WELCOME:
Welcome to the United States Naval Academy’s third Annual Capstone Day.
We are excited you could join us for this celebration of engineering here in Annapolis.
Capstone projects provide students with valuable real-world experience that
will help them in their future careers, both as military officers, as well as in private industry. At this year’s Capstone Day you will see the culmination of the
year’s academic efforts of our Midshipmen. Today, we have over 100 projects
representing all the engineering disciplines at the Naval Academy.
Jay Bitting, CAPT USN
Director, E&W Division
In the morning, our seniors will be presenting projects in parallel sessions throughout Rickover Hall. You are
encouraged to browse the program and to move from room to room according to your interest. In the afternoon, the same students will reconvene for a poster session on the lab deck of Rickover Hall. Take time to
engage students at your pleasure, and please make sure to congratulate them on their impressive accomplishments in the short time that is their senior year. I thank you for coming to the Naval Academy and hope
you enjoy the day!
Thank you to all the sponsors that helped make this research possible.
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Schedule of Events
0745 – 0845
Registration / Welcome
Rickover Lobby
0855* – 1200
Capstone Presentations
Rickover (various)
1200 – 1210
Division Director Remarks
Rickover 102
1210 – 1300
Buffet Luncheon
Rickover Lobby
1330—1530
USNA Project Shop Walk-throughs
Rickover Lab Deck
1330 – 1530
Poster Session
Rickover Lab Deck
*Ocean Engineering (EOE) presentations start at 0820 in Rms 110 & 126.
Note: All Naval Architecture Presentations will be held in Room 103 from 0855-1430
Shuttle Bus Schedule
0730—0900
Continuous shuttle service, Stadium ↔ USNA
0930—1330
Stadium → USNA (on the half hour)
1000—1300
USNA → Stadium (on the hour)
1400—1600
Continuous shuttle service, USNA ↔ Stadium
Note: All shuttles will pick up and drop off at the rear entrance
to the Rickover basement. (See page 5 for location on map)
Table of Contents
Maps of Rickover Hall. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5
Morning presentation schedule. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7
Major Code Legend . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Project Support Branch. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Capstone Descriptions, indexed by room number . . . . . . . . . 10-28
3
4
Morning Presentations (0800-1200)
Rickover Hall 1st & 2nd Decks
5
Please note: Multidisciplinary projects are scattered throughout the
lab deck based on the department into which they fit best.
Afternoon Poster Session (1330-1530)
Rickover Hall Lab Level
Presentation Schedule
Room
0855
Primary
0920
0955
Major
102
EA
103
ENA
Griffin Autogyro
Ramrod Canister Launch
Sail-Assisted Cargo Ship
0820: Erosion
110
EOE
124B
EAS
Bangladesh
Control: CumberCyclone Shelter
land Island
StaCSat
0820: Deployable OTEC Energy
Hammerhead VTOL
C-130 Cargo Seaplane
Shoreline Enhancements:
AK Harbor:
Long Key, FL
Site Planning
QikCom-2
Navy Rockets
Offshore Wind Farm: Newport, Concrete Canoe: ASCE
RI
Competition
126
EOE
203
EEE/
ECE
Efficient Computing
206
EEE/
ECE
Enhanced Security for WiFi Client De- Virtual Integrated Environment Close Quarter Combat
vices
for HARMONIE
Virtual Evaluation System
210
211
Hydroelectric
System
System: Diego
Garcia
MULTI Advanced Concept Energy Study (ACES)
WSE
Optical Communication
System
RoboGoatz
Aqua Monkey
Augmented Reality and Weara- Wearable Tech for Trauma
ble Tech
Detection and Prediction
Intelligent Security Systems:
Autonomous UAV Object
Detection and Inspection
Effects of Field of View and
Depth Perception on Teleoperator Performance
Manipulator-Based Retrieve,
Rapid Upgrade for Manipulator
Recharge, and Redeploy of
Position Sensing
UAV
Implementation of Glucose
Use of Galvanotaxis and VisControl Theory in the Diagnos- ual Feedback to Control Paratics of Type I Diabetes Mellitus mecium Cells
212
WSE
EOD Robot with Oculus Rift
213
WSE
Sonic Triangulation
223
WSE
Enhancing the Clinical Relevancy of
the Cobelli Model
224
WSE
Systems Ball
Systems Ball
Systems Ball
230
WSE
Autonomous Acrobatic Ground
Vehicle
Continuous Tracking System
Hook, Line and Syncher
235
WSE
NASA 2015 ICEESAT-2 Mission
Hexacopter Engineering Challenge
Interoperable UGV-UAV System
for Tracking and Mobile VTOL
Semi-Autonomous Ground
Vehicle for Target Mapping
in Disaster Zones
236
EME
237B
A Breath of Fresh Air
ECE/EME Snowflake
239
EME
MH-60 Funnel Redesign
243
EME
UAV Nosecone
Amazing Fox
Laser Dynamics
Service Academy Design ChalAutomated Specimen Polisher
lenge
Plastic Recycling for Ile--aTeam Philo
Vache, Haiti
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Presentation Schedule
1020
1055
1120
Room
102
Icarus Distributed Lift
C-130 Cargo Seaplane (continued)
America's Cup J-Class Yacht
1300: Luxury Motor 1345: Long Island
Yacht
Cruise Boat
103
AK Harbor: Marina Design
USNA Cyber Building Pier
USNA Pier 225 Rehabilitation
110
Free Space Laser Communication
Cubesat Payload Development
DRAGONS
WASP (ACES-T)
SDV: Human-Powered Submarine “Grow-Out” Oyster Raft
Arctic Buoy: Design/ Deploy
124B
126
203
Biometric Algorithm
Optical Sensors for Smart Structures The WiFinder
Microrobotic Manipulation System
206
210
Robo Goatz: Robotic Football (continued)
Cooperative Control of a Spherical
Robot Swarm
Genetic Engineering Design in
The Cells
Economizing UDP
211
Controllable Monocopter Design
Monocopter
Controlling a Joint Actuated Buoy
212
213
DARPA Challenge: Eyes in the Sky RoboGoat
Analyzing Laser Propagation DaAnomaly Detection in the Maritime
ta to Minimize Variance in a
Domain
Maritime Environment
Intermittent Jamming of CommuUntethered SeaPerch
nications Systems
Multi-Robot Relative Positioning
Camera Stabilization
using Stereo Camera Systems
Design of a Resilient Control Algorithm to Recognize and Resist a
Deception Attack
224
Object Transportation by Autonomous
Self-Assembling Robots
Self-Assembling Autonomous Mo- Object Transportation by AutonoSelf-Balancing Marine Vessel
bile Robots
mous robots
TALOS
Efficient Cookstove for
Nicaragua
USNA Waste Stream Gasification
Incinerator Waste Heat Recovery Water Tower Construction
Adaptive Technology 1
Adaptive Technology 2
Wort Chiller
Shipborne UAV Capture System Micro-Glider
7
223
Synexxus Electronic Keel Applications
Speech Recognition
230
235
236
237B
239
243
Computer Aided Design (CAD) rendering
of Deployable Hydroelectric System
Intelligent Security Systems: UAV Object Detection and Inspection
LEGEND: MAJOR CODES
The following major codes are used in schedules and project descriptions throughout the brochure:
EA:
Aeronautical Engineering
EAS: Astronautical Engineering
ECE:
Computer Engineering
EEE: Electrical Engineering
EGE:
General Engineering
EME: Mechanical Engineering
ENA:
Naval Architecture
EOE: Ocean Engineering
SCS:
Computer Science
WSE: Weapons & Systems Engineering
“StaCSat” Satellite Construction
“Bangladesh Cyclone Shelter” Team noting flood markers at the waterfront
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Project Support Branch
(OPEN FOR WALK-THROUGHS DURING THE AFTERNOON POSTER SESSION)
The skilled and innovative craftsmen of Project Support Branch provide the Naval Academy with a
wide variety of fabrication expertise. They offer Welding, Machining, Foundry, Composite and
Woodworking services. The Branch has the latest in fabrication tools, including three new computer
controlled HAAS vertical milling machines, a wire EDM cutting tool, a CNC sheet metal punch press
and an autoclave for curing advanced Composite materials. Project Branch personnel are highly
versed in organizing and presenting the practical aspects of Engineering and Fabrication. They provide interactive demonstrations and extensive training in skills necessary for the student’s course
work.
