Team Members: Elle Anderson, Anna Buchanan, Lucia Vargas, Ben Erickson, Blake Hudak

Project Overview: Biodiesel can be made from vegetable oil through a transesterification reaction and several other purifications. Our project explored two options for this process. The first option consisted of a base catalyzed transesterification and used virgin vegetable oil. The second option featured an acid catalyzed reaction and waste oil. Each process was modeled in Aspen Plus. Cost, safety, and capacity were then reviewed to determine the better of the two.

This option was later optimized, and a formal hazard analysis was also performed. 

Team Members: Ben McGinn, Alex Holman, Joel Matias, Jacob Dean

Project Overview: For generating renewable diesel, we are utilizing plant-based feedstocks. To evaluate our options, we simulated two different feedstocks in Aspen: soybean oil and peanut oil. Based on our analysis, soybean oil emerged as the better option due to its ready availability from  the agricultural sector. To implement this process, we will require four engineers and a variety of software licenses to simulate and oversee the startup of a system consisting of two reactors and one distillation tower.

This setup will carry out hydrotreatment and isomerization of the soybean oil.

Team Members: Braden Scheidecker, Andrew Bucher, Noah Oaks

Project Overview: This project evaluates two options for acetaminophen production with Option 2 being the best. It outputs approximately 140,000 kg/hour which is more efficient than Option 1. Although Option 2 requires more supplies, the increased output justifies the cost. Hazards such as corrosion, flammability, and burn risks have been identified and will be mitigated with proper PPE, ventilation, and safety protocols.

The Details Stage will take three months and cost $375,000, covering software licenses, lab testing, and labor.

Team Members: Justice Kittell, Seth Laws, Andreea Marinescu, Margo Hartley

Project Overview: This HYSYS simulation models a carbon capture process in Alberta, Canada, where contaminated fuel gas is upgraded to clean fuel gas for resale. The base case utilizes Selexol as the physical solvent for CO? removal, while an alternative case explores Rectisol as a substitute.

Key performance metrics, including CO? removal efficiency, energy consumption, and product gas quality, were evaluated for both cases. The analysis provides insight into solvent trade-offs to support cleaner fuel production in emissions-intensive environments.

Team Members: Camryn Carder, Easton Cash, Kianna Haynes, Tianna McCroskey, Reagan Taylor

Project Overview: The best option for this project is a treatment process that uses enhanced pretreatment with heat recovery or a partial water reuse with simple polishing. The best option was chosen based on the benefits and weaknesses of the two designs. Important details such as hazards associated with it, resources needed, cost analysis, and plan of execution were gathered for the option of choice.

Team Members: Elijah Allgood, Jarret Connatser, Josh Rosborough, Tyler Cline, Johann Liwag

Project Overview: This project seeks to provide options for the construction of a plant to convert methanol to propylene and ethylene. One option would be to configure the plant to meet chemical grade olefin product quality, which entails lower capital costs but limited product applications. A second option would be to increase the olefin purity to plastics grade, resulting in higher capital costs but completely separated final products.

Production of plastics grade olefins is recommended, with an estimated capital expenditure of $68 M.

Project Team Members:  David Madigan, Kylie Coulson, Matthew Coulson

Project Overview: Supercritical water coal gasification (SCWG) is an innovative technology that utilizes the unique properties of water in its supercritical state to convert coal into syngas. Syngas is a mixture of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, methane, and carbon dioxide. This process offers several advantages, including high efficiency, reduced emissions, and the ability to handle wet feedstocks without the need for drying.  Some benefits are that the process minimizes the release of harmful pollutants such as NO, SO, and particulates, making it a cleaner alternative to traditional coal utilization methods.

Additionally, operating in a high-pressure, high-temperature environment enhances reaction rates and yields, producing a syngas with a high hydrogen content. SCWG can process various types of coal and biomass, offering flexibility in feedstock selection.

Team Members:  Daniel Baugh, Lakayleh Helton, Carter Mader, David Neary

Project Overview: Corn-based ethanol production provides a renewable alternative to fossil fuels by converting starch into fermentable sugars using enzymes, followed by yeast fermentation to produce ethanol. The process yielded high ethanol output with minimal residual sugars, demonstrating efficient conversion.

A HAZID (Hazard Identification) analysis was conducted to assess safety risks, and recommendations were made to improve operational safety and process reliability.

