Previous ASME Award Winner
Recent Departmental Runner Up Awards
Capstone Design Projects
OceanWell Multistage Water Filtration System
2024-2025 - Winter
Team: 10
The purpose of this project is to create a device that can be used by engineers at OceanWell to test multiple unique combinations of filters ranging from 5 to 500 microns for different types of source water.
Triton-Ai Racquet Ball Launcher Magazine and Control
2024-2025 - Spring
Team: 34
Our team developed a system with three main components to launch racquet balls for the International Roboboat Competition: a launcher, electronics box, and camera. The launcher features over 40 unique 3D-printed parts. The electronics include a brushed DC motor, servo, hall effect sensor, encoder, H-bridge, and a servo power distribution board on a custom perf board. Software integrates with an existing Jetson Nano NX and an OAK-D LR camera for control and targeting.
Venous Ulcer Wound Compression Garment
2024-2025 - Spring
Team: 27
Venous stasis ulcers are chronic open wounds that form due to poor blood circulation on the lower leg and can take months, or even years, to heal. Through combining leg compression and negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT), Dr. Caesar Anderson of the UC San Diego Wound Healing Center has seen high therapeutic success. The project goal was to design a device that accurately compresses the leg to a prescribed pressure and allows for the integration of NPWT.
SE Scribing Solar Panels
2024-2025 - Spring
Team: 11
GAUSS (Gantry for Automated Ultrathin Solar Scribing) is a system designed to enhance the Solar Energy Innovation Laboratory's (SOLEIL) ability to manufacture perovskite solar cells in-house. Scribing is critical for forming electrical connections and boosting module efficiency. GAUSS offers a low-cost mechanical alternative to laser scribing, using a CNC gantry with force-feedback control to selectively scribe through each layer of a perovskite cell.
Automated Graphene Transfer
2024-2025 - Winter
Team: 14
This project, sponsored by Professor Oscar Vazquez-Mena of the NanoEngineering department, aimed to expedite the graphene transfer process by utilizing a fully autonomous tank system with feedback from a conductivity probe.
Antibiofouling System for Moored Marine Instruments
2024-2025 - Spring
Team: 23
Biofouling, which is the accumulation of marine organisms on submerged surfaces, compromises the accuracy of oceanographic sensors like CTDs. To address this, our project developed a low-power, chemical-free antifouling system that combines mechanical vibration and a rotating brush within a protective guard to deter early-stage biofilm formation. This environmentally friendly solution enhances sensor reliability during extended ocean deployments.
Heating Stage for Nanomaterials
2024-2025 - Spring
Team: 28
Team Members
Duy Cao
Gautam Ganesh
Alice Khalil
Johnny Mendoza
The Sailor Lab tasked the MAE 156B team with redeveloping a compact, intuitive heating stage that could enable fast, reliable recovery from silicon quantum dot blinking and support accurate, repeatable optical measurements. The stage design was composed of three main components: a heating and cooling element, a chamber to house the sample and heater, and a linear X-Y Positioning Stage to control and position the spectrometer in order to took readings of silicon quantum dot samples.
UCSD Med Absorbable Springs
2024-2025 - Spring
Team: 12
Craniosynostosis is a condition in which an infant’s skull sutures fuse prematurely, restricting brain growth and causing developmental complications. A current treatment is spring-assisted cranioplasty which involves implanting metal springs to gradually reshape the skull. However, these springs require a second surgery for removal, increasing risks and medical costs for patients. Our project aims to develop bioabsorbable cranial springs that eliminate the need for an additional procedure.
Material Transfer Cleaning
2024-2025 - Winter
Team: 2
Genentech’s manual wipe-down process for disinfecting barrels is time-consuming and ergonomically challenging. This project automates this with a semi-autonomous system for easy loading and unloading. Barrels move via an omnidirectional ball conveyor, where a misting system loosens debris before top, side, and bottom brushes ensure thorough cleaning. Operators control each cleaning substation via a control panel, enhancing efficiency, consistency, and ergonomics within Genentech’s workflow.
MRI Stereo
2024-2025 - Spring
Team: 5
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) procedures can be uncomfortable due to the long duration and loud volume during operation. The project objective was to redesign Sound Imaging’s MRI headphones to improve audibility and enhance passive noise dampening. Using pneumatic sound transmission, non-ferrous, FDA-approved materials, the final design reached 116.6 dB at max volume while meeting MRI safety standards, thus improving both patient experience and SoundImaging’s current product performance.