For the Engineering Student, the Project Support Branch offers a unique opportunity to participate
in the best part of Engineering - building or managing construction of their own designs. Project
Support provides the student instruction and gives them an opportunity for hands-on involvement in
their chosen Engineering discipline.
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Project Descriptions, Indexed by Room Number
( EA)
Griffin Autogyro
MIDSHIPMEN: GOBER, KUERBITZ, MARSH, MONTGOMERY, PETROFES, SANBORN,
SANDUSKY, TISLER, UBIERA
Room 102, 0855
Griffin is a gyrocopter unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) designed to deliver a five pound package to a location
within a five mile radius and return. The aircraft utilizes a rotating wing enabling very slow flight facilitating
package delivery to confined areas. Griffin’s inherent stability and efficiency demonstrates an improved capability over existing package delivery UAV designs.
Ramrod Canister launch
(EA)
MIDSHIPMEN: BONGIOVANNI, Room 102, 0920
CAMPBELL, DUNN, EHRHARDT,
GRIMMETT, HELMS, JARM,
MENKE , ROBERTSON,
STEVENS
Ramrod is a tube-launched unmanned aerial
vehicle (UAV) system designed for operations
requiring on-demand autonomous UAV capability, such as man overboard search and recovery at sea. The system consists of a foldedwing UAV integrated with a storage/launch
mechanism. Upon activation, Ramrod autonomously launches and executes its mission.
(EA/WSE)
Hammerhead VTOL
MIDSHIPMEN: BLANKENSHIP, CAREY, CHANG, GEERLING, HAYNIE, HENDI, JACKSON,
KAUFMAN, MORANO, RYAN, SPEIRS, VENDETTA, WOLBORSKY, WILLIAMS
Room 102, 0955
Hammerhead is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) designed to deliver a five pound package to a location
within a five mile radius and return. The electrically powered aircraft utilizes counter-rotating propellers to takeoff vertically and a tilting canard enabling transition to wing-borne forward flight. The UAV’s high lift to drag ratio and forward speed demonstrates an improved capability over existing package delivery UAV designs
Icarus Distributed Lift
(EA)
MIDSHIPMEN: ALBRECHT, BRENON, FITZGIBBON, INFANTE, JONES, LACINSKI, SUQI
Room 102, 1020
Icarus is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) designed to demonstrate the benefits of electric distributed propulsion. Thrust from multiple propellers along the wingspan is adjusted to change the airflow across the UAV’s
specially designed wings to control the aircraft. Aircraft control using distributed propulsion eliminates the requirement for conventional control surfaces; reducing vehicle drag, weight and complexity, and improving efficiency.
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(ENA)
Sail-Assisted Cargo Ship
MIDSHIPMEN: DEPREE, VAN STEENBERG, STEINBERG, FERRIS
Room 103, 0855
This ship, which will operate partially under sail power, will take supplies to small islands in the Caribbean.
Through the use of sail power this ship will minimize its Energy Efficiency Design Index, reducing costs for
both the consumer and the environment.
(ENA)
C-130 Cargo Seaplane
Room 103, 0955
MIDSHIPMEN: SHRUM, MAMER, STIEGER, ESPOSITO
This seaplane will be capable of rapidly transporting troops, vehicles and associated equipment from shorebased facilities to offshore sites, integrating with the proposed Sea Base concept or with Mobile Landing Platforms. It is capable of carrying the cargo payload of a C-130.
America’s Cup J-Class Yacht (ENA)
MIDSHIPMEN: O’ BRIEN,
HEIN, VAN’T HOF,
MARTENSTEIN
Room 103, 1055
This maxi sailing yacht will be capable of competing in a J Class campaign. This yacht will
conform to Herreshoff’s Universal Formula of J
Class sailboats, but also take into consideration
the more modern vessel safety regulations of
the J Class Association.
Luxury Motor Yacht
(ENA)
Room 103, 1330
MIDSHIPMEN: CEN, ZIHAN, PECK, RENFROE
This privately owned, high speed luxury yacht is designed to provide a safe, comfortable, and luxurious
environment with the capability of ocean going cruises. The yacht will have an endurance of approximately 5
days with deluxe accommodations, recreational amenities, and state-of-the-art technology for approximately
10 guests and 5 crew members.
Long Island Sound Dinner Cruise Boat
(ENA)
Room 103, 1430
MIDSHIPMEN: HILL, JUNG, EDWARDS, PENQUITE
This vessel will offer breakfast, lunch, and dinner to customers looking for an upscale dining experience on the
Long Island Sound. The stable motion and spacious layout of the vessel will comfortably accommodate 150
passengers. Enough room will be supplied for a bar, dance floor, and live band.
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Erosion Control: Cumberland Island, GA
MIDSHIPMEN: BRAHM, GARCIA, HOLLAND, MORRAL, O’NEILL
(EOE)
Room 110, 0820
The capstone group is working with the US National Park Service to design shore protection and erosion
control near the historic Plum Orchard Mansion (once owned by the Carnegie family) in the Cumberland Island
National Seashore. The site is located along a tidal creek and is subject to erosion due to wind-waves, boat
wakes, and strong tidal currents. The emphasis is design with nature-based and natural features using a
“Living Shoreline” design concept.
Bangladesh Cyclone Shelter
(EOE)
Room 110, 0855
MIDSHIPMEN: DOELLER, LOVELACE, MACKNO, NEW, TRAN
Bangladesh is a low-lying, heavily populated area that is particularly vulnerable to flooding during coastal
cyclone (hurricane) events. International agencies, including USAid and the US Army Corps of Engineers,
have assisted in constructing cyclone shelters throughout the coastal areas of the country. This team will use
the guidelines from an international design competition to create a novel design for a reinforced concrete
cyclone shelter that can be constructed at low cost with local materials.
Shoreline Enhancements: Long Key, Florida
(EOE)
Room 110, 0920
MIDSHIPMEN: BOOTH, FABER, HOGAN, NABORS, SILVER
Long Key State Park is on Long Key, FL, a highly visited location in the Florida Keys. Shoreline erosion due to
long-shore transport, cross-shore transport, and storms has particularly worsened since 1994. The Florida
Division of Recreation and Parks is looking for a way to prevent the shoreline from eroding further, and this
team will propose a solution to anchor the shoreline while meeting a number of environmental and permitting
concerns.
