MAE

Summary

HyperXite is a multidisciplinary undergraduate student team at UC Irvine dedicated to creating sustainable transportation technology through innovative research and development. Our project aims to revolutionize high-speed travel by designing and building a small-scale, self-propelled train pod that validates system models, incorporates important sustainable technologies, and proves the feasibility of Hyperloop and magnetic levitation concepts.

Background 

The FUSION Engineering Project is a student-run engineering project that is managed by the club organization FUSION (Filipinx Undergraduate Scientists-Engineers In an Organized Network). The year-long project for the 2024-2025 academic year is a Remote-Controlled Precision Cargo Drone. This drone will have the capability to pick up a 2x2x2 in. wooden block and precisely deposit it at a landing zone. The drone will be controlled via remote control, and each team will implement their own creative designs including cameras, sensors, and other components to achieve this goal. At the end of the year, each team will use their drones to complete challenges in a competition. Each team will also be given the opportunity to present their work at our yearly conference FUSIONCon.

Background 

Anteater Formula Racing is a FSAE team at UCI that is dedicated to designing, building, and competing with an open-wheel, internal-combustion race car inspired by Formula 1 and IndyCar racing. The DRS project team is working closely with the Aerodynamics, Human Interface, and Electronics subteams within Anteater Formula Racing to design, test, and implement a drag reduction system on the existing rear wing of the vehicle, in order to improve race times and performance. 

Goal and Objectives 

Background

The rapid growing field of AI and high-performance computing has led to small-form factor chips (CPUs/TPUs) with exceedingly high heat fluxes. Traditional air cooling struggles to dissipate these thermal loads efficiently. The research from our team at UC Irvine proposes an innovative liquid-vapor phase change cooling plate to address the need for high-performance cold plates that integrate seamlessly with new generation server hardware.

Goal and Objectives

The team seeks to accomplish the following:

Our project focuses on developing a breathing device that delivers controlled airflow while promoting a positive user experience. Designed with durability and scalability in mind, this device ensures long-term reliability and cost-effective manufacturing, making it both practical and accessible.

The UCI JellyfishBot team aims to develop a bioinspired underwater robot that mimics jellyfish movement for marine exploration within two academic quarters (Winter and Spring 2025). As the first project of its kind at UCI, the design features three subsystems: a linkage-based propulsion system, chassis, and electronic/control component. 

The goal of our project is to design and develop a device that can be used by coastal residences to generate electricity utilizing the waves in the ocean. Approximately 71% of the earth's surface is water, making this a very promising and bountiful resource. Large scale wave energy generators are already in commission but are unfeasible to use for individual households. To accommodate small-scale power generation needs, Coastal Currents is developing a compact wave-energy generator that is intended for residential use on the coastline to provide power directly to homes by utilizing the energy and geometry of the ocean’s waves.

This project focuses on the design of a Tiltwing VTOL drone that combines fixed-wing efficiency with vertical takeoff and landing flexibility. The rotating wings enable smooth transitions between hover and cruise, improving maneuverability. The goal is stable flight, reliable performance, and payload capacity. The final design integrates aerodynamics and control systems into a compact, high-performance UAV.

The brakes sub team aims to design a reliable and well-organized braking system for Anteater Electric Racing’s KiloZott, ensuring optimal performance, safety, and efficiency. To achieve this, the system will integrate regenerative braking to enhance energy recovery and feature configurable pedals for improved adaptability and driver preference. Whenever feasible, existing components will be incorporated to optimize cost and compatibility. A comprehensive CAD model will be developed prior to prototyping and assembly to ensure precision and minimize design iterations. This approach will result in an effective braking system that seamlessly integrates into the vehicle’s overall functionality, supporting the team's objectives in electric racing performance.

The Driver Cockpit Subsystem focuses on improving driver comfort, control, and safety in Kilozott, Anteater Electric Racing's newest car for the 2024-2025 season. The project includes the design, CAD modeling, and manufacturing of the seat, headrest, firewall, and steering system.

Testing revealed wrist strain from steering angles, inadequate lateral seat support, and inconsistent pedal resistance. To address these, the team is refining seat bolsters, steering ergonomics, and pedal feedback while ensuring seamless chassis integration.

Key improvements include a redesigned seat with extended bolsters, an optimized steering position, and an adjusted firewall for better helmet clearance. The team will finalize the prototype based on driver feedback and conduct static and dynamic testing before competition.

