DESIGN SHOWCASE Fall
2024
FROM IDEAS TO IMPACT
JoAnn S. Lighty, Ph.D.
Dear Industry Partners, Alumni, and Friends,
On behalf of the College of Engineering at Boise State University, I welcome you to our annual Fall Design Showcase! Twice a year the College of Engineering highlights the unrelenting spirit of our students through their creative and experiential learning across our various departments and programs.
I invite you to meet our 28 student teams, faculty, mentors, and project sponsors. Please join our amazing students as they present their student-led projects. This ‘Out of the Blue’ thinking encompasses many of our community needs, across Idaho and beyond, using the tools and knowledge of data science, accessibility, 3D printing, and sustainability.
Maybe you have a project of your own that would benefit from an innovative approach and motivated design team. We are always looking for new projects, project clients and sponsors, and partnerships to challenge our emerging professionals! Contact one of our departments or program’s instructors for more information.
Dean, College of Engineering
Professor, Mechanical & Biomedical Engineering
INSTRUCTOR AND DEPARTMENT/SCHOOL CONTACTS
CIVIL ENGINEERING
Robyn Mattison, PE
Phone: 208-426-3749
Email: robynmattison@boisestate.edu
COMPUTER SCIENCE
Eric Henderson, Ph.D.
Phone: 208-426-5769
Email: ehenderson@boisestate.edu
CYBER OPERATIONS AND RESILIENCE
Kody Walker
Phone: 208-426-2485
Email: kodywalker@boisestate.edu
ELECTRICAL AND COMPUTER ENGINEERING
Brian Higgins
Phone: 208-426-4804
Email: brianhiggins@boisestate.edu
ENGINEERING PLUS
Courtney Hollar, Ph.D.
Phone: 208-426-1006
Email: courtneyhollar@boisestate.edu
MECHANICAL AND BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING
Aaron Smith, Ph.D.
Phone: 208-426-2360
Email: aaronsmith9@boisestate.edu
Hannah O’Hern, Ph.D. Phone: 208-426-4078
Email: hannahohern@boisestate.edu
MICRON SCHOOL OF MATERIALS SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
Harold Ackler, Ph.D.
Phone: 208-426-5916
Email: hackler@boisestate.edu
THANK YOU TO OUR VISIONARY EMPLOYER PARTNERS
The College of Engineering works closely with members of the Visionary Employer Partnership Program in an effort to provide meaningful engagement opportunities between the companies and the College of Engineering, as well as greater visibility for companies with College of Engineering students, faculty, and alumni. Benefits include opportunities to enhance their on-campus recruiting experiences, priority invitations to participate in guest speaker events, networking events, career fairs, and highlighting member companies across our social media channels and websites.
2024-2025 PARTNERS
THANK YOU TO OUR PROJECT SPONSORS
Our projects’ sponsors generously support the College of Engineering’s Design Showcase teams. Thank you for providing your time, experience and financial support that help make our students’ projects and programs successful.
CORPORATE, GOVERNMENT & PRIVATE
Advanced Health Service
Boise State Cycle Learning Center
Buzz Garcia
Capital High School
Challenged Athletes
Foundation
Engineering Innovation Studio
Idaho. Department of Energy
Idaho Department of Environmental Quality
Integrity Mental Health
Interfaith Sanctuary
Micron Technology Inc.
Snowbound Solutions
Willowview Consulting LLC
BOISE STATE UNIVERSITY
Boise State University
Department of Computer Science
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Department of Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering
INDIVIDUALS
Griff Allen
Tim Andersen. Ph.D.
Jim Browning, Ph.D.
Wilson Dippo
Daniel Dow
Nikki Duncan
Adriana Facundo
Chris Ferguson
DESIGN SHOWCASE STUDENTS
CIVIL ENGINEERING (CE)
Ahmed Alanbagi
Cheyney Andrade
Kelsey Cannon
Elijah Coursey
Chey Day
Kaleb Gabriel
DJ Gralenski Jr.