Alaska Harbor: Site Planning
(EOE)
Room 110, 0955
MIDSHIPMEN: AIELLO, CRANFORD, HAMILTON, MILMAN, VALLE
The town of Whittier, Alaska has high a high demand for small boat mooring spaces due to its close proximity
to Anchorage, the state’s largest city. Midshipmen are designing a new small boat harbor to accommodate
vessels on the waiting list. This group (working in cooperation with another capstone group) is focusing design
efforts on the site plan for the new harbor, including site location, wind-wave analysis, wave diffraction analysis, breakwater design, harbor layout and dredging, and interior harbor shore protection.
Alaska Harbor: Marina Design
MIDSHIPMEN: EVANS, FRATATUONO , MOORE, SEVERS, TUCKER
(EOE)
Room 110, 1020
The town of Whittier, Alaska has high a high demand for small boat mooring spaces due to its close proximity
to Anchorage, the state’s largest city. Midshipmen are designing a new small boat harbor to accommodate
vessels on the waiting list. This group (working in cooperation with another capstone group) is focusing design
efforts on the interior features of the new harbor, including layout of mooring floats and navigation fairways between floats, design of guide piles, design of mooring floats, electrical and fresh water distribution, and design
of a boat ramp with transient vessel mooring.
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USNA Cyber Building Pier
(EOE)
Room 110, 1055
MIDSHIPMEN: ACHOR, KELTY, KNISELY, LEIGH, LIND
Midshipmen are developing a floating dock adjacent the seawall near the proposed site of the new Admiral
Grace Hopper Cyber Studies Center at USNA. The dock will facilitate water access of student projects
from the ground deck of the new building. The intended lifespan of the floating dock will be 50 years,
withstanding weather conditions throughout all four seasons.
USNA Pier 225 Rehabilitation
MIDSHIPMEN: BURGETT, HOWARTH, MCCOY, MCNEIL, PADGETT
(EOE)
Room 110, 1120
The existing Oceanography Pier was constructed along the Severn River, adjacent to Santee Basin, in 1914.
Students assess the pier’s condition and examine the feasible options to repair or replace all (or part) of the
Pier 225 structure (Oceanography Pier). A final design will be based on all applicable constructability,
Deployable Hydroelectric System
(EOE)
Room 126, 0820
MIDSHIPMEN: DEISHER, HIPPE, LOBERG, VELORIA
The purpose of this project is to develop a solution to provide a man-portable, renewable energy source to a
forward unit or someone off an electrical grid. The goal is to design a generator system which needs only
minimal amounts of water flow to produce electricity to power basic needs for a small unit of people. The
design will be transportable and tested under field conditions to determine a minimum flow level. This has
notable application for forward deployed military units, as well as those in rural or third world countries.
OTEC Energy System: Diego Garcia
(EOE)
MIDSHIPMEN: ALAHMAR, LEE, MACGRIFF, PLUNKETT, RIFFLE
Room 126, 0855
This capstone team is designing an Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) system to satisfy a significant
percentage of the energy needs of the Naval Support Facility at Diego Garcia, Indian Ocean. This project
requires design of the facility (fixed or floating) to include design of the energy plant, its piping and support
structure, as well as power and economic analyses.
Offshore Wind Farm: Newport, RI
(EOE)
MIDSHIPMEN: BOROSAK, JABALEY, KAIN, MERCHANT, ZICCARDI
Room 126, 0920
This capstone team is designing an offshore wind farm to satisfy a significant percentage of the energy
requirements of Newport, R.I. This project requires design of the fixed-structure facility to include structural
system design, turbine specification, power and economic analyses.
Concrete Canoe: ASCE Competition (EOE)
MIDSHIPMEN: DAVIS,
HARDGROVE, LOOMIS, POBLETE,
QUINN
Room 126, 0955
The American Society of Civil Engineers sponsors an annual nation-wide concrete canoe competition. This capstone team will design, build and compete a canoe that is
lightweight, aesthetically appealing, streamlined, and
structurally sound to compete in the ASCE regional competition.
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SDV: Human-Powered Submarine
(EOE/WSE)
Room 126, 1020
MIDSHIPMEN: BEYDLER, DUKLETH, FRAZIER, MCDONALD, SPEAR, AN, FREDERICK
This scope of this capstone project involves the design of hull and internal sub-systems of a flooded 2-person
submarine propelled by the divers. Research on SEAL Combat Swimming scenarios would offer a good background for the team as would any technical literature regarding the design of submarine control surfaces and
submarine hull forms. A good source might be technical reports from teams competing in the International
Submarine Races (ISR).
“Grow-Out” Oyster Raft
MIDSHIPMEN: CASSEL, FORD,
THORNETHOMSEN, STRONG,
WEBER
(EOE)
Room 126, 1055
This capstone project involves design of a floating raft
system for growing and harvesting oysters in the 3-D water column. The project will involve design of the raft and
oyster suspension structure(s), development of a harvesting methodology, and scale model testing for purposes of
demonstration.
Arctic Buoy: Design/Deploy
(EOE)
MIDSHIPMEN: GATES, GRUBB, PATRICK,
HEINER, SABEAN
Room 126, 1120
Working with criteria from the United States Army Corps of Engineers, Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory, midshipmen are designing a lowcost Sea Ice Mass Balance (SIMB) buoy system. The design includes a floating spar platform that houses a suite of instrumentation to measure vertical
temperature profiles; changes in snow and ice levels are also being monitored
with surface and submerged acoustic transducers, respectively. In-ice test deployments have been conducted to evaluate system user ability in arctic conditions; system dynamics is also being investigated in USNA wave tank facilities.
14
(EAS)
StaCSat
MIDSHIPMEN: HARMON, MALONEY, RUCK, RYAN, THROCKMORTON
Room 124B, 0855
The StaCSat Bus provides the basic hardware and software components required for a CubeSat to power its
payload and itself, send and receive telemetry, and determine and control its attitude. The bus has been extensively tested using the facilities at USNA. These tests include vibration testing, thermal vacuum testing, and
contamination testing. Documentation has been written and compiled that thoroughly covers the development
of the bus including component justification, budgets, and construction manuals. The StaCSat bus will enable
future CubeSat projects at USNA to focus on payload development since a reliable bus to manage basic satellite functions has been developed.
(EAS)
QikCom-2
MIDSHIPMEN: DIAZ-ORDAZ, HUNT, SEGALLA, SKINKER
Room 124B, 0920
QIKcom2 is an improved version of QIKcom1; it is a APRS network communications payload capable of communicating with users who only have Touchtone Keypads. QIKcom2 translates short Touchtone bursts into
APRS protocol packets and transmits them in text and synthesized voice form. The integrated CPU allows
QIKcom2 to transmit its own APRS position as it moves around the world. This communications payload
comes in at under $500 and will serve as a standardized communications package.
Navy Rockets
MIDSHIPMEN: MCKENZIE , PALMER,
FRIDDLE, GARDNER, MORALES, MURPHY, STENSRUD, VOGEL
(EAS/EA)
Room 124B, 0955
This year the Navy Rockets team competed in the NASA
Student Launch Competition held in Huntsville, AL from
April 6-April 10. The team’s deliverables consisted of an
eight foot carbon fiber rocket and a thirteen foot tall autonomous ground support element and launch structure
(AGSE). The AGSE was able to complete its goal of autonomously loading the rocket with a mass simulated sample
payload, erecting the rocket to the vertical position, and
then inserting a launch initiator into the solid rocket motor.
