendrihem

College of Engineering Summer Undergraduate Research Program

Road travel safety is always the most important issue in transportation systems. In general, several factors cause road accidents, such as human error, vehicle mechanical failure, roadway limitations (e.g. pavement, lane geometry, etc.), and inclement weather conditions. The major focus of today’s transportation developments is related to making highway transportation safer, smarter, and greener to enhance livability. Many accidents are caused when drivers lack a better understanding of the surrounding traffic conditions because the driver not only needs to control his/her vehicle but also needs to be aware of the movements of the vehicles around him/her. A driver cannot be …

Wearable Sensor-Based Gait And Balance In Elementary And Middle Schools, Sofie Zalatimo, Catherine Semaan

College of Engineering Summer Undergraduate Research Program

No abstract provided.

Significance Of Noninvasive Endothelial Dysfunction And Other Cardiovascular Measurements In Various Communities, Sofi Z. David, Lily Wilcox, Kalia Richard

College of Engineering Summer Undergraduate Research Program

This pilot study aims to raise awareness of endothelial dysfunction in underrepresented communities, where cardiovascular disease is prevalent. By delivering educational presentations and materials, the study seeks to increase participants' understanding and interest in endothelial dysfunction, potentially leading to proactive health behaviors. The results will inform future initiatives to enhance public knowledge and reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease in these communities.

In the future, there will also be a 3 vs 5-minute hyperemia study. Thirty participants without a history of cardiovascular disease will undergo testing using the Cordex SmartCuff™ device. If the three-minute hold proves to accurately measure endothelial …

Sal-E: Responsive Space Pathfinder Mission, Liam Duckworth, Berfredd Quezon

College of Engineering Summer Undergraduate Research Program

The main objective of the SAL-E mission is to grow the Cal Poly CubeSat Lab’s (PolySat) capabilities in rapid spacecraft design, as well as to provide the current generation of students with the opportunity to design, test, integrate, and communicate with a satellite. This summer we will be focusing on a few aspects of the spacecraft design and preparing our test facilities for Fall. Specifically, we will be ordering electronics boards that were designed in Spring, testing the boards as they arrive, developing software to interface with the payloads, begin integrated testing, updating the control system in our thermal vacuum …

Ai Integration For Intellisar, Eric Lee

College of Engineering Summer Undergraduate Research Program

IntelliSAR aims to integrate AI techniques into Search and Rescue (SAR) operations, building on the foundation laid by previous SURP initiatives. IntelliSAR’s core elements include a front-end for SAR forms, a comprehensive command center dashboard, and AI-driven components designed to enhance SAR decision-making. During summer, our efforts focused on streamlining the user interface by integrating various machine learning models into a unified, interactive dashboard. Our models predict critical factors such as missing persons’ behavior, potential locations, and resource requirements, with the goal of optimizing response times and improving the effectiveness of SAR teams.

Computer Vision In A Robotic Arm, Jack Maxwell

College of Engineering Summer Undergraduate Research Program

We used a machine learning-based object detection algorithm to give a robotic arm the ability to "see" with its camera.

Exploring Human Responses In Conversations With Ai Entities, Phillip Semenov, Miguel Coronado

College of Engineering Summer Undergraduate Research Program

This study argues that while AI systems have become increasingly advanced, they still evoke distinct emotional responses compared to human interactions, potentially limiting their effectiveness in emotionally-driven environments. We used the Emotiv Insight brain-computer interface to monitor participants' emotional responses during controlled interactions with both AI systems and other humans. Key emotional metrics, such as arousal, focus, and stress, were recorded in real time, providing a detailed picture of the emotional dynamics at play in each type of interaction. Participants exhibited higher levels of excitement, stress, and focus during interactions with humans compared to AI systems, while other emotions like …

Computational Modeling Of High Yttrium Refractory High Entropy Alloy Microstructures, Kaleb C. Ryan, Marissa M. Baker

College of Engineering Summer Undergraduate Research Program

Refractory high entropy alloys (RHEAs) are advanced metals made up of five or more principal elements in roughly equal amounts. The microstructural effects of alloying with yttrium as a principal element for RHEAs are currently not well understood. This project compared RHEA microstructures from literature with simulations using the High Entropy Alloy Predicting Software (HEAPS), which computes 10 screening criteria to predict the microstructure of a RHEA composition. The accuracy of HEAPS predictions was assessed by comparing them with experimentally validated microstructures found in literature. A combination of criteria was found to have a 95.8% accuracy rate, and a new …

Wearable Sensing Systems And Data Analytics For Pressure Sensing Socket Prostheses, Stacey Le, Mio Nakagawa

College of Engineering Summer Undergraduate Research Program

Prosthetics have been widely used as the primary solution for lower limb amputations, but residual limb volume fluctuations have posed challenges to the effectiveness and comfortability of these devices. In this project, we aim to observe pressure distribution patterns in the prosthetic socket during gait using sensing technology and investigate the performance of different machine learning algorithms on determining good or bad fit.