Cody Hume
Jack Jenkins
Jack Jones
Justin Kawamura
Ethan Kistner
Jackson Leinweber
Mike Lidinsky
Vaughan Morgan
Jad Naji
Ben Pratt
Shane Rosenthal
Nicole Wertzler
Lauren Wilder
COMPUTER SCIENCE (CS)
Andrew Bates
Ben Brindley
Kaden Davis
Jaden Dawdy
Will England
Daniel Heck
Jaden Johnson
Jake Lammers
Joe Lathrop
Rachel Lawrence
Xian Ma
Anthony Malang
Josh Martin
Axel Murillo
Dylan Murphey
Maya Murphy
Tyler Phothong
Jacob Rausch
Pierce Rodriguez
Abbie Sarmento
Kai Sorensen
Nolan Stetz
Amanda Stroud
Emily Thelander
Amanda Tuttle
Waylon Walsh
Hunter Walp
David Wise
ELECTRICAL AND COMPUTER
ENGINEERING (ECE)
Josh Clayton
Lisa Cummings
Christopher Gustafson
Eli Niord
Miguel Pacheco
Ty Pfost
Alayne Rice
ENGINEERING PLUS (EPLUS)
Matt Babicz
Zach Bowen
Tate Bradley
Stella Bristol
John Collier
Ben Deboisblanc
Charles Dirk
Ian Durkin
Peyton Elordi
Griffin Glover
Skyler Kichak
Buzz Garcia
Scott Havens
Eric Henderson, Ph.D.
Courtney Hollar, Ph.D.
Curtis Hollingshead
Ben Johnson
Katherine Johnson
Adonis Jones
Ryan Kahre
Jim Mhoon
Amanda Moore
Conner Patricelli, Ph.D.
Stephen Pratt
Toji Sakamoto
Jim Shaver
Steven Olsen-Smith
Daniel Smith
Sophia Theodossiou, Ph.D
Jack Wiley
Makynzie Zimmer
Marcus Linzbach
Bella Sherman
Emma Shores
Charlie Strohm
Logan Tomolo
Ethan Varao
Samantha Wallace
Jade Wilcox
Noah Young
MECHANICAL AND BIOMEDICAL
ENGINEERING (MBE)
Zach Adams
Kolton Andrews
Kaleb Barnhart
Oliver Brien
Camden Chandler
Sarah Corral
Mataello Cota
Trace Ellenz
Jackson Foster
Taylor Fackrell
Clint French
Chayanne Kooch
Madison Long
Mitchel Manning
Aaron Morss
Tanner Moss
Evie Phillips
Jesse Rayo
Alexander Reische
Edgar Perez
Gavin Pickens
Ethan Robertson
Berkeley Walker
Gunnar Wickland
Tom Woolf
6
CIVIL ENGINEERING (CE)
CE-1
Blue Ridge Design: Warm Springs Golf Course Grill + Golf Facility
CE-2
Civil Fusion Team: Warm Springs Preserve
CE-3
ELJs Associates, Inc.: Warm Springs Preserve
CE-4
JEKM Engineering: Warm Springs Golf Course Grill + Golf Facility
CE-5
WWRCG Engineers: Warm Springs Golf Course Grill + Golf Facility
7
COMPUTER SCIENCE (CS)
CS-1 Avalanche Data Logging
CS-2
EDI File Reader App
CS-3
Hydrolink Automated Data Transfer
CS-4 Integrity Health Records Suite
CS-5 K-12 STEM Festival
CS-6
Marginalia Magic
CS-7 Micron GQ Train Web
CS-8
Design Showcase Planning App
DEPARTMENTS AND SCHOOL
10
ENGINEERING PLUS (EPLUS)
EPLUS-1
Adaptive Shower Head
EPLUS-2
Button Stops
EPLUS-3
Interfaith Sanctuary Bike Racks
EPLUS-4
Simulated Microgravity using Three Dimensional Clinorotation for Cell Culture Experiments
EPLUS-5
Vibratory Polisher
EPLUS-6
Wheelchair Carriage System
12
ELECTRICAL AND COMPUTER ENGINEERING (ECE)
ECE-1
Automated Monitoring of Lab Mice Using Computer Vision and Machine Learning
ECE-2
Integrating Solar Plus Storage at the University of Florida
13
ECE AND MBE JOINT PROJECT
ECE-MBE-1
Automating Efficiency: Revolutionizing 3D Printing at Willowview LLC
13
MECHANICAL AND BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING (MBE)
MBE-1
Accessible Paddle for Persons with Physical Challenges
MBE-2
Air Evacuation Device for A Cold Plasma Cleaning Array
MBE-3
Benchtop Biological Tensile and Compression Testing System
MBE-4
Innovative Lab for Internal Flow Analysis
MBE-5
Spoke Tension Meter Calibration Device
MBE-6
Thermoplastic Recycling Press
TEAM MEMBER(S)
Chey Day
Jack Jenkins
Vaughan Morgan
Ben Pratt
FACULTY ADVISOR(S)
Robyn Mattison, PE
MENTOR(S)
Jacob Schlador, PE
Michael Spiers, PE
BLUE RIDGE DESIGN: WARM SPRINGS GOLF COURSE GRILL + GOLF FACILITY
Blue Ridge Design designed aspects of the Warm Springs Golf Course Grill + Golf Facility. The Warm Springs Golf Course clubhouse was located along Warm Springs Avenue in northeast Boise, between the foothills and the Boise River. This project replaced the small aging clubhouse with a new, larger space that provided public gathering spaces for the community to enjoy. Along with the new clubhouse, a new cart barn was constructed. In addition, the parking lot was expanded to facilitate increased visitation to the facility. The aspects we focused on included the design of the cart barn, the parking lot expansion, and a roundabout that was constructed where the greenbelt ran through the golf course, between the parking lot and clubhouse. Additionally, we designed the stormwater system to contain stormwater in the improved area.
