Putting Theory into Practice
A locomotive suspension system for harsh environments was chosen as the most innovative and practical design and a turbine in-pipe system as the best design for sustainable and clean energy harvesting at the Engineering Innovation Expo Monday.
The showcase in the University Student Union included 22 Senior Design Projects from the CSULB Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Department.
The pico hydroelectric turbine-in-pipe system uses excess pressure within residential-scale pipe systems to harvest electricity off-the-grid. The system consists of a reaction turbine, generator, and auxiliary electrical equipment. The electrical equipment is dependent upon the application which can include powering outdoor lights or charging small electronics. Additionally, the design of the system will keep the flow rate and pressure of the water entering the household in compliance with standards for potable water systems. Team members include Cristina Azuara, Hope Daley, Elyssa Lawrence, and Daisy Zaragoza.
The locomotive suspension system design uses components that are low maintenance, easy to dismantle, and flexible enough to operate over rough and fluctuating track conditions, and cost effective for the export market. Team members are Austin Ralph, Alexander O’ Donnell, Jared Malabed, and Jacob Bostrom
The other teams were:
Natural Gas Production from Waste Food
This anaerobic digestion system shows a viable and affordable way for university campuses and other small communities to recycle organic waste to produce natural gas. The gas is filtered to output methane, which can then be applied to provide heat or electricity to the university campus. The benefits of this alternative energy source include saving the environment from unnecessary waste and lower energy costs. This prototype is a micro-grid model of a compost digestion chamber with a gas filtration system that can be scaled up to fit the needs of customers.
Team Members: Thomas Newton, Dylan Montgomery, Salman Najmee, Jennifer Vinh (BSChE), and Nicole Mcinerney (BSChE)
Low NOx Hydrogen Natural Gas Mixture Fueled Burner
Our team contributed to the research, manufacturing, and testing of a burner capable of using mixtures of natural gas and hydrogen. The results of this study have significant impacts on controlling NOx emissions during combustion, which is critical in minimizing the adverse impacts on the environment. The successful completion of this design would help provide a tool that uses different blends of natural gas and hydrogen mixture, while limiting the NOx emissions.
Team Members: Karla Duenas Zuniga, Adam Still, Chris Asfour, and Hanif Payandeh (BSChE)
Hydrogen Pipeline Installation
The purpose of the project is to develop a method to install a hydrogen pipeline in an existing natural gas pipelines. To achieve this, a pipe was made out of High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) reinforced with fiberglass. HDPE was used to ensure that hydrogen gas doesn’t diffuse through the pipe walls, while the fiberglass reinforcement ensures that the pipe is capable of holding 1000 psi. Our project will help cut down the time and cost required to create new pipelines by eliminating the need to dig new trenches.
Team Members: Timothy Debus, Michael Magdangal, Isaac Okoka (BSChE), and Jasper Kelly (BSChE)
Hydrogen Pipeline Installation
The purpose of the project is to develop a method to install a hydrogen pipeline in an existing natural gas pipelines. To achieve this, a pipe was made out of High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) reinforced with fiberglass. HDPE was used to ensure that hydrogen gas doesn’t diffuse through the pipe walls, while the fiberglass reinforcement ensures that the pipe is capable of holding 1000 psi. Our project will help cut down the time and cost required to create new pipelines by eliminating the need to dig new trenches.
Team Members: Timothy Debus, Michael Magdangal, Isaac Okoka (BSChE), and Jasper Kelly (BSChE)
Multipurpose Air Duct Surveying Rover
This rover will improve mechanical surveying of buildings. In hospitals, prisons, and universities, some areas that ducts wind through can’t be easily accessed due to older building standards and regulations. Sometimes what sounds like a simple task requires hazmat suits due to asbestos. This rover is equipped with a light and camera for navigation, but also surveying equipment to determine its exact location inside of the space, relative to a predetermined zeroed location. This rover differentiates itself from others in its ability to ascend a vertical shaft, either cylindrical or rectangular. The arms are spring-loaded to adjust to a changing duct size. This rover so far can’t achieve many of its lofty goals, but it can move, (albeit not by battery power), overcoming the challenge of providing motion to this unique design. With this working, the planned features can be upgrades onto an existing platform.