Scripps Anemometer Drone
2024-2025 - Spring
Team: 41
This project is sponsored by Dr. Jooil Kim of Scripps Institution of Oceanography, and involves mounting an anemometer on a drone to use wind speed and direction data recorded by the anemometer to determine ideal locations for air sampling in low altitudes to track greenhouse gas emissions. The final design is made of a carbon fiber and 3D printed ASA mount, air sensors, LoRa modules to transmit data live, and software to log the data to a raspberry pi, and display the data on a ground computer.
UCSD Med Nerve to Smile
2024-2025 - Spring
Team: 13
The project sought to design a device in the hopes of optimizing and streamlining facial nerve repair. The first deliverable is to develop a biocompatible brace that clamps onto two separated facial nerves. The second deliverable is a test bed designed to evaluate the strength, stress, and strain of nerve analogs.
Endoscopic Multiload Clip Applier
2024-2025 - Winter
Team: 5
This project developed a robotically-assisted multiload clip applier designed to close blood vessels during heart and lung surgeries. The device moves titanium clips from a cartridge into a pair of applier jaws which compress to close a clip, a process that can be repeated multiple times via an internally integrated reloading mechanism. The device fulfills the primary objective of enabling surgeons to apply multiple clips during endoscopic procedures without necessitating instrument extraction.
Quantum Engineered Nano Device
2024-2025 - Spring
Team: 4
Team Members
Scott Ceklarz
Kalie Garcia
Satchin Narasimhan
Designing a procedure to fabricate 2D materials by mechanical exfoliation for the purpose of researching the quantum engineering subfield of Twistronics. Twistronics aims to study the photonic and electronic effects of stacked and twisted 2D materials. This research will aid the creation of quantum engineered nano-devices, devices which can improve current opto-electronic sensors and communication systems.
Unlocking the Door with AI
2024-2025 - Spring
Team: 40
Developments in artificial intelligence (AI) and learning in robotics have opened possibilities for a “key-in-lock” challenge, an advanced version of the “peg-in-hole” challenge. The team was assigned the objective of developing a testbed capable of gathering data on the positions, orientations, forces, and torques involved in opening a lock with a key, to progress towards the goal of AI with Robot Programming by Human Demonstration (RPHD) to solve complex problems and perform difficult tasks.
UCSD Med Low Cost Microsurgery Instruments
2024-2025 - Spring
Team: 14
This project aims to make microsurgical instruments more affordable for practitioners in low- to middle-income countries by using low-cost materials like plastic and stainless steel and designing for mass production. Inspired by disposable scalpels, the tools feature a 3D-printed plastic body with AISI 410 stainless steel tips. Three essential tools for microsurgery: jeweler forceps, dilator forceps, and microneedle holders are redesigned for cost-effective, scalable manufacturing.
Flow Enabled Energy Generation Device
2024-2025 - Winter
Team: 4
Team Members
Ashley Campbell
Maime Grace Barnard
Gabrielle Scott
Markus Gokan
Justin Kwak
The flow of ions in salt water over a charged surface results in formation of an electrical double layer (EDL). Over long channel lengths, this results in a measurable electric potential difference. The objective for this project is to use this principle to develop a solid state transducer to generate electrical energy from ocean wave and flow dynamics.
Random Positioning Machine 2.0
2024-2025 - Spring
Team: 31
The Random Positioning Machine (RPM) 2.0 is a microgravity simulation. It is a ground analog for studying manufacturing and other applications in space. Specifically, it was designed to study the process of sintering in space. To do this, a furnace was mounted to the center of the machine. The RPM 2.0 can also be used to test any other long term processes that fit inside its generous 100 pound and 30 cubic inch loading capacity.
Cohu Temperature Gradient Tester
2024-2025 - Spring
Team: 36
Cohu Inc., one of the nation's leading manufacturers of post-processing machines, plays a critical role in the semiconductor testing process. This project created a hands-free surface temperature gradient measurement tool using MLX90614-BCI sensors.
Automated Tracheal Cuff Pump
2024-2025 - Winter
Team: 6
Procedures such as tracheostomies make use of tracheal tubes to apply oscillatory pressure onto stents. These tubes require long hours of manual syringe pumping which makes certain procedures difficult. The product consists of an automated pump system with advanced ASDR controls and a website UI to review and download system behavioral data.
Jacobs Hall Clock Revival
2024-2025 - Spring
Team: 33
Team Members
Jonathan Dela Cruz
Irving Ding
Fatima Fazli
Fernando Gochicoa
Lacey Potter
We have proudly partnered with the student organization, Triton Restoration Initiative (TRI), Dr. Delson, and the UCSD MAE Department to repair and enhance the Jacobs Hall Clock. This includes the primary task of restoring complete and accurate functionality of the gearbox, as well as secondary tasks of improving aesthetics, creating a maintenance plan, proposing the enclosure's refurbishment, and proposing a self-correction system.
