Engineering Researchers Use AI to Enhance Defect Detection in Metal 3D Printing

FAMU-FSU College of Engineering researchers are leveraging artificial intelligence to develop advanced defect detection tools for powder-based 3D printing, supported by a $2.2 million Air Force grant.

The team, led by Associate Professor Hui Wang, is collaborating with Pennsylvania State University and HP Inc. to implement combinatorial generalization (CG) techniques that significantly improve defect prediction models in additive manufacturing processes.

Our goal was to improve physical therapy and enhance overall quality of life by utilizing wearable technology. We designed a glove with integrated sensors that detected various finger movements by improving the proof-of-concept design of wearable technology gloves equipped with patented (US Patent #US20210239548A1) Bucky Paper sensors developed by a previous team. This technology offered potential benefits to the medical and robotics fields.

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Four members of engineering senior design team 408 stand together on the third floor breezeway at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering. The team contains six members, two of who are not pictured.

We sought to optimize the administrative processes for the City of Tallahassee by designing an automated workflow system prototype on SharePoint. We primarily aimed to eliminate redundancies, enhance efficiency and reduce human error by consolidating multiple software platforms into a single streamlined solution. Using the Plan-Do-Check-Act methodology, we conducted stakeholder interviews, time studies and process mappings to identify inefficiencies and potential improvements.

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The five members of engineering senior design team 407 stand together on the third floor breezeway at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering.

In collaboration with Sandia and Los Alamos, we focused our senior design project on studying the effects of irradiation on IM7/977-3. The project involved conducting mechanical tests and imaging scans on the material prior to irradiation at Prairie View A&M University. Once we received the irradiated samples, we repeated the tests and scans to analyze the changes in material properties. We aimed to develop high-performance polymer samples engineered to withstand x-ray radiation, with potential aerospace applications.

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The five members of engineering senior design team 406 stand together on the third floor breezeway at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering.

Second Harvest of the Big Bend (SHBB), a nonprofit food bank, faced challenges in its distribution process, including high idle times during product pickups and inconsistent operational practices. To understand these challenges, we conducted truck ride-alongs, interviewed drivers and toured facilities to gather important preliminary information about the logistics. We then performed a quantitative analysis, using software tools such as Verizon Connect to extract the top 10 retail stores with the highest idle times.

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The four members of engineering senior design team 405 stand together on the third floor breezeway at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering.

Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare (TMH) is a private, not-for-profit community healthcare system that serves the Big Bend region, providing a wide range of medical services, including specialized oncology and hematology care through its Cancer Center. The Cancer Center is crucial in supporting patients undergoing chemotherapy, radiation therapy and blood transfusions. Approximately 66% of patients who receive these services travel from outside Tallahassee. The patient often must go to the Cancer Center multiple times per week, which can burden those traveling longer distances.

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The four members of engineering senior design team 404 stand together on the third floor breezeway at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering.

We defined the problem statement as developing and enhancing a more affordable APEX viewer. The updated device features a built-in high-resolution screen and video streaming compatibility, designed for mass production and use by eye care professionals (ECPs). Additionally, our sponsor emphasized incorporating lightweight materials and ensuring ergonomic eye relief for users.

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The six members of engineering senior design team 403 stand together on the third floor breezeway at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering.

Tallahassee Memorial Healthcare (TMH) is a nonprofit community healthcare system serving a 22-county region in North Florida and South Georgia. Its main facility, Tallahassee Memorial Hospital and multiple specialty centers, physician residency programs and partnerships provide comprehensive healthcare services. We focused on optimizing TMH’s eSARF (Service Access Request Form) process, which allows colleagues to request access to critical applications.

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The five members of engineering senior design team 401 stand together on the third floor breezeway at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering.