Utilizing off-the-shelf development kits from SWARM/SEMTEC/SPACEX: explore, document, and build a system that can exhibit the relationship between polling frequency, message sizes, and other identified parameters versus power consumption. Build a system to prove real-world versus theoretical. One may suggest building an end-to-end system, and use a mobile app to adjust variables to measure the power effect. Based on the understanding of the physical system, build a model to represet how changing parameters impacts power in the face of environmental uncertainty. Validate the model with a subset of real experiements.

Light scatters differently as it interacts with varying surface properties. Scattered light poses a problem for optical applications as it contributes to undesired stray light reaching the focal plane of a system. Understanding how light scatters helps predict stray light paths and prevents them from compromising system performance. To further this goal, the team designed an inexpensive optical scatterometer to measure the light scattering properties of a material.

The device shines a laser through an optical system which outputs a converging chopped beam onto a test sample and accurately measures the scattered power emitted as a function of angle in the plane of incidence. The focused spot is incident on a high-sensitivity detector, processed through a variable-gain transimpedance amplifier built from scratch, with noise reduction utilizing a lock-in amplifier. Recorded data are then plotted as a bidirectional scattering distribution function (BSDF). The BSDF characterizes the scatter distribution of optical radiation from the test surface, facilitating the analysis and mitigation of stray light in the system.

During hostage situations, SWAT teams toss “throw phones” into buildings and encourage hostage-takers to initiate communication with a negotiator at a remote command center. These phones must be rugged, reliable and provide clear communication. However, the current 20-year-old system is hard-wired, cumbersome and intimidating to hostage-takers.

The team has advanced the technology to a more robust, reliable and friendly wireless solution. The solution consists of two major components, the throw phone and the command module. The design utilizes a 4G cellular network to ensure wireless connectivity and full-duplex communication across long distances. Low-light cameras controlled by a multiplexor provide video surveillance of the phone’s surroundings. Audio and video data is wirelessly sent over antennas, processed by a Raspberry Pi microcontroller and recorded onto a micro SD card capable of storing over six hours of audio and video footage. The data can then be quickly uploaded to an external thumb drive. All the components are contained in hard and soft plastic casing that is rugged enough to withstand throwing through windows.

Results of the project have shown the system provides real-time audio and video and a clear line of communication from as far as 300 feet for up to six hours. The device has proven to be nonintimidating to focus groups, which invites users to pick up and handle the phone without worry.

With millions of dollars being spent on tooling for automated assembly lines, companies are relying more on reconfigurable part feeding and sorting mechanisms to save costs. This project provides a solution by being easily adaptable to any assembly process without compromising effectiveness or reliability.

The AUPS consists of a cartesian robot, a high resolution camera, a gripping mechanism and a vibrating table. The robot is controlled using the CtrlX Machine Controller developed by Rexroth and an Arduino is used for controlling the sensors and gripper. Parts are fed manually onto the vibrating table, where the camera identifies and locates them, allowing the robot to travel, pick up and sort them correctly. If no parts are detected, the system uses the vibratory table to disperse parts until the camera can locate one. The gripping mechanism is attached to the end of the Z-axis of the robot and is capable of handling parts between 2-10 cm3 with a weight limit of 0.5 kg.

The system can automatically sort parts based on their shape and size. It is designed to operate in an enclosed factory floor environment and is therefore shielded from external interference with a metal frame and acrylic walls.

The rapid growth in smartphone usage has led to a surge in demand for cloud services. Major data centers, which store information for cloud service providers, have replaced traditional local computer storage with large data storage facilities. These facilities require a huge amount of energy to power and drinkable water is used to keep them cool.

To address these issues, the team designed hardware and software to cool the computer servers using FC-72 Fluorinert as an alternative to current swamp cooling forced air systems. Flourinert was selected for its low boiling point of 132.8 degrees Fahrenheit. They also designed a custom filtration system to reduce and mitigate dendritic salt growth, which can lead to electrical shorting. This system eliminates vulcanizers and plasticizers that cause the damaging growth.

The team built a test system for data center applications, which required finding a suitable pump that handles the low boiling point and low viscosity of Fluorinert. Finally, they created an interactive graphical user interface to allow technicians to monitor cooling system efficiency. The team then measured progress toward the goal of reducing power and water consumption.