Improved Punch Biopsy Tool
2024-2025 - Spring
Team: 35
A punch biopsy is a common procedure where providers excise a small column of tissue to be submitted for examination and analysis. However, current punch biopsy procedure requires three tools and often an additional assistant. This slows the workflow, increases patient discomfort and risk of suboptimal specimen sampling. This project aims to improve the punch biopsy tool by designing an all-in-one device that enables a single user to perform the procedure seamlessly.
KangaMove Parental Skin-to-skin Contact Support
2024-2025 - Winter
Team: 7
The KangaMove is designed to support parents during skin-to-skin contact by providing stability for equipment and accessories while holding their child. The posable arm integrates seamlessly with vital NICU equipment, including Jet Ventilator auxiliary components, ventilator tubes, and IV lines. By securing these essential connections, the KangaMove alleviates concerns about tube displacement, allowing parents to focus on bonding with their infant.
Autogyro UAV
2024-2025 - Spring
Team: 22
The project was aimed at developing a surveillance-capable autogyro UAV by modifying a hobbyist platform to support live video streaming, manual RC control, and basic autonomous compatibility using a flight controller, GPS, and telemetry system—laying the groundwork for future fully autonomous missions and advanced monitoring features like shark detection.
ATA Shock Test Table Firing Mechanism
2024-2025 - Spring
Team: 1
Team Members
Manu Mittal
Nina Abraham
Marco Rincon Villanueva
Anne Marlow
Reggie Estrella
ATA Engineering aimed to develop a shock test table to validate shock analysis. The goal was to build a pneumatic firing mechanism that consistently produces accurate shock events. It launches a 1–3 kg mass at 6–13 m/s using compressed air from a tank released by a solenoid valve. A second valve vents the barrel shortly after to prevent secondary impacts. The system reliably drives the projectile into the table at the target velocity.
Unmanned Aerial Systems Hybrid Powertrain Testbed
2024-2025 - Winter
Team: 3
Team Members
Daniel Cruz-Espada
Jason Holtkamp
Joud Bukhari
Kenneth Su
Shivharsh Kand
Ziad Gari
A testbed designed to evaluate the thermal behavior of PCB stators and rotors for hybrid drone powertrains. Built for modularity, it allows controlled testing under various operating conditions, providing critical insights into heat dissipation and airflow dynamics. Its adaptable framework supports iterative testing of different rotor designs and stator configurations, enabling the refinement of cooling strategies for improved efficiency.
Portable TEC-Based Liquid Cooling Garment
2024-2025 - Spring
Team: 30
Team Members
Aaron Lo
Morgan Laney
Fatima Rivera
Karla Ramirez
The rise of extreme heat events from global warming drives an increase in the need for personal cooling technologies. The Portable Thermoelectric Device (TEC) Based Liquid Cooling Garment project aimed to create a lightweight and flexible solution for individuals exposed to extreme heat environments. The system features flexible tubing that delivers cool water circulation from the TEC and heatsink units, user customizability at 3 cooling levels, and is battery-powered.
Lifesaver Project Rover Module
2024-2025 - Spring
Team: 39
The Lifesaver Project redefines traditional healthcare infrastructure by miniaturizing essential medical equipment into a portable pod capable of being deployed in diverse environments. Our team developed a remote operated rover base to traverse uneven terrain to carry the lifesaver pod to its patients.
Random Positioning Machine
2023-2024 - Spring
Team: 26
Team Members
Andrew Copeland
Manuel Figueroa
Nicholas Maekawa
Nicholas Ratto
Vladimir Rubtsov
Our sponsor desired a machine capable of reproducing microgravity conditions, necessitating the development of a Random Positioning Machine (RPM). Currently, conducting experiments on biological samples under microgravity requirements is extremely costly and time-consuming. A two-axis nested frame design was developed with fixtures to mount a variety of sample types and achieve an integrated acceleration of 0 m/s^2.
Oxygen Rescue Catheter
2023-2024 - Spring
Team: 10
When the lungs are severely damaged due to physical trauma or from infection they cannot provide oxygen through the blood to the entire body, and medical intervention must occur to save the life of the patient. The oxygen rescue catheter is an inexpensive, not overly invasive method of transporting oxygen into the bloodstream, bypassing the lungs entirely and allowing the red blood cells to absorb oxygen via microbubbles within the veins themselves.
