ME Projects – Fall 2024

Eaton Corporation is a power management company that helps provide solutions through electrical, aerospace, hydraulic and vehicle products and service. Eaton Aerospace specializes in the development of aerospace products and technologies used in commercial, military, and business aviation. The Jackson Test Lab is fundamental in the testing of Eaton’s conveyance product line, providing top-of-the-line assessment through analysis of pressure, temperature, motion, and vibration data obtained during testing.

Eaton has a servo valve that operates an intensifier on a 2:1 ratio, which was used for applying pressure. The servo valve has two sides, sides a and b, which operate individually applying pressure. Because of this, when the pressure is lowered, the pistons lack the force to lower the pressure effectively on side b. The pressure over time can be seen in the figures to the right. Our goal was to create a dual-driven intensifier by utilizing the unused port on side b to drive both sides at the same time. This increases the control over lower pressures and increases the number of cycles the intensifier can run.

Michigan State University

Team Members (left to right) 

Ryan Cornellier
Novi, Michigan

Eric Dutkiewicz
Clarkston, Michigan

Andre Johnson
Detroit, Michigan

Jared Zammit
South Lyon, Michigan

Eaton Aerospace Test Facility

Project Sponsors

Patrick Sauber
Jackson, Michigan

ME Faculty Advisor

Dr. Giles Brereton

Eaton Corporation is a global power management company that provides products and services across diverse industries, including aerospace, automotive, and industrial markets. Eaton is known for its innovative solutions in thermal management systems, providing critical cooling technologies for advanced electrical and mechanical components. These systems ensure that high-performance equipment in industries such as aerospace remain operational at safe temperatures, preventing overheating, and maintaining safety standards.

For this project, our team developed a Liquid Cooling System Steady-State Design Tool to streamline and optimize the thermal management process. The tool was designed to calculate and predict steady-state performance metrics, such as temperature, pressure, and flow rate, across various components in a liquid cooling system. Using object-oriented programming integrated with MATLAB, the tool enables engineers to evaluate the performance of system architectures, facilitating component sizing decisions. This innovative tool will enable Eaton to enhance the design and efficiency of thermal management systems, reducing computational complexity while improving overall system optimization.

Michigan State University

Team Members (left to right) 

Chad Fowler
St. Joseph, Michigan

Eric Joseph
Ann Arbor, Michigan

Jack Bajcz
Ann Arbor, Michigan

Saransh Mehta
New Delhi, India

Aditya Chandra
New Delhi, India

Eaton Aerospace Test Facility

Project Sponsors

Alan Retersdorf
Jackson, Michigan

ME Faculty Advisor

Dr. Thomas Pence

The Broad Art Museum connects Michigan State University with the Greater Lansing Area. With over 20,000 square feet of gallery space, the Broad centers itself upon contemporary art that encourages engagement about current issues and events locally as well as globally. It features local, national, and international artists with a rotating collection of artwork on display as well as a permanent collection of over 10,000 works. The Broad prides itself on telling stories and perspectives through art with a focus on diverse communities. It guides important conversations with co-creation and co-learning to address implicit bias, systematic racism, and social inequalities. Within its walls you can find yourself surrounded by support, community, and representative art.

For this project, our group was tasked with designing and fabricating an advanced-level collapsible art transport bin with a convertible interior and vibration minimization qualities. Transport bins are frequently used to carefully move fragile and/or heavy works of art within the Broad Art Museum. Due to this, the bin needed to maximize vibration dampening while traveling across cement floors and a variety of elevation changes. The bin also needed to be collapsible and modular to enable for convenient storage and easy assembly. These goals were expected to be met, while keeping the integrity of the design to keep the artwork safe and secure.

Michigan State University

Team Members (left to right) 

Jacob Rubino
Chesterfield, Michigan

Lucy Kiloustian
Algonac, Michigan

Blake Bur
Clarkston, Michigan

John Burroughs
Las Vegas, Nevada

Mason Dalrymple
Novi, Michigan

MSU Broad Art Museum

Project Sponsors

Brian Kirschensteiner
East Lansing, Michigan

ME Faculty Advisor

Dr. Tong Gao

General Motors (GM) is an American multinational automotive corporation headquartered in Detroit, Michigan. Founded in 1908, it is one of the largest automakers in the world. GM designs, manufactures, and sells vehicles under various brands, including Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac, and Buick. The company has a global presence, with operations in numerous countries and a wide range of vehicles from electric cars to trucks and SUVs. In recent years, GM has been focusing on electric vehicle (EV) technology, autonomous driving, and sustainability initiatives to lead in the future of mobility.