Deep-Learning Based Microstructure Reconstruction And Generation, Cameron J. Maloney, Lucas Taliaferro

College of Engineering Summer Undergraduate Research Program

Characterizing the microstructural behavior of materials is crucial for understanding their properties and performance. Traditional imaging methods, such as optical microscopy and electron microscopy, are effective but costly and time-consuming. Computational approaches can reduce costs and time while expanding the accessibility of microstructural analysis through the generation of new microstructure images. Traditional computational approaches, namely descriptor-based approaches, are slow but effective in low-data scenarios. Modern approaches use machine learning (ML), which is faster but often requires a lot of data to approach the performance of descriptor-based methods. This research leverages a special data-efficient Generative Adversarial Network (GAN) architecture to artificially …

Surrogate Models For Stress-Strain Mapping Of Microscale Physics, Samuel Roach, Dr. Eric Ocegueda

College of Engineering Summer Undergraduate Research Program

•Learn the difference between different neural networks within machine learning (ML) •Develop a working understanding of the ML tool Pytorch and machine learning operator: Recurrent Neural Operator •Use MATLAB to create and process time dependent stress/strain matrices to display the hyper-parameters for different RNOs •Apply RNO to train the strain-stress mapping of tri-laminate and granular cases

Attitude Control Of A Flexible Flapping Wing Uav Based On Fuzzy Logic, Reed M. Paulson, Tyson Chen, Diego Del Real, Nico Morrison

College of Engineering Summer Undergraduate Research Program

This project revolves around creating an a attitude controller for a hovering flexible flapping wing UAV that is based on a flying hummingbird. We based our model from a paper by Banazadeh and Taymourtash1 , First replicating the open-loop results using the nonlinear dynamic model and the equations of motion (seen below) while considering aerodynamic loads. Once replicated, we then used fuzzy logic to model the dynamic model. Subsequently, we designed a fuzzy controller to stabilize the hovering mode. We then considered and detailed future work needed to make further progress in this area.

Exploration Of Esp32 Vulnerabilities And Malware, Charles T. Moreno

College of Engineering Summer Undergraduate Research Program

The rapid expansion of the Internet of Things (IoT) has revolutionized industries by enabling connected smart devices to monitor, communicate, and automate tasks in real-time. Central to the functioning of many IoT systems are microcontrollers like the ESP32, a versatile and low-cost microcontroller known for its integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities. The ESP32's powerful processing, energy efficiency, and adaptability make it a popular choice for IoT applications ranging from smart home devices to industrial automation. However, as IoT adoption grows, so too do the security challenges posed by vulnerabilities in these devices, particularly within ESP32-based systems. For this project, I …

Seismic Resilience Of Timber Homes, Melia R. Costa

College of Engineering Summer Undergraduate Research Program

The vast majority of residential buildings in California are wood-frame structures. A home is typically a very large investment for families, and damage to the home can be detrimental to a family’s economic success. Thus, reducing the economic impacts of an earthquake on residential timber housing is crucial. A full scale, two-story section of a residential timber house is in construction in the Parson’s Geotechnical and Earthquake Engineering Laboratory on the Cal Poly campus in San Luis Obispo, California. Once built it will be put through earthquake simulation tests on a shake table with various magnitudes of seismic activity. Next, …

Drive To Succeed: Empowering Underserved Communities Through Autonomous Driving Education, Amanda I. Chan

College of Engineering Summer Undergraduate Research Program

Autonomous vehicle (AV) technology represents the leading edge of innovation in transportation and holds immense potential to transform industries across the globe, with California at the forefront. However, access to education and technical training in this field has often been out of reach for students in underserved communities. The “Drive to Succeed” project endeavors to bridge this gap by introducing autonomous driving technology to high school students in communities where access has traditionally been limited. We propose an outreach program specifically designed to address the underrepresentation of marginalized groups in technology sectors and cultivate the next generation of engineers from …

Distributed Multi-Robot Localization And Coordination Framework For Mobile Robots, Dmitri Dobrynin, Indigo T. Garcia

College of Engineering Summer Undergraduate Research Program

This project aims to develop an experimental framework for multiple mobile robots, both in simulation and real-world hardware, using ROS 2 as the primary operating system. Utilizing TurtleBot 3 platforms, the team will establish a robust setup that enables tasks such as distributed localization, autonomous navigation, path planning, and formation control for mobile robots. Leveraging simulation environments like Gazebo, the project will replicate real-world setups in a simulated environment for testing and development. All tasks, communication, and sensor integration will be implemented using ROS 2, ensuring seamless coordination and interoperability among the robots. The project involves integrating various sensors and …