Engineering Commons^™

Rover On A Chip (Roach) Debris Utility & Solar Shell Technology (Dusst), Joshua Aaron Tuttobene, Jacquelyn Rose Banh, Nathan Christopher Chapman, Tanner Casey Wells

Mechanical Engineering

The Rover on A Chip project’s Debris Utility and Solar Shell Technology team’s final design is outlined in this document. Starting with the design of our system, this document highlights important progress made since the Critical Design Review and fully describes our final design and verification of our final prototype. We then justify these design choices by testing multiple functionalities and conditions to ensure they will meet all of our specifications. Next, we describe in detail our procurement manufacturing method for the project. Lastly, we wrap up by discussing recommendations and the next steps for the project moving forward.

Since …

3d-Printed Remote Controlled Aircraft, Sebastian Bessoudo, Jose Ramirez, Manny Ruiz, Andrew Edwards

Mechanical Engineering

The Senior Project for the 3D Printed Aircraft presents a compelling challenge to the team: design and fabricate an aircraft for the Cal State LA 3D-Printed Fixed-Wing Aircraft Competition, comprising three distinct events: Flight, Design, and Simulation. The objective of the flight competition is to achieve the longest flight duration, while the design event emphasizes innovation and originality. In the Simulation contest, our aircraft's CAD model undergoes Computational Fluid Dynamics analysis to assess its aerodynamic performance. These competitions are slated for May 2024.

While building the aircraft has its limitations due to the source of our construction being only 3D …

Snap It & Send It, Samantha Gonzales, Brienne Berger, Kelsea Clays, Jessica Schmok

Mechanical Engineering

This report details the final design, manufacturing and assembly, testing procedures and results, as well as future design recommendations of a device aimed at enhancing the mountain biking experience for individuals with limited thumb strength. This project particularly focused on the experience of our sponsor, Cal Poly Mechanical Engineering Professor Andrew Kean. Our team's objective was to create a secure, ergonomic handlebar grip system that does not require thumb strength and is adaptable to various mountain bike models. The final design utilizes a rigid hook that snaps onto mountain bike handlebars with a long, flat piece that slides into a …

Automated Expanding Fireplace, Fermin Moreno, Eduardo Hernandez, Wilbert Quiterio, Ben Hoefer

Mechanical Engineering

The Final Design Review (FDR) encompasses information regarding the final design verification prototype (FVP), manufacturing, testing, and future recommendations for the Expanding Fireplace Senior Project sponsored by the SLO Civic Ballet. The project aims to create the frame of an expanding fireplace set piece for The Nutcracker production at the Cal Poly Performing Arts Center in December 2024. The current set piece being used has unfavorable features that will be addressed with the new design. The current set piece being used has unfavorable features that have been addressed with the new design we have developed. Our sponsors have proposed several …

Miniature Train Engine, Jason Patrick Lacson Del Castillo, Renato Andrew Dilauro, Sophia Theresa Tiu, Robert John Pallares Iii

Mechanical Engineering

This report details the redesign of the Mini Train Prop for the SLO Civic Ballet’s The Nutcracker, aiming to create a lighter, more user-friendly, and easily maneuverable train. The Final Design Review (FDR) includes the design process, manufacturing plan, and justifications for decisions made. Key improvements are reducing the train's weight, automating the fake wheels, and enhancing maneuverability with a neutral pin and lever system. In this report we detail the significant changes since the Critical Design Review (CDR). The implementation covers procurement, manufacturing, and assembly, while design verification ensures compliance with cost, weight, turn radius, and structural integrity specifications. …

Bird Trail Stairway Access Replacement, Mackenzie Wright, William Spellman, Nicholas Buccino, Jack Long

Mechanical Engineering

Dana Adobe & Cultural Center, a non-profit organization in Nipomo, California, seeks to restore access to the Bird Trail located on their site. This project aims to design and manufacture a replacement stairway for safe creek bed crossing on the trail. Within this document, we have detailed our system design, function, and justification for our design. The procurement, manufacturing, and assembly plan have been outlined along with tests we completed.

