Mechanical Engineering Design Day Fall 2014

The Department of Mechanical Engineering held the Fall Design Day December 9, 2014 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Kim Engineering Building. This semester, Design Day showcased 29 student teams, all featuring original product prototype designs. A wide range of exhibits including everything from an adjustable-height sink for wheelchair users or children to a stabilizer unit for individuals needing extra support to perfect their motorcycle riding skills.

Terps Racing was also on hand to showcase their current Formula SAE car. Three Design Day teams developed projects specifically geared for Terps Racing: a variable geometry air intake to increase efficiency and torque, an engine lubrication system for racing applications and an improved radiator cooling system.

Design Day highlights the talents and creativity of mechanical engineering students in the Integrated Product and Process Development Course. In addition, the event offers an opportunity for regional high school students to visit the campus and experience firsthand what pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering is all about.

This semester, student from Baltimore Polytechnic, Dunbar High School Academy of Engineering, McKinley Tech High School Academy of Engineering and Heart Christian School came and had an opportunity to engage with students, learn about the projects and get a closer look at the design process.

Teams of senior level students present project prototypes built to solve selected engineering problems, with the top voted team receiving the “People’s Choice Award” and having their names displayed in the Mechanical Engineering undergraduate office.

Visitors cast a total of 159 votes for the “People’s Choice Award,” and the top three student teams were:

FIRST Place
Team Mist, Electromagnetic Advanced Arresting Gear (EMAAG)
Team Members: Tyler Brechbiel, Troy Calvert, Kevin Caney, Mursleen Mumtaz and Stewart Smith
Team Mist developed a system that harnesses and stores the energy produced by an aircraft landing on any flight deck with arresting gear.

SECOND Place
AQUA R3, Aqua Smart Reserve
Team Members: Jessica Cornelius, Elizabeth Daly, Makaya Gittens, Nadia Panossian and William Weston-Dawkes
The AQUA R3 team developed a system that eliminates water wasted when waiting for showers to reach the desired temperature by incorporating a reservoir redirection system.

THIRD Place
MANGO SALSA, Laptop Tracker
Team Members: Daniel Bae, Nick Du, Kevin Griffiths, Everett Hettema, Ashish Singh and Brandt Schwer
Their project was to develop a text-message triggered GPS tracking device that attaches to a laptop in order to assist with theft recovery.

The Department would also like to thank our tireless guest judges who through their assistance in evaluating each of the student projects, truly made this Design Day a success:

Bianca Brandveen
Eric Compton
Brian Foltz
Professor Emeritus Collin Marks
Zeb Shereef
Russ Stein

For a more photos from the day’s events, please visit our department photo album!

Published December 19, 2014