Team Members:  Kenadi Hall, Landon Morgan, Adam Ohm, Drake Pyle

Project Overview: Whiskey distillation is a simple process that utilizes the functions of a distillation column to distill off ethanol from glucose sugars and water. The ideal product would be a 40% ethanol mixture. The purpose of this project is to create a cost-effective whiskey distillation process with an emphasis on cutting costs by lowering yearly utilities. ASPEN Plus, a chemical process modeling software, was used to build and simulate a distillation process.

Several options were simulated to determine ideal mole fractions of the distillate product stream and the most efficient startup and operating cost over time. The more desirable design utilizes a heater and a lower reflux ratio, lowering the operating cost per year. 

Team Members:  William Amburn, Grady Giffey, JD Rankin, Joshua Stull

Project Overview: Whiskey distillation is a simple process that utilizes the functions of a distillation column to distill off ethanol from glucose sugars and water. The ideal product would be a 40% ethanol mixture. The purpose of this project is to create a cost-effective whiskey distillation process with an emphasis on cutting costs by lowering yearly utilities. ASPEN Plus, a chemical process modeling software, was used to build and simulate a distillation process.

Several options were simulated to determine ideal mole fractions of the distillate product stream and the most efficient startup and operating cost over time. The more desirable design utilizes a heater and a lower reflux ratio, lowering the operating cost per year. 

Team Members:  Rachel Dick, Noha Elkeelany, Madeline Kidder, Karlyn Ortiz, Michaela Taylor

Project Overview: We have simulated a Steam Methane Reforming hydrogen production plant in Aspen Plus where natural gas reacts with high-temperature steam to form H2. A byproduct of carbon monoxide reacts with water to produce carbon dioxide that is sequestered using an MDEA absorber. Additional reactors were added to determine the optimal arrangement for cost to product ratio.

The resultant stream will be optimized to meet food industry carbon dioxide specifications.

Team Members:  Logan Branham, Emily Partin, Emma Scudder, Kyler Tjaarda

Project Overview: In order to optimize our design for a steam methane reforming process, our team has evaluated two options for the CO2 capture stage: option one consists of a Selexol solution and option two uses Rectisol. We recommend using Selexol for this design as it is more cost efficient while also having better performances at higher temperatures. The design process incorporated tools such as the Aspen Plus software, laptops, and welding machines.

Labor costs such as team member’s salaries were also included in the total cost calculations. The details stage project schedule as well as total cost estimate will be discussed in detail.

Team Members: Nick Wiegand, Jocelyn Cherry, Nick Beattie, Eric Schneider, Audrey Love, Ben Baugh

Mentors: Daniel Rikli, Rebecca Witherspoon, Gregory Freeman, Jake Williams

Project Overview: This project calls for the design of a new bridge to replace the previous cast-in-place (CIP) concrete bridge that was in a poor state in Haywood County, TN. The bridge is located along State Route 1 (Highway 70 W), which serves as a crucial access road for the residents of Stanton and Mason, TN. The total length of the project-road is approximately 700 linear feet which includes the roadway and the proposed bridge-structure crossing Branch of Little Muddy Creek. The project will begin east of Gene Johnson Rd and end just northeast of the existing bridge. The construction will include all striping, signing, and installation of safety features.

Team Members: William Rutledge, Luke Solomon, Robert Lee, Andrew Haga, Dominic Olson, Kirolos Zanaty 

Mentors: Don Collins, Nathan Couch, Zach Wisniowski

Project Overview: The Nashville Fairgrounds have long been a fixture of the Nashville landscape. From being home of the Tennessee State Fair, Nashville Speedway, Nashville Flea Market, and other events, it is going through a phase of redevelopment that will transform the 117-acre site into a new mixed-use neighborhood. Recent projects have seen old buildings torn down and replaced with new expo buildings and upgraded parking facilities. Geodis Park is home of the Nashville Soccer Club and is one of the largest soccer only stadiums in the country. There are also future upgrades planned to the Nashville Speedway to bring short track races back to the NASCAR regular schedule of races. This project will look at the feasibility of developing adjacent parcels into parking facilities as well as the extension of Coliseum Way through the property into a new intersection with Craighead Street. 

