Previous ASME Award Winner
Recent Departmental Runner Up Awards
Capstone Design Projects
Animal Care Processing Project (ACCP)
2024-2025 - Spring
Team: 42
The Animal Care Processing Project (ACCP) is sponsored by Dr. Keith Jenné, who has served as the Executive Director of the UC San Diego Animal Care Program and Campus Veterinarian since April 2023. The primary objective of this project is to automate the dumping procedure during the pre-sanitization process of animal care cages within the Centralized Research Service Facility at UC San Diego, using a grab-dump-load integrated automation machine to reduce health hazards for facility workers.
Unmanned Aerial Systems Hybrid Powertrain Testbed
2024-2025 - Winter
Team: 3
Team Members
Daniel Cruz-Espada
Jason Holtkamp
Joud Bukhari
Kenneth Su
Shivharsh Kand
Ziad Gari
A testbed designed to evaluate the thermal behavior of PCB stators and rotors for hybrid drone powertrains. Built for modularity, it allows controlled testing under various operating conditions, providing critical insights into heat dissipation and airflow dynamics. Its adaptable framework supports iterative testing of different rotor designs and stator configurations, enabling the refinement of cooling strategies for improved efficiency.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Regenerative Trailer Braking System
2024-2025 - Spring
Team: 3
With the Regenerative Trailer Braking System, we are able to make use of braking energy and reduce the wear on a vehicle's brakes by activating regenerative braking on a trailer as it is being hauled. This allows for the driver to capture the otherwise lost braking energy to charge a portable battery mounted on the trailer for use in charging other devices, or propelling the trailer using the electric motor instead of gasoline.
Solar Wind Tunnel
2024-2025 - Spring
Team: 32
Team Members
Benjamin Marsden
David Bori
Max Gonsalves
Rachel Gillespie
Solar wind tunnel that demonstrates the bow shock effect produced by the solar winds colliding with Earth’s magnetic field. The project demonstrates a fluid dynamics phenomenon in space to inspire a future generation of engineers and scientists.
Manual In-Pipe Robot Surrogate for Autonomy Development
2024-2025 - Spring
Team: 18
Our PipeRider robot surrogate is a manually controlled in-pipe robot. The robot is pushed through a ten inch diameter pipe, and through elbows and t sections using a swappable four bar fixture design and motorized arm. Omni-wheels in combination with a linear slider mechanism allow for robot rotation in the pipe. This setup allows for controlled experimentation and data collection to support the development of autonomous navigation and corrosion detection algorithms for engineers at NIWC PAC.
SomnoStay - A Novel Oral Appliance for Obstructive Sleep Apnea
2024-2025 - Spring
Team: 7
Obstructive Sleep Apnea is when the collapse of the tongue blocks the upper airway during sleep. It can cause oxygen deprivation, disrupted sleep, and
ShockE Frame Stiffness Test Fixture
2024-2025 - Spring
Team: 19
Team 19 was tasked with building a test bed that was able to measure the torsional and bending stiffness of several existing bike frames. The objective of this test bed is to generate accurate stiffness data to serve as a benchmark for the design of the ShockE motorcycle frame. Having such data helps in further stages of the bike design where the company can have target stiffness and deflection values.
Carbon Blade Carbon Capture
2024-2025 - Spring
Team: 15
Team Members
Ian Cosgrove
Charlie Frank
Juncheng Li
Alexandra Rodriguez
Konrad Stromayer
Technologies aimed at reducing global atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations have grown more popular in recent years, but high capital costs hinder implementation. Our project developed a passive carbon capture system compatible with Carbon Blade’s CAPTUS system, a compact carbon removal unit powered by onboard renewable energy. This Direct Air Contactor requires less energy and is more cost effective than large-scale facilities, while promising competitive capture rates.
Automated Cognitive Touchscreen Training System for Mice
2024-2025 - Winter
Team: 8
Mental illnesses are a rising problem that must be addressed through thorough studies. Researchers can draw parallels in behavior between mice and humans, making mice an appropriate medium of study. Training these mice is a rigorous and long process. To reduce the burden on researchers, we formulated an automated system, reducing the training time while improving data analysis and visualization. The system administers training tasks and rewards, collects data, and visualizes metrics.
GA - Foam Shell Culling Station
2024-2025 - Winter
Team: 1
Team Members
Tobin Boshaw
Matthew Pope
Collin Huang
Samuel Hasegawa
Kenny Ochoa
Brandon Lopez
This project designed, built, and tested an automated Foam Shell Flow Culling Station for inertial fusion energy (IFE) research at General Atomics. The system inspects and sorts delicate foam shells (3–6 mm) in a submerged fluid environment, using a converger, sensor-camera module, and diverter. It improves inspection speed, ensures safe handling, and enhances research efficiency, supporting the advancement of IFE as a clean, sustainable energy source.
OceanWell Multistage Water Filtration System
2024-2025 - Winter
Team: 10
The purpose of this project is to create a device that can be used by engineers at OceanWell to test multiple unique combinations of filters ranging from 5 to 500 microns for different types of source water.
Endovascular Device for Rapid Blood Clot Removal
2024-2025 - Winter
Team: 12
Our project aimed to create a safer & more efficient endovascular thrombectomy device for dialysis patients, which are susceptible to blood clots. Unlike existing devices that risk tip breakage & require multiple procedures, our design incorporated a novel non-driven tip mechanism to enhance safety & reliability. The device features a three-speed drive unit and to evaluate its performance, we developed a vascular testbed with a camera-based clot quantification system to uphold safety standards.
