Electrical Engineering (1st)
These projects are at the midpoint of a two-semester sequence. They are not complete.
E1.01 Radiation-Tolerant Crew Laptop
Sponsor: NASA TSGC
Student Team: Aiden Bachmeyer, Daniyar Boztayev, John Gellerup, Alex Johnston, Josh Muniga, Hunter Savage-Pierce
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Rich Compeau
NASA is seeking a solution to the problems that ionizing radiation poses to digital electronics in space. The High-Performance Space Computer is a radiation-tolerant processor based on the RISC-V instruction set architecture. Our project is to design the motherboard for a crew laptop utilizing a RISC-V-based processor. The design will be modular so subsystems can be changed without sending a replacement laptop into space. The processor will run a Linux operating system and the laptop will be capable of utilizing a wide range of peripherals.
E1.02 L3 Energy
Sponsor: David Sanchez, TRC
Student Team: Lisette Lugo, Lilly Martinez, Luke Scarpato
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Billy Diong
This project evaluates the integration of a 5 MW solar generator into a 24 kV distribution system for a local municipality. It assesses impacts on voltage levels, short-circuit capacity, and system stability, identifying violations and proposing mitigation strategies. We conduct load flow, short-circuit, and flicker analysis to ensure reliable, safe operation. This study supports the adoption of renewable energy while ensuring grid stability and efficiency.
E1.03 Texas State Sunbeams: Power Distribution Analysis
Sponsor: TRC
Student Team: Musa Khalaf, Anna Collingwood, Nick Merritt, Sarah Ortiz
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Billy Diong
Our project focuses on studying the interconnection of a 5MW solar generator with a 24kV distribution system. Using a model of a provided distribution system, we will perform simulations to analyze both the pre- and post-project conditions, assessing impacts like power flow, short circuit behavior, and flicker voltage fluctuation. Our goal is to identify and resolve any system violations to ensure a successful integration of the generator.
E1.04 Lunar Concrete Mixer
Sponsor: Nasa Minds & The Ingram Hall Makerspace
Student Team: Ali Kobeissi, Joni McCawley, Tyler Nuckols, Daniela Salazar
Faculty Advisor: Mr. Mark Welker
Our Lunar Concrete Mixer is designed for the production of geopolymer concrete “moon bricks” using lunar regolith simulant. Building on the NASA MINDS team’s prior achievements, this project has evolved into a fully integrated mechanical and electrical system that enables concrete fabrication directly from a rover. Our electrical team’s goal is to revamp the control system to improve device integration, including the implementation of sensors and a user interface. By combining virtual control with physical wiring solutions, this innovative approach will significantly enhance lunar construction experimentation.
E1.05 Satellite Antenna Array
Sponsor: Ingram School of Engineering
Student Team: Miguel Montes, Carson Harville, Alec Prescott, Miguel Trujillo
Faculty Advisor: Mr. Mark Welker
Our project is an antenna array that enables communication with Texas State University (TXST) satellites in low-Earth orbit. It receives narrowband signals from satellites, transmits data and instructions, and performs reliably even under hazardous weather conditions. This is important because it equips TXST with the ability to engage in satellite communications, fostering the development of its space research community. According to NASA, having a ground-based antenna to communicate with satellites enables “…students, teachers, and faculty to obtain hands-on flight hardware design, development, and build[ing] experience.”
E1.06 Ouroboros Guitar Looper Pedal
Sponsor: Ingram School of Engineering
Student Team: Kyle Ratcliff, David Landeros, Renee Aguilar, Brandon Markham
Faculty Advisor: Mr. Mark Welker
Our project is a 9V battery powered guitar looper pedal equipped with an OLED display and 12-bit audio capability. It allows users to record loops up to 5 minutes in length with unlimited overdubs and undo/redo actions for real-time modification. Up to 10 loop sessions can be saved and played back later. Additionally, users can save, import, and export recordings to and from the pedal. Built around the Daisy Seed microcontroller, the “Ouroboros” provides an affordable, open-source alternative to traditional pedals on the market.
E1.07 The Artistic Automaton
Sponsor: Ingram School of Engineering
Student Team: Jamal Close, Paul Henson, Nick Whipple, Iris Okoro
Faculty Advisor: Mr. Jeffrey Stevens
A robotic arm that uses an ESP32 to process images captured by a phone. The images are converted into vectors, which are then used to control the arms movement. This allows the robotic arm to accurately replicate the visual data. This system integrates image processing techniques to achieve precise control over the arm. Its design offers efficient, automated motion based on real-world images.
E1.08 Artist Robot
Sponsor: Ingram School of Engineering
Student Team: Cade Conville, Tyler Davis, Ryan Linden, Vikas Somayajula
Faculty Advisor: Mr. Jeffrey Stevens
The Artist Robot is a valuable tool that can help enhance creativity and engagement and it can be used as an educational tool. Having an autonomous arm that can capture everyday moments from events, gatherings, or even personal experiences and transform them into unique pieces of art, which to some can be priceless. This would allow individuals to express themselves creativity by also preserving memories in a visually engaging way, deepening their connection to those experiences.
E1.09 S.R.N. Robotics
Sponsor: Ingram School of Engineering
Student Team: Samuel Winburn, Nadia Al-Shewear, Rogelio Lucio
Faculty Advisor: Mr. Jeffrey Stevens
Our project is an autonomous robot that can compete in a sumo match, tug-of-war, push, and pull event. Its ability to perform these tasks by executing the navigation objectives while staying within the bounds of the field. For the sumo match and block push, the robot will find the object it needs to push, reorient itself, and push the object to the edge of the sumo ring. This is important because designing a robot to detect and move obstacles autonomously can provide scientists with research opportunities and help first responders save people’s lives in hostile environments.
E1.10 Push-Pull Bot
Sponsor: Ingram School of Engineering
Student Team: Michael VanGaasbeek, Ira Wilson, Edgardo Mireles
Faculty Advisor: Mr. Jeffrey Stevens
Our project is an autonomous Push-Pull Bot designed to navigate competition fields, detect objects, and participate in tug-of-war and sumo-style tournaments efficiently. The bot detects boundaries, recognizes objects using sensors, and optimizes motor functions for pushing or pulling. Advanced navigation algorithms like obstacle avoidance, boundary detection, and path optimization ensure smooth movement and real-time adaptability to competition challenges