Static fire rocket stands are vital for test rocket motors prior to flight and provide valuable data regarding long term rocket performance. Current stands used by the project sponsor integrate the solid rocket motor into the stand while exposed in the outside environment. This project aims to provide an ergonomic horizontal test stand that allows for motor integration in an enclosed space with fast and easy transportation of the stand outside for the static fire.

This design implements the use of welded square steel tube to provide durability and is modeled to withstand a rocket with up to 5,000 lbf of thrust. Finite element analysis was used to verify the stand’s structural rigidity at a safety factor of two. The test stand is intended to roll from an enclosed hardware assembly area to a testing area where it will be secured in a stationary configuration for ignition. The rocket is contained in a sponsor provided clamp mechanism to ensure proper thrust direction. A command center designed for customer meetings and test demonstrations is integrated into the test site. This command center will be used for data acquisition and processing. This project will improve efficiency, reliability, and comfort with the integration of the test stand and command center.

Photolithography is fundamental in the semiconductor industry, however, due to its high cost and large footprint, educational institutions lack information and tools to spread knowledge regarding semiconductors fabrication. To address this, we have developed a compact, portable photolithography prototype tool that emphasizes accessibility and affordability enabling educational outreach.

The design uses a Digital Light Processor (DLP) which includes a Digital Micromirror Device and a Digital Micromirror Device controller that allows the system to create an image on the wafer. The image passes from the DLP through a lens and beam splitter module and then lastly through the objective lens to ensure the image is in micron scale. The design includes an alignment camera that ensures the image is aligned with the wafer. Additionally, our team designed the system enclosure to be made of a UV-protective, transparent material so that viewers can safely observe the photolithography process. We designed the X, Y, and Z stage
along with the code for the motor controllers that are responsible for the automated stage movement. The system itself is controlled by the user via a laptop through a graphical user interface that our team developed. This is how the images are sent to the SEMILITHO. The SEMILITHO has successfully produced a patterned wafer that features the project name, university, team members, PI, sponsor, and date all in micron-scale.

Dental professionals frequently experience hand and wrist fatigue from repetitive motions and
instruments lacking ergonomic design. These strainful motions place significant stress on ligaments and tendons within the hand, with nearly one in three professionals developing musculoskeletal disorders such as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome over the course of their careers. This project presents redesigned dental instruments as an engineering solution to reduce fatigue and improve ergonomics.

The team redesigned three commonly used dental instruments to feature enlarged grip diameters, fabrication with lighter polymer materials, and engraved textures to improve grip. CAD modeling and finite element analysis guided the design process, while 3D printing enabled prototyping and iteration. Prototypes were tested during simulated procedures using electromyography and data analysis to assess grip force and muscle activity. Results showed reductions in pinch force, hand strain, and overall muscle activation compared to traditional dental instruments, demonstrating the potential of engineering design to extend the careers of dental professionals.

The SPUD (Solar Panel Unmanned Decontaminator) is an autonomous drone engineered to detect and clean solar panels using pressurized water on a residential scale. Existing autonomous drones are used on an industrial scale, which is inefficient for residential areas. These drones remove dust, dirt, and other foreign debris that collects on solar panels over time, recovering the photovoltaic efficiency loss and saves the customer money. SPUD is designed to perform well on small-scale projects with ease of modification for future upgrades and improvements.

At the time of deployment, SPUD will be transported to location with a 75-gallon water tank in a truck or similar vehicle. The technician will power on the drone, ensuring it is connected to the ground control system, and place the drone facing the residence. The drone will take off and view the building from above, locating all solar panels relative to the boundaries of the house using LiDAR. The data sent back allows the ground control software to highlight and display each solar panel on the map.

3D printing continues to grow in use for prototyping and design as the environmental and operational impacts of unmanaged plastic waste have become increasingly concerning. The University of Arizona’s academic makerspaces generate significant plastic waste from 3D printing.

