MAE

This is Project Dyno, a senior design project with the objective of designing, building, and prototyping a quadruped robot dog capable of serving as a disaster search and rescue aid in a low-cost package. We were inspired to make a search and rescue robot in response to the recent hurricanes on the East Coast. The needs of a would-be disaster relief robot drive our major objectives: traverse adverse terrain, overcome small obstacles, and support integration with a claw. We were also inspired by Boston Dynamic’s SPOT robot, a quadruped robot that is extremely capable, but also extremely expensive, making it less accessible to local authorities. Dyno will be scaled down in size and capability but still be able to serve in search and rescue operations.

Our purpose: 

The purpose of Unmanned Autonomous Submarine team is to create a device that can perform underwater tasks in place of humans. Surveying, exploration, and underwater repair are a only few of many necessary jobs that ensure safe sea travel and to protect marine life. However, extreme ocean conditions and the risk of malfunctioning equipment make these jobs dangerous for humans.

The Unmanned Autonomous Submarine team works to prove that a submarine can be a viable alternative to human labor for underwater work roles. Our team conducts research on simple yet energy-efficient submarine designs and tracking systems to develop a fully autonomous submarine. 

By the end of Winter 2024, the project team will have fabricated a submarine that can navigate freely underwater and autonomously track and follow a moving tennis ball. Our goal is to create a device that demonstrates functionality and efficiency so that future iterations may be used to improve underwater safety.

Objectives:

Quarter...

Background 

Thrust Vector Control (TVC) is the manipulation of the direction of a vehicles thrust to provide steering control throughout flight, improve stability, and allow for precision maneuvers. The lander challenge is a competition that motivates collegiate groups to develop self landing rockets. One challenge they offer is a $15,000 prize for a TVC static hot fire. For the competition, an engine above 500 lbf must be fired for at least 10 seconds as the TVC manipulates the thrust vector a minimum of 7 degrees in all directions. Build a TVC system for a 100 lbf engine that could be scaled up in the future to compete in the Lander Challenge.

Goal and Objectives 

1. System is able to withstand 100 lbf of thrust through the burn time of the engine

2. Engine mount designed needs to securely hold a ~3in diameter engine

3. System needs to

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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.

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.

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.

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.

Project Background:

There is a technology gap concerning the additive manufacturing of magnetic materials on the nanometer scale. Current solutions are limited by their material strength and modulus, or by the precision in their technology. We aim to develop a 3D (SLS) printer for magnets under the sponsorship of Professor Camilo Cuervo and the U.S. Army Research Laboratory (ARL). Our final design will integrate the motion system of a selective laser sintering (SLS) printer with a magnetization head. These two components will work congruently to sinter and magnetize the ferromagnetic polymeric material simultaneously. The rotation gantry will provide the means to attach the magnetization head to the motion system and allow for unique pole pattering capabilities within the desired printing shape.

Preliminary Design

Review: https://drive.google.com/file/d/12YOxWRrPmDaRGGw6MzYn569Ja5SJpyZo/view?usp=drive_link

Goals:

• Design, Order, and Assemble Magnetization Head

• Optimize coil size for magnetization head

• Integrate laser engraver with magnetic head gantry

• Configure electronics and design user interface for printer operation

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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.

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.

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.

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.

Our purpose:

The purpose of the UCI Solar Airplane project is to prove the viability of solar energy as a substitute for nonrenewable fuel and to provide aid in search and rescue missions during natural disasters where drones and other methods would not be effective. Climate change has progressed at an alarming rate, especially in recent years, making it evident that a drastic change in energy use is necessary. Even so, today’s most commonly used energy source globally is still fossil fuels. While the renewable energy market continues to expand, it is vital to concentrate efforts into promoting applications of clean energy.

The Solar Airplane team works to prove that solar energy is a viable alternative to fossil fuels in aviation in hopes that it will spur an increase in solar energy applications for other energy needs as well. Our project will conducts extensive research into solar panels and aviation to...

Summary: 

In partnership with Saratech and the UCI Battery Lab, our project focuses on optimizing E-Bike batteries. We've selected lithium-ion batteries for their high energy density, long cycle life, and lightweight nature, ideal for electric bike applications. Specifically, we are opting for cylindrical battery types over prismatic and pouch cell types in order to prioritize airflow optimization for efficient cooling.

Recognizing overheating as a significant concern impacting battery performance, we're integrating a cooling system. This system includes a fan for air intake and strategically positioned vents for efficient outflow, ensuring optimal thermal regulation and prolonging battery life. Additionally, we employ simulation and CAD software like NX, SolidWorks, and StarCCM to analyze fluid dynamics, enhancing the effectiveness of our cooling design.

Background:

As electric bikes gain popularity for their efficient transportation, optimizing battery performance becomes essential. E-Bike Batteries serve as the power source. These batteries typically feature a block design, securely...