A jounce shock is a kind of secondary shock that is sometimes employed in automobiles to enhance vehicle ride and handling characteristics. Most commonly seen in offroad vehicles, jounce shocks enable the primary shocks to focus on providing a softer response over smaller obstacles while enabling the system as a whole to still be able to withstand large impacts such as jumps. Our team was tasked with creating an analytical jounce shock model. This model is based upon the actual physics behind the operation of a jounce shock whereas previous iterations of this model employed approximations of a jounce shock. With our model we simulate the fluid dynamics that enable the shock to function. Calculating the fluid dynamics of the shock as a function of user-defined properties enables designers to quickly be able to see how differently tuned jounce shocks will behave in a future system. Our parametric model of a jounce shock is a useful tool in early vehicle development, where physical testing hardware is currently lacking, but designers need to be able to make decisions regarding the sizing of a jounce shock.

Michigan State University

Team Members (left to right) 

Max Hortop
Ann Arbor, Michigan

Jacob Greca
Brighton, Michigan

Ben Hirc
Fenton, Michigan

Julio Dam Ferdinez
Panama City, Panama

Payson Kotel
Stilwell, Kansas

General Motors

Project Sponsors

Ray Renaud
Warren, Michigan

ME Faculty Advisor

Dr. Tong Gao

KLA is a leading provider of advanced process control and enabling solutions specifically designed for the manufacturing of wafers, reticles, integrated circuits, packaging, and printed circuit boards. Their comprehensive approach to semiconductor process control encompasses every stage, from initial research and development to final large-scale manufacturing. By leveraging innovative technologies and extensive expertise, KLA ensures that manufacturers can optimize their processes, enhance product quality, and improve overall efficiency. This commitment to excellence positions KLA at the forefront of the semiconductor industry, driving advancements that meet the evolving demands of modern electronics production.

Our team was tasked with designing a test bench that can reliably and accurately record metrics from servers of varying sizes that KLA purchased from third party vendors. By recording the mass flux and heat transfer rates at many points along the server, we can better characterize the heat flow and energy usage at any given point, enabling KLA to better design the rest of its systems with the knowledge provided using our test bench. We used CFD for thermal verification of the model we proposed to ensure that the insulation and other irregularities that were designed into the interior of the test bench did not impact its accurate recording capabilities. These irregularities were the holes and channels placed in the foam insulation, which enables power cords and sensors to reach the test bench.

Michigan State University

Team Members (left to right) 

Luke Naughton
Buffalo Grove, Illinois

Uma Pentakota
Northville, Michigan

Shivam Pandey
Canton, Michigan

Stephan Freitag
Canton, Michigan

KLA Corporation

Project Sponsors

Jacob Campion
Ann Arbor, Michigan

Thomas Wierzbicki
Ann Arbor, Michigan

ME Faculty Advisor

Dr. Tong Gao

KLA is an industry leader in creating the most advanced process control systems in the world. KLA creates the equipment necessary for measuring and inspecting critical parameters and defects in the world of semiconductors. They enable semiconductor manufacturers the ability to see the quality and efficiency of their fabricating process. To be able to detect these defects, KLA tools must operate on a scale of sub 100 nm. Because an average piece of dust is around 500 nm, many KLA tools operate in a class 100 cleanroom, which means there must be less than 100 particles per cubic foot.

Some of the many pieces of lab equipment that KLA utilizes are highly stabilized optical mounting tables. These tables have a grid of mounting holes that are spaced out every inch, which in most cases is over 2,000 holes. This table must then be cleaned to operate in a class 100 cleanroom. The current cleaning process consists of wiping each hole with a swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol, which takes a considerable amount of time and manpower to clean the entirety of the table. In this project our team worked to create a handheld device that could clean multiple mounting holes at once and speed up the cleaning time of the optical tables, while still achieving a class 100 cleanroom status.

