PROJECTS

Project Overview: The project aims to address the significant challenges faced by wheelchair users in air travel, ensuring they can stay in their own wheelchairs throughout the flight with dignity and safety. Sponsored by Boeing, this project will explore and propose solutions for accommodating wheelchairs in commercial aircraft, in line with future regulations as highlighted by U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, who stated, "No other form of transportation - trains, busses, boats - requires you to give up your mobility device when you board. The same ought to be true of airlines. So, in the months and years ahead, we plan to record a new rule that will allow passengers to stay in their personal wheelchairs when they fly." The project will cover aspects such as aircraft design, seat module development, retrofitting older planes, and improving the booking process for accessible seating. 

Recruitment Needs: The team seeks students with interests and skills in mechanical engineering, industrial design, human factors, disability studies, and public health. Ideal candidates will have a passion for inclusive design and accessibility, as well as experience or interest in regulatory compliance and aircraft modification. 

Why Join? 

• Make a Difference: Contribute to groundbreaking work that can transform air travel for wheelchair users, enhancing their independence and dignity. 
• Hands-On Experience: Gain practical experience in designing and proposing solutions for real-world problems in the aerospace industry. 
• Collaborative Innovation: Work with a diverse team of students and industry experts, including sponsors from Boeing and other key stakeholders, to develop inclusive and innovative solutions. 

Project Overview: By fusing computer vision and machine learning, the team aims to revolutionize plant biology and agricultural research. The goal is to develop a system for automatic image collection, processing, and analysis to monitor and predict plant growth in controlled environments. 

Recruitment Needs: The team seeks individuals with a background in plant sciences and those interested in improving the FarmBot data collection system or developing new systems. Students interested in business and economics will be able to study the implications of this technology for the future of agriculture in the Commonwealth!

Why Join? 

• Contribute to innovative agricultural research. 
• Utilize advanced computer vision and machine learning techniques. 
• Engage in a project with significant implications for plant physiology and breeding programs. 

Project Overview: The VT Hydroponics Team is working to enhance and scale an automated nutrient management system for hydroponics. This system aims to ensure optimal plant growth through precise, automated nutrient delivery, remote monitoring, and environmental management. 

Recruitment Needs: The team needs students with electrical engineering skills for wiring pumps and sensors, and those with plant science knowledge to optimize materials and designs for plant growth. 

Why Join? 

• Work on cutting-edge agricultural technology. 
• Develop skills in automation, remote monitoring, and environmental control. 
• Contribute to sustainable and efficient food production. 

Project Overview: RNA Technologies is creating GobbleBot, the autonomous food delivery robot of the future. The team focuses on revolutionizing food delivery with advanced robotics—for Hokies by Hokies!

Recruitment Needs: The team is looking for business, marketing, and communication majors to lead outreach efforts, secure funding, and connect with stakeholders. No technical knowledge is required—just a willingness to learn!

Why Join? 

• Be part of an innovative, forward-thinking team. 
• Develop skills in business development and communication. 
• Help bring a cutting-edge product to market. 

Project Overview: This project with the DREAMS Lab invites curious and hard-working students from any major to explore the exciting potential of wire arc additive manufacturing (DED-Arc) for creating conductive parts. The goal is to determine if a wire arc additive manufactured part can carry electricity, and if successful, to design innovative shapes and features that push the boundaries of this technology. With immense potential applications, this project offers a unique opportunity to engage in interdisciplinary design that integrates creative and technical perspectives. Students will gain hands-on experience in metal 3D printing and contribute to groundbreaking advancements in the field.

Recruitment Needs: We are seeking students with a passion for innovation, creativity, and a willingness to learn. No prior experience with 3D printing or DED-Arc is required, but students who are eager to engage in hands-on research, design, and problem-solving are highly encouraged to apply. Related areas include 3D printing, physical design, additive manufacturing, and characterizing conductive traces and developing wire schematics to power simple electronic systems. This project is open to all majors, and students must be able to travel to the off-campus DREAMS Lab at 3101 Commerce St. Students focused on the arts and industrial design are encouraged to apply!

Why Join?

• Hands-On Learning: Gain practical experience with wire arc additive manufacturing equipment, an exciting addition to your resume and a standout topic in interviews.
• Innovative Design: Be part of a creative team pushing the limits of metal 3D printing technology.
• Real-World Impact: Contribute to a project with immense potential applications in various fields, from engineering to design and beyond.

