Camouflage and the cover of night can obscure threats effectively when human eyes are the only security tools. Imaging in multiple wavelength regions (UV, Visible, NIR, SWIR, MWIR and LWIR for example) can defeat these methods and provide a wealth of complementary information about a scene, enabling threats to be discerned from the background regardless of the lighting conditions. When these imagers are co-aligned effectively, the same physical location is seen in all bands, enabling the most effective decision making by the computer vision system on identifying threats.

The team shall design a multiband imager that will provide situational awareness regardless of illumination conditions. The imaging station must examine a field of regard. Careful system trades will balance scan rates, imaging resolution, and system complexity to decide on a static vs a scanned solution. A computer will control the system, readout the data from all the cameras, and report data to the user via a GUI. The system will identify and track objects it believes are outliers from the background. Stretch goals on specific object recognition sorting can be pursued by ambitious teams. The experienced BAE Systems sponsor team with significant optical and software design experience will be readily available to work with the team in pursuing a successful project.

Static fire rocket stands are vital for test rocket motors prior to flight and provide valuable data regarding long term rocket performance. Current stands used by the project sponsor integrate the solid rocket motor into the stand while exposed in the outside environment. This project aims to provide an ergonomic horizontal test stand that allows for motor integration in an enclosed space with fast and easy transportation of the stand outside for the static fire.

This design implements the use of welded square steel tube to provide durability and is modeled to withstand a rocket with up to 5,000 lbf of thrust. Finite element analysis was used to verify the stand’s structural rigidity at a safety factor of two. The test stand is intended to roll from an enclosed hardware assembly area to a testing area where it will be secured in a stationary configuration for ignition. The rocket is contained in a sponsor provided clamp mechanism to ensure proper thrust direction. A command center designed for customer meetings and test demonstrations is integrated into the test site. This command center will be used for data acquisition and processing. This project will improve efficiency, reliability, and comfort with the integration of the test stand and command center.

Photolithography is fundamental in the semiconductor industry, however, due to its high cost and large footprint, educational institutions lack information and tools to spread knowledge regarding semiconductors fabrication. To address this, we have developed a compact, portable photolithography prototype tool that emphasizes accessibility and affordability enabling educational outreach.

The design uses a Digital Light Processor (DLP) which includes a Digital Micromirror Device and a Digital Micromirror Device controller that allows the system to create an image on the wafer. The image passes from the DLP through a lens and beam splitter module and then lastly through the objective lens to ensure the image is in micron scale. The design includes an alignment camera that ensures the image is aligned with the wafer. Additionally, our team designed the system enclosure to be made of a UV-protective, transparent material so that viewers can safely observe the photolithography process. We designed the X, Y, and Z stage
along with the code for the motor controllers that are responsible for the automated stage movement. The system itself is controlled by the user via a laptop through a graphical user interface that our team developed. This is how the images are sent to the SEMILITHO. The SEMILITHO has successfully produced a patterned wafer that features the project name, university, team members, PI, sponsor, and date all in micron-scale.

Dental professionals frequently experience hand and wrist fatigue from repetitive motions and
instruments lacking ergonomic design. These strainful motions place significant stress on ligaments and tendons within the hand, with nearly one in three professionals developing musculoskeletal disorders such as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome over the course of their careers. This project presents redesigned dental instruments as an engineering solution to reduce fatigue and improve ergonomics.

The team redesigned three commonly used dental instruments to feature enlarged grip diameters, fabrication with lighter polymer materials, and engraved textures to improve grip. CAD modeling and finite element analysis guided the design process, while 3D printing enabled prototyping and iteration. Prototypes were tested during simulated procedures using electromyography and data analysis to assess grip force and muscle activity. Results showed reductions in pinch force, hand strain, and overall muscle activation compared to traditional dental instruments, demonstrating the potential of engineering design to extend the careers of dental professionals.

The SPUD (Solar Panel Unmanned Decontaminator) is an autonomous drone engineered to detect and clean solar panels using pressurized water on a residential scale. Existing autonomous drones are used on an industrial scale, which is inefficient for residential areas. These drones remove dust, dirt, and other foreign debris that collects on solar panels over time, recovering the photovoltaic efficiency loss and saves the customer money. SPUD is designed to perform well on small-scale projects with ease of modification for future upgrades and improvements.

At the time of deployment, SPUD will be transported to location with a 75-gallon water tank in a truck or similar vehicle. The technician will power on the drone, ensuring it is connected to the ground control system, and place the drone facing the residence. The drone will take off and view the building from above, locating all solar panels relative to the boundaries of the house using LiDAR. The data sent back allows the ground control software to highlight and display each solar panel on the map.

3D printing continues to grow in use for prototyping and design as the environmental and operational impacts of unmanaged plastic waste have become increasingly concerning. The University of Arizona’s academic makerspaces generate significant plastic waste from 3D printing.

This project aims to provide an accessible, safe, and replicable solution for plastic waste management in any makerspace. This system uses shredder blades as the point of contact for the PLA to be shredded. A dual hex shaft system is used to orient the blades and connect them to the gearmotor. The system includes a 3-toggle switch that will allow an operator to easily set the motor into forward, reverse, or standby. The shredder utilizes a variable frequency drive (VFD) to convert from a standard 120 V line voltage into a 3 phase 240 V supply. Our shredder also incorporates necessary safety features, such as an emergency stop button. The shredder will have the ability to shred automatically and will output the shredded plastic into a removable bin. The shredder will contribute to a campus wide goal of reducing the volume of 3D printing waste by at least 50%, supporting more sustainable innovation.

Additive manufacturing and topological optimization offer the potential for accurate and efficient production of high-performance parts, but gaps remain. This project addressed those gaps by combining CAD modeling, structural analysis (Finite Element Analysis or FEA), and physical testing to develop a reliable method for evaluating and optimizing 3D-printed polymer parts.

In aerospace, a high strength-to-weight ratio is critical because it maximizes structural performance while minimizing weight, improving fuel efficiency and overall aircraft performance. The team developed a series of tests to determine the optimal combination of infill patterns, densities, and wall thicknesses for the highest strength-to-weight ratio. We identified the most critical mechanical properties to measure and selected the most relevant tests to evaluate them, including Young’s modulus, shear and strain moduli, permeability, failure modes, and energy absorption. This process will enable engineers to predict the mechanical properties of 3D- printed aerospace parts for an efficient and reliable design.

Our project is a conceptual engineering study focused on developing a Mobile Transport and Mission Support System (MTS) for a 1-meter observatory-class Cassegrain telescope. Unlike a hardware build or test effort, this work emphasizes a feasibility-backed design that can guide future development and fabrication. The MTS will be a trailer-based system capable of safely transporting, powering, and protecting the telescope. By deploying to remote or under-resourced locations, unlike traditional observatories, which require permanent land use and dedicated infrastructure, the mobile system eliminates land acquisition barriers by operating entirely on a trailer platform, and allowing broader access to advanced astronomical instruments.

The team completed requirements definition, structural and vibration analysis, and the development of a full trailer-integrated concept tailored to telescope operations. Finite element simulations validated that the trailer frame met strength and stability targets while maintaining transportability within highway limits. Vibration modeling confirmed that optical alignment could be preserved during both transport and observation. The enclosure design provided environmental protection against wind and thermal effects while allowing rapid setup in the field. As a result, the final conceptual design demonstrates a practical and reliable solution for mobile telescope operations, ensuring readiness for research, education, and outreach applications.