One of the most important functions of our design is for the structure to be retractable so that it can be removed from the creek bed when needed. To address …

Facility Thermal Balance And Transport, Giovanni V. Minnite, Silas O R Goldfarb, Cole J. Houston, Dominique Aguilera, Cole M. Silva

Mechanical Engineering

This Final Design Review (FDR) report outlines the senior design project completed by a team of five mechanical engineering students at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo for Senior Industrial Engineer, Mr. Tom Bass, of Entegris, Inc. The team developed an innovative system to address the issue of ice accumulation on cryogenic vaporizers at the Entegris facility. Ice buildup, caused by the extremely low temperatures of the cryogenic fluid, reduces the efficiency of vaporizers and places additional stress on the system. To combat this, the team designed and constructed a prototype that utilizes a thermal transport loop to transfer …

F21 - Variable Damper, Harrison Pomerantz, Anthony Mendoza, Owen Wilks

Mechanical Engineering

This document outlines the final design phase for the Solar Turbines Variable Damper project, aiming to enhance the safety and serviceability of gas turbines enclosure ventilation system. The primary focus of this project is to address the challenge of maintaining optimal internal pressure within the gas generator enclosures while enabling remote control of the damper position.

In this report, the full system design is described in detail. Then, the part procurement, manufacturing, and assembly of the variable damper and test stand is provided to outline the steps and processes taken to complete the final prototype. After discussing the final prototype, …

Smart Cushion Device For Elderly Aging In Place, Anna Dion, Nate Colley, Leonardo Bravo

Biomedical Engineering

Our task at hand is to develop a consumer-focused solution for improving elder care to provide additional peace of mind for seniors and caregivers using technology to extend independent living. We intend to create a device that will improve the quality of life of elderly individuals living alone by encouraging periodical movement throughout the day, along with monitoring pressure distribution and alerting when pressure concentration is potentially harmful. It will also alert users to the presence of moisture which can arise from spills or incontinence. The key stakeholders of this project include elderly adults over the age of 65 who …

Masonry Column Analysis Through Python, Ali Sherief Saleh

Architectural Engineering

This project serves as a study of Masonry Column Analysis and Design through the lens of the TMS 402 (22) Code: mimicking in-firm tools without using finite-element analysis. Chapter 9 of the TMS 402 (22) code provides the outline of the process taken to analyze these columns.

Investigation compares columns using the Python program to hand-calculations designs as to show additional capability that is lost due to approximation. PM-interaction for the columns is computed by a stress-strain approach. This report expands on the python design and approach to User Interface and inputs that are needed to analyze multiple datatypes with …

High-Power Microwave Antenna Design, Luke C. Chase

Electrical Engineering

High-power microwave antennas are essential for defense industry radar systems, cyber warfare, and power transmission. The US Department of Defense a SBIR proposal specifying the need for a high-power phased-array microwave antenna for the US Air Force.

Vivaldi antennas, invented in 1978 by Peter Gibson, have been widely adopted for radar applications due to their high bandwidth and gain performance. Considerable amounts of research exists on designing Vivaldis for different applications ranging from radar to communications. Using antenna theory and past research, a new Vivaldi antenna was designed to meet the requirements mandated by the DoD research contract.

This project …

Exploration Of Software Defined Radios To Increase Capabilities Of Affordable Mesh Networks, Liam K. Mccarthy

Electrical Engineering

Project OWL is developing a LoRa mesh network “DuckLinks” for emergency communications, and the current LoRa protocol the Clusterduck Protocol is based on is severely limited in data rate. OWL plans to use Raspberry Pi computers to develop the next phase of Duck radios, which greatly opens the computing potential and flexibility of the system the Ducks run on. Using LimeSDR and GNU Radio, an open source SDR programming environment, this project seeks to develop a simple SDR-based packet transmission system that allows for communication with Duck radios as well as the use of a different modulation scheme for higher …

