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.

As humanity witnesses a historic rise in the total payload capability of launch vehicles, the possibility of maintaining a permanent industrial presence in space is becoming increasingly viable. UA Team 25505 and Paragon Space Development Corporation have collaborated to develop a conceptual design for an unmanned lunar lander with heavy payload delivery capabilities surpassing those of any spacecraft in history. The Paragon Lunar Unmanned Super Heavy (referred to as PLUSH), a one-time-use lunar lander, is designed to carry over 100,000 kg of payload to the lunar surface and form part of permanent infrastructure on the moon for years to come. PLUSH will enable customers to transport rovers, mining equipment, exploratory technologies, and more in just one trip, permanently expanding human presence into the stars with unprecedented magnitude.

In addition to this conceptual design, the team has also developed a Reaction Control System (RCS) algorithm, designed to emulate the control logic for the cold gas thrusters mounted on the spacecraft, ensuring proper orientation during landing. The algorithm is demonstrated with a moving RCS prototype.

Jaundice is a common condition in newborns, caused by high levels of bilirubin in the blood. If untreated, it can lead to serious complications. Current methods of measuring bilirubin often require specialized equipment and trained staff, which are not always accessible. Our project
introduces a simple, portable device that works at the bedside to give reliable results in just minutes.

The system consists of a combination test strip and calibration card holder and a verified test strip. The combination test strip and calibration card holder was carefully designed to keep the strip in a fixed position, ensuring consistent images for analysis. The test strip selected proved to be able to quickly and effectively filter red blood cells and leave the plasma exposed. Through carefully curated lab protocols, colorimetric data was collected and a linear relationship between absorbance and bilirubin concentration was identified. Our team has delivered a test strip holder, a verified test strip and preliminary data findings that will be used in conjunction with the Picterus AS app to bring accessible neonatal jaundice diagnostics to third world countries.

Racing the Sun is a STEM event where regional high school teams convert gasoline-powered go-karts into solar-powered electric go-karts and then compete in an annual race event at Musselman Honda racetrack. The Racing the Sun Autonomously system aims to leverage this opportunity to showcase autonomous driving capabilities to motivate the students to pursue advanced engineering studies. Moreover, the project’s intention is to enable Racing the Sun participants to develop their own autonomous platform by releasing the software package as open-source software.

The team designed and manufactured a system that completed safe, repeatable autonomous laps at the Musselman Honda racetrack on a solar-electric kart and publish an open-source package for external use. The system uses a Raspberry Pi compute stack running Robot Operating System (ROS), a series of cameras as primary sensors, a servo motor for steering, and a touchscreen for setup and mode selection. During a run, the camera finds track edges and the software plans a smooth path with appropriate speeds. The system has three operational modes - manual, remote-controlled, and autonomous (with an emergency stop). The interface supports data logging, and easy parameter tuning. All components are packaged as ROS nodes with launch files and clear documentation, enabling teams to retrain or redevelop the vision model.

The Cat Cannon is a multi-barrel launching system designed to enhance crowd engagement through safe and exciting promotional giveaways. Unlike traditional pneumatic launchers, it employs a unique electrically powered propulsion system to fire soft foam balls, each carrying prize redemption codes. An automated loading mechanism enables rapid-fire sequences or simultaneous volleys, with capacity to launch a minimum of 50 balls per event.

Precise electronic control ensures consistent, high-arching trajectories that reach all seating levels while maintaining safety. Integrated LED displays transform the system into a moving promotional platform, synchronizing graphics and sponsor messages with launches. Proximity sensors and trajectory limits further protect bystanders, resulting in a reliable, innovative, and crowd-pleasing alternative to conventional t-shirt cannons.

Engineered to address challenges faced by elderly and disabled individuals, the final design is a robotic tug that attaches to a standard 95-gallon garbage can without drastically modifying its structure. The system integrates a Raspberry Pi 5 processor running ROS 2 to coordinate GPS, mmWave radar, and an AI camera for autonomous navigation. A linear actuator-based coupling mechanism securely attaches to the can, while a robust drive system allows stable operation on varied surfaces and inclines up to 15 degrees.

Extensive testing confirmed that the system achieves a 90% success rate in attachment, obstacle avoidance within one second, and navigation accuracy of 1.5 meters or better across 400-foot round trips. The mobile/web application enables users to set pickup schedules, define paths via waypoints and receive real-time status alerts. The design preserves manual maneuverability and standard garbage truck compatibility, ensuring seamless integration with existing collection processes. The Autonomous Garbage Can provides a reliable, cost-effective solution that enhances accessibility and convenience for homeowners.

Radio communications relay data from and to sensors and actuators in the irrigation water distribution system across the 18,000-acre BWD. The district is expanding status monitoring and distribution control automation across its geographic footprint. However, obstructions within the terrain and fields of palm trees reduce or even completely block radio signals and line of sight (LOS) between existing antennae, limiting automation expansion.

The team used the Radio Mobile software to simulate the existing radio network and identified multiple technically viable solutions. Through close coordination with the project sponsor to define stakeholder needs and priorities, the team developed comprehensive analysis and comparison criteria to determine the optimal solution.

Following the sponsor’s concurrence with the design team’s initial recommendations, the team ran additional Radio Mobile simulations to solve a secondary problem: extending connectivity to the area southwest of the office just outside of the town of Winterhaven. The team achieved this by extending the main tower to attain LOS with a greater part of the southwestern area and installing the subscriber radios on 16 ft poles mounted on concrete bases. The district can place these hardware mounts near any of the sensors or actuators in the area and relay the radio signal to other areas with obstructions. This ensures LOS and signal integrity throughout the BWD area of operation.

The Arizona Water Association (AWA) hosts a yearly student design competition that tasks students with an engineering analysis and design project related to a water treatment facility. Teams created innovative and cost-effective solutions to meet the competition’s design goals.

This year, the AWA asked teams to propose an expansion plan for the SPA 1 WRF in Surprise, Arizona. The goal was to increase the facility’s treatment capacity from 12.8 million gallons per day to 16.3 million, while maintaining operational efficiency and regulatory compliance. The team evaluated four secondary treatment alternatives for Plants 4 and 5: the modified Ludzack-Ettinger process, a membrane aerated biofilm reactor, a membrane bioreactor (MBR), and the Four-Stage Bardenpho process.

After analyzing these options, the team determined that MBR is the best solution due to its ability to provide superior effluent quality, minimize hydraulic impacts, and maximize treatment capacity within the existing footprint. The MBR system enhances operational reliability and process control while reducing the facility’s overall environmental impact. Additionally, the team’s design includes a recommended construction timeline and an assessment of operational and maintenance costs.

The pharmaceutical industry often looks to plants for effective treatments. Inulin is one of these plant-based potential therapies. It is a naturally occurring polysaccharide in plants such as dandelions, chicory root and Jerusalem artichokes. Inulin can be used as a prebiotic, a dietary fiber, an enhancement for vaccines, and in medicines targeting the colon and kidneys. Jerusalem artichokes contain a high inulin content and serve as a sustainable source for this biomaterial. However, the process for refining the inulin from Jerusalem artichokes is inefficient and expensive.

In this project, the team focused on improving this inulin refinement process. To reach pharmaceutical grade after extraction, the inulin undergoes an intensive purification process. This includes the use of reactors, desalination and moving bed chromatography units, a falling film evaporator, and a spray dryer. The team mathematically modeled each piece of equipment, comparing modeled values with prior research to determine the optimal conditions for purified inulin.

The result of this project is pieces of equipment that are optimized to improve yield and purity while still considering cost and environmental impact.