Previous ASME Award Winner
Recent Departmental Runner Up Awards
Capstone Design Projects
Triton-Ai Racquet Ball Launcher Magazine and Control
2024-2025 - Spring
Team: 34
Our team developed a system with three main components to launch racquet balls for the International Roboboat Competition: a launcher, electronics box, and camera. The launcher features over 40 unique 3D-printed parts. The electronics include a brushed DC motor, servo, hall effect sensor, encoder, H-bridge, and a servo power distribution board on a custom perf board. Software integrates with an existing Jetson Nano NX and an OAK-D LR camera for control and targeting.
Antibiofouling System for Moored Marine Instruments
2024-2025 - Spring
Team: 23
Biofouling, which is the accumulation of marine organisms on submerged surfaces, compromises the accuracy of oceanographic sensors like CTDs. To address this, our project developed a low-power, chemical-free antifouling system that combines mechanical vibration and a rotating brush within a protective guard to deter early-stage biofilm formation. This environmentally friendly solution enhances sensor reliability during extended ocean deployments.
MRI Stereo
2024-2025 - Spring
Team: 5
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) procedures can be uncomfortable due to the long duration and loud volume during operation. The project objective was to redesign Sound Imaging’s MRI headphones to improve audibility and enhance passive noise dampening. Using pneumatic sound transmission, non-ferrous, FDA-approved materials, the final design reached 116.6 dB at max volume while meeting MRI safety standards, thus improving both patient experience and SoundImaging’s current product performance.
Quantum Engineered Nano Device
2024-2025 - Spring
Team: 4
Team Members
Scott Ceklarz
Kalie Garcia
Satchin Narasimhan
Designing a procedure to fabricate 2D materials by mechanical exfoliation for the purpose of researching the quantum engineering subfield of Twistronics. Twistronics aims to study the photonic and electronic effects of stacked and twisted 2D materials. This research will aid the creation of quantum engineered nano-devices, devices which can improve current opto-electronic sensors and communication systems.
Random Positioning Machine 2.0
2024-2025 - Spring
Team: 31
The Random Positioning Machine (RPM) 2.0 is a microgravity simulation. It is a ground analog for studying manufacturing and other applications in space. Specifically, it was designed to study the process of sintering in space. To do this, a furnace was mounted to the center of the machine. The RPM 2.0 can also be used to test any other long term processes that fit inside its generous 100 pound and 30 cubic inch loading capacity.
Jacobs Hall Clock Revival
2024-2025 - Spring
Team: 33
Team Members
Jonathan Dela Cruz
Irving Ding
Fatima Fazli
Fernando Gochicoa
Lacey Potter
We have proudly partnered with the student organization, Triton Restoration Initiative (TRI), Dr. Delson, and the UCSD MAE Department to repair and enhance the Jacobs Hall Clock. This includes the primary task of restoring complete and accurate functionality of the gearbox, as well as secondary tasks of improving aesthetics, creating a maintenance plan, proposing the enclosure's refurbishment, and proposing a self-correction system.
Autogyro UAV
2024-2025 - Spring
Team: 22
The project was aimed at developing a surveillance-capable autogyro UAV by modifying a hobbyist platform to support live video streaming, manual RC control, and basic autonomous compatibility using a flight controller, GPS, and telemetry system—laying the groundwork for future fully autonomous missions and advanced monitoring features like shark detection.
Bidirectional Guide for Treatment of Peripheral Artery Disease
2024-2025 - Spring
Team: 21
Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) often necessitates surgeons to perform procedures in two directions, which traditionally requires a second incision, as current tools are unidirectional. We developed the Bidirectional Guide, a single-use transition accessory for vascular tools, which enables the insertion of a second guidewire in the opposite direction in the artery through the original point of entry after initial treatment.
UCSD Med Low Cost Microsurgery Instruments
2024-2025 - Spring
Team: 14
This project aims to make microsurgical instruments more affordable for practitioners in low- to middle-income countries by using low-cost materials like plastic and stainless steel and designing for mass production. Inspired by disposable scalpels, the tools feature a 3D-printed plastic body with AISI 410 stainless steel tips. Three essential tools for microsurgery: jeweler forceps, dilator forceps, and microneedle holders are redesigned for cost-effective, scalable manufacturing.
UCSD Med Nerve to Smile
2024-2025 - Spring
Team: 13
The project sought to design a device in the hopes of optimizing and streamlining facial nerve repair. The first deliverable is to develop a biocompatible brace that clamps onto two separated facial nerves. The second deliverable is a test bed designed to evaluate the strength, stress, and strain of nerve analogs.