Team Members: Annabella Wilhelm, Jason Kojundic, Ryan Cunningham, Tori Denney, Edward Pan, Harrison Moody

Mentors: Harrison Bruce, Brian Kile, Lindsey Morgan, Hunter Kinzer

Project Overview: This project calls for the development of roadway plans needed for the reconstruction of approximately 2,700 feet of SR-6 in Davidson/Sumner County, Tennessee. The reconstruction of the roadway approaches shall tie into the existing road on each side of the bridge and will cross Mansker Creek, requiring a bridge replacement. The state route will need to be designed to be safe and efficient with the capability of handling future traffic volumes and speeds.

Team Members: Eli Everhart, Nathan Mann, Alec Hobbs, Dustin Wilson, Chase Disney

Mentors: Jack Southard, Stephen Cotton

Project Overview: This project has as objective the development of a site for Greystone Properties, LLC to construct a 328-apartment unit complex located in Knoxville, Tennessee called Greystone Pointe. Greystone’s mission is to provide superior apartment communities where living is a pleasure. The scope of the project includes roadway and parking area design, design of water booster station and sanitary sewer pump station for the site, determination of location and size of detention pond and storm water piping system for the site, requirements for grading and erosion/sediment control, structural design of a club house and booster station, foundation design, and permits required for the water sewer systems associated with the development of the site; permits required for site grading; and, if applicable, permits required for blue line streams.

Team Members: Colten Krech, Hayden Hufford, Dominick Tarola, Aaron Boone, Erin Cooper

Mentors: James Ivey, Tom Hadzor, Jameion Blakely

Project Overview: This project calls for the design of a new Warehouse Breakroom Building at Jack Daniel’s Distillery in Lynchburg, TN. The new building will be approximately 8,000 square feet and consist of office space, conference room, locker rooms/restrooms, breakroom, and eating/training space for up to 150 seats. The building will have a flat/low slope roof.

Team Members: Anna Brown, Austin Eller, Helen Pacurariu Nagy, Abby Harold, Grady McPherson

Mentors: Victoria Israel, Austin Smith

Project Overview: This project calls for the site-design of a residential development off Shipp Springs Road in Kingsport, TN for the City of Kingsport. The design activities include the site layout, roadway design, stormwater management, determination of permits needed, and retaining wall design.

Team Members: Karley Harakas, Kyson Herald, Jacob Burnette, Bryan Strahm, Griffin Brake, Douglas Talley 

Mentors: Nick Kniazewycz, Eric Slayton, Jimmy Scales, Jason Randolph, Caylie Marvel, Rebecca Williamson, David Layhew, Konner Spradlin

Project Overview: The bridge over Leipers Creek was inspected by a technical team from Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) and assigned a low sufficiency rating prompting TDOT to propose the replacement of the bridge. The project team is tasked with developing a proposed alignment that improves on the geometric alignment of the roadway while maintaining a 40-mph design speed. The team is also tasked with determining the best way of crossing drainage areas.

Team Members: West Below, Ethan Lambert, Jacob Hall, Johnathan Moree, William Wilson, Kobe Stovall

Mentor: Daniel Suma

Sponsor: NavSEA

Project Overview: The program is a tool designed to meticulously track time segments associated with various tasks, akin to systems used for agile sprint tracking. This tool allows for precise time management through a user-friendly graphical interface, featuring a minimal overlay to toggle a timer for a specific task, with functionality to record and categorize activity. The system integrates seamlessly with standard task management platforms like CSV files, while providing flexibility for custom tagging via the GUI. Crucially, the tool stores time data within a robust internal database and supports data exportation, enabling detailed analysis of time distribution across tasks and facilitating deeper insights into performance metrics such as sprint velocity or individual task efficiencies.

Team Members: Ridge Longway, Alexis Ouellette, Riley Sneed, Shanghtin Tawng, Kathryn Hathaway, Nathanael Newton

Mentor: Ganesh Krishnamurthy

Sponsor: Transcard

Project Overview: This project focuses on leveraging data analytics to enhance the efficiency and transparency of rental deposit refund payments. Transcard, a leading provider of frictionless global payment solutions, facilitates security deposit disbursements for a major property management company overseeing 6,000+ apartment complexes. The project analyzes anonymized datasets related to disbursements, recipients, and properties to provide critical financial insights. Key objectives include developing Power BI reports for high-level and granular performance tracking, identifying anomalies such as error spikes or payment expirations, and uncovering geographic and demographic trends impacting payment completion rates. Additionally, a chatbot enables real-time, query-based data exploration for CFOs and financial analysts. Utilizing Microsoft Fabric Lakehouse for data storage, along with SQL and Python for data processing, this project enhances decision-making through automated reporting and AI-driven analytics.

