Automated Heating Recovery Ventilator
Students Charles Reilly, Jacob Schultz, and Ethan Sprigg
A mechanical apparatus for capturing heat from a home HVAC system’s exhaust air during the heating season. The captured heat is used to pre-heat the system’s cold supply air, reducing energy demands on the main HVAC unit.
Project Adviser: Mr. Craig Brennecke
Automated Wine Bottle Process
Students Alex D. Link, Olivia D. Miller, Tyler G. Scott, and Cedric N. Wilt
An automated bottling process that utilizes a conveyor system driven by an AC motor, motion sensors, and pneumatic actuators. This machine will fill, cork, and brand the cork using an iron brander. This was designed with safety and small businesses in mind.
Project Adviser: Mr. Craig Brennecke
Digital Communications for Medium Wave Frequencies
Students Christian Wilkins and CJ Wilson
Build upon earlier work to develop a Portable Amateur Radio Station at Penn State Altoona (2019-2020 EMET capstone project). Obtain FCC Amateur Technician and General Class licenses and design/build/ test a station capable of two-way digital communications on the 160 Meter Band and the reception of digital communications on the 630 Meter Band.
Project Adviser: Mr. Steven Betza
Automated Algae Bio-Reactor
Students Hans Braumann, Nathan Frick, Victoria Williamson
An autonomous growing chamber meant to yield superb algae. This algae will then be used to create biofuel.
Project Adviser: Mr. Craig Brennecke
Automated Drink Maker
Students Tyler Huss, Austin McConaghy, John “Alex” Murray, Zachary Taylor.
A drink maker that allows multiple mixtures of drinks, two different cup size options, the option for ice, and the option for the drink to be mixed. All automated by a compact Logix PLC by Alan Bradley.
Project Adviser: Mr. Craig Brennecke
6-Axis Anthropomorphic Robot sponsored by Lockheed Martin
Students Benjamin Bearer, Evan Cardoza, Leroy Henry, and Shiona Lonesky
A 6-axis robot that is designed to put three parts of a box together, that can be remotely accessed. This project is sponsored by Lockheed Martin for the Electro-Mechanical Engineering students at Penn State Altoona.
Sun Tracking Solar Home Generator
Students Chang Bickel and Ian Reed
Project description: A dual-axis system that tracks the sun’s movement throughout the day to charge a central power hub that can power home appliances up to 600W in case of an outage.
Project Adviser: Mr. Craig Brennecke
Automated Greenhouse with Aquaponics
Students Ally Arbanas, Robert Davinsizer, Cameron Parry, and Lance Puhatch
A fully automated greenhouse with aquaponics, completely controlled by PLC, with limited human interaction. Our greenhouse’s automation monitors parameters such as lighting conditions, temperature and humidity, watering solutions, all with the goal to provide vegetation with optimal growing conditions and balancing a healthy nitrogen cycle beneficial to both fish and plants.
Project Adviser: Mr. Craig Brennecke
Automatic Guitar Tuner
Students Jack Pilch and Noah Welsh.
An Arduino-based automatic guitar tuner using a motor to turn each individual tuning peg.
Project Adviser: Mr. Craig Brennecke
Mini-Baja Frame Stress Test
Students Deric Blackie, Hunter Johnson, Lillie McCoy, and Alec Steinbauer
A test apparatus for static testing the stress and strain of a Mini-Baja frame chassis. The design is intended to accommodate a variety of different frame sizes so future frames can be tested.
Project Adviser: Dr. Peter Shull and Mr. Craig Brennecke
Automated Golf Club
Students Shane Crider, Matthew Yahner, Riley Harris, and Aaron Crain
A golf club that will take the place of an iron set and will be able to rotate to the proper loft angle to match certain golf clubs.
Project Adviser: Mr. Craig Brennecke
Tour Device
Students Angel Beverly and Corey McCreary
The Alternative Tour redefines the thought process of in-person tours. This device is a virtual platform where advanced technology recreates tours as if it was happening on site.
Project Advisers: Mr. Craig Brennecke and Mr. Paul Cooney
Automated Telescope
Students Bryan Zeigler and Cory Curfman
A telescope that automatically aligns to a variety of celestial objects. A touch screen program displays a selection of objects that a user can select and the telescope will move into the proper alignment to see the selected object.
Project Adviser: Mr. Craig Brennecke
Remote Automated Hot Water System
Student Tyler Travis
The project is going to be used for people in remote locations who need hot water. The system is solar-powered so it can be off of the grid. It will be fully automated so there is no need for someone to complete the process all the person has to do is click start. The solar panels will stay in line with the sun throughout the day.
Project Adviser: Mr. Craig Brennecke