Michigan State University

Team Members (left to right) 

Matthew Celini
Highland, Michigan

Olivia Lyle
Ann Arbor, Michigan

Zach Doerr
Grosse Pointe Woods, Michigan

Ben Arkles
Jackson, Michigan

Will Stamatakos
La Grange, Illinois

KLA Corporation

Project Sponsors

Tara Chan
Ann Arbor, Michigan

Thomas Wierzbicki
Ann Arbor, Michigan

ME Faculty Advisor

Dr. Rebecca Anthony

NASA has launched a spacecraft to the asteroid Psyche, which is scheduled to arrive in 2029. It will orbit the asteroid to study the origins of its metal composition. The Psyche asteroid is unique because NASA believes it is made of a mixture of metals (mostly iron and nickel) as well as silicate. This means Psyche could be a remnant of a former planetesimal core and could provide a glimpse into how the Earth was formed.

Arizona State University and Michigan State University have teamed up to design and propose a future power solution that could enhance the study opportunities if NASA ever decided to study the surface of Psyche. This opportunity provides many challenges when deciding on a power solution, as the terrain, temperature, gravity and length of day all need to be taken into account. Our team has decided to design an alternative energy system on the surface of Psyche that will be able to provide power to future NASA missions and will be able to explore the surface of the asteroid. The team understands the many constraints that a project like this presents but is excited for the opportunity to work with NASA and ASU on such an exciting project.

Michigan State University

Team Members (left to right) 

Cameron Tsivitse
Rochester, Michigan

Ihsan Murtadho
Jakarta, Indonesia

Gerrid Rutledge
North Branch, Michigan

NASA/Arizona State University

Project Sponsors

NASA Psyche Mission
Tempe, Arizona

ME Faculty Advisor

Dr. Abraham Engeda

Magna is a company dedicated to improving technologies and making safe, clean vehicles to protect communities and the planet. The company is at the forefront of mobility advancements in multiple sectors including cars, bicycles, and robots. One ongoing problem is that of green transportation. In addition to pure sustainability, there are locations worldwide where cars can’t go or aren’t allowed due to carbon pollution, size, noise, wildlife, and other factors. In many cases, thin, cheap transportation that can carry cargo and be protected by the environment would be a solution to this car deficit. This leads to a need for cargo bikes that are protected from the environment.

The bike enclosure includes many amenities and features such as shelving, heaters, transformable designs, and handlebar designs. The most important considerations of the bike that are optimized are one m^3 of cargo space, rider safety, and protection from wind and rain. The bike design has fewer emissions related to manufacture and operation than a car as it is much smaller, battery-assisted, and lighter with less road wear. The possible market of the vehicle includes delivery services, groceries, and car-free zones. The consumers are therefore seeking a lightweight, eco-friendly vehicle that has a large carrying capacity.

Michigan State University

Team Members (left to right) 

Joey Harwood
St. Claire, Michigan

Emma Luzbetak
Lake Zurich, Illinois

Matthew Russell
Williamston, Michigan

Rachel Schenck
Ada, Michigan

Kenneth Gordon
New York City, New York

Magna International

Project Sponsors

Anirban Chakraborty

Troy, Michigan

Julian Knutzen
Aurora, Ontario

ME Faculty Advisor

Dr. Lik-Chuan Lee

NASA is a U.S. government agency responsible for the nation’s civilian space exploration, research, and aeronautics programs. Founded in 1958, NASA has led pioneering efforts in space exploration, satellite technology, and space science, with landmark achievements including the Apollo moon landings, the Mars rovers, and contributions to the International Space Station. The agency conducts cutting-edge research in astrophysics, planetary science, and Earth observation, while also developing advanced aerospace technologies. NASA’s collaborations extend globally with international space agencies and private industry to push the boundaries of human spaceflight and scientific discovery.

Our team employed an iterative design process to model and analyze a robotic exploration vehicle capable of traversing the challenging terrain of asteroid 16 Psyche. Located an average of 3.3 astronomical units from the Sun, asteroid Psyche is hypothesized to have a crater-filled surface composed of a mixture of metal and silicate. To address these complex design requirements, we developed an exploration vehicle that is lightweight, energy-efficient, compact, and reliable, ensuring its ability to successfully navigate Psyche’s surface. The suspension system we designed features a unique configuration that enables the vehicle to adapt to various hypothesized terrains.

