We created a curriculum to teach students the basics of using Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs). PLCs are small computers that Mechanical Engineers commonly use, especially in manufacturing. Until now, the Mechanical Engineering department hasn’t taught students how to use PLCs. With the prevalence of PLCs increasing every year, there will be more jobs for engineers who know how to use them. To address this growing demand, we provided our curriculum to the Introduction to Mechatronics course at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering.

Our goal was to design an experiment to measure the effects of nozzle size on crater formation on the moon. When landers touch down on objects in space, the jet exhaust interacts with the surface of that object. Understanding how different nozzle sizes affect crater formation will allow us to better document this interaction. The surfaces of these objects are often made of small rocks and sand, so predicting the reaction between the jet and the surface will help us guide procedures when landing rockets.

Green propellants are a new rocket fuel that is safer and stores more energy than commonly used fuels. To further research on green propellants, testing must occur during active fuel use. NASA Marshall Space Flight Center conducts this research using thrust stands that measure force and temperature of fired propellant. Current flaws in NASA’s thrust stand cause imperfect data collection and material wear. We worked to design an improved thrust stand.

Controlling lunar dust is a key area of research that helps scientists improve space exploration. Lunar dust is a small, sharp powder that covers the Moon’s surface and can cause serious problems, such as damaging space suits and harming astronauts’ health. Scientists must first understand lunar dust behavior to solve this problem and create hardware resistant to lunar dust. We worked on evenly mixing lunar dust simulant inside a glovebox to study lunar dust behavior. Since real lunar dust is rare, we used a lunar dust simulant.

Our project aimed to enhance robotics education using Continuously Variable Transmissions (CVTs). Imagine a person walking up and down hills—they naturally adjust how hard they push with their legs to move efficiently across changing terrain. Similarly, a robot can use a CVT to adjust its mechanical power output as it moves dynamically.

This project improves the safety of a computer numerical control (CNC) milling machine used by students and staff in the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering’s senior design lab. The CNC milling machine helps cut metal and plastic but poses safety risks including moving parts, flying debris, sharp edges and airborne dust, which can cause injuries or breathing problems. The goal is to create a safer workspace for students by protecting them from these risks.

Our project involves an innovative collaboration with Mayo Clinic solving a clinical problem in electrophysiology. We aim to prevent patients from receiving unintentional therapies from cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) during electrosurgery and indicate to the operating room if the CIED is in the desired mode.

An innovative collaboration with Mayo Clinic that addresses a common postoperative challenge, improves recovery rate outcomes, reduces re-injury rates, and enhances patient satisfaction.

JTEKT, a bearing manufacturing company, commissioned our capstone team to enhance the safety of their 1967 Besly Dual Disk grinder. We addressed users unintentionally placing their fingers in pinch points on the machine’s loading area. Our goal was implementing a new safety standard to protect employees and minimize injuries while maintaining efficiency.

The payload team promoted the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering with our successful launch at the 2025 NASA Student Launch Competition. This yearly event challenges colleges nationwide to design, build and launch a rocket with a payload. NASA changes requirements annually. This year, the payload needed to collect flight data (rocket speed, air temperature and height), transmit data via radio, and keep model astronauts safe. We developed over 100 ideas and used specific strategies to narrow them to a final design.