UCSD Med Absorbable Springs
2024-2025 - Spring
Team: 12
Craniosynostosis is a condition in which an infant’s skull sutures fuse prematurely, restricting brain growth and causing developmental complications. A current treatment is spring-assisted cranioplasty which involves implanting metal springs to gradually reshape the skull. However, these springs require a second surgery for removal, increasing risks and medical costs for patients. Our project aims to develop bioabsorbable cranial springs that eliminate the need for an additional procedure.
SE Scribing Solar Panels
2024-2025 - Spring
Team: 11
GAUSS (Gantry for Automated Ultrathin Solar Scribing) is a system designed to enhance the Solar Energy Innovation Laboratory's (SOLEIL) ability to manufacture perovskite solar cells in-house. Scribing is critical for forming electrical connections and boosting module efficiency. GAUSS offers a low-cost mechanical alternative to laser scribing, using a CNC gantry with force-feedback control to selectively scribe through each layer of a perovskite cell.
Hi Tech Honeycomb Automation
2024-2025 - Spring
Team: 10
Developed in collaboration with Hi Tech Honeycomb, this project automates the tack welding of aerospace honeycomb rings—a process currently done manually that is slow, repetitive, and physically demanding. Our modular multi-tip resistance welding system improves speed, consistency, and operator comfort without compromising critical weld quality. With custom welding heads, an alignment table, and foot-pedal actuation, we validated the concept through a dual-tip prototype ready for automation.
GA Autoloader Recovery Fusion
2024-2025 - Spring
Team: 9
The Autoloader system is a mechanical staging to automate fueling and dispensation of inertial fusion energy target capsules. From a batch of IFE target shells, it stages them to be doped with liquid hydrogen fuel and be individually conveyed towards a reactor at a cycle rate of 0.25 Hz.
DM Consulting - Dry Dock Block
2024-2025 - Spring
Team: 8
This project develops an automated real time alignment indicator that guides dockmasters to achieving a half inch tolerance laterally when docking a ship. A rotating contact beam sensor mounts to dry dock blocks and deploys under the floating ship. Inclinometers on both beams measure angular deflection from contact with keel, a microcontroller computes the ship’s lateral offset and displays the offset on a screen. The offset is further wirelessly transmitted to handheld devices
Automating the Cutting Process Hi-Tech Honeycomb
2024-2025 - Spring
Team: 38
Team Members
Rowan Barg
Micah Borg
Elijah Matthews
Daniel Sun
Automated metallic Honeycomb processing machine; with a custom clamping and fixture assembly mounted to precise, motorized translation and rotation stages. The two degrees of freedom provided by these stages allow for rapid, automated positioning of the stock beneath a cutting tool.
Cellxercise Machine
2024-2025 - Spring
Team: 2
The cellxercise machine was created to aid in the culturing of artificial tendon and meniscus tissue. It can apply cyclic stresses to these tissues while they are nourished by a nutrient solution in the petri dish and warmed in an incubator. The plate with the petri dish can be easily separated from the linear actuator, and moved to a fume hood for nutrient solution changes.
Design and Analysis of a Mode-Transitioning Robotic Leg and Test Bed for a Hexapod Rescue Robot
2024-2025 - Spring
Team: 37
Team Members
William Harris
Lucas Yager
Giovanni Bernal Ramirez
Hwuiyun Park
Elias Smith
As ARCLab works to create a legged robotic rescue platform for extracting casualties, a leg mechanism capable of transforming between a high speed mode to reach the casualty and high force mode to drag the casualty to safety needed to be developed. This project focuses on augmenting the lengths of a five bar linkage leg in order to change the mechanical advantage of the leg.
Kinetic Craft Center Sign
2024-2025 - Spring
Team: 6
The UCSD Craft Center offers a wide range of hands-on creative workshops, yet many students are unaware of its presence and offerings. To address this visibility challenge, a dynamic and interactive sign was developed to capture attention and promote engagement. The final design features light carts that move in the shape of the word "CRAFT" to produde the illusion that light is flowing through the sign. Layered acrylic and poured epoxy resin produce the front facing lettering of the sign.
Lifesaver Project Rover Module
2024-2025 - Spring
Team: 39
The Lifesaver Project redefines traditional healthcare infrastructure by miniaturizing essential medical equipment into a portable pod capable of being deployed in diverse environments. Our team developed a remote operated rover base to traverse uneven terrain to carry the lifesaver pod to its patients.
