What does DESIGN mean?

  • solving problems
  • answering questions
  • characterization
  • modeling/calculation
  • iteration
  • analysis
  • recommendations for optimization
  • evaluation
  • development
  • synthesis
  • process

What are the BENEFITS to our company?

  • students provide insight into exsisting problems
  • students and faculty mentor offer specialized knowlege
  • students provide man power and time for projects that may otherwise be put on hold
  • engage with students as potential employees
  • have access to equipment and expertise not available at your own site
  • visibility of your organization on campus provides a gateway for a broader relationship with MSE

What have other projects been?

  • characterization of material properties and understanding of direct laser sintering
  • investigating the corrosion behavior in lead-free solders
  • determining mechanical properties of maraging steel produced by selective laser melting
  • determining dependence of physical properties of soluble glasses on synthesis route
  • rapid prototyping of polyactic acid crystal models

What should we do if we are interested?

  • Contact: Shraddha Vachhani, email:  vachhani@iastate.edu or phone: 515-294-1230
  • Fill out a ‘Project Information Sheet’ with contact information, project description, resources, outcomes, interest area, and financial commitment
  • Determine project objectives and criteria

Recent senior design business partners

Allegheny Technologies | Emerson | Honeywell | 3M | Ervin Industries | John Deere | Link Mfg. | Cobham Mission Systems | Placon Corporation | Thombert, Inc. | SAFI-Tech

How does it work?

  • This is a 2-semester course, offered in both fall and spring semesters.
  • It is an industry-sponsored project.
  • There are teams of 3-4 students and 1 faculty mentor.
  • Students work 10-15 hours/week or 500-700 student hours in total.
  • A $2500 financial commitment as a reimbursement for itemized costs is required and company approval is required before a group can go over that dollar amount.
  • Companies must provide resources such as samples, supplies, or specialized equipment.
  • An engineer within the company should be assigned as the primary point of contact.
  • Consider student travel to the company or a company visit to Iowa State University.
  • Companies should provide outcomes and objectives such as reports/analyses, prototypes, models, data, etc.
  • A non-disclosure agreement form is available in cases where confidential information is handled.
  • There is also an agreement to assign any intellectual property to your company as desired.