Team Members: Logan Bolton, Maxwell Firestine, Tristan Martin, Caleb Smith, Rock Chester, Duy Nguyen

Mentor: Jon Pick 

Sponsor: TN Dept of Treasury

Project Overview: This project implements a customer support chatbot that implements Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) to answer domain-specific questions regarding the Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System (TCRS) while minimizing AI hallucinations.  Our project combines a number of ubiquitous modern tools, including a Large Language Model from Ollama, a Milvus vector database, and a RAG orchestration framework from LlamaIndex.  Our application also includes a UI for administrators to update the chatbot’s knowledge base, test LLM responses, and view metrics about the application.

Team Members: Braden Bell, Alexandria Burchfiel, Jackie Campbell, Isaiah Brown, Tiffany Pham, Tyce Henderson

Mentor: Dr. Kelle Z. Riley

Sponsor: Dr. Kelle Z. Riley

Project Overview: The match-3 mobile game is inspired by the Undercover Cat Mysteries, a book series by Kelle Z. Riley. Designed for both fans of the series and casual gamers, the game features match-3 mechanics with thematic elements from the books, including item icons, progression, and power-ups. Players can also customize avatar by dressing up characters from the series. A key feature is its reskinning capability, allowing the author to modify the game's appearance and enabling other authors to promote their books through the platform. Developed entirely in Unity, this project establishes a flexible foundation for future story integration while delivering an engaging and customizable puzzle experience.

Team Members: Jonah Perkins, Bryan Ramsey, Tucker McDonald, Madison Granger, Austin Oliver, Riley Grimaud

Mentor: Mark Root

Sponsor: ORNL

Project Overview: Many major manufacturing companies use ORNL’s VERIFI application to make informed decisions about energy efficiency, but they must manually pull-out energy consumption information from their utility bills and enter it into the application. This process is very time-consuming and inefficient. Our project enhances the VERIFI system by developing an open-source machine learning solution to automate data extraction from energy reports. Using Surya Optical Character Recognition and Deep Seek, the system identifies and extracts key information from PDFs, removing the need for manual data entry. The project utilizes Angular for the front end, ensuring a scalable and user-friendly design.

Team Members: Tate Wieber, Aidan Garofalo, Nolan Patterson, Logan Sanders, Jared Brummett, Mason Lauderdale

Mentor: Brian Bleck

Sponsor: ARCS

Project Overview: The Image Training project uses a webcam to monitor and classify the output of polyhedral dice rolls on a tabletop in real time. Synthetic images, created via the use of the Unity Engine, are used to train a machine learning model that evaluates dice type and roll value before displaying the results as roll events are detected.

Team Members: Tania Perdomo Flores, Drew Burkhalter, Breanna Woosley, Jacob Sullivan, Kenneth Adams, Revel Etheridge 

Mentor: Dr. Bradley Cohen

Sponsor: Tennessee Tech Biology

Project Overview: The Duck Data application leverages advanced data analysis techniques to uncover patterns and trends in duck migration. By processing historical flight data, weather patterns, and flock counts provided by TTU’s wildlife and biology chief, the system applies predictive algorithms to generate accurate forecasts of future migration paths. This data-driven approach enables real-time tracking of duck populations, offering valuable insights for researchers and conservationists to monitor and manage migratory behavior effectively.

Team Members: Gavin McDuffee, Drew Phelps, Justin Coleman, Robert Angel, Jacob Douthit, Brody Young

Mentor: Christa Cody

Sponsor: SAS

Project Overview: Wooly World is a 2D platformer developed in collaboration with SAS Institute as a testbed for Reinforcement Learning research. The game captures every frame of gameplay from human players and AI agents, enabling machine learning model training and player interaction analysis.

Team Members: Noah Herron, Jair Sanchez, Ben Branlund, Emmanuel Hassan, Eliejah Walker, Peyton Rushing

Mentor: Joey O'Connor

Sponsor: Capgemini

Project Overview: A generative AI-powered chatbot that assists with grocery shopping by providing store information and facilitating online order mock-ups. This chatbot will also act as an in-store staff member and assist shoppers as needed.

Team Members: Taha Aktan, Zaire Mattox, Benjamin Tuttle, Aidan Whitman, Shawn Wolford

Mentor: Seth Williams

Sponsor: Bridging Hope

Project Overview: A web-based management system to aggregate social service providers and clients within the Upper Cumberland.  The application allows for clients to discover available services and for providers to better communicate and manage client engagements.