Robot arms rely on end of arm tooling (EOAT), such as grippers and cameras, to automate various tasks. The compatibility and swift swapping of EOATs are crucial for efficiency. Archytas' current EOAT interface requires a complicated series of steps in order to swap EOAT and lacks compatibility for EOATs with various ecosystems. Our project aims to lower the amount of parts and time needed to swap EOAT, create an interface that has compatibility with Universal Robot’s Robotic Arm, the UR3e, EOAT, update the assembly to include a larger motor, and ensure EOAT attached to our interface can function with a 1 kg payload. A significant aspect of this upgrade was designing a robust locking mechanism capable of withstanding 3D printing imperfections, offering user convenience, and providing secure support for the payload. The external lock and channel design successfully met these requirements, enhancing the overall functionality of the EOAT interface.

Background: 

Working with industrial robotic arm manufacturer, Archytas Automation, this project aims to provide the last two joints on a robotic arm with unlimited degrees of freedom for unrestricted movement. The mostly 3D printed robot employs a system of base-mounted motors, and a pulley and belts system to translate movement to its 5 joints. The last two joints are responsible for the rotational and swivel motion of attachments placed at the end of the arm. Previously, non-continuous belts utilized tensioners to connect their ends. This led to restriction of movement as these could not pass through the pulley gears. By redesigning the gear housings to a more open design and implementing a new tensioning system, we can integrate continuous belts and provide unrestricted movement on joints 4 and 5.

Goal and Objectives:

The objective of the project is to alter the design of the Archytas robotic arm to allow for...

Coastal areas in California attract millions of tourists a year and the more crowded these areas become, the more they are prone to pollution and trash build up. There are a few solutions when it comes to debris collection from bodies of water. We propose an underwater remotely operated vehicle (ROV) capable of maneuvering and object retrieval. Our ROV is nicknamed Archelon and it features applications of modern technology derived from underwater ROV research.

Our team's senior design project is a design of a 6-axis wind tunnel force sensor developed for use in the University of California, Irvine's (UCI) wind tunnel facilities. The sensor is engineered to measure forces and moments exerted by the wind in six degrees of freedom: three linear forces (surge, sway, and heave) and three rotational forces (roll, pitch, and yaw). Its design and implementation are critical for accurately assessing the aerodynamic properties of various objects, ranging from aerospace components to automotive parts and even sports equipment. The sensor is a vital tool for UCI laboratory classes, as it allows students to observe interactions in real time.

Utilizing advanced materials and sensor technology, the project aims to design a reliable and affordable device for wind tunnel testing at UCI. By providing detailed data on how objects interact with wind currents under various conditions, the sensor will enable researchers and engineers to optimize designs for improved performance and efficiency. This project not only represents a significant technological advancement in aerodynamic testing but also the interdisciplinary requirement of complex engineering design.

Background

By orienting air foils in a unique manner, downward forces can be generated on a car, providing it with the ability to increase its cornering speeds due to enhanced grip, improving its overall performance. The aerodynamics sub-team of Anteater Formula Racing (AFR) will use the foam airfoils as a base to layer composite materials on top to create a final design. 

Goals and Objectives

• Design and produce a precise CNC hot wire foam cutter able to cut pieces of foam 2 feet long
• The entire project should be completed with a maximum cost of $400
• The system should be user friendly and time efficient

Week 7: Design Phase Iteration 1- Determine XZ axis stepper motor system, hot wire system, and user interface

Week 8: Design Phase Iteration 2- Finalize decisions made in week 7, determine mounting base and overall structure 

Week 9: Complete a trade study to...

Summary

In this project, we developed a Physics-Informed Neural Network using PyTorch in Python to solve a specific Partial Differential Equation (Burger’s Equation in our case) under defined initial and boundary conditions. Our approach involved optimizing various parameters crucial to the neural network's performance, such as the choice of activation functions, optimizers, the configuration of neurons and layers, and the selection of an appropriate loss function.

To enhance the model's performance, we introduced a customized loss function that is divided into two components: one addressing the loss incurred by satisfying the PDEs, and the other handling the loss associated with meeting the Boundary and Initial Conditions. Through parameter tuning and training, we achieved a notable Mean Absolute Error of approximately 0.0533, surpassing the required threshold of 0.06.

Visualizations, including both 3D and 2D representations, were utilized to effectively illustrate the outcomes of our machine learning model. Our future endeavors involve refining the model further by incorporating weight coefficients into our customized loss function, aiming for even higher levels of accuracy and efficiency.

The UCI Design, Build, Fly team has been tasked with designing a plane that can complete three flight missions and one ground mission. The variance in flight missions means that the aircraft must be designed with modularity as a key focus. The flight missions for the competition this year are as follows:
Flight Mission #1: The airplane will fly with a pair of crew members made of wood dolls. It will need to complete 3 laps in a 5-minute flight window. 
Flight Mission #2: The airplane will fly with the crew members, EMTs, patient on a gurney, and medical supply cabinet in the fuselage. It will also need to complete 3 laps in a 5-minute flight window.
Flight Mission #3: The airplane will fly with the crew members and passengers as the payload. It will need to fly as many laps as possible in a 5-minute flight window.

