A gastrostomy tube (G-tube), also known as a feeding tube, is a medical device inserted through the abdominal wall into the stomach to provide nutrition, fluids, and medications to patients who are unable to eat or swallow safely. One of the most common types of G-tubes uses an internal retention mechanism in the form of an inflatable balloon. This balloon is filled with sterile water once the tube is in place, anchoring the device inside the stomach.

While widely used, balloon-based retention systems present several issues. Over time, the balloon can degrade, deflate, or rupture due to mechanical stress, and/or chemical exposure. Balloon failure is one of the most common reasons for unplanned G-tube replacements, leading to patient discomfort, nutritional disruption, and increased healthcare burden. Additionally, if a balloon fails during use, the tube can become dislodged, increasing the risk of peristomal leakage, infection, and potential closure of the stoma, especially in new placements.

The goal of this capstone project is to design a novel, non-inflatable internal retention mechanism for a G-tube that provides reliable anchoring while minimizing the risk of accidental dislodgment and device failure. This alternative solution should prioritize patient safety, comfort, and ease of replacement.

The aim of this capstone project is to design and develop a drone equipped with a specialized payload to aid in disaster recovery scenarios, particularly when communication towers are compromised due to hurricanes or other natural disasters. The drone would be deployed post-disaster to facilitate emergency communications by receiving an emergency analog VHF channel and repeating the transmission on a UHF analog channel. Students will start by conducting a thorough needs assessment to understand the requirements and constraints of disaster recovery communication. They will then proceed to build, purchase, or alter a drone capable of carrying the necessary payload. The payload will consist of a communication system capable of receiving VHF signals and retransmitting them on UHF frequencies. The project will encompass various phases including research, design, development, testing, and deployment. Students will be responsible for ensuring that the drone and payload meets all operational requirements while also adhering to regulatory standards for unmanned aerial systems.

Student learning experience:
Students will gain hands-on experience in:
• Aerodynamic design and analysis for different drone types (fixed wing vs quad copter)
• Integration of communication system and payload
• Understanding and implementing VHF and UHF communication technology
• Drone assembly, testing, and flight operations
• Problem-solving and critical thinking

There are more than 5 million miles of fiber-optic wiring and more than 180 million utility poles in the United States. Most of the lines are above-ground (aerial) and are operated by investor-owned utilities. Even though most of the telecom grids are digitally recorded on GIS (Geographic Information System) maps, there is not always sufficient information to determine the vertical position of the utility components below or above ground. This lack of 3D perception contributes to the more than 400,000 accidents related to utility lines as reported by the Common Ground Alliance in their yearly reports. Additionally, lines that are not within the aerial sag limits frequently cause accidents and fires.

To combat this lack of 3D mapping, PeakView Solutions wants to offer a system that digitally captures above-ground telecom equipment and displays it to technicians via augmented reality (AR). This should reduce the number of accidents and help workers navigate above-ground utilities more effectively. Using ground or drone-mounted optical sensors might offer a potential solution to the data-gathering portion of the project. The information displayed in AR should also contain the identification, location, and conditions of the utility component (metadata). Lastly, the resulting software architecture should accommodate future integration with utility-grade CAD tools for network mapping.
Desired data metrics: Pole location, distance between poles, cable span and sag, lowest sag ground clearance, transformer and amplifier location, drop cable location, pedestal location, and ONT location.

Scope: (1) Research the best technologies to capture, store, and render data. (2) Perform trade studies for the various components. (3) Design a ground or aerial system that can accomplish the project goal. Although this is a prototype, consider the user experience and maintenance requirements in the design. (4) Build the system prototype along with the AR interface, considering off-the-shelf technology first. (5) Provide mechanical, electrical, and software diagrams of the system’s working components and processes. (6) Test the prototype for performance, safety, and ease of use. Use engineering design processes until an optimal design is found. (7) Develop plans (including cost estimates) to turn the system prototype into a compact, turnkey system that can be sold to customers and operated by technicians in the field. (8) Present results in a video conference and PowerPoint presentation.

Students will design and test a rig to anchor the potential thermally diodic effects of constructions involving Shape Memory Alloys for controlling heat flow into and out of sensitive electronics. In the 2025-2026 year students will leverage progress and equipment developed by the 2024-2025 team to improve the test rig and to test a more complex multi-layer construction.

The management of plastic and other hydrocarbon waste is one of the most pressing issues of our civilization. As these often harmful materials break down, they pollute our air, water, and soil. Unsuspecting wildlife often succumbs to this waste due to suffocation, blockage, or entanglement. To alleviate these issues, PeakView Environmental Solutions aims to develop a mobile pyrolysis and oil refining plant that can be shipped to small, underdeveloped islands and areas that have recently been hit by natural disasters and are struggling with the supply of clean drinking water, electricity, and fuel. By utilizing the often abundant organic waste, such as plastic, tires, and plant debris, locals can produce their own biofuel and run power generators for water pumps, filters, and other emergency equipment.

