Samueli School of Engineering

Photon Flight is a FAA Group 1 fiber optic tethered drone developed for search-and-rescue operations. The drone uses a bidirectional SFP fiber module paired with single mode fiber optic cable to prevent signal interference and operate in damaged infrastructure without GPS availability. A mounted camera leverages pretrained AI models for autonomous tracking of targets and live feed video.

Mag-Vengers partnered with Design West Technologies (DWT) to develop a compact drone deployment system to remotely release multi-gas sensors while minimizing size, weight, and power (SWaP). The design replaces conventional mechanisms with electro-permanent magnets (EPMs), which draw power only during switching between “ON” and “OFF”, reducing mass and improving energy efficiency while enabling reliable individual release during high-speed flight. The system is compatible with DWT’s existing drone platforms, supports flexible mounting configurations, and carries at least 6 sensor pucks. Each EPM operates with short 5 A pulses to produce 19.4 N holding force. Simulation and testing were used to optimize performance and ensure safe, repeatable deployment.

There are approximately 6,500 newborn deaths each day. Despite many of these deaths being preventable by proper access to quality healthcare, the world continues to see a health crisis that disproportionately impacts low-and-middle income countries (LMICs), with about 98% of newborn deaths occurring in these regions. The WHO has identified syringe pumps as necessary medical devices because they can gradually deliver precise amounts of medication, fluids, nutrients, and electrolytes to neonates. However, the majority of syringe infusion pumps currently on the market depend on electricity, which can be unreliable in areas lacking proper infrastructure. Our solution, NeoFusion, does not require electricity and is fully mechanical, powered by the potential energy stored in a spring. Preliminary trials with our prototype achieved accurate and adjustable flow rates. In future designs, we will incorporate a visual and auditory alarm system for occlusions.

The San Joaquin Marsh (SJM) is a constructed wetland located in Irvine, California within the Newport Bay watershed that offers hiking trails to residents and serves as a protected wildlife sanctuary. A prominent feature of the habitat is the natural wetland treatment system, where urban runoff and groundwater travels through a series of ponds with vegetation, and the effluent (clean water) makes its way towards upper Newport Bay and the ocean. One major pollutant of emerging concern present in the marsh is selenium (Se), a naturally occurring element in the surrounding foothills around the area. At high levels, Se can be toxic to native aquatic plants and animals present in this ecosystem. Our team is working with Dr. Jian Peng from AtkinsRéalis, our Industry Advisor, to quantify the levels of Se volatilization occurring in the watershed, focusing primarily on the SJM and San Diego Creek. The goal of this project is to gather data and analyze the amount of Se removal via volatilization. To do so, we will design, assemble, and deploy clear, acrylic chambers at Pond B in the SJM that will capture volatilized Se utilizing charcoal filters via a vacuum pump. The constructed chambers will be floating in the pond and enclosing water and plants, allowing data collection over a period of at least one day. Data will be gathered on volatilization occurring in the water and in the natural vegetation. Testing will occur at two sites with a total of 10 samples per site including: a minimum of 1 sample each for water, sediment, and plant for bulk selenium analysis per site, a minimum of 2 samples to quantify recovery, a minimum of 1 sample per site to test volatilization from open water, a minimum of 4 samples (2 daylight, 2 overcast) samples will be collected per site and, If feasible, 1 night sample will be collected. The rationale behind conducting this project is that there has not been work done to quantify the amount of Se removal in the SJM due to volatilization. Previous Se mass balance studies in the SJM presume that Se removal mechanisms include sediment sequestration, aquatic vegetation uptake, and volatilization as methylated Se, but there is no data on the quantity that is volatilized. Dr. Peng has shared the theory that Se in water gets trapped in sediment, which is then taken up by plants and formed to methylated Se that is volatile. Our experiment focuses on measuring the amount of Se that is volatilized. This project will fill the gap in the current mass balance of Se and contribute to research that develops a nature-based and environmentally friendly management option for Se in the Newport Bay watershed.

Traditional prosthetics are often prohibitively expensive ($5,000–$100,000+) and can require invasive medical procedures to function. To address this, we developed a low-cost, electromyography (EMG) controlled prosthetic hand that utilizes an embedded convolutional neural network (CNN) to translate muscle signals into mechanical motion. Using a non-invasive dry-electrode on the wrist, raw EMG data is processed and classified in under 40 milliseconds on average. The CNN accurately identifies three predefined hand gestures with >90% accuracy. By keeping total manufacturing costs, including electronics, mechanical hardware, and filament, to just $260, this project demonstrates the viability of highly accessible, neural-network-driven prosthetics.

We are a student-led research team dedicated to bridging the gap between natural flight and modern engineering by studying the complex aerodynamics of flapping wings. Our project focuses on evolving our quadflapper and novel prototypes into high-performance aerial vehicles that challenge the efficiency of traditional propeller drones.

Over 4 million births occur in the United States annually, and nearly all laboring mothers undergo multiple manual exams to assess cervical dilation and effacement as part of labor progression. Assessing cervical dilation is a critical part of labor management. However, manual cervical exam poses a risk of infection that can lead to maternal and fetal complications, and these exams are subjective with variability rates as high as 50%. Our innovation leverages the anatomical proximity of the bladder and uterus to obtain labor metrics. 75% of mothers receive an epidural for pain management and are unable to feel their lower body, resulting in the need for a urinary catheter to drain the bladder. We propose an ultrasound-integrated urinary catheter to provide continuous, objective measurements of both cervical dilation and fetal vitals while seamlessly integrating into the existing standard for labor management. The ultrasound-integrated urinary catheter could transform obstetric care by reducing infections, improving accuracy, and allowing for earlier interventions during high-risk deliveries.

DLP 3D printing offers a promising route for fabricating customized dental ceramics, but achieving dense and reliable parts remains challenging. This project develops high solid loading glass-ceramic slurries using two glass compositions milled to controlled particle sizes and incorporated into photocurable resin systems. Processing parameters like viscosity, exposure conditions, and particle distribution were optimized to improve printability and reduce defects. Printed parts were debound and sintered to promote densification, followed by microstructural and thermal characterization.

Drone operation time is constrained by battery capacity and the need for manual recharging. This project developed an autonomous wireless charging station based on resonant inductive coupling. A two-stage inverter operating at 166.7 kHz drives the coupled coils, and the received power is rectified and buck-regulated to 8.4 V for the battery rail. This confirms end-to-end power transfer through the full chain; however, charging does not start when the battery is connected, indicating a load-dependent issue such as insufficient current delivery. Future work will characterize the system under load and implement appropriate charge control to enable reliable battery charging.

The UCI Rocket Project Solids (RPS) undergraduate team presents their 2025-26 design and manufacturing process for their latest rocket: Light Fury. RPS operates on a one-year design cycle while implementing new design aspects to expand the depth of the team's engineering capabilities. This APCP-based solid propellant rocket features a 5U Cubesat payload with a deployable rover and UCI's first-ever active control airbrake system, alongside custom-manufactured carbon fiber and fiberglass airframes and fins. Light Fury is set to compete in the 2026 International Rocket Engineering Competition in Texas, where the rocket must reach an exact 10,000ft. apogee achieved by the airbrake system. This poster details their progress throughout the 2025-26 year, from initial design choices, testing procedures, static fires, and launches on their testbed rocket: Night Fury.