The rocket was then launched to its target altitude of 3000
ft, after which the payload section of the rocket was jettisoned at 1000 ft., and all rocket sections were safely recovered
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Free Space Laser Communication: CubeSat Payload Development
(EAS)
Room 124B, 1020
MIDSHIPMEN: BLANCHARD, DODS, KELLY
This project is to design, assemble, and test a laser communication system that will be able to send and receive signals across not just a laboratory optical table, but over 300 feet. This laser system transmitted a signal
from a computer through a MIniMc, which modulated the signal to be sent through fiber optic cables and then
out collimators, which propagated a signal through free space and to a receiving lens, MiniMc, and computer,
which displayed the transmitted signal. The team also developed a link budget able to determine the link margin of the system, which will be used in designing a communications system able to transmit a signal from a
satellite to a ground station. Finally, a Solidworks model of the experiment was developed, which enabled the
team to visualize possible setups and virtually manipulate the experiment. This capstone lays the groundwork
for a new team in the next semester to develop further, the challenges of which will be to design a pointing
mechanism as well as a means to fit the system aboard a 6U cubesat.
Dragons
(EAS)
Room 124B, 1055
MIDSHIPMEN: KELLY, NOGACEK, TOM
The DRAGONS grid/frame structure will be able to complete the mission of providing data about orbital debris
in space. The structure was tested for complete structural stability and met all requirements. The electronics
housing unit was also successful in holding circuit boards that will be able to endure the space environment.
All testing results were delivered to NASA for analysis and consideration.
WASP (ACES-T)
(EAS)
Room 124B, 1120
MIDSHIPMEN: GARNER, HARRINGTON, MORNEAU
The WASP team endeavors to prove the feasibility for space based solar power as a energy solution for the
Boeing taskings from the ACES-T program. Regardless of the results, the WASP team will build a model of
the space based solar power energy system that delivers 1 Watt of usable power. The prototype will include
the energy generation, electrical conversion, and power transmission capabilities required of the system.
Efficient Computing
(ECE)
Room 203, 0920
MIDSHIPMEN: BIHL
Because iris recognition is fundamentally a task of image processing, it has the potential to be executed in a
highly efficient manner by utilizing parallel processing. This project analyzes this possibility by comparing single-thread and parallel implementations of iris recognition on desktop and mobile devices
Optical Communication System
(ECE)
Room 203, 0955
MIDSHIPMEN: CHEN
Modeling and measuring the Free-Space Optical channel in order to develop communications systems for use
in wireless networking
Biometric Algorithm
(ECE)
MIDSHIPMEN: CAROTHERS
Room 203, 1020
An efficient parallel architecture design for the real-time execution of convolution in the feature extraction step
of an iris recognition system is presented. Feature extraction is the transformation of an iris image into machine data to be stored and authenticated. Quartus II software will be used to simulate the design’s performance using the VHDL (VHSIC Hardware Description Language).
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(ECE/SCS)
Enhanced Security for
WiFi Client Devices
MIDSHIPMEN: CUNNINGHAM,
HEFNER, UWAZIE, WATT
Room 206, 0855
The purpose of this project is to redesign the way
mobile client devices interact with the WiFi network stack in order to provide better security,
while still providing a positive user experience.
Virtual Integrated Environment for HARMONIE
MIDSHIPMEN: TIDWELL, SONG
(ECE/EEE)
Room 206, 0920
The object of this project is to create a Virtual Integrated Environment (VIE) for the HARMONIE project at the
Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Lab (JHUAPL). HARMONIE (Hybrid Augmented Reality Multimodal Operation
Neural Integration Environment) is a multi-year project specialized for use by paraplegic ALS patients. The
goal of HARMONIE is to use low-cost commercial products to help these patients with activities of daily living.
Close Quarter Combat Virtual Evaluation System
MIDSHIPMEN: COFER, GALLET, KANTH, LESZCZYNSKI, MCDOUGALL
(ECE/SCS)
Room 206, 0955
The purpose of this project is to create a Close Quarters Combat (CQC) training environment that uses motion
capture to provide accurate, multi-faceted after-action evaluation capabilities.
Optical Sensors for Smart Structures
MIDSHIPMEN: GOETZ, GONZALES
(EEE)
Room 206, 1020
The goal of this project is to develop a smart structure that can detect and locate directed optical radiation on a
surface and notify the operator of this information.
The WiFinder
(EEE/ECE)
Room 206, 1055
MIDSHIPMEN: DAVIN, THOMPSON, WILLIAMS
The WiFinder will detect, identify and track wireless devices in a cluttered environment.
Microrobotic manipulation System
(EEE)
Room 206, 1120
MIDSHIPMEN: CONNELL
The emerging field of microrobotics represents an important advance in technology by facilitating precise manipulation of objects at the microscale. A two-dimensional microrobot system has been previously developed
at USNA, however three-dimensional operation is desirable for more applications. The goal for this project
was to alter the vision sub-system on the existing apparatus in order to facilitate microrobot tracking in three
dimensions.
17
Advanced Concept Energy Study (ACES)
(EME/EEE/WSE/EGE/SCS)
MIDSHIPMEN: DEANON, GARCIA, HAYOUNI, HE , KELLER, MOORE, PEKO, PETTY,
VELAZQUEZ, NORDGAARD, LUCAS, O’SHEA, GREGG
Room 210, 0855
The goal of this project is to envision the energy solution for the USNA campus in 50 years.
Robotic Football
(EME/EEE/
EGE/WSE)
(Robo Goatz)
MIDSHIPMEN: BRISCOE, ENGLAND,
FONTENOT, HENDRICK, JOINER, LE,
OHMAN, PALAZOLO, SEEBERGER,
WHITESIDE, GILBERT, MICHELSON,
OSTRENGA, HEGARTY
Room 210, 0955
Build a team of 8 robots to participate in a robotic football
combine and scrimmage at Notre Dame on 28 March 2015.
Aqua Monkey
(WSE)
Room 211, 0855
MIDSHIPMEN: LEICHT, LODGE, LIGGET, YAU
Four AquaMonkeys will be produced in order to communicate with each other and navigate to different known
locations to retrieve water samples and then return to the boat. The new design involves minor changes to the
body of an existing AquaMonkey to allow for the water sampling kit containing a revolver system that will hold
water sample containers. Electronics will include an mbed processor, xBee communication, GPS navigation
and a drill-driven pump to collect water samples. The design will include paddle foam wheels, tail, and tentacles made out of rare earth metals similar to the previous design
augmented Reality and Wearable Tech
MIDSHIPMEN: WALDORF, GREEN, HORVATH, COOK, DUNCAN
(WSE)
Room 211, 0920
In the flight line environment there are recognized difficulties with the process to request technical support from
engineering and in utilizing technical order instructions on-site. Using the wearable technologies Google Glass
and Epson Moverio this team worked to develop a real-time, two-way audio/video/data/ visual overlay to reduce the time required to reach a subject matter expert while eliminating errors of interpretation by both parties
and to guide the technician by identifying objects visually, displaying instructions visually and audibly, and record required check-list items – all in a hands-free environment
18
Cooperative Control of a Spherical Robot Swarm
MIDSHIPMEN: SANCHEZ, PARK, HENEGAR
(WSE)
Room 211, 1020
Modern robotics systems have potential to be augmented with the high processing power of today’s mobile
devices. This project is designed to provide a user with a cooperative robot system utilizing computer vision
and control techniques hosted on a mobile device, in order to coordinate a small group of spherical robots. This project included development of an Android-based control application to provide portability and increased flexibility for coordination and teleoperation of multiple robots. This effort relied on the systems engineering process to develop a user-friendly application design under constraints on development timeline and
budget. This initial effort may serve as the foundations for future work with more advanced unmanned systems.