TEAM MEMBER(S)
Ahmed Alanbagi
Cheyney Andrade
Cody Hume
Jad Naji
FACULTY ADVISOR(S)
Robyn Mattison, PE
MENTOR(S)
Phoebe Johannessen, PE
CIVIL FUSION TEAM: WARM SPRINGS PRESERVE
Our team was selected to design an environmentally friendly recreational space at the Warm Springs Preserve in Ketchum, Idaho. This project, intended to enhance community engagement with the outdoors, centered around creating a sustainable area that was both functional and inviting within the surrounding natural landscape. A timber pavilion with Idahoan-sourced materials served as the focal point of the preserve, providing a gathering space that blended seamlessly with the area’s aesthetic. The primary goal of this project was to develop a recreational area that minimized environmental impact while meeting community needs. By using sustainable materials and designing with local environmental factors in mind, our team created a space that was eco-conscious and aligned with the Preserve’s natural ecosystem. Key features included a paved parking lot, ADA-accessible pathways, and a welcome center with working utilities. This project also incorporated runoff stormwater solutions to meet city standards.
TEAM MEMBER(S)
Elijah Coursey
Justin Kawamura
Jackson Leinweber
FACULTY ADVISOR(S)
Robyn Mattison, PE
MENTOR(S)
Brendon Collins, EI
Ryan Cutler
Matt Graham, PE
Doug Manville
Markus Rocca, EI
ELJS ASSOCIATES, INC.: WARM SPRINGS PRESERVE
The Warm Springs Preserve Project is located on Bald Mountain Rd in Ketchum, Idaho. The property, previously used as a dog park, was purchased by the City of Ketchum. ELJ’s Associates, Inc. was tasked with designing improvements to the property while preserving the natural environment of the land. The goal of this project was to improve parking at the preserve entrance, provide services, walkways/bikeways, and gathering spaces for visitors, maintain the winter trail network for skiing/snowboarding, and minimize disturbances to the natural environment. We designed a new parking lot, a restroom facility/welcome center, a pavilion, and an overall site plan for the property. A future, separate project was planned to replace the bridge at the entrance of the preserve to include sidewalks that would tie into existing sidewalks north of the preserve.
EAM MEMBER(S)
Kaleb Gabriel
Jack Jones
Ethan Kistner
Mike Lidinsky
FACULTY ADVISOR(S)
Robyn Mattison, PE
MENTOR(S)
Roy Del Bosque, EI
TJ Centanni, PE
Alfred Larson, PE
Brian Perry, PE
JEKM ENGINEERING: WARM SPRINGS GOLF COURSE GRILL + GOLF FACILITY
The Warm Springs Golf Course Golf + Grill renovation project was designed to elevate the patron experience, improve functionality, and drive revenue growth through key upgrades to the clubhouse and parking facilities. The expanded parking area increased capacity from 53,557 to 75,048 square feet, offering 144 spaces, including six handicap stalls, all laid out for easy navigation and optimized golf cart access. Structural design for the cart barn utilized timber materials to enhance its aesthetic appeal. To manage stormwater, a bioretention cell with flexible capacity options based on peak storm events was installed, utilizing a 1,000-gallon sediment box and an inlet catch basin to ensure effective sediment control and integration with the parking lot. This comprehensive renovation attracted more visitors, making the golf course a more valuable community asset and delivering a lasting return on investment for Boise through greater revenue and enhanced public engagement.
TEAM MEMBER(S)
Kelsey Cannon
DJ Gralenski Jr.