Project Overview: Burnout among undergraduate students is a critical issue across American institutions, contributing to high dropout rates. At Virginia Tech, anecdotal evidence indicates a significant ‘Mid-Year Slump’ during the sophomore and junior years, marked by decreased motivation, loss of confidence, and academic disillusionment. This project aims to gather comprehensive data through surveys and interviews to understand the underlying causes of this burnout and develop strategies to support student well-being and retention. 

Recruitment Needs: The team seeks students with skills in data analysis, survey design, psychology, and social sciences. Ideal candidates will have experience in conducting interviews, analyzing qualitative data, and a passion for improving student mental health and academic success. Additionally, students with backgrounds in education, public health, and statistics are highly valued. 

Why Join? 

• Make a Difference: Contribute to research that addresses a critical issue affecting student well-being and academic success. 
• Hands-On Experience: Gain practical skills in data collection, survey design, and qualitative analysis. 
• Collaborative Innovation: Work with a diverse team of students and faculty to develop comprehensive strategies for mitigating burnout and enhancing the undergraduate experience. 

Project Overview: Many large venues, such as concert halls and classrooms, require microphones for proper voice amplification, which can be costly and inconvenient, especially with audience interaction. The Phased Array Microphone system aims to eliminate handheld microphones by using an array of microphones at the venue's end. Utilizing simple trigonometry, algebra, and data manipulation, this system amplifies targeted voices and cancels unwanted sounds, creating an inexpensive and automated microphone system. 

Recruitment Needs: The team is seeking students with skills in signal processing, acoustics, and data manipulation to help develop and refine the microphone array system. 

Why Join? 

• Innovate audio amplification technology. 
• Work on a practical solution for real-world applications. 
• Collaborate with a team dedicated to making a significant impact in public speaking and event management. 

Project Overview: RoboGrinder is an undergraduate engineering design team at Virginia Tech competing in the prestigious RoboMaster University League (RMUL) 3v3 & 1v1 competitions across North America. This international competition challenges students to design and build terrestrial and aerial robots, either teleoperated or fully autonomous. Team members tackle complex mechanical, electrical, programming, and computer vision problems, fostering innovation and technical excellence while learning from global peers. 

Recruitment Needs: The team consists of students with skills in mechanical design, electrical engineering, programming, networking, and sensor development. Ideal candidates will have experience in robotics and a passion for solving multidisciplinary challenges.

Why Join? 

• Compete at the Cutting Edge: Design and build advanced robots for international competitions, applying classroom knowledge to real-world problems. 
• Hands-On Experience: Develop practical skills in robotics, programming, networking, and engineering from day one. 
• Collaborative Culture: Work in a diverse team environment, enhancing communication and teamwork skills across cultures, and benefit from mentorship pathways and knowledge transfer from senior members. 
• Innovative Goals: Participate in building prototype designs, creating competition playing-fields for testing, and expanding into more international competitions in the coming years. 

Project Overview: The team’s mission is to create an AI-driven product that serves marginalized groups and educates both academics and professionals about hate speech on social media. By analyzing sentiment in thousands of Reddit posts, the project aims to measure negativity and track changes during significant social events. 

Recruitment Needs: The team is looking for students proficient in AI and Python, particularly those experienced with large language models (LLMs). Additionally, there is a need for talent in front-end or full-stack development for a planned web extension. A graduate student with expertise in this field would provide valuable guidance. 

Why Join? 

• Make a real-world impact by addressing social issues. 
• Develop cutting-edge AI and web technologies.
• Collaborate with a diverse, passionate team. 

Project Overview: With increasing automation in everyday life, the need for secure, convenient, and accessible smart home ecosystems is critical. The SMART project aims to create a self-contained smart home system that manages and stores all data locally. This system prioritizes user convenience and security without requiring complex assembly or sacrificing privacy. The team plans to enhance the existing system, add new features, and develop a broader range of devices. 

Recruitment Needs: The team is looking for students interested in electrical engineering for device wiring and circuitry and those with a background in cybersecurity to ensure system security and reliability. The team is also looking for business, marketing, and communication majors to lead outreach efforts, secure funding, and connect with stakeholders.

Why Join? 

• Contribute to the future of smart home technology. 
• Develop skills in electrical engineering and cybersecurity. 
• Be part of a project that enhances quality of life and energy efficiency. 

