Posted on

The CSULB Space Sharks Prepare for Year 2 of NASA Mining Robot Competition

Student teams entering a NASA competition to build a mining robot can expect technical challenges. But in addition to engineering glitches, last year’s CSULB Lunabotics team had to contend with a government shutdown, sudden venue change, and last-minute scramble for funding.

Dehwei Hsu, the mechanical engineering senior who led last year’s FortyMiners team, said the robot’s design and development was already behind schedule when the government shutdown forced NASA to cancel the scheduled competition at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Teams still submitted reports and a slide presentation, but instead of the onsite competition in Florida, University of Alabama hosted a Robotic Mining Challenge at its Tuscaloosa campus. Continue reading “The CSULB Space Sharks Prepare for Year 2 of NASA Mining Robot Competition”

Posted on

CSULB Chapter Places Fifth in American Society of Civil Engineers Competition

team in timber category

Under the direction of Civil Engineering Assistant Professor Lisa Star and Lecturer Jeremy Redman, CSULB’s team placed fifth overall in the American Society of Civil Engineers Pacific Southwest Conference (PSWC) at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo this month.

Nearly 50 students on nine teams competed to build a concrete canoe, geotechnical wall, timber house, and more. The CSULB ASCE Student Chapter, led by Co-Presidents Marionne Lapitan and Mario Martinez, was also named Outstanding Student Chapter by ASCE National. Continue reading “CSULB Chapter Places Fifth in American Society of Civil Engineers Competition”

Posted on

Four Finalist Teams Face Off at 2019 Innovation Challenge Pitch Competition

A cold-brew-coffee service, a battery-recycling business, a vegan food-finder, and a diagnostic medical-device startup will present their plans to judges at the CSULB Innovation Challenge Finalist Pitch Competition and Award Ceremony on April 11.

Sips Cold Brew plans to deliver locally produced cold-brew coffee to college students at a competitive price. Students will receive weekly or biweekly deliveries of a 32-ounce growler, enough for four to six servings. Continue reading “Four Finalist Teams Face Off at 2019 Innovation Challenge Pitch Competition”

Posted on

MAE Students Showcase their Fall Senior Design Engineering Projects

MAE design expo groups

CSULB Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering students showcased their Senior Design Engineering Projects at Thursday’s Exhibition in the Niggli Conference Center. The multidisciplinary projects were designed, developed, fabricated, and funded by CSULB and some local industries under the supervision of Mechanical Engineering Assistant Professor Mahdi  Yoozbashizadeh. Continue reading “MAE Students Showcase their Fall Senior Design Engineering Projects”

Posted on

Turbine and Suspension Systems Take Top Awards at Engineering Expo

A locomotive suspension system for harsh environments was chosen as the most innovative and practical design and a turbine in-pipe system as the best design for sustainable and clean energy harvesting at the Engineering Innovation Expo Monday.

The showcase in the University Student Union included 22 Senior Design Projects from the CSULB Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Department.

The pico hydroelectric turbine-in-pipe system uses excess pressure within residential-scale pipe systems to harvest electricity off-the-grid. The system consists of a reaction turbine, generator, and auxiliary electrical equipment. The electrical equipment is dependent upon the application which can include powering outdoor lights or charging small electronics. Additionally, the design of the system will keep the flow rate and pressure of the water entering the household in compliance with standards for potable water systems.

Team members include Cristina Azuara, Hope Daley, Elyssa Lawrence, and Daisy Zaragoza. Continue reading “Turbine and Suspension Systems Take Top Awards at Engineering Expo”

Posted on

Creativity and Innovation on Display with MAE Senior Design Projects

Ever wish your skateboard had brakes or your bike could charge your phone? Several CSULB engineering students had those wishes too. But instead of just wishing, they turned those ideas into a reality.

On Monday, 22 groups of mechanical engineering students demonstrated their Senior Design Projects at the Engineering Innovation Expo in the University Student Union. Heavy on green and renewable energy, the projects were the results of two semesters of work—including plenty of late nights and weekends. Continue reading “Creativity and Innovation on Display with MAE Senior Design Projects”

Posted on

Environmental Engineering Team Takes Top Spot at ASCE Competition

The Cal State Long Beach team clinched a first-place win in last weekend’s Environmental Competition at the annual ASCE Pacific Southwest Conference for building a water treatment system for less than $500. The three-day competition, which drew 1,300 students from 18 universities to Arizona State University, lets students put their civil or environmental engineering skills to the test.

College of Engineering Dean Forouzan Golshani congratulated the students on their excellence. “As we move forward toward a more robust and standalone program in environmental engineering, student interest already places us above other universities,” he said.

“I wasn’t sure how we would do at first,” said Anesia Canty, Environmental Team Captain and president of the CSULB chapter of Engineers for a Sustainable World. “Last year, UCI, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and CSU Fullerton got the top spots, so I knew we had to be at their level to place.” Continue reading “Environmental Engineering Team Takes Top Spot at ASCE Competition”

Posted on

Artemus Labs’ ‘Sexy’ Prosthetic Liner Wins 2018 Innovation Challenge

Artemus Labs team

Four finalist teams faced off Thursday at the CSULB Innovation Challenge, delivering their pitches to judges and answering questions about their target customers, revenue projections, and competition. The winning team was Artemus Labs, which will receive $10,000 in cash and $40,000 in services to help market its Python prosthetic liner.

“One of the things that President Conoley and I value is innovation—especially student innovation,” said CSULB Provost Brian Jersky. “We’re the old generation and you’re the new—we’re in your good hands.”

The Artemus Labs team collected feedback from amputees and evaluated existing prosthetic liners before designing their Python liner, which is breathable and comes in bright colors and two designs. Their goal was to make amputees “feel sexy.” Continue reading “Artemus Labs’ ‘Sexy’ Prosthetic Liner Wins 2018 Innovation Challenge”

Posted on

CSULB Freshman Wins Video Pitch Contest at MESA Conference

CSULB engineering freshman Zoe Smith went to last month’s MESA Conference hoping to learn about leadership and connect with future employers. She didn’t realize she’d end up winning the video-pitch challenge, which came with a $1,000 prize.

Smith was among 14 CSULB students who attended the MESA Student Leadership Conference Oct. 27-28 in downtown Los Angeles. The event connects hand-picked engineering and computer science students with industry professionals to develop the next generation of STEM leaders. Continue reading “CSULB Freshman Wins Video Pitch Contest at MESA Conference”

Posted on

Student Entrepreneurs Flock to Innovation Challenge Contest

Industrial design junior Ryan Genena already knows how to develop a business plan. That was just one of the things he learned as a participant in last year’s CSULB Innovation Challenge. His team—a startup called 1010 Innovation with an app to help seniors—was one of four finalists in last year’s Challenge.

Genena was one of about 50 students who turned out Thursday to hear more about the contest, which provides $10,000 in seed funding and $40,000 in services to support the lucky winner’s startup.

The students came from many majors—everything from animation, marketing, and political science to industrial design and chemical and electrical engineering. Their interests were equally varied: artificial intelligence, footwear, sustainable design, safe driving, security, robotics, and human-centered design. Continue reading “Student Entrepreneurs Flock to Innovation Challenge Contest”