Michigan State University

Team Members (left to right) 

Zachary Colo
Macomb, Michigan

Jared Throne
Troy, Michigan

Anthony DeMaio
Muskegon, Michigan

Alessio Laura
Monroe, Washington

William Schugars
Muskegon, Michigan

NASA/Arizona State University

Project Sponsors

NASA Psyche Mission
Tempe, Arizona

ME Faculty Advisor

Dr. Zhaojian Li

The NASA Psyche mission was selected in 2017 with the goal of studying asteroid 16 Psyche, an M-type asteroid located in the main belt between Mars and Jupiter. Observations of this metal-rich asteroid prompted an interesting question: can it be studied as a point of comparison to the innermost core of planets such as ours, helping to overcome the impossibility of studying Earth’s interior without physically reaching it? Because the Psyche mission launched in October 2023, modifications to the current mission’s orbiter were impossible. However, future proposed missions to 16 Psyche would likely incorporate a lander for surface exploration.

Our team identified a prior surface-based mission with a suite of instruments that were most compelling for a scientific surface exploration of Psyche. We met with professors from the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at MSU to assist in determining what instruments would be most beneficial for this potential mission. Adjustments and modifications were then designed to the scientific instrument package for the greatest chance of operational and scientific success at Psyche. Other considerations included minimizing both mass and power requirements since the majority of power is projected to be solar. It will also be important to consider scientific instrumentation that will provide accurate and desired results while staying below the sponsored cost threshold.

Michigan State University

Team Members (left to right) 

Berk Demirci
Ayvalik, Turkey

Antonina Klatka
Rock Springs, Wyoming

Lizzie Kooistra
East Jordan, Michigan

Elizabeth Milne
Shelby Twp., Michigan

Ethan Newman
Macomb, Michigan

NASA/Arizona State University

Project Sponsors

NASA Psyche Mission
Tempe, Arizona

ME Faculty Advisor

Dr. Himanshu Sahasrabudhe

Michigan AgrAbility supports farmers with illness, injury, or aging conditions by developing assistive solutions to help them continue to do what they love. Common conditions that impact farmers include arthritis, cancer, strength issues, and fatigue. These create challenges for farmers to continue their highly active occupations. In addition, many families face financial strain and emotional challenges with these changes. In partnership with Easterseals and MSU Extension, Michigan AgrAbility consultants work with farmers to create affordable tools and research methods that aid those in these situations.

For this project, the goal was to create a rolling kneeling cart that enabled the user to get close to the ground to pick fruits or vegetables or to weed garden rows. For many individuals, it became very difficult to continually get up and down to complete these activities on their farm. This cart made it possible again for individuals with lower back pain, persons with disabilities, or people who are getting older to continue to farm their fields. It includes a chest strap for support as the farmer leans over, and padding on the base of the cart for comfort. This cart was designed to be simple to build and was built using standard materials that enabled farmers to create this cart without a steep initial cost. Also, this design used simple machining processes and readily available materials so farmers would not need to purchase any additional machinery or customized parts. Instructions, including a bill of materials and sourcing information to build the cart, were generated for distribution alongside the prototype.

Michigan State University

Team Members (left to right) 

Kaden Swierkos
Hartland, Michigan

Jack Darrow
Hartland, Michigan

Connor Mackenzie
Armada, Michigan

Hannah Crist
Rochester Hills, Michigan

Ryan Harth
Phoenixville, Pennsylvania

Michigan AgrAbility

Project Sponsors

Ned Stoller

Grand Rapids, Michigan

ME Faculty Advisor

Dr. Himanshu Sahasrabudhe

The MSU Department of Theatre provides students of all levels a space to express creativity through portrayals of various characters. Known for their several performances throughout the year, it is rare to find a night the Wharton Center auditorium is not packed with people eagerly anticipating the scenes to follow. A crucial aspect of a successful show is set design – and that’s where the MSU Department of Theatre’s Scene Shop excels. The Theatre Department works closely with the Scene Shop to conceptualize set pieces of every production. The Scene Shop then takes the vision of the Theatre Department and builds sets out of wood that get used in performances. Critical to the Scene Shop’s success is a lightweight, inexpensive, yet structurally sound set design, which can be set up and torn down in as little time as possible, providing the actors the maximum amount of time to prepare on set.