Shane Rosenthal
Nicole Wertzler
Lauren Wilder
FACULTY ADVISOR(S)
Robyn Mattison, PE
MENTOR(S)
Shane Brown, PE, SE
Harvin Flores, PE
WWRCG ENGINEERS: WARM SPRINGS GOLF COURSE GRILL + GOLF FACILITY
WWRCG was tasked with redesigning the existing Warm Springs Golf Course clubhouse, located along the greenbelt in Southeast Boise, Idaho. The goal of this project was to enhance the golf course’s functionality and environmental sustainability to better serve the Boise community. The key initiatives included parking lot expansion, optimizing the clubhouse layout, relocating and redesigning the cart barn, and adding a new putting green, all intended to improve community accessibility and elevate the overall player experience. Additionally, the integration of a new pond with a fountain contributed to the course’s aesthetics while supporting sustainable water management practices. Our mission throughout this project was to minimize environmental impact while expanding the golf course’s facilities to accommodate future growth. The project involved four key disciplines: Structural, Geotechnical, Transportation, and Land Development.
TEAM MEMBER(S)
Daniel Heck
Jaden Johnson
Joe Lathrop
Amanda Tuttle
FACULTY ADVISOR(S)
Eric Henderson, Ph.D.
AVALANCHE DATA LOGGING
PROJECT SPONSOR(S)
Snowbound SolutionsScott Havens
Snowbound Solutions is one of a few companies in the world which provide services to detect avalanches and notify subscribers in real time. At any given site with Snowbound technology, a network of seismic data logging arrays use infrasound technology to analyze the environment, and determine when there is an active avalanche. These data loggers used to send data packets through a long and expensive path before the real time data could be displayed on the web. By creating a new data transfer protocol and implementing AWS cloud technology, the data transfer process is now much quicker, as well as much cheaper.
COMPUTER SCIENCE
CS-2
TEAM MEMBER(S)
Xian Ma
Tyler Phothong
Kai Sorensen
EDI FILE READER APP
FACULTY ADVISOR(S)
Eric Henderson, Ph.D.
PROJECT SPONSOR(S)
Advanced Health ServicesChris Ferguson Adonis Jones
EDI file readers cost money and have less flexibility with formats for the IT department and clients at AHS. EDI+ is a desktop application designed for the IT department to have a free, no subscription software that can do what paid EDI file readers can do, but more tailored to the needs of AHS. EDI+ enables users to import, modify, and save EDI files, with its primary function being the parsing of EDI data into a readable format, such as JSON. This will cut costs for the company and allow an accessible reader using the specified EDI formats the company uses on a regular basis.
TEAM MEMBER(S)
Kaden Davis
CS-3
FACULTY ADVISOR(S)
Eric Henderson, Ph.D.
Emily Thelander Waylon Walsh
HYDROLINK AUTOMATED DATA TRANSFER
PROJECT SPONSOR(S)
Idaho Department of Environmental QualityDaniel Smith
The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) collects extensive water quality data through its Beneficial Use Reconnaissance Program (BURP), storing it in the Environmental Data Analysis System (EDAS). However, sharing this valuable data with the broader scientific community has been challenging. HydroLink 2.0 addresses this issue by expanding on the original HydroLink application, which automated the transfer of physio-chemistry data from EDAS to the EPA’s Water Quality Portal (WQP) via the Water Quality Exchange (WQX).
This project aimed to enhance HydroLink’s capabilities to include additional data types such as E. coli, benthic macroinvertebrate, fish, metrics, continuous temperature, and habitat data. By automating the transfer of these diverse datasets, HydroLink 2.0 will significantly improve the accessibility and interoperability of water quality information. This enhancement aligns with DEQ’s Data Sharing Strategic Action Plan and supports the principles of FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) data.
TEAM MEMBER(S)
Hunter Walp
Jake Lammers
Maya Murphy
FACULTY ADVISOR(S)
Eric Henderson, Ph.D.
INTEGRITY HEALTH RECORDS SUITE
The Electronic Health Record (EHR) Suite is an innovative digital platform designed to enhance the management and accessibility of patient information across healthcare settings. Featuring a user-friendly interface, the suite integrates clinical documentation, patient data management, and real-time information sharing to improve care coordination. By centralizing and streamlining data management, the EHR Suite aims to optimize operational efficiency.
PROJECT SPONSOR(S)
Integrity Mental HealthDaniel Dow
TEAM MEMBER(S)
Will England
Rachel Lawrence
Anthony Malang
Josh Martin
FACULTY ADVISOR(S)
Eric Henderson, Ph.D.