Wearable Tech for Trauma Detection and Prediction
(WSE)
Room 211, 0955
MIDSHIPMEN: DISERIO, CLEAVER, LEE, THURSTON
The concept of the Impact Detection System (IDS) came from members’ background in sport of football and a
personal experience of a fractured back. The IDS was envisioned to help detect and address injuries as soon
as they happened. The design of the IDS is intended to be worn under military gear, football pads, or any other type of clothing. It will detect the location and intensity of the trauma and send an alert via a wireless connection. This project has the potential to impact the world of sports and help change the battlefield.
Genetic Engineering Design in th9 Cells
(WSE)
Room 211, 1055
MIDSHIPMEN: ELIAS
CD4-T-Helper9 cells (Th9) cells are a cellular derivative of basic naïve Th cells characterized by the production
of interleukin-9 (IL-9). This project intended to genetically engineer Th9 cells from naïve Th cells found in mice.
Supplementary goals include transfecting tumor cells with bioluminescence plasmids and demonstrating the
effectiveness of Th9 for reducing tumor cell populations. Th9 cell differentiation was conducted successfully invitro. Transfected tumor cells successfully displayed bioluminescence. Th9 treatment was evaluated for efficacy in diminishing tumor cell populations. Future applications of this project include research to elucidate how
Th9 eradicates tumors, eventually leading to in-vivo testing.
Economizing UDP
(WSE)
Room 211, 1120
MIDSHIPMEN: REBHOLZ
Brain Control Interface (BCI) technology is an area of robotic control that is just beginning to become available
to the DIY maker community. Using mainly electroencephalogram (EEG) interfaces, hobbyists and garage engineers have been afforded the opportunity to conduct non-invasive neural-based robot control by filtering and
understanding the waves generated by the brain. The project focused on development of such non-invasive
brain-robot interaction through use of the OpenBCI platform, a cutting edge low-cost development interface.
Should this method of control prove to be stable and easily configurable across a diverse user base, it has the
potential to afford a hand-free silent controller interface which would enable operators to use their hands for
other purposes be they mechanical, combative, or operational to complete the mission.
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EOD Robot with Oculus Rift
(WSE)
Room 212, 0855
MIDSHIPMEN: WATANABE, MOSEBAR, PARRY, COOK
This project created an advanced tele-operated system for use as a bomb disposal robot. The intent was to
improve upon existing designs by incorporating stereoscopic cameras and a VR display to provide 3-D, wide
FOV video to the operator, utilize the user’s head movements to control the system’s camera, provide a high
dexterity and user friendly system for control the system’s manipulator arms, and provide a stable and highly
versatile platform with intuitive controls. These improvements are designed to provide the operator with enhanced tele-presence for improved control.
Intelligent Security Systems: UAV Object Detection and Inspection
MIDSHIPMEN: SILBERBERG, MILLER
(WSE)
Room 212, 0920
Our project utilizes the maneuverability of a UAV to visually detect and inspect persons of interest. An algorithm was constructed that effectively links the flight control of an indoor aerial vehicle with computer vision
feedback. The algorithm autonomously directs, from computer vision feedback, a UAV to perform a two-step
visual surveillance approach (detection and inspection) in an indoor environment. This occurs while simultaneously tracking and learning about the detected humans.
Effect of Field of View and Depth Perception on
Tele-operator Performance
(WSE)
Room 212, 0955
MIDSHIPMEN: MIHALJEVICH
The modern battlespace has transformed from large open areas to confined urban environments which decrease the reliability of external navigation signals such as GPS as means to guide unmanned aerial vehicles
(UAVs). This project seeks to mitigate this fault through the development of an on-board navigation system
comprised of optical flow sensors supplemented with range and inertial measurement sensors.
Controllable Monocopter Design
(WSE)
Room 212, 1020
MIDSHIPMEN: BURKE, HORTON
Unmanned aerial vehicles are becoming increasingly important in today’s battlefield. An innovative monocopter design would be beneficial because of its small size, robust design, and ability to auto-rotate. The monocopter concept is based on the samara whirling helicopter seeds that fall from trees. We will attempt to replicate and further expand upon nature’s design by designing a mono-winged rotorcraft in which the entire aircraft rotates about its center of mass as it flies. The monocopter we will design will have the potential to be further developed for use on the battlefield as a surveillance tool.
(WSE)
Room 212, 1055
Monocopter
MIDSHIPMEN: BOLE, COLLINS
This project explores the possibility of using single-wing flight to give troops an advantage in combat situations
and to build a reliable monocopter that provides troops with the ability to conduct surveillance without relying
outside support. The product will use a DC motor and radio control to fly, and then take a picture of the area
that can be collected by the user. The advantages of this deign are that it will be lightweight, durable, and
quick to deploy. This project can have a positive impact upon the capabilities of small combat units.
Controlling a Joint-Actuated Buoy
(WSE)
Room 212, 1120
MIDSHIPMEN: BARKER
Picture a free-floating buoy using a directional antenna to communicate with a satellite in the sky. In order to
effectively communicate, the antenna must remain pointed towards the satellite at all times despite waves.
With a joint-actuated buoy, it is possible to mechanically control and stabilize the upper half of the buoy containing an antenna using the movement of the lower housing of the buoy. This project utilizes the previous research on the buoy models and PID controller design in order to effectively implement a PID controller to vertically stabilize the upper half of the buoy.
20
Sonic Triangulation
(WSE)
Room 213, 0855
MIDSHIPMEN: BENFIELD, AUNTOUN
Situational awareness in conflict zones can lead to safer decision-making for civilians. Technologies exist that
utilize stationary acoustic sensors to determine the exact location of an explosive event, such as a gunshot, in
a high-risk urban environment. This project offers a mobile solution to mitigate a lack of situational awareness
by tapping into sensor capabilities inherent in common smartphones. It employs a network of nodes equipped
with GPS, microphone, and wireless communications. Communicating event information to an external server,
this configuration allows for the implementation of a triangulation algorithm to pinpoint explosive events.
Rapid Upgrade for Manipulator Position Sensing
MIDSHIPMEN: ALLEN, BARTLETT, ERPS
(WSE)
Room 213, 0955
Explosive Ordinance Disposal technicians are often faced with highly complex and sensitive disposal scenarios. The use of robots has been implemented in recent years; however, these robots do not provide feedback
on the size, material strength and placement of the explosive device due to concealment. Haptic feedback implemented on EOD robots will enable technicians to comfortably and precisely handle concealed ordinance.
Various sensors placed at the end of the robotic arm provide easily interpreted sensory feedback to the user.
The implementation of haptic feedback to EOD robotic manipulators has the potential to increase disposal efficiency and to save lives.