Our autonomous exploration rover is designed to navigate unknown environments with precision and efficiency. Equipped with a LiDAR scanner and IMU sensors, the rover creates detailed 3D maps and efficiently plans optimal paths to its destination. Using the RRT* (Rapidly-exploring Random Tree Star) algorithm, it navigates complex terrains while avoiding obstacles in real-time.

The rover’s advanced motion control system ensures smooth and accurate movement. Integrated with ROS (Robot Operating System) and built on the Waveshare JetRacer platform, the system delivers excellent performance and adaptability.

Designed for versatility, this autonomous rover has military applications with a powerful solution for exploring challenging environments safely and efficiently.

Our project aims to develop a lightweight and modular ankle exoskeleton to assist stroke patients in rehabilitation. Existing solutions are often bulky, difficult to use, and not adaptable to various shoe sizes. Our design integrates a quick-release mechanism to ensure easy, equipping and donning off, improving user experience for patients and physical therapists. The exoskeleton will provide supportive yet lightweight force assistance, enhancing mobility without adding excessive strain.

Background

This project focuses on the development of an autonomous drone system designed to survey an area, detect wildfires or fire outbreaks, and intervene with fire retardant to mitigate the spread of flames. The drone is equipped with sensors and cameras, to identify fire hotspots in real-time. Using color-filtering algorithms in addition to sensors, the system can accurately distinguish between fire and non-fire events, ensuring high precision in detection.

We are designing a mobile rocket launch system that can be transported across all U.S. highways, complying with Department of Transportation regulations in every state. The system consists of two main subsystems: the Transporter, Erector, Launcher (TEL) and the launch vehicle (rocket). The TEL includes a hydraulic erector system capable of lifting the rocket to a full 90 degrees while providing full support with a strong back. The launch vehicle can deliver a minimum 200 lb payload to a 500 km polar orbit (270 Nmi/Polar) and features a reusable first stage designed to land on any surface after launch. The rocket will use existing models of rocket engines and will be powered by liquid propellants. The launch platform will secure the rocket during the initial launch at 100% thrust utilizing a ground drilling mechanism. The entire system can be fully set up within 8 hours of arriving at the launch site. This mobile launch system can be deployed anywhere across America, which eliminates the limitations of being confined to the two current launch sites in Vandenberg, California, and Kodiak, Alaska.

About Us
The UC Irvine ZotQuatics team works towards designing and manufacturing an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) to compete in the annual RoboSub Competition hosted by RoboNation. Teams from around the world come together to test their AUVs through a series of underwater objectives and present their work through technical documentation. Our AUV will also have applications in environmental remediation.

Our ultimate goal for 2024-25 is to establish ZotQuatics as a permanent pillar of the UCI Engineering community. We will do this by designing and fabricating Mark I of the ZotQuatics AUV as a platform for future teams to build off on and evolve. The Mark I shall adhere to RoboSub regulations regarding functionality, performance, constraints, and design attributes we identify to meet these requirements.

Summary:

Our project focuses on enhancing the security and storage of personal electric vehicles (PEVs) on campus. With rising theft rates of electric scooters and skateboards, as evidenced by UCIPD reports, students often bring their PEVs into lecture halls, violating fire codes and causing unnecessary congestion. Existing campus infrastructure lacks a secure and convenient solution, creating frustration for students and faculty alike.

To address this issue, we propose a secure locker system called BoardBox that allows students to temporarily store their PEVs using a mobile application. These lockers will feature a sophisticated locking mechanism—a multi-surfaced, linear-sliding, servo-powered system—along with integrated charging through solar panels and mobile phone compatibility. By providing a safe storage option, our system could encourage greater use of PEVs, alleviating campus parking challenges and promoting sustainable transportation. Additionally, this project presents an opportunity for the university to enhance campus amenities while exploring potential revenue streams.

Anteater Dynamics is a mechanical engineering senior design project team working with the robotics company ROBOTIS to design a low-cost 7-degree-of-freedom robotic arm targeted for personal robotics enthusiasts, capable of collecting data to be used in machine learning. The final product should be under $1000 to fulfill ROBOTIS’ vision of easily accessible robot technology.

The purpose of the project is to create a wheel spinner that can be secretly manipulated by the user. The spinner will land on any specified section of the wheel, smoothly enough that the selection appears to be natural, and the manipulation can’t be detected by anyone unaware of the wheel’s mechanical properties.