ATA Shock Test Table Firing Mechanism
2024-2025 - Spring
Team: 1
Team Members
Manu Mittal
Nina Abraham
Marco Rincon Villanueva
Anne Marlow
Reggie Estrella
ATA Engineering aimed to develop a shock test table to validate shock analysis. The goal was to build a pneumatic firing mechanism that consistently produces accurate shock events. It launches a 1–3 kg mass at 6–13 m/s using compressed air from a tank released by a solenoid valve. A second valve vents the barrel shortly after to prevent secondary impacts. The system reliably drives the projectile into the table at the target velocity.
Improved Punch Biopsy Tool
2024-2025 - Spring
Team: 35
A punch biopsy is a common procedure where providers excise a small column of tissue to be submitted for examination and analysis. However, current punch biopsy procedure requires three tools and often an additional assistant. This slows the workflow, increases patient discomfort and risk of suboptimal specimen sampling. This project aims to improve the punch biopsy tool by designing an all-in-one device that enables a single user to perform the procedure seamlessly.
Unlocking the Door with AI
2024-2025 - Spring
Team: 40
Developments in artificial intelligence (AI) and learning in robotics have opened possibilities for a “key-in-lock” challenge, an advanced version of the “peg-in-hole” challenge. The team was assigned the objective of developing a testbed capable of gathering data on the positions, orientations, forces, and torques involved in opening a lock with a key, to progress towards the goal of AI with Robot Programming by Human Demonstration (RPHD) to solve complex problems and perform difficult tasks.
Portable TEC-Based Liquid Cooling Garment
2024-2025 - Spring
Team: 30
Team Members
Aaron Lo
Morgan Laney
Fatima Rivera
Karla Ramirez
The rise of extreme heat events from global warming drives an increase in the need for personal cooling technologies. The Portable Thermoelectric Device (TEC) Based Liquid Cooling Garment project aimed to create a lightweight and flexible solution for individuals exposed to extreme heat environments. The system features flexible tubing that delivers cool water circulation from the TEC and heatsink units, user customizability at 3 cooling levels, and is battery-powered.
Cell Stretcher 2.0
2024-2025 - Spring
Team: 29
This project aimed to create a device that could apply three mechanical stressors (shear, normal, and stretching) to cultured endothelial cells in a decoupled manner, with the ultimate goal of quantifying their effects on genetic expression to better understand Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension.
Materials Break Up
2024-2025 - Spring
Team: 16
Genentech, Inc. has a process that breaks down medicinal powder and processes them through their pipes to be able to create drugs. These powders are delivered in sealed bags that can clog processing pipes. This project aims to develop an automated, sanitary, and safe solution for filtering out and breaking down clumps that form due to moisture exposure. It is made up of three parts: the mechanical frame, the motorized mechanism that targets clumps in the neck of the bag, and a filtering clip.
Resistive Torque Measurement Apparatus
2024-2025 - Spring
Team: 24
Sponsored by the Office of Naval Research and UC San Diego, this project developed the Resistive Torque Measurement Apparatus (RTMA) to support research on robotic movement through granular media. The RTMA measures resistive torque on a rotating intruder submerged in granular media with varying conditions. Designed for field use, it enables efficient data collection to inform the design of bio-inspired robots navigating complex granular environments.
NIWC PAC UAS Launch and Recovery
2024-2025 - Spring
Team: 26
Team Members
Parker Amano
Gregory Garner
Gabriel Lepage
Bhodivista Yohn
This project developed four subsystems for NIWC PAC to support modular, low-cost drone platforms: a rugged transport case, a compact ground control station, a pneumatic fixed-wing launcher, and a recovery net. Three prototypes were built; the recovery net was delivered as a design package. These systems enhance drone deployment, control, and recovery, aligning with NIWC’s shift toward agile, unmanned solutions and away from costly, proprietary technologies.
Wave Energy Converter
2024-2025 - Spring
Team: 25
UCSD's Environmental Fluid Dynamics Lab is working to develop a small scale wave energy converter. The objective of this project was to research, fabricate, test, and analyze a more robust buoy-heave plate system, equipped with sensors to collect relevant data such as surface position, pressure, and geographical location in order for the sponsors to validate their current computer model of the system.
Scripps Anemometer Drone
2024-2025 - Spring
Team: 41
This project is sponsored by Dr. Jooil Kim of Scripps Institution of Oceanography, and involves mounting an anemometer on a drone to use wind speed and direction data recorded by the anemometer to determine ideal locations for air sampling in low altitudes to track greenhouse gas emissions. The final design is made of a carbon fiber and 3D printed ASA mount, air sensors, LoRa modules to transmit data live, and software to log the data to a raspberry pi, and display the data on a ground computer.