Manipulator-based Retrieve, Recharge, and Re-deploy of UAV
MIDSHIPMEN: BRAINERD, EDMOND, JARREAU, LEWIS, PEREZ
(WSE)
Room 213, 0955
This aims to automatically retrieve, recharge, and redeploy quadcopters enabling sustained operations with
minimal intervention. The proposed solution uses a USB camera with an infrared filter to determine position
and orientation of the quadcopter relative to the end-effector of the manipulator. Quadcopters are retrofit with a
custom printed circuit board attachment containing infrared markers in known geometry. This enables use of
the PnP algorithm to recover the pose of the quadcopter. Using this, the manipulator can move to and secure
the quadcopter for placement on a custom charging station. Once charging is complete, the arm will retrieve
and redeploy it.
Darpa Challenge: Eyes in the Sky
(WSE)
Room 213, 1020
MIDSHIPMEN: KADRMAS, CALVERT, ENLOW
The goal of this project was to develop an ad hoc network of large helium balloons which would: merge multiple video streams into a single mosaic, stabilize video. The balloon system would provide persistent, temporary intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) over a controlled area. The ultimate purpose was to
develop an innovative solution to the tactical problem of low level surveillance of a small area. The final design
of the project included two balloons used to take video from two separate locations. The videos were then successfully stitched together in a single mosaic using feature detection.
RoboGoat
(WSE)
Room 213, 1055
MIDSHIPMEN: BENNER, DENNEY, GRIGGS, LYNCH
The RoboGoat capstone is a legacy capstone that competes in the Intelligent Ground Vehicle Competition
(IGVC). The goal is to develop an autonomous ground vehicle that can navigate an obstacle course by improving the accuracy of the sensors, changing the basic design and developing algorithms to improve consistency
and performance. In order to accomplish this goal, concepts of the framework and sensors were generated
and analyzed against certain metrics to find the effectiveness of redesigning the system. The sensors include
a camera, GPS and Lidar. All three are integrating together through Matlab, to allow for path planning determination and execution.
21
Enhancing the Clinical Relevancy of the Cobelli Model
MIDSHIPMEN: MEEK
(WSE)
Room 223, 0855
Type II Diabetes is a disease that occurs when the body’s cells become insensitive to insulin. To counteract
this insensitivity doctors sometimes prescribe secretagogues, which stimulate the pancreas to secrete more
insulin. The Cobelli Model is an existing biological model that describes the blood glucose system, and is approved for use by the FDA. The objective of this project is to adapt the Cobelli Model to accommodate the input of secretagogues. Parameter adaptation will be conducted with patient blood glucose data to determine
initial model parameters and model predictive control will be implemented to determine appropriate secretagogue input.
Blood Glucose Control
Theory In diagnostics of
Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus
(WSE)
Room 223, 0920
MIDSHIPMEN: JANIK
The objective of this research project is to understand,
improve, and implement diagnostic methods of diabetes mellitus using control theory. Diabetes is a disease
that ravages the lives of millions of people therefore by
providing an improved method of diagnosis, doctors will
be able to treat patients more quickly and specifically. Initially, simulations will be completed using
MATLAB. The final portion of this project will test the
model on a physical test bed that will be created to analyze the model’s response. This test bed will be
based off one that utilizes water and glucose to simulate an in-vivo experience.
Use of Galvanotaxis and Visual Feedback to Control Paramecium Cells
(WSE)
Room 223, 0955
MIDSHIPMEN: SLAUGHTER
This project researched and investigated the ability to control the single-celled organisms Paramecium and
Synedra. Previously, Paramecium has been observed to move toward the cathode of electric fields. Researchers have made use of electrodes to produce electric fields through groups of cells in microscope slides and a
microscope mounted camera to capture the movement of the cells. Image processing tools are then used to
analyze the motion of the cells. This project attempts to achieve similar results with Paramecium and investigates whether the concept can be extended to using light for control of Synedra cells.
Anomaly Detection in the Maritime Domain
(WSE)
Room 223, 1020
MIDSHIPMEN: EBELING
The goal of this project was to develop an algorithm to detect anomalies in the maritime domain for the practical purpose of finding threats to naval ships and submarines. These threats are assumed to be small, fast
moving vessels intending to harm naval assets in a busy port. Dense traffic would allow them to conceal themselves until the moment of attack, at which point they would speed up and maneuver erratically. This behavior
would be discerned as an anomaly in marine traffic. Using computer vision techniques, a means of detecting
and tracking these small boat threats was created and tested.
22
Analyzing Laser Propagation to Minimize Variance in Maritime
Environment
(WSE)
Room 223, 1055
MIDSHIPMEN: ROONEY
As directed energy systems become used more frequently in military operations, the need for detection systems becomes increasingly essential. On axis detection is the easiest method of laser detection, but the practicality of such a system in combat is almost nonexistent. Instead, since lasers scatter due to particles in the atmosphere, a method of off-axis detection is preferred. This paper presents a method to detect lasers from an
off-axis position, and to map its trajectory in various environments. This trajectory includes the slope, direction,
and approximate source location for the beam.
Design of Resilient Control Algorithm to Resist Deception Attack
MIDSHIPMEN: KARPF
(WSE)
Room 223, 1120
Cyber-physical Systems (CPS) is an emergent field in security research that defines resilience and adaptability
as the primary performance metrics. These systems live at the crossroad between tangible processes in the
physical world and their electronic communication elements. The structure of this project took a dynamic and
representative CPS and implanted a hack that allows a user to introduce a malicious deception or denial-ofservice attack. The research led to the design of a proof-of-concept control architecture based on model predictive control and resilient control techniques that prolongs the functionality of the CPS as compared to traditional digital control methods.
Systems Ball
(WSE)
MIDSHIPMEN: BACON, MISCH ,COPENHAVER, STONE,JOSPEH, MCGINTY
Room 224, 0855
The system ball is a competition with which we are tasked to design and build a robot that can score, defend
itself, and attack other robots. The radio-controlled robot must be able to navigate a course and score points
by placing a hoop on a pole. The Robots can attack competing robots to prevent them from scoring.
Untethered Sea Perch
(WSE)
Room 224, 1020
MIDSHIPMEN: LASKEY, PENDLETON, WONGISSARES
"Seaperch: Untethered and Unlocked” is a project equipping an existing tethered underwater vehicle to be autonomous. The Seaperch was selected for the design platform for its simplicity and low-price. The Seaperch
will be outfitted with sensors, actuators, on-board processing, and an antenna. The design scenario involves
the vehicle to move from one waypoint to another underwater. Surfacing, the vehicle will wirelessly receive
commands from a base station. The vehicle will then submerge, execute the commands, and re-surface at the
Intermittent Jamming of Communications Systems
(WSE)
Room 224, 1055
MIDSHIPMEN: MILLER
This paper shows that noise put into a facial detection system can alter its effectiveness. In a simple facial detection system there are three types of noise that change the success rate of detecting a face: inherent noise
in an image, signal noise entering the program, and disruptive noise during program training. An enemy can be
led into a false sense of security when the effect of noise on technologies such as facial detection is not understood. This project successfully showed that a facial detection system has vulnerabilities due to the assump-
23
Autonomous Acrobatic Ground Vehicle
MIDSHIPMEN: MACVARISH, WILKINS, LATERZA
(WSE)
Room 230, 0855
This project will modify a RC car to install a microprocessor, multiple sensors, and custom built reaction
wheels. The objective is to create a car that will flip itself and land upright after going off a jump. The car will
use a range sensor to detect when it has left the ramp; that will trigger power to spin and then brake the reaction wheel. Based on the principle of angular momentum, the body of the modified RC car will flip through the
air as well. The car has been calibrated to land upright after a predetermined number of turns.
