MAE Projects

Design Build Fly

MAE

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.

Fire Extinguishing System

MAE

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.

Fluid Power Vehicle Challenge (2024-2025) - Zotdraulics

Logo of the NFPA's Fluid Power Vehicle Challenge
MAE

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.

UCI CubeSat

UC Irvine CubeSat
EECS
MAE

The CubeSat team at UCI is a student-led undergraduate interdisciplinary research and design project with the goal of launching a 2U nanosatellite, AntSat 01, into orbit to test a UCI research payload. The satellite operates with six main engineering subsystems: Avionics, Communications, Structures, Power, Developer Operations, and Systems. They all work to house STMS's (Spacecraft Thermal Management Systems) research payload within the 2U nanosatellite.