Team Members: Ryan Fuqua, Nolen Jensen, Justine Kheiv, Christopher Shenton, Om Solanki

Mentor: Chief Scott Winfree

Sponsor: Cookeville Police Department

Project Overview: A web-based system to support law enforcement administrative processes including purchasing, inventory, and human resource activities.

Team Members: Jamie Boyd, Mikel Gonzalez, Gage Jones, Bronson Nguyen, Warren Proctor

Mentor: Erik Simpson

Sponsor: Urban Science

Project Overview: The Customer Leads project developed a cross-platform mobile application to assist in the identification of trends, outliers, and other insights on vehicle purchasing trends.

Team Members: Keegan Bilodeau, Siyapa Chanhorm, Kashaina Nucum, Johnathan Leth, Ernesto Pazsuarez

Mentor: Alec Gramont 

Sponsor: Identity Solutions

Project Overview: Striving to provide a digital identity platform for students and staff at Universities, the digital wallet project provides a cross-platform mobile application for digital credentials that limit the release of PII.

Team Members: Brett Billingsley, Obaid Almutairi, Alyssa Kitchen, Lance Young

Mentor: Marco Garcia

Sponsor: SAIC

Project Overview: A responsive, web-based employee project assignment tracker that facilitates the management and tracking of employee assignments within the organization.

Team Members: Tyler Duong, Micah Jones, Joshua Moore, Pierce Riggins, William Spradlin

Mentor: Justin Smith

Sponsor: AUTOFLYTE

Project Overview: The EV Sales Dashboard project is a web-based comprehensive aggregate dashboard that provides users with high-level insights and granular details on electric vehicle sales across regions, manufactures, and retail locations.  Additionally, the system integrates an AI-powered chatbot, enabling natural language interactions to facilitate data exploration and discovery.

Team Members: Jamal Alkurdi, Sharon Colson, Ezra Cota, Samuel Howard, Emma Long, Jared Scott, Nathan Tomlin

Project Overview: The logistics tracking dashboard is designed to support tracking of orders and inventory across a complex logistics chain.  The dashboard allows for tracking by both customers and sales personnel for granular observations of real-time inventory levels and availability.

Team Members: Daniel Byerly, Dalton Neisz, Breyon Patterson, Anthony Wilson 

Mentor: Alan Haugen

Sponsor: Digital Dream Forge

Project Overview: A web-based inventory management system to assist an IT team in tracking mobile devices and other company hardware.  The system allows tracking of assignments as well as device specific specifications and notes.

Team Members: Addison Goforth, Sara Owens, Zachary Parson, Jacob Scott, Wes Talley

Mentor: Anthony Brown

Sponsor: Mighty Lube

Project Overview: The lubricant product configurator is a mobile application to support the ordering process from customer to fulfillment.  The application is cross-platform and digitizes the organizations manual ordering process.

Team Members: Jed Comia, Sindu Chitraju, Alfredo Granados, Hayden Jones, Xavier Mathews

Mentor: Dr. Jerry Gannod

Sponsor: Tennessee Tech

Project Overview: A cross-platform mobile application for the collection and analysis of team and player statistics for game preparations.

Team Members: Bobby Bumbalough, Mitchell Kiriazes, Timothy Lock, Gary Williams, I J White

Mentor: Luis N. Valcourt-Colon

Sponsor: NavSEA

Project Overview: The unmanned vessel simulation involved the development of a plugin for the TakX framework to facilitate a command and control application for small unmanned surface vessel field and simulation operations.

Team Members: Hunter Dowty, Nate Dunlap, Ethan Hooper, Tommy Malyvanh, Jesus Villanueva-Seg

Mentor: Megan Kozub

Sponsor: NavSEA

Project Overview: The web harness developed a web-based demonstration harness.  The harness is capable of launching applications on a remote host machine via a user friendly interface with the ability to add or remove applications based on user needs.

Team Members: Dakota Moye, Samuel Hunter, Alexander Cruz, Sean Borchers

Project Overview: Team 1 is developing a robust and consistent robot for the annual IEEE Southeast Conference (SECON) hardware competition. The challenge requires collecting and sorting two types of 40mm icosahedrons—one slightly magnetic and heavier than the other—within a three-minute window. After gathering and separating these pieces into distinct containers, the robot must deliver those containers to a designated area on the field. By prioritizing reliability and allocating ample time for testing, Team 1 aims to rank highly in the competition while representing Tennessee Technological University with an effective and well-prepared entry.

