ME1.01 Vibration and Acoustic Sensing System for Manual Milling
Sponsor: Ingram Hall Makerspace (IHM)
Student Team: Logan Cooper, Camden Henry, Luke Thibodeaux, James Villines
Project Advisor(s): Dr. Shuvodeep De
Faculty Instructor: Dr. Yang Gao
Our mission is to design and build a sensor-based system that captures vibration and acoustic data from the manual milling machines in the Ingram Hall Makerspace. Using hard-wired sensors, the system will collect this data in real time during machining and store it for analysis. This data will be used to predict machining outcomes such as surface finish and tool wear, and to explore what other aspects of the process it can reveal. The system will operate safely alongside the machines without interfering with their use, giving makerspace users a platform for understanding and improving the machining process.
ME1.02 T Shirt Cannon
Sponsor: Ingram School of Engineering (ISoE)
Student Team: John Adams, Sean Ballard, Dylan Carter, Eythyn Moore
Project Advisor(s): Dr. Md Imrul Reza Shishir
Faculty Instructor: Dr. Yang Gao
The project objective is to design and develop a reliable, safe, and high performance T shirt launcher for use at Texas State University events. The system will be designed to provide consistent launching performance while remaining easy to operate, transport, and maintain. BOOM CATS will combine functionality, durability, and school spirit to create an engaging system capable of efficiently distributing T shirts to crowds at sporting events and other university activities.
ME1.03 Inert Powder Round Production System
Sponsor: NL Enterprises, LLC
Student Team: Fred Brown, Leigh Dubcak, Braden Hopkins, Cade McCaffrey, Gabriel Moreau
Project Advisor(s): Mr. Bradley Safranske
Faculty Instructor: Dr. Yang Gao
This project focuses on the design and development of a payload loading system that ensures consistent loading and proper dispersion of inert payload materials. The system will be engineered to improve loading accuracy, repeatability, and overall deployment performance. Testing will be used to evaluate how the loading process affects payload distribution and dispersion. The goal is to create a reliable and efficient system that produces consistent results.
ME1.04 C.A.T. (Celestial Asteroid Traversal) Crawler
Sponsor: NASA Psyche Mission & NASA - Texas Space Grant Consortium (TSGC)
Student Team: Kaylee Crank, Bailey Earl, Jillian Grubenhoff, Alinah Jones, Jasmine Rawles
Project Advisor(s): Dr. Leah Ginsberg
Faculty Instructor: Dr. Yang Gao
As part of the NASA Psyche Exploration Mission, this project aims to develop a mechanical drive system for a rover capable of traversing an unpredictable microgravity environment. The design must address the unique challenges posed by the asteroid's terrain while ensuring reliable mobility, effective traction, structural stability, and system modularity. The scope of this project includes the design, modeling, and performance evaluation of the drive system to determine its effectiveness in supporting reliable rover functionality on Psyche.
ME1.05 Automated Deburring System
Sponsor: Hunt & Hunt
Student Team: Jaima Ibnat Joyee, Ishmum Tihami, Alvan Arib Khan, Imani Ernest
Project Advisor(s): Dr. Austin Talley
Faculty Instructor: Dr. Yang Gao
Our project focuses on improving Hunt & Hunt’s automated deburring process for CNC-machined oilfield components. The current system uses abrasive brushes to remove burrs and clean internal surfaces, but the primary deburring brush develops grime buildup and must be replaced frequently. Our team is developing a cleaning method that can maintain brush performance and extend its usable life during long production runs. The final solution will be designed to integrate with the existing robotic workcell while maintaining part quality, minimizing downtime, and reducing manual intervention.
ME1.06 Development of an Optimized Pressure Hydraulic Actuator for Water Trucks
Sponsor: Holt Manufacturing
Student Team: Brendan Ross, Jacob Constancio, Gabriel Nino, Donavan Brown
Project Advisor(s): Dr. Ying-Kuan Tsai
Faculty Instructor: Dr. Yang Gao
The goal of this project is to design, build, and validate an optimized hydraulic actuator for controlling large butterfly valves used on HOLT Spray King water trucks. The new actuator should provide reliable operation across the truck’s available hydraulic pressure range while reducing cost and improving manufacturability compared with existing commercial solutions.
ME1.07 TXST T-shirt Launcher
Sponsor: Ingram School of Engineering (ISoE)
Student Team: Hector Gutierrez, Anthony Nguyen, Kishan Sah, Matthew Everett
Project Advisor(s): Dr. Roya Salehzadeh
Faculty Instructor: Dr. Yang Gao
Design, manufacture, and test an innovative T-shirt launching system for use at TXST athletic and campus events. Instead of a standard T-shirt launcher, the team will explore creative approaches to safely and reliably launch shirts a set distance, with careful attention to loading, aiming, and safety. The final design will be easy to expand for future improvements and will excite crowds while showcasing pride in TXST and the Mechanical Engineering program.