Team Member: Steve Snedden
The Pillar
The objective of this project is to create a solution for users, particularly elderly citizens, who are required to take multiple different pills a day. By creating and optimizing a machine that will be safe, reliable, and user friendly, their pill taking regime will be simplified. By decreasing the amount of time and effort needed to sort and organize their pills, we hope to improve their day-to-day life. The device will have the capability to sort up to 16 different types of pills and detect when a pill has been dispensed.
Team Members: Serena Quach, Karl Krogstad, Anju Azegami, and Roberto Mejia
Charge Cart
In order to relieve the pressure of the increasing demand for electricity, a pulley system that can be easily attached to a shopping cart was designed. The driven wheel of the pulley system drives a generator shaft, which generates power that is stored in a battery. The battery can then be used to charge handheld devices such as cellphones and tablets.
Team Members: Dylan Evans, Kerri Brickman, and Francisco Morquecho
Energy Generating Exercise Machine Using Wells Turbine
The Wind-Powered Workout Machine is an exercise machine that generates power using Wells turbine technology. A cable that is pulled during exercise lifts a piston that exhales and inhales air through a vent powering a bidirectional turbine to generate enough power to charge four smartphones simultaneously. The machine has the capability to perform various exercises such as lateral pull down, rowing, bicep curls, and much more. The machine is different than any other type of energy-generating exercise device in the market, since its primary focus is in building muscle rather than providing a cardio exercise.
Team Members: Jessica Arvizu, Daniel Huizar, Ricardo Granados, Jesus Del Rio, and Christian Aguilar
Automated Thermocouple Assembly Machine
The project’s goal was to create a system that runs two wires through ceramic beads to create 3-foot thermocouples. The project is the conclusion of the senior design group’s design, design drawings, and solution to Dickson Testing Co. and Aerocraft Heat Treating Co.’s need for a mechanism that is cost beneficiary and decreases productivity loss for internal production of thermocouples.
Team Members: Emmanuel Brumfield, Katheryn Chea, Fernando Jacinto, Jairo Maldonado, and Jacob Veater
Chop N’ Weigh
The purpose of our design is to motivate people to eat healthy by making it easier for people to cook and portion their own meals by using an integrated weight scale. According to the CDC, 60% of adults reported eating out at least twice a week. This multipurpose cutting board features an integrated weight scale and built in chopper to make chopping and weighing food easier.
Team Members: Alexander Dabrowski, Eder Rafael, Nikko Ajao, and Josue Vasquez
Self-Balancing Waiter Tray
Using a two-axis rotation system, a 14-inch waiter tray will self-stabilize via rotational actuators. An accelerometer and gyroscope sensor combination accounts for the direction of gravity and normal/abnormal rotations occurring when the tray is in use. This constant feedback loop system that should keep the tray level at any point in time.
Team Members: Motonari Yamamori, Luis Diaz, Darrin Nguyen, Michael David, and Michael Naduvilekoot
Compact Pipe Removal Tool
No tools on the market can open seized pipe couplings while maintaining a compact shape and size. Existing are large, require ample space, and incorporate separate moving parts. A tool fulfilling these requirements would be indispensable to workers in the plumbing, automotive, construction, and engineering industries. This tool would free stuck pipe couplings of various diameters, operate in confined spaces by an individual, and be portable.
Team Members: Jarrod Aghily, Sergio Cortes-Barajas, Darcy Vincent, Sopanha Young, and Alan Bulat
The Luggage E-Scooter
If you travel frequently, it is inevitable that you will find yourself rushing to catch flights. Our innovative electric luggage scooter always gets you there in time. This three-wheeled luggage scooter folds from a conventional, TSA-approved roll-behind carry-on case to an easily maneuverable luggage kickboard. When the luggage scooter is folded down, it fits easily into standard-size overhead compartments. The handle is retractable and its deck is made of aluminum making it lightweight, easy to use, and durable.