The goal of this project is to improve the existing pyrolysis reactor design in terms of durability, portability, safety, temperature consistency, and user friendliness. The existing system takes plastic and other organics as input and produces a flammable hydrocarbon liquid as output. The first-year team was able to design and build a functional prototype which can now be taken as a proof of concept and iterated to the next level. This year’s goal is to use the resulting design to manufacture a first batch of units that can be shipped to communities in need. The project will require mechanical engineering for the durability and portability improvements, biosystems engineering for the safety requirements, electrical engineering for the control mechanisms that will enable the temperature consistencies, and industrial engineering for the user friendliness.

Scope: (1) Research the pyrolysis process for plastic and determine how best to improve the metrics of durability, portability, safety, temperature consistency, and user friendliness. (2) Confirm your understanding with the relevant university support staff. (3) Design new components for the system as needed. Consider off-the-shelf technology first and find customized solutions as needed. (4) Redesign existing components for optimal usage in the field. (5) Create the Job Safety Analysis (JSA) document required for component and system testing. (6) Provide mechanical, environmental, and electrical diagrams of the system’s working components and processes. (7) Test the system for performance, safety, and ease of use and iterate on previous steps until an optimal design is found. (8) Present results in a video conference and PowerPoint presentation.

The team will be expected to design, analyze, and wind-tunnel test a model that develops the understanding of the benefits of using the Coanda effect to minimize the negative impact of compressor hub cavity recirculation into the main gas path of a turbofan high pressure compressor. The team will need access to software to create 3D models and to execute computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and finite element (FEA) analyses. A preliminary statement of work includes:
1) Perform aerodynamic and mechanical analyses of an airfoil cascade at predicted rig test condition without hub injection. Includes method of assembly and installation into Educational Wind Tunnel
2) Design a pressurized secondary flow system that can introduce the stator hub flow during testing of the model in the Educational Wind Tunnel
3) Update the aerodynamic model to include stator hub injection representative of current and Coanda-influenced configurations
a. This model may need to be simplified as a simple source term at the hub as opposed to modeling the geometry depending on CAD/CFD proficiency
4) Manufacture or procure all test hardware including instrumentation to measure cascade exit conditions and quantify the benefit of the Coanda-directed design
a. Many of the parts may be 3D printed, including the airfoil
5) Analyze the data, make comparisons to analytical predictions, and generate a final report that describes the program, the benefits of the Coanda-directed design, and any recommendations based on lessons learned during the project

Acron Aviation is implementing ACAS Xu, a next-generation collision avoidance capability for unmanned aircraft. This function may be hosted on several multiple different radio platforms currently produced by Acron Aviation. Currently, when an anomaly occurs in the field or at the customer site, there is not a mechanism that can appropriately “playback” the offending scenario at the Acron Aviation site. These scenarios would involve “intruder” aircraft that enter the collision protection area around the aircraft, and post-flight analysis of the scenarios helps validate the ACAS Xu algorithms and improves safety of aircraft operations.

The team will be expected to explore various materials and manufacturing methods for a hybrid composite/metallic stator for turbofan engines and evaluate the potential for real-world implementation. In this process, the team should be mindful of business considerations such as cost and weight. The team will need access to software to create 3D models and to execute computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and finite element (FEA) analyses. A preliminary statement of work includes:
1) Research current production standard composite stator manufacturing strategies to understand its advantages and disadvantages, including the necessity of a metallic reinforced leading edge to protect against erosion.
2) Research alternative composite manufacturing methods that could be applied in the context of turbofan engine stators, with special consideration for the metallic leading edge and possible alternatives.
3) Develop/choose at least one new composite/metallic manufacturing strategy that the team is capable of testing.
4) Perform mechanical analyses of stators for both the current and new manufacturing strategies; adjust the new strategy as needed.
a. If adjustments need to be made to the design/airfoil shape of the stator, or if the new strategy shows concern for geometric tolerances, model and evaluate the aerodynamic impact.
5) Manufacture or procure all necessary hardware (e.g., composite molds, mounting fixtures, metallic stator components, etc.) to develop stators with the new composite/metallic manufacturing strategy.
6) Conduct static loading tests and impact tests (if possible) to assess stator strength and compliance with foreign object debris (FOD) requirements.
7) Analyze the data and generate a final report that describes the program, the benefits, drawbacks, and risks for the new composite/metallic manufacturing strategy, and any recommendations based on lessons learned during the project.