Continuous Tracking System
(WSE)
Room 230, 0920
MIDSHIPMEN: KINCAID, CARBONE
When implementing a traditional underground dog fence, problems arise with costs, labor of installation, and
disruption by everyday occurrences. A non-physical barrier can enable owners to adapt their fence to changing
environments without losing their pet and allow them to maintain their investment if they happen to move. At
the base of this idea is accurate location of a dog in real-time in order to keep it safe. This team intends to
build a device that measures the dog’s movement to track its position relative to a starting point for future application as the basis of a dog fence system.
Hook, Line, and Syncher
(WSE)
Room 230, 0955
MIDSHIPMEN: FOARD, SLOAN, EKMAN
Fishing is an activity in which the user must have physical control of the rod in order to set the hook when a
fish strikes. Often times the user is performing other tasks that cause him to lose this physical control of the
rod, posing a risk of losing a fish. The objective of this project is to design and implement an automated fishing
pole holder that is capable of autonomously sensing a fish on the line, setting the hook, and alerting the user
that a fish has hit the bait. This autonomous pole holder will be easy, effective, and of use to both everyday
fishermen and professional anglers.
Camera Stabilization
(WSE)
Room 230, 1020
MIDSHIPMEN: FIELDER, VETERE, ZELL
The ability to capture smooth video footage is a common challenge in the film industry. Many products designed to solve this problem are expensive and very difficult to use unless they are being operated by professionals. The goal of this project is to design and manufacture a simple, effective, and low cost handheld camera stabilization system for amateur film makers. This rig will employ accelerometers and motors in lieu of
gravity driven gimbals found in other camera rigs. As a result, the rig can be calibrated and operated with a
simple push of a button vice hours of professional training.
Multi-Robot Relative Positioning Using Stereo Camera Systems
MIDSHIPMEN: BUCK
(WSE)
Room 230, 1055
Interoperability between autonomous robots is desirable in the robotics field. Many state of the art algorithms
to control these multi-robot systems are based on the absolute or relative position of the robots. Without an
accurate and reliable position solution it is exceptionally difficult for the robots to perform cooperative tasks.
There are numerous methods for accurately obtaining the position solution, but the quality of the position typically comes at increased expense. This project aims to develop and test the robustness and accuracy of a low
-cost relative positioning system using low cost stereo cameras rigs.
24
NASA 2015 ICEESAT-2: Mission Hexacopter Engineering Challenge
MIDSHIPMEN: DE LA CRUZ, RAFTER, GONONG, BALDEZ
(WSE)
Room 235, 0855
This project investigates the design and implementation of a sensor suite, mounted on a UAV, capable of autonomously surveying an area and creating a 3D representation of that area. An algorithm is presented that
determines the path of the UAV based on the area to be surveyed. Additionally, the UAV will navigate this area autonomously. LiDAR was used to collect range data that will be compiled into a 3D model.
Interoperable UGV-UAV System for Tracking and Mobile VTOL
MIDSHIPMEN: BUCK, DANG
(WSE)
Room 235, 0920
This research implements cooperative action between a ground and an aerial vehicle, allowing tracking as well
as mobile launching and recovery. This system requires a user to remotely control either platform while the
other autonomously tracks alongside using control algorithms. These controllers are based on precise position
information gathered using VICON motion capture. The aerial vehicle can also remotely launch and dock directly from the ground vehicle. This project serves as a proof of concept of an interoperable semi-autonomous
system that capitalizes on the inherent capabilities of each platform.
Semi-Autonomous Ground Vehicle for Target Mapping in Disaster Zones (WSE)
Room 235, 0955
MIDSHIPMEN: MILLER, BLOY, NIXON
Designed an autonomous vehicle that has the ability to navigate obstacles in hazardous environments such as
destroyed buildings and disaster areas. The vehicle can develop a map of its surrounding area utilizing a LIDAR sensor and identify targets via instantaneous feedback through live camera feed.
Self-Assembling Autonomous Mobile Robots
MIDSHIPMEN: VALENCIA, GARCIA-QUIROGA, EVERHART
(WSE)
Room 235, 1020
Designed a pair of autonomous robots that operate independently, but can physically connect to each other to
accomplish tasks as an assembled unit. At the end of this capstone we will have two identical robots that
when separate, will be able to perform 2-D motion using only one motor. The mobile robots will be able to
communicate to each other, connect, and therefore as a joint unit be able to perform differential drive. Our
team hopes that future midshipmen can continue on this capstone and add additionally functionality.
Object Transportation by Autonomous Cooperative Robots
(WSE)
Room 235, 1055
MIDSHIPMEN: INGLETT
In this project, we look to design and build a proof of concept that cooperative robots can be used to autonomously transport an object that is too heavy or cumbersome for a single robot to do individually. We design
and implement a control scheme that first allows the robots to connect to the transport object regardless of
their initial configurations and cooperatively transport the object to the desired location. The cooperative,
transport control action assumes that the robots are rigidly connected to the object and calculates the wheel
speeds as “one unit” with two separate wheel bases.
(WSE)
Self-Balancing Marine Vessel
Room 235, 1120
MIDSHIPMEN: JOHNSON, SHEPARD-LEWIS
Each year thousands of shipping containers fall from ship decks due to large waves and strong winds. The
goal is to have the control system autonomously move a platform to counteract the disturbances by controlling
roll, pitch, yaw and heave. The students developed a functional design, a schedule and a cost analysis. The
vessel is placed in a water tank that uses waves as disturbances, testing the efficiency of the control system.
The control system includes the control code that sends commands to designated motors and sensors within
the system. This design will be a solution to losing valuable cargo.
25
A Breath of Fresh Air
(EME)
Room 236, 0955
MIDSHIPMEN: BITTLE, JENNINGS, GRABIEL, SCHULTZ
This group designed a device to prevent Shallow Water Blackouts, a common cause of death among divers.
TALOS
MIDSHIPMEN: CHOW, DEMSKI, GRIFFITT, CLEMENTS, JONES, SEARIGHT, VETERE
(EME/EGE)
Room 236, 1020
This group developed a helmet support system that holds approximately 30lbs and enables full range of motion by the user without constriction.
Efficient Cookstove for Nicaragua
(EME)
Room 236, 1055
MIDSHIPMEN: ALDRIDGE, FLEGGE, FREESE, JENSEN
Villagers in the rural settings of northwest Nicaragua are limited in their options for fuel when cooking with fire.
A stove that utilizes human and animal waste to produce methane gas for power would burn cleaner than
cooking with wood and would save villagers time in gathering firewood for fuel. The proposed design will generate heat to cook food and boil water, and it will not produce an excess of harmful emissions.