The goal of this design project was to develop a way for the MSU Scene Shop’s skilled carpenters to test various woods for strength, ensuring the structural integrity of their sets long before anyone sets foot on stage. To do this, various factors were considered: our team needed to develop a greater understanding of the material science behind wood grain structure, moisture content, and the force application of a 3-point bending test. To develop a consistent and reliable product, an automatic system was created that returns a strength rating at the push of a button. The project features a bespoke load-cell design utilizing a stepper motor and lead screw, generating enough force to deflect and deform nearly all woods. The force value returned can be used to develop a comparative matrix of wood strength to ensure structural integrity.

Michigan State University

Team Members (left to right) 

Chris DeFinis
Clarkston, Michigan

Miko Parkinson
Howell, Michigan

Ava Shumaker
Grand Blanc, Michigan

Deyuan Wang
Gaylord, Michigan

Aaron Dawson
Royal Oak, Michigan

MSU Department of Theatre

Project Sponsors

Levi Galloway
East Lansing, Michigan

DJ Selmeyer
East Lansing, Michigan

Marc White
East Lansing, Michigan

ME Faculty Advisor

Dr. Himanshu Sahasrabudhe

ATESTEO North America is a world leader in drivetrain testing and engineering services, assisting automotive manufacturers in developing cutting-edge propulsion systems for passenger vehicles, commercial trucks, and off-road machinery. With expertise in internal combustion, electric, and hybrid drive systems, ATESTEO provides comprehensive testing and calibration solutions to ensure optimal performance, safety, and sustainability. In 2024, ATESTEO opened a 35,000 square- foot state-of-the-art drivetrain testing facility in East Lansing, Michigan, dedicated to eMobility applications. This facility plays a pivotal role in advancing automotive technologies by offering a wide range of services, from validation testing to the development of next-generation propulsion systems. The company’s commitment to innovation makes it a key partner for manufacturers working towards a more sustainable and electrified future in the automotive industry.

Our project focused on developing accurate, to-scale CAD 3D models of 11 test cells at ATESTEO’s new East Lansing facility. These test cells, each tailored to specific testing requirements, include critical equipment such as Dynamometers and other specialized instrumentation. Using SolidWorks, we meticulously recreated the spatial layouts, enabling the company to assess and optimize equipment placement, ensuring there were no spatial constraints that could affect operations. Our models also provided the flexibility to simulate different configurations, which proved instrumental for ATESTEO’s planning of Phase 2 expansions. These expansions include adding new test cells for commercial vehicle drivetrains, a multiple inverter test bench, and an NVH anechoic chamber. By delivering these detailed 3D models, we helped ATESTEO streamline their operational workflow, avoid potential delays due to spatial miscalculations, and set the foundation for their facility’s future growth and efficiency improvements.

Michigan State University

Team Members (left to right) 

Qasem Alobaydan
Alqudaih, Saudi Arabia

Rawad Fakhreddine
Dearborn, Michigan

Fadi Saab
Dearborn, Michigan

Mohammed Alabri
Shinas, Oman

Fallou Mbengue
Ann Arbor, Michigan

ATESTEO North America Inc.

Project Sponsors

Austin Knotts
East Lansing, Michigan

ME Faculty Advisor

Dr. Haseung Chung

The MSU IMPART Alliance was first created in 2016 with the goal of building and supporting the direct care workforce in Michigan by introducing components of workforce development in a more standardized and efficient way. Although starting off with just one training program, the group has since expanded to provide multiple training programs through a variety of platforms. One such platform is in-person through the use of medical manikins, which enable direct care workers in training to gain hands- on experience while they are in the training program. The medical manikin will be transported throughout Michigan, particularly in rural areas where the need for such hands-on experience may be higher. Due to the transport required, this creates a need for a storage container that will hold the medical manikin among other things that may be necessary for such trainings, such as a table, side rails, and clothes for the manikin.

Our team was tasked with creating a storage container that will hold everything listed above and followed some general guidelines. These guidelines included ensuring that just one person could do the setup and teardown, that our storage container could be used in most residential settings with narrow doorways, small elevators, rough driveways, and that it would be able to fit inside a common cargo van.