This project aims to provide an accessible, safe, and replicable solution for plastic waste management in any makerspace. This system uses shredder blades as the point of contact for the PLA to be shredded. A dual hex shaft system is used to orient the blades and connect them to the gearmotor. The system includes a 3-toggle switch that will allow an operator to easily set the motor into forward, reverse, or standby. The shredder utilizes a variable frequency drive (VFD) to convert from a standard 120 V line voltage into a 3 phase 240 V supply. Our shredder also incorporates necessary safety features, such as an emergency stop button. The shredder will have the ability to shred automatically and will output the shredded plastic into a removable bin. The shredder will contribute to a campus wide goal of reducing the volume of 3D printing waste by at least 50%, supporting more sustainable innovation.

Additive manufacturing and topological optimization offer the potential for accurate and efficient production of high-performance parts, but gaps remain. This project addressed those gaps by combining CAD modeling, structural analysis (Finite Element Analysis or FEA), and physical testing to develop a reliable method for evaluating and optimizing 3D-printed polymer parts.

In aerospace, a high strength-to-weight ratio is critical because it maximizes structural performance while minimizing weight, improving fuel efficiency and overall aircraft performance. The team developed a series of tests to determine the optimal combination of infill patterns, densities, and wall thicknesses for the highest strength-to-weight ratio. We identified the most critical mechanical properties to measure and selected the most relevant tests to evaluate them, including Young’s modulus, shear and strain moduli, permeability, failure modes, and energy absorption. This process will enable engineers to predict the mechanical properties of 3D- printed aerospace parts for an efficient and reliable design.

Our project is a conceptual engineering study focused on developing a Mobile Transport and Mission Support System (MTS) for a 1-meter observatory-class Cassegrain telescope. Unlike a hardware build or test effort, this work emphasizes a feasibility-backed design that can guide future development and fabrication. The MTS will be a trailer-based system capable of safely transporting, powering, and protecting the telescope. By deploying to remote or under-resourced locations, unlike traditional observatories, which require permanent land use and dedicated infrastructure, the mobile system eliminates land acquisition barriers by operating entirely on a trailer platform, and allowing broader access to advanced astronomical instruments.

The team completed requirements definition, structural and vibration analysis, and the development of a full trailer-integrated concept tailored to telescope operations. Finite element simulations validated that the trailer frame met strength and stability targets while maintaining transportability within highway limits. Vibration modeling confirmed that optical alignment could be preserved during both transport and observation. The enclosure design provided environmental protection against wind and thermal effects while allowing rapid setup in the field. As a result, the final conceptual design demonstrates a practical and reliable solution for mobile telescope operations, ensuring readiness for research, education, and outreach applications.

As humanity witnesses a historic rise in the total payload capability of launch vehicles, the possibility of maintaining a permanent industrial presence in space is becoming increasingly viable. UA Team 25505 and Paragon Space Development Corporation have collaborated to develop a conceptual design for an unmanned lunar lander with heavy payload delivery capabilities surpassing those of any spacecraft in history. The Paragon Lunar Unmanned Super Heavy (referred to as PLUSH), a one-time-use lunar lander, is designed to carry over 100,000 kg of payload to the lunar surface and form part of permanent infrastructure on the moon for years to come. PLUSH will enable customers to transport rovers, mining equipment, exploratory technologies, and more in just one trip, permanently expanding human presence into the stars with unprecedented magnitude.

In addition to this conceptual design, the team has also developed a Reaction Control System (RCS) algorithm, designed to emulate the control logic for the cold gas thrusters mounted on the spacecraft, ensuring proper orientation during landing. The algorithm is demonstrated with a moving RCS prototype.

Jaundice is a common condition in newborns, caused by high levels of bilirubin in the blood. If untreated, it can lead to serious complications. Current methods of measuring bilirubin often require specialized equipment and trained staff, which are not always accessible. Our project
introduces a simple, portable device that works at the bedside to give reliable results in just minutes.

The system consists of a combination test strip and calibration card holder and a verified test strip. The combination test strip and calibration card holder was carefully designed to keep the strip in a fixed position, ensuring consistent images for analysis. The test strip selected proved to be able to quickly and effectively filter red blood cells and leave the plasma exposed. Through carefully curated lab protocols, colorimetric data was collected and a linear relationship between absorbance and bilirubin concentration was identified. Our team has delivered a test strip holder, a verified test strip and preliminary data findings that will be used in conjunction with the Picterus AS app to bring accessible neonatal jaundice diagnostics to third world countries.