The team is expected to prioritize the items in the statement of work above; however, the team may choose to explore additional relevant objectives if time permits. These optional objectives include:
1) Research considerations and limitations of sustained and repeated high temperature (200-800 deg. F) interactions for the composite/metallic stator.
2) Simulate and/or test sustained and repeated high temperature interactions for the current and/or new composite/metallic stator and evaluate the impact on the strength and geometric tolerances of the stator.
3) Develop one or more additional composite/metallic manufacturing strategies that would improve the thermal capabilities of the stator.
4) Simulate and/or test sustained and repeated high temperature interactions for the additional composite/metallic stator and evaluate the impact on the strength and geometric tolerances of the stator.

This project will benefit neurodiverse children and families struggling with fear-based grooming routines, helping turn hygiene tasks into emotionally positive, independent moments. It supports UArizona’s mission in healthcare innovation, neurodiverse inclusion, and real-world design for underserved populations.

Background and Need: Whisper Wild was created in response to a traumatic haircut experience suffered by a young boy named Luke during a sensory meltdown. His story is one of many that demonstrate how traditional grooming tools can overwhelm and harm children with autism or sensory processing disorders. These children often experience grooming tasks — like nail trimming or haircuts — as physically painful or emotionally threatening events due to hyper-sensitivities to noise, touch, and unpredictability. These are not small inconveniences; they are major barriers to safety, hygiene, and dignity. Whisper Wild provides an emotionally safe and sensory-informed alternative through ergonomic, animal-themed grooming tools that incorporate soft materials, lights, sounds, and tactile cues to guide participation and reduce fear.

Project Description: The goal is to design, prototype, and refine two sensory-safe grooming products for children ages 3–10:
1. Whisper Wild Critter Clippers – Manual, animal-shaped nail trimmers featuring rounded PDV-coated ceramic blades, sensory feedback (LED eyes and sounds), and a nail detection sensor. A silicone-textured outer shell improves grip and sensory comfort. Swappable cradle inserts support both finger and toe trimming with a length range of 1.02.0 mm. A light-up button and LED feedback help children know when the clipper is properly positioned. A nail catcher is built into the belly for hygienic cleanup.
2. Whisper Wild Tiny Tame Buzzers– Electric hair trimmers using an internal cradle system to isolate vibration and reduce auditory overstimulation. They include low-noise motors, animal-inspired ergonomic casing, LED visual cues, and calming sound modules. Swappable comb guards support different hair lengths. These are USB-C rechargeable and waterproofed for home use.

***This project is conducting remote interviews. Please visit https://bit.ly/Whisper26028 to schedule a time to speak to the sponsor***

SynCardia is developing the “Emperor” Total Artificial Heart (ETAH), a next-generation total artificial heart (TAH). The Emperor TAH is based off of the existing, clinically proven design of the SynCardia Total Artificial Heart (STAH), utilizing the same materials, geometry, and components for all blood-contacting portions of the device. The Emperor TAH, while incorporating these attributes, upgrades the drive mechanism from a pneumatic design to a mechanically actuated one, which results in significant improvements in portability, efficiency, noise, heat, and reliability.

This new device, while similar to the current STAH system, will require new verification activity to demonstrate system reliability for durable implantation. While the current mock circulatory loop used to verify the function of the STAH is effective at simulating a wide variety of physiological conditions, it is complex, relatively large, and limited to just one artificial heart. SynCardia is tasking the capstone team with the design, construction, and qualification of a new test apparatus that will be able to simulate patient physiology for a number of ETAH test units that allow the new system to demonstrate reliability and functional equivalence with the on-market STAH.

The test apparatus shall:
• accurately simulate normotensive patient physiology (including pressures, resistances, flow rates, temperatures, and fluid exposure/submersion) for the duration of testing
• allow for the successful attachment and function of enough test units to demonstrate reliability equivalence (mean time between failure) to the STAH with sufficient statistical confidence to support a regulatory submission
• allow for the tracking of device performance over time (pressures, flow rates, temperatures, power consumption, etc)

A successful test apparatus should:
• allow for the successful attachment and function of enough test units to demonstrate reliability equivalence (mean time between failure) to the STAH with sufficient statistical confidence with 1 year or less of testing
• allow for the simulation of patient pathophysiology, such as systemic and/or pulmonary hypertension, hypotension, and non-hypertensive hypervolemia

This test apparatus will need to be subjected to installation qualification, operational qualification, and performance qualification (IQ/OQ/PQ), and the verification protocols must be written and tested by the student team. This qualification and documentation will allow SynCardia engineers and technicians to conduct full verification testing of the new artificial heart design.