Mechanical Engineering Senior Design News
2023 Department and Grand Prize Winner: RUST-EEZE
Team Members
Nathan Vincent, Devon Carter, Brandy Mejia, Michael Segura, Katie Page, Grafton Conger, Grayson Wehking.
Project Description
The goal of the project is to produce an electric vehicle that is powered by a Stirling engine. Stirling engines can be used for waste heat recovery which is useful in recapturing energy losses to generate power that will increase the efficiency of a process. Stirling engines have the capability to be extremely efficient in comparison to gasoline and diesel engines.
The team's goal is to design and produce a drivable hybrid vehicle with a Stirling engine that is capable of generating enough power to keep up with the demand from an electric motor that will be driving the vehicle while sustaining the vehicle at 10 Mph.
Interdisciplinary Winner: Bahama Mamas
Team Members
Caleb Cook (Team Captain), Ryan Smith (Team Captain), Jacob Bridgers (Team Captain), Roberto Martinez, Ivan Martinez, Mayra Sevilla, Beau Hatcher, Miles Herbst, Natalie Poulin, Tristan Meleton, Colton Cleveland, Victor Gomez, Luke Morreale, Dawson Askew
Project Description
The SAE Baja competition is an annual competition where universities from around the nation compete to design and fabricate a mini-Baja to race in one of several races. Our race is being held on May 4th-7th in Oshkosh, Wisconsin where our team will travel to demonstrate our completed Baja in several different events.
The competition will consist of a four-hour endurance race, a mobility course, and a sled pull. In addition to the physical competition, teams must demonstrate their abilities during a business presentation in front of a panel of judges, creating a full bill of materials, and a design review.
We have fabricated our frame from the ground up made of 4130 steel and will be powered by a 14 horsepower Kohler engine. Our Baja will be four-wheel drive utilizing front and rear differentials off of a 2015 Polaris Ranger 900 XP.