ME1.08 TXST T-Shirt Launcher
Sponsor: Ingram School of Engineering (ISoE)
Student Team: Braden Case, Gwen Goman, Jehosaf Perez Beltran, and Diana Torres-Nieves
Project Advisor(s): Dr. Aung Myat
Faculty Instructor: Dr. Yang Gao
Our mission is to design and build an innovative T-shirt launcher to bring Bobcat energy to Texas State University events. The launcher will be engineered to launch T-shirts consistently and accurately into the crowd while prioritizing the safety of both the operator and audience. The design will reflect Texas State pride and create an engaging fan experience. Through this project, our team combines creativity, mechanical engineering principles, and hands-on design to showcase the innovation and capabilities of the Texas State Mechanical Engineering program.
ME1.09 TXST T-shirt Launcher
Sponsor: Ingram School of Engineering (ISoE)
Student Team: Hussein Al Mamoori, Tristan Bormann ,Yigit Kilic, Owen Kupfer
Project Advisor(s): Dr. Abdullah Alfarhan
Faculty Instructor: Dr. Yang Gao
Our team is reimagining the traditional T-shirt cannon to create a safer, more powerful, and more exciting game-day experience at Texas State. The redesigned launcher will feature an updated TXST design and improved capabilities. Using feedback from fans and operators, we aim to create a reliable, exciting launcher that is unmistakably TXST.
ME1.10 Smart Sediment Trap
Sponsor: Ingram School of Engineering (ISoE)
Student Team: Connor Buckley, Alec Dives, Hope Buress, Dominick Trejo, Gael Juarez Diaz
Project Advisor(s): Dr. Natnael Negash
Faculty Instructor: Dr. Yang Gao
A smart sediment filtration system designed to remove garnet and turbidity from waterjet wastewater. It aims for smart monitoring and semi-autonomous operation. Removal of contaminants can allow for disposal directly down the drain in line with environmental health and safety standards
ME1.11 Bobcat Racing Braking System and Test rig
Sponsor: Bobcat Racing
Student Team: Phoenix Lamont, Josh Del Bosque, Sterling Moss, Luis Cruz, Ifechi Diwe
Project Advisor(s): Dr. Sevan Gonezen
Faculty Instructor: Dr. Yang Gao
This project focuses on the design of the braking system intended for itegration into the next generation competition vehicle for Bobcat Racing in FSAE, engineered to deliver adequate and consistent brake pressure across all wheels. The second is a standalone dynamic testing rig capable of independently evaluating braking system components without requiring vehicle installation. Together, these deliverables aim to reduce development time, cost, and labor while establishing a more streamlined and repeatable process for braking system design validation in future vehicle programs.
ME1.12 UAV-Based Powder Delivery System
Sponsor: NL Enterprises, LLC
Student Team: Zyle Nance, Stephen Langley, Ryan Kirk, Elizabeth Cimics
Project Advisor(s): Dr. Khosrow Ebrahimi
Faculty Instructor: Dr. Yang Gao
This project focuses on the design and development of a drone and integrated payload delivery system capable of dispersing powder for various applications. The system will utilize 40 mm rounds to deliver payloads accurately and efficiently. Potential applications include fire suppression and counter-unmanned aircraft systems (C-UAS). The goal is to develop a purpose-built drone capable of deploying interchangeable payloads for different mission requirements.
ME1.13 Smooth Bore Directional Delivery System
Sponsor: NL Enterprises, LLC
Student Team: Pete Caranikas, Zachary Colosky, Dylan Depew, Luke Liesmann
Project Advisor(s): Dr. Karim Heinz Muci-Kuchler
Faculty Instructor: Dr. Yang Gao
This team will develop and design a projectile to be fired though a smooth bore 37mm flare launcher. This projectile will by means of stabilization and or deployment method deliver its payload on target. Payloads to be either powder training or counter UAS materials using company supplied airburst technology.
ME1.14 Benchtop Tissue Model for Endobariatric Training
Sponsor: Boston Scientific
Student Team: Nikko Ornelas, Matthew Reyes, Sam Utay, Austin Vandehey
Project Advisor(s): Dr. Alireza Mohammad Karim
Faculty Instructor: Dr. Yang Gao
This project focuses on the design, prototyping, and validation of an improved benchtop stomach model for training physicians and other users in endobariatric procedures, including Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty (ESG). Building upon an existing synthetic stomach model, the design will improve durability, anatomical positioning, ease of use, and overall training realism. The system will support clinically relevant orientations, including left lateral and supine positions, while providing an enclosure that encourages visualization through the endoscope during training. The design will also maintain sufficient modularity to support future stomach geometries, tissue variations, and additional endobariatric training applications.