Team Members: Omid Ghiam, Phu Phan, Juan Molina, Anthony Simeone, and Matthew Carder
Skateboard Brake
This brake attaches to almost any reverse-kingpin longboard truck. The proposed design uses a center pull cantilever brake system. A handheld device is used to actuate the brakes. This skateboard brake is compatible with a variety of reverse-kingpin trucks, making this design accessible to a wide range of skateboarders.
Team Members: Bryan Nguyen, Karl Eisenreich, Rafael Ramirez, and Derek Ing
Folding Bike Technologies
This folding bicycle will fit under a cubicle desk, and easily fold for a daily commute. This design requires proper bicycle geometry. The bike has typical road bike dimensions, structural rigidity, track trueness, and ridability. Its extremely compact frame allows it to fold into the footprint of its own tires.
Team Members: Mihailo Milosevic, Juan Viana, Christian Walton, Brendan Lieberman, and Marvin Valdivia
Speed Bump Power Generator
The Speed Bump Power Generator is a design which takes advantage of a moving vehicle’s weight as it drives over a speed bump to generate electricity. The means of converting compressional force into rotational energy is the conceptual basis for this project. Once rotational energy is achieved, the optimal next step is to attach the system to an electric generator which can produce electricity to be stored in a battery for potential use.
Team Members: Ahmed Al Aghbari, Brandon Bridgman, Edgar Figueroa, Hung Hoang, and Eduardo Mendez
Concentrated Solar-Thermal Energy Collector
A solar thermal collector captures sun’s heat to convert to useful work. A parabolic trough collector is a curved mirror that focuses the sun’s radiation to a focal point, where fluid running through a pipe absorbs the heat. The trough was designed to optimize energy collection potential and test the feasibility of a home installation for space heating and heating hot water.
Team Members: Esteban Martinez, Graham Schafer, Randy Vu, Joseph Cruz, and Thomas Anderson
Automatic Lead Belay
The Automatic Lead Belay provides lead rock climbers a way to climb safely on their own and prevent a fall. A 250-pound climber could safely lead climb and descend at their discretion. To prove the concept, we fabricated a 3D-printed, scale model to safely withstand a 25-lb. weight. This prototype comes with a centrifugal mechanism that activates a rotary damper to increase drag force, slow down the rotational speed, and safely lower the climber in the event of a fall.
Team Members: Haris Khan, Cesar Gayosso, Edilberto Saucedo, Jason Lee, and Ricardo Martins
Smart Trash Can
The Smart Trash Can incorporates a PIR sensor-activated vacuum at the base to help get rid of debris such as dust or trash that may end up on the floor. This will remove the need to bend over with a dustpan to sweep up trash on the floor, allowing for the consumer to move on with their day. A distance sensor is integrated in the trash can to automatically open the lid with a simple gesture and one more integrated inside to show the user how full the trash bin is through a small LCD screen.
Team Members: Jose Nuno, Luis Torres, Marcos Barajas, Sahiru Liyanage, and Williams Rosas
Skateboard Generator
The Skateboard Generator was designed to save your phone or tablet from dying in a time of need. The idea came from wanting to create power from an everyday item that is used by students. Everyone has to deal with limited battery supply and with the advancement of technology increasing every year, battery life seems to be getting worse. The gear that is integrated into the wheels will spin a belt that is connected to a smaller gear which will spin the motor which will charge a portable power pack. Once the power pack is charged, unplug it from the skateboard and use it as a power source for your phone, tablet, laptop, etc.
Team Members: Brendan Heffern, Cayden Ziemke, Mathew Cecil, Michael Vezzuto, and Nick Dezember
Kaze Eco Bike
This project features a Darrieus vertical-axis wind turbine with three blades and a NACA 0018 airfoil profile. The shaft will house a generator that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy. The invention will be mounted on the front part of a bike, horizontal to its handlebars and attached to the front forks. The profile will not interfere with maneuverability.
Team Members: Kristina Park, Alejandro Temblador, and Dylan Chou