K-12 STEM FESTIVAL
PROJECT SPONSOR(S)
Boise State UniversityAdriana Facundo
The College of Engineering at Boise State University will host the 18th Annual Engineering and Science Festival on February 22, 2025. This event aims to inspire over 4,000 K-12 students and their families to explore STEM fields. To enhance the experience for attendees, our team is developing a mobilefriendly web application that provides a comprehensive solution for navigating the festival’s activities and campus facilities. The proposed platform will offer features such as internal building maps for session navigation, customizable schedules, filtering options by age and topic, and push notifications for real time updates. These interactive functionalities will replace the current static websites and provide a seamless experience for users. By integrating these features into a single, easy to use web application, the platform aims to improve user engagement, increase accessibility, and encourage repeat visits to the University. The enhanced website will serve as an essential tool for managing the event and fostering a deeper connection between Boise State University and the community.
TEAM MEMBER(S)
Andrew Bates
Axel Murillo
David Wise
FACULTY ADVISOR(S)
Eric Henderson, Ph.D.
MARGINALIA MAGIC
PROJECT SPONSOR(S)
Boise State UniversitySteven Olsen-Smith
Melville’s Marginalia Online (MMO) catalogs Herman Melville’s personal library, converting his handwritten notes and markings into a machine-readable digital format. This project continues to build on the work which began in Spring 2023 that will replace MMO’s outdated Adobe Flash/Flex markup editor with a more modern React-based editor. The updated editor will include features such as Optical Character Recognition (OCR) for text alignment, applying the API of the International Image Interoperability Framework (IIIF) web service, and restoration of missing features from the original Adobe Flash/Flex version. By integrating contemporary technologies and incorporating the user’s needs, the updated markup editor aims to streamline the editorial process and contribute to the long-term preservation of Melville’s literary annotations in a sustainable digital format.
TEAM MEMBER(S)
Jaden Dawdy
Dylan Murphey
Jacob Rausch
Amanda Stroud
FACULTY ADVISOR(S)
Eric Henderson, Ph.D.
MICRON GQ TRAIN WEB
PROJECT SPONSOR(S) Micron-
Curtis Hollingshead
Amanda Moore
The Micron GQ Train Web project aimed to create a complete onboarding application for new employees, improving the current system’s UI and functionality. The previous version, developed by a single team in 2021, lacks essential features for onboarding and learning modules. The new team will enhance the welcome page, navigation menu, and develop training module functionality, while also adding placeholders for messaging and maps. By the end of the semester, the project provided a more efficient onboarding process for new hires and make it easier for administrators to curate learning paths and group employees by skills.
TEAM MEMBER(S)
Ben Brindley
Pierce Rodriguez
Abbie Sarmento
Nolan Stetz
FACULTY ADVISOR(S)
Eric Henderson, Ph.D.
SENIOR DESIGN SHOWCASE PLANNING APP
PROJECT SPONSOR(S)
Boise State UniversityTim Andersen
The Design Showcase, hosted by the College of Engineering each semester, allows students to present their capstone projects. However, faculty overseeing these projects face challenges with the current manual data-entry system, which relies on an inefficient, error-prone online spreadsheet. This process becomes particularly burdensome for faculty managing large numbers of student teams, leading to planning delays and frustration. Our project proposed a web application that will streamline data entry and introduce tools to support event planning. By automating many tasks and offering a user-friendly interface, the app will reduce errors, save time, and improve the overall efficiency of organizing the event. This solution will enhance the experience for both faculty and organizers and could serve as a model for other academic departments facing similar challenges.
TEAM MEMBER(S)
Griffin Glover
Bella Sherman
Emma Shores
Samantha Wallace
ADAPTIVE SHOWER HEAD
FACULTY ADVISOR(S)
Courtney Hollar, Ph.D
Sue Latta
MENTOR(S)
Kevin Falk
This product is an adaptive shower head for people with limited motor function or for people that just want to speed up their showering process. It is designed with a lever that mixes your body wash with the regular water to dispense sudsy water through the shower head to alleviate the added steps of applying body wash and then washing it off.
PROJECT SPONSOR(S)
Jim Mhoon
TEAM MEMBER(S)
Matt Babicz
Marcus Linzbach
Charlie Strohm
BUTTON STOPS
FACULTY ADVISOR(S)
Courtney Hollar, Ph.D
Sue Latta
MENTOR(S)
Randy Geile
In this project our client, a teacher at Capital High School, asked us to work on a project for her class. She teaches kids who have multiple disabilities. In her classroom, she utilizes buttons as communication tools for three students with a variety of mental and physical handicaps. Due to limited and unpredictable motor functions of the students who use these buttons, they often hit the buttons off of its adjacent surface in an attempt to use them. Our client has tasked us with finding a way to keep these buttons secure to her classroom surfaces without using velcro. She has three students who use at most two buttons at a time so this product will have multiple units produced. While working on this project during the term, our team has gone through multiple iterations of working solutions, trying to find the best one.