Background

BAJA SAE is a national collegiate competition that is held every year which includes a hill climb event, endurance race and obstacle course. In the past, our team has experienced technical and driver issues, resulting in incompletion of the race. This year, the goal is to finish and place in the top 20. 

Goals and Objectives

SwingCraft is our project in which we will research, design, and fabricate an autonomous robotic swing that demonstrates the principles of parametric resonance and conservation of angular momentum. Starting from an initial displacement, the swing will be able to autonomously increase its amplitude by effectively lengthening and shortening the length of its pendulum/swing. By correctly timing the length changes of the swing, energy can be pumped into the system resulting in an increasing amplitude. Much like how a child on a swing uses their legs to increase the amplitude of their swinging motion, our design will utilize a double pendulum to mimic this motion. Our end goal is to have successfully designed a 1:10 scale model swing that can be used as a source of entertainmentthat which demonstrates parametric resonance.  

The Adjustable Backrest Attachment is designed to improve comfort and ergonomics for users of standard lab stools. By incorporating an adjustable height range of 4”–6”, the backrest provides essential lumbar support while accommodating different users’ needs. The stool mount ensures stability and durability, featuring thigh support, a rigid base for structure, and foam padding to distribute weight evenly and reduce tailbone pressure. The clamp mechanism allows for secure attachment while maintaining easy adjustability with minimal effort.

We are designing a robot to collect solid samples for small gardens and greenhouses efficiently. Typically, soil sampling is done manually, which often results in inconsistent data. These inconsistencies lead to inaccurate information, limiting farmers' ability to manage their crops effectively. Our robot will collect composite samples made of smaller soil samples using an auger drill to penetrate the ground, extract the samples, and store them in a designated sample box. Additionally, it will feature multi-terrain wheels powered by four DC motors, allowing it to navigate various terrains with ease. This automation improves accuracy, efficiency, and overall crop management.

Background:

SnapVolt is a student-led project with the ambition to design, test, and prototype a low-voltage distribution box (fuse box) that is compatible across different electric vehicles. Inspired by current vehicles with fuse boxes that are unique to a particular model, our design will allow users to create different combinations of fuses and relays to match their personal vehicle. A priority of this project is to allow simple and tool free assembly and disassembly with snap in components, similar to Lego pieces. Additionally, SnapVolt aims to create a cost effective design with the intention of making the product competitive in the market.

In search and rescue operations, hazardous environments with debris and tangled wires often block access to critical areas. To address this challenge, we are developing a flexible, portable, remote-controlled claw to assist our quadruped robot, Dyno. This claw is designed to efficiently clear obstacles, ensuring a safer and more accessible path for responders and the robot.

Our solution focuses on enhancing Dyno’s capabilities in navigating and manipulating its environment, making it a versatile tool in high-risk situations. The RC claw features precise control for handling objects of varying sizes and complexities, all while maintaining portability for ease of deployment.

This innovative approach reduces the need for direct human intervention in hazardous zones, minimizing risk to personnel while improving the efficiency of search and rescue missions. By integrating this tool with Dyno, we aim to redefine robotic assistance in disaster response scenarios, prioritizing safety and adaptability in challenging environments.

Baja SAE is a national colligate competition where teams compete to build and race an off-roading race vehicle. In this project the team is tasked to design, build, and test the powertrain subsystem of the 2025 Baja SAE vehicle. The powertrain subsystem must be capable of AWD by delivering power to all 4 wheels, as well as being lightweight and robust enough to make Anteater Racing a feared competitor. The proposed powertrain design features a fully custom transfer case, outputting to a driveshaft and front differential. Designs must adhere to all rules listed in the Baja SAE rulebook, while maintaining critical safety factors to prevent failures operating in extreme off-road conditions. The vehicle must be built and tested prior to the Arizona competition in May 2025. 

ZotCart is a fully autonomous golf cart that will be roaming around Ring Road in the near future. This is achieved by designing drive, brake and steer by wire mechanisms to allow for autonomous control of the golf cart, with the ability for a human to take control in case of an emergency. Several sensors such as cameras, radars, and IMUs along with control algorithms will allow for autonomous driving around static obstacles.

Background

The goal of UCI Solar Car is to build a solar car to compete in the Formula Sun Grand Prix (FSGP) to qualify for the American Solar Challenge (ASC). This will be our first time competing in the competition, and we plan to do so with a 3-wheel car. Our role in the brakes team is to complete the human interface components of the car which includes: parking brake, brake light switch indicator, dashboard, brake lines, and driver equipment

About ASC/FSGP

Background

• Background