Motor Controller Board For Cubesat Reaction Wheels, Tanner Ehlers

Electrical Engineering

Reaction wheels are crucial for CubeSats, providing precise attitude control and stability in the environment of space, enabling successful mission execution. The ‘Reaction Wheels’ project in the Cal Poly CubeSat Lab is in need of a new motor controller board due to the current board’s malfunction and inefficiencies in terms of size, complexity, power usage, and cost. Previously, other students have completed work on the mechanical design of the system, but little work has been done for the electrical components. The goal of this project is to design and test a new motor controller board that is compact, lightweight, power …

Prosthetic Forearm Controller, Claire Tylutki, Kevin Lopatka, Sofia Zaletel, Hardit Singh

Electrical Engineering

The EMG controlled prosthetic arm project represents a significant advancement in upper limb prosthetics, leveraging cutting-edge technology to address critical user needs. With over two million individuals in the United States living with limb loss, a substantial portion being upper limb amputees, the demand for accessible and functional prosthetic solutions is pressing. This project focuses largely on refining prosthetic limb control through the integration of electromyography (EMG) signal processing and control. Using surface electrodes, this project employs non-invasive means of data collection combined with modern digital signal processing methods to implement faster and more accurate control. The control system also …

Battery Energy Storage System, Alec C. Maclean, Kaylen H. Schwartz, Kyle A. Begley

Electrical Engineering

The project is a continuation of part 1 of the “Reliability Measurement for Grid-Connected Solar System” project. The goal is to continue where the previous design failed. This project will configure an ITECH IT-6000C and Tabuchi Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) to the small-scale microgrid at the Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo EE Department. Initially, a system was designed to connect an ITECH IT-M3633 as a PV solar source emulator to the Tabuchi BESS within a grid-connected microgrid system in Room 20-102 at Cal Poly. A Photovoltaic Thevenin equivalent model was developed for the ITECH IT-M3633, but this setup failed …

Ross Dam Micro Hydro Project, Marirose Evenden, Tyler Reents, Elena Ryan, Tevan Kim

Mechanical Engineering

The Ross Dam and reservoir in Angels Camp needs a reliable power source for powering its SCADA system which monitors its water level and flow rate. Currently, the existing hydro power supply is very unreliable and needs to be replaced with a micro hydro generator system that can consistently produce power to charge the onsite batteries. This paper details the design and implementation of a micro hydro Pelton wheel replacement system designed by our senior project team.

Outlined in this report is our design overview of the system and how our project will redesign and optimize the use of the …

Bolin Symes Prosthetic, Samuel C. Collins, Rowan Sun, Jake Hacker

Biomedical Engineering

This project’s purpose is to design a comfortable prosthetic for an individual with a Syme’s amputation, which is a below-knee amputation that removes the foot from the leg at the ankle joint. The goal is to minimize the discomfort that is associated with the current prosthetic leg options for the client, Mr. Bolin, who has the Syme’s amputation. This project also seeks to improve mobility, quality of life, and activity levels of the client. The stakeholder for this project is Mr. Bolin. The final prototype performed successfully when worn by the client and passed comfort testing. Furthermore, COMSOL modeling of …

Foot And Ankle Exoskeleton, Janet M. Velasquez Cabral, Kathryn C. Hamilton, Grant R. Lautze

Biomedical Engineering

This paper presents a non-motorized foot and ankle exoskeleton to assist persons who have no lower limb or abdominal function. Exoskeletons are defined as “an artificial external supporting structure” [1], they are wearable devices that can be used to assist the capabilities of the human body. Although the exoskeleton must be used with crutches, plantarflexion and dorsiflexion will be implemented within the ankle joint to alleviate strain on the foot and ankle, strategically designed in a way that supports the user so their walking performance is as ideal as possible. Additionally, safety straps will be integrated into the foot portion …