Sample Throughput Optimization for Thermal Desorption Spectroscopy
2024-2025 - Winter
Team: 15
Team Members
Ethan Greene
Jamie Lee
Saul Rios
Leo Serbinov
Vedanth Talla
Brayden Wong
The PISCES Lab, as part of UC San Diego's Center for Energy Research, performs Thermal Desorption Spectroscopy (TDS) on the wall materials of nuclear fusion reactors with the goal of improving the performance and longevity of these materials. The PISCES Lab's current TDS system has low sample throughput as the chamber must be opened to exchange samples. This project’s motivation was to develop a sample loading system that increases the number of samples that can be tested in a single day.
Acoustic Modem Integration onto Wave Glider USV
2024-2025 - Winter
Team: 16
Our team was tasked with designing and manufacturing a pressure vessel (PV) to house ROAM electronics for enhanced communication on the NIWC Pacific Wave Glider USVs. This PV integrates with the existing (PUMS) sensor system. Key design elements include the internal mounting of electronics, a pressure vessel enclosure, a hydrodynamic dome, external mounting connections to attach the PV to the tow cable, and mounts for two transducer components for acoustic communication.
Outdoor Low Power Measurement Equipment Enclosure (ENTS Enclosure)
2024-2025 - Winter
Team: 11
Team Members
Fayza Elshafie
David Fisher
Michael Gonzalez
Benny La
Elliot Snyder
UCSC and UCSD researchers developed the Environmentally NeTworked Sensor (ENTS) to make environmental research more versatile and cost-efficient. The need for a low-cost, waterproof, and reproducible enclosure to house the ENTS node during deployment prompted Ph.D student Steve Taylor to sponsor an MAE 156 project. A PVC and 3D printed enclosure were developed. With components to increase waterproofing, secure the node, and allow for ENTS functionality, both designs met the project requirements.
LightLok - Burn Prevention
2024-2025 - Winter
Team: 13
In the operating room, a light cord sends light into a surgical instrument but its tip reaches dangerous temperatures and is a hazard. LightLok is a single-use attachment for lowering the surface temperature of the light cord tip that prevents burns from occurring. LightLok consists of a cap with a fused silica lens hinged to a base clamp that efficiently diverges light and automatically closes when the light cord is not in use.
Halo Helmet Platform
2024-2025 - Winter
Team: 9
Protective helmets safeguard the head in high-impact sports but offer limited neck and spinal protection, increasing injury risk in high-speed crashes. As extreme sports grow, better safety solutions are needed.
This project introduces a helmet-integrated roll cage that redistributes impact forces away from the head and neck. Anchored to the upper body via a harness, the system disperses forces more effectively, reducing the risk of traumatic brain and spinal injuries.
This project introduces a helmet-integrated roll cage that redistributes impact forces away from the head and neck. Anchored to the upper body via a harness, the system disperses forces more effectively, reducing the risk of traumatic brain and spinal injuries.
Endoscopic Multiload Clip Applier
2024-2025 - Winter
Team: 5
This project developed a robotically-assisted multiload clip applier designed to close blood vessels during heart and lung surgeries. The device moves titanium clips from a cartridge into a pair of applier jaws which compress to close a clip, a process that can be repeated multiple times via an internally integrated reloading mechanism. The device fulfills the primary objective of enabling surgeons to apply multiple clips during endoscopic procedures without necessitating instrument extraction.
KangaMove Parental Skin-to-skin Contact Support
2024-2025 - Winter
Team: 7
The KangaMove is designed to support parents during skin-to-skin contact by providing stability for equipment and accessories while holding their child. The posable arm integrates seamlessly with vital NICU equipment, including Jet Ventilator auxiliary components, ventilator tubes, and IV lines. By securing these essential connections, the KangaMove alleviates concerns about tube displacement, allowing parents to focus on bonding with their infant.
Automated Tracheal Cuff Pump
2024-2025 - Winter
Team: 6
Procedures such as tracheostomies make use of tracheal tubes to apply oscillatory pressure onto stents. These tubes require long hours of manual syringe pumping which makes certain procedures difficult. The product consists of an automated pump system with advanced ASDR controls and a website UI to review and download system behavioral data.
Flow Enabled Energy Generation Device
2024-2025 - Winter
Team: 4
Team Members
Ashley Campbell
Maime Grace Barnard
Gabrielle Scott
Markus Gokan
Justin Kwak
The flow of ions in salt water over a charged surface results in formation of an electrical double layer (EDL). Over long channel lengths, this results in a measurable electric potential difference. The objective for this project is to use this principle to develop a solid state transducer to generate electrical energy from ocean wave and flow dynamics.
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.
Material Transfer Cleaning
2024-2025 - Winter
Team: 2
Genentech’s manual wipe-down process for disinfecting barrels is time-consuming and ergonomically challenging. This project automates this with a semi-autonomous system for easy loading and unloading. Barrels move via an omnidirectional ball conveyor, where a misting system loosens debris before top, side, and bottom brushes ensure thorough cleaning. Operators control each cleaning substation via a control panel, enhancing efficiency, consistency, and ergonomics within Genentech’s workflow.
Automated Graphene Transfer
2024-2025 - Winter
Team: 14
This project, sponsored by Professor Oscar Vazquez-Mena of the NanoEngineering department, aimed to expedite the graphene transfer process by utilizing a fully autonomous tank system with feedback from a conductivity probe.