MSU IMPART Alliance through a grant received by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services using American Rescue Plan Act/Home and Community Based Services Project funds.

Michigan State University

Team Members (left to right) 

David Kurylo
Howell, Michigan

Mustafa Alobaidi
Quatif, Saudi Arabia

Ryan Gioffreda
Timonium, Maryland

Therese Gordon
Poulsbo, Washington

Tori Morgan-Paiz
Stamford, Connecticut

MSU IMPART Alliance

Project Sponsors

William Resh
East Lansing, Michigan

ME Faculty Advisor

Dr. Siva Nadimpalli

As we age or experience medical conditions through- out our life, many people will require long-term health support in their homes to avoid being placed in skilled care facilities. Many people have known someone in their life that has required assistance at home. Knowing traditional hospital beds offer numerous features that facilitate care, such as adjustable positions and safety mechanisms, these beds are often too large, heavy, and industrial for typical home environments. There is a growing need for specialized in-home care beds that balance the essential features of hospital beds with a more user-friendly design suitable for residential spaces, while also being offered at an affordable price for all no matter their financial circumstances. Such a bed would not only improve patient comfort and safety but also reduce the risk of injury to caregivers, making it a viable solution for home healthcare with no additional training needed.

Our team focused on successfully developing a home use bed designed to meet the needs of long-term care patients. We focused on modifying existing designs by incorporating key features from hospital beds, such as positioning readjustment and safety functionalities, but is optimized for use in smaller, home sized rooms. The design process involved many hours of extensive consultation with home caregivers and healthcare providers along with professors, ensuring that the bed designed not only improves patient comfort but also minimizes the risk of caregiver injuries. With its user-friendly design and critical safety features, the bed is now a practical solution for in- home care, offering a balance between functionality and in-home compatibility. The bed has also been designed to be affordable for the average American while not losing any of the important features needed for critical care.

MSU IMPART Alliance through a grant received by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services using American Rescue Plan Act/Home and Community Based Services Project funds.

Michigan State University

Team Members (left to right) 

Jeremy Wall
Canton, Michigan

Malachi Locke
Ypsilanti, Michigan

Haley Dyer
Macomb, Michigan

Reeddhiman Baidya Rhythm
Dhaka, Bangladesh

MSU IMPART Alliance

Project Sponsors

William Resh
East Lansing, Michigan

ME Faculty Advisor

Dr. Galit Pelled

The Solar Tree Sculpture project is part of an art initiative based out of Alanson, Michigan supported by project sponsor Charles Rehmann, an MSU alumnus. The art project, which was initially abandoned, was for metal tree sculptures to be constructed for the Alanson Hillside Gardens. The trees were a class project at the Industrial Arts Institute in Onaway, Michigan, with the purpose of creating awareness of the integration of art and utility. Once the project was restarted, two large metal tree sculptures were built to be placed in a municipal park setting with the potential for more to be made. Each sculpture is about 10 ft tall and weighs over 700 lbs.

The Solar Tree Sculpture Project required the designing of a base so that the trees could be placed in a municipal park setting. An engineered base was needed to support the weight of the trees and make sure they are securely in place in the park. The trees will be placed either on the side of a hill or an undulating grassy area. Another element to the project was the integration of solar panels. Solar panels were to be added to the sculpture so that the trees were not only artistic but also functional. A special emphasis was put on the solar panel integration, the panels and mechanisms, being easily accessible so that they could be used in a residential, municipal park, or commercial setting. The solar power from the trees would be used to power kiosks, irrigation pumps, charge personal devices, or have other practical applications for use in the parks.

Michigan State University

Team Members (left to right) 

Parker Bentley
Traverse City, Michigan

Liam Cooney
Northville, Michigan

Michael Maser
South Lyon, Michigan

Nelson Ladomer
Birmingham, Michigan

Village of Alanson

Project Sponsors

Charles Rehmann
Alanson, Michigan

ME Faculty Advisor

Dr. Mohsen Zayernouri

The MSU Bikes Service Center in East Lansing, Michigan is a bicycle repair and rental shop located on Michigan State University’s campus. It offers bike repairs, tune-ups, and a rental program for students, faculty, staff, and the public, with options for daily, weekly, or semester-long rentals. The center also sells used bikes, parts, and accessories, promoting cycling as a sustainable and eco-friendly transportation option.