PROJECT SPONSOR(S)
Capital High SchoolNikki Duncan
TEAM MEMBER(S)
Charles Dirk
Ian Durkin
FACULTY ADVISOR(S)
Courtney Hollar, Ph.D.
Sue Latta
PROJECT SPONSOR(S)
Interfaith SanctuaryBuzz Garcia
INTERFAITH SANCTUARY BIKE RACKS
Interfaith Sanctuary, a nonprofit organization that provides shelter to the homeless, has requested the design and creation of a series of bike racks that can be mounted to the sides of shipping containers that are on their property. While they eventually clarified that they wanted something simple, we have designed two different bike racks. The first type of bike rack meets Interfaith Sanctuary’s preferred design; a bike hook and an eye bolt to put a bike lock through. Due to how simple this design is, the second bike rack design, which will not be implemented at Interfaith Sanctuary, is more complex in design. Made of aluminum rods and bent and welded into shape, this design will provide more support to any bike put on it. This design also has a thicker U-bolt that will be stronger in comparison to the eye bolt.
TEAM MEMBER(S)
Stella Bristol
Peyton Elordi
Skyler Kichak
Noah Young
FACULTY ADVISOR(S)
Courtney Hollar, Ph.D.
Sue Latta
MENTOR(S)
Chris Dagher
Conner Patricelli
PROJECT SPONSOR(S)
Boise State UniversitySophia Theodossiou, Ph.D
SIMULATED MICROGRAVITY USING THREE DIMENSIONAL CLINOROTATION FOR CELL CULTURE EXPERIMENTS
Our client needs an improved device for simulating microgravity in a laboratory setting. Current commercial options are too expensive and lack customization. Our goal is to design an affordable device that fits within a cell incubator that can withstand the environment, weight constraints, and can accommodate multiple sample sizes. Microgravity is a state where gravity’s pull is so weak that it is almost non-existent. Imagine the sensation of an elevator dropping, where your body feels weightless. This is the feeling we hope to replicate in our cells that this machine is designed for.
This machine could open the door for microgravity based experiments in the Biomaterial and Musculoskeletal Engineering Lab in a host of different capacities. Such opportunities could crest a new dawn on many musculoskeletal disorders in spaceflight that have been largely uninvestigated.
TEAM MEMBER(S)
John Collier
Zach Bowen
Tate Bradley
Jade Wilcox
FACULTY ADVISOR(S)
Courtney Hollar, Ph.D.
Sue Latta
VIBRATORY POLISHER
MENTOR(S)
Griff Allen
This project focuses on the design of a midsize affordable vibratory polisher. This project’s original direction is aimed at enhancing efficiency in sanding, deburring, and polishing parts machined in the EIS. By using cost-effective materials, our team seeks to create an efficient device that minimizes the time spent cleaning parts. The polisher’s unique vibratory mechanism allows for even polishing of various materials, reducing the time it takes to process machined materials/parts. Our goal is to provide a small medium-sized tool with high-performing polishing solutions, ultimately decreasing the allocated time spent for other students working on their projects.
ENGINEERING PLUS EPLUS-6
TEAM MEMBER(S)
Ben Deboisblanc
Logan Tomolo
Ethan Varao
FACULTY ADVISOR(S)
Courtney Hollar, Ph.D.
Sue Latta
WHEELCHAIR CARRIAGE SYSTEM
MENTOR(S)
Kevin Falk
Randy Geile
PROJECT SPONSOR(S)
Stephen Pratt
We are designing a wheelchair carriage system for use on hiking trails in and around the Grand Canyon area, specifically the Bright Angel trail. Our client wants a system that is capable of lifting him and his chair up and over any obstacles that may be present in these environments. He will have a team of 4 men to help with this endeavor. Our client didn’t want possible in order to be man-portable by his acquaintances.
We decided to use 3⁄4” aluminum tubing to keep weight down and still maintain strength, and decided to use both cotter-pin based quick disconnects as well as wing-nut style clamps to facilitate ease of removal and reassembly. The overall shape and collapsible nature of this design allows for it and its subassemblies to be tied to or anchored to most recreational backpacks.
TEAM MEMBER(S)
ELECTRICAL AND COMPUTER ENGINEERING
ECE-1
Miguel Pacheco
Ty Pfost
Alayne Rice
FACULTY ADVISOR(S)
Brian Higgins
Benjamin Johnson, Ph.D.