The annual AIAA DBF competition is an international event, hosted in Tucson and Wichita, Kansas, that invites schools from all over the world to design, build and fly an aircraft according to the design requirements that are set each year. Each team must attempt to maximize their possible points earned via scoring guidelines set by the competition. Flight envelope attributes such as endurance, speed and payload weight must be balanced accordingly to create an aircraft that will obtain the highest score.

This year, the schools were tasked with designing an aircraft that is capable of flying three missions, each with their own stipulations. Based on the scoring and competition guidelines, this design must be able to carry a heavy internal payload, mount a vertical antenna to one wingtip and have an endurance of around eight minutes. In addition, the aircraft must be able to disassemble and fit into a box that is compliant with FAA carry-on regulations, limiting battery size and aircraft dimensions. By employing computational fluid dynamics, advanced composite building techniques and rigorous aerodynamic design processes, the University of Arizona team developed a competitive aircraft to represent the school on the international stage.

The project team developed an agrivoltaic system design and established solar production estimates to determine the renewable energy off-set for the Freight Farm located at Biosphere 2. Additional goals included structural design, operational guidelines, design of a secondary freight container to house electronics for the solar components, and a functional model. The design can work in any offgrid system located in arid regions where there is no or limited electrical grid connectivity.

The agrivoltaic system consists of 61 solar panels, a structural support system for the panels and an electrical system that controls the flow and storage of energy. While the team built a functional, smaller-scale prototype, they also created various models and electrical diagrams, worked with structural applications, and performed calculations to verify the full-scale design. The demonstration model incorporates the key components of the Freight Farm-Agrivoltaic System, including a structural assembly, electrical and solar components, and system monitoring.

For those who have mental or physical limitations or aversions to traditional toothbrush use, photodynamic therapy can improve overall oral health and decrease plaque bacterial colonization. This project presents a waterless, bristleless alternative to traditional mouth cleaning devices. It allows the user to select a light mode for three individual LED treatments using blue light, red light or a combination of the two.

The LightBrush design uses an Arduino Nano Every microcontroller to power the high-wattage LEDs, which are located on a custom-designed printed circuit board in the head of the brush. Custom code controls the LEDs according to the selected light mode, and it delivers a specific lux dosage amount over a set treatment time. For safety, an accelerometer ensures the user or caregiver is properly holding the LightBrush and automatically shuts off the device when the LEDs are shining upwards, preventing ocular damage. A piezo buzzer notifies the user when the treatment begins and is completed to prevent light exposure outside of the mouth. The lithium polymer battery can be recharged when voltage is low. The team 3D printed a prototype of the LightBrush to verify functionality of the complete system. Further research into potential environmentally sustainable materials for large-scale production of the device was also completed, and instructions for use were developed for customers.

Breweries and distilleries produce large quantities of byproduct waste streams, mostly made of spent grain from the mashing process. Typically, these spent grains are donated to a local farmer to serve as feed for livestock. The team repurposed the wasted spent grains into various practical products and composed a life cycle analysis on each product.

Nonalcoholic beer is a product that is not seen at local Tucson breweries. Dealcoholized beer is a valuable product, but the process to produce it is energy-intensive. The team designed a vacuum distillation process to extract the ethanol from beer and lower the alcohol content below 0.5% alcohol by volume, the threshold for nonalcoholic beer. Solar heating was used to improve economics and reduce the environmental impact. The project was simulated on ASPEN software to optimize the process, removing the alcohol efficiently.

The team designed a special exhibit for the Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area. The interactive topographic display of the lower basin of the Colorado River includes a map with notable landmarks, various facts about the river and audio recordings that can be played.

Visitors can tap a spot on the 32-inch touch screen to display its corresponding information, while LED lights and 3D figures emphasize the specific location on a physical map. The interior of the system includes a Raspberry Pi, wiring and circuitry, and programming to ensure the display runs smoothly.

The new exhibit has drawn more people to the area and spurred an influx of business. By attracting both tourists and Yuma locals, the exhibit is educating broader audiences about the ecosystem of the Colorado River and what needs to be done to preserve it.