Prosthetic Aid For Lifting (Pal), Emma Caringella, Cameron Yartz, Dawn Veditz

Biomedical Engineering

Approximately 1.7 million people in the United States use a limb prosthetic [1]. For these individuals, their prosthetic often enables them to engage in their choice of physical activities. Many prosthetic companies design prosthetic limbs for use in specific athletic activities such as weightlifting. These devices are not designed for everyday wear or a large variety of tasks but enable the person to interact with free weights and workout machines. According to an email conversation between the team and Bob Radocy, Founder of Therapeutic Recreational Services (TRS Inc.) and upper limb amputee, while he could not reveal how many people …

Deep Vein Thrombosis Diagnostic Device, Alisha Mitha, Karina Martel, Ayla Silbahar

Biomedical Engineering

Deep Vein Thrombosis is one of the leading causes of death in hospitals worldwide due its ability to form in patients who are sedentary after receiving care. There is a need for a DVT diagnostic device that can be worn constantly in order to alert medical professionals if a thrombosis is forming, which is the basis of this senior project. The current solutions are time consuming, and look for thrombi after they have fully formed. The goal of this senior project is to design and construct a device to constantly monitor in-hospital patients for early stage DVT and alert hospital …

Echoes Of Nature: Using Biodata Sonification To Model Electrical Communication In Plants, Penelope Anna Alioshin

Electrical Engineering

The use of biodata sonification as a tool to visualize biological data is a response to recent developments in the intersection of art and technology. This project explores the intersection by converting the electrical impulses given off by plants into audio signals. By processing and amplifying the voltage difference between two electrodes on a plant, its communication is quantified. The goal is to use this communication model as a tool to increase ecological awareness as well as improve machine learning models. A deeper understanding of non-human communication systems, specifically those that employ superposition decision matrices, could help to drastically increase …

Advancing Embedded Iot Architectures For Space And Terrestrial Applications, Wuwei Douglas Liu, Nicolas Jesus Alvarez, Eric Huang

Electrical Engineering

Radio transceivers play a pivotal role in establishing communication networks, particularly in regions where existing infrastructures are unstable or compromised due to natural disasters or conflicts. By utilizing LoRa (Long Range) communication technology, OWL Integrations develops radio transceivers to establish mesh networks to communicate with one another during disasters. This project team continues development of a second generation OWL board, classified as Quacker Advanced Development (QuAD), with a focus on transitioning to a new microcontroller and integrating GNSS libraries and drivers. An ulterior objective involved R&D for a space application of the board.

Ross Dam Micro Hydropower Project, Ryan Pospichal, Wilson Szeto

Electrical Engineering

In 2020, Utica Water and Power Authority (UWPA) commissioned the development and installation of a micro hydropower system for Ross Dam in northern California. The micro-hydro system was intended to serve as a reliable source of renewable energy to power on-site equipment for monitoring the Ross Reservoir. Despite its innovative approach, the system encountered operational shortcomings, including frequent mechanical failures, rapid wear, and an inability to adapt to variable flow rates. To address these challenges, UWPA has commissioned interdisciplinary teams of Mechanical Engineering (ME) and Electrical Engineering (EE) students to redesign the micro hydropower system. The ME team was entrusted …

X-Band Wireless Power Transfer System Using A Focused Array Lens, Jason Alexander Kunz, Tyler S. Bury, Oscar Damian Gonzalez, Jaime Garcia

Electrical Engineering

Wireless power beaming from space and energy harvesting were once stories of science fiction, until now. Wireless power transmission (WPT) is a field continually in development to provide energy in situations where energy transfer through wires is impractical or unfeasible. This engineering discipline abandons the use of wire technology for the energy transfer between the power source and a distant device. While various forms of WPT exist, our project focuses on transmission through means of radio frequency (RF), utilizing electromagnetic waves to power devices. Furthermore, WPT technology primarily assists in the elimination of a physical connection between devices, and it …

Design Of High Efficiency Doherty Power Amplifier, Kobi G. Kelly, Severin Pindell

