Senior Design Options
All projects have realistic job-comparable requirements, based upon a mix of possible sponsors: for-profit companies, inventors, medical institutions, philanthropic organizations, research programs, and national competitions. Since all but the national competitions change dramatically every semester/year, it is not possible to specify these projects more than a few weeks in advance of any given semester at which specific projects start.
Industry-Intensive: projects which systematically develop an optimized product which successfully meets/addresses a specific Sponsor’s needs. ME 640 and ME 641 are taken for these projects.
Biomechanics: projects related to systematic development of a product which fits into the medical field. ME 633, ME 640 and ME 643 are taken for these projects.
EcoHawks: projects related to systematic development of a product which is related to the conservation of energy usage and/or protection of the environment. ME 640 and ME 641 are taken for these projects.
The concept of the EcoHawks capstone design class began with a challenge to students to take the theory they learned in class and apply societal objectives to deliver designs that make a real difference in the stewardship of our environment and how we preserve our natural resources. The specific focus involves a sustainable approach to automobiles and energy infrastructure. For this option, students take ME 640 in the first semester and ME 641 in the second semester. |
Student constructed electric bikes housed within the EcoHawks’ own built solar photovoltaic charging station |
Formula (stringent National Competition): systematically develop a race vehicle which most successfully addresses all requirements for the Competition. ME 627 and ME 642 are taken for this project. The KU-ME Formula Team’s (Jayhawk Motorsports) record of achievement over the past several years can be found HERE with other information Jayhawk Motorsports.