Synexxus Electronic Keel Applications
MIDSHIPMEN: BAKER, GARCIA, HAWXHURST, HO, HOLL, JOSHI, LADOUCE, SCOTT
(EEE/ECE/EME)
Room 236, 1120
The purpose of this project is to convert an ATV into a user controlled and eventually autonomous vehicle. An
electronic keel, which will be provided by Synexxus, will be placed on the ATV and will receive the wireless
signal from a tablet or smartphone. Once the signal is received, the electronic keel will execute the given instructions by manipulating the throttle, steering, and braking.
Synexxus Electronic Keel Applications: developing an autonomous vehicle at the crossroads of Mechanical and Computer Engineering.
26
Snowflake
(ECE/EGE/EME)
Room 237B, 0855
MIDSHIPMEN: BREZNIK, CHEN, MENDELSON
The group has researched and developed an Airdrop Delivery System (ADS) named snowflake. It is a system
designed to drop mission equipment from aircraft reliably and accurately utilizing free fall.
Amazing Fox
MIDSHIPMEN: CROCKETT, FUNKHAUSER, KRASNOR, WALSH
(EGE/EEE/EME)
Room 237B, 0920
The Czech red fox has an amazing method of catching mice in the snow during the winter. The fox will hear a
mouse moving below the snow, and do an aerial jump in order to dive into the snow to catch the mouse. However, biologists believe the fox can see the Earth’s magnetic lines which determine the accuracy of the hunt.
Biologist have observed when the fox faces magnetic North, the success rate improves more than four times
the success rate in any other direction. The goal is to determine if responses in visually obstructed habitats are
preferentially aligned to the magnetic north, and, if these responses are disrupted when foxes are exposed to
low-level radio frequencies, shown to disrupt photoreceptor-based magnetic mechanisms.
(EEE)
Laser Dynamics
Room 237B, 0955
MIDSHIPMEN: ANDERLE, FORGACS, RAND
The Laser Dynamics group examines the feasibility of an in-flight, laser-based recharging system for both
electrically-powered delivery drones in developed countries and offensive electric drone swarms.
USNA Waste Stream Gasification
MIDSHIPMEN: ADSIT, BERMUDEZ, CHASE, KERNER, SCHMIDT
(EME)
Room 237B, 1020
In support of future initiatives from the USNA public works office, this team has developed a small-scale proofof-concept system to demonstrate using gasification technology to convert USNA non-food waste into electricity.
Incinerator Waste Heat Recovery
(EME)
Room 237B, 1055
MIDSHIPMEN: ALEXANDER, LEE, RILEY, WHIPPO
Using the work of a previous effort to develop a waste incinerator for under-developed regions, and a small island in Haiti in particular, this team has engineered a method to use waste heat from the trash incinerator to
boil and purify water in an effort to simultaneously improve sanitation and provide clean drinking water.
Water Tower Construction
(EME)
Room 237B, 1120
MIDSHIPMEN: DEPPE, KLENA, MCMURTRAY, PAYNE
In support of a local NGO helping rural Ecuadorian villagers improve water supplies, this team has reengineered a water tower design that will reduce the difficulty and time required to construct the towers, allowing a greater number of people to be reached by the NGO group.
27
MH-60 Funnel Re-design
(EME)
Room 239, 0855
MIDSHIPMEN: GALLIEN, MCINTYRE, WATERMAN, WHITE
Redesign funnel in MH-60 helicopter that acts as interface for deploying and retrieving sonar transducer.
Service Academy Design Challenge
MIDSHIPMEN: ARELLANO, HARRIS, HASEGAN, WIEMANN
(EME)
Room 239, 0920
Design a lightweight, man-portable system capable of cooling soldiers in extreme hot and humid environments.
Automated Specimen Polisher
(EME)
Room 239, 0955
MIDSHIPMEN: MOHAN, SCULLY, SWEZEY
Design a system for polishing specimens used in rotary bending fatigue tests.
Adaptive Technology 1
MIDSHIPMEN: HEAGEN, HOLIAN,
SEAGRAVES, THAW
(EME/EEE)
Room 239, 1020
Design an automated pedaling system for use in
physical therapy with a disabled child.
Adaptive Technology 2
(EEE/EME)
Room 239, 1055
MIDSHIPMEN: BURCHETT, CANADY, KAKO, YAU
Design a system for use in pool physical therapy (aquatherapy) that keeps the patient afloat, stable, and comfortable, which allowing the therapist easy access to the patient.
Speech Recognition
(EEE)
Room 239, 1120
MIDSHIPMEN: DIORIO
In this project, we investigate the application of point process model keyword spotting to the task of topic identification in continuous speech. The point process model (PPM) approach to spoken term detection offers a
fast and efficient means of identifying words in speech. Based on keyword detections, Naive Bayes and SVM
classifiers are used to perform topic identification on audio documents. Our experiments reveal that the PPM
word detection probability estimates were not sufficiently accurate to yield acceptable topic identification performance.
28
UAV Nosecone
(EME/EGE)
Room 243, 0855
MIDSHIPMEN: CONNOR, FREER, MALONE, TOOMBS, WARNEKE
Design a nosecone that fits all required components for a smaller UAV.
(EME)
Plastic Recycling for
Ile-a-Vache, Haiti
MIDSHIPMEN: ARCENEAUX, BECKER,
MOSSMANN, RYDALCH
Room 243, 0920
Ile-a-Vache is a small island off the coast of Haiti in the
Caribbean. Currently, there is a need to treat and eliminate different forms of trash that cover the island. Ile-aVache also accumulates plastic waste from imported
drinking water containers and containers that wash up
on shore. The purpose of this project is to design a system able to recycle locally found plastic into usable materials. A trash incinerator, or another heat source, will
provide the needed energy to run the process since other power sources may be limited. The project will focus
on recycling plastic waste into plastic blocks, to be used
to meet the needs of the people.
Team Philo
(EME/EGE)
Room 243, 0955
MIDSHIPMEN: DIMAAPI, GOULDING, GUERIN, NARDONE, PARKER, REMILLARD
Team Philo was a Spirit Ship that was driven onto the Navy-Marine Corps Stadium at sporting events. The
goal of this project is to restore the mobility of the Philo vehicle by replacing the engine, the drivetrain, the
tires, and the electrical system. The project will also focus on improving the aesthetic appeal of the vehicle as
well as attaching additional features that will entertain Navy fans at sporting events.
Wort Chiller
MIDSHIPMEN: ESKEW, GARVEY, HUTCHINSON, WILLIS
(EME/EGE)
Room 243, 1020
This project’s goal is to chill wort to a desired temperature in a desired time during the home brew process, .
Shipborne UAV Capture System
(EEE/EME/WSE/ EGE)
Room 243, 1055
MIDSHIPMEN: GONZALES, GREY, MATELLI, SLEDGE, SZYMANSKI, TRUONG, HEINEMEYER,
VALENSTEIN
The purpose of this project is to design, build, and test a capture system that can be installed on aviation ships
that will arrest a large UAV and maneuver it safely to the ship deck. This is the second year of this project.
Micro-Glider
MIDSHIPMEN: ALLSHOUSE, ANDERSON, FISCHER, PATTERSON, TELLO, VOEGELE
(EME)
Room 243, 1120
The purpose of this project is to design a compact microglider for measurements in the Severn River.
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Alaska Harbor Design Group in Whittier, AK, surveying the project location.
“Rex”: EOD Robot with Oculus Rift, and its midshipmen designers.
“Joint-Actuated Buoy” designed for
reliable satellite communications.
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