Gel imaging system for biomedical research of novel fluorophores

Gel Imaging System for Transilluminators

Current gel imagers on the market are expensive and not customizable leading to increased lab expenses. To address this we will design a gel imager that allows for customizable filter swapping and standard smartphone image capture, saving the sponsor’s lab space and funding. The gel imager will be adjustable to various transilluminator models and smartphones. Additionally, the filter exchanger will be utilize user controlled tuning to swap and stack optical filters for gel electrophoresis analysis.

UCI Solar Car Front End

We are the UCI Solar Car Project (ZotSun), a student-run interdisciplinary team of 60 undergraduates from the University of California, Irvine with a passion for innovative engineering and sustainability. Our mission is to revolutionize zero-emission transportation. Currently, we are building a solar car to compete in the Formula Sun Grand Prix of 2025, a race designed to determine the most efficient and aerodynamic solar-powered vehicles.

Advanced Quality Ultrapure Abstraction (via) SOLar energy (AQUASOL)

AQUASOL

AQUASOL is a project that studies the use of solar energy and other clean energy sources to purify seawater and produce freshwater. This project aims to restore more drinkable and clean freshwater in the future of the Earth. The solar energy supply system and reverse osmosis membrane system will form the main components of the system, and the reverse osmosis purification of seawater will be achieved through pressure difference.

HyperXite: Pod Maintenance & Transport Vehicle

The HyperXite team needs a new way to transport their 250 kg hyperloop pod from location to location for demonstrations and a mobile workstation to repair and maintain the pod outside of the lab space. This iteration of the transport vehicle is dubbed the “Pod Maintenance and Transport Vehicle” which is a redesign of the original “Pod Transport Vehicle” made the previous year. The team will utilize feedback from the HyperXite team to build off of the old design to tackle issues such as difficulties maneuvering the vehicle, injuries resulting from blunt extrusions and sharp corners on the vehicle, and no ease of maintenance of the pod. This project will help to ensure the team and pod both arrive safely and swiftly to any event they find themselves at and present their technological findings to the world.

Zot Waves

Zot Waves

In many coastal regions around the world, communities without reliable access to electricity face significant barriers to economic development, education, healthcare, and overall quality of life. Traditional energy solutions, such as diesel generators or extensive power grid infrastructure, are often inaccessible or unsustainable for small, remote communities, particularly due to high costs, logistical challenges, and environmental impacts. This project aims to design a compact, affordable, and user-friendly wave energy converter for personal use, empowering individuals and households in underserved coastal areas to harness wave energy as a clean, renewable source of power. The device will provide a sustainable electricity solution that is adaptable to varied coastal conditions, enhancing energy independence and resilience while minimizing ecological impacts.

Fire Extinguishing System

Current fire sprinkler systems often fall short in effectiveness, adaptability, and efficiency, particularly in modern building designs. These systems occupy considerable space, can cause significant water damage, and typically respond too slowly in the event of a fire. Our project focuses on designing an innovative fire extinguishing system for residential areas that overcomes these challenges. The new system is compact, highly responsive, and utilizes advanced technology to suppress fires before they spread. It integrates seamlessly with mobile devices, allowing users to receive real-time updates and control the system remotely. By prioritizing safety, minimizing property damage, and offering a faster response time, this system aims to revolutionize fire protection in residential settings, ensuring both peace of mind and effective fire suppression.

Design Build Fly

We are designing an autonomous glider to compete with the UCI DBF team for the 2024 AIAA Design Build Fly competition. The glider we build will deployed from the main RC plane DBF builds at altitudes between 200-400 feet above sea level and must independently execute a controlled 180-degree turn, achieve stable flight, have a light blinking upon release, and land precisely within a designated 200x200 foot target area, while weighing less than 0.55 pounds. The glider will have an autonomous flight controller in order to direct flight and allow the glider to land in the box without damage or outside assistance.

Fluid Power Vehicle Challenge (2024-2025) - Zotdraulics

Logo of the NFPA's Fluid Power Vehicle Challenge

The NFPA Fluid Power Vehicle Challenge is an engineering competition where teams design a human-input vehicle that makes use of hydraulics and pneumatics as a means of propulsion. This competition is an opportunity for students to sharpen their understanding of the fluid power industry, cultivate team-based engineering skills, and network with industry professionals.

Our project, Zotdraulics, marks UCI's first ever entry into that competition. We have united mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic subsystems with the vision of building a vehicle that can contend for high placement in the competition's sprint and endurance races. We hope to cultivate a deeper understanding of fluid power, make a strong impression for UCI's debut entry, and establish a strong foundation for our future teams to advance.

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