Team Members: Zachary Holt, Jesse Munoz, Graham Robinson, Evan Morse, Erlind Boraj

Project Overview: Team 2 is focused on designing a Formula SAE Electric Vehicle powertrain that adheres to safety requirements and competition guidelines. This effort includes selecting and integrating the motor, motor controller, and shutdown circuit, along with creating a detailed wiring diagram. The team reverse-engineered an existing wiring harness to tailor it to specific needs and constraints. The resulting system is both safe and rule-compliant, meeting the rigorous demands of Formula SAE competition.

Team Members: Tate Finley, Wynne Maxwell, Gabriel Dubose, Cindy Escobar, Carter Brady, Ashli Watkins

Project Overview: Team 3 is enhancing the Tennessee Tech Tennis Team’s ball collector by adding remote control functionality, a display for tracking ball count, and a vibration feature to address ball jams. A Raspberry Pi 4 running Python coordinates various operations, from sensor readings to motor control. These improvements make the ball collector easier to operate and maintain, boosting the overall efficiency of practice sessions for the tennis team.

Team Members: Seth Eddins, Sarah Boyce-Howard, Mary Bickel, Evan Kvalvik, Chris Sullivan

Project Overview: Team 4 is creating an autonomous ground vehicle, known as “SlowMho,” for the Intelligent Ground Vehicle Competition (IGVC). The vehicle measures approximately 3 to 7 feet in length and 2 to 4 feet in width, relying on an explosion-proof LiDAR and a 3D camera for navigation. Motor drivers and encoders offer precise speed control, while an NVIDIA Orin computer running ROS2 processes sensor data in real time. An indicator light alerts bystanders when SlowMho is operating autonomously. Through this combination of advanced hardware and intelligent software, Team 4 aims to excel in complex navigation tasks.

Team Members: Chris Bradley, Caleb Bucher, Gabriel Buckner, Reese Gilbert, Mathias Hagewood

Mentor: Dr. Dale Blair (GA Tech)

Project Overview: Team 5 is developing a drone designed to perform remote triage on individuals who are lying down and possibly injured. The drone supports two-way communication and delivers real-time video from both front and bottom cameras, allowing responders to visually assess the scene and interact with the victim. To gather vital signs, the drone employs Doppler-based technology that measures heart rate and breathing rate while filtering out extraneous noise. This setup enhances emergency response by providing critical health metrics and situational awareness when time is of the essence.

Team Members: Matthew Collins, Woolenski Placide, Cory Pruett, Ethan Stacy, Kendra Taylor

Mentor: Aaron Hall (Nissan)

Project Overview: Team 6 is automating a key stage in wire harness production for the automotive industry, which involves inserting flexible wires into terminal connectors. The team’s system includes a robotic arm equipped with a camera and artificial intelligence (AI) software. By collecting images and position data during manual wire insertions, the system trains an imitation learning platform to replicate the process. This approach lays the groundwork for an adaptable AI solution capable of handling various insertion conditions, ultimately improving both efficiency and consistency in wire harness assembly.

Team Members: Tucker Basham, Layne Bowman, Jacob Brewer, Ethan Haynes, Conner Vick

Mentors: Ben Putnam (Lochinvar), Abbey Ward (Lochinvar)

Project Overview: Team 7 is building a specialized diagnostic tool to help Lochinvar troubleshoot blower fans more efficiently and with less noise. Blower fans typically operate in loud environments, so the tool simulates a fan’s operation without producing disruptive noise. It includes a custom circuit board capable of multiple operational modes—functioning as a monitoring tool, a fan simulator, or a fan driver—and interfaces seamlessly with Lochinvar’s control systems. By implementing this solution, Lochinvar can validate system performance in a more reliable and quieter testing environment.

Project Team Members: Addison Groff, Adam Smidt, August Jenkins, Jordan Gaus, Luke Sweeney

Project Overview: The foundry at Tennessee Tech provides a hands-on learning environment where students gain experience in casting aluminum, bronze, and iron. Currently, the process of loading iron into the induction furnace is done manually. Where qualified staff lower heavy pieces of iron into the furnace by hand. There is a need for a safer and more effective loading process. The current loading operation poses significant safety concerns, and when loading the furnace by hand, this often results in flying sparks and exposes students and workers to potential injury. Additionally, the size and weight of the iron pieces and the furnace orifice make the loading process extremely strenuous on the hands and wrists, while also requiring reaching down towards the molten iron.  This paper presents the design and fabrication process of an automated lowering mechanism aimed to address these challenges.