PROJECT SPONSOR(S)
Boise State University-
Ben Johnson
Katherine Johnson
AUTOMATED MONITORING OF LAB MICE USING COMPUTER VISION AND MACHINE LEARNING
The use of lab mice in biomedical research is crucial for advancing medical treatments. Tracking their movement is essential for ensuring experimental validity and animal well-being. In response, Drs. Ben and Katie Johnson tasked our team with developing an automated monitoring system. Our solution employs a Raspberry Pi 5, equipped with a Camera Module 3 and a NOIR camera, which captures images of the mice. Using OpenCV and the You Only Look Once (YOLO) machine learning model, we identify movement by comparing consecutive images. If no movement is detected, a health alert is triggered, allowing for timely intervention. This non-invasive system enhances both animal welfare and experimental reliability.
ELECTRICAL AND COMPUTER ENGINEERING
ECE-2
TEAM MEMBER(S)
Josh Clayton
Lisa Cummings
Christopher Gustafson
Eli Niord
FACULTY ADVISOR(S)
Brian Higgins
Andres Valdepena, Ph.D.
MENTOR(S)
Andres Valdepena, Ph.D.
PROJECT SPONSOR(S) US Department of Energy
INTEGRATING SOLAR PLUS STORAGE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
Hosted by the US Department of Energy, the Solar District Cup Competition challenged our team to design, model, and present a comprehensive Photovoltaic (PV) solar plus battery storage system for the University of Florida (UFL). Utilizing commercially available modeling tools provided by the National Renewable Energy Lab (NREL), our team focused on a rooftop solar design to minimize disturbance to historical districts or the campus ecosystem. Our 200 kWh batteries are DC coupled with the PV modules and placed in two locations on the campus. Ultimately our 1.7 Megawatt (MW) solar design aims to offset peak demand, provide backup power to critical buildings, offset greenhouse gas emissions, and pay itself off in 15 years.
TEAM MEMBER(S)
Jack Caldwell (MBE)
Stephen Defillipo (MBE)
Jackie Stone (MBE)
Brian Cummings (ECE)
Gave Perez (ECE)
FACULTY ADVISOR(S)
Hannah O’Hern, Ph.D.
Brian Higgins
PROJECT SPONSOR(S)
Willowview Consulting LLCRyan Kahre
Jim Shaver
Jack Wiley
Makynzie Zimmer
AUTOMATING EFFICIENCY: REVOLUTIONIZING 3D PRINTING AT WILLOWVIEW LLC
Willowview LLC is an engineering consulting firm that serves a diverse clientele, ranging from small startups to large government agencies. The firm utilizes 3D printers for research and development, which currently require on-site personnel to monitor and manage the printing process—tasks that can be time-consuming. To enhance efficiency, we have developed an automated print removal device that seamlessly integrates with the 3D printer. This device removes finished prints from their foundations and clears them from the print area.
The accompanying web application enables users to queue, print, remove, and re-queue prints, effectively automating the collection process for 3D print jobs. This innovation allows for the simultaneous production of multiple prints, streamlining Willowview’s 3D printing workflow. Our goal is to significantly accelerate production timelines, enabling Willowview Consulting to deliver thoroughly tested products more efficiently to their clients.
TEAM MEMBER(S)
Zach Adams
Jackson Foster
Jesse Rayo
Edgar Perez
Gunnar Wickland
FACULTY ADVISOR(S)
Hannah O’Hern, Ph.D.
MENTOR(S) Wes Atkinson Scott Pentzer
PROJECT SPONSOR(S)
Challenged Athletes FoundationWilson Dippo
ACCESSIBLE PADDLE FOR PERSONS WITH PHYSICAL CHALLENGES
Currently, paddle sports are not easily accessible to individuals with low grip strength or limited use of one arm, making it challenging to hold or control paddles safely and effectively. The goal is to provide access to rafting that accommodates physical limitations while ensuring safety and ease of use. We are attempting to design a device requiring only one hand or arm to row and control a raft. This would give many people access to a sport that they would otherwise not be able to participate in. We are aiming to create accessibility for those with a new normal to have more independence in their world.
TEAM MEMBER(S)
Taylor Fackrell
Alexander Reische
Madison Long Berkeley Walker
FACULTY ADVISOR(S)
Hannah O’Hern, Ph.D.
PROJECT SPONSOR(S)
Boise State UniversityJim Browning, Ph.D.