Project Overview: Provisur is a leader in manufacturing industrial food processing equipment, renowned for delivering innovative solutions that optimize bacon pressing, scanning, and slicing. This project aims to develop a sustainable alternative material to pork bellies used for testing new technologies and troubleshooting existing equipment. By studying the properties of pork bellies, such as temperature, meat consistency, and composition, the project seeks to reduce waste and provide a more ethical solution for machine testing. 

Recruitment Needs: The team is seeking students with an interest in material science, food science, and mechanical engineering. Ideal candidates will have skills in studying material properties, learning machine operation, and conducting data acquisition and analysis. Experience with instrumentation and willingness to engage in hands-on research are highly valued. 

Why Join? 

• Innovate with Industry Leaders: Work with Provisur's cutting-edge technology to revolutionize bacon processing. 
• Hands-On Experience: Gain practical skills in machine operation, data acquisition, and material testing. 
• Sustainable Impact: Contribute to developing a sustainable solution that reduces waste and enhances ethical practices in food processing. 

Project Overview: Provisur is a global leader in manufacturing industrial food processing equipment, renowned for its innovative solutions that optimize bacon pressing, scanning, and slicing. This project aims to study and quantify the energy consumption of hydraulic presses used in shaping pork bellies for slicing operations. By assessing energy usage and overall machine efficiency, the project will provide insights for future design improvements to enhance sustainability and reduce operating costs. 

Recruitment Needs: The team is seeking students with an interest in industrial controls, machine design, engineering analysis, instrumentation, and data acquisition. Additionally, candidates with a background in food and meat science, hygienic design, protein product forming, and optimization are highly desired. A willingness to learn and engage in hands-on research is essential. 

Why Join? 

• Innovate with Industry Leaders: Collaborate with Provisur to optimize cutting-edge bacon processing technology. 
• Hands-On Experience: Gain practical skills in machine design, energy analysis, and data acquisition. 
• Sustainable Impact: Contribute to developing energy-efficient solutions that enhance the sustainability of food processing operations. 

Project Overview: The Terry project aims to enhance the autonomy and functionality of Terry, a rural trash-collecting robot. The software team will implement computer vision technologies such as image processing and Lidar sensors for improved object detection, while the hardware team will refine Terry's mechanics to meet road and VDOT safety standards. The project will focus on hardware improvements in Fall 2024 and software enhancements in Spring 2025. 

Objectives: 

• Software: Research and implement self-driving technologies, enhance Terry’s autonomy, develop object detection algorithms using Lidar, and design sensor algorithms. 
• Hardware: Upgrade Terry’s driving mechanics, enhance the trash collection system, create a trash containment unit, develop mechanisms to seal and dispose of trash bags, and install necessary sensors. 
• Additional Tasks: Coordinate with VDOT and other stakeholders for field testing, prepare Terry for field testing, write reports, and manage data collection. 

Recruitment Needs: The team is looking for: 

• Marketing & Communication: Students with skills in reporting and stakeholder engagement. 
• Software: Students with skills in image processing, robotics, computer vision, and low-level programming. Preferred majors include Computer Science (CS) and Computational Modeling and Data Analytics (CMDA), with relevant coursework such as CS 2114 or CS 2505. 
• Hardware: Students with skills in mechatronics, CAD, circuits, and prototyping (e.g., welding, laser cutting, 3D printing). Preferred majors include Mechanical Engineering (ME) and Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE). 
• Data Collecting/Reports: Environmental engineering students for data collection and report preparation.

Why Join? 

• Engage in cutting-edge robotics and automation technology. 
• Work on practical environmental solutions with real-world impact. 
• Collaborate across multiple disciplines for a comprehensive project experience. 

Project Overview: Gadolinium, a rare earth metal, exhibits a ferromagnetic-paramagnetic transition at room temperature, attracting magnets when colder and not when warmer. This property is leveraged to create thermomagnetic devices that convert waste heat into mechanical motion. The current focus is on developing a gadolinium-based pump device. The project aims to document gadolinium's magnetic properties, develop a multi-physics simulation, and design an optimized pump. Research will also explore iron-rhodium alloys to increase system efficiency. 

Recruitment Needs: The team is seeking STEM majors, particularly in physics and materials science, to complement the existing mechanical engineering members. The team is also open to individuals with experience in technical communication and user discovery.

Why Join? 

• Contribute to innovative research in thermomagnetic devices. 
• Develop expertise in materials science and physics. 
• Collaborate on a project with significant scientific and engineering implications.