Electrical Engineering

The project includes design and fabrication of a high efficiency power amplifier for a student design competition held at International Microwave Symposium (IMS) 2023. Efficient power amplifiers are critical for base station communication requiring efficient use of available power. The final design optimizes power added efficiency (PAE) and linearity. The amplifier will operate at 2.45 GHz. Competitive PAE above 50%, and C/I above 30 dB is achieved by leveraging a Doherty class amplifier using accurate discrete CGH4006P transistor models to simulate an efficient and linear design. Unique design features include optimal transistor bias point selection and power split ratios between …

A 4-Switch Buck-Boost Dc/Dc Converter For Electric Vehicle Applications, Andrew Hudak, Ashley Schiller

Electrical Engineering

In this project, we develop a four switch buck-boost DC/DC converter that is to be integrated into a microgrid-inspired power distribution architecture for electric vehicles. The overall architecture includes DC/DC and DC/AC converters for bi-directional energy transfer between the DC and AC ports along with a communications port to control each energy interface. There is also the onboard battery and the internal combustion engine power exchange being done with DC/DC converters and AC/DC inverters to connect to the centralized DC bus. Hardware prototypes using an Arduino and Raspberry Pi for the 500 W DC/DC and DC/AC converters have been previously …

Software Defined Radio Applicability Investigation For Owl Integrations Inc., Daniel J. Gharib

Electrical Engineering

OWL Integrations Inc. is developing a LoRa mesh network using “Duck” radios to communicate using the LoRa modulation technique. This mesh network is intended for emergency communications in situations where Internet or cellular access is unavailable, such as disaster relief or warzones. The goal of this project is to investigate the feasibility of using the CaribouLite SDR as a potential base for a SDR-based “Duck”. This feasibility testing will be performed by integrating the CaribouLite with a Raspberry Pi single-board computer and investigating its compatibility and functionality for the purposes of a communication device

Formula Sae Vehicle Dynamics Controller, Luke Edward Bosworth

Electrical Engineering

Throughout the history of motorsports, engineers have continuously pushed the boundaries of speed and control in the pursuit of enhancing vehicle performance on the track. Today’s top performing motor-vehicles leverage electric motors to the deliver instantaneous torque to the vehicle’s tires. While these electric motors can deliver a lot of power very efficiently, the delivery must be well controlled to get the most performance out of the tires. The Formula SAE Vehicle Dynamics Controller (VDC) senior project integrates vehicle modeling, state estimation, and yaw moment controls into a small- scale Formula-one style electric vehicle, improving vehicle performance and laying the …

Multi-Hop And Automated Testing Of Wide-Area Network Radio Systems, Zachary C. Numa, Joseph S. Nuccio

Electrical Engineering

Requests for low-power and versatile wide-area Internet-of-Things (IoT) networks are becoming more prevalent with upcoming research in low-data rate ad-hoc mesh networks. Connections to terrestrial satellites have proven promising methods for increasing range capabilities for wide area networks (WAN). As research in communication with IoT networks and satellites progresses, reliable multi-hop mesh networks for Earth-based communication are still necessary to develop the base for satellite communication. These multi-hop communication mesh networks are being developed to allow communication where Line-of-Sight (LOS) from A to B is incapable due to environmental barriers. Hence, communication is possible without LOS by providing an intermediate …

2-Bit Schiffman Phase Shifter, Tavita Dayton, Enrique Ruiz

Electrical Engineering

Phase shifters are found in microwave/RF applications such as defense or wireless communications for their ability to control the relative phase of a system which allows for alignment of signals to obtain constructive interference. Typical phase shifters are chip level (digital and analog) which require a DC bias therefore restricting PCB use unless allowance for air gaps. The paper analyzes a passive and low-profile 2-bit phase shifter using the Schiffman architecture, which outputs a near-constant 90 degree shift over a wide band of frequencies. The design process initially confirmed a proper 90 degree phase shift over the desired WiFi band, …