Project Team Members: Wyatt Byers, Cade Davis, Dillon Hale, Jaiden Page, Jajuan Ware

Project Overview: Navigating a university campus presents considerable challenges for individuals who are blind or visually impaired. The absence of tools specifically designed to meet their needs exacerbates the difficulty in locating buildings, facilities, and services. At Tennessee Tech University, current campus maps lack essential accessibility features such as audio directions, tactile elements, and compatibility with screen reader technologies. This project aims to develop an updated, ADA-compliant campus map that addresses these deficiencies.

Project Team Members: Ethan Thongmanivong, Matthew Lui, Tristen Terry, Chase Hancock, Ryan Becht

Mentor: INOAC Livingston, TN

Project Overview: Space optimization is an important factor in the operation of a manufacturing facility. Floor space is always a limited resource; thus, efficient use of space should be considered in the planning of operations. Work in progress (WIP) carts, while used for transport and storage, can be a source of crowding as it takes up space. As they are essential to the manufacturing process, current WIP carts can be reevaluated to maximize floor space by increasing the storage density on new iterations of WIP carts. In collaboration with INOAC Livingston, this project aims to develop new redesigned WIP carts to be used on the Corvette and Cadillac programs.

Project Team Members: Logan Weedman, Aaron McWright, Adam Todd, Garrison Brandt, Alexander Hadlock

Project Team Members: Andrew Whitworth, Robert Hall, Walton Magness, Cory Schwarze, Simon Shelton

Project Overview: Off grid solar batteries’ voltage can give users information on how much power is available. To get this voltage information, a voltage reading device must contact the batteries. Having a device attached to the batteries and broadcasting this information across WiFi would be a great help for persons living in an off grid solar home. Present devices available measure current draw or charge, voltage, and calculates available power, but these devices are expense ($500 - $1000). A cheaper version is needed and just the voltage is mostly needed. This project will use a WiFi Raspberry PI to make such a product for less than $ 50.

Project Team Members: Dalton Fowler, Mason Martin, Jake Officer, Hunter Plaster, Harrison Wims

Project Overview: Foundries and all industrial environments are adopting new advancements to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and increase safety. This is often in the form of internet of things devices, which connect, control, and track machines, products, and people to create a more cohesive industrial environment. The Tennessee Tech foundry has multiple areas of opportunity to embed IoT devices. These devices can be leveraged to simplify casting processes, refine sand moisture readings, and increase the efficiency of the foundry’s operations. Currently, industrial IoT devices are expensive, ranging from $300 - $3000 or more for somewhat simple sensors. Less expensive components and devices can be used to reduce these upfront costs. 

Project Team Members: Luis Flores-Moreno, Grace Kimbro, Ayla Render, Elijah Sayre

Project Overview: Team is working with college of engineering staff to develop concepts and needs for future remodel of Brown and Prescott.

Project Team Members: Keegan Adreon, Alan Arvidson, Ian Cronin, Gabe Gibson

Project Overview: Mechanical engineering and electrical and computer engineering teams creating an autonomous ground vehicle, known as “SlowMho,” for the Intelligent Ground Vehicle Competition (IGVC). The vehicle measures approximately 3 to 7 feet in length and 2 to 4 feet in width, relying on an explosion-proof LiDAR and a 3D camera for navigation.

Project Team Members:  Nikolas Brothers, Cole Hubbard, Charlie Ledford, Mason Reid

Project Overview: Team is completing the development of a test stand for JetCat 100N thrust jet turbine engine.

Project Team Members: Nick Moulton, Cooper Nelson, Phoenix Sims, Caleb Sullivan

Project Overview: Team is with working ECE team to develop robot for the annual IEEE Southeast Conference (SECON) hardware competition. The challenge requires collecting and sorting two types of 40mm icosahedrons—one slightly magnetic and heavier than the other—within a three-minute window.

Project Team Members: Cameron Johnson, Ethan Mancuso, Ethan Pesterfield, Christopher Roberson

Project Overview: Team is developing and modeling a thrust vectoring system for the JetCat 100N thrust jet turbine engine.

