Student Design Teams Reorganize and Redirect

Two mechanical engineering senior design teams’ mission to bring Tesla-like efficiency to the water took a dive when classes went virtual.

Gas-powered boat engines cause many problems for the environment. The noise of a gaspowered engine can disrupt marine ecosystems, and because the engines use fossil fuels, they directly contribute to man-made climate change. The two teams, led by Alex Stickel and Joseph Canlas, started their more environmentally friendly designs in the fall semester as part of a yearlong senior design project. Their mission was to build the hull of a ship and an electric propulsion system to create a fuel-efficient design that could compete in the American Society of Naval Engineers’ (ASNE) annual competition, Promoting Electrical Propulsion for Small Craft Initiative. Their project was also sponsored by ASNE. After the fall semester ended, the hull and propulsion teams decided on their final designs. “On the hull side, we ended up choosing a skinny trimaran main hull with two branches shooting off of it,” says Stickel. “Ultimately, for the propulsion system, we decided to convert a gas outboard power unit to an electrically run system,” says Canlas.

A view from East Potomac Park of the Washington Monument, bridge, marina, and commercial buildings with reflections of Washington, D.C. Stock photo

Associate Professor Leigh McCue (center) with the team as they were setting up to 3D-print a mold for their hull at the MIX before campus closed. Photo provided The Washington Marina had donated an outboard system to the propulsion team to convert, and the hull team had finished setting up their 3D printer so they could start bringing their designs to life. Both teams were at pivotal points in their projects before spring break when classes went virtual. The hull team was one day from starting 3D printing, while the propulsion team was almost finished manufacturing and ready to move on to testing their propulsion system on a canoe.

“The 3D printing was going to take the longest and was the part we were most excited about, to see our virtual designs materialize,” says Stickel. “It was pretty disheartening. Our assembled 3D printer and our parts are all just sitting, waiting to be used.” Undeterred by their disappointment, the team adjusted to their new normal and was eager to show how hard they worked all year on this project. “Organization has been a huge part of how we deal with things. Reorganizing and taking time to figure out what the next steps were and having active communication was key to this transition,” says Canlas. “Situations don’t stay steady; they are always dynamic and changing. This is a lesson in leadership,” says Nathan Kathir, associate professor and head of the senior design capstone class for mechanical engineering. “This was the best outcome I can think of,” says Stickel. “This is a very serious virus, and while it’s sad that we won’t be able to deliver the product to our sponsor, this is the responsible choice.”

—Ryley McGinnis