This project aims to address the problem of abandoned student bicycles at Michigan State University (MSU), which result in financial and environmental costs due to scrap waste. The objective is to create a kinetic sculpture from discarded bicycle parts to promote the leasing of bikes from MSU Bikes instead of purchasing low-quality bicycles. Drawing inspiration from kinetic bicycle sculptures and wind generators made from bike parts, the artwork will capture energy and be easy to maintain. The project will encourage sustainable transportation, reduce costs for both students and the university, and free up parking spaces by reducing the number of abandoned bicycles.

Michigan State University

Team Members (left to right) 

Brandon Kortum
Jackson, Wyoming

Emilia Jakuc
Shelby Twp., Michigan

Ethan Bentley
Canton, Michigan

Maya McRae
Rochester, Michigan

Simon Sajan
Royal Oak, Michigan

Tanner Zidzik
Canton, Michigan

MSU Bikes Service Center

Project Sponsors

Bill McConnell
East Lansing, Michigan

Tim Potter

East Lansing, Michigan

ME Faculty Advisor

Dr. Elisa Toulson

Bosch is a multinational engineering and technology company headquartered in Gerlingen, Germany. It is the world’s leading supplier for internal-combustion engines, with expertise in software, controls, and services for automotive manufacturers. With the world transitioning to electrified vehicles, it is important to address the challenge that the all-electric driving range is sensitive to ambient temperatures. By focusing on the development of advanced thermal management systems, the all-electric range can be significantly improved.

The Systems Engineering team at Bosch works on advanced propulsion and thermal technologies of future vehicles in North America. To support the development of thermal system products and their testing, there was a need to create a ‘virtual thermal testbench’ model. Bosch engineers will utilize this model to determine the performance of the refrigeration system for various refrigerant gases and operating temperatures at steady state conditions. Our team developed a fully functional model in Simulink to represent the functionality of the refrigeration system connected to representative components of the vehicle. Using temperature targets, the model can perform heating/cooling functions as needed, while displaying critical parameters of the refrigerant and the coefficient of performance (COP).

Michigan State University

Team Members (left to right) 

Austin Pier
Rives Junction, Michigan

Vanessa Mendez-Valencia
Chesterfield, Michigan

Jacob Rhue
Waterford, Michigan

Yash Patil
Westland, Michigan

Robert Bosch LLC

Project Sponsors

Varun Chakrapani
Farmington Hills, Michigan

ME Faculty Advisor

Dr. Norbert Mueller

The Michigan State University Adaptive Sports & Recreation Club (RSO) is a student organization that provides student athletes with physical disabilities an open space to practice and compete in adaptive sports. The club’s main goal is to promote a physical lifestyle, along with a safe social space, for adult athletes by providing a range of adaptive sports including sled hockey, adaptive track and field, adaptive rowing, bocce ball, handcycling, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair floorball, wheelchair rugby, and wheelchair tennis. Prior to the club’s establishment, MSU students with disabilities had limited accessibility to adaptive sports, and recreation. This club has now become a hub for student athletes with disabilities to explore new sports, make new friends, and live an active lifestyle.

Amidst the diverse selection of sports, sled hockey, like ice hockey, has users compete in individual sleds that consist of either a blade or roller wheels to move on their respective surfaces. For the players, moving from their assistive technology to the sled can be troublesome and difficult. To make this process easier, the sled hockey transfer platform was developed. As the tenth phase of the project, our team’s goal was to improve the transfer bars, enabling a more seamless shift to and from the sled. Additionally, an emphasis was put on adding more surfaces that will enable users to control their transition into the sled. Our team aimed to make the final improvements to the product, enabling it to be fully integrated into the club.

Michigan State University

Team Members (left to right) 

Logan Nicks
Oxford, Michigan

Logan Trierweiler
Westphalia, Michigan

Easton Knott
Macomb, Michigan

Nathan Downie
Livonia, Michigan

Ian Ladd
Ortonville, Michigan

MSU Adaptive Sports & Recreation Club

Project Sponsors

Piotr Pasik
East Lansing, Michigan

ME Faculty Advisor

Dr. Ricardo Mejia