Project Team Members: Bryson Carwile, Caleb Clark, Chaim Roehrs, Casey Smith

Mentor: Aaron Hall

Sponsor: Nissan

Project Overview: Team is working with Nissan to develop concepts to automate the construction of wiring harnesses focused on robotic wire layout. Team is working with Nissan to develop concepts to automate the construction of wiring harnesses focused on robotic wire layout.

Project Team Members: Jakob Coats, Adam Guillory, Cole Lesar, Austin Niec

Project Overview: Team is developing and modeling a variable area nozzle system for the JetCat 100N thrust jet turbine engine.

Project Team Members: Bryson Dobbs, Ivan Dong, Andrew Johnson, Axel Olivera Bello

Project Overview: Team is working with college of engineering staff to develop measurement system to determine flow in existing fume hoods and suggest improvements to existing systems.

Project Team Members: JW Beasley, Peyton Pope, Josiah Reese, Patrick Stultz

Project Overview: Mechanical engineering and electrical and computer engineering teams creating an autonomous ground vehicle, known as “SlowMho,” for the Intelligent Ground Vehicle Competition (IGVC). The vehicle measures approximately 3 to 7 feet in length and 2 to 4 feet in width, relying on an explosion-proof LiDAR and a 3D camera for navigation.

Project Team Members: Jakob Flecksteiner, Terry Hines, Nathan King

Project Overview: Team is exploring the vibration signature of residential floor construction from drops to determine if vibration signatures could be used for fall detection.

Project Team Members: Kelby Castleberry, Katie Cross, Will Joyner, Aaron Tuk

Project Overview: Team is working with a research group to develop an automated system to position knee joints to aid in the development of position sensors.

Project Team Members: Dominic Alfini, Nathan Bowling, Michael Cantrell, Benjamin Crago

Sponsor: Lochinvar

Project Overview: Team is working Lochnivar to explore the use of induction heating in the development of boiler systems.

Project Team Members: Khalid Alotaibi, Hamza Ansari, Hank Moneymaker, Tadan Yakima 

Project Overview: Team is designing and installing the suspension on the fame for the TN Tech pep truck.

Project Team Members: Bakhom Aziz, Blake Etter, Devan Layne, Aidan Reichard

Sponsor: Lochinvar

Project Overview: Team is working Lochnivar to develop correlations for surface temperatures in electric elements in water heating systems.

Project Team Members: Alex Daniel, Jordan Frerichs, Asa Greenwell, Hunter Justice

Sponsor: Lochinvar

Project Overview: Team is working Lochnivar to optimize the geometry in heat exchanger systems.

Project Team Members: Kanin Shull, Jack Stepanek, Luke Warwick, Walker Wright

Sponsor: Lochinvar

Project Overview: Team is working Lochnivar to develop optimized sensors and control strategies for defrosting of heat pump systems.

Project Team Members: Landon Hamaker, James Plumlee, Lee Wallace, Tanner Welch

Sponsor: Calstar

Project Overview: Team is working with Calstar to covert equipment data into monitor dashboard for energy usage during production.

Project Team Members: Nadia Lopez, Helaena Pfeiffer, Connor Smith, Russell Thompson

Sponsor: Nissan

Project Overview: Team is working with Nissan to develop a control panel with calibrated heat sources to aid in the training for using IR images for monitoring of equipment.

Project Team Members: Branson Blaylock, Alex Harrison, Tyler Kinchen, Ethan Wilson

Project Overview: Team is developing and modeling an instrumentation system for the JetCat 100N thrust jet turbine engine to temperature and pressure in various stages of the engine..

Project Team Members: Cody Bennett, Logan Brehm, Samuel Ohlsson, Eli Vaughn

Mentor: Aaron Hall

Sponsor: Nissan

Project Overview: Team is working with Nissan to develop concepts to automate the construction of wiring harnesses focused on feeding and orientation of connectors for wire insertion.

Project Team Members: Hailie Pippin, Kaleb Sanford, Jason Snider, Shantini West

Project Overview: Team is working with research group to develop an electronic drop system.  The system will be used to conduct calibrated drops for to measure vibration response of building floor and structure.

Project Team Members: Ethen Buell, Mason Chadwell, Ethan Haynes, Ian Sweetin

Mentor: Aaron Hall

Sponsor: Nissan

Project Overview: Team is working with Nissan to develop concepts to automate the construction of wiring harnesses focused on robotic wire layout.