AIR EVACUATION DEVICE FOR A COLD PLASMA CLEANING ARRAY
Boise State University’s PaVED Lab is developing a cold atmospheric plasma sanitization system for hospital disease control. Our team designed an air driver and recovery system to integrate with the PaVED lab’s plasma array, which requires laminar airflow of air or argon gas to generate a uniform array of charged particles for biofilm elimination on surfaces. To ensure safety, we incorporated an exhaust capture system to collect harmful particulates and ozone, protecting end users. This project serves as proof of concept for a technology that, with further refinement, could significantly reduce disease transmission in hospitals worldwide.
MECHANICAL AND BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING
MBE-3
TEAM MEMBER(S)
Sarah Corral
Chayanne Kooch
Aaron Morss
Evie Phillips
FACULTY ADVISOR(S)
Hannah O’Hern, Ph.D.
MENTOR(S)
Griff Allen
Chris Dagher
Alex Flink
Calvin Jones
PROJECT SPONSOR(S)
Boise State UniversitySophia Theodossiou, Ph.D.
BENCHTOP BIOLOGICAL TENSILE AND COMPRESSION TESTING SYSTEM
The Biomaterial & Musculoskeletal Engineering Lab at Boise State University requested a benchtop load frame to test their biological samples in tension and compression to ensure their mechanical properties match the desired native tissues. To accommodate a wide range of sample sizes and shapes, universal grips and platens are utilized. The material properties of proprietary biological materials created in the lab will vary greatly, meaning multiple interchangeable load cells are needed to correctly test these samples. The force data from these load cells, along with speed data from the linear actuator, will be utilized to obtain each sample’s structural and material properties such as stress and strain rate. In addition, the device must be biocompatible, meaning it will not interfere with the sample being tested in any way.
MECHANICAL AND BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING
MBE-4
TEAM MEMBER(S)
Oliver Brien
Camden Chandler
Gavin Pickens
Ethan Robertson
FACULTY ADVISOR(S)
Hannah O’Hern, Ph.D.
PROJECT SPONSOR(S)
Boise State UniversityConner Patricelli, Ph.D.
INNOVATIVE LAB FOR INTERNAL FLOW ANALYSIS
The ME 313 Experimental Methods Lab at Boise State University is a class for learning design, implementation, analysis, and reporting engineering experiments while comparing theoretical and experimental results. The lab is changing, with several labs being phased out, creating a need for new ones. To address this, our team surveyed students and identified a gap in hands-on experience with fluid mechanics — a fundamental concept in the Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering curriculum. In response, we designed a new lab requiring students to develop internal flow systems and determine ways to improve them. This lab deepens their understanding of internal flow and mirrors real-world engineering challenges, providing practical experience that will benefit them in their future careers.
TEAM MEMBER(S)
Kolton Andrews
Mataello Cota
Clint French
Mitchel Manning
FACULTY ADVISOR(S)
Hannah O’Hern, Ph.D.
PROJECT SPONSOR(S)
Boise State Cycle Learning CenterToji Sakamoto
SPOKE TENSION METER CALIBRATION DEVICE
At the Boise State Cycle Learning Center, bike mechanics encounter challenges when measuring bicycle spoke tension accurately. Existing tools, such as the Park Tool Tension Meter, often lose calibration over time, leading to unreliable readings that can compromise bike safety and performance. To address this issue, our team has developed a portable spoke tension calibration device designed to streamline the calibration process for various spoke types, including straight, tapered, and J-bend spokes. Our innovative device features an intuitive system for precise measurements, allowing mechanics to recalibrate their tools efficiently and effectively. By focusing on the needs of local bike shops, this solution enhances the overall efficiency of bicycle maintenance in our community, ensuring that cyclists receive safe and reliable service.
TEAM MEMBER(S)
Kaleb Barnhart
Trace Ellenz
Tanner Moss
Tom Woolf
FACULTY ADVISOR(S)
Hannah O’Hern, Ph.D.
PROJECT SPONSOR(S)
Engineering Innovation StudioGriff Allen
THERMOPLASTIC RECYCLING PRESS
The Engineering Innovation Studio (EIS) at Boise State University faces a challenge with 3D printer plastic waste. Our team has designed a thermoplastic press to address this issue. The press is capable of melting various thermoplastics up to 300°C into usable molded parts or machinable bricks. The device meets requirements for recycling ABS, HDPE, PLA, and PETG. The press fits within a small footprint, runs on standard 120V power, and has a melting bed suitable for molding large parts. The design incorporates lead screws for precise control, cartridge heaters for even heating, and a robust insulated frame to ensure safe use for students. By transforming waste into valuable resources this project aims to inspire future students to embrace environmentally sustainable designs.