Besides the three flight missions, the airplane also needs to perform a ground mission. The ground mission for this year is as follows:

Ground Mission: A timed mission to demonstrate efficiently changing mission configurations.

In a market predominantly led by smart lock giants such as Ring and Nest, our senior design project aims to revolutionize home security. Current solutions face susceptibility to power outages, hacking threats, and intricate installation procedures. Our innovation introduces sensors that provide a superior, cost-effective alternative. These easily installable devices empower users to remotely monitor door lock status, offering a more reliable solution at a fraction of the cost compared to traditional smart locks. This approach not only simplifies the user experience but also addresses vulnerabilities present in existing systems, marking a significant advancement in home security technology.

Currently, there is a technological gap in the manufacturing processes for magnets with complex polarity patterns. Current manufacturing of magnets sacrifices the strength of the magnet to maintain a small size, and vice versa. The 2D Magnetization Head will be able to manufacture small, powerful magnets with complex geometries. Users interact by operating software which actuates the microcontroller, controlling the strength of the magnetic field produced as well as the motion of the gantry that the magnetization head is attached to.

A.R.C.H.E.L.O.N.

Advanced Remote Controlled Hydrodynamic Explorer of Logistics & Oceanic Navigator

Background

The oceanic depths present a vast and seemingly boundless environment, where the occurrence of shipwrecks not only represents a catastrophic event but also often results in the loss of precise location data, leading to significant adverse outcomes. The exploration of these underwater sites by human divers entails considerable risks, making it an endeavor fraught with danger. In contrast, robotic intervention offers a more efficient and cost-effective solution for such underwater explorations. This research proposes the development of a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) equipped with navigational capabilities, visual systems for underwater observation, and mechanical appendages such as claws or arms for object manipulation. The investigation into the potential of underwater vehicles aims to lay a foundational framework for future adaptations of the proposed design, specifically for applications in shipwreck detection and imaging within marine environments as well as object...

Established in 2015 at the University of California Irvine, HyperXite is a team of undergraduate students endeavoring to build a small-scale Hyperloop pod. As such HyperXite requires a vehicle that will allow us to easily transport our 300kg pod to different locations in addition to serving as a workstation to service and assemble the vehicle during the building stages.

Our Goal as a sub-team within HyperXite is to design, build, and test a vehicle that is capable of transporting, lifting, and servicing the pod regardless of our location or equipment on hand.

To learn more about our team and our project check out the Team Website.

Background:

Robotic walkers are a cutting edge technology that move by the usage of classic mechanics requiring links, gears, shafts, and more. With the progress of next generation AI capability, such as CHATGPT, it is no question that programming AI to complete tasks or commands is possible. Through the usage of code alongside mechanics you can program a mechanical walker to complete simple tasks as simple as following a black line all the way up to complex warehouse tasks. A lack of reliability and simplicity is why these robots are not common, only showcased by companies such as Boston Dynamics. To provide a simple yet reliable control integration, a minimally actuated approach will be taken. Minimally actuated robots use a minimal amount of sensors and actuators to make sure they are less prone to failure and more reliable.

Goals and Objectives:

Our winter 2024 Robotic Walker will feature a minimally actuated...

The team nine senior design project has been tasked with designing and building two revisions of a minimally actuated robot walker. In the first half of the project the team was tasked with designing a walker with eight legs, two DC motors, and IR remote control. Upon completion of this revision at the end of the fall quarter, the team changed focus under the direction of Professor McCarthy, the project sponsor. The refined objective shifted to building a new robot walker with four legs, two DC motors, and more complex autonomous control abilities. Robot autonomy was made possible through Arduino control and PixyCam robot vision, enabling line and object tracking. The overall goal of the project was to achieve a robust and high functioning robot with control autonomy in order to further the research conducted by Professor McCarthy and his graduate student Jiaji Li.

Practicing pickleball alone is tedious and ineffective. Current models on the market are too expensive and do not provide essential features for pickleball play/practice. Our project is to design an inexpensive machine that can replicate realistic pickleball trajectories that would be observed in a game. This includes adjustable speed, spin, angle, launch height, and feed rate. Our niche however is a 3-wheel design, allowing our machine to launch pickleball with sidespin, a feature that current models on the market do not have. All parts used to create the machine will either be commercially available or will be replicable using online services. 

The project aims at testing the level of relativity between values of airfoil performance from prediction and the one in reality. Through the airfoil analysis tool (XFOIL), the team will simulate a numerical airfoils and obtain the values from the prediction. In the meanwhile, the team should design and manufacture the corresponding airfoils that are valid for wind tunnel test. Finally, the team will compare the results from the two methods and apply Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) to evaluate the conclusion relativity between prediction and reality.

Our project objective is to design and build a vertical lift system to transport a 16 oz plastic water bottle. The bottle must maintain its upright position, from a starting height no greater than 2 inches up to a platform positioned between 8 and 12 inches above the table surface. With the system on a budget of $250, there is an emphasis on the system being simple in design and use. Due to a 10 week design and assembly timeline the design must be easy to manufacture. And an overall goal to have the robot move quickly, reliably, freestanding, automated and battery-powered.