Engineering's Student Design Showcase is May 2

Design Showcase includes opportunities to interact with the projects students have developed.

Virtual reality, artificial intelligence, mechanical devices, predictive modeling systems and chemical processes are among innovative projects featured at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln College of Engineering’s annual Senior Design Showcase, 1:30-4 p.m. May 2 in Kiewit Hall.

Nebraska’s premiere undergraduate engineering student design event will have more than 80 teams of graduating seniors participating. Their projects reflect real-world professional challenges, environments and, in some cases, collaborations with industry clients to develop products and devices that could have immediate impact; many are sponsored by national and international industry partners and by local organizations.

Four students sit at a large table working on a project involving multiple tripods. — MECH majors Isaac Thomas, Marshall Lanka, Matthew Preuss, Shane Melcher. The Adaptive Tennis team aims to create a system that allow individuals with physical disabilities (multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s, injuries, etc.) to engage in some controlled sporting activity via a simulator using a projector displaying a target onto a white board that a tennis ball will be thrown at.

Among the projects on display will be:

A design and prototype of a rapid, efficient heating device to use in hematology testing. The project is sponsored by Streck.
SIGNAL, a safety system to improve emergency response times for rural vehicular accidents, using sensors mounted on guardrails that will alert first-responding agencies in remote areas.
Adaptive devices that can help people with disabilities participate in sports – a simulator with “batting screen” to replicate the experience of a baseball game, and a system that allows individuals with physical disabilities to play tennis.
A shelf load test system to test maximum ratings on shelves used in retail chain stores. The project is sponsored by Lozier.
A predictive modeling system, using machine learning, artificial intelligence and data analytics to help prevent injuries in the manufacturing, construction and warehouse sectors. The project is sponsored by Hinco.
Development of a TARS device as part of a NASA Softgoods project to allow astronauts on an extra-vehicular mission to repair and enhance protective shells of aerospace structures.
An interactive mobile truck-driving simulator using virtual reality to allow users to explore a virtual truck shop, enhancing outreach of the Nebraska Trucking Association to high school students and young adults.

The showcase, where team members will demonstrate and discuss their projects, is free and open to the public. Guests are encouraged to vote for their favorite project at the People’s Choice Award voting station.

Find more